HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES
BEAUTY NOTES
The latest in luxury beauty and fragrance By ABBIE SCHOFIELD
REVIEW
SWANKY
SCANDI SCENTS
The neighbourhood beauty destination
M AYA N I J E
By PENDLE HARTE
T
Independent perfumer Maya Nije’s gender neutral collection is inspired by her Scandinavian upbringing and west African heritage. From the sweet Vanilj to the smoky Tobak, each evocative fragrance is inspired by a family photo from the 1970s. £85; libertylondon.com
EDITOR’S PICK
Runway TESTED PAT M C G R AT H
Legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath has added to her own Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection range with a concealer, blurring under-eye powder and matching brush. Creating a flawless matte yet radiant finish, the trio is the perfect solution to blemishes and dark circles, without the cakey look. From £23; patmcgrath.com
NIGHT NURSE N AYA
This soothing overnight mask contains vitamin and antioxidantrich cacay oil as well as four types of super-hydrating hyaluronic acid to penetrate each level of the skin’s barrier. Massage onto the face, allow it to sink in and remove excess with a muslin cloth to reveal a calm and glowing complexion. £36; nayaglow.com
he timing of lockdown wasn't great for any business, but for Kensal Rise beauty emporium Swanky it was dreadful. They had just opened a new site offering a range of new treatments from the high tech to the purely luxurious, with a focus on maintaning a supportive female environment. New decor, new products, new therapists, all ready to go – and then nothing. So it's great news that they have opened again – and not just for our nails. I tried an LED light therapy session, which is designed to cure literally all ills and restore life to dry, tired skin: it's a bizarre experience with a sensory deprivation feel, your face inside a light box. Then came a lash lift and tint to curl and elongate the lashes, like a perm. This is by no means a comfortable experience, as your eyes are glued together for some time, (contact lens wearers should take their specs) but results are impressive and longlasting.Meanwhile, my brows were laminated for a stable shape. Other additions to the Swanky repertoire include waxing, massage and facials – but the friendly, supportive environment remains the same. SWANKY Kensal Rise and Portobello Road;
swankylondon.gettimely.com
A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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