Here comes summer
Hong Kong wasn't exactly full of the joys of spring this year but with Sars hopefully on its way out we might have just cause for some fun in the sun. Beauty houses have adopted a positive attitude at least, with palettes of vibrant colour to spice up your life and skincare products for buffing up bodies in preparation for days on the beach.
Chanel's new limited-edition palettes for the season have been cleverly formulated to change effect according to the light. Spotlight Lumiere Facettes ($285) comprises four new eye shades of pink, ivory, beige and taupe, each shot through like silk with different colours to create shimmer; Palm Beach Double Contraste ($285) for cheeks and lips in pinks and browns come in cream formula for semi-matt cheeks and high gloss for lips. If you prefer to mix and match individual products, take your pick from drippingly glossy Levres Scintillantes lip shine ($130) in pearly pink and silver; pinky-emerald and shimmering purple-pink Infrarouge lipsticks ($140); and barely-there Hydrasoleil sheers ($140) in pink gold and golden peach. Nails follow the trend with soft peach and pinks for day and a more vampish blue/violet glitter for nights on the town ($130). Available from Chanel, Prince's Building, Central, and department store counters.
For nail giant OPI, It's Summer For Shore, a collection of polishes in vibrant shades of peach, coral, crimson, silver, purple and blue (below, $76 each). If you can't make up your mind which colours to take on holiday, the Summer For Shore mini pack ($68) comprises three little bottles of summer shades plus a RapiDry top coat. Available at selected hair and nail salons and spas. (Enquiries: 2481 4883)
John Galliano's spring/summer collection 2003 is nothing if not upbeat and reflecting this are Dior's new colours. With a nod to Dior Addict lipstick is the Glitter Collection of five high-shine lipsticks ($150), which come in acid bright shades of raspberry and red, and offer less block colour and more sparkle. Fingers and toes contrast in deep purple and brown while waterproof products make a practical appearance. So Cheek Natural Cheek Glow ($215) is the fashion and beauty house's first waterproof blusher, while Aquadior Eyeshadow Pencil ($140) in four colours from light sand to chocolate and Aquadior Mascara in Zanzibar Brown ($170) will ensure bathing belles look as good in the water as they do out. From Christian Dior cosmetic counters.
Miniskirts are in - which means legs have to come out of winter hibernation. Elemis' Body Glow collection offers everything to liven up limbs: Contouring Silhouette Cream (75ml) to firm up thighs; Devil's Mint Body Scrub (150ml) to get rid of dry skin on knees and calves; Total Glow Self Tanning Cream (125ml) for a bit of healthy colour; and Sharp Shower gel (50ml) to perk everything up. All packaged in a colourful beach bag, the collection costs $850 or comes free when you book any course of body treatments at the Beautiful Skin Centre (Pacific Place and Times Square) or Elemis Day Spa, Central.