Retail Therapy: Makeup makeover

Maybelline's Eye Studio quartet Sapphire Siren. Photo / Babiche Martens

Maybelline has given some of its makeup a makeover, with smart new eye shadow palettes, new lip glosses and an innovative foundation that comes with an easy-to-use sponge applicator. This Eye Studio quartet in Sapphire Siren is a standout, priced at $19.99.

* Moisture Mist is also offering its popular compact foundation in a smart bronze limited edition compact for a limited time.

Talk the talk

It's Maori Language Week, and this year's theme is Te Mahi Kai - The Language of Food. Bring some te reo Maori into your home with these suitably themed lightboxes from Piiata Lights, which come in a range of bold colours. They're $630, from the Poi Room, ph (09) 520 0399, or visit ngawaiata.blogspot.com for more stockists.

Taylor goes Greek

Taylor Boutique on Teed St is have a Greek-themed day this Saturday to celebrate the in-store arrival of new Greek knitwear label Kourbela. Expect Greek wine, feta, olives and "amazing artistic creations in yarn".

Layer it up

Local designer Turet - of tkstore fame - has released a simple bra to sit alongside pieces in her spring/summer collection. The versatile bra, which comes in black and steel, has been designed specifically to be worn under low-cut T-shirts or backless dresses. It's available now at all tkstores for $45.

Don't frown

Botox in a bottle it isn't, but Environ's new Frown Serum makes some big claims about its ability to help unfurrow frown lines. If the needle isn't for you, then you may be interested in testing this out. It contains the recognised synthetic peptide relaxant argireline, and Environ says as well as relaxing frown lines and crow's feet in three weeks, this "vitamin therapy", developed by a South African plastic surgeon, can also help prolong the effect of using Botox. The medicinal-looking glass dropper bottle helps preserve the product. Environ C-Quence Ionzyme Focus Frown Serum costs $299 from the Skin Institute and selected salons.)

Name-dropping arrival

Eve Lom is one of those big-name facialists cited by celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow, Uma Thurman and Julianne Moore. Her small and simple skincare range has just arrived in New Zealand for the first time, including the Eve Lom cleanser, hailed as a worldbeater by British Vogue. Lom, who moved from the US to London in the 1980s, has a "less is more mantra". Mecca Cosmetica is bringing in 14 products from her range, many of which multi-task. Prices range up from $38 for her Kiss Mix lip balm, with the cleanser costing from $85. meccacosmetica.co.nz

Talent test

Eighteen finalists have been chosen to compete in Wella Professionals Trend Vision 2010, one of the hair industry's biggest competitions, which will be held in Auckland in September. Stylists under 30 and colourists of all ages compete in a live final to interpret four key hair trends. The winners of the young talent and colourist awards win a trip to the world final in Paris in November in hairdressing's version of the Olympics.

Mana Dave who represented New Zealand last year and was recently named Schwarzkopf's New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year, is again a Trend Vision finalist for his colouring techniques. Tracey Taylor of Hype Hair Design in Forrest Hill was last week named the Auckland region's apprentice of the year and is also a finalist in the young talent section.

The North Island finalists are:

Colourists: Mana Dave, Blaze, Newmarket; Suzanne Morley, Hype; Jason Chong Li, Stephen Marr, Newmarket; and, all from Wellington: Kaisei Sarai and Poloa Rowe, of Buoy Hairdressing and Thao Mo' Donnell, Trois on Allen Hair Salon.

Young talent: Terry Whaitiri, Kensington Hairdressing, Remuera; Tracey Taylor, Hype; Kelly Latu, Blaze; Nikita Barter, Spectra, Palmerston North; Ashleigh Richards, House of Hair, Gisborne; and Chinney Yeap, Buoy.

* A People's Choice Award from the chosen finalists will also be made, with public online voting opening tomorrow, so check out the creativity at wellatrendvisionpeopleschoiceawards.com.