WHEN you’re named after a major, international cosmetic brand, you’re met with a few expectations – such as you’d hope a ‘Belle’ would be beautiful or an, erm… Samson, strong. As ‘L’Oréal’, somewhat suitably cosmetics is my bag at Confidential. And inside this proverbial bag is a wealth of beauty knowledge sourced from here in Manchester and beyond. The Manchester fashion, fitness and beauty industry is glorious. Truly. You have your Nadine Merabis, your Afflecks Palaces, major department stores and creative talent that could rock the likes of those fashion houses in London. You betcha. Here’s my *monthly round-up of health, beauty, fitness, parties and news in Manchester.
SELFRIDGES DO SECRET MIF PARTY
Selfridges Exchange Square is getting in on all the Manchester international Festival action with a collaborative exhibition, we hear. Selfridges' ‘will explore the materiality of fashion and it's most enduring techniques, fabrications and ideas’ with exhibit, STRENGTH (capital letters for effect, obviously). Here they aim to show ‘products with purpose and integrity, each with strength of design and strength of character’. Selfridges have also collaborated with MIF's Tree of Codes ballet to display a beautiful digital installation film showing in the Exchange store windows and online.
BEST DRESSED OF THE WEEK | MIF festival square
When your hair matches your bag matches the festival square lanterns. All the points here go towards the sheer epic matchy-matchy colour coordination. View the full gallery here.
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“SORRY – WE DON’T GO ABOVE A SIZE MEDIUM”
A few weeks ago I had decided that the food and drink lot had done enough to monopolise themselves in Manchester. Food is sexier than fashion on the Manchester high-street, it seems. I investigated it here. I met, Jay, who runs boutique Central Avenue on Deansgate. He’s wants to see Manchester fashion on the map, and more girls in his store - well, only if you’re on the slender side.
“I’ve only recently started to stock a size medium,” he told me.
Are you sure that’s wise? I ask.
“I’d rather be honest, these ladies are going in and getting gigantic fake boobs, only to realise their proportions don’t match up anymore.” says Jay.
"If you've got a large stomach a tight dress won't do you any favours," he adds.
Ouch. We all felt that burn.
Did you see that? That was political correctness diving out of the window…
POTENTIAL JLO MOMENT?
PRODUCTS OF THE WEEK:
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NAILBERRY (oxygenated nailpolishes) - £12. We say: A nail polish that doesn't damage your nails? Win. Pretty pastels, lacquered smooth finish and fast drying.
BEAUTY HERO | 3D MASCARA
3D Mascara £29
SHOP OUR FAVOURITES
UGG BOOTS HAVE AN IDENTITY CRISIS
I hate UGG boots. There I said it. Phew. No one’s throttled me yet. People love the furry creatures. Still, you can preach about the comfort of these glorified Granddad slippers as much as you like but nothing burns my eyes more like an UGG boot collapsed at the ankle. I didn’t mention it when I met UGG boot representative in Manchester earlier this month. Yet they weren’t here to talk fluffy numbers, they were here to prove they do more than just UGGs and have a range of fashionable footwear. I selected some new tan boots – while not slipper-like there’s fur on the inside.
BEST BEAUTY TREATMENT OF THE WEEK | SISLEY FACIAL, HOUSE OF FRASER.
I’ve had a few facials in my time (FYI: if like my Editors you are reading this sniggering like petulant children - please revoke your adult card) and have come accustomed to getting my face rubbed (sounds dirty, but nope). House Of Fraser had invited me to try their ‘lymphatic drainage’ Sisley Facial. I said yes before I had chance to understand what exactly would be drained from my lymph nodes. My skin was prepped with masks, scrubs, hot towels, cold mists for around thirty minutes and it was blissful.
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