Best In Beauty 2020: These are the beauty buys you should be adding to your bathroom cabinet

From game-changing new formulations to ultimate multi-taskers; opulent luxuries and ingenious tech, we’re coveting, repurchasing and scraping every last inch of these products from the jar. Whether you’re a makeup maven or a skincare guru, these are the beauty buys you should be adding to your bathroom cabinet.

CULT BEAUTY AWARD: Augustinus Bader The Face Oil
You might have heard of Augustinus Bader’s acclaimed moisturiser The Cream, but joining the brand’s stable of game-changing skincare this August was The Face Oil. The firm favourite utilises the patented Trigger Factor Complex (TFC8) and the fast-absorbing formula promises to instantly nourish, hydrate, refine and protect.

BEST TECH: Joanna Vargas Magic Glow Wand
If you want to create spa-worthy results at home, this is your gadget. Launched by the renowned facialist and founder of Joanna Vargas Salons and Skin-Care, the Magic Glow Wand utilises hot and cold temperature and massage settings to promote lymphatic drainage and a luminous glow to the face.

THE MULTI-TASKER: Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer
Cosmetics brand Kosas makes high-performing products without any dubious ingredients or animal testing, and this recently released concealer combines skincare with makeup in an aim to improve the skin while it’s worn. Containing arnica and panthenol to calm blemishes; caffeine to brighten and peptides to plump, this creamy formula is especially good under the eyes.

THE GAMECHANGER: iS Clinical Active Serum
From results-oriented skincare range iS Clinical, this Active Serum is a godsend for those with acne-prone skin who are also wanting to address the signs of ageing — often a tricky combination to remedy. Promising to provide both rapid and long term results, this serum uses a combination of glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids to exfoliate, and arbutin and mushroom to promote radiance. 

SENSUAL SCENT: Carven Sao Paulo
From Parisian fashion house Carven, this hypnotising fragrance encapsulates a heady sensuality. With top notes of rum, cinnamon and bergamot; middle notes of orange blossom and cardamom, and base notes of sweet, spicy tonka bean with patchouli and vanilla, the composition of this scent pairs perfectly with sunkissed, summer skin.

BEST BASE: By Terry Hyaluronic Foundation
Another formula espousing both skincare benefits and makeup coverage, this long-wearing foundation is especially recommended for mature skin thanks to its radiant finish and dose of wonder-ingredient hyaluronic acid that holds 1000 times its own weight in water.

THE MASK: Angela Caglia CellReturn Platinum LED Wireless Mask
Is this the future of anti-ageing skincare? Utilising near-infrared rays, this high-tech mask claims to penetrate deep beneath the skin’s surface to stimulate collagen production, minimise signs of ageing, reduce inflammation and eliminate blemish-causing bacteria — all without a lotion or potion in sight. 

THE MAKEUP TRANSFORMER: Dior Backstage Eye Palette
Whether you want low-key enhancement for every day, or a sultry going out look, this palette will do it all for you and more. Pictured in the Rosewood Neutrals iteration, these high-performing eye shadows are loved by professionals, influencers and novices alike thanks to the universally flattering shades, designed to be buildable yet richly pigmented.

LUSH LASHES: Hourglass Unlocked Mascara
Ditch the dreaded panda eyes for good with a tubing mascara, like this one from Hourglass. A level up from waterproof, this vegan formula doesn’t budge all day but come time to remove it, slides off easily without the wearer having to scrub that sensitive eye area. Able to be applied as multiple coats depending on the level of lash drama required, this mascara is truly the key to glamorous lashes with no smudges.

DAILY POLISH: Emma Lewisham Illuminating Exfoliant
New Zealand’s most coveted skincare brand recently released two must-have cleansing products, including the Illuminating Exfoliant. Exfoliating is a crucial aid for anti-ageing alongside daily cleansing, it stimulates cell turnover and helps with product absorption. This product contains natural lactic acid to slough excess sebum buildup and round jojoba beads to physically exfoliate, while Pentavitin replenishes hydration.

PUFFINESS BE GONE: Sothys Eye Patches 
A moisturised eye area works wonders for makeup application, and helps the eyes look more awake and youthful. Small but mighty, these Sothys under eye masks are infused with a potent skincare formula that provides instant freshness to the area.

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: U Beauty Super Smart Hydrator
Following the runaway success of the Resurfacing Compound, U Beauty’s first product which sold 20,000 units in the first 24 hours of its launch, the Super Smart Hydrator has joined its ranks to impart some serious moisture into the skin. Promising anti-ageing properties as well as ongoing hydration, the result is radiance that lasts.

TOP TANNING: Isle of Paradise Tanning Drops
Taking the hassle out of the tanning process, these ingenious drops can be added to any moisturiser for a year-round glow. With 12 shades available depending on how deep you wish to go, the drops have been designed with sensitive skin in mind, also encompassing ingredients that hydrate and reduce inflammation.

NATURAL RADIANCE: Sans Ceuticals Superdose Luminosity Masque 
New Zealand-based beauty brand Sans Ceuticals specialises in active products without any nasties, and the very first mask released by the company this year does not disappoint. A soothing slick of a formula with Vitamin C, 5 percent lactic acid, hyaluronic acid and MGO 100+ mānuka honey working to increase radiance, this mask is uber-comfortable to wear when applied, adding to the overall pampering experience.

EXTRA SPECIAL: Angela Caglia Crystal Goddess Face Mask
Do your chakras need realigning? Crystal energy aside, this mask is wonderfully soothing on the skin, made up of over 500 hand-cut and polished rose quartz beads. The naturally-cooling stone encourages lymphatic drainage, helps calm inflammation and increases blood flow. Hot tip — storing in the fridge beforehand lends even more of a helping hand to a puffy face.

THE BODY SAVIOUR: Codage The Oil
It’s all well and good for a product to be specifically targeted for one purpose, but when it can be wielded in a variety of ways? Even better. The Oil by Codage mixes eight oils, each with its own desirable property, to nourish, sooth, restructure, protect and more. The resulting combination can be used on body, face and hair — including men’s beards — for an all-over glow.

AT HOME SPA: Brow Code Lustre Advanced Lamination
Brow lamination is arguably the most popular new beauty treatment to arise this year, and now an at-home lamination kit allows you to take matters into your own hands. Equipped with all the tools you need, the Brow Code Lustre Lamination Kit offers around 15-18 services, so it’s also economical.

 

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I tried a Reiki session and this is what happened

While a massage can address our bodily aches and pains, and foster a sense of calm for the duration of a session, another form of lighter touch is said to promote a deeper sense of relaxation and understanding within mind, body and soul. Reiki, a combination of two Japanese words that, translated, mean ‘spiritually guided life force energy’, is administered by a practitioner who lightly lays the palms of their hands across the body from head to toe. 

Auckland-based energy healer and life coach Olivia Scott is in demand for her relaxing and insightful Reiki sessions, having practiced professionally for two years. Combining her own energy healing and channelling abilities with Reiki and crystal therapy, Scott says she uses Reiki as a tool to gently prompt clients to find their own clarity.

“We do often know, deep down, what is right for us,” she says. “When we can drop out of our heads, and into our bodies, we are able to remember what we truly want. Energy healing facilitates this process because we tap out of our thinking mind and into our feeling body. Supported alongside with Reiki, we can release blockages, patterns or realign us to our true centre.” 

Olivia Scott

I’ve always been intrigued by Reiki, having experienced it from my mother at various points throughout my childhood. Obviously several years have passed since then, so I was looking forward to a refresher session with Scott. The day I went to see her, I was feeling tired and burnt out, with deadlines looming and the general detritus of 2020 seeming to rest more heavily on my shoulders than usual. “It sounds like it’s an ideal time for a healing,” she said, when we sat down. 

During the short consultation, Scott asked me what I wanted to get out of the day’s session, whether there was anything I needed to work through or focus on. We didn’t go super in-depth, which is why I was even more impressed with what she managed to pick up — more on that soon. 

She then led me over to the therapy bed, where I lay down on my back, and she draped a weighty blanket on me which kept me feeling warm and at peace. 45 minutes then seemed to pass in about 10 as she gently placed her palms on me, starting with my head and ears, moving to my shoulders, my arms, stomach, and legs. At one point Scott placed a crystal on my sternum, and at various intervals throughout, she would pause to pen a few words in a notebook beside her, before continuing. 

During this process, I let my mind wander and tried not to focus on anything in particular. Getting a little personal here, I usually consider myself to have quite a poor memory — whenever I’ve been asked to pinpoint specific memories from my childhood, for example, I can usually remember very little. However, as I was lying on the therapy bed, random yet specific past experiences kept drifting into my head. Nothing groundbreaking, but things I hadn’t thought about for a long time, like sitting on the roof of the garden shed at my childhood home, eating guavas from our tree. Scott wasn’t surprised. “We store memories in our legs, was it around the time I was working on them?” It was. Spooky. 

After the lying down portion of the appointment, Scott went and got me a cup of tea, and we sat once again in the consultation area of the room where she told me what she had “channelled” from whatever higher power communicates with her, and written down while she was laying her hands on me. I was honestly a little gobsmacked at the specificity and accuracy of some of the things she was saying, things she never could have known and that I never mentioned to her. Most things were phrased as a gentle statement or a question, but as she calmly conveyed her astute observations, I was prompted to hone in on some truths that I had perhaps already known or had been sloshing around in my brain, but through this process they were clarified and brought to the surface. 

Leaving the session, I felt calmer and more uplifted than when I went in. I also felt reflective, with a clarity of thought gently sparking me with purpose. Whether you believe in the supposed healing powers of Reiki or not, a session with Olivia Scott is both a relaxing and enlightening experience, thanks to her tranquil nature and surprisingly astute observations.

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From left: Camilla and Marc Resort 21, Christopher Esber Spring 21, Victoria Beckham Spring 21

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K Road welcomes Candela, an irresistible Spanish-inspired eatery and wine bar

Joining the in-demand culinary scene of Karangahape Road is Candela, a brand new eatery and wine bar bringing the irresistible flavours of Spain and Latin America to one of Auckland’s most colourful strips. 

Helmed by chef and owner Matt Ross, with Leola King managing front of house, Candela’s cosy yet spacious interior calls to mind the late night tapas bars (known as Tasca) frequented by Ross during a two-year stint living and working in Spain. Having previously cooked in kitchens throughout Auckland and Melbourne, as well as private cheffing in Spain and Israel, Ross felt the time was right this year to come home and realise his long-held goal of opening his own restaurant. 

Chargrilled cabbage with ajo blanco

Powering through the pandemic to build and open Candela, with its beautiful tiled floors and imported Mibrasa charcoal oven, Ross has created an offering that centres on small plates to go well with a cocktail or glass of wine — more elevated versions of tapas (without the connotations of average-ness we’re accustomed to in Auckland). It could also be described as “Latin-fusion”, aiming to borrow from the various cuisines of Spain, Peru, Argentina, and maybe even Mexico, localised with Aotearoa’s ingredients and produce. 

Tapping into Auckland’s prolific leaning towards shared plates, Candela’s menu is filled with appealing dishes; patatas bravas skew more traditionally Spanish, while smoked kahawai croquettas see two cuisines and cultures collide. The Mibrasa works to impart a moreish smokiness across the menu, like on the chargrilled cabbage with a base of ajo blanco-inspired purée; and octopus with saffron-whipped potato and a paprika crumb.

Small servings of paella are juicy with scampi and cockles, empanadas are stuffed with lamb shoulder and served with chimichurri, while dessert comprises enticing morsels like churros with chocolate sauce and a baked cheesecake with tamarillo.

Octopus with saffron-whipped potato and a paprika crumb

Fittingly for Candela’s K Road location, Ross is keen to incorporate music and entertainment into the regular offering, perhaps with a Latin band adding to the vibe for late night drinkers and diners, or DJ and musician friends of his keeping the good times flowing with regular sets. 

So, while we might not to be able to travel to any far flung destinations anytime soon, at least Candela is here to whisk us away for the delicious duration of a meal.

Candela opens tonight and is taking bookings from Friday 11th December
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Saturday: 5pm — Late
Sunday & Monday: Closed

Candela
155 Karangahape Road
Auckland

www.candelabar.co.nz

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This wholesome Wynyard Quarter eatery may just be your new favourite work lunch spot

Despite the seemingly vast breadth of cafes and eateries in central Auckland, the battle to find something good to eat during work lunch hours is ever present. Solving this problem is Wynyard Quarter eatery The Humble Canteen, which can be found serving up delicious, wholesome fare on Jellicoe Street all the working week. 

From left: Bircher breakfast pot; bacon and egg breakfast flatbread

Having opened earlier this year, The Humble Canteen is on a mission to offer tasty food that nurtures the body and the planet, using Ecoware packaging and encouraging customers to bring their own containers for Earth-friendly takeaways. Start the day with any one of their breakfast options, like a bacon and egg, or vegetarian flatbread; granola, bircher or chia breakfast pots, or a build-your-own cooked breakfast.

On the lunch menu, you’ll find a variety of healthful dishes that can be eaten on-site or to-go, like build-a-bowl salads with your choice of base: quinoa and baby spinach ‘balance bowl’, or beetroot and carrot ‘raw rainbow’ salad, for example. Add protein (halloumi, chicken, salmon and falafel, among seasonal options) and toppings they enthusiastically name ‘flavour bombs’ — pickled green tomatoes, roasted almond dukkah and crispy shallots, to name a few.

The Humble Canteen is located on Jellicoe Street

Flatbreads are a suitable option for those wanting something even more substantial — we can confirm the garlic aioli chicken with avocado and fresh herbs goes down a treat, comprising spice-rubbed chicken and a tasty salad in a soft wrap. Otherwise the grilled halloumi with beetroot and carrot salad, or the falafel, pumpkin and broccoli combinations both appeal. Hot soups and curries round out the lunch offering, with a selection of freshly-baked sweet treats in the cabinet. 

Staying true to its name, The Humble Canteen’s fit-out is sweetly simple, with an indoor/outdoor feel thanks to a retractable roof covering that can be opened to let in the sun. With warm service from the friendly team, and its tasty food offering, this eatery is a great go-to for daytime fare that won’t leave you disappointed.

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 6:30am to 2:30pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

The Humble Canteen
17 Jellicoe Street,
Auckland CBD

humblecanteen.co.nz

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Denizen’s definitive guide to the best cafe openings of 2020

If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that our love affair with cafes will never die. Whether it’s tucking into a stack of pancakes on a lazy weekend, a quick cabinet treat to go or kick-starting our mornings with terrific coffee, there’s nothing quite like a cafe to get the job done. While we remain loyal fans of established eateries who continue to effortlessly impress, we can’t look past the calibre of new cafes that have warmly opened their doors and made their mark during what can only be described as tumultuous times. From small neighbourhood spots to sleek, refined city eateries, these are the best new cafe openings of 2020 (in no particular order).

Dear Jane

Dear Jane
Mount Albert locals got lucky this year with the opening of Dear Jane, the sunny new space from Fonda Chloe Huo and Fang Bai, who also opened Common Ground Eatery in Browns Bay. The cleverly crafted menu features a mixture of old school classics with a smattering of Asian-fusion dishes (think eggs Benedict, shakshuka and a salmon lox bagel sitting side-by-side with a sticky pork belly bowl, teriyaki salmon soba noodle salad, and a tonkatsu karaage chicken burger), along with irresistible cabinet treats, fresh juices and smoothies.

Hero Sandwich House

Hero Sandwich House
We were stoked earlier this year to hear that the ever-popular Hero Sandwich House has set up shop in the city, bringing its tasty creations to those working and living in the CBD. From the famous CBJ with a generous slathering of chicken, bacon jam and cheddar to the Philly cheese steak with skirt steak, jalapenos, buttered onions, pickles and cheddar, Hero’s toasted sandwiches are the stuff of legends. Located inside inner-city multi-functional workshop, gallery and work space The Tuesday Club, Hero Sandwich House makes the perfect lunch pit stop.

Percy

Percy
While a visit to newcomer Percy mostly likely came with a side of international travel at the start of this year, we’re pleased to report there’s still plenty of reasons to visit this Mangere cafe, sans airport stopover. Located in The Landing Business Park, this airy, inviting space boasts a peaceful lakeside view and a playground to keep littlies entertained. Foodwise you can expect to find the likes of savoury French toast featuring mushrooms, semi-sweet caramelised onions and moreish parmesan sauce with truffle crumbs plus the unbeatable breakfast bao with pork belly, plum sauce, fried eggs and crunchy cos lettuce. 

Luxe Rose

Luxe Rose
Taking over the prime position previously occupied by Redwall 1939, Luxerose Cafe is the new all-day eatery overlooking Parnell Rose Gardens. The highly Instagrammable space, with neon signage, flowers abound and an enviable view also features an equally photogenic drinks menu complete with pastel-coloured lattes and the signature deconstructed Luxerose iced mocha.

Young George

Young George
We love a hidden gem, and nestled in a tiny block of shops in Mount Albert, Young George is the new pint-sized spot providing the neighbourhood with great coffee, tasty bites and friendly chats. The small but mighty menu specialises in sandos, a quintessential Japanese street food that Young George has executed with aplomb. The chicken sando is unmissable, comprising juicy crumbed free range chicken slathered on one side with tonkotsu sauce and the other in a deliciously tangy mayo — reminiscent of Big Mac sauce or something similar — with iceberg, sandwiched between ultra-soft Japanese milk bread, toasted for a bit of crunch.

Deep

Deep
Delving deeper than just the usual stock-standard options, Deep is the new cafe run by Danny Lee, a talented barista with varied experience in the local hospitality scene. Located in the North Shore suburb of Rosedale, the menu spans everything from breakfast favourites such as savoury mince on sourdough toast and balsamic mushrooms with horseradish crème fraîche to a juicy double patty burger and some of the most indulgent French toast we’ve ever laid eyes on.

Fields

Fields
Another tasty addition to Auckland’s North Shore is Fields, a new neighbourhood cafe in Albany. Spacious and sleek, with enough space for 110 hungry brunchers, Fields cracks the perfect combo of top-notch coffee, amazing cabinet treats and a mouth-watering dine-in menu. With offerings spanning from buckwheat hotcakes (with meringue, Whittaker’s dark chocolate and berry mascarpone) to virtuous vegan options (such as the ‘always good’ with red quinoa, broccoli, tofu, preserved lemon and jalapeño dressing), you can guarantee even the fussiest of diners will find something to whet their appetite at Fields.

Spectra

Spectra
WooZoo’s Roger Liu was truly on a roll in 2020, with inner-city cafe Spectra joining his established stable of eateries (including the aforementioned Percy and Fields). Located in the light and airy Sky Lobby of Commercial Bay’s impressive new PwC Tower, Spectra’s deliciously concise menu and delectable cabinet offerings make it the ideal spot to grab breakfast or lunch on the go, or to linger a bit longer for business or leisure.

The Humble Canteen

The Humble Canteen 
Wynyard Quarter’s The Humble Canteen is on a mission to offer tasty food that nurtures the body and the planet, with a delicious breakfast and lunch offering during the working week that is wholesome, hearty and healthy. Start the day with any one of their breakfast options, like a filled flatbread; granola, bircher or chia pots, or a build-your-own cooked breakfast; or pick up a tasty salad, hot soup or cabinet treat for lunch.

Wander

Wander
Fans of the laid-back charm and excellent fare of Point Chevalier restaurant Ambler will be pleased to learn its owners brought their assured sensibility downtown this September with a new addition to their hospitality offering. Named Wander, the cafe, bistro and wine bar occupies a light-filled, high-ceilinged space in Wynyard Quarter. Hinging on the restaurateurs’ signature style of fresh, seasonal fare with a French twist, diners will find a comprehensive brunch menu available until 3pm, and a bistro menu served from 11am until late.

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The Undoing
Small Axe
The Crown (Season 4)
The Queen’s Gambit
Big Sky
Someone Has To Die
Soulmates

These are the new TV shows everyone is talking about right now

With all the new TV shows swirling around on streaming services at the moment, it’s almost impossible to get through the day without encountering an impassioned recommendation or an impromptu review or two. Lucky we’ve done the hard work in narrowing down which ones are actually worth your time. Whether it’s an easy-to-watch comedy, an enthralling drama or an informative docu-series, these are the shows that you simply must see for yourself.

The Undoing
Starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant, this six-part limited series follows a prominent New York therapist Grace Fraser and her husband Jonathan, who, after their lives are torn apart by a public scandal, are forced to come to terms with the idea that their idyllic, existence isn’t as robust as they thought. Featuring stellar performances from both actors, and a storyline that promises to keep you on the edge of your seat, this is shaping up to be one of the most compelling dramas of the year.

Small Axe
Made up of five films, Small Axe is a unique series that speaks to the experiences of West Indian characters living in London between the 1960s and the 1980s. While it might have been six years in the making, with a director like Steve McQueen and actors like Letitia Wright (Black Panther) and John Boyega (Star Wars) it has certainly been worth the wait. 

The Crown (Season 4)
The show that has single-handedly re-ignited our fascination with the British Royal Family is back — and this time, Princess Diana enters the fray. Promising to delve into the drama surrounding the ‘People’s Princess’ (and with Olivia Coleman reprising her role as Queen Elizabeth), The Crown’s new season is not to be missed.

The Vow
Not to be confused with the romance film of the same name, The Vow is a gripping true crime docu-series that dives into the deep, dark rabbit hole that is NXIVM, a multi-level marketing company and self-help organisation that was later exposed as a full-blown sex cult. Prepare to devour this addictive nine-part series swiftly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDrieqwSdgI

The Queen’s Gambit
Based on the Walter Tevis novel of the same name, this new Netflix drama follows the story of Beth Harmon, a gifted orphan who, against all odds, experiences a prodigious rise through the male-dominated ranks of chess in the 50s and 60s.

Big Sky
Created by David. E. Kelley (of Big Little Lies), Big Sky is a thriller set against the clock. Detectives Cassie Dewell and Codie Hoyt must track down two young girls who have been kidnapped on a remote highway in Montana. They soon discover that this is not an isolated case.

Someone Has To Die
Brimming with drama (which is only heightened by its opulent, 1950s set), this new Spanish language mini-series centres around the family of a young man called home to meet his arranged fiancée. Conflict ensues when he arrives with a mysterious ballet dancer called Lazaro. With spectacular performances from its Spanish and Mexican actors, this one is worth a watch.

Soulmates
Set 15 years from now, the world of this show is not unlike our own. But here, scientists have discovered the soul particle, and with it, developed technology that can help humans find their perfect match. Each episode is its own standalone narrative, as the show traverses through various genres and characters, asking the same question: is there such a thing as ‘the one?’

Moonbase 8
With actors Fred Armisen and John C. Riley leading the cast, Moonbase 8 was destined to be a comedic hit. The new series follows three astronauts training for their first lunar mission, as they hilariously navigate the perils of daily life inside NASA’s Moon Base Simulator in the remote Arizona desert.

Truth Seekers
From the team behind Sean Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz, this hilarious new comedy-horror sees Nick Frost and Simon Pegg team up again, this time in a ghost-hunting narrative about an internet installer who investigates paranormal activity all around the UK and uncovers a conspiracy that threatens the entire human race.

How To With John Wilson
Documenting day-to-day absurdities and intriguing encounters on the streets of pre-Covid New York City, this effortlessly funny docu-comedy sees John Wilson, a filmmaker and ‘anxious’ New Yorker, capture raw, hand-held footage of a city known for its colourful, bustling and busy occupants. The show is particularly poignant now, looking back at what The Big Apple was before lockdown and paints a hopeful image of what it can, one day, return to. 

 

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Love espresso martinis? This hazelnut version is sure to be your new favourite cocktail recipe

Fans of the ever-popular espresso martini will love the smooth addition of a shot of hazelnut liqueur. Nespresso has made it easy to reinvent this classic cocktail with a festive twist.

Hazelnut Nespresso Martini Recipe
Makes 1

Ingredients:
1 capsule Nespresso Torta Di Nocciole (Espresso 40ml extraction)
60ml vodka
15ml hazelnut liqueur (such as Frangelico)
15ml coffee liqueur
1 square Nespresso Milk Chocolate 
6 ice cubes (6x 30g) 

Equipment needed:
Nespresso machine
Martini glass
Cocktail shaker

Method:
1. Place ice, vodka, coffee liqueur, and hazelnut liqueur (eg Frangelico) into a shaker.
2. Extract coffee directly into the shaker as the last ingredient.
3. Place lid on shaker and shake hard for 15 seconds
4. Remove lid and strain into a martini glass
5. Garnish by shaving chocolate square on top or lightly dust with chocolate powder.

Please enjoy responsibly.

Discover a range of coffee recipes at www.nespresso.com/nz.

Gastronomy

Pie & Pinot is the charming new Remuera eatery that should be on your radar this winter
Retro Redux: These are the restaurants putting a delicious spin on the classics
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Viaduct Harbour’s wharf extension is a beautiful example of meaningful public architecture

A new wharf extension to Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour titled Te Mata Topaki or “To hover over the headland” is a wonderful addition to Auckland’s diversely appealing waterfront.

The wharf is a collaborative project between Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei artist Graham Tipene and landscape architects LandLAB, whose creative journey saw the structure evolve from a simple wharf extension into a dramatic sculptural form, that visually represents a taurapa (the stern of a waka) lying on its side.

Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei’s kaupapa and their stories have been woven through Viaduct Harbour’s public realm since it was first developed for America’s Cup in 2000. The pātiki (flounder) design in the brick pavement, for example, represents the values of hospitality, plentiful times and progression. Tipene has consulted on multiple civic designs across Auckland, including Waterview tunnel, Victoria Park, Auckland Library, and Tirohanga Whānui Bridge in Albany.

The recently completed sculptural pier-like installation extends 30 metres out from Waitematā Plaza promenade into the Viaduct Harbour waterspace. Commissioned privately by Viaduct Harbour Holdings, the structure is designed to enhance the public’s connection to the water itself, allowing us to further enjoy the waterfront surroundings we are so fortunate to have at such close proximity.

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Model Georgia Fowler with Emma Lewisham’s Supernatural Collagen Peptide 72-Hour Crème. Photo: Claudia Smith

This celebrity-endorsed night crème is beauty sleep in a bottle

The beauty industry is a competitive one, overflowing with brands and products that claim to be the last lotion or potion you’ll ever need to buy. In such a saturated market, consumers are more clued up, and more results-driven than ever before. Products need to deliver, and one that certainly makes good on its pledges is Emma Lewisham’s Supernatural Collagen Peptide 72-Hour Crème. 

With a formula that took two years to perfect, the 72-Hour crème boasts 30 high-performing and innovative ingredients, including collagen peptides and plant stem cell technology, that have been carefully chosen to repair, regenerate, and protect skin cells for plumping and anti-ageing effects. The powerhouse actives include Pentavitin, proven to provide long-lasting hydration, and Bulgarian Lavender flower, which promotes the release of Beta-endorphin, a neuropeptide that can aid in muscle relaxation, and the softening of fine lines and wrinkles. 

A recent round of independent in vivo testing this year found the 72-Hour crème boosts type 1 collagen by more than 20 percent within 24 hours — and outperforms some very well-known, luxury face creams by more than three times in this aspect. Add to this the fact that all Emma Lewisham’s formulations are clean, natural and cruelty-free, and it’s no wonder the brand has won fans in high profile women like Georgia Fowler, Phoebe Tonkin and Irina Shayk, all of whom use the 72-Hour crème. 

So, if you’re looking for a product that does all the work to combat dry, dull skin while you slumber, you can’t look past this one. It’s certainly bringing new meaning to the phrase ‘beauty sleep’.

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