Beauty briefs: Colour king

Lincoln Nguyen will be jetting off to the United States with model Sonya Morrogh after winning the New Zealand title of new talent colourist for this balayage look. Photo / Supplied

South Auckland hairstylist Lincoln Nguyen is off to the United States with his model Sonya Morrogh after winning the New Zealand title of new talent colourist for this balayage look in the Goldwell's Colour Zoom Challenge. Nguyen is a stylist at Schnips PHd in Manukau. The salon's artistic director, Lynette John, won the people's choice award in the competition. Nguyen, 29, will travel to Miami next month where he will work on Goldwell's 2012 hair trend collection.

He says of his winning look: "I wanted to create a simple playful style which is elegant and feminine, emphasising strength through colour. I used bold reds contrasted with a dark base colour, and created a relaxed, casual appeal through the use of a colouring technique called balayage."

Added protection

Changes to legislation mean fluoride levels in tooth products can be lifted. Previously levels were capped at 1000 parts per million, with only dentists able to sell products with higher doses, but now over-the-counter products can contain 50 per cent more fluoride. One of the first to take advantage of the change is GlaxoSmithKline, which has a product with 1450 parts per million of fluoride, just short of the new legal cut-off of 1500 parts. Its Macleans Iso-active foaming gel is also new in being the first foaming gel toothpaste in the New Zealand market.

The company claims the gel-to-foam oral cleanser delivers a superior, whiter result than regular toothpastes without harsh brushing because it better surrounds and penetrates hard-to-get-at areas between the teeth. While this may appeal to those who are not diligent with brushing, a two-minute clean and flossing is still recommended. Macleans Iso-active ($6.99) draws on similar technology to that seen in shaving foams and dispenses 120 pumps per aerosol container. Once the toothbrush is in the mouth, heat converts the gel coating to foam.

GlaxoSmithKline predicts more products will be marketed with differing fluoride levels, so as well as the existing baby and toddler formulas with smaller doses for young children who tend to swallow toothpaste, look for ascending levels for older children and adults.

A new door opens

A favourite fragrance is getting a new look, which follows the updating of Elizabeth Arden's famous Fifth Avenue front door. Gone is the arched entry to the cosmetics house, replaced by a shiny, modern shape, but still in pillar box red. A similar treatment sees Red Door fragrance relaunched in a new bottle, with Arden taking the opportunity to promote the 1989 heady floral scent to a new generation. "The fragrance is a classic, synonymous with luxury and glamour," says Farmers buyer Jo Spencer. "Our customers clearly relate to it as it has been a best seller for Farmers for many years, and I'm sure it will be for years to come."

Red Door costs from $69 for 30ml and the relaunch from next week features body products including a perfumed powder, with customers who buy a 100ml bottle of eau de parfum receiving a red tote bag.

NZ firm wins

Auckland-based beauty brand Snowberry has been recognised at the United States' biggest cosmetics trade show, Cosmoprof, chosen from 17 finalists as the winner of the Discover Beauty Award. The award identifies an innovator thought likely to succeed in the US. Company founder Soraya Hendesi, who has already had export success for her naturally based anti-ageing range, particularly in Germany, said she wanted Snowberry to be known for improving women's skin. "I have never been interested in skin care that compromises or pretends. I want the finest known anti-ageing bio-actives."

Double act

First there was dry shampoo, now there's conditioner to match. The Fudge Dry Conditioner ($22.50) is the first we've come across, but if the proliferation of dry shampoos is anything to go by, expect to see more of these handy waterless quick fixes on the shelves.

Dry shampoo gives stale hair a refreshing lift, the conditioner adds shine and smoothness between washes. Yes, it does work, though it leaves hair with an apple and coconut fragrance, and you may have an existing styling product that would do the same trick. (From shampoo shops and selected salons, ph 0800 457 426 for your nearest stockist.)