Culture

Spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner, so this months lust list consists of everything to help you stay on top of what’s hot!! Here we list all the very best (the things we quite simply must own) in fashion, beauty and lifestyle. From the latest eyewear, perfume and haircare tools, through to newsworthy literature, and the fashion items you’ll be dying to don throughout the warmer months…

CHEAP MONDAY EYEWEAR
The Scandinavian jeans and fashion brand Cheap Monday is internationally renowned for its enviable fashion kudos, so when it comes to eyewear, this collection is fittingly in style. The high quality, acetate plastic used in this range has a specially designed ‘crude’ finish, symbolic of worn denim jeans, with a rough, raw look and feel. Featuring their iconic skull, Cheap Monday has launched an edgy 12-pair collection of effortlessly cool eyewear, now available through Specsavers…

NEW BALANCE
Sometimes it’s the covert ones that have the most to say. That looks to be the case with this new “Stealth” take on the humble New Balance 574 that are out in limited supply (trust us when we say ‘limited supply’ – we’ve jumped on these pretty damn quick and already sizes are selling out quicker than you can say New Balance Classics). Built with a street-ready heavy black mix of honeycomb-synthetic leather, tonal microfiber, and even black kevlar running along the tongue, these kicks are as tough as they come. Inside, the insoles reveal a custom-printed twist to the branding that join the white midsole to provide the support and only contrast you’ll see on these sneaky sneaks. 

MAC COSMETICS – VIVA GLAM RIHANNA II, BROOKE SHIELDS & MATCHMASTER CONCEALER

Rihanna brings a bold look to her fierce new Viva Glam campaign. Accenting her fairless, confident style with new shades of frosted metallic mauve lipstick and lipglass, in velvety soft packaging (we’re talking seriously collect-worthy luxurious packaging) her signature style. Also available, the modern red hues of Rihanna’s original Viva Glam collection. Every cent of the selling price of ‘Viva Glam Rihanna II’ goes toward helping women, men and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Available in-store now.

MAC partners with Brooke Shields to create a limited edition colour collection of shades and finishes chosen by Brooke herself, inspired by her own favourable looks for day and night – easy, modern and beautiful. This limited edition Beauty Icon collection is made all the more special with Brooke’s signature embossed on light grey packaging with brilliant orange accents. Available in-store 2nd October.

Who doesn’t want their concealer to be a perfect match? Formulated to enhance the subtleties of your skin tone, NEW M•A•C Matchmaster Concealer features the same Shade Intelligence Technology as our Matchmaster Foundation SPF 15, which utilizes breakthrough pigment technology to create a fully personalized, subtle satin finish. Providing medium buildable coverage, its true-to-life shades give you perfect colour purity that isn’t ashy or chalky. Vitamin E conditions as the concealer reduces the appearance of under eye circles, dark spots, discolourations, fine lines and wrinkles. Packaged in a convenient, portable stick, it launches in 12 diverse shades with colour-true coverage for up to eight hours. Available in-store 15th September.

GHD CURVE TOOLS
ghd, the innovators in heat styling, announce the launch of their first ever range of curling tools – ghd curve – to give gorgeous, shiny, healthier curls that stay up all night long.

The four product range featuring two wands and two tongs, has been created in response to research conducted by ghd, which revealed women want a premium styling tool that allows them to easily and quickly create curls that last. God knows we’ve been terrible at trying to re-create anything that resembles a TV-ad curl, but if we can do it using ghd’s new curve tools, believe us when we say “anyone can create curls at home using any of these four genius curl creators”.  ghd curve tackles the issue of curl-drop by utilising patented tri-zoneTM technology. Six quick-thinking sensors in the barrel heat the tools to the optimum styling temperature of 185°C and maintain this heat, constantly and evenly, delivering long-lasting, healthier-looking curls – that last. ghd curve makes styling faster too; rapid heat-up; the ability to load more hair onto the barrel and a quick set time means looks can be created in minimal time with maximum results and without compromising hair health. And just quietly, we’re a little partial to the ‘creative curl wand’…

The ghd curve range offers a tool for every hair length and type, each creating a unique, yet long-lasting style (each ghd curve retails at RRP$250.)

• ghd curve soft curl tong – To create the voluptuous volume look: A 32mm large barrel with spring activated lever gives volume at the roots and creates big, bouncy, beautiful curls.
• ghd curve classic curl tong – To achieve the classic curl look: A 26mm medium barrel with spring activated lever forms consistent curls for classic style and volume.
• ghd creative curl wand – To create the laid back luxe look: A tapered conical barrel creates natural looking curls and deep waves for a beautiful beachy style.
• ghd curve classic wave wand – To achieve Hollywood waves: The oval-shaped wand creates edgy, deep, shimmering waves and glamorous movement.

LINDI KINGI
It’s not often we get to meet face-to-face with one of our favourite jewellery designers, but when there’s a designer that creates everything you wish you could if you were half as talented, you make the time to catch up! And what an added delight it is when we discover this queen-of-cool is as uber-chic, fun, bubbly and charming, as the jewellery she creates.

Recently Lindi Kingi has not only launched her latest collection ‘Alchemy’, she’s also collaborated with the equally delightful Jaime Ridge, to launch Jaime’s collection – Forella.

We are obsessed with all things Lindi Kingi. If you’ve not yet discovered this talented designer – prepare to fall in love…

Alchemy – a form of chemistry + philosophy concerned with changing base metals into precious ones, finding a universal remedy and an elixir of life, any magical power or process that changes a common substance into something of value. Minimal, authentic and a little closer to the shadows, Lindi Kingi’s new range – Alchemy, takes us back to the Lindi Kingi origins of romance + darkness. The evolution or devolution of Lindi Kingi deluxe has felt like alchemy… the magical process of taking an idea and turning it into a reality. A reality we want to own – the entire collection…

Also worth checking out – Lindi Kingi’s new sleepwear line (we say sleepwear – but we’d wear every piece any time, day or night)

and Jaime Ridge for Lindi Kingi Design – Forella…

NICKI MINAJ – ONIKA
Nicki Minaj has been cooking up a potion of her own, and god dammit it’s cast one hell of a spell on us! The “Pills N Potions” artist has released ‘Nicki Minaj Onika’ an exotic edition of ‘Minajesty’. Of course, the bottle features Nicki’s face glammed up in her signature pink lipstick and bedazzled bustier. On Minajesty, she wears a blonde wig, while on Onika she wears the ‘new Nicki’ hairdo, in all black. Nicki describes her new perfume ‘Onika’ on Instagram as “angels in the garden of perfection”, and perfection it is! If you’re a fan of Taylor Swift’s perfumes (sweet, seasonal fruits, with a dash of sugar cane deliciousness) then you’re going to fall in love with Nicki’s latest smash hit! This addictive scent (trust us – it’s addictive, we’ve been spritzing this one daily) is absolutely captivating and utterly alluring! Available from Farmers, selected pharmacies and department stores. RRP $59 (30ml), $79 (50ml), $99 (100ml).

CHAMPAGNE SUPERNOVAS – by MAUREEN CALLAHAN
If ever there was a spring-read – this is the book! The ’50s had rock ‘n roll and the ’60s had the drugs. In the ’70s and ’80s it was punk rock and modern art. But the 1990s was the decade of the supermodel, grunge, Winona Ryder, Kurt Cobain and BritPop.

It was all about fashion and Kate Moss, Marc Jacobs, and Alexander McQueen were the trio  of rebel geniuses who made it great. Each had an amazing talent and each had demons that would jeopardise that same talent. Collectively, they represented a “moment” in fashion and pop culture that upended everything that had come before it. In the tradition of pop-cultural histories like Girls Like Us and Easy Rider, Raging Bulls, Maureen Callahan explores a particular, pivotal time – the moment when the 1980s gave way to the 1990s, the alternative became the mainstream, and Gen X took over the reins of power in the fashion industry – through the lives of three people who would become both fashion icons and cautionary tales of era.

Callahan interviews insiders and reveals exclusive insights into the biggest dramas surrounding the most celebrated personalities of the decade; why Kate Moss and Johnny Depp broke up, how Marc Jacobs came through the crucible of the AIDS crisis, and what really drove Alexander McQueen to suicide.

For fashion & book-lovers and hipsters alike, THIS is our ‘must-read’ book of the season…

BURBERRY – MY BURBERRY
Summed up perfectly by Burberry’s Christopher Bailey, Chief Creative and Chief Executive Officer “My Burberry is the true embodiment of our brand, in scent, in design and in attitude. A fragrance that takes its lead from the iconic Burberry trench has to be outstanding in every way.”

My Burberry takes its name from the affectionate way in which people refer to their Burberry trench coat. A timeless classic – the scent is the ultimate expression of the brand’s past and future. My Burberry is a grand floral fragrance with an unexpected edge; the scent is confident and beautifully elegant, yet understated in a typically British way.

The new My Burberry fragrance launches globally with a campaign featuring British global fashion icons Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne, shot together for the first time. In addition to the fragrance, a capsule collection of My Burberry ready-to-wear pieces and accessories, as well as a dedicated make-up look created around the iconic trench coat, will be released to coincide with the launch, continuing to demonstrate the brand’s unique ability to bring together the worlds of fashion and beauty.

My Burberry captures the fragrance of a London garden after the rain. Top notes of sweet pea and bergamot fuse with a heart of geranium, golden quince and freesia, rounded out with base notes of rain-tipped damask and centifolia roses and patchouli. Referencing the Burberry trench coat colour palette, the My Burberry juice is reminiscent of the signature honey shade, one of the three colours used in the brand’s Heritage Trench Coat collection.

Absolutely stunning – this is one sophisticated scent you’ll be proudly donning, just as you would a Burberry garment! RRP ranges from $130 – $255.

CLARINS – LIMITED EDITION LIP BALM CRAYON
It’s time to have fun in the sun, with pretty transparent colour for lips… With its delicious fragrance, the creamy texture perfectly smoothes over the lips to give a natural, ultra-shiny effect. Its unique formula based on mango, apricot and shea butter, moisturises lips and instantly provides suppleness, comfort and protection.  Available in six shades – My Pink, Creamy Pink, Tender Coral, Sweet Cherry, Delicious Plum and Soft Coffee. We’ve been wearing ‘My Pink – Shade 01’; this shade adapts to the colour of the lips and instantly boosts their natural shade. marshmallow, raspberry, grenadine or fuchsia – there’s a pink for everyone!

MAX SS14/15 ST TROPEZ COLLECTION
Inspired by the rich and vibrant colours of St Tropez and evoking visions of beach holidays, long warm nights and adventure, the spring summer 14/15 collection from Max provides the ultimate summer wardrobe. We’re partial to so many pieces from the new St Tropez collection; in particular the floral jumpsuit, pinstripe drape skirt, cami tops and several key pieces, including ‘those Chanel-esque, black & white espadrilles’!! But we’ll let you decide on the hottest pieces yourself – head to www.maxshop.com to see all the delights in-store for you this spring/summer.

DERMALOGICA – SKIN HYDRATING MASQUE
Dermalogica is helping kiwis achieve skin health from the inside and out this spring by launching a collaboration with CamelBak. Drinking water is a huge factor in achieving skin health, so to encourage people to drink more water, Dermalogica and CamelBak have collaborated to produce limited edition Dermalogica CamelBak Eddy 750ml drink bottles in three colours – green (obviously a favourite here at the green-infatuated Gurlinterrupted HQ) turquoise and orange.

The Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque has a unique cross-linked Hyaluronic acid providing timed release moisturisation to skin, boosting moisture retention and improving cellular lipid production. It has many uses, as can be worn as a masque on the face, eyes and lips, as well as the back of the hands or massaged into dry cuticles. Pretty timely for the warmer season ahead don’t you think?

This limited edition gift, valued at $99, is available now from authorised Dermalogica Skin Centres and dermalogica.co.nz.