Health and Beauty Salon Online

KEY TRENDS IN 2008

2008-11-20T14:45:52Z

Want to know what is happening in the world of beauty globally?

Then check out market analyst Mintel's online Beauty Innovation service, which focuses on analysis of new product launches in the beauty and personal care industry.

It covers niche, prestige, masstige (premium brands without preminum pricing) and mass-market products in more than 50 countries, and gives a complete picture of the global beauty market.

The latest finding show that no less than a mind-boggling 57,000 new products were launched in 2008 - which equates to 156 a day, and considerably more than is used in even the most elaborate beauty regime.

The key trend has been a shift towards a more honest approach to personal care, states the report. There is a real backlash against the insincere celebrity culture, along with a desire to return to something more meaningful and pure. Proof of the pudding is that organic, ethical and all natural products accounted for 15% - or, to put it another way, one in every seven beauty product launches in 2008, up from just one in 10 in 2007.

That said, the trend has gone one step further.

According to Beauty Innovation head consultant, Nica Lewis, "Beauty products increasingly play on ancient, authentic remedies taken from traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine. These ingredients are now even being used in areas that were once solely associated with science - such as anti-ageing, whitening and sun protection.

"This, combined with the fact that people are now much more aware of the social, environmental and economic impact of the products they buy, has been a key driver in new product development in 2008," she adds.

WIN - MORE THAN £100 WORTH OF GUINOT PRODUCTS

2008-11-19T08:15:38Z

CLICK TO WIN

Move over facialcare: in 2008, bodycare came into its own.

According to a report by market analyst, Mintel, consumer demand for bodycare products has soared, and are forecast to grow 41% over the next five years to more than £400m, up from £300m in 2006.

So, to go with the trend and keep your body smooth and moisturised, click here for a chance to win Guinot's superb, four-strong collection of bodycare products - worth more than £100.

**Guinot Mousse de Coton (a rich, moisturising shower cream) is designed to awaken your senses in the morning, being fragranced with a blend of grapefruit, tangerine, green tea and cherry and freesia. Ingredients include cotton oil (strengthens and protects) and sacred lotus milk (soothes and calms).

**Guinot Gommage Facile (a smoothing body scrub) is the ultimate smoothie for your body. The two-in-one product contains loofah extracts and is mild enough to be used as a daily cleanser, being formulated with extracts of coconut, corn and sunflower, and fragranced with an invigorating citrus blend of lemon, tangerine, bergamot and orange.

**Guinot Hydrazone Corps is an intensive body lotion that regenerates, repairs and rehydrates dry and dehydrated skin - so is particularly apt for use in winter. It contains argan oil, which is known for its exceptional nourishing and regenerating properties, as well as Hydrocyte, a key complex that provides immediate and long-lasting moisturisation.

**Guinot Tropic Tonic is an energising shower gel, bursting with tropical fruit and flower extracts. A blend of mango (abundant in vitamins and minerals, it replenishes skin), guava (high in vitamin C, it stimulates and softens), and passion fruit (renews) extracts cleanse and tone skin. Meanwhile, hibiscus flower extract, rich in AHAs, exfoliates and softens skin, while the invigorating fragrance of orange and grapefruit, awaken the senses.

To be in with a chance and make the collection yours, answer a simple QUESTION:

WHAT IS ARGAN OIL KNOWN FOR?

Click HERE to enter, stating Guinot on the subject line, and your answer in the main body of the text.

Competition closes 31 December 2008

GOOD LUCK!

WEIRD WEB

2008-11-18T15:47:26Z

SNAKES

ALIVE

Ophidiophobes look away now!

Snake venom or its synthetic derivative may be hot news when it comes to skincare, but how about snake massage?

According to free London newspaper, Metro, unbelievable as it seems, it's the most in-demand, relaxing therapy at Ada Barak's spa in Talmei Elazar, northern Israel.

The treatment consists of six non-venomous snakes massging the client's aching muscles and joints.

She uses California and Florida king snakes, corn snakes and milk snakes, with the size of the snakes depending on the type of massage: the larger ones are said to alleviate deeper muscle tensions, with the smaller ones creating a "fluttering effect".

Cost of the massage? A mere £40.

According to Miss Barak, physical contact with the reptiles can be a relaxing experience. She was inspired by her belief that once people get over any initial misgivings, they find physical contact with snakes to be stress relieving, with one client describing the experience as "soothing, like a cold compress".

Given it takes all sorts, but, somehow, we can't see it catching on here - or will it?

* To see Time magazine's toe-curling video clip CLICK HERE

** PIC CREDIT: Design Pics Inc/Rex Features

LEGAL: RENT REVIEWS

2008-10-30T00:00:31Z

THE LIE OF THE LAND

If you rent your salon it's likely your rent will be up for review at some point. But what options are open to tenants and what rights do you have? Philippa Aldrich reports

Your two biggest - and fixed - costs are staff and premises. To an extent, you can control staffing costs, but there may well be times when your landlord appears to act against you. Most commercial leases these days contain a mechanism for the rent to be reviewed at regular intervals, usually three or five years. But what should you do if hit with a request by a landlord for a significant rent increase?

WHAT TYPE OF RENT REVIEW HAVE I GOT?

First, tenants should have a look at the lease to identify the type of rent review being invoked. Some leases include clauses that provide for set increases in rent. The lease might, for example, provide that the annual rent will increase after three years. It is unlikely in this case that the tenant will be able to oppose an increase in year three as he has effectively agreed to it in advance.
Alternatively, the lease may contain an 'escalation' type of rent review where an index, such as the retail price index, is used as a basis for calculating the rent rise. Again, provided the right index has been used and the maths is correct, there will be little opportunity for the tenant to object.

Other rents are linked to turn-over, whereby the landlord will take a set percentage of the income. It is worth checking the landlord's calculations.

READ ON FOR MORE ADVICE...

]]> The most common type of rent review, however, is to increase the rent to that of the open market rent for the property at the date of the review.

A major problem for tenants is a 'headline rent' clause. This is rent that is paid under a lease after the end of any rent-free periods or any period of reduced rent. It creates an artificially inflated rent by ignoring the rent-free period, period of reduced rent, or any other concessions the landlord may have given the tenant in return for a higher headline rate.

You also need to be aware of Upwards Only Rent Reviews (UORR). Open market rent reviews are upwards only, that is, the rent can stay the same or be increased but it cannot go down. UORRs are a major source of controversy in today's property market. In a falling market, a tenant may end up paying a rent that no longer reflects the market value of the property, and, depending on the date of the rent review, be paying the higher rent for a number of years.

ARE THERE SET PROCEDURES FOR RENT REVIEWS?

Having established what sort of rent review is being implemented, the next step is to work out what procedure needs to be followed.

Some leases have long, detailed requirements, such as obligations to serve notices triggering the review and counter-notices in response from the other party. Both sorts of notice may be subject to strict time limits. The content of notices may be prescribed in the lease. Complicated procedures such as these can be problematical. At worst, a tenant who fails to deliver a counter-notice in the right way may lose their right to challenge the revised rent proposed by the landlord, however high. Sometimes, a landlord failing properly to serve a trigger notice may lose the right to review the rent.

WE CANNOT AGREE ON THE RENT -- WHAT NEXT?

But what happens if the landlord and tenant cannot agree? The rent review provisions will normally state that, if no agreement is reached, the parties may refer the dispute to a third party for resolution. An expert is usually a surveyor who is appointed as an 'expert' in property, and local property in particular. An arbitrator is bound by the Arbitration Act and is more like a judge.

In each case, 'comparable' rent reviews of similar properties will be considered to ascertain market value. Rent reviews are therefore essentially backward looking, which means that where rents are likely to fall in the future, landlords will be keen to expedite the agreement of rent reviews so they can use as comparables rents agreed before the rental market began to dip. Equally, it may pay tenants to wait.

Once the new rent has been agreed, it will generally be backdated to the date of the review and the tenant will need to pay the landlord the arrears together with interest.

CAN I VIEW THE REVIEW AS AN OPPORTUNITY?

Rent reviews can be used as opportunities to renegotiate with the landlord, particularly where the tenant has the benefit of a right to break the lease. In a falling property market where the landlord is keen to keep the tenant, the threat to break the lease might persuade the landlord to agree a lower rent.

If there is no break clause, but the proposed rent will make continuing with the business difficult, a landlord might be prepared to negotiate to avoid being left with an empty building.
However, landlords are always concerned with headline rates - they can use these as comparables to agree rent reviews on their other properties and they are also key measures for valuing the property for investment purposes. Sometimes landlords, while insisting on a full market rent, might give the tenant other concessions, such as a rent holiday.

Tenants receiving a landlord's rental proposals should not panic but nor should they delay. It is essential to first work out the nature of the rent review and then, if necessary, seek out expert advice.

WIN WIN WIN PHYTOMER

2008-10-21T23:00:00Z

FACIAL FEAST

Health and Beauty Salon has teamed up with Phytomer to offer one lucky reader a fabulous facial feast worth more than £100.

Putting the ocean in its lotions, Phytomer's facial collection leaves skin deeply cleansed, instantly smoothed and gives lasting hydration -- for a beautiful complexion.

PRIZE TIME

For your chance to win the following:

Perfect Visage Gentle Cleansing Milk
Rosee Visage Toning Cleansing Lotion
Vegetal Exfoliant
HydraContinue Instant Moisture Cream
Seaweed Soap

QUESTION

What is the basis of the Phytomer Products?

a) botanical extracts

b) seaweed

c) aromatherapy

Email your answer in the SUBJECT LINE and include your contact details in the main body of the text HERE

The competition closes 30 November 2008.

GOOD LUCK!

OFFBEAT BEAUTY GOODIES

2008-10-20T23:00:00Z

BEAUTY SLEEP

We all know a good night's sleep aids beauty, but now iVillage has discovered a product promising to remove wrinkles while you sleep. Under its web-page "Stuff We Love" it highlights US company Cupron, manufacturer of towels, sheets, pillowcases and socks. It has just created a 'super pillow' said to rejuvenate skin within the first four weeks of use.

The idea is that natural copper heals, and this pillowcase harnessed with that power, will prevent wrinkles and improve your skin's overall appearance while you sleep. Talk about a beauty nap!

WEIRD WEB

2008-10-19T23:00:00Z

DRINK ANYONE?

The Yunessan Spa near Tokyo takes the traditional practice of Japanese communal bathing a step further with bathers submerging their bodies in a choice of red wine, green tea, Japanese rice wine (sake), coffee and chocolate. And while you can't drink the 'waters', the a-la-carte of bathing is said fabulous for health, the body and wellbeing -- so bottoms up!

Click to see a video-clip of the full story by Times Online reporter Richard Kimber.

HABIA: FREE CONSORTIA BRIEFINGS

2008-10-08T23:00:15Z

FREE BRIEFINGS FOR DIPLOMA CONSORTIA: 6 NOVEMBER 2008

Habia is holding two free half day briefings in Doncaster for prospective consortia hoping to deliver the new Diploma in Hair and Beauty Studies qualifications.

The briefings, taking place on 6 November 2008, at Habia Doncaster offices (10-12.30pm and 2-4.30pm) will provide information and guidance on the delivery of the Diploma for prospective consortia completing self-assessment through the 'gateway' process - the method through which consortia are selected - for application for teaching from September 2010.

Prospective consortia looking to book a place on the briefings, or employers looking to get involved in the Diploma, should contact diploma@habia.org for more information.

READ ON FOR MORE INFO

]]> Consortia delivering the Diploma from September 2009 have already been selected through Gateway 2, with the current process being for Gateway 3 applications.

Habia has places for a maximum of two attendees from each consortium and places will be allocated in order of receipt of applications.

Consortia are partnerships between schools, colleges, training providers, employers and other stakeholders such as higher education institutions, universities and local authorities, working together to deliver Diplomas. All consortia are finally approved by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

Schools will work with local colleges and learning providers to deliver the Diploma. This may be on site at a local learning provider, or it may be within the school if it has the facilities (such as its own salon) with educators from a learning provider providing the teaching.

Local employers will offer work experience to provide exposure to a real work environment, so that the learner develops an understanding of what is required of them. A minimum of 10 days work experience will give learners an opportunity to use and supplement some of the skills developed in school and college.

Employers wanting to get involved with the Diploma can still do so by linking up with consortia in their Local Education Authority region.

LAUNCH: CAROLE FRANCK

2008-10-07T23:00:56Z

The Beauty Center -- Carole Franck's new treatment for face and body -- combines non-invasive acupuncture and electrolipolysis to reduce cellulite, firm skin and provide anti-ageing results.

Adapted from the late French neurologist Dr Nogier's method of auricular acupuncture, the system stimulates different reflex zones throughout the body using seven different waveforms to detect, stimulate and rejuvenate, focusing on up to 20 acupuncture points at any given time.

Each treatment is tailored to the client, with the individual acupuncture points is located using a 'detector pen'. For example, if you are prone to snacking throughout, stimulating certain acupuncture points is said to stop hunger pangs.

The treatment is also said to help the body drain toxins and disperse the build-up of waste, while firming and toning.

The electrolipolysis action 'digs up' fat cells by targeting specific problem areas, encouraging the body to drain toxins and increase circulation. The result is said to help the body function effectively and aid loss.

Electrolipolysis is usually focused on the stomach and thighs, although it works on any area with stubborn fat. Treatment -- for face and body -- incorporates the brand's well-established aromatherapy-based skincare and is painless with only a tingling feeling.

The client can control the frequency levels to suit their programme and comfort level.

PRICE: The Beauty Center costs £11,750 +VAT including training and a start-up kit of skincare and bodycare

RRP: treatments are from £60 for a body treatment (45-60 minutes), and from £75 for facial (80 minutes)

WEB LINK

ESPA: TAKING ON THE WORLD

2008-10-06T23:00:13Z

SELLING A MINORITY SHARE TO A DUBAI-BASED COMPANY HAS OPENED UP NEW MARKETS FOR ESPA. ANNETTE HANFORD REPORTS

Following the recent sale of a 40% stake in Espa to Dubai-based Istithmar World Capital, you'd be forgiven for thinking Susan Harmsworth would be relinquishing some of her responsibilities as chief executive, and taking a step back from the spa product, treatment and design company she founded.

However, this could not be further from the truth, as she's now working harder than ever. The company's globalisation might mean there are more people employed, but Susan (left) - who is still very involved in spa design and product development - says they still continue to need leadership and teaching.

Until now, Susan regularly declined offers from companies wanting to buy or invest in her business. "Running at double-digit growth, we felt we could have run another couple of years without taking investment. However, we felt if we were to take outside investment, it would be because we wanted to get bigger and expand globally."

There is a huge boom in the spa sector, with many more players coming into the market, but many, she says, don't have the experience to succeed. "There is a lot of damage being done to the industry, huge mistakes with capital spend and white elephants being built.

SEE FAB PICS AND CONTINUE READING...

]]> THE RIGHT PROJECT

"However, latterly, we were turning down projects we shouldn't have been, either because they were geographically difficult or we didn't have the right staffing in that part of the world. We were also approached by several skincare companies worldwide, but I felt Espa would have got swallowed-up and maybe compromised. I wasn't interested in selling the company, so when Istithmar approached us, I originally said no."

With upmarket medical facilities already within its portfolio, Istithmar wanted a spa company to complement its wellness and health aspect.

"Subsequently, I was asked if I would consider selling a minority share, and that's what we did. One of the main reasons for taking the investment was because I felt Espa needed to take the opportunity of where it was as a company - we were regarded as probably the most advanced spa company in the world in terms of profile, type of partners we have contracts with, and our structure within the company. There are very few companies that do what we do."

Signing the deal has lead Espa to about 30 projects throughout Africa, The Middle East, Asia, and America.

"Because we are going global, we need to open warehousing and training schools in all the markets. We already have minor hubs in Hong Kong, San Francisco, and Miami, and we are opening Dubai as we speak. We have warehousing in Atlanta in the US, and we will have, by the end of this year, in Dubai and Singapore as well, which means we can do global distribution. We've already got our licensing for China, Russia and Japan, so much of the investment was to grow that side.

"We are also expanding our manufacturing here in the UK. There will be a new factory in Somerset four times the size of the original one. Our distribution worldwide is now 55 countries.

"Most of our global growth is with Espa managed spas. We now have 70 under construction around the world. It's very spread out -there are eight in China, 10 in India, along with South America projects. Eastern Europe is also very busy for us - Latvia, Lithuania, Croatia, and Romania - we've probably got another 20 in that part of the world and a further 10 in the US. About 90% of them will be managed, branded spas, where we also look after the management.

NEWEST MARKETS

"We manage all the projects we design. We don't do one without the other. We will still do product-only accounts occasionally, but they have to meet our criteria, since we found the consumer was getting confused with standards.

"Because we are called in to do concepts right at the beginning, we're automatically in the newest markets. The global growth is China, India, Russia and Eastern Europe - we are already doing that. The newest markets coming up are places like Kazakhstan, Turkey, South America, certainly Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Panama. The Africa business is interesting too, areas like Zanzibar, Djibouti, and South Africa.

"Looking at our existing markets, the UK turnover - where we started - is excellent. I think the quality of UK operations is really going up.

"Going forward, standards are going to be the big problem. However, we don't have a problem with recruiting therapists because they all want the training and they all know the brand. For example, we have a lot of openings coming up in Dubai, so we thought we'd research the market and place a small ad. We had 700 local applicants, all of a really good calibre.

"To combat another foreseeable problem - a lack of good spa directors - we've set up our own school and spa directors' course. At the moment training is here in the UK. However, as our schools and hubs get established globally, I'm sure we will roll them out."

It's not the spa business per se that does it for Susan, but meeting interesting people around the globe. "Whether it's for PR and being interviewed by a journalist or meeting a chemist for product development, it's fascinating. It could be discovering the culture of a therapist in the middle-of-nowhere in an obscure country, or a design meeting with an architect, it's all so interesting. I really don't get bored."

PICTURES: Susan Harmsworth; ESPA products

INTERIORS: The Peninsula Spa by ESPA in Bangkok, Thailand

LAUNCH: BILLY JEALOUSY

2008-10-05T23:00:19Z

JEALOUS

GUY

Already making headway across the pond, Billy Jealousy has just hit the UK shores via City People. Launched in 2004 in Texas, the line comprises a range of men's hair, face and shaving cosmeceutical products. Annette Hanford reports

Specifically aimed at hip young men, the products are formulated for male skin, which is around 20% thicker than that of women's. The products are suitable for all skin types and rather than masking a skin concern, sare said to tackle it at source. With quirky names and active ingredients, such as retinol and salicylic acid, the face range features: About Face Anti-Ageing Serum; Wipe Out Eye Cream; Bar None Face Wash; Sucker Punch Face Scrub; Combination Code Face Moisturiser; White Knight Facial Cleanser; Liquid Sand Exfoliating Cleanser; and Combat Lines Face Moisturiser SPF30.

Long-gone are the days when it was acceptable for guys to settle for soap for shaving. The shave range helps banish stubble trouble with Lightning Bolt Electric Pre-Shave Solution, Hot Towel Pre-Shave Treatment, Hydroplane Shave Cream and Shaved Ice After-Shave Balm -- all created to calm heal and moisturise the skin.

There are also a body wash and five haircare products to complete the grooming regime, including a strengthening shampoo designed to help combat hair loss.

"More and more men are buying their own grooming products and this is not a retail opportunity that can be ignored," says Farha Musa of City People.

"Billy Jealousy has a wide appeal among men of all ages and looks great displayed on the shelf for impulse buys, as well as being easily explained by salon staff."

RRP: £18 shave cream, £19 shampoo, £32 travel kit.

Tel: 020 8579 9091

LAUNCH: MAMA MIO!

2008-10-02T23:00:19Z

MAMA SAYS: "SEND YOUR BOOBS AND BUMS TO BOOTCAMP"

Following on from its sweet-smelling product line and indulgent salon treatments, Mama Mio has decided to get tough. The ladies behind the brand - Sian, Tanya and Kathy - are waging war on our boobs and butts and have enlisted fitness-guru-to-the-stars Efua Baker for their two-pronged approach to bodycare.

The Bootcamp in a Box series is dubbed a complete skincare and exercise system and is aimed at time-starved women who want targeted results - but without the hassle of the gym.

The three-minute daily exercise programmes - which don't require any equipment and only minimal space - are designed to get the underlying muscle tissue to stand up and pull its weight, whether you are working to prevent your chest or derrière from going south.

With two sets of exercises working towards a fit body, the hard-hitting products aim to deliver what the founders describe as fit skin in 30 days. Fit skin? This is skin that fits you like a glove, they say. It holds you in place and holds you up. It is touchable and strong enough to defy gravity, according to the company's own super mamas.

BOOTCAMP FOR BOOBS

Promising to perk up your profile, the boob-job in a box targets the pectoral muscles with slow, controlled movements, so not only will boobs be lifted, but appear fuller.

A combination of the 'fly' and the 'push me up' exercises works to tone and define upper arms, so they should help banish those bingo wings as well. Results are further enhanced with the facial-quality bodycare, including the stimulating Tummy Toner exfoliant, which also has a tightening and plumping effect, and the strengthening Boob Tube.

As well as being packed with antioxidant C0Q10 to help cell regeneration and prevent the degradation of collagen, it also protects against ageing sun damage.

BOOTCAMP FOR BUTTS

Similarly, this 30-day bottom-and-thigh kit incorporates two targeted exercises - 'the butt raise' and 'the doggy' if you please - but features three products.
Containing a blend of sweet almond oil, chamomile and vitamin E with micro-ground pumice, Body Buff softens and removes dead skin, as well as stimulating circulation and improving subsequent product efficacy.

Tightening Tummy Toner is also featured as is Shrink-to-Fit - a stimulating cocktail designed to help fat cells shrink, as well as prohibit their formation.

RRP: £65 (bust kit) and £99 (bottom kit)

SEBTA: BEST OF THE REST

2008-10-01T23:00:29Z

BRIGHTON

BELLE

Brighton was the setting for the second SEBTA competition. Annette Hanford reports

The second SEBTA (Student Electrotherapy Beauty Therapist Award) competition was held at the prestigious Grand Hotel in Brighton, Sussex. The competition is open to all Level 3-and-above students, whatever their age, or college, and focuses on delivering the very best in facial electrotherapy treatments.

After the six student finalists had been under close scrutiny all morning, Carlton Professional MD Angela Barbagelata-Fabes said it was her turn to be nervous as she welcomed competitors, lecturers, judges and the press to the competition.

"It is wonderful to be here with you all to celebrate the best in electrotherapy," she said. "You are the best in the country and we want to thank you for entering. We want the best and there's no point in making something that's worth winning easy, so I congratulate you all, as you have excelled above many others and are already winners."

After thanking everyone who had worked so hard behind the scenes, including the judges (right) and the models for the day, Angela called her husband Charlie-Claude Barbagelata to the stage and awarded the prizes.

First place went to part-time City and Islington College student Olubukola 'Booki' Coker, who was presented with a hand-made trophy, £500 and a Carlton Ultraderm machine. Her winning lecturers, Michelle Zini and Saloua El-Khadiri, will share £250, while the college receives £1,000.

"I am truly elated and didn't think I could get any better than being a finalist," said Booki. "I have been getting lots of practice until it became second nature, and now feel ready to go into the industry."

Second prize went to Kelly Marie Taylor from Warwickshire College, who was awarded £250 and a high-frequency galvanic machine, £150 for her lecturer, and £500 for the college to spend on Carlton equipment.

Third prize went to Emma Hobbs from Oxford and Cherwell Valley College who took away £150, a Carlton high-frequency machine, £100 for her lecturer and three wax starter kits for the college.

* Next year's competition will take place on 18 June. Call The Carlton Group on 01903 761 1000 or visit SEBTA for more information.

THE FULERTON FILES: OCT 08

2008-09-30T23:00:32Z

Session nail technician Andrea Fulerton discovers that movie star Mischa Barton is a true professional

Ah, the memories of working with A-list movie stars. It was a sunny Saturday morning earlier this year when I met the fashionably-late Mischa Barton with her London-based mum and dad in tow. I believe Mischa and her two sisters were born in London before moving to NYC, so I expected her to have a British accent like her folks, but no, she had a gentle American one.

Shooting the cover and three pages for the September issue of Marie Claire, I managed to persuade my client-for-the-day to remove her trade mark can't-be-seen-without-black-nails and paint them in a natural hue which I later deepened with a layer of Essie's Sandy Beach to make it more opaque and 'there' - especially on the toes.

It wasn't easy, and neither was getting off her mass of rings and bracelets. However, once painted, Mischa was a pro: she didn't reach for drinks, answer her mobile, constantly move about, or (my personal favourite) need the loo just as the final top coat - Creative's Speedey - was applied.

She even managed to keep them out of the make-up artist's path as she leaned in to do her eyes.

The dreaded black varnish came off pretty well with the help of cotton wool pads saturated with lots of Alida nail varnish remover held on each nail for 15 seconds before swiping off in one direction. I can't help but think she had a decent basecoat on as there was zilch nail-plate staining.

I love Essie's First Base at the moment, but - just like my shampoo - I like to mix things up in life.

Mischa's nails were not really short, but they were not long either - about 1mm in length, all shaped straight across, so I didn't have to do much at all.

Talking of the States - I did another shoot for Chicago Social Interiors magazine's August front cover.

The model was 16 years old and had taken a day off school. I gave her her first manicure and painted her nails in a colour I mixed myself (using a drop of an old Leighton Denny black varnish combined with OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark) to make an extremely dark, dried ox blood-like shade. OPI's new France-inspired collection has a similar shade I'm Fondue of You, while Yes I Can-Can is gorgeous for this winter too. Don't ya just dig those names?

BRIEF ENCOUNTER: RATAN DARYANI

2008-09-29T23:00:38Z

Ratan Daryani, CEO of Flint Edge, a natural-based head-to-toe grooming range for men, is a well-known figure in the cosmetics industry with a background as a senior executive at the Body Shop and co-founder of Virgin Cosmetics

How did you get into the beauty industry?

Like most things in life, by chance. It all started with the Body Shop in 1989 where I spent seven years in a senior executive role.

What is your greatest business achievement?

Some colleagues and I presented a business plan to Sir Richard Branson in 1996. We pitched our idea of Virgin Cosmetics to him and he went for it! It was the Virgin Group's first foray into the health and beauty market and Virgin Vie - as it is now known - has resulted in the Virgin Group becoming a leading player in the market.

What has been the most satisfying/rewarding moment in your career?

I would have to say there have been two incredibly rewarding moments in my life. One was the first sale of the Flint Edge products, and the second was the repeat sale from that customer - which it is what it's all about!

What is the best business/career advice you have ever been given?

My very first boss told me even when things aren't looking good to always keep going and never give up. It's simple advice but I really do live by it.

Three things you couldn't do your job without?

I would have to say great people like my marketing and design team, a sense of humour, and, of course, my Blackberry!

Best/worst bits of your job?

The best bits are without doubt when people write in and tell me how much they like the products. I suppose the worst is I have so many ideas about new products swimming around in my head but just don't have the time or the finance to get there quick enough.

Future business ambitions?

My ambition for Flint Edge is for it to be available in all UK salons and for it to become the number one men's salon brand.

Imagine you are at the start of your career - what would you change?

I would definitely get a few more hours' sleep. And I would try to clone myself - maybe that way I could get more done!

Would you do it all again?

Without doubt. I have no regrets and I'm enjoying every step of this journey.