While lazy days on the beach may be coming to an end as visions of candy corn and spooky decorations dance in our head, LUSH makes it possible to capture the essences of your favorite Summer memories so that you can revisit them any time of the year. Each product has been selected for their sensational scents and promised performance to pamper your body from head to toe! The aromas that will fill your shower or tub are specially designed to take you away on an exotic adventure without where relaxation is permanently on the menu.
1 – Submerge yourself in the soothing waters of Big Blue, a bath bomb that releases lavendar and lemon oil to ease your sensibilities as sea salt rids the body of toxin and seaweed softens the skin.
2 – Tinted a color reminiscent of centrally located oceans, Sea Vegetable combines the invigorating texture of sea salt with the cooling abilities of seaweed, its herbaceous fragrance mingling into lavender and lime to leave you feeling revived.
3 – Benefiting nearly all skin types, Ocean Salt is a cleanser I can stand behind and say it does what it is advertised to, exfoliating skin in a cocktail of avocado, coconut, lime, vodka and two types of sea salt.
4 – More than half of Big Shampoo is a base of sea salt infused with seaweed extract and blended with extra virgin coconut oil, avocado butter and fresh citrus juices that clean and nourish hair then give it plenty of shine.
5 – Ingredients gathered from far eastern continents come together in Seanik, a solid shampoo that has rich ingredients to make hair silky as the floral perfume of lemon, jasmine and mimosa oils stay with you all day.
6 – As a child I could not get enough of having hair styled by the sea, and now I have that option in the convenience of Sea Spray – sea salt, sea water and seaweed offers textured volume while orange flower, grapefruit, neroli and rosewood makes hair smell as though it was dried in a balmy breeze.
7 – Improving faces that have been damaged by Summer elements through a Breath of Fresh Air, casting nutrients from fresh sea water and seaweed extract onto skin to provide essential vitamins and soothing dry areas with rose absolute and aloe vera.
8 – Cover yourself in a tropical cocktail of Coconut, a deodorant powder made with four different types of coconut extract mixed into other natural ingredients and calming essential oils that will have you feeling like you are on a seafaring safari.
9 – Moisturize and cleanse using Enzymion, where astringent pineapple, papaya and lemon juices get rid of excess oil while avocado and evening primrose oils replenish vitamin and minerals; it can also be used as a primer and works best when paired with Ocean Salt.
Historically just about every circus employed a strongman to astonish audiences through physical feats. The image that has become synonymous with the term is that of a muscled man with a curled moustache clad in a leotard made of leopard skin, lips curled into a smile as he elevates a pliable barbell high into the air. While the displays these men offered fluctuated between marginally humdrum to vastly remarkable, at the pinnacle of competition from numerous colleagues there was a challenge for one to push further in order to garner the most fame. Such an innovative individual was born October 29, 1845, though John Holtum had a rather unexciting life until enlisting as a sailor when he was 15, where working on deck and in the shipyards formed the brawny body he would be known for in due course. He held a job as a professional strongman in San Francisco, where he studied and rehearsed the rudimentary feats, but it was upon his return to Europe in 1870 that he developed the plan to catch a cannonball. Following two years of intense preparation, Holtum refined the act and went on to build both a successful fortune and reputation. Standing on stage, he would use a pair of gloves and chest pad to cradle the deadly projectile after it was shot out of a cannon. Though a reward of 3000 francs would be given to anyone who could duplicate his efforts, none accepted the challenge and it was clear the death-defying feat was one only he could perform and fearlessly pioneered.
Friederich Wilhelm Mueller, more commonly known as Eugen Sandow, was presenting strongman stunts in sideshows at age 19, recognized for extraordinary barbell routines as well as the ability to split a chain that had been fastened around his chest. The allure of his protruding muscles overshadowed the large quantities of weight he could lift, which led to Sandow established a display of poses that are a precursor to what is seen in bodybuilding competitions today. The combination of his physique and these routines rapidly made Sandow a popular marvel often likened to a Roman god. Inspired by the sculptures he had viewed in Greece and Rome as a child, his passion to mold his body into these same forms was sparked. When he finally fostered his body to the precise proportions, Sandow also became one of the first athletes to deliberately remodel musculature to pre-determined dimensions and is regarded as “The Father of Bodybuilding. Sandow went on to perform all across Europe and came to America in 1893, where his exhibition at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago involved being displayed in a black velvet lined box with white powder covering his body to convey the appearance of a marble statue. A cultured appearance, high intelligence and well-mannered disposition coupled with dressing well, a charming European accent and hearty laugh were all traits that only increased his popularity. Reported to be perceptive businessman, Sandow authored five books, owned a mail-order physical instruction/exercise equipment, invented a unique spring-loaded dumbbell and weighted resistance band training system, produced and promoted Sandow Cigars, Sandow Health & Strength Cocoa and a magazine dedicated to physical culture, and opened a Physical Culture Studio in London which was one of the first health clubs which starkly contrasted the ‘sweaty’ gyms at the time. He also organized the first ever bodybuilding competition in 1901, and in recognition of his contribution to the sport, a bronze statue of Sandow has been presented to winners of Mr. Olympia since 1977.
Though the choice to be tattooed or a strongman was not a rare sight by the time Rasmus Nielsen accumulated his own collection of ink, he still managed to concoct an act that was virtually unheard of in order to set himself apart. His septum, tongue and nipples were subsequently pierced, and was able to lift anvils from these piercings through strengthening elasticity and pain tolerance. It is believed that he also had a surface piercing in his chest, though there is not much information to confirm how, when or where it was done. An image of him hanging his anvil from this piercing was one he became well known for and was used as a pitch card that Nielsen often signed the back of. These feats were an instant sensation and his fame quickly rocketed as people came to see the “Tattooed Wonderman”, who went from lifting anvils that weighed 50 pounds to those that weighed up to 250 pounds, allegedly able to lift 115 pounds with one nipple and a 25 pound hammer with his tongue. He also had a piercing in the back of his neck that was used to pull a cart loaded with spectators or sledgehammers. Sadly this amazing pioneer who certainly set records few have been able to beat dwindled into oblivion following his retirement in the 1950’s, though he has certainly earned a place in both body modification and sideshow history a memorable and remarkable figure.
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Originally the name Giuli signified a sixty day tide beginning at the lunar midwinter of the late Scandinavian Norse and West Germanic tribes. The arrival of Juletid thus came to refer to the midwinter celebrations. By the late Viking Age, the Yule celebrations came to specify a great solstitial Midwinter festival that amalgamated the traditions of various midwinter celebrations across Europe. Eastern Slavs worshipped Rozhanista in 12th century Russia as their mother winter goddess, offering bloodless sacrifices such as honey, bread and cheese. In late December, brightly colored winter embroideries were made depicting the horned goddess in honor of the Feast, while white deer shaped cookies were given as lucky gifts. December 13th is Lussi Night, supposedly the longest night of the year. The Feast was celebrated by ancient Swedish, Scandinavian Lutheran and Eastern Orthodox before being appropriated by Catholics in the 16th century to become Saint Lucy’s Day. Some folklore in Sweden had people, particularly children, that if they failed to carry out their chores, the Lussi [a female demon] would come to punish them. [Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solstice]
No matter how one chooses to ceremonialize the holiday this month, it can be agreed that the atmosphere is one of excited anticipation swept up in cups of hot tea or chocolate while fantasizing about blankets of sparkling white snow. We find a comforting familiarity in the spirit of caring and sharing that drives us to annually repeat the tradition as it continually evolves, adapting practices to fit our tastes and aesthetics. Certain themes remain prominent in various celebrations around the world, but there is no absolute in terms of creating an atmosphere of merriment that is limited only by imagination. Whether one is gathered together with family, friends or forced to participate in some ancient ritual with relatives that you only see for that occasion, there are certainly wish lists that humbly implore fulfillment.
There is an assured delight that comes when an individual unwraps their first makeup kit, as it acknowledges the trust from parental units and marks a significant stage in life. Once lipsticks were like crayons, beautifully colored with a smooth textures that easily glides across many surfaces. Playing dress up is not always appreciated, especially since what is perceived as pretty toys someone spent a lot of money on to be destroyed in the hands of a child who was just satiating curiosity. For the first time you are now in control of these tools, though much experimentation and practice must be executed because we are not born with perfect application skills. Sure, the makeup most likely was purchased at the drug store or some retail chain, but it is undoubtedly yours to wear as desired.
Having said all of that, as an adult who views makeup as another artistic medium and making no claims of being a professional, there are plenty of choices to fulfill the needs of every budget. The trend of wearing white, silver, blue and enough sparkles to rival the ball dropped in Times Square in recognition of the New Year is as out-played as clever holiday puns illustrated on greeting cards that are filled with gift certificates. Instead, this guide will focus on four well-known brands punctuated with bold colors and a softer, subtle sheen for that enchanting fireside glow, with a bonus featuring tips on how to keep skin moisturized and ways to pamper oneself with bath products that are appropriate for the season.
For products that are less flashy but still deliver a bold impact of color, Ice Parade offers a collection of eye shadows, exclusive ready to go face kits and a line up of essential for any retrofuturistic snow queen. The trio of Snow Globe shadows presents three palettes in Cool, Warm and Sultry, each with six frosty shades suitable for any fun festivity one might be attending. As a bonus, the compact double as a charming snow globe! Fabulous Festive Face Kits are a limited edition product that comes in Winter Cool or Warm. Packed into MAC’s iconic clear bag, each kit contains a Brow/Eye shadow/Blush compact that is dual-layered, three glitter-handled brushes and a coordinating Lipglass. The Iced Delights Eye Bag – available in Silver, Pearl and Gold – is another limited edition filled with items that correspond in color to the bag’s given name, which include a duo eye shadow, eye liner, mascara and applicator brush. Similar in concept is the Iced Delights Lip Bag – available in Winter Cool, Sultry and Rocking – contains three products needed for a high-fashion lip: stick, gloss and liner. There is even a pair of Iced Delights Nail & Lip bags in Rocking and Pure Drama that are compositions of a lipstick, Lipglass and promo-sized nail laquer which leaves all the guess work out of matching statement colors. Make It Perfect is a mini collection of brush kits that make it easy to have a professional level stash of fundamental brushes that includes special editions and key mineral brushes.
Topping the list of other products NARS lists as suggestions for gifts is the beautiful 
Decadence and Deviance 