Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

BEAUTY

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The bright stuff

Blame it on fashion’s current love affair with all things nu-rave, or on the feeling of school’s-out frivolity that takes hold during August, or just on boring old neutrals being sent down the spring/ summer catwalk one too many times, but suddenly splashes of bright colour look so, so right. Bin your usual beige and turn heads with tropical colours

‘No make-up’ neutrals have remained perennially popular for a reason – they’re ridiculously flattering.

Brights aren’t quite as failsafe, so you’ll need to perfect skin with the right foundation.

Prep your complexion with ph advantage’s Reparative Eye Gel Complex (€59, www.phadvantage.com) and Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch (€32, www.clarins.com). A good base like Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation (€35, www.giorgioarmanibeauty.com) will create a flawless canvas for colour. Pick an eye colour in a take-no-prisoners hue – try Urban Decay’s Deluxe Eyeshadow (€18, www.urbandecay.com) in Adore, and build up the colour gradually until you get the requisite intensity. For extra impact, finish with MAC’s Face Glitter (€17.50, www.maccosmetics.com)

1 in Light Blue. For high-octane lashes you’ll need to layer two coats of lash-building mascara (try Yves Saint Laurent’s Volume Effet Faux Cils (€25.50, www.ysl.com) with an application of Talika’s ingenious Lash Extender (€19.21, www.talika.com). A more permanent solution is 3D’s Lash Extensions – individual pre-trimmed lashes are painstakingly attached to your own, to give a Bambiesque look that lasts six weeks. If you live in the UK, you can go to the lovely Susie Lung ( ). Otherwise, ahfrancis.com can give you a list of therapists in Europe. It’s been said before, but it bears repeating – if you emphasise the eyes, go easy on the lips. A slick of gloss (try Lancôme’s Juicy Tube (€18, www.lancome.com)

2 in Marshmallow Electro) will suffice. Wear this look with simple hair – just add gloss with a shine spray like Aveda’s Brilliant Spray On Shine (€24, www.aveda.com) and slick back into a ponytail. Finally, give nails a shot of colour with

 

3 Nars’ Nail Polish in Schiap (€19, www.narscosmetics.com), a gloriously shocking pink.

Four of the best: pre-holiday treatments

With a little preparation, you can hit the beach running

Kerastase Intense Nourishing Ritual

(www.kerastase.com) Prepare hair for the ravages of sun, saltwater and chlorine by booking in for Kerastase’s intensive conditioning treatment before you set off for the airport – it delivers silky, strong locks after just one session.

Elemis Total Glow Self-Tanning Treatment

(www.elemis.com) This clever tanning treatment from Elemis mimics your skin’s natural colour, taking the edge off milk-bottle white legs and imparting a subtle golden glow.

Espa Skin Hydrator Wrap

(www.espaonline.com) Specifically designed to hydrate pre-sun skin, the treatment combines thorough exfoliation with a nourishing application of marine mud and toning essential oils.

Clarins Pro-Active Redefining Massage

(www.clarins.com) Deep tissue massage, with a potent cocktail of geranium and butcher’s broom, helps define the body’s contours by banishing fluid retention, resulting in a sleeker look in just over an hour.

Exercise of the month
Boxercise

Boxercise, and its antecedents – boxfit and body combat – can basically be defined as boxing for wimps. You can reap all of the benefits (increased stamina, improved coordination, stronger abdominal muscles) without running the risk of getting your nose spread across your face. Classes may incorporate shadow boxing, skipping, hitting pads and kicking punchbags, but there’s strictly no sparring. Most boxing clubs run boxercise-style classes that are open to everyone. Instructors recommend three classes a week. You’ll be floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee in no time.

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