URBAN DECAY – BEAUTY ON THE EDGE

NOT FOR THE BEAUTY VIRGINS OUT THERE, URBAN DECAY IS THE COSMETICS RANGE THAT PACKS A PUNCH.

LAUNCHED IN 1996 IT IS RENOWNED FOR ITS EDGY SHADES AND EQUALLY INNOVATIVE TITLES- INSPIRED BY THE URBAN LANDSCAPE OF THE US, HOME OF THE BRAND. THE ROLL CALL OF EYE-SHADOW HUES ALONE INCLUDE THE OMINOUSLY NAMED OIL SLICK, WHICH TURNS OUT TO BE A WEARABLE SOOTY BLACK EYE- SHADOW SHOT THROUGH WITH SHIMMER OR POLYESTER BRIDE, A SILVER SHADOW WITH WHITE GLITTER.

Best sellers include the teasingly titled Pocket Rocket Lip Gloss, which allows the user to undress a miniature man at the flick of their wrist, surely all one could want in a lip gloss?

Or try the best-selling 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, which combines a creamy blendable texture with a long-lasting waterproof formula, immediately conjuring up images of tousled- haired rock chicks too cool to give a second thought to their make-up after casually slicking it on.

This in essence sums up the brands ethos. It is the antithesis of mainstream make-up brands who focus on the ‘pretty pretty’ aspect of the market. It simply doesn’t do ‘the no makeup, makeup look’ and makes no apologies for it.  Long before the sold-out jade green Chanel nail polish made its catwalk debut, Urban Decay were producing similar statement hues.

Recently the brand has latched onto the increasing trend for complexion perfectors and enhancers. New products launched for the ‘fall season’ include additions to the primer potion family, the complexion primer potion which comes in two formulas: brightening and pore perfecting and the eyelash and lip primer potions.

The Eyelash Primer in particular is bang-on trend- the beauty world currently awash with the seemingly incessant flutter of fake lashes. No longer the preserve of the footballers wife clan, they have been seen on every runway from London to New York. Forget the statement biker boot they are this season’s must-have accessory. This magic potion applied pre-mascara, is designed to give the appearance of false lashes sans the hassle and fiddly glue. Genius.

The Book of Shadows Vol II launched for the ‘holiday season’ is a palette consisting of 16 shades, a tempting dolly- mixture of their most coveted hues and 8 exclusive to the palette. This book will be perfect for dipping into over the festive season, as the dreaded Xmas parties beckon. It includes 2 handy travel size 24/7 eye pencils and a mini eye shadow Primer Potion.

If you want to indulge your inner wild-child even if the nearest you’ve come to dating rock-star is a guy in a tragic indie band, look no further.

Words Ashley Wallis

URBANDECAY.CO.UK

WINTER TRENDS NAILED

WITH EVERY SEASON COMES CHANGE. TREES RECEDE TO LAY A CEREMONIAL CARPET OF CRIMSON AND GOLD, ROOT VEG AND GAME REIGN SUPREME ON OUR MENUS AND WARDROBES SHED THEIR DUSKY CHIFFON AND WHITE LINEN TO COCOON THEMSELVES IN ROBUST TEXTILES; SMUDGING BLACKS, NAVY BLUES, DEEP PURPLES, PARTY SPARKLERS AND, THIS YEAR, METALLICS, LEATHER AND LACE.

And so we must not forget that fashion extends beyond our finger tips, and fingernails are also to be embellished in the latest must have tarry lick. I for one love nothing more than when the nights draw in and nature tells me it’s time to slick on the winter shades like a leather jacket for the nail plates, oh yes!

Well this year is no different and with the seasons vamp fashion trends it’s all about attitude. This winter’s femme fatale won’t be caught dead without statement fingernails to complete the look.

Chanel, as always, is the powerhouse of producing nail polish that, without fail, every season sets beauty editors bare-faced nail beds scratching around to be engulfed by the fashion house’s hottest hue. And said hue is Jade Green.

Inspired by Karl Lagerfeld’s winter collection which incorporates the colour in shoes, jewellery and tweeds, these green little bottles have sold out in boutiques and department stores with waiting lists of hundreds and many going for three times the price on Ebay.

But if green isn’t you, then all is not lost. It seems nail colour is no longer the only way to point out a statement. Across the pond the latest craze to emerge is the Louboutin manicure, where the under side of your nail is painted red like the soles of the fashion shoe, or, (dare I say it) stick-on patterns in high-shine metallics.

Other talon trends seen on the catwalks this winter are the reverse French manicure, an avant-garde take on the domestic goddess staple, and matt nail polishes are a few firm favourites for this season. Could it be true? No more high gloss top coats? Appears so!

Words Alice Fredenham

FRAGRANCES D’ÉTÉ

Fashion, beauty, fragrances: all require big decisions. Does my bum look big in this? Which face wash is right for me? And, which scent accentuates my personality? Well, we at AGENT2 have done some of the hard work for you. We have tried some of the best, most unique and rare fragrances for men around. You cannot go wrong with these. So take your pick.

GREEN BY BYREDO

Green by ByRedo is a fragrance that is suitable for either sex. ByRedo is a new collection of eau de parfum from the creative talent of Ben Gorman based in Sweden. He came to the world of perfumery in 2006 when he founded ByRedo, the word a charming play on “Redolence”, a sweet and delightful scent. Exclusive to Les Senteurs, Green is said to be based on the memory of an unknown but beloved fragrance that Gorman’s father wore when he was a boy. The scent is fresh but long-lasting. Combining sweet almond with vanilla and musk it is both sweet yet sophistiated. Perfect for anyone with a nose for a summer scent.

PULP BY BYREDO

Pulp is the fruity fragrance that is wrongly named; it is childlike and playful. It reminds us of days in the sun, evoking the senses to the splash of sweet fruit. Whatever the weather, you will feel soaked in sunlight. According to Les Senteurs the ‘top notes are dewy blackcurrants laced with green bergamot and cardamom seeds’. Imagine Greece, the Bahamas; all the tropical places where you long to spend your vacation time. It is simply delightful.

CHEMBUR BY BYREDO

Chembur is a leathery, older scent. Gorman’s mother is from Mumbai and he recalls family picnics held outside the city in Chembur surrounded by temples and shrines, filled with smoking fragrant incense and garlands of marigolds and jasmine. The fragrance perfectly captures an Indian afternoon covered in richness, heat and colour. The strong scents include bergamot, lemon and incensed oils of Nutmeg and ginger.

MEDITTERANEO BY CARTHUSIA

Sicily in summer time. Sunshine. Fresh fruit. Fresh air. Walks along the promenades. These are the images released when you are splashed in Mediterraneo by Carthusia. A citrus scent that is so fresh, so clean that it brings you to Rome’s cobbled streets whilst you walk around your own town. It is strange how a splash of Meditteraneo can completely change your day. Gets our vote.

NASOMATTO ABSINTHE

Absinthe is a rich, decadent, earthy and interesting ix of notes. The box states the fragrance as “the result of a quest to stimulate irresponsible behaviour”, and an after-hour scent this most certainly is. The scent resembles the creamier smells; vanilla, almonds that reminds me of glamour. Every woman’s simple black dress, glammed up by a dash of Absinthe.  Guys, you can slip into this sexy number as well.

LE LABO OUD 27

As we put our noses to the bottle of Le Labo Oud 27 we instantly thought Wicca. It has notes of incense, saffron, cedar and patchouli. This church-like scent isn’t repulsive; it in fact welcomes you to have a sniff. A smell for the older generation it is still a winner. Don’t avoid it but embrace it.

LE LABO ROSE 31

Roses for Men? Could that be right? Is there a fragrance so feminine for men? Well, according to Le Labo Rose 31, there is. It is also our favourite. Ever since we tested it in the AGENT2 office, we have been spritzing it around with gay abandonment. The compliments that come with wearing this fragrance are amazing. To be asked what you’re wearing; to be told you smell fantastic; what a great way to spend your day. The fragrance notes include Grasse rose, cumin, pepper and amber. These simple flavours create an enchanting blend making everyone draw to you as soon as it settles on your skin.

Words Stephen Bailey

CALIFORNIA DREAMING

It is often said that we are living in a society where it is all about your appearance and since Y2K, this notion has only increased. Vanity has taken over and products that were only targeted to females have now spread to the Y-Chromosome too. As manscara and man-kup creeps in many beauty retailers, alongside the hype of celebrity endorsements, male-vanity is becoming an epidemic to the thrill of one man: and that man is Baxter Finley. 

He may not produce man make-up but Finley is the unsung father of the modern man’s skincare industry. Moving from the city of New York to the hills of Los Angeles, Finley discovered that the constant sun was having a harmful effect on his skin. He searched high and low for a moisturiser that wasn’t pink or floral and then he found one. Working in advertising Henley realised there was no better product to advertise than your own: Henley’s very own man moisteriser, called Super Shape. The first line of male-only grooming products, called Baxter of California, was launched from his Beverly Hills HQ in 1965.

Super Shape’s massive success enabled Baxter to work on more products for men, including toners, night creams and even under eye concentrate. He became LA’s very own male-skincare Willy Wonka.

Since then, Baxter of California has developed a solid reputation for producing premier products for men and their skincare needs. This line for the ultimate playboy has become an institution in its own right in Hollywood and I urge the UK to jump on board too.

The website says that “today Baxter of California has a new look and feel with updated packaging, exciting new imagery, new cutting-edge men’s products that target very specific skincare needs… Ideal for all skin types, the high-tech assortment works alone or in tandem, providing men with intelligent skincare solutions to anti-aging, shaving, cleansing and basic skincare” and we have to agree completely.

After having sampled a few of the products, including the Clarifying Clay Mask, the Facial Scrub, the Herbal Mint Toner and the Oil Free Moisturiser, we at AGENT2 are completely in awe of these products and are am sure many men will follow when they discover the zing that is put in their step after using them.

FACIAL SCRUB

The scrub effectively tones, exfoliates and promotes cell renewal which improves the smoothness of the skin to make it baby soft whilst revitalising complexion too. Use it just once a week.

CLAY MASK

Baxter got it right with the clay mask. It deep cleanses and purifies skin for a revitalised complexion, while hydrating and soothing the skin on its surface. If you are having a blotchy bad skin day, apply this now.

OIL FREE MOISTURISER

The plant based hydration works to restore the skin’s moisturiser barrier, leaving the skin feeling soft, refreshed and shine-free.

HERBAL MINT TONER

The toner from Baxter is not only our favourite from the line but our all-time favourite toner. It cleanses, hydrates and tones with mild herbal extracts. Heavenly.

Products available at www.carterandbond.com

Words Stephen Bailey

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