There has already been an overload of ‘green’ makeup brands launched in 2020, leaving some beauty connoisseurs so exhausted that they return to old favourites. Well here’s the best of both worlds: a novel makeup brand, fresh to New Zealand, that has long been sought-after on the other side of the world.
Since 2005 British brand Lily Lolo has gained a loyal following with its commitment to keeping all products free from harsh chemicals, dyes, fillers, preservatives and synthetic fragrances. At its core lies a concept of green beauty, its impressive collection — which covers everything from mascara to lip-liner — uses only naturally-derived, mineral-based ingredients.
Then there’s Lily Lolo’s admirable determination to remain suitable for every kind of woman — regardless of personal style, age or skin colour. Available in 20 different shades, it’s no wonder that the mineral foundation is consistently labelled the brand’s hero product.
An exciting brand that will actually deliver on its lofty promise, suffice to say we’re welcoming the arrival of the impressive Lily Lolo collection of makeup — which is now available locally thanks to Sothys — with open arms and beauty bags.
Whether it’s the adventurous, bindle-toting Runaway Girl slung around the neck or a refined, gem-studded daisy adorning a finger, each piece from Karen Walker’s vast jewellery collection is instantly recognisable as uniquely her own. There are the Karen Walker signature stylings that thread them all together: whether a ring, a necklace or a set of studs, all her design pieces share a delicate filigree style, all are crafted from precious metals and, perhaps most notably, each one boasts a discernable, whimsical nature. Walker’s latest collection, Gulliver’s World of Karen Walker, is no exception to the rule.
Inspired by Gulliver, the traveller’s literary icon created by Jonathan Swift, the collection comprises an assortment of rings, necklaces and earrings that are all particularly dainty — even by Walker’s standards. Indeed, these elegant pieces are distinctively small, especially in the case of the classic Runaway Girl. It’s in tribute to the minute citizens of Lilliput, in the Swift classic, that Runaway Girl has been shrunk down to miniature size.
Alongside the classic emblematic charm are a few exciting newcomers: a butterfly, chosen as a symbol of vitality, a horseshoe, to represent good luck, and a unicorn — no doubt in response to the growing millennial love for the illustrious mythical beast. Each of these is available as a ring, necklace or set of studs in sterling silver, 9-carat yellow gold or 9-carat rose gold.
Whether worn in abundance, with mismatched rings stacked together and necklaces layered upon each other, or displayed individually, each miniature piece from the Gulliver’s World collection makes for a fanciful outfit adornment. They each add a touch of youthful whimsy and playfulness, which can not only enhance the wearer’s chutzpah, but bring to life to even the most sensible of sartorial styles.
Certain things in life cry out for the assistance of a superbly capable professional, and acquiring a bouncy, polished blow-out is one of them. But not all hairstylists are created equal and, while some can work magic on our locks, others can leave them looking a little lacklustre. After numerous requests for advice on the best of hairstylists, we’ve decided to consult our beauty black book and confidentially let slip the names we trust to give us a heads up.
Our secret? We’ve long relied on the stylists at Servilles to help us achieve the ultimate bounce in our hair, and our step. Not only do they each have a way with hair that can only be described as masterly, but the service is impeccable and we always come away feeling especially good about ourselves. For blow-outs specifically, there are some particular names that are we recommend. If you’re near Newmarket, we suggest you call on Campbell Gordon, while in Takapuna, Pedja Rilak is the name you should be requesting. Searching for someone in Ponsonby? Be sure to ask for Lance Aniofo, whose ability to work a hairdryer is second to none.
If there is one thing we’ve taken from the beauty looks at the past month’s fashion weeks, it is that fortune really does favour the bold.
Towering wigs The most unexpected hair trends saw a specific homage to yesteryear: not the 80s, nor the 90s but, bizarrely, the silhouettes of the 18th century. Over at Moschino, models balanced wild wigs that were heavily reminiscent of the gargantuan hairstyles made famous by Marie Antoinette, while Thom Browne sent his models down the runway with equally-as-lofty, black silicone-painted styles, (which were covered with black veils) paired with ruffled bloomers and powdered faces.
Moschino, Thom Browne, Moschino
Headbands, but upside down The statement hair accessory craze is here to stay. In fact, the trend just intensified in a way we couldn’t have predicted. The likes of Fendi and Badgley Mischka dished out novel takes on everybody’s favourite headgear, the classic headband, by flipping the whole concept quite literally on its head. Fendi’s models wore upside-down headbands tucked beneath decoratively intertwined buns, while Badgley Mischka paired their glitzy iterations under neatly contained buns.
Fendi, Badgley Mischka, Fendi
Silver The catwalks of the autumn-winter shows had actual silver linings, with the shimmering hue adding a touch of sci-fi to everything from hair to makeup. The eyelids of the Emporio Armani models were glazed with one line of silver metallic shadow, while Erdem’s silver aesthetic was out of this world in every sense, on models with slicked silver hair and silver-foil adorned eyes.
Erdem, Emporio Armani, Erdem
All that glitters Judging by the upside-down confetti glitter shadow seen at Vivetta, or the models’ faces doused in glitter by Marni, and the crystal-studded looks sported at Giambattista Valli, or Ulla Johnson highlighting soft, fairy-dusted lids while Alice & Olivia took to 70’s-inspired glitter-slicked disco eyes — it’s clear that makeup this season should shimmer with anticipation. Stick-on crystals, glistening shadows, and sparkling face glitter are all makeup essentials this autumn.
Vivetta, Marni, Alice & Olivia
Bold red lips Regardless of the never-ending conveyor belt of new lip products that are birthed each year, all boasting fresh and kaleidoscopic shades, nothing will ever beat the exotic classic red lip. At both Saint Laurent and Jil Sander, fresh faces bore minimal makeup to allow the bold lip to hold centre stage, while the likes of Marc Jacobs and Jason Wu respectively paired the same look with either a classic winged liner or a simple slick of mascara.
Jason Wu, Jil Sander, Marc Jacobs
Graphic Face Art With faces showcasing graphic eyeliner, pen-like scribbling and an unexpected emotional twist on beauty, some of the runway looks were less like makeup and more like creative works of art. At Gucci, models were sent down the runway with mascara tears streaming down their faces, while both Rag & Bone and Yohji Yamamoto adorned faces with dramatic black lines and angular shapes around the eye and nose area.
Gucci, Rag & Bone, Yohji Yamamoto
Bold Braids Whether cascading down the neck onto the back, or elegantly worked into a fishtail style, intertwined with ribbon, or bundled into a large rope-like bun, the many styles of braids are having their moment. While myriad forms of the plaited statement-hair graced catwalks — spotted everywhere from Fendi and Chromat to LaQuan Smith and Rebecca Minkoff — still, none stuck to the classic, tidy, pared-back look. Instead, braids have been given a bigger silhouette and a much bolder upgrade.
The weather hasn’t even begun its worsening yet, but, thanks to the calibre of clothing showcased at the recently wrapped-up Fall 2020 ready-to-wear shows, we’re already eagerly anticipating the arrival of autumn. At the Milan, Paris, London, and New York fashion weeks, protecting against chilly and inclement weather while remaining sartorially-savvy was at the crux of each show — at Paris Fashion Week the runways were even ravaged by faux snowstorms (Thom Brown) and floods (Balenciaga) to truly reiterate the theme — and thus a medley of strong, seasonally appropriate looks were born. From checkered prints to lashings of leather, here we’ve outlined four of the most runway-dominating trends that we’ll be sporting all season long.
1. Layers upon layers of leather It’s clear that the punk spirit can be well and truly felt in the air, at least that’s if the lashings of black leather dominating the runways are anything to go by. Whether employed via items of clothing like trench coats, jackets, dresses, trousers, or skirts, or via accessories like knee-high boots and gloves, the rule to bear in mind is that more is most definitely more. Make like the models storming Emilia Wickstead, Alberta Ferretti and Dior and layer it up for full dominatrix effect.
Dior, Balmain, Emilia Wickstead, Fendi, Alberta Ferretti
2. Check it out Whether head-to-toe, colour-blocked or emblazoned across one hero item of clothing, gingham, houndstooth, or buffalo, checks are the print stealing the limelight for the foreseeable future. A monochromatic coat in a failsafe checkered print, like those seen at Stella McCartney, make for a simple but timelessly elegant wardrobe update, while a head-to-toe look provides a way to dip into the trend for those who are looking to make a sartorial statement. Fortune favours the brave, after all.
3. Tailoring, but elevated Classic suiting has been given an ultra-elegant overhaul for autumn 2020. From Prada to Lanvin to Off White, the runways were littered with an array of androgynous silhouettes, each of which were boasting a noticeably couture aesthetic — including the likes of sculpted shoulders, deep, sultry v-necks, oversized shapes and chic sleeve detailing.
Emilia Wickstead, Prada, Off White, Bottega Veneta, Lanvin
4. Cutouts The temperatures may be due to descend, but don’t assume that equates to showing less skin. Slashes, slits, asymmetric necklines and cutouts ensured that models offered onlookers a peek of the obliques, a sliver of abs and a glimpse of the collarbone — but in a truly tasteful way. Take inspiration from the likes of Boss and Proenza Schouler and don a subtle cutout for a look that is bold and risqué but without stepping into harlot’s territory.
Prabal Gurung, Boss, Brandon Maxwell, Brandon Maxwell (again), Proenza Schouler, Christopher Kane
The ECC sale is upon us once again and this time around we are expecting a stampede to the store, for the pieces on offer are especially alluring. There is furniture aplenty, from sprawling sofas to outdoor additions, an array of captivating lighting fixtures and a plethora of enticing home accoutrements — here are some of the most notable highlights.
As far as the home furnishings are concerned, we’re particularly in awe of the Laze lounge chair. With its unique shape — akin to that of an oversized leaf — and its seating crafted from cleverly strung polyester filaments, the chair is a piece that epitomises luxury outdoor living. So, too, are we taken with the Claude Easy Chair, which combines leather seating with a sleek timber frame to create an ultra-elegant piece.
Left: Caadre Mirror Right: Claude Easy Chair
An array of exquisite lighting offerings are ensuring that the much smaller of the home accoutrements are not overlooked. Both the Noctambule Floor lamp by Flos and Ingo Maurer’s Yoruba Rose lamp blur the boundaries between lighting fixture and decorative sculpture, the former of which harnesses cylindrical see-through glass modules, while the latter sees a delicate sheet of Japanese paper circularly stretched onto light metal wires. The Lucid 200 hanging lamps too, crafted from premium materials like alabaster and satin brass, stand out as a particularly dazzling highlight.
Left: Noctambule Floor Right: Yoruba Rose
Arguably one of the best sales yet from the masters of design, with pieces that span all aesthetic tastes and design schemes, we suggest you make tracks to Nugent Street — or peruse the online store, here — while you can.
Have you ever wondered what it is that makes certain skincare so iconic? To be crowned with such a coveted title the product must transcend the fickle nature of beauty trends, standing tall in the face of a continual flood of emerging new brands, products and technologies. If that were to be the definition of iconic skincare, alongside it in the dictionary would be one stellar example: La Mer. More specifically, La Mer’s supreme The Eye Concentrate.
Regarded as the holy grail of eye creams since its inception, combining the brand’s famous Miracle Broth with radiant ferments to bring to life an impressively powerful formula. Thanks to its ability to revitalise the thin and very sensitive skin around the eyes, as well as diminishing dark circles, while also promising to even out skin tone, this eye cream will remain in prime position in the bathroom cupboard long after other products have come and gone.
So impressive is La Mer’s The Eye Concentrate that it’s difficult to imagine it being open to any corner of improvement. But, ignoring the old adage of ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’, La Mer has chosen its mission of doing just that — by making one small, but mighty, tweak. For the new and improved The Eye Concentrate, the dosage of the famed Miracle Broth has been tripled.
The Miracle Broth, a mysterious elixir that harnesses the intense healing properties of a particular kind of sea kelp, resides at the heart of every La Mer product. It was created by the brand’s founder, Aeroscientist Max Huber who, after sustaining burns while experimenting in the lab, went about creating a concoction that would aid his recovery. Twelve years and 6,000 experiments later, Huber stumbled across a remedy that he found not only healed his skin, but also would aid people all over the world for years to come.
With an already winning formula, now improved by the tripling of its wonder ingredient, there’s no question that La Mer’s new The Eye Concentrate will not only retain its predecessor’s cult favourite status, but will also give the term iconic a whole new meaning. The eyes have it on this one.
The animal kingdom has long captivated the human imagination. From the underwater marvels of the vast ocean to the giant beasts of the African plains, we’re continuously in awe of the fantastical creatures that walk this earth alongside us. It is the reason why David Attenborough is still gracing our TV screens (that, and the fact that his voice is the most soothing thing known to mankind) and it’s also the reason why Auckland Museum’s hosting of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is such a huge hit, every single year.
For the uninitiated, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the longest-running nature photography competition in the world, a prestigious international event that is owned by London’s Natural History Museum. For nature lovers, it is quite possibly one the most moving exhibitions there is, with each image boasting the power to transform the way people look at the natural world, alongside stimulating conversation around topics like extinction and animal welfare.
Such is the case with this year’s exhibition, which will feature 100 winning images that illustrate the majesty and vulnerability of life on our planet. From a breathtaking shot of a marmot being ambushed by a Tibetan fox, to an eagle, wings outstretched, landing gracefully into a mound of crisp, white snowfall, each image incites wonder and curiosity while also reminding us of the fragility of our planet and our responsibility to protect it.
This year carries even more reason to make tracks to Auckland Museum, as amongst the winners is 14-year-old Aucklander Cruz Erdmann, who won the title of Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year for his snap of a big fin squid illuminating the inky blackness of the ocean. With Erdmann’s incredible capture being just one of many breathtaking images that can be seen at the exhibition, we can guarantee that this is one event seriously worth carving out time for.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition takes place at the Auckland War Memorial Museumfrom 28th February – 10th May
Stop avoiding the money discussion with these apps that are designed to help you get on top of your finances — and stay there.
For splitting bills… Split Wise This app allows users to create groups, input detailed expenses and track payments and IOUs. It can also be used to set up recurring bills and simplify debts into easy repayment plans, ensuring you never have to encounter awkward money moments with friends or family again.
For hitting goals…Pennies An award-winning budgeting app, Pennies makes keeping track of daily spending easy and allows users to reach their saving goals in a stress-free way. This is a flexible, user-friendly option for anyone wanting to get on top of their personal finances.
For easy accounting…QuickBooks Perfect for freelancers or small business owners, this app is designed for straightforward money and account management on-the-go. Simple and approachable, it will have you managing various incomings and outgoings in a far more organised way in no time.
Aperitivo is, without question, an art. It is similar to our Happy Hour, if our Happy Hour was a beautifully lit affair laden with elegant citrus-infused libations, that is. It is something that we have long wished we could incorporate into our daily lives but, unfortunately, the act of knocking back crisp cocktails each evening isn’t deemed as appropriate on this side of the world. Luckily, we here at Denizen have stumbled across the next best thing, and it comes in the form of Ecoya’s latest candle offering.
The new release is reminiscent of everybody’s favourite aperitif, from the scent — undeniably crisp and citrusy — to the ‘ingredients’ list. Entitled Blood Orange, the latest iteration to join the iconic candle house’s line-up blends sparkling blood orange notes with bergamot before melding the duo with ginger, cinnamon, carnation and musk.
This isn’t the first time that Ecoya has based a candle scent upon a sublime beverage, just last year they blessed us with the fruity and refreshing Wild Strawberry Frosé, but this time around the new addition has been added to the brand’s core collection and thus is here to stay. As such, the cocktail-inspired candle is available across all Ecoya’s products, including The Madison Jar, Mini Madison Jar, Metro Jar, Fragranced Diffuser and Mini Diffuser.
Last night the Ecoya team, reminding us that they know how to throw a party just as much as they know how to make a good candle, put on a wonderful event to celebrate the Blood Orange launch in a roof-top room at the SO/ hotel. What took place was an intimate affair, complete with glasses of Aperol Spritz on tap, delicious canapés, plenty of fantastic company and, of course, numerous Blood Orange candles littering the scene.
Ensuring that the home remains beautifully lit while filling each room with deliciously citrusy aromas, Ecoya is bringing the thrill of Aperitivo hour into our very own homes. It is a scent that is at once playful, effervescent and uplifting, so, suffice to say, we’ll be setting the scene with Blood Orange candles for all dinner parties to come.
For more exclusive access to what the city has to offer, engaging content, excellent imagery and thought provoking commentary on the life that surrounds you, subscribe to Denizen magazine now.
