fashion
fashion
Dry & Dirty? Feeling less than fresh with skin like sandpaper? Is your face a reflection of your bad beauty habits (or lack of)? Promenade’s male beauty expert Ben James has the answers. Summer is well and truly upon us, so guys, we need to up our skin-care game. Gone are the days of the sweatclad, shiny-faced gentleman, let’s vow to stay fresh-faced and effortlessly flawless in these modern times. Beauty products needn’t be exclusively for the females. In fact, the male grooming market has exploded in recent years; from serums to moisturisers, sunscreens and mattifiers, the trek through Boots can be overwhelming. But there’s no excuses not to anymore; the male beauty market has all bases covered. Let’s get back to basics: cleansing is a crucial, though often overlooked, step in the skin-care regimen. The virtues of a well-exfoliated and cleansed face extend far beyond your soap-and-water affair, unless, of course, irritated, tight-feeling skin is your thing. Dark Angels (£6.25) is a mud/charcoal hybrid cleanser from Lush with black sugar, scrubbing away tired looking skin. This product is great for those with oilier skin, or for those of us that tend to get particularly slick in the summer months. Rhassoul mud eliminates any grime in the skin’s pores, whilst the charcoal balances the amount of oil produced, as well as giving this refreshing facial cleansers its soot-black pigment. For normal to dry skin, cleansing is just as important. Dark Angels' counterpart, aptly named Angels on Bare Skin, is an equally affordable method of cleansing without irritation. Since Lush uses mostly natural ingredients, you can’t go far wrong with this ground almond and chamomile face-purifying paste. Containing three nourishing natural oils, treat your face with this gem and your skin will beam. Both are the same price for 100g of product, which will not only last ages, but cleanse and exfoliate at the same time, ultimately saving you those precious pennies. promenade -summer
Moisturising is another must, even for oily-skinned folk. If you’re looking for minimal fuss and a fantastic all-in-one, why not consider a lotion with built in sun protection? Not only is the sun responsible for the first (and most unsightly) signs of aging, it goes without saying that protecting ourselves from harmful rays is imperative. Clarins have a fantastic selection of sunprotective moisturisers, as do brands like Clinique, Dermalogica, which both have men’s lines. These all come complete with an eye-watering price tag, though; hardly student-friendly. Instead, reach for La Roche Posay’s ‘Anthelios’ range which is easy on the wallet, though certainly not lacking in quality. The XL Extreme Face Fluid (£16.50) is perfect for those in the market for fuss-free UVA/UVB protection with added moisture. It absorbs almost instantly and mattifies the skin, leaving no tell-tale white mask and is seemingly forever on a 3-for-2 promotion in most Boots stores. La Roche Posay offers another steal for combating spots. Targeting all stages of acne-prone skin, their Effaclar Duo (£13) serum is a genius solution gentle enough to be smothered all over, or specifically just where you need it. Blemishes vanish almost overnight, it’s akin to a miracle. Alternatively, a strategic use of concealer is a quick solution in your time of need. Forget gender stereotypes, if you do this well, it will be undetectable provided you’re equipped with the right shade. MAC offer a free colourmatching service, and the in-store make-up artists are no strangers to men waltzing in. Their Pro Longwear Concealer (£14.50) is a lightweight fluid that offers 15hour wear and stands up to even the hottest of summer days. It’s essentially a second skin in a bottle and is incredibly difficult to mess up. All products mentioned come packed in either black or white gender-neutral packaging; suitable for all male bathroom cabinets. Stepping up your routine needn't be a stressful process; following these simple steps is too easy to not at least have a good crack at and you'll be feeling and looking like a better version of yourself in no time. Remember: there are no longer any excuses for looking anything less than dapper.
FUTURE NOSTALGIA Kira Knight takes a look at the trends from back in the day making a big splash in the S/S ’13 style scene.
The seasons have aligned and it is finally summertime, which means that we can stop dressing like penguins and start treating the outside as somewhere to GO, rather than ‘the chilly space between buildings’. That said, when summer approaches it can be hard to try out a new original look that hasn’t been done to death before. We can, of course, grab the patterned shirt and shorts, summer classics that will never go out of style. But for something a bit different, several street inspired trends have emerged this season that look set to influence your wardrobe over the coming months. In the last couple years, we’ve caught fashion nostalgia; from the slick and suited look of a Gatsby gangster to an edgier Mod get-up, this summer is all about 90s retro. It’s time to get grungy - think Kurt Cobain pre ‘94, and Courtney Love if she’d been a little less fond of heroin. There are of course those quintessential items needed to instantly incorporate a grunge vibe into your wardrobe. Flannel shirts, Doc Martins and pretty much anything tie-dye. Keep it dark and casual, this style needs to be easy going to look ‘cool’.
The second style that looks set to be a staple this summer comes from the European hip-hop scene of the 80s. Getting this look right is about integrating the cool-but-carefully-constructed feel into your clothing, minus the boombox and breakdancing on a flattened cardboard box (I still think this is a magnificent idea). It’s all about sportswear, and for this, vintage stores, charity shops and Urban Outfitters are your new best friend. Brands like Adidas, Reebok and Puma are key, but also keep an eye out for Sergio Taccini, Fila and the like. Also good are bomber jackets, windbreakers and skinny jeans paired with bulky trainers. Clashing patterns and colours make for a bolder look, or just choose a couple items to spruce up a daytime look. In regards to street style, the 80’s and 90’s have made a massive comeback. There is nothing wrong bringing a bit of attitude to your clothing. In fact, there is a lot right with it. The best thing about these fashion statements is that the expense needed to make a great look can be minimal. It’s all about how we personalise it and make it our own. So get rummaging! Who’s feeling Fresh now?
90’s anti-chic hollers back to a culture dominated by youth that had rebellion just about nailed. There are no rules as to how you wear this look. You could stick to shorts, and add a sufficiently ripped black t-shirt, to create a summer outfit with a grunge twist. Add a checked shirt or two to jeans (never chinos), and don’t do your hair in the morning. Bed-head is the perfect grunge hairstyle. promenade -summer