Tag Archives: summer

Hot on the Highstreet Week 159: Best Beauty Products for Summer

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It is always nice to try new products at the start of a new season. In summer you want to feel fresh and fragrant and to help you achieve that I’ve chosen my top products for hair, body, face and nails!

HAIR

Kerastase is my all time favourite hair brand. The easy colour coded bottles help you nagivate your way round the extensive collection of specific shampoo & conditioner sets. For warmer months I’d recommend the red and pink lighter ranges. Kerastase Soleil is ideal for sun damaged hair and Kerastase Reflection is a soft and gentle set perfect for highlighted or very sensitised hair.

Bumble & Bumble is a great brand – versatile and reliable. The Surf set of foam wash shampoo and creme rinse conditioner are lightweight products for summer adding a carefree soft seabreezy texture to your hair.

BODY:

He-shi is a self tan you can trust. Everyone wants a healthy glow in the summer months, getting your pasty pins out for the first time can be daunting. He-shi exfoliating bodywash and express liquid tan are easy and quick to use with the mitt and ensure a natural and flawless effect.

FACE

Jurlique are renowned for their gentle fragrant and effective skincare products. The new Antioxidant face oil is a soothing remedy for tired and dry skin. It smells divine and is ideal as a before bed treatment.

Dr Perricone needs no explanation. This summer the brand celebrates the launch of Formula 15, the ultimate wrinkle cure. Sun damage is the greatest cause of wrinkles so why not begin combating aging this summer with this luxurious cosmeceutical face firming activator. Get 20% off the product today here.

Dennis Basso‘s new scent is for everyone. The citrus notes blended with warm tones of orange blossom and jasmine make it a sensual but light smell for summer.

NAILS

Color Club is an American brand of nail varnish often used in UK nail bars. I love the vibrant and fun colours, perfect for brightening up the tips of your toes in sandals.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 155

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JuJu jellies can proudly call themselves the creators of the original British Jelly Shoe. They have been manufacturing iconic shoes and children’s wellington boots for over 25 years. Juju started life in 1986 as injection moulders to the shoe trade in the UK. A family run business founded by Rushton Schafer (Ruston Ablett Ltd) and based in Northampton “the shoe capital of Britain”, they pioneered the production of the original injection sandals. These were nicknamed “jelly shoes” due to their soft jellylike finish and soon became a fashion and seaside favourite.

Juju Shoes are all about style, versatility and colour, creating classic designs and relaunching them with a contemporary twist. The jelly shoes are still made in the traditional manufactured way, in the same factory and to the same high standards as the very first day they appeared. The special jelly mix, is completely unique to Juju, and is made into your favourite jelly shoes by adding a touch of glitter and colour to the jelly machine. The materials are sourced in England and are recyclable so all the waste jellies are ground-up and made into brand new products!

I love the new SS’13 eye-popping coloured UV JuJu Jellies which glow under UV light, available in the classic flat 90’s ‘Maxi’ style or the chunky heeled ‘Babe’ Style and priced around £20 a pair.

Buy JuJu online at ASOS, Topshop, Office and Urban Outfitters.

The Best of Beirut in Summer

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The Beiruti bohemians know how to have a good time any time of year, but in the hot summer months the Lebanese capital sizzles with excitement as the rooftops are revealed and the city is set alight.

Much of my last visit was spent exploring the beaches and clubs that make Beirut’s summer so fabulous and fun. Especially as violence and trouble nearby threatens to dampen spirits, it seems important to stress the vivacity and joie de vivre of the passionate people in this city. Personally I found it especially refreshing to experience a place where negativity just doesn’t exist.

Soak up the sun…

The city gets hot and humid especially in July and August, the beaches (usually just pool resorts on the seaside edge) become very popular and are a lovely way to enjoy the sunshine and top up your tan.
La Plage served us well. Located opposite Vendome hotel (with free access for hotel guests) this pool and bar/restaurant is extremely convenient. A hip gang hang out round the pool and order pina coladas in the water bar while looking out at the rippling Mediterranean. Entrance fee for non-hotel guests is approx $25 a day, food is reasonable and decent.
Edde Sands is located a bit further out of town and is the biggest Beirut beach. Geared more towards families, this huge resort aims to provide every amenity you could wish to find, a great day out.
Orchid – the 45 minute drive is worth it for this stunning beach, a sophisticated, elite crowd lie languidly by the sparkling pool. Blend in by wearing a bright bikini and big sunglasses. Be warned you may feel like you are in an episode of Made in Chelsea.
Amethysthe, located within the Phoenicia Hotel is a gem of a pool, themed with purple and always playing popular tunes, it is a lovely place to spend the day and a real asset to the Phoenicia empire.

Feast on…

As the light lasts longer, meals become later… many eateries stay open 24 hours a day, ideal for an extra 4am bite on the way home.
Leil Nhar – quick service Lebanese fast food eatery-pizzeria and coffee shop serving a variety of dishes, coffees and smoothies around the clock… cheap, cheerful, the ideal early morning hangover cure!
Al Balad – offers tasty and authentic Lebanese dining. A relaxed and friendly restaurant, the prices are very reasonable.
Barbar in Hamra serves up insanely good grub, ask for the chicken Shawarma and you will be instantly addicted. Open late.

Cocktail hour at…

Iris – this chic lounge bar serves food and drink on its attractive rooftop floor. The food is modern and striking and the cocktails are innovative and creative… equally impressive in taste and visuals.
Le Capitole – chilled out and relaxed this is the perfect place to enjoy a few dishes off the contemporary menu and order a drink or too from the barman who is happy to make any cocktail of your choice.
Cherry on the Rooftop is the seasonal bar in the luxurious Le Gray Hotel. The bar offers enviable views of the city and a great menu of snacks and cherry inspired concoctions.

Dance the night away…

Skybar – the hottest rooftop club in Beirut. The place to be and be seen.
Pier 7 – An epic sized fashionable club with bright lights and trendy design. Drink, dance and delegate someone else to drive home.
White – super slick and shiny bar and club, find some friends to get you in then fight the regulars for a seat at the bar. Excellent DJ sets and dance routines on the bar make for an exciting and exhilarating night… Fridays and Saturdays are the best nights.

Shop till you drop at…

Mishmaoul – this pop-up shop no longer has a home at the Souks but the designer’s work is still very much alive and in demand in Beirut. The Middle Eastern bright and pop-arty cushions, prints and accessories will animate up any wardrobe.
Patches and Cream Boutique – a small independent shop in downtown Beirut selling quirky and wearable clothes from a variety of unique designers. I was pleased to notice an abundance of neon in the collection!

Doze off…

Vendome – a beautiful boutique hotel, with homely rooms and friendly staff. You will never want to leave.
Le Gray – a divine, luxurious hotel in the heart of the city, Gordon Campbell Gray’s fabulous world of intriguing artworks and distinctive style is inimitable and very special.

Beirut is blissfully beautiful in summer and hopefully my recommendations will help you experience the best of the thrilling city during this hot and fabulous season.