Beauty: Lashes and claws

Lashes are in the new beauty zone. Photo / Supplied

Look out for these speedy new services in salons.

Beauty trends come and go, but undoubtedly on the way in are a host of new services for eyes and nails. Lash extenders and nail coatings were among the most heavily promoted items at Beauty Expo, the annual trade event in Auckland where salon owners shop for products they hope you too will buy.

Viva went along to the expo earlier this month to track the trends, and as well as eye and nail services, there was plenty of mineral makeup on offer and a growing focus on natural skincare, as well as laser therapy equipment, spray tanning booths, new cosmeceutical brands and displays from skincare ranges with an existing presence in spas and beauty therapy clinics.

A few years ago, teeth whitening and massage chairs were the go. This year the concentration on services that businesses can introduce without a huge investment was noticeable. It's presumably a sign of both the economic times and the seemingly insatiable consumer demand to try what's new.

If you haven't tried lash extensions or fake lashes, then be aware these have been joined by semi-permanent mascara, and brush-in, wipe off fibre-lengtheners, plus an ever growing number of lash growth promoters.

If you're considering trying a hybrid gel-polish coating for nails, then there's plenty more of these fast-dry, no-chip formulas coming, plus more stick-on nail coatings that are also cured for longevity under a UV or LED light. Some even feature a layered look, giving a holographic appearance to designs. Fun, but not everyone.

Fishy tales

One woman who won't die wondering what a fish pedicure is like is Oasis Beauty founder Stephanie Kimpton. The Canterbury woman survived the experience during a recent trip to Thailand and writes about it in the new blog on her website. That's her foot pictured, and here's a sample of what she has to say: "Those toothless piranhas are hungry little suckers. They swarmed at my feet, between my toes and up my legs." Find out more about how her feet fared by clicking on this blog link.

You beauties

The 2011 Beauty Industry Awards were handed out at a black tie dinner in Auckland, but the city's therapists and clinics did not feature in the top prizes. The country's best clinic was named as Marlborough's Marlborough Day Spa and the best spa as Salute Hair & Day Spa, Lower Hutt, with the runner up in both categories being Nicola Quinn Beauty & Day Spa, Christchurch.

The best new business award went to Beaute Skin Bar & Beauty Clinic in Dunedin, followed by Pure Aroma Skin & Body, Mt Maunganui. Best therapist was Rachel Robertson of Skin Therapy, Wellington, with Toni Spray of Chrysalis, Browns Bay, runner up. The student winner was Lyn Mason, Wellington Institute of Technology, runner up Renee Morey, Elite International, Newmarket campus, Auckland.

Homegrown option

Joyce Blok is a beauty care range found in nearly 200 salons nationwide, which stands out because of its New Zealand origins, pre-dating the explosion of natural skincare companies. Founded in 1973 as this country's first professional line designed for local conditions, the take-home range has just been expanded to include four anti-ageing products with the latest peptide technology. When I first came across Joyce Blok years ago, I assumed it was an imported range, but Dutch-born therapist Joyce and her masseuse husband Neil migrated here in the late 1960s and set up this country's first beauty training school. They retired to Queensland in the 1980s, and the Self Care Group took over operations. (For stockist details 0800 105 107).

Beauty briefs

TCM taster

Chuan Spa at the Langham Hotel is running introductory sessions about the Traditional Chinese Medicine services it offers. Find out about acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping
and more on either the morning or afternoon of this Saturday, July 30. Bookings are necessary for the complimentary sessions, run by the spa's China-trained TCM practitioner Patrice Hardy. Attendees will enjoy traditional Chinese refreshments and be in with a chance to win a prize and receive 20 per cent off a follow-up treatment. Ph (09) 300 2851.

In the pink

This year's special limited edition Pink Orchid ghd features hot pink plates and a lace-look clutch bag. As with previous limited edition designs of the styler, $20 from the $329 purchase price will go to the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation. In eight years, ghd has raised $2.5 million across Australasia. For stockist information call 0800 424
744 or visit the site.

The down low

American company Kiehl's has reduced prices this month, chopping between $5 and $20 from some skincare items. Kiehl's says its move reflects economies of scale gained from taking the business global and its philanthropic ethos. Lancome recently dropped the price of its Hydra Zen moisturiser to less than $100 to make the cream more affordable for the younger customers it would best suit. Price competition in the supermarket sector is also marked, with many products discounted below recommended retail prices.

Head start

Kerastase is offering complimentary in-salon hair rituals for the next two months. To get a voucher, you need to register your details on the company's website. The trial
service does not include a post-treatment blow-dry.

In the house

Actor Hugh Laurie has signed on as one of L'Oreal's band of celebrity brand ambassadors, with the House star to front for the Men Expert range.