It’s amazing how much difference a little eyebrow maintenance can make, and with brows the most prominent feature of SS’12 beauty looks there’s never been a better time to pay yours some much needed attention.

Gone are the days of plucked minimalism, instead the S/S12 catwalks were stormed by warrior queens with brows that erred, at times, more towards the Frida Kahlo end of the spectrum. Which isn’t to say you should dash off and start frantically cultivating a mono-brow, but a little less pruning is definitely a good way to update your face for 2012 – you’ll look like a sexier, more grown up version of you and nobody will quite be able to put their finger on why. If you are reading this from behind a sparse sprinkling, try the new and improved Peter Thomas Roth’s Lashes To Die For lash growth serum – it works on brows too and if you start now you’ll be able to pull off a full ‘Brooke Shields’ before the daffodils come up this spring.

Look to the new industry darlings Arizona Muse and Bambi Northwood-Blyth (fash-swoon left) for inspiration. Both are the eyebrow icons you need to channel. And far from swamping their unquestionably beautiful foreheads, their bigger brows lend an elegant yet sexy edge to even the most ladylike make-up looks. They’re tomboy-ish, brushed up with clean skin and ponytails; edgy when coupled with lashings of kohl and look archly sophisticated when lovingly groomed (if it was good enough for Elizabeth Taylor…)

If the prospect of growing your brows induces more than a few furrows of doubt, look no further than Anastasia Soare, with her arsenal of products to aid the transition. Much like ridding yourself of a fringe, growing out eyebrows is no mean feat and an awkward interim phase is virtually unavoidable but try to resist the temptation to tweeze.

The ‘definitive eye and brow expert’, Anastasia’s eyebrow range has everything you need to fake a full set, even if you’re decidedly lacking. Use Brow Wiz to plump up sparse brows (the nib is so fine it can mimic individual hairs) then define and set the shape with award winning Tinted Brow Gel.

Or, if you’ve not yet fallen foul of over-zealous eyebrow epilation, be thankful and experiment with what you’ve got. Use Anastasia’s Brow Pen and Brow Powder Duo to enhance their natural shape and draw attention for the right reasons. If you’ve got the confidence to pare down the rest of your make-up, statement brows are not only incredibly fashion forward they add structure to your face, drawing attention to your eye area and balancing out a heavy chin (a great trick too if you wake up with a massive zit!)

A small change can make a big difference so don’t panic at the prospect of growing a set of caterpillars. Tw-ease yourself in gradually and you’ll soon be raising more than a few approving eyebrows.

verity douglas

I have a confession to make – I am a high maintenance blonde. By that I am referring to the insane lengths I go to get my chemically treated, frizzy curly mop look halfway decent. As well as my normal makeup jobs, I now regularly consult for a luxury brand, where I have to look absolutely immaculate. It’s an eternal struggle that goes on pretty much daily so when Urban Retreat invited me to sample their Rahua Omega 9 treatment, I could hardly say no. I have contemplated having my wild locks tamed by a Brazilian blow-dry to save me time – although the chemical side of the process is something that worries me – but a natural way to get my hair looking good is definitely welcome.

I had already heard great things about the wonderfully wholesome Rahua Hair Care range from Cult Beauty’s Alexia, as they were the first to sell it in the UK. I then met the charming people behind the brand last summer and was bowled over by the enthusiasm they had and how natural this collection actually is (free from synthetics, parabens, sulphates). Deriving its potent ingredients from the oil of the rahua nut and ungurahua oils found in the Amazon, the products seek to nourish the hair follicle from within, rather than the usual coating it in silicone to create an artificial shine. Rahua has become a massive hit in the upmarket salons of New york which is another good enough recommendation for me. The shampoo and conditioner do not come cheap but you only need a very small amount so it will last you a long time.

For the £35 treatment the lovely James washed and conditioned my hair – the hair masque is about 15 minutes long – then gave me a fantastic blow-dries that made my hair look sleek, shiny and healthy. I always like my hair best the day after a blow-dry when it has settled a bit  and the best news that my normally coarse and unruly mop still felt soft and shiny three days later which to me is the main test of not only a great blow-dry but also of fantastic products, to which I am now completely addicted. emma day

MV Organic Skincare have just sent us a video (demonstrated by a rather dour lady – I find it hard not to smile when using my MV, it smells so bloody good!) and narrated by the founder herself Sharon with her wonderful Geordie/Aussi accent.

The Jojoba Oil is a spot-on make up remover for sensitive eyes and those who want to avoid all chemicals. The Gentle Cream Cleanser is a godsend to any kind of reactive skin, bringing balance again not matter how bad it was. I’ve always seen toners and mists as something to leave-out-if-one’s-trying-to-budget, but that action of moistening your skin with the Rose Hydrating Mist not only allows you to use less moisturiser for the same level of moisturisation, it smells brilliant. Then there’s the Rose Moisturiser, which just leaves your skin so happy it glows. alexia inge

Are we here again? I haven’t even got to the bottom of last year’s list of resolutions…

There is a certain element of, ‘know thyself’ that needs to be injected into this process. For example, if at no point in your life have you ever been great at mornings, it’s probably not a good idea to decide to resolve to get up at 6am four times a week to go jogging, this simply won’t happen. Here are a few easy resolutions worth keeping:

1. MOISTURISE YOUR HAIR

Just like skin, hair looks and feels better when moisturised. Use a hair mask once a week to give it a boost, this not only makes it look nicer, but moisturised hair is less brittle and won’t fall out as much, leaving you with a thicker mane. Go as natural as you can with this one and it will treat and calm your scalp, which also encourages growth and stops flakes. The Sachajuan Overnight Hair Repair is beautiful and lasts for ages and the Elemis Monoi Moisture Melt is great for both hair and body.

2. LOOK AFTER YOUR FEET

Just like love you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. If your feet fall apart and grow crooked it will effect you daily. When worn for 20 minutes a day Beech Sandals help keep your feet flexible, pain-free & looking good. They strengthen & retrain your toes out of the crushed, distorted shapes that fabulous shoes force them into, realigning them to sit straight. Margaret Dabbs’ Footcare Range will keep them looking lovely on the outside.

3. PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SUN

Be aware that unless you are in a windowless room your skin is being aged by the sun. It’s never to late to start and when in 20 years time people are mistaking you for your daughter’s sister you will thank yourself. If you can go for physical barrier protection Invisible Zinc make a lovely daily moisturiser (SPF30+) that also protects from pollution called ESP, Alison Raffaele‘s primers (SPF15) are incredibly lightweight and Jane Iredale and BECCA both make mineral foundations that are also chock-full on minerals to feed your skin. It’s also a good idea to make an appointment to have your annual mole check with your GP today!

4. FEED YOUR INNER BEAUTY

There are times when even the saints amongst us fall fowl of our five a day. Beauty supplements are a big trend for 2012, they not only keep your daily vitamins and minerals topped up, they are focused specifically on nutrients and anti-oxidants to keep skin and hair looking youthful and healthy. If your skin is going through a particularly bad patch Murad’s Skin Clarifying Supplements help remove blemish-producing toxins and strengthen the skin against irritation, Perricone MD’s DMAE Anti-ageing Supplements support the functions that bolster the skin’s elasticity and thickness, and strengthen cell membranes.

5. HELP YOUR HANDS

Hands are great communication tools so make sure you’re sending out the right message. Like bad shoes, chipped nail varnish, chewed cuticles and flaky dry patches on your hands spoil your whole look. Re-apply or take off old nail varnish the minute it chips. If you are a frequent varnish wearer or have sensitive skin Priti do a non-toxic, non-irritant, organic-soy-based nail varnish remover and biodegradable remover wipes that keep you looking chic without harming the environment. Keep a tube of hand cream on your desk and Creative Nail Design do a super effective Cuticle Eraser cream to exfoliate away any dry skin buildup.

6. GET YOUR HEART RATE UP

Regular exercise is one of the hardest resolves to keep up, but also the one with the most benefits to your health, body, immune system, levels of happiness, ageing and skin luminosity. The Tracey Anderson workouts are bloody tough to do, but the results that really show after just 2 weeks are enough to keep you hooked (see left for the example she sets).

7.  DARE TO WEAR

We all get stuck in a beauty rut… black eye liner, black mascara, peach blusher, pony tail anyone? Try taking just one of your regular looks and just change the colour you are using. Prestige Eyeliners have a great range of colours, if you have brown eyes try the purple (Icon) or envy (green), for blue eyes try the gold and those lovely green eyes go for a grey. DuWop do a lovely range of Eyecatcher Eyeshadows that you buy by eye colour (see below), designed to make whatever you have pop beautifully.

8. SPRING CLEAN…FREQUENTLY

Time to wash your make up bag and get into the habit of cleansing your brushes & make up sponges weekly. There is no point in being fastidious about your cleansing routine if you just brush the bacteria back onto your skin when applying your make up. Beautyblender’s Make up Tool Cleanser is a soothing soy-based, low-suds formula that’s strong enough to remove even waterproof make up from your sponge or brushes, without damaging them in any way.

9. MOISTURISE YOUR BODY AFTER SHOWERING

There is nothing better than a hot shower to wake one up in the morning, but the hotter it is the more it strips your skin of it’s natural fatty barrier. The best way to remember to do this is to keep your moisturiser in the shower. Pat your skin dry with a towel rather than rubbing, then lather it on this while your skin is still damp because this helps your skin to better absorb the oils and holds in that moisture. View our full range of cult body moisturisers here.

10. PICK A RESOLUTION AND STICK TO IT

Most beauty regimens take at least a few weeks to have an effect, if you are not a natural choose one upgrade to your routine and stick to it. Set a reminder on your phone, put the products where you see them every day.

alexia inge

If we could all jump into the picture above I don’t think this article would be relevant, unfortunately this eatery only seats 10…

I just read a sad fact about the UK and am sure this is reflected more and more throughout the world. In the last three years the use of anti-depressants has risen almost a third. Times are tough at the moment, and while these pills are helpful for severe depression the current onus on drugs as the first resort is totally wrong. Here are a few things you can do to stave off the January blues without taking pills OR spending money:

1. Let your loved ones know how much they mean to you, the resulting feelings of goodwill will send your serotonin levels soaring.

2. Crowbar yourself out of your comfort zone and try doing something really challenging, or even something you find quite daunting. The feeling of achievement elevates not just your mood, but your sense of self worth.

3. Wrap up warm and get out into nature, even if that’s just a local park. Get the sun on your face for at least half an hour.

4. Make friends with your neighbours – this might be one of your ‘out of comfort zone’ resolutions – feeling part of a community is proven to make people feel more content, plus you might make some new friends which is always useful especially if you get locked out!

5. Try doing a random act of kindness every day, it doesn’t have to be big or complicated, I like complimenting random old ladies on their hair

For some more lovely tips throughout the year put the blog Feeling Good Today on your reading list.

There are 3 make up products I discovered this year that will basically change your life (in an Cheat-Spray-Love kind’a way!). All of them will make you look fabulous for any parties this New Year’s Eve, even after you’ve had the obligatory 2am fight with your boyfriend/best friend/lampost!

The first, won’t come as much of a surprise to regular readers, is the Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint. I’ve tried to run, and definitely can’t hide from the onslaught of the mid-thirties and this complexion enhancing moisturiser is a daily Hermione to my Harry Potter in the fight against evil…effects of ageing.

Next in my box of tricks is a Liquid eyeliner from Prestige Cosmetics, they come in a brilliant range of colours from which black, big teal and fame are absolute staples, and at £5.99 each are amazingly good value.

Then we have a mascara so immovable we call it Merkozi, that has checked so many boxes we ran out of ink. The Volume Lash from djv Beautenizer makes your lashes so long and thick you won’t be able to wear your glasses after application, and if you happen to be a contact lens wearer there is no flaking or smudging either to irritate your eyes. It’s legendary! alexia inge

Perdita has been a friend since Uni, you used to do the student marches together. You never had the heart to tell her your incentives for participating were less about changing Foreign policy for the Guatemalans, as changing Frederico’s hardline policy of ‘sticking with his girlfriend’. Perdita is a good egg who practices what she preaches and fights hard for her morals, but as a result never treats herself. You want to buy her something nice, but don’t want a long lecture about the wanton wastage of modern society.

Solution: Jade Facial Roller - £25-£43

She wouldn’t have a face cream – all that packaging, just for 2 month’s usage – but she’s starting to get jowls, and the olive oil and flax seed mixture she rustles up herself is not cutting the mustard in the anti-ageing department. This facial roller is made of pure, hand-carved Jade, a cleansing stone used in Chinese medicine for centuries to help the body to expel toxins. It aids lymph drainage eliminating puffiness, plumping out wrinkles and unless you drop it, it lasts for ages. alexia inge

The thought of the family descending (even though it is his side this year) is not filling Dad with festive joy. He won’t be allowed to watch the Top Gear Christmas Special, the DIY tools will have to be removed from the Kitchen BACK TO THE SHED WHERE THEY BLOODY BELONG and Auntie Geranium always takes his favourite chocs from the Quality Street. On the upside ’tis the season to eat as much as he wants without ‘the eye of Sauron’ appearing over the paper questioning whether that amount of butter is good for the cholesterol…Dad is hard to buy for because he doesn’t feel he needs anything and can’t stand waste.

Solution: Razorpit Razor Sharpener – £20.

Appeal to Dad’s practical side by enabling him to extend the life of his razor blades, you can just hear him…”It’s criminal how much these things cost…four blades on a razor! I ask you, what do I need with four blades!” Razorpit is based on the leather strap Barbers use to sharpen their traditional cut-throat blades. It revives razor blades, so you can extend your razor’s usefulness by up to 150 shaves. It works with most brands (Gillette, Wilkinson Sword, even Bic) and appeals to that mix of traditional and technology that Practical Dad finds so alluring. alexia inge

Josh always looks and smells good, but he is EXTREMELY picky about everything that exists in his physicality. In fact you once saw him cry in the street over a case of bad high-lights on a cute boy. He is impossible to buy for, but nothing is worse than turning up empty handed to his colour-themed, annual Christmas party: the tears, the falling to the floor, beating his fists on the teak, and that is just when he finds out Streisand’s Latest Greatest Hits Remix didn’t make Christmas number 1! Even your mate Davo who never buys a round will muster something up.

Solution: Cire Trudon Stink Bombs

It is rare you can say one of the celeb fans of a brand is Napoleon Bonaparte, this will go down well with Josh. These little paper-glass stink bombs each contain one of two incredibly refined French fragrances, when you smash one of these on the floor you are instantly enveloped with either the masculine, leathery, patchouli & Tobacco scent of Ernesto, or the fresh, minty & gingery Abd El Kader. This will allow him to enter the room in a flourish, dash the vial to the ground (a le Alan Rickman in harry Potter) and create a beautiful environment wherever he goes.

Unless you have Santa’s Mobile number here are the last dates to order from Cult Beauty in order to ensure you get your gifts before the Christmas deadline…

-UK, Standard Delivery – Order before 2pm Monday 19 December
-UK, Fedex – Order before 2pm Tuesday 20 December

-Western Europe, Standard – Order before 2pm Wednesday 15 December
-Western Europe, Fedex – Order before 2pm Monday 19 December

-North America, Standard – Order before 2pm Wednesday 15 December
-North America, Fedex – Order before 2pm Monday 19 December

-Middle East Asia, Australasia, South & Central America, Africa, Far East (inc Japan), Standard – Order before 2pm Monday 12 December
-Middle East Asia, Australasia, South & Central America, Africa, Far East (inc. Japan), Fedex – Order before 2pm Friday 16 December

STOP THE PRESS… the search for the perfect mascara is over, you can check that box, kick back in the comfortable knowledge that from now on lashings of naturally lustrous lashes are yours for the taking. No smudging, no flaking, no end-of-day dark circles AND it comes off in 2 seconds when soaked in warm water…

It is no wonder this has been the top selling mascara brand in Japan for over 10 years. We’ve been trying to get this brand for 2 years, d.j.v Beautenizer finally said yes to Cult Beauty launching it in Europe 2 weeks ago, and now it’s here.

There are only two products in the range, the original Fibrewig LX and their latest Volume Lash, one for beautifully alluring day lashes and one for a POWer-lash night look. It’s the mascara equivalent of finding a tall, dark, handsome, well-dressed man, an incredibly witty billionaire with an adorable mother and a love of animals…who is also straight and single!

We are so confident that you’ll love the d.j.v Beautenizer Mascaras that we are offering a 10 day money back guarantee on both of them, so you can try them risk-free….update…they sold out in 48 hours, pre-order yours to ensure you get one in the next batch arriving around the 14th December. alexia inge

Dear Santa, I have been a good girl this year and was wondering if you could sort me out with this bedroom, I think it might help with stress relief…also please can I have the below drinks dispenser for the office…also stress relief…. oh and some sharks with lasers to discourage junk mail please. alexia inge

Just as the EU she so despised is crumbling around our ears, Maggie-mania is hotting up. The Iron Lady isn’t due to hit cinemas for at least a month, yet already the style nostalgia has started to permeate the fashion & beauty industries. Suddenly a boxy, shoulder-enhancing tailoring doesn’t seem quite so dated. Flesh tights, pearls and pumps (championed by the lovely Middleton sisters) seem somehow less mumsey, and what else is the crook of an elbow designed for if not a framed bag that would take out a Lib Dem at 40 paces?

From a beauty perspective Maggie was all about the bullet-proof barnet and the power lippy, no extraneously feminine trappings of eyeshadow or blusher and definitely no nail varnish. It is unlikely we will want to recreate the full hair-helmet, but creating a bit of volume and uniformity is definitely a trend to try.

Start by wash your hair with Sachajuan’s Volumising Shampoo & Conditioner, then run some davines For Wizards Body Mousse through your hair when wet and blowdry upside down while scrunching. Once dry, move the crown of your hair to the side, backcomb the under bits and then gently brush the top part back over with a boar bristle brush from Acca Kappa. Finish with a spray of davines Firm Hold Hairspray to keep it in place. alexia inge

Great news, we have a new Jouer product on board, hot off the press (as it were), the Liquid Shimmer Eyeliners have landed. In the video below Jouer founder Christina introduces the Liner better than I ever could (tops marks to the model at the end for the biggest cheesiest smile I have ever seen!)  alexia inge

A friend just told me about a brilliant event happening in London this Saturday in aid of chari-dee, ‘Dress for Success’, hosted by Jennifer Saunders, Betty Jackson and Sunday Times Style.

Working on the premise, ‘One wo-man’s Trash is another wo-man’s Treasure’, high-end bring & buy sales are rather exciting things.

The uber-cool readers of Style Mag will be bringing their boyfriend-never-liked, too small, too big, impulse-buys they no longer want to take part in this sale.

Harvey Nichols, Temperley London, Whistles, my-wardrobe.com, Matches, Mulberry, House of Holland and Astley Clarke will also set up special pop-up stalls offering exclusive one-off buys, brilliant Christmas gifts and stunning catwalk samples at discounts of up to 70%.

It’s on from 10am-1pm & 3pm-6pm; Entrance is £20 which all goes to the Charity. alexia inge

Style Fashion Bring & Buy, The House Of St Barnabas, 1 Greek Street, London W1. To book, call 0844 543 9806.

A world away from the 12 hour workdays and grimy, overcrowded tube journeys that we endure in London daily, Cult Beauty discovered a quiet, peaceful haven in Yalikavak on Turkey’s Bodrum Peninsula (4 hour flight from Gatwick) and we just had to tell you about it. It may be off our normal subject of beauty, but we came back looking about 10 years younger.

Where to stay:

We discovered a super-cool hotel called the 4 Reasons (sic) where we lounged by the pool and gorged on the exquisite cuisine. The adorable library nook is a treasure of perfect beach reads, having been contributed over the years by previous guests. It had me at Marian Keyes’s Watermelon. Chic, reasonably-priced and with only 20 rooms, it is private without being isolated.

Breakfast is by the pool, surrounded by bougainvillea and a perfect view. The 4 Reasons is big on small, luxurious details like the litres of freshly squeezed orange juice we devoured every morning (full of anti-oxidants, great for the skin and the hang-over).

Doubles start at 85 EUR per night. Book online through i-escapes or directly with the hotel on +90 (252) 385-3212.

Soak up the sun:

For a real insider’s view of Bodrum, head down to Magi Beach about a 5 minute walk from the 4 Reasons. Ask any of the friendly staff for recommendations on excursions and restaurants to find some true hidden gems. From boat trips to secret swimming bays to the perfect spot to watch the sunset, you can trust these guys to hook you up with the best Bodrum has to offer. To completely de-stress, I recommend just floating in the crystal clear water and drinking a full-fat Efes beer. jessica deluca

PAN AM is set to be a mile-high Mad Men, promising a hot, weekly, 60’s fashion & beauty injection into our lives. Based around the iconic, and now defunct airline, PAN AM will transport BBC2 viewers back to 1963, a highly glamorous era when the only inflight safety precaution was a bit of extra hairspray in case of turbulence.

An age when being an air-hostess was the most alluring occupation you could possibly have and it was seen as totally acceptable to weight the stewardesses before every flight to check they hadn’t slipped in their primary duty as totty….calm that internal feminist, see how far we’ve come and then enjoy the immaculately spot-on 60′s fashion and beauty.

Patricia Regan, the head make-up artist for PAN AM, worked closely with Chad and Scott, owners of 3 Custom Color, to create a working palette for the show inspired by the 1960′s stewardesses handbook that, amongst other things, required the gals to ‘Wear a defined eye and coral lips and cheeks’.

“My inspiration comes from extensive photographs of 1963—fashion, documentary, and people, as well as Pan Am history,” says Regan. “I try to combine the style of the past and with the tools of the present to give a fresh new look!” Here’s how she achieved it.

1) Apply a matte finish foundation and I love to use the 3 Custom Clarifying pencil on the inside step to really brighten eyes.

2) Brows are an important part of this look, brush and groom them to define natural fuller shape, fill in and extend a touch with a matching brow shade.

3) Apply eye shadow – in Cool Sky, Cool Celery – both used on Margot Robbie & Karine Vanasse or Warm Lilac – used on Christina Ricci & Kelli Garner – all over your eyelid to just above the crease.

4) Draw a line along upper lashes with either the black or brown Opaline Eyeliner.

5) Apply a couple of layers of mascara, for extra drama, try a couple of individual false lashes on outer corners!

6) Add a generous sweep of cream blusher on the apple of cheeks. Three Custom Color Lip & Cheek Stain in Poppy is the coral I chose for this 60′s look.

7) Finish with a lip balm over the top.

To check out the finished look, tune in to “Pan Am” Wednesday nights on BBC2 – alexia inge

Where I come from in Somerset, every spring and autumn we get gigantic flocks of black starlings swarming in these beautifully elegant patterns just before sunset. It is almost like they become another organism. This happens when the birds leave their feeding places and take flight before settling in for the night. I’ve never had the wherewithal to film them but the video above is a sweet, if a little amateur, example of this amazing natural phenomena. It is literally breathtaking. alexia inge

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

Now that her exclusivity period with Estee Lauder is up – the artist formerly known as – Jo Malone is back and as expected her latest incarnation, Jo Loves, is quite gorgeous.

The master perfumer is known for her clean, pure, crisp, nature-inspired and infused fragrances, a far cry from the over-powering, artificial wafts that hit you walking down the high street. Jo has poured her heart and soul into this project. When we met up a couple of days ago I found myself feeling every bit as emotional and proud of the launch of her new perfumes as she does.

Each perfume has a unique smell and each has been given it’s own launch. The first to go on sale was “Pomelo”, Wednesday saw “Green Orange and Coriander” launch, today is “Orange Tulle” and then Friday welcomes “Gardenia” to the noses of the great British public.

Gardenia is my personal favourite. It is the perfect balance between a light, sensual floral smell, a creamy puff and something a little darker like rich velvet. I find it near impossible to use words to describe scents, much better to head down to her pop-up shops in Selfridges or South Audley St, London and smell for yourself.

It sits in the luxury perfumes category (£95 for 100ml), alongside giants like Tom Ford. But what I will say is that you only need very little and it lasts well into the night. You are paying for a skilled and well honed nose with indomitable courage and an artisan approach to making the world a better smelling place. In a world of clones, you will have no problem standing out with a resonating smell of the best bits of nature in a bottle.

I am besotted with this delectable range. olivia inge

Magnets have been used for centuries as a tool to promote well being by a plethora of cultures, from the Chinese to the Ancient Greeks, especially for healing and pain relief. The theory being that magnets attract blood – which contains many metal elements e.g. iron – to the area in which they are placed, increasing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients. According to the National Centre For Complementary and Alternative Medicine, magnetized rings were used to treat arthritis as far back as 2000 B.C.. The modern beauty world is now tapping into their powers too.

Magnetic nail polishes have been exciting the manicure world (hugely championed by BritishBeautyBlogger) for a few months now, with Nails Inc leading the trend. It’s not the first time magnetic polishes have been released; back in 2007 Lancome launched a limited edition magnetic polish for Christmas.

Magnetic fibers are now being developed into credible thickening and volumising hair products. Originally created and used to help cover balding and thinning hair (remember those tacky adds in the back of newspapers), now researchers in Israel are applying the latest lightweight, bonding technologies to create a new wave of invisible styling products.

Currently the majority of thickening products work by attracting positively charged polymers to the hair shaft, giving a blended and realistic look. Israeli researchers are creating technology that adapts the fibers to help create a thicker, fuller and evenly textured appearance to hair. The magnetic fibers are naturally textured polymers, made up of ingredients like keratin, nylon, silica and cotton.

These minute strands are positively charged which allows them to attract and stick to the hair shaft, which has a negative charge. The attraction is strong enough that they stay all day, from when you apply the styling products until you wash them out that evening or the next day. Cult Beauty predicts this is the future of volumising hair products, very exciting stuff.

Skin care is also getting involved with magnets; American skincare company iLike have created a Magnetic Skin Therapy Mask which blends herbal pulps of Elderflower and Locust flower with a magnetic powder to create a powerful gel that increases blood flow to the skin. This increases the circulation, cell metabolism and detoxification of the skin to give you a refreshed and revived appearance.

Only time will tell how the magnetic trend will play out but this is definitely not the last you hear of this (rather attractive) technology. cate sewell