You won't see her, but she's there, in the salons, spas and shops, and she's happy to share her secrets on getting into grunge.
Dearie me, I have been informed by a fashionable friend that "grunge" is back. I'm not particularly happy about this, as it definitely confirms my old-age status. I mean, I remember it the first time around. However, I'm also told that at least now it's a little more sophisticated. After all, if Ralph Lauren is doing it, how bad could it be? Think Hamptons healthy grunge as opposed to anything too grubby.
The first step to getting into grunge is to mess up that perfect blow dry. I don’t mean too badly – go for the usual bounce, but then add a little product around the ends and a little around the crown.
I prefer a non-greasy product – so ditch shine sprays and opt for anything that calls itself a paste or matt styling cream. Try Sebastian Craft Clay Remoldable Matte Texturiser. It creates some mussed-up strands that leave a kink in the professional ’do.
Dirtying up nails is just as easy – have you seen the new Chanel colours? Aptly named Le Vernis Khaki, the muddy tones of green, brown and rose are a lovely glamorous take on the trend; so are the new chocolate hues from the über nail place The Nail Station.
And you can always rely on Rimmel for edgier, artsy colours. Want to look like you've been digging around in the concrete? Try Grey Matter. It will give you the perfect fix. I know – the concept of grey nail polish seems ludicrous now, but I guarantee you'll be wearing it without a second thought in a couple of months' time.
Make-up will need a little reworking. In the Nineties it was all about no make-up make-up, but quite frankly even Kate Moss couldn’t pull that off these days.
Keep the base light and moisturising – to give that sweaty-meets-sheeny look. Stila Tinted Moisturiser at Sephora is good. I have a sneaking suspicion it’s actually more of an ultra-moisturising foundation disguised as a TM to make us all feel that we don’t need heavy foundation, but it offers great coverage and glow.
Ditch the powder in favour of blotting sheets. Chanel does fabulous ones, but please refrain from sporting these in public. Those grease sheets really shouldn’t be seen by anyone other than your nearest and dearest.
A greasy eye, however, is a must. Dab Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream on to lids. Then apply either your usual mascara with a topcoat – such as Clarins Double Fix Mascara. It sets your lash colour in place and makes any mascara 100 per cent waterproof.
M loves Dior Minaudière
Dior has come out with a darling little black minaudière (clutch purse) to house its new winter shades. It is adorned with the Dior houndstooth pattern and contains everything a woman could possibly need to look her shimmering, shining best. There are three eyeshadows and two lipglosses, as well as a mirror and a make-up brush. Perfect for the handbag and to take along to parties should you need a quick retouch.
Dior Minaudière, Dh420, at counters nationwide
3 of the best grunge colours
Chanel Nail Colour in Khaki Brun, Dh113 Takes the whole military fashion theme to the next level.
Nailstation Nail Polish in (from left) Black Pepper, Cookies and Drop Dead Gorgeous, Dh42 This buff trio is sold together or individually, so you'll be able to find your perfect (skin tone) match.
Bourjois Vernis 1 Seconde in Gris Cashmere, Dh50 This one-coat formula dries quickly to a café crème finish.
Tried and tested
WHAT I TRIED Gel nail polish, a revolutionary new manicure and pedicure that promises not to chip, at Dashing Nails, Al Nahyan Military Camp, Abu Dhabi.
WHAT I WANTED To have a manicure that lasted longer than five minutes. I am the worst person for manicures. I usually manage to wreck my nails opening the car door as I leave the salon. As for my toes, the last time I had a pedicure I bashed my still wet big toe on the drying machine when I put my foot in it. "If this works," I told the friend I was with, "it will change our lives."
WHAT HAPPENED I chose "big apple red" from a range of 21 colours. My manicurist, Racquel, painted on a layer of something that helps the nail retain moisture, followed by three coats of the colour. In between each coat my hands were placed in a dryer. This was all followed by a gel sealer and a hand massage. I flinched when Racquel went to grab my hand but she assured me all was fine. She was right. The massage was great and my nails remained perfectly intact. It was the same story with my feet, although I was too superstitious to wear anything but flip-flops on leaving the salon. The friend I was with wore ballet pumps and her toenails were completely undamaged. Added to which she had a French manicure, followed by a hand massage. "If we were living in a woman's world this would be front-page news," she said, gazing at her nails in that way women usually gaze at new-born babies.
THE RESULT Two weeks later and I have tried everything to chip my nails from opening cans of organic elderflower drink to playing the piano to sticking my nails under the letters on my keyboard. The keyboard didn't like it much, but my nails stayed perfect. Nothing scares this gel. Not even the sound of me playing the piano.
THE VERDICT I will never go back to regular manicures. Yes, this is more expensive, but the polish on the toes lasts, on average, four weeks and that on the fingers at least two. The downside is that it is tough to get off, so the whole process takes longer (two hours for removal and re-application on both hands and feet) and is not as relaxing as your usual mani/pedi. You have to sit with cotton wool soaked in acetone and wrapped in silver foil (very Edward Scissorhands) on your digits for half an hour, after which the manicurist literally has to chip the gel off. Having said that, you can rely on the fact that your nails will be pristine for a long time to come, so it is worth it. It is also ideal for big events such as weddings or holidays. Hold the front page, I say.
Gel nail polish, Dh110 for a manicure or a pedicure. Dashing Nails, Delma Street (13th Street), Al Nahyan Military Camp, Abu Dubai, 02 643 1011
