Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2018 i ELLE Australia

“The moon has gone viral. I wasn’t expecting that,” says French designer Marine Serre. The 26-year-old isn’t talking about planetary health (or lack thereof), despite being among those challenging the fashion industry’s view of sustainability. Serre is referring to the crescent logo that has come to signify the brand she launched in 2O16, appearing as prints and discreet motifs on bodysuits and bias-cut silk dresses worn by Rihanna and Cate Blanchett. Sustainability is implicit in what Serre does, with repurposed fabrics (from vintage silks to gym balls) making up a third of her A/W 18-19 collection. “But I don’t use that word,” she says. “It’s more about inventing and rethinking production. It’s also about making sustainable practices so normal they don’t distract from the fact these are great clothes. At…

“My job involves working with many creatives on shoots, so it’s easier to stick to a  black-and-white palette and play with textures and print. You’ll often find me in Ellery, Céline and Balenciaga.” “I’m in another world when I’m in my studio. Using my hands and being away from a  screen is part of my creative process. Although the kind of art I  create these days is a  lot less messy than the work I used to do.” “When I started out, my favourite thing to do was save up for investment accessories. High street pieces feel more special when worn with a really beautiful bag or pair of shoes. I also have a soft spot for jewellery and have a small collection of pieces I rotate on a  weekly basis.” “Some of my favourite…

When Harry Styles tweeted a single lyric from King Princess’ debut single, “1950” in February, he didn’t even have to name the song to put it – and the teen star behind it – on the map. There’s now little doubt as to the origins of the lyric; the song it’s from has over 120 million streams and counting on Spotify alone. Since then,  Straus has felt the love from musicians Charli XCX, Halsey, Tegan and Sara, and The xx’s Romy Madley Croft. “It feels amazing to be supported by other people in the industry,” she says. “I think it’s easy to think about what is fucked up in our creative communities, but there’s  a  lot of love there, too.” Straus doesn’t shy away from her sexuality in her lyric-writing. “1950” was inspired by…

The thing you have to understand about Busy Philipps is this: she should be an award-winning, name-up-in-lights star. It’s not like she hasn’t put in the work. Over 20 years, she’s auditioned for pretty much everything. She’s  nailed a few leading roles, but mostly she’s been the fabulous support act (see: Dawson’s Creek, Freaks And Geeks, Cougar Town). She knows everyone. She campaigned for Hillary Clinton. She’s best friends with Michelle Williams. She’s  written a hit movie (more on this later). She’s not quite the household name she should be. But that’s about to change. Ironically, it’s Philipps’ Instagram account, followed by 1.1  million people, that has turned her into the kind of bona fide breakout star she was always meant to be. To her followers, Philipps is an everyday enigma – relatable but glamorous.…

I grew up on a cattle farm in Toowoomba, so I know this life very well. We had droughts when I was a kid, but the longest one was three months, short by today’s standards. I remember one particular time when the rain came; it was two days after Christmas and we all ran outside when we heard the drops. It was amazing, none of us could quite believe it. I still remember the feeling of the rain on my skin after so long without it. I created the fundraiser One Bucket because I wanted to let people know about the drought. As I was travelling around the country for my work as a wedding photographer, I saw its devastating effects firsthand. But I wasn’t reading anything about it in…

Hit the open road, get lost, chase the sun… The new MG3 AUTO gives you the freedom to go your own way The perfect car shouldn’t just tick off those essential practicality points – it should also be pretty to look at and thrilling to drive. Enter the new MG3 Auto: a sporty hatch that is minimal while staying true to its classic British heritage; that has power and sex appeal, yet is super affordable. Its clever gadgets and chic interior and exterior trims are customisable, so you can create the car of your dreams to suit your lifestyle (and wardrobe). Yes, with its triple-threat of style, personality and performance, you’ll fall head over (new-season) heels… DRIVEN BY PERFORMANCE City women will love that the four-speed automatic comes as standard…

SAY YOU’RE ONE OF THE 75 PER CENT OF WOMEN who rarely has an orgasm from vaginal sex, or the five per cent who can’t. Or, say, sex has been painful for you since having a baby and you need a whole lot of lead-up before anything is going anywhere; that you’re between partners or with someone who isn’t, so to speak, a  dab hand. For whatever reason, you need a vibrator. But say it’s also 1995, or 2005, or 2015, for that matter. Your options? Ascending the dark stairs of an adult shop to pick from a shelf of veiny plastic penises, made of who-knows-what kind of BPA-leaching materials from an unregulated overseas factory, while a leather-clad man behind the counter follows you with a  lecherous gaze, getting ready…

Q. CANNABIS, CBD OIL, HEMP OIL…I’M CONFUSED. WHAT’S LEGAL IN BEAUTY PRODUCTS AND WHY SHOULD I CARE? PLEASE EXPLAIN. A . The law around these ingredients is definitely confusing, especially because it’s not standardised worldwide. You may have seen a product on Instagram that contains CBD (cannabidiol) oil (Ouai’s Scalp & Body Scrub, for example), that is available in America, but accessing CBD oil here requires a bunch of red tape and requirements to be met. Think of hemp and marijuana as cousins — two unique strains of the cannabis plant. They’re grown differently and their chemical compounds vary: hemp is low in the psychoactive chemical THC and marijuana, you know, isn’t. Both hemp oil and CBD oil come from the same strain, but different parts of the plant (they’re…

I HATE WAKING UP with sparkle on my pillow, so I wear Stila glitter eyeshadows – they’re almost liquid, so they slide on, and better yet, slide off easily. USING THE LA MER FACE WASH IS the dreamiest way to wake up in the morning; the fragrance reminds me of diving into the deep blue sea. INSTANT ENERGY is a miracle product that literally does what it says on the tin. It adds life and energy to your hair. DR BARBARA STURM’S GLOW DROPS add the perfect dewy sheen, especially when my skin is feeling dull and tired. RIGHT NOW, I’M WEARING JO MALONE LONDON’S Jasmine Sambac & Marigold fragrance, as it’s light, floral and perfect for summer. At night, I add the Tuberose Angelica body crème – it’s musky…

IF THERE WAS ONE MVP OF BEAUTY – the single most powerful, complexion-changing, versatile product in any skincare arsenal – it would be the serum. By virtue of its liquidy (usually water- or oil-based) formulation, serum can deliver extremely small molecules of concentrated active ingredients much more deeply into skin than any moisturiser can. “Some people think it sounds complicated, but a serum only takes seconds to use,” says Manhattan dermatologist Dr Whitney Bowe. “And it’s the one step I say to never skip, because it makes the most meaningful changes in the skin.” While most of us, barring the odd K-Beauty enthusiast, probably own only one of these watery wonders, amplified benefits can be derived from a broader selection – that is, a sort of serum wardrobe, with options…

“I’ve tried other ways to keep my kit organised but this really is the only sane way to do it.” 1. Clear Cases, from $1.50 MUJI, muji.com.au “This product melts away traces of makeup and leaves skin glowing and prepped for the next round. It doesn’t sting the eyes when removing eye makeup, which is no mean feat.” 2. Cleansing Oil Rose Geranium and Apricot, $95, VOTARY, votary.co.uk “This is simply the best if you want dewy, youthful skin. It has more coverage than the average tinted moisturiser but still allows you to see the skin. It also has great staying power and is super easy to top up throughout the day.” 3. Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser, NARS, $66, mecca.com.au “I’m mad about this brush for applying tinted moisturiser and…

BEND IT LIKE BALDWIN She’s dominated the runways for fashion empires like Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino and Tommy Hilfiger. Her Instagram followers tally almost 15 million. And her jaunts to the gym or the set of her raucous rap-battle show,  Drop The Mic, are tabloid fodder. So how does 21-year-old Hailey Baldwin keeps her stress in check under such intense scrutiny? By breaking a sweat. “I’ve been boxing for the past three years – it reminds me of dance in how coordinated it is,” says Baldwin, who spent last summer boxing at Rumble in New York. “I was in the best shape I’ve ever been.” She and fiancé Justin Bieber have also been papped leaving celeb favourite Barry’s Bootcamp (now in Australia). When she needs emotional support, she also turns to her parents (her dad is actor Stephen Baldwin) and friends like…

I ... cleanse in the shower with Synergie Ultracleanse. I then apply SuperSerum+ mixed with Pure C crystals. I wear our MineralWhip as my day makeup — it protects from UVA that gets through my car and office windows and blue light from screens. I keep fit with ... a vibration plate trainer and a 15-minute workout with kettle bells every day. I used to be a running junkie but that took its toll on my legs, so I prefer long walks whenever I have the chance. To relax I … oil paint. I manage to lose hours in front of a canvas on weekends. It’s my way of getting into the zone, my alternative to yoga. I also love whipping up new ‘formulations’ like walnut and fruit loaves, frozen…

The term bi-coastal doesn’t often encompass a commute across the Pacific Ocean, but that’s exactly how Lorna Jane Australia’s founder and creative director, Lorna Jane Clarkson, and her husband Bill live, splitting their time between their homes in Brisbane and the coastal suburb of Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles. “We had been looking for three years before we found this house,” says Clarkson. “One of the reasons we fell in love with it was the well-established and beautifully serene gardens. The houses are completely hidden from the road and surrounded by lush foliage ranging from California palms to Australian gums.” (The property, built in 1948, includes a main house and the Bailey House, a smaller, original structure designed by famed modernist architect Richard Neutra, which she uses as a design…

MRS ROBINSON I’m thriving in a snazzy new job, and last night I returned from a week at an interstate office. Tired and jet-lagged, I  ordered a bottle of bourbon from the local alcohol store. The delivery boy was hot – a wiry, tattooed bike messenger type with David Bowie cheekbones and green eyes. I went to tip him and discovered I  had no cash. So I invited him in for some bourbon. I didn’t have sex with him, but we did a little of everything else, just like in high school. Which he no doubt remembers very well, since he is 24. I just turned 49. Dilemma one: he just texted me to see me again. Dilemma two: I haven’t had sex in over a year. Dilemma three: I can’t possibly look that…

MARINA AFONINA @mafoninastylist The in-demand Sydney stylist (and minimalist mastermind behind cult fashion label Albus Lumen) embraces European vibes in “Summer Hours” on p110. On my playlist: The Call Me By Your Name soundtrack. I’m obsessed. On my reading list: Anything about Egypt, mythology or ancient history. On my to-do list: Take a  pottery class. On my wish list: A Bulgari serpenti ring in yellow gold with a diamond face. It reminds me of my recent trip to Italy. On my bucket list: I would love to go to Egypt and see the pyramids of Giza. On my blacklist: Our lack of a cure for cancer. JODIE LANGFORD @bodeburnout The Aussie illustrator, known for her sarcastic yet relatable sketches, dreamt up a custom creation for this month’s issue –  check it out on p178. On…

The resort season has always made for a fun injection of post-winter clothing, and this year’s collections are free and easy, throwing caution to the wind. Or make that throwing caution to the sea breeze, because surf culture is influencing fashion in a big way right now. For some pre-prep, reference Tyler in Point Break (skip the remake and rewind to 1991). With her rugged denim and tie-dye tees, Lori Petty’s iconic character typified the ball-busting better-than-the-boys attitude we all need to be channelling today. “For some reference pre-prep, Tyler in Point Break” Visual mood board in place, pivot to the resort collections for the 2018 interpretation. Designers from New York to Paris were overwhelmingly in support of easy-wear pieces that riff on bright colours and cool cuts, and they’re by no means restricted…

So you splashed out on that special silk blouse. But did you factor in the $25 you’ll pay every one or two wears to dry-clean it? “Brands often use ‘dry-clean only’ as the default on care instruction tags, but most garments and fabrics can be safely washed by hand or in the machine,” says Alexandra Brown, founder of Ms Brown garment care, laundry and body products, who regularly machine washes Jac + Jack and Lee Mathews silk tops and cashmere knits. (She suggests using a garment bag for anything with buttons or tassels.) Kirsty Davies of Fisher & Paykel laundry product development says the quality of your tools is very important. “If you care about your clothing you should also care about how it’s cleaned. Find out if your machine…

PERHAPS IT’S BECAUSE HOLLYWOOD happened to her, and not the other way around, that 22-year-old Sasha Lane doesn’t seem preoccupied with clamouring to please it. “I’m pretty good at sticking to my guns,” she says. “I don’t care how much money they’re offering, or how big the role, or how cool the party is. I just don’t take shit from people. I’ve been asked, ‘Will you switch your hair?’ Fuck, no. What for?” she says, pointing emphatically at her dreadlocks. The star of Andrea Arnold’s American Honey, a film that won the 2016 Cannes Jury Prize, was a 19-year-old psychology student with no acting experience when she was spotted by the director on a Florida beach during spring break. A month later, she had the lead role opposite Shia LaBeouf in the…

“OUR RULE IS THAT VOICE NOTES ARE A LITTLE LIKE NUDES; YOU’VE GOT TO SEND ONE TO RECEIVE ONE” Somewhere between a text and a phone call sits the voice note – a short audio recording sent via WhatsApp or Messenger – with more personality than a typed missive but without the back-and-forth (or ringtone anxiety) of a call. Whether detailing the happenings of your weekend, or thinking aloud about upcoming plans (“Should we meet at my place first? I’ll grab a red. Bring the cheese you brought last time. Or maybe orange wine?”) you can achieve more with a couple of quick voice notes than even the most rapid-fire text exchange. Once the preferred medium of high-powered business types to send directives to their PAs, or parents with no hands…

“I’VE WANTED TO write a  book for about 10 years,” says Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt star Ellie Kemper. “Of course, I  waited until I  had a baby when I had plenty of time to do it.” Kemper, known for playing lovable rubes, has written My Squirrel Days, a  memoir that serves as an antidote to these dark times. It demands nothing of the reader, but is snarkily funny, subversive and just plain fun.  To celebrate its release, we chatted about her favourite co-stars. On Rose Byrne, Bridesmaids co-star: “One of your own! That woman is so beautiful. I  had to wear sunglasses around her, she’s like the sun. The terrible thing about Rose, for me, is that she is so funny but also so great with drama. I wanted to ask her about…

“I THINK I MAY BE THE VOICE OF MY GENERATION,” Hannah Horvath tells her parents over dinner in Girls. “Or at least a voice of a  generation.” It was the perfect beginning to a  series that explored the entitlement, delusions and neuroses of twenty-something women living in New York. It was also the beginning of us placing all of our hopes, politics, anxieties and futures in a young female writer in the public eye as if she were a  vessel for our collective identity. And while many did not think of writer Lena Dunham as their ambassador, an agenda was fixed in the public consciousness: this young woman is The Voice of a Generation. The sweeping epithet may have famously been attached to Dunham, but it’s wriggled its way into discussions about…

BEAUTY NOTE Like a cool dip on a hot day, Si Passione is a fresh blend of blackcurrant, rose and jasmine. Si Passione, $149 for 50ml, GIORGIO ARMANI, giorgioarmanibeauty.com.au…

Take your cues from the runway: Alexander McQueen, Roberta Einer and Naeem Khan agree a slick braid is this year’s peaceful resolution to the annual war against humidity. Keep it polished for 9-5 by prepping strands with smoothing serum before plaiting a low pony (that means a hair tie on both ends), and finishing with shine spray to keep rogue hairs in line.…

WAKE UP TIME: I wake up naturally, no alarm, an hour before my daughter – so 5:30am. I spend the time feeding the dog and fixing my daughter’s breakfast. BEST PYJAMAS: I go from mum to girlfriend mode. Sometimes I am in a white undies and tee phase, other times I love a silk slip. Intimissimi and Agent Provocateur do the best ones. MORNING BEAUTY ROUTINE: I shower both morning and night. I love Dr Bronner’s washes. And sometimes I put the Weleda oils that I use on my daughter onto my own skin. I love oil cleansers; keeping my skin hydrated is so important. And I moisturise as much as possible. I like Cosmedix – they just work on my skin. And I’ve used Garnier shampoo and conditioner since…

“THE ESSENCE OF AN AMPOULE IS ABOUT FAST DELIVERY TO THE DEEPER LAYERS” SUMMER IS UPON US AND it’s time to dial up the training routine (no, no, your ass looks great — we’re talking about your skin and hair). A low-maintenance glow and frizz-free shine is the season’s protocol, and ampoules (a K-Beauty essential) are the speedy secret weapon ready to pick up the slack. “Ampoules supercharge your existing routine,” says Shelley Peterson from Babor. “They are single-dose infusions of pure, highly concentrated actives that follow a highly specialised and sterilised packaging system, and are sealed without preservatives.” The vials may be adorable but their tiny size is by design — each delivers a foolproof single dosage which is important when dealing with super-active formulations and potent ingredients. There’s…

NEXT-GEN TANNING LAST BEACH SEASON sparked a race to see how bronzed we could get, but this year there’s a  shift. Yes, a deep, golden colour has its benefits, but the real workhorse of your 2018 summer regimen is something a bit softer. The new wave of self-tanners feature clear formulas, whether water,  mousse, dry oil or spray, for a  more subtle bronze finish that’s as much about radiance and glow as it is colour. The even better news? You can slide into your sheets worry free. MIRROR-FREE MAKEUP A NUDE FACE AT THE BEACH is a little like stepping out without jewellery: make just a little more effort and you’ll look amazing. Unless you’ve invested in an oversized Céline tote, you’ll need portable, foolproof formulas (which you can apply or reapply minus…

“EARTHA KITT AND KATHARINE HEPBURN DIDN’T ACCEPT THE STATUS QUO. I AM DRAWN TO THEIR INTEGRITY… AND THEIR ABILITY TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF HISTORY”LUPITA NYONG’O ACTRESS & HUMANITARIAN The 2018 woman is woke, empowered and dynamic: we want a scent that represents our new mindset and strong voice, that sums up our complexities and contrasts. Enter WOMEN by CALVIN KLEIN, a portrait of today’s woman: she lives by her own rules but is all about the sisterhood, she evolves and reinvents herself and isn’t afraid to speak out about her passions. Developed under CALVIN KLEIN’S visionary chief creative officer Raf Simons and dreamt up by parfumers Annick Menardo and Honorine Blanc, the rich woody floral weaves notes of delicate orange flower petals, fresh eucalyptus acorns and rich Alaskan cedarwood.…

Meet Chanel’s buoy bag. Inspired by the romantic era of cruising and crafted in a  Breton-esque colour palette, the bag has us wanting to ditch our neutral carryalls. Pair the cheeky shape with classic wardrobe staples – think tweed jackets, denim and pearls – for a seaside jaunt in the city.…

Layer voluminous dresses, blouses and scarves for a new take on retro florals. Blush pink, pastel blue and soft tangerine are your summer go-to hues.…

“Prints range from REWORKED polka dots to EDGY logos and retro florals” Denmark’s doyennes of street style have uncovered a new two-step system for trans-seasonal dressing: find a long, printed smock dress then wear it. Every. Single. Day. Copenhagen-approved prints range from reworked polka dots to edgy logos and retro florals, but one theme is consistent: volume. Pair big sleeves or maxi lengths with thongs by day and pointed, colourful heels for evening. Finish the look with a textured top-handle bag and you’ve mastered the art of Scandi-girl cool.…

Some of Hollywood’s brightest are in dark roles this month, and we’ve never liked them more – starting with Claire Foy as Lisbeth Salander in The Girl In The Spider’s Web. Dakota Johnson, Mia Goth and Chloë Grace Moretz star in Suspiria, about a  dance company whose evils are far worse than overzealous dance mums. Don’t miss Aussie ingénue Odessa Young as she joins Suki Waterhouse and Hari Nef in Assassination Nation, then round out the month with Zoë Kravitz as witch Leta Lestrange in Harry Potter prequel Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald.…

IF YOU THINK CARB-LOADING on Uber Eats’ finest pasta while scrolling through your Capri holiday #TBTs is akin to eating like the Italians do, think again. It’s time to embrace the digestif – an alcoholic drink consumed in Italy after dinner and intended to aid digestion. The Italians’ beverage of choice with which to do so? Amaro. While the word translates literally to “bitter” in Italian, there’s nothing to be mad about when it comes to the delicious, syrupy spirit. Not to be confused with amaretto, amari (the plural of amaro) is the name given to bitter herbal tinctures, often with floral and citrus notes, and usually enjoyed neat or on the rocks. Campari and Aperol are technically amari, but there are countless variations from all over Italy, and plenty other inspired versions being made elsewhere (like our own Adelaide Hills…

WHEN FINN COLE LANDED the role of the character J in the TV production of Animal Kingdom (a decidedly glossier, Los Angelean take on the gritty Australian film), the clout of the original wasn’t lost on him. “Going into it, that film was one of my favourites. I thought what they did was perfect,” says Cole. Cole’s J is, of course, the orphaned teen who ends up under the wing of his crime matriarch grandmother and tight-knit, criminal uncles. “I remember thinking it was quite out of reach for a  young, pretty inexperienced actor like myself at the time,” says Cole. “But it really fascinated me. I thought, ‘Where can this character go? What potential does he have?’ I  knew I had to take it and go for it full throttle.” That he has. The show’s expansion (season…

New-season swimwear is feeling a wave of nostalgia, from the super-high waists to the block-colour maillots and sun-mellowed prints. Sporty ‘80s, floral ‘70s and curve-enhancing ‘50s silhouettes are also making a sartorial splash. Ahead, we’ll help you find cossie contentment – swimsuits that mix throwback cool and flattering fit for the long hot summer ahead. THE LBC No complete without it: this is our pick of the Little Black Cossie bunch. FLOWER POWER Opt for a wallpaper print that looks fresh out of a ‘70s love shack. Motifs to look out for include daisies, gum leaves and micro blooms. COVERT CATS Leopard, tiger and cheetah-print bikinis that are so tonal they could be mistaken for polka dots (with a bite). PUT A RING ON IT The micro-trend infiltrating poolside hangouts…

When Germaine Greer compared the trauma of rape to a  fear of spiders, women did a  double-take. Here was a feminist icon who told us aiming for equality was a  “conservative” goal and she was saying what? “Trauma is something that is dictated really by the sufferer,” Greer said. “I can’t bear huntsman spiders. It is not their fault. It’s my fault… I decided to be frightened of them.” Greer has also criticised Julia Gillard’s “big arse” and said Hollywood actresses speaking out about their #MeToo experiences were “whingeing”. It begs the question, can we still put her on a  feminist pedestal or is criticising her also against the spirit of the sisterhood? “Germaine Greer has irked Australians by aligning herself with a kind of feminism that seems not merely old-fashioned but conservative,” says Dr Lauren Rosewarne, senior lecturer in the School of…

LES BRONZES Commit to a palette of breezy browns, creams and yellows for a  no-fuss summer vibe. WARMED UP Autumnal tones make a hot-weather debut in the form of almost-maxi dresses. Just add strappy sandals. EAR CANDY The drop-earring details to look out for: beads, pearls and shells. BIG SPLASH The new way to do beach cover-ups: stripes and textured details over earthy swimwear. NEW WEAVE A woven bag is your swim-day essential. Pick a size that holds the necessities: phone, keys and SPF.…

“IN THE PAST, THERE WASN’T A LOT YOU COULD DO ABOUT BINGO WINGS” THE REALISATION WE’RE GETTING OLD(ER) hits in surprising ways. For me, it was noticing that I hadn’t listened to any new music since Taylor Swift’s 1989. Also that I was sexually active the year some of my colleagues were born (meaning I could literally be their mother). And then there was realising that I’d subconsciously refused to wear tops or dresses without a sleeve for more than a year. Because while the rest of me was fine – I’m comfortable with my smile lines and most of my body appears pretty much as it always has (as long as I’m in the right light and squinting) – my arms knew exactly how old they were. And while…

Bottega Veneta’s luxurious line of fragrances, Parco Palladiano, is expanding. Each scent is inspired by the Renaissance beauty of the Palladian Villa’s gardens of the Veneto region in Italy and the bottles are modelled off the delicate dreaminess of Venetian glasswork. So if you can’t quite spring for a month in Italy, these indulgent, unique fragrances are the next best thing.…

The staying power of Shellac is undeniable — that chip-free shine is great… until you want it off. Picking and chipping is damaging to nails, and waiting at the salon with foiled fingers is a time-suck. It may be the definition of a First World problem but it’s enough of a deal breaker for women to skip it all together. “We are noticing that consumers are busier and busier in their everyday lives and don’t have time to invest in salon services,” says Kelly Melanitou, international education manager for CND. “That is why we came up with Shellac Luxe, which provides faster application; two steps instead of three, and faster removal. It saves customers and professionals 15 minutes.” The service comes in 15 exclusive shades such as Charm, a punchy…

YOU DON’T HAVE TO EXCEL at maths to know healthy strands come down to a basic formula: how often you use styling tools multiplied by how hot the tool is, divided by the square root of pi. Or something like that. Thankfully ghd is taking the thinking out of it with their latest technology found in the just-launched Platinum+ straightener. The plates feature a clever new infinity sensor, which measures the temperature 250 times per second, ensuring it remains at 185 degrees Celsius. Extensive research shows that no matter your hair type or thickness, 185 degrees is the sweet spot for fast smoothing without sizzling. “You get ultimate shine and longevity, but without any damage,” says Dr Tim Moore, ghd’s vice president of smart devices.…

For a long time we had to pick sides: toxin-free beauty went to one corner of the bathroom cabinet and serious skincare to the other. Age-proofing, especially, was a toss-up between trusting the ingredients we put on our faces and getting fast, lab-proven results. The game-changer came from clean science. Terri Vinson, a biological scientist and cosmetic chemist, launched her Synergie Skin line by fusing natural ingredients she knew could really retexturise, firm and brighten skin — with science she knew was safe. “A clean science philosophy means all our products are highly active but free from questionable or harmful ingredients,” Vinson says. It’s all certified cruelty-free, too. In control of every step from big idea to bottling, Vinson stands behind the ethics of every formula. Next-level cosmeceuticals – no…

I was in the back of a taxi, driving through the streets of New Orleans, when I felt it: a twist of excruciating pain, like someone had stuck a screwdriver under my rib and spun it over and over, until it was firmly entrenched there. I clutched at the area, wondering what it could be. Then it happened again, and again. I suddenly felt nauseous; I asked the cab driver to pull the car over so I could be sick. My best friend, a nurse, told the driver to go to the nearest hospital when I was ready to get back in. Normally this friend takes a tough-love approach to sickness (being a nurse makes you see hangover headaches with a bit more perspective), but there were other considerations to…

AutoCue We use an autocue to shoot our show, The Hype (consider me Ron Burgundy). To make life easier on the road, I  use a portable app that works via an iPad. It’s  a  lifesaver. Premiere Clip I’ve just started producing my own series on E! Online called Shoesday, so I’ve been learning to use this video editing app. I love being able to execute something from start to finish. The team helps when I accidentally delete everything. #CtrlZ Google Docs This is, by far, my most used app. I write all of my interview and research questions into them so I  can access them from wherever I am.…

ALLEN & UNWIN Kate Morton’s gripping new novel is a tale of murder, theft, art, love, loss and a  long-buried secret. With storylines that weave together through time and a  narrator with an unusual vantage point, The Clockmaker’s Daughter is pure beach-reading bliss. $32.99, allenandunwin.com CALVIN KLEIN Inspired by the multifaceted identity of femininity, Calvin Klein’s new scent, Calvin Klein Women, is the first developed under the vision of chief creative officer, Raf Simons. It was created for the empowered modern woman, with all her mystery and complexities. $130, myer.com.au PANDORA The new Reflexions collection of bracelets and clip charms embodies effortless style. Choose from sterling silver, Pandora Rose and Pandora Shine (18k  gold-plated sterling silver). From tonal looks to mixed-metal stylings, the customisable designs mean self-expression is key. pandora.net MG3 The new MG3 Auto is a…

SCORPIO OCT 24 – NOV 22 A  new moon in Scorpio on November 7 points to themes of self-care and personal matters in your home and family life. Jupiter’s entrance in Sagittarius on the 8th will definitely give you more money to play with this year, but don’t go too wild on the spending (especially around the 19th and 26th). Thinking about transforming a  creative project into something lucrative? Create a strategic plan after December 6th when Mercury stations direct. SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 – DEC 22 Jupiter’s entrance into Sagittarius marks the beginning of an auspicious year for you. The last 12 months have seen you float through the darkest corners of your mind in order to clear out useless lingering emotions. The next 12, however, will see you blossom with confidence. It’s  time…