As the days get shorter, the morning’s darker, it’s even harder to find that daily motivation. But the industry itself shows no sign of slowing down. Here we’ve highlighted some of the most committed people, the best products and motivating places, to help us all through these next few months.
Beach views from Hilton Head Health in South Carolina Courtesy of Hilton Head Health
As the weather starts to change in London, it’s easy to let one’s fitness and wellness slip. I find it in myself, as the days get shorter, the morning’s darker, it’s even harder to find that daily motivation. On the other side of the coin, however, the industry itself shows no sign of slowing down. That’s why I’ve taken the time to highlight some of the most committed people, the most useful products and most motivating places, to help us all through these next few months.
Aero scent diffuser Courtesy of Aero
Aera Scent Diffuser
Fragrance meets design with the Aera Scent Diffuser. I was reticent about this product as first. I don’t like strong scents, and even worse, many give me an allergic reaction. Activated through your smart phone, this is home-scenting on an entirely different level. The futuristic design means it fades seamlessly into any home space. With the Aera, tiny scented molecules waft through your home, all derived from the highest-quality essential oils. At any time you can control the level of scent with your phone and you can actually programme the app to increase or decrease scent throughout the day and week.
Paddleboarding at Hilton Head Health, South Carolina Courtesy of Hilton Head Health
Hilton Head Health
Hilton Head South Carolina is beautiful. Known for its endless beaches and green-grass golf courses, it’s also the ideal location for a health and wellness resort. At Hilton Head Health, you’ll find everyone from first year university student who are there to quickly burn off that freshman 15, alongside couples who have been married 50 years opting for a long-stay experience and looking to do an entire 180 on life. There’s no shortage of things to do once you’re here — from lectures on nutrition and portion control, to cooking classes, alongside a robust schedule of fitness classes — at any one time there’s often two or three options for fitness. From Pilates to TRX, yoga to aqua aerobics. And don’t avoid the natural surrounds, you can borrow a bicycle throughout your stay, join in on a beach walk, or simply explore at your own leisure.
The Bobbi Brown Soho flagship Courtesy of Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown London Flagship
I’ve long been described as a Bobbi Brown girl when it comes to my makeup preferences. I don’t like to wear a lot of makeup; instead, I love using a few great-quality products that accentuate my best features. And this is precisely the philosophy behind everything they do and develop at Bobbi Brown. Last year on Portland Street in London, the brand opened its new high-tech flagship, offering everything from masterclasses, workshops, photography and filming. Inside, as well as rows and rows of candy-floss-coloured lipsticks and glosses you’ll find presentation screens, cameras and professional lighting, making it a hub for customer events and experiences.
David Mallet’s new Soho salon, NYC Courtesy of David Mallet
David Mallett Salon in Soho, New York
Aussie-born Paris-based stylist to the stars David Mallett has just opened his first New York salon. Exquisitely designed, it’s no wonder he counts the likes of Natalie Portman, Marion Cotillard, Diane Kruger, Penelope Cruz, and Karl Lagerfeld as clients. In Paris, David has two salons, one standalone and the other in the stories Ritz Hotel. He also sells his coveted eponymous product line.
Skin Food by Sophie Thompson and Sister & Co Courtesy of Sister and Co
Skin Food by Sophie Thompson
Sophie Thompson is beyond impressive. Having started and grown Sister & Co — the coconut-based body and skincare brand — she’s now written her first book. Edifying and practical, Sophie teachers readers how to concoct their own spa-grade products in their kitchen. All natural and heavily trialled, use Skin Food to turn your kitchen into an apothecary.
Luca Del Bono founder of ONDA Courtesy of Onda
ONDA
From clubs to restaurants, Luca Del Bono has been involved in a host of venues and initiatives making him a name known and revered throughout London. His latest venue ONDA is a little different. Less business and more philanthropic, the idea is to give people access to some of the world’s best venues and members clubs through an exchange of knowledge and skills. In a world where every hotel and venue is trying to curate a programme of the best experiences, talks, lectures and events — through ONDA you can have all that content free of charge. They’ve just launched an app, making it even easier to connect people around the world.
Elena Lavagni, founder and CEO of Neville Hair & Beauty Courtesy of Neville Hair and Beauty
Elena Lavagni
Elena Lavagni is a powerhouse. She founded and owns the six-floor Neville Hair & Beauty salon in Knightsbridge. Always packed and offering some of the best and most consistent blow-dries in London, Elena also founded the Neville Salon in the nearby five-star Bulgari Hotel. Always on the look out for the latest and greatest, she consistently brings new concepts, partners and products into the salon. She recently launched The Facial Bar – a concept created by Elena and Dr David Jack, offering express dermatological-grade facials at an affordable price. Rarely does one visit Neville and not see Elena’s cheek-to-cheek smile. She’s a force whose success is due to her persistence, talent and own making.
New recycled capsule Tumi Carson bag Courtesy of Tumi
Recycled Capsule Tumi Carson
Tumi has long been recognised as the leader for bags and backpacks. I know, as a freelancer, I live my life out of a back pack — each day I’m often carting around my laptop, a full change of clothes and gym kit, and often at least a litre of water. A top-quality backpack makes all that lifting and shlepping all that much easier. And now, with Tumi’s new recycled capsule collection, you can feel like you’re doing something positive for the planet along the way. The Carson, a longtime Tumi favourite, is now made with textiles engineered from 22 post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, diverting 1.8 ounces of post-industrial nylon waste from going into a landfill. This is the future of consumer goods.
Shea raw organic products Courtesy of Shea
Shea Brand Started by three friends brought together by skin difficulties — predominately eczema — Marie, Krystal and Austin have now founded Shea Brand. The idea behind the company is to use all-natural shea butter to create beautifully designed skincare and body care products presented in 100 percent recyclable packaging. All made in New York City from raw certified organic, cruelty free ingredients, the lovely colourful packaging means you’ll be proud to showcase these on your dresser or in your bathroom. And they make perfect gifts.
Organic face oils from By Sarah Courtesy of By Sarah
By Sarah Founded and run by two sisters, Lauren and Sarah, By Sarah is a beautiful young skincare brand aiming to cut through a lot of the noise and confusion in the industry. It all began out of trauma, when Lauren was diagnosed with leukaemia, her sister Sarah set about to blending a series of all-natural serums and oils to soothe Lauren’s sensitive skin. Now a fully fledged natural and organic skincare line, the mission is still to keep things simple and transparent. All the ingredient are listed on the front of each bottle and they’re simple, pronounceable and real.
Aicha McKenzie, founder of AuthenticallyFit Yoga Courtesy of Aicha McKenzie,
Aicha McKenzie, Founder of AuthenticallyFit Yoga
A successful agent, creative director, choreographer and former British gymnast, Aicha McKenzie has now started AuthenticallyFit Yoga. Aicha hosts a series of bespoke yoga, breathing and meditation-based classes, helping busy and successful people decompress and reconnect with themselves. She hosts her classes in the homes of her clients or even at their offices or on the fly at events — backstage at fashion weeks etc. Aicha works with her clients to create what they need, when they need it, predominately with clients in the fashion and entertainment industries.
