Have you got the detox blues?
Everyone knows that January is a miserable month, why make it harder by detoxing? Us T-Zoners believe that there is an easier way to come down from the high of the holidays; we call it ‘faux-tox’. Yes, that’s right; it’s a bit like a detox, but a lot nicer. If you want to get glowing in January without getting the detox blues read our five-point-plan!
• Facial massage helps to really deep cleanse skin and get skin glowing. Use your fingers to firmly massage, gently pinch and smooth skin. Work from the centre of the face outwards towards the ear. Move your fingers along the jaw-line and across the forehead too. This helps to shift toxins and get the circulation going. You can use a facial oil but if your skin is oily, just foam up lots of T-Zone Deep Action Foaming Gel Wash and massage whilst you wash your face
• Have lots of baths….bliss….add handfuls of Epsom Salts which are cheap and great for your skin. If you suffer from spots on your back or chest add a few drops of our favourite T-Tree Oil. Whilst you soak enjoy a face mask – did you know that honey is great for getting rid of blackheads? Warm some honey (not too hot!) and smooth it over skin for a few minutes before rinsing off with warm water
• Get creative with water. We all know drinking water is great for our skin….but let’s be honest, it can be quite dull. Try cutting up apple chunks, slices of lemon and cucumber; pop it all in a jug and top up with water. You can add mint too for extra zing!
• Get exercising! No don’t worry we are not about to suggest you become a gym bunny. Just get walking, get off the bus a few stops early, leave your car at home or make sure you get out at lunch time. Getting a pedometer is a great idea….checking how far you have walked can get quite addictive!
• Get come zzzzzz’s. Yep, fill up your hottie, get a good book and snuggle down. Whilst you sleep your body can repair and recharge, and let’s face it, you won’t be missing anything exciting in January so catch up on your beauty sleep!
See you in February!
So you think you know how to party?
Here at T-Zone Towers we love a party and like to think we’ve the best tips in town for having a top night out. Tonight’s the busiest night of the season for office parties….are you ready? Here’s our top 20 party tips….it’s a must-read!
• Think about your feet. Whatever the party, wedges will work best, especially if there is drinking and dancing involved, they are just that little bit more stable than the stiletto heals you might be eying up.
• Cover up. It’s cold outside ladies, a wrap or chic jacket is a party essential….fast forward to the end of the night and you’ll understand what we’re saying.
• Stock up. The fridge that is! We’ll be shopping for healthy juice, something to toast and definitely some bacon so we are all set for the morning after
• Rehydrate. Ok, ok, we don’t want to be a party pooper but alternating an alcoholic drink with a non alcoholic will keep you on the dance floor for longer. Repeat after me…’water is my friend!’
• Shine stopper. Slip some blotting papers into your bag, more effective than powder and they will leave your skin with a fresh yet matt finish.
• Step away from the phone. Drunk dialling is soooo not a good idea.
• Step away from the phone. See above……but remember drunken Twitter and Facebook updates won’t go down well with your boss on Monday morning.
• Prep and prime. Using a face primer underneath your make-up will make it last longer and look fresher
• Bedtime beauty. No matter how late you get home, cleanse your face and remove your make-up. Stock up on eye make-up remover pads and T-Zone Skin Perfect Pore Tightening Cleanser so you can get clean fast.
• Bathing bliss. Epson salts are detoxifying plus they will ease muscles after a night on the dance floor and are great value. Stock up in Boots for morning after baths.
• Sweet scents. Slip a fragrance sample from a magazine into your handbag to freshen up mid way through the night.
• Ditch the fags. Do you really want to stand outside in the cold while your mates are on the dance floor? Nope, we don’t either!
• Nail it. Glam nails are this season’s party essential. Think metallics, nail art or foils!
• Go bare. No one really likes nude tights, instead opt for Sally Hanson Airbrush Legs to even out skin tone and add a touch of colour.
• Subtle scent. Spritz perfume in your hair instead of on your neck for an altogether more subtle approach.
• Spot on. If you can feel the familiar tingle of a spot, don’t touch, instead reach for your spot stick. Keep T-Zone Rapid Action Spot Zapping Stick in the fridge to instantly calm spots.
• Colour pop. If you really want to stand out at the party, wear some colour. Most of us stick to boring black but colour blocking is a big trend this season so don’t be shy!
• Make a statement. But don’t go OTT. Think about making your bag OR your shoes OR your jewellery the star of your outfit. But not all of them!
• Safety first. Save phone numbers for reputable taxi numbers in your phone so you won’t be tempted to get an unlicensed mini cab home. We say don’t risk it; stay safe over the Christmas season.
Have fun!
3…2…1…Party!
We can’t believe it’s nearly December – the year has whizzed by and as far as we’re concerned it’s a slippery slope down to the festive season!
So, with some great parties in the diary we’ve turned our attention to looking fabulous and everyone knows that starts with great skin. So, while we can, we will be drinking lots of water and swapping coffee for herbal teas. And while there is still time to be virtuous, it’s a good idea to up your fruit and veg quota ‘cos we know by the time December comes around we’ll forget about five a day in favour of mini sausage rolls and mince pies!
The next step to gorgeousness is our special three day skin prep routine which will have you glowing and spot free in time for the first big night out. Start the first day with a mini at-home facial…with these steps:
Cleanse your skin thoroughly with T-Zone Deep Action Foaming Gel Wash, carefully massaging the wash over your face in circular motions, working outwards from the chin along the jaw line towards the ear. Work the cleanser up over your face, always working from the centre of the face outwards.
Next steam skin gently over a sink full of hot water, pat skin dry and then press on T-Zone Face or Nose Pore Strips where you see any blackheads and congestion. Trust us, these little strips don’t take any prisoners!! Then finish by applying a light moisturiser if your skin needs it.
On day two, cleanse your skin in the morning as usual, and remember, if you see any spots emerging, don’t touch! Just dab throughout the day with T-Zone Max Strength Spot Zapping Stick. Then in the evening repeat the facial massage cleanse, rinsing skin well with tepid water to finish.
Day three is all about getting your glow on which means a double cleanse and exfoliation. In the evening, start with a light cleanse and then using T-Zone Deep Pore Exfoliating Daily Wash gently exfoliate your skin, focusing on any areas of congestion and along the jaw line. Rinse away any exfoliator with tepid water and then give your skin a quick splash with cold water to finish. Pat dry and ta da! You’ll look gorgeous and glowing – ready to party!!
If you’ve got any skincare tips for the party season don’t forget to share them on our Facebook page!
Winter trend alert!
We love embracing the new season’s trends and this autumn there are some seriously gorgeous looks to try out. Here is our round up of the trends we’ll be rocking over the coming months.
Pony Tails
Sleek, preppy, low slung or loose and sexy, the pony tail is an essential hair accessory for the season. We heart this trend because, with a bit of practice, they are an easy way to wear hair – much more low maintenance than the big blow dries of last winter!
Metallic
Gleaming bronze, shimmery silver and shiny aqua tones are your number one trend for eyes. Go all out for night time glamour and smooth cream shadows across the lid and up to the brow. For day time, tone it down by using a slick of metallic grey or navy. Keep the rest of the face simple, a little black mascara and nude lip gloss will finish the look.
Nude
Less of a trend, more of a look that’s never out of fashion. This requires blemish free skin and careful skin prep. Think concealer rather than all over foundation and contour cheeks with bronze and peachy shades. Keep up with your T-Zone routine to make sure your skin is porefect!
Side partings
If you’re not wearing a pony tail then you need a side parting! Work razor sharp partings and gelled back hair or rough things up with a messy low side part, whatever your style you can work the trend to suit your look. Long wavy hair looks boho sexy with a side parting and you can even style it with a long sloping fringe for a softer look.
Baby doll
This season’s baby doll has a harder edge than summer’s ballerina look. Again, skin is the hero, but keep it matt with a hint of powder. Work eye liner flicks with nude lips and hint of fuchsia pink blush. Don’t forget brows – keep them super groomed and defined to help frame the face.
Looking ahead to Spring/Summer 2012
Looking ahead to S/S 2012
London Fashion Week flew by and whilst the fash pack are still in Milan and looking forward to the Paris shows we can already see some brilliant trends emerging for 2012. Here’s a quick run down on the make-up looks we’ll be trying out next year.
Citrus pop
Coral, lemon yellow and orange lit up the catwalks with a glow of sunshine that made us long for next summer. Citrus colours were seen at Derek Lam and Diane Von Furstenberg. Not to mention the orange eye lids at Jaeger and DKNY, and tangerine lips at Mary Katrantzou. If you’re not feeling confident about this trend you can still work it with lemon yellow nails instead!
Pout Power
Lips got a lot of attention on the runways of Matthew Williamson, Nicole Farhi and Felder Felder to name but a few. The models at cult label Erdem had red wine stained lips whilst Felder Felder went with a softer red which is a sophisticated look for day time.
Good Earth
Neutral make-up got a makeover with lids and lips in matching earth tones. Think honey, coffee, toffee and muted bronze colours. It’s an easy trend to wear now this autumn for fashion junkies who wanna be ahead of the pack. Look at the Sass & Bide and Amanda Wakeley shows for inspiration.
Eye Liner
If you like dramatic eyes Spring Summer 2012 will be your season. From smoky lids to full on futuristic graphic looks, let your imagination run wild. Start by working a clear, strong line close to the lashes against a pale shadow on lids, as seen at Peter Jensen. Matthew Williamson favoured brown liner winged out at the corners whilst models at Mario Schwab wore black liner above and below the top and bottom lash lines. For the brave fashion followers try a more futuristic look seen at Richard Nicol where bars of black liner striped across the optical bone.
Nearly the weekend!
The T-Zone team do love a bank holiday and since this is the last cheeky long weekend ‘till Christmas we’re going to make the most of it!!
There are loads of brilliant things to do this weekend, but in case you’re still undecided here are our top picks and some great tips on what to pack.
Notting Hill Carnival
The most famous August Bank Holiday event of all and it’s a spectacle that you have to visit at least once to experience the excitement and the music. This is Europe’s largest street party with 40 static sound systems, hundreds of Caribbean food stalls and live Calypso, Soco, Steel Pan and Samba music. The Monday mas parade is a dazzling focus with thousands of dancers dressed in colourful costumes that take all year to plan and make. The party continues into the night with clubs across London getting in on the act.
Carnival must have: Slip some hand sanitizer into your hand bag….no explanation needed!!
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Catch the last few days of the world’s largest arts festival. There’s theatre, comedy, dance, musicals and exhibitions. Check out 13 – The Musical, described as a ‘grown up story about growing up’ or 2011 A Space Oddity which has received rave reviews. There is plenty to see and do in Edinburgh besides the arts schedule and final weekend of the festival will make it a lively place to spend the bank holiday.
Festival must have: bring a map of Edinburgh so you can walk between the different venues and enjoy the city’s beautiful architecture.
Reading Festival
With My Chemical Romance, The Strokes, Pulp, Muse, Elbow, Beady Eye, The Street, The Kills and Pete(r) Doherty this year’s Reading line up is incredible. There are eight states with well over 100 acts so it’s hard to decide on your plan of attack, but you’ll find us glued to main stage on Saturday and Sunday, whilst trying to get over to the NME/Radio 1 stage for The Kills (well Kate Moss might be hanging out with her new husband!).
Reading must have: We’ll be taking T-Zone Pore Perfect Skin Tightening Cleanser, we’re not letting a lack of running water get between us and clean skin!
Manchester Pride
Saturday’s parade kicks off at Deansgate but that’s only a small part of what’s on in Manchester this weekend. Alexandra Burke is performing live on the Sunday, there’s a lifestyle expo, market and the clubs and bars will be bursting with great DJ’s and full on club nights.
Pride must have: Bring a candle to the Monday night vigil to remember those who have lost their life to AIDS. 9pm, Sackville Gardens.
Stay cool in the city heat!
Phew! July has certainly turned up the heat and here at T-Zone HQ we’re all about staying cool. It’s hard to look your best when you’re a bit sticky and your skin is shiny rather than glowing so we’ve put together our ten best tips for staying cool in the city when the heat is on.
Give me tap
- Slake your thirst. There’s nothing worse than being parched on an overheated bus or train so be a sassy summer chick and always have a bottle of water in your bag. Buy one of these bottles from Give Me Tap and you can fill it up for free at a network of shops and cafes. A portion of the profits goes to clean water projects in Africa.
- Layer up. You know the score, when you leave the house in the morning it’s chilly, by lunchtime it’s roasting and by 5pm when you’re leaving work dark clouds have gathered and a pair of flippers seems more appropriate than your raffia wedges. Welcome to the British summer, no wonder we love a cardy!
- Spritz the mist. Facial mists are an instant cool down in a can. We love.
- Personal AC. Spark up your mini fan in a hot tube train stuck in a tunnel between stations and feel the envy radiating off your fellow passengers.
- Cool your wrists. This is the kind of tip your Gran would give you, but bless her, she knows her stuff. Hold the inside of your wrists underneath the cold tap to instantly calm and cool you down.
- Shine control. Sweep a cotton pad soaked in T-Zone Skin Perfect Pore Tightening Cleanser across your forehead, nose and chin to stop shine and instantly freshen up skin. Even better, keep it in the fridge – for instant ahhhhhh!
- Keep it short. The summer working wardrobe is full of potential fashion faux pas. Smart shorts are the answer. Less revealing than a mini and cooler than a trouser suit, tailored shorts tick the smart box but are perfect for the hottest months.
- Stay shady. Forget the song, smart girls stick to the shady side of the street in the height of the day. Save your skin from the damaging UV rays and stay cool into the bargain.
- Travel light. It stands to reason, the heavier your bag, the hotter you’re gonna get. Travel light by choosing a smaller bag and filter out non essential items. No, you really don’t need to lug around your whole make-up collection, pick out the essentials for your day and leave the rest at home. You’ll survive we promise!
- Quick cleanse. If you work and live in the city the summer time can be extra cruel to skin, so don’t wait till bedtime to wash away the grime of the day. When you arrive home hit the bathroom and for a really thorough cleanse first wash with T-Zone Deep Action Foaming Gel Wash and then do a deeper exfoliating cleanse with Fresh Start Exfoliating Daily Wash. Now you’re ready to slip on your jammies and catch up on X Factor.
This month we’re loving…
Free post and packaging at the T-Zone website! Shop ‘till you drop and then use the special promotional code at the checkout – FREEDEL.
Spot the celeb
Emma Watson shone again at the premier of Deathly Hallows Part 2 in Trafalgar Square we loved her Oscar de la Renta gown and it looked even chicer when she slipped on the white Antonio Berardi jacket to keep the chill away.
Festival fever!
The festival season has kicked off in style with two of the biggest (if not THE biggest) names on the circuit – Isle of Wight and Glastonbury. As usual, we’ve been keeping an eye on who’s wearing what and so far we’re not disappointed!
Festival style
This weekend at Glastonbury we can report that Mulberry is the still the fash packs favourite bag and the wellies we wish for are Hunters. Rain turned the fields into a mud bath but the sun made an appearance so one of the prevailing looks for the weekend was denim cut offs and wellingtons, with Tali Lennox, Pixi Geldof and Lilly Donaldson all sporting this festival standard. A cross body bag and some shades are all you need to complete the look. Breaking ranks with festival fashion favourites was style queen Alexa Chung – we mightily respect anyone who wears a white dress in the midst of all that mud! Meanwhile, Jaime Winstone had a major fashion failure with her stripped romper suit and her style radar was still off track when she chose to wear an army helmet later in the weekend….not to mention the blue lipstick…..
On stage, Beyonce rocked her sequined booty and we loved the fact that she wore one of this year’s hottest prom trends. (as reported in our last newsletter!) Jessie J looked amazing in her graphic cat suit, although here at T-Zone Towers we’ve been wondering how she got it on over her cast.
The festival season is only just getting underway, still to come in July is T In The Park, Latitude and east London’s oh so cool Lovebox. Then in August checkout Underage, now in its 5th year; V and Creamfields. For more information about the summer festival scene see www.summerfestivalguide.co.uk
And here are our favourite festival fashion picks from the high street……
Top Shop
We heart this macramé bag from Top Shop, it’s only £25.00 and ticks a lot of trend boxes for summer 2011.
Denim shorts are a must have, try these from H&M. £19.99
Top Shop
Proclaim your band allegiance with this cool Nirvana T, £22.00 from Top Shop.
Purple Hunter Wellies from Office
And don’t forget your wellies, these purple lovelies are £72.00 from Office.
This month we’re loving…The Duchess of Cambridge’s down to earth attitude. She may have got married in a fairy tale wedding, but since then she’s been spotted pushing her own trolley in Waitrose, shopping for toiletries in Boots and has issued a statement saying she won’t be accepting free clothes. We’ll be following her fashionable self Stateside and can’t wait to see what happens when she hits LA!
Summer trend alert!
Romance
Clearly THE wedding has had a fashion impact this season. Nude fabrics, pleats, lace and ladylike styles are your fashion cues for the romantic look. Floaty skirts and ruffled tops fit the bill perfectly. If you are wearing sheer and see through fabrics, like this nude number from Top Shop, then make sure the skin on your back and shoulders is spot free. Keep T-Zone Deep Action Foaming Gel Wash in the shower and wash over your chest and shoulders every day.
Top Shop
Fruits and Floral
Thanks to Prada’s take on Carmen Miranda fruit is big news in fashion this season. Go bananas and get fruity with prints or jewellery. The look is tropical and fun so why not try on this dress from H&M? Floral prints are also in and work well with Converse trainers or tough it up with fierce gladiator sandals.
H&M
70’s
Flares, palazzo pants and silky blouses, Studio 54 is back for the summer and you can get the look by adding some muted tones like camel into your wardrobe palette. Flared jeans are everywhere and look great teamed with chunky platform sandals. You can get the look by picking up a fringed bag, floppy hat or maxi dress from any of your favourite high street stores.
Miss Selfridges
Colour
You can’t miss it, brights are everywhere. Clashing, colour blocking and neon are all big news and not for the feint hearted. Being bold with colour isn’t always kind to skin, so ramp up your skincare routine to help you get a peachy complexion. Block colour is the best way to get on trend with this one, think tangerine, sky blue and emerald green. Bright shoes are a great way of (literally) dipping a toe into this look.
Stripes
Nautical stripes and Breton T’s are always a hit for summer and look great teamed with jeans or tailored trousers. We heart this striped dress from ASOS…..and ladies….stripes look hot on guys too so think about him the next time you’re out shopping!
ASOS
This month we’re loving… The new Beauty Card from Superdrug. The more you spend, the more points you get and they can be redeemed in store. So don’t forget to sign up before you stock up on your favourite T-Zone skincare!
Spot the celeb…
Did you see Nicole Scherzinger showing off her beautiful back in this revealing outfit? She was jetting out of LAX and her backless top revealed perfect skin.
Spring trend alert!
Spring is definitely here and we can’t wait to stash away winter boots and coats and pull together a new wardrobe for Spring. Thankfully, whatever the weather you can update your make-up look for the new season so this month we’ve got the low down on the key cosmetic trends that rocked the catwalks.
Trends…
This season you can be a make-up diva and work the bright trend or go low key and super natural…and for after dark who doesn’t love a little glitter?
Bold Eyes
Eyes get bright with a sweep of pure colour. Blue, mauve, purple, pink – the bolder the better! You can even go neon if you’re brave enough. You can focus dense matt colour on the lids, like the models at Christian Dior, or create a smouldering take on the smoky eye with colour above and below the lash line. For a softer look, pastel shades looked pretty at Derek Lam and Etro. Whichever direction you choose define the eye with a slick of black liner and finish with black mascara. Flawless skin is a must, so keep spots at bay by using an antibacterial face wash twice a day, we love T-Zone Deep Action Foaming Gel Wash.
Natural beauty
The ‘no make-up’ look keeps coming back year after year because it’s so right for spring. A sweep of bronzer, a hint of mascara and a touch of gloss – sounds easy? Well it takes a little more than that to pull off this look. First, skin perfection is essential, this is the time to step up your skincare routine and keep any blemishes at bay. Remember that exfoliation is essential for a glowing complexion, so try using T-Zone Fresh Start Exfoliating Daily Wash once a day, every day and you’ll soon see the difference. Blitz zits with the T-Zone Maximum Strength Instant Action Spot Zapping Stick, it’s handbag friendly so you can dab it on during the day, or take action as soon as you can feel a spot coming! Invest in a good cover up, the natural look doesn’t always need foundation, but you can use your concealer to blend away dark circles, skin imperfections or any redness. Use a neutral eyeshadow such as Bobbi Brown’s Bone shade over the whole of the lid and finish lashes with a brown mascara to lengthen and define. Bronzer is a key trend for this season, wear it matt and use it to warm up a post winter complexion and cheat your way to looking like a beach babe. Clear or neutral gloss on the lips is just enough to finish the look.
Loud Lips
Hot pink, raspberry and red, lips are lush this season. Perfect pouts need priming, exfoliate your lips gently with a baby’s toothbrush and nourish with lots of balm overnight. You can go matt or high gloss with this look, but whatever you do make it bright with lots of strong colour. Like the trend for bold eyes this look demands perfect skin, so invest in a perfectly matched shade of foundation and keep pores clear with a weekly clean out using the T-Zone Maximum Action Immediate Effect Face Pore Strips
Glitter rocks
Gleaming lids and crystallised lashes, metallic and glitter is the look to rock a night out. Check out House of Holland and Giles Deacon for inspiration and choose from copper or gold to match your bronzed cheeks. Metallic cream eyeshadow needs little more than mascara to finish the look or sprinkle glitter up to the brow line and over cheek bones.
This month we’re loving…Beautiful, the book written by Katie Piper, the acid burn victim, which recounts her struggle to come to terms with her disfigurement. Topping the best selling lists, Katie’s tale is truly inspirational.
Spot the celeb… Jessie J at the Teenage Cancer Trust charity gig was working the trend for bright lips and rocking some awesome leg ware!
