HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES
BEAUTY NOTES
Skin scrubs, sultry new scents and a skin palette with a difference B y H E L E N B R OW N
FITNESS REVIEW
Barrecore
GENDER NEUTRAL
Drop the HIIT and head to the barre
J E C CA M A K E - U P
The first product from cool, new brand Jecca Make-Up is a genderneutral, oil-free, matt Correct & Conceal palette, available in two shades (light and medium). Founder and make-up artist, Jessica Blacker, says: “Make-up has no gender. At Jecca we overlook gender and celebrate individuality.”£20;
B y H E L E N B R OW N
jecca-makeup.com
MORNING BREW
EDITOR’S PICK
I S L A A P OT H E CA RY
Isla Apothecary’s Coffee + Cinnamon Body Polish takes advantage of the natural benefits of green coffee oil. It’s full of linoleic acid and vitamin E, which boost cell-turnover, tighten and smooth, as well as protect against free radicals. £34; islaapothecary.com
SEASON OF SCENT J O M A LO N E LO N D O N
This month sees purveyor of heavenly scents, Jo Malone London, add a new fragrance to the Cologne Intense collection. Bronze Wood & Leather is smoky and warm with vibrant juniper, fresh grapefruit and a mysterious twist of vetiver to evoke the scent of sultry leather encased in wood. From £75;
W
ith a fan base comprising Jourdan Dunn, Poppy Delevingne, Darcey Bussell and a troop of Victoria’s Secret angels, it’s no wonder that barrebased classes made serious waves in the world of wellness last year, with the trend looking set to stay long into 2019. The workout is built around a series of small repetitive movements designed to improve posture, lengthen and strengthen muscles and increase flexibility. Sold by the many benefits, I head to leading studio, Barrecore to try it out. Having been a longtime adherent of HIIT and classes focused on explosive, compound movements, the isometric exercises and tiny motions of barre take some getting used to. Minimal movement and pulses burn out the muscles at a specific joint, working to lift, tighten and strengthen without straining the joints. My muscles burn in a way I am not used to and I leave each class with wobbly limbs and a lightness that only comes after a vigorous massage. The end of each workout also brings on an overwhelming tiredness and I spend the last few minutes stretching and trying to conceal yawns. I think this comes as the tension of a long day at work is released; it feels incredibly satisfying. Pair this with Barrecore’s enthusiastic instructors and slick studios, it’s easy to see why the workout becomes addictive. BARRECORE Various locations around London
barrecore.co.uk
jomalone.co.uk
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A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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19/12/2018 10:49