Brush on Block SPF 30
Brush on Block is a patent-pending, non-greasy, non-sticky sun-block and post treatment product that has been created to help encourage everyone to wear invisible, yet effective, sun protection on a daily basis.
Left - Brush on Block - Simply brush on high protection factor to face and bald spots
Offering instant SPF 30 broad spectrum protection, the Brush on Block is a fast and convenient way to defend against the sun's harmful rays and environmental damage. Plus unlike chemical sun creams which work by being absorbed into the skin, Brush On Block features naturally-occurring active mineral ingredients that sit on top of your skin and reflect the sun’s rays away from your body.
It contains green tea leaf extract, a natural antioxidant; safflower seed oil which functions as an emollient that moisturises and protects the skin and chamomile extract and honeysuckle that help to prevent skin inflammation and irritation that may be caused by sun exposure. Since it is not absorbed into the skin and does not contain any chemical ingredients, Brush On Block is less likely to irritate the skin or clog pores, making it ideal for people with acne-prone or sensitive skin.
Susan Posnick is an accomplished beauty professional and skincare expert. She did not come to realize her true calling, however, until she was diagnosed with skin cancer in the late 90’s. It is then that her life work came clearly into focus and early research for Brush On Block commenced. Susan first began experimenting with mineral powder skin products over a decade ago. She was quickly attracted to the natural components, ease-of-application, instant coverage, and non-irritating attributes of mineral formulations. After developing a line of high-end mineral powder cosmetics, a mineral-based sunscreen that was suitable for the entire family seemed like a natural encore.
Brush On Block is perfect for thinning hair or bald spots, and can be taken anywhere and reapplied with ease throughout the day.
Brush on Block - £23
TheChicGeek Discovers Virgin Coconut Oil
Leading a healthy lifestyle is no longer a fad and has become a permanent fixture in our daily lives. All of us feel, or are aware of the need to be healthy; 5-a-day, 30 minutes of exercise a day… you know the drill.
The healthy living mantra has transformed from a sideline narrative to a lifestyle choice. And, amongst the mountain of tips and tricks to stay healthy, there is an unsung hero that could help prevent and solve a whole heap of problems.
Left - What a lovely bunch of coconuts!
Virgin Coconut Oil, ingested, is converted into lauric acid by your body. Medical studies have shown the potential for this acid to heighten the bodies’ defenses from diseases – and also to treat infection.
It is clear from the research that there is a general consensus that Virgin Coconut Oil is an untapped super food, with research covering prevention of colds through to cancer. Used topically, Virgin Coconut Oil can also clear pores, help heal broken skin, act as a sunscreen, stop spots, moisturise – and is highly anti-ageing.
TheChicGeek says "Since I was a teenager I’ve had terrible acne on my back, for 15 years I have tried everything from prescribed creams, antibiotics to even prescribed sun beds(!) – but nothing worked completely. The closest I got was with medication, but I really didn’t fancy being dependent on tablets for the rest of my life and even then my back wasn’t right.
After stumbling upon an article about Virgin Coconut Oil and its antibacterial/antifungal properties, I thought I would give it a go. I was dubious at first; oil combating oil? However, after just 2 weeks use, I saw a massive improvement and 6 months on I haven’t stopped. My entire back is clear, not just acne free, but now looks really healthy. Every morning after showering, I moisturise my entire body with Virgin Coconut Oil. It’s best to keep it in a cool place as it melts at 24C and it can get quite messy when it’s in its oil state. Grab a small lump of it and just moisturise as normal; it will melt when it touches your skin. I find it is best to do this after a shower as all your pores are open, so the oil can get inside and rid them of bacteria. You’ll look and feel like you’re completely covered in oil (Chippendale anyone?!). Let the oil sink in for as long as possible then just dab yourself down with a towel. Your skin will be super soft with a healthy glow! It also makes a great hair gel!"
Here are TheChicGeek's picks of the best Virgin Coconut Oil products;
Above - The Body Shop - Coconut Body Butter - £13
Left - Coconoil - Original Virgin Coconut Oil - 280g - £5.40 - FYI - Tinie Tempah uses this one
Right - Biona - Organic Virgin Coconut Oil - £4.49
Left - Lush - Vanilla Dee-Lite - £11.95
Men's Fashion - Buyer's Guide - Harvey Nichols - SS 13
Darren Skey, Menswear Buying and Merchandising Manager, Harvey Nichols
"Acne Studios is a new brand for us for SS13. Acne grew from their denim business and this sweat from the designer collection is youthful and fun, and can be worn with your favourite pair of jeans."
Acne - Sweater ‘Detroit Print’ – £125
"Another new brand for us is Wooyoungmi, which is designed by two sisters who create pieces based on ‘their ideal man’. I have selected this floral sweater from their SS13 show to illustrate how the two designers contrasting tastes, one conservative and the other artistic, collide to create interesting pieces."
Wooyoungmi – Flower Sweatshirt - £190
"The SS13 show had a strong Gladiator theme running through, showcasing lots of metallic, silk and gold details. Bombers have been a recurring trend this season across the Designer brands we carry and this high shine bronze bomber is a great way to keep on trend."
Versace - ‘High-Shine Bomber’ – £725
"Wristwear, particularly bracelets, has been an increasing trend for the past few seasons. This wrap bracelet from M. Cohen is a one-off, unique piece made up of a vintage Hermes silk scarf and oxidised skulls."
M. Cohen - Bracelet – £360
"Alejandro’s iconic ‘TRON’ sneaker is always a sell-out for us, this season’s version in keeping with the metallic trend with gold panelling detailing."
Alejandro Ingelmo - 'TRON' Sneaker – £365
Men's Fashion - Buyer's Guide - Matches - SS 13
"Damien Paul, Menswear Buyer at Matches
"A bright, fresh, and wearable way into this season’s all-encompassing camouflage trend".
Left - Valentino - Studded Detail Trainers - £430
"You’re going to need at least one printed piece this season. This silk bomber by McQueen is visual and distinctive, while the sporty shape keeps it from looking OTT".
Below - Alexander McQueen - Dragonfly-print Bomber Jacket - £1695
"AMI is a personal favourite. The designer, Alexandre Mattiussi, designs for the men he knows, and the result is always an effortless Parisian cool. These look great rolled up with a crew-neck knit".
Left - AMI - Bird Print Chino Trousers - £185
"Metallics showed up at most of my favourite shows this season and this Burberry tote, hot off the runway, is bound to be a sure-fire sellout".
Below - Burberry Prorsum - Metallic Alford Tote - £988
"A graphic twist on a menswear staple, this Acne shirt would look as smart beneath tailoring as it would with denim".
Left - Acne - Isherwood Stripe Panel Shirt - £168
TheChicGeek's Best Bombers - Spring 2013
Here is Bradley Cooper at the 'Silver Linings Playbook' photocall in Rome. We're not going to lie, he doesn't look that great, the jeans are a horrible fit and he looks like he's visiting his nan on a Sunday afternoon, rather than promoting a film! But, you can see how nice his raglan-sleeved Bomber jacket is.
And this brings us to the perfect transition piece; the Bomber jacket. It can be dressed up or down and layered for colder weather. Whether worn with jeans or trousers, the rule is always fitted. Keep everything tight and body-conscious.
Here is TheChicGeek's round-up of the best ones out there ATM.
Left - Salvatore Ferragamo -
Below - Acne - Cusack Textured Bomber Jacket - £370
Left - Private White VC - G1 Nylon Bomber - £395
Below - Topman - Burgundy Nylon Wadded Bomber Jacket - £50
Left - ASOS Bomber Jacket - £40
Below - Paul Smith - Damson & Navy Leather Bomber Jacket - £1220
Left - Burberry Prorsum - Cropped Nylon Bomber Jacket - £1695
Below - How it should be worn - Another look from the Burberry Prorsum SS13 Show
Buyer's Guide - ASOS - AW 12
James Ronald, Buyer Men's ASOS Brand
"The Bomber Jacket – Of course my number 1 would be a jacket. This is the must have for any guy this AW. It started resurfacing about 6-8 months ago but as we hit trans AW12 it has exploded in a million shapes and forms. At ASOS we have sold everything from the authentic MA1 shape to the batik embroidered trend pieces. The beauty of this jacket is that it seems to be relevant in all of the menswear markets regardless of your age or taste. I don’t see this one going away for SS13 and right into AW13."
ASOS - Bomber Jacket in Quilted Fabric - £50
"AW is the perfect opportunity to get some great boots and none have come finer for AW12 than the Grenson Sea Bee boots. I love the combination of the two colour French calf leather. They are an amazing boot to wear. I got them as a wedding gift from my wife."
Grenson - Sea Bee Boot - £370
"The Acne Defoe Peacoat in navy. A wardrobe essential that you can pull out every winter. I bought this about a month ago and have used it several times already. It feels like it’s going to be a long cold winter so I’ll get some serious use out of this. As always Acne have turned this basic into a beautiful coat that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion."
Acne - Defoe Peacoat - £440
"Eastpak by Wood Wood Amos Single Strap Backpack. Fantastic first collaboration between Eastpack and Wood Wood. When I saw this I knew I had to have it."
Eastpack Wood Wood Backpack - £174
"I had these Norse Projects gloves last winter and I lost one of them on the tube. I was so happy when I saw they’d released them again for AW12. The outer glove is 100% deerskin leather."
Norse Projects - Ivar Glove - £75
Acne & Mr Porter Dress Up
We do the same every year, think we'll never wear it and then an invite comes along and we need something dressy or smart. In the season of Christmas parties, swanky dinners and for the hell of it, it's time to bite the bullet and get yourself some evening wear.
Take a look at Acne's new eveningwear range exclusive to Mr Porter. Based on the classic tuxedo, the collection of 14 pieces is a complete eveningwear wardrobe, with prices from £70 for a bowtie to £650 for an overcoat. Pieces include smoking jackets and trousers, an evening overcoat, formal shirting, a tuxedo T-shirt, bow ties and shoes.
“We have worked with Acne from the launch of Mr Porter and are delighted that they have been willing to further develop our relationship. This collection provides everything a man could need where evening attire is required and is designed with the most beautiful fabrications and attention to detail.” says Toby Bateman, Buying Director, MrPorter.com
“When I designed this collection I wanted it to all work separately. I love the fact that each piece can be taken in isolation and worn with jeans and a t-shirt.” says Jonny Johansson, Creative Director of Acne.
You'll soon find it creeping into the rest of your wardrobe, being dressed down with jeans and knitwear.
Buyer's Guide - Matches - AW 12
Stacey Smith, Menswear Buyer, Matches
"New to Matches for Autumn/Winter 2012 is Black Fleece – the collaborative collection between classic US brand Brooks Brothers and the wildly inventive designer Thom Browne. This quilted tailored jacket takes a more accessible approach to Thom’s unique and often uncompromising aesthetic and shows serious panache when paired with a cropped tailored trouser."
Black Fleece - Quilted Jacket - £795
"The running trainer is unquestionably the shoe of the season, and this colourful Dolce pair have just the right level of 80s nostalgia."
Dolce & Gabbana - Retro Trainers - £215
"Witty sweatshirts have become an Acne staple and this season is no exception – these graphic ‘Love’ and ‘Peace’ tops would work just as well with off-duty denim as they would layered over a button-down shirt."
Acne - College Love Sweat Top - £140
"There was a collective gasp when this jacket came down the runway, and you could feel the collective hum of orders being mentally placed. The colour, shape and proportions are undeniably bold, but if one piece will sum up the AW12 season, this may just be it."
Burberry Prorsum - Tri-Colour Cropped Quilted Jacket - £1495
"A clever little knit with a twist, via the piped neoprene logo detailing adorning the front. The mustard colour is suitable autumnal, and the shape is smart enough to layer into a tailored look."
Lanvin - Cable-Knit Neoprene-Logo Sweater - £775
Buyer's Guide - My-Wardrobe - AW 12
Lee Douros, Menswear Buying Manager, My-Wardrobe.com
"I love the vibrant colour, honeycomb texture and loose, volumous fit of this Acne knit. I’m going to team it with slim raw jeans to really highlight the knits shape and texture."
Acne - Blue Honeycomb Pamuk Turtleneck Knit - £240
"This shirt by Alexander McQueen’s diffusion line, McQ, is quite mainline in its styling. It uses a strong print of fighting hummingbirds, and I like the attention to detail of the safety pin button down collar."
McQ Alexander McQueen - White Hummingbird Stencil Slim Shirt - £180
"There’s an undertone of smartening up happening in menswear at the moment, and this feeds through to accessories. I like that this briefcase is made from beautiful soft tan leather and not at all traditional and stuffy."
Marc by Marc Jacobs - Tan Smooth Leather Class Act Briefcase - £365
"I worked with Universal Works designer, David Keyte, on this exclusive unstructured blazer and we’re both really happy with how it’s come out. The Japanese herringbone is indigo overdyed meaning it will just get better and better with age and wear."
Universal Works - Indigo Japanese Herringbone Blazer - £229
"Another stand-out knit, this time from Marc by Marc Jacobs. I like the colour combination of the nutmeg gold and grey, and the mohair texture looks so warm and comfortable."
Marc by Marc Jacobs - Nutmeg Gold Striped Mohair Knit - £235
TheChicGeek Guide to Weddings - 2012 - Evening Do
Okay, so you're an evening guest. You need something that's going to look good next to the sausage rolls in the evening buffet and show them what they missed by not inviting you to the daytime. The look is sophisticated and chic but not too dressy. Balance the tuxedo with a collarless shirt and dancing shoes for that after-dark party atmosphere.
AMI - Double Breasted Wool Tuxedo Blazer - £430
Jigsaw - Men's Washed Grandad Shirt - £85
Lanvin - Patent Loafers - £678
Richard James - Panelled Ribbed