Author name: Odalisque

A Londoner’s Guide to Party Season Beauty Prep text Maya Avram   A magical time in the city, the festive season brings a flurry of refined dinners, glamorous parties and exclusive events to usher in the holidays — and soon, the new year. Here, I share the beauty routine that keeps me looking my best, whether I’m dining under candlelight or posing for flashing cameras. Best Treatment for Radiance Elenique Skin Clinic Hydrafacial, from £200 Full disclosure, I am very late to board the Hydrafacial train. As someone with sensitive, acne-prone skin, I see facials more as clinical upkeep than pampering, typically opting for the short-term pain, long-term gain of mesotherapy and the like over the enveloping calm of a facial massage.   Well, consider me a convert, because the post-treatment glow-up I experienced at the expert hands of Elena Cudworth, founder of Elenique Skin Clinic, was undeniable. Combining methodologies such as lymphatic massage and LED therapy, this treatment cleanses, purifies and hydrates the skin on a deep level, effortlessly sidestepping any irritation. Add-ons like the Vortex-Fusion serum, which Cudworth recommended for its balancing effect, offer antioxidative protection in addition to infusing the skin with moisturising peptides and hyaluronic acid. By the end, my complexion was visibly sculpted and delightfully luminous, leaving me feeling positively lighter. With no downtime, consider it your go-to pick-me-up for a season of fabulous parties and elegant soirées. Best Treatment for Balance and Brightness Thomas Clinic, DNA Essential Skin Grade 1 Laser Treatment, from £160 If you have been in London long enough, you’ll know Debbie Thomas is the undisputed queen of lasers. Her eponymous clinic is renowned for its staggered approach, delivering holistic therapies tailored to your skin type and aspirations. The DNA Essential Skin Grade 1 treatment is ideal for the party season as it focuses on renewal, delivering instant nourishment and radiance. This is achieved through a medley of mild peels, extractions and microdermabrasion, followed by Byonik pulse-triggered cold laser, red and blue LED light therapy, lymphatic drainage, radiofrequency and ultrasound infusion, plus a suite of targeted serums and masks, which will leave you feeling like a new and improved version of yourself, rendering it the ultimate last-minute party season indulgence. Best Treatment for Overall Renewal Strip, Skin Rejuvenation, from £90 This collagen-boosting treatment is another great ‘sit through it and you’re done’ option that delivers instant results with zero downtime. The non-ablative laser gently heats the skin to around 40°, stimulating collagen production within the deeper dermal layers and building results cumulatively over time. Sensorially speaking, the heat is entirely manageable, and while you may experience some redness under the warm light, as someone with highly reactive skin, I can assure you that by the time you leave, your complexion will be nothing less than plump, harmonised and rejuvenated. Case in point: I went on a full night out straight after my session, minimal touch-up required (although it might be different for those of you who go out with base make-up, which you’ll have to remove ahead of your appointment). The key benefit, however, lies in the fact that this treatment is compatible with other therapies, allowing you to mix and match it with any treatment on this list to amplify its already impressive effect. Best Treatment for Scalp Health Taylor Taylor London, Hair and Scalp Analysis, £20 Finally, I can’t talk about party prep without mentioning haircare. Always on the lookout for new ways to help my luscious locks contend with London’s nefarious hard water, I was excited to have this scalp analysis done. Using a small trichoscope, your stylist examines the different areas of your scalp, which are then analysed by the salon’s proprietary AI software — created in partnership with expert trichologist Tiffany Hall — to offer tailored haircare recommendations based on the unique findings. From hair count and density to excess sebum production and inflammation, the software diagnoses concerns and recommends personalised treatment plans. One of its suggestions to me, for example, was to introduce a weekly scrub to my routine to help clear out product build-up and manage sebum production. The best part? Your stylist will kickstart your scalp health journey right there in the chair, before sending you out with the most voluminous blowout.

The Essential Winter Kit: Eight Products Your Beauty Routine Needs This Season text Yasmine Mubarak Winter brings snowfalls and cozy evenings, but it also brings dry skin and hair. To help you stay glowing and hydrated all season long, we’ve rounded up eight winter products that combine high performance with everyday practicality. Below, discover the heroes your routine shouldn’t be without. Klairs Maple Energy Infusing Serum Designed for dry, dull skin, this luxurious serum repairs your skin with its Maple Syrup Revitalizer™ complex. The formula combines Maple Syrup that strengthens the skin barrier and provides antioxidant protection. In addition, 3 Peptide Complexes that boost collagen. With clinically tested improvements this serum leaves the skin firmer, smoother, and visibly more luminous. Find it here  Rapunzel of Sweden – Single Invisible Clip-ins  For instant volume or added length, Single Invisible Clip-ins from Rapunzel of Sweden are a winter styling secret worth embracing. Whether you’re designing a party hairstyle or refreshing your everyday look, these genuine hair extensions blend seamlessly. The clips are added in for secure, comfortable wear, and the invisible design allows placement even near the face without detection. Style them alongside your natural hair for a flawless, natural finish. They can be worn alone or combined with the Invisible Clip-ins Light Volume or Medium Volume for a customized result. Find it here   Lumene CC Color Correcting Cream SPF 20  Cold weather often leads to redness, and uneven tone, which is why Lumene’s CC Color Correcting Cream is a must-have for achieving a fresh, glowing skin during winter. This lightweight, medium-coverage formula instantly neutralizes redness, creating a natural finish. Powered by Nordic lingonberry and Arctic spring water for essential hydration, the CC Cream also protects the skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays with SPF 20. Suitable for all skin types, it’s a multitasking winter must-have. Another winter essential from the finish brand, since it’s December, is Lumene’s Christmas Advent Calender. I am on day 8 and it has brought me much joy with a great selection of the brands must-haves. A lovely introduction to the brand for those interested in great skincare and makeup.   Find it here Ida Warg Repair & Shine Hair Oil  The winter months are notoriously unforgiving on hair, leaving it frizzy, brittle, and in desperate need of nourishment. Ida Warg’s Repair & Shine Hair Oil is a great addition. Formulated with Squalane and Avocado Oil, this weightless oil strengthens hair, and adds a silky, natural shine without weighing the hair down. It also has an amazing sweet scent that cheers you up. Suitable for all hair types, it’s a simple step that instantly elevates your winter hair routine. Find it here  Eucerin Urea Repair Plus 10% Lotion Winter skin requires moisture, and Eucerin delivers exactly that. Urea Repair Plus 10% Urea Lotion is for very dry skin, and intensely softens the skin. This is my second winter season using it, and it’s a must have. Infused with urea and other natural moisturizing factors, it soothes tightness, and helps prevent future dryness. The formula is fragrance-free and ideal for skin that needs extra attention during the cold months. If you rather have very sensitive skin AtoControl Calming Balm is designed for irritated, dry, and sensitive skin, to calm itchiness and strengthen the skin barrier. Making it suitable for babies, children, and adults alike.  The Ordinary PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum Winter dryness often hits the lips first. This gentle yet effective lip treatment from The Ordinary uses 5% gluconolactone (PHA) and 1.5% AHAs to smooth rough texture. Thanks to its larger molecular size, PHA works on the skin’s surface, making it ideal for sensitive lips. With glycerin for moisture it promotes renewal. Use it alone or layer under the brand’s Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm overnight for intense smooth lips.  Lush Massage Oil Bars Treat yourself with one of Lush’s melting bars, each naturally rich in vitamin E to boost skin elasticity, softness and hydration. The massage oil bars are made using fresh, natural ingredients including cocoa butter, shea butter and the finest essential oils. Each is tailored to a specific need from soothing post-workout muscles, to pregnancy massage or even just to smooth your dry skin for some everyday luxury. Warm between your hands and sweep over the skin to boost circulation, aid relaxation and deeply hydrate. Perfect for your entire body or where you need that extra boost of smoothness.  Find them here Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream   The ultra hydrating facial cream is enriched with 4.5% Squalane with a lightweight texture with a large boost of hydration to leave skin softer. It’s clinically demonstrated to hydrate 15 layers deep for softer, smoother, and healthier looking skin. Paraben-free & fragrance free. Not to mention, it has been recived the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance ™  Winter doesn’t have to compromise your beauty routine. With the right products — from a shine-boosting hair oil to deeply hydrating skincare. These essentials not only protect against winter’s harsh conditions but also elevate your daily self-care ritual