romance issue

HIS & HERS MAGAZINE

Liverpool’s most your glamorous glamorous free glossy. free glossy.

UNDRESS TO IMPRESS IN LUXURIOUS LINGERIE

HIS & HERS MAGAZINE The ROMANCE Issue Feb-March 2013

WIN A VIP BREAK WITH MALMAISON & TRACEY BELL SKINCARE WORTH £300 THIS YEAR’S MOST WANTED GADGETS ROAD-TESTED

BY MATT LITTLER & JAYNE MAHON 2013’S SKINCARE ESSENTIALS

Exclusive interview with

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Editor’s welcome

ROMANCE issue

Welcome

to the Romance issue, featuring our sweet yet sophisticated lingerie shoot and our pick of the bars, hotels, restaurants and gifts that’ll warm even the hardest of hearts.

Highlights of this issue include our exclusive interview and photo-shoot with MOBO award winning ‘Soul Powered Nerd’ Esco Williams (from p14). The His & Hers team spent a fantastic day working on Esco’s feature at Camp & Furnace and can’t wait to see what 2013 holds for one of the fastest rising stars of the music scene.

Another highlight of the month has been working alongside His & Hers’ brilliant new columnists Matt Littler and Jayne Mahon on the first of their regular review features. I had so much fun during their mini-shoot at Matt Ford’s studio that I was almost disappointed when we got the perfect shot in moments. Read all about the products Matt and Jayne have been lusting after this month from p28, but be warned, I take no responsibility for the strong urge to go shopping (or at the very least, the composing of mental wish lists) that will almost certainly follow.

While I’ve been working on His & Hers’ key regional features in the North West, Women’s Style Editor Hester Brodie has been in Lanzarote working on our menswear shoot (from p39), and Hannah Ramsay’s been seeking out London’s best dressed for our Street Smart pages (p26 & 48). Also, in addition to overseeing design and art direction for the issue, Dan Perry at Mediaplay has been working hard behind the scenes to create an iPad app for His & Hers. However you choose to read this issue, I do hope you’ll enjoy it and will come back for more when the next edition hits the stands on 1st April!

Emma Hill Emma Hill (Editor)

Women’s cover shot by Rob Rusling.

Men’s cover shot by Moy Williams.

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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

WWW.ECHOARENA.COM | BOX OFFICE: 0844 8000 400

NE-YO

Alicia Keys

With Special Guest Tulisa

18 May £39.50 - £45.00

8 March £36.00 - £40.00

Ronan Keating

Justin Bieber

With Special Guest Brian McFadden 1 February £33.50

T SOLD OU

24 February

2 February £40.00 - £70.00

28 March £12.50 - £40.00

30 March £30.00 - £60.00

The National Gay Wedding Show 3 March £12.00

2 - 3 February

ER TH O

(£15.00 on the day)

ER TH O

BT CONVENTION CENTRE

The Script

3 February £19.50 - £29.50 The X Factor Live 2013

ft. James Arthur, Jahmene Douglas, Rylan Clark and more 6 February £32.50

The Australian Pink Floyd Show

8 February £29.50 - £37.50 (£89.00 VIP)

Arenacross

13 February £25.00

David Price V Tony Thompson 23 February £40.00 - £95.00 (VIP: £230.00)

4 April £13.00 - £29.50 (Family Tickets Available)

Early Bird Offer (Ends 31 January) Day: £20.00 Weekend: £30.00

Cirque Du Soleil Alegria

30 October - 3 November

£50.00

Milton Jones On The Road

1 November £20.00

4 November £25.00 - £32.50

13 & 27 March £32.50

Jesus Christ Superstar 15 March £30.00 - £65.00

20th Anniversary Concert Ft. Kerry Ellis and Rory Taylor 27 April £26.50 - £35.00

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS

Classical Spectacular ®

MUSIC • LIGHTS • LASERS • FIREWORKS 16 March £27.50 - £39.50 (Family Tickets Available)

T SOLD OU

9 November

£10.00 - £29.50 (Gold Circle £39.50)

Micky Flanagan

Tiers: £20.00 Floor: £35.00 - £40.00

12 November £24.50

Eddie Izzard

For The Love Of Mrs Brown

2 May

Back In The Game Tour Starring Brendan O’Carroll

5 May £35.00

26 - 30 November £21.50 - £39.50

Leona Lewis

Diversity

17 & 31 March

15 May £35.00 - £55.00

Girls Aloud

Mark Knopfler and Band

20 March £42.50

19 May £41.00 - £45.00

Men’s & Women’s Artistic Gymnastics British Championships

Walking With Dinosaurs The Arena Spectacular

22 - 24 March £10.00 - £30.00 £5.00 - £15.00 (under 16s)

Brit Floyd Presents P-UL-S-E

McCoy’s Premier League Darts

Force Majeure

One Direction

ft Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Jimmy White & John Parrott 1 June £20.00 (VIP £70.00 Under16s £15.00)

Jessie J

Olly Murs

Adult: £19.00 - £39.00 Child: £10.00 - £29.00 Family: £49.00 - £89.00

With Benga Live, P Money and DJ Micky Slim

Justin & Friends

10 April £35.00 - £85.00

10 February

Example

CBeebies Live presents

Il Divo & Katherine Jenkins

9 March £29.50

Little Mix

Snooker Legends

KUGB Presents The WSKA Cirque Du Soleil World Shotokan Alegria Karate Championships 22 - 26 May 30 October - 3 November 28£50.00 - 29 September £25.00 - £45.00

27 February - 3 March £13.00 - £36.00 (Family: £44.00 - £72.00)

BT CONVENTION CENTRE

‘You Write The Rules’ World Tour

6 February 2013 £32.50

Donny & Marie Live

£12.00 (£15.00 on the day Under 16s free)

Harlem Globetrotters

22 - 26 May £25.00 - £45.00

Limitless

4 December £23.50 - £33.50

JLS

9 December £25.00 - £33.50

Miranda Hart My What I Call, Live show

25 March 2014 £27.50 Family £82.00

LIKE US: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ECHOARENA | FOLLOW US: TWITTER.COM/ECHOARENA

...NOW THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT! All ticket purchases are subject to a ‘per ticket’ booking fee and a handling fee. Tickets are subject to availability.

Contents 10 14 18 20 26 27 28 30 31

AN EVERYDAY ADVENTURE, OUR WINDSWEPT WOMENSWEAR SHOOT LIVERPOOL’S UNSUNG HERO ESCO WILLIAMS SPEAKS OUT EMMA MCHARRIE’S ENTERTAINMENT NEWS UNDRESS TO IMPRESS WITH HIS & HERS’ LAVISH LINGERIE SHOOT STREET SMART FOR HER, FEATURING LONDON’S BEST DRESSED WIN A VIP BREAK AT MALMAISON INTRODUCING HIS & HERS NEW COLUMNISTS, MATT LITTLER & JAYNE MAHON OUR SKINCARE ESSENTIALS MINI-SHOOT WIN A TRACEY BELL SKINCARE SET WORTH £300

32 34 35 39

44 48 49 52 58

BEAUTY TREATMENTS TRIED & TESTED YOUR INDESPENSIBLE VALENTINE’S GIFT GUIDE HESTER’S LOOKS, VALENTINE’S SPECIAL SHORE THING – OUR LANZAROTE STYLE SHOOT FEATURING SPRING’S KEY MENSWEAR TRENDS FITNESS FOCUS STREET SMART FOR HIM, FEATURING LONDON’S BEST DRESSED HIS & HERS’ SOCIAL DIARY HIGHLIGHTS FINE DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & TRAVEL MY DESIGN PASSIONS, FEATURING MAUREEN HOOSTON, THE MD OF MOCOCO

Untitled-11 1 Untitled-11 1

25/01/2013 16:50 25/01/2013 16:50

Contributors Emma Hill Editor emma@eg-publishing.com

Dan Perry of Mediaplay Design & Art Direction

e

dan@mediaplay.co.uk www.mediaplay.co.uk

u Publicis Blueprint

MPD20009080 PB1901201026

no

105242922

Hester Brodie Women’s Style Editor

28/04/11

creation for HP Portugal

hester@eg-publishing.com

Luke Trevaskis Men’s Style Editor luketrevaskis@hotmail.com

Please pay by cheque or directly into the following account Account name

Mediaplay Design Limited

Account number

23856484

Kellianne Chandler Shoot Photographer

Sort code

72-00-06

Swift code

ALEIGB22

IBAN number

Bank address

GB62ALEI72000623856484

ALLIANCE & LEICESTER Commercial Bank, Bootle, Merseyside , GIR 0AA

Kirstie McNulty Shoot Photographer

Total £90

Hannah Ramsay Fashion Writer

p: +44(0)208 425 0104 e: design@mediaplay.co.uk w: http://www.mediaplay.co.uk a: 18 Crestway, London, SW15 5BY

GN LTD Registered MEDIAPLAY DESIGN LTD 336 Hackney Rd, London, E2 7AX COMPANY NUMBER 635214

hannah-ramsay@hotmail.co.uk

Amy Goodwin Intern amigoodwin29@yahoo.com

With thanks to Bryan Harrop info@bryanharropstyling.com www.bryanharropstyling.com

Women’s fashion Coat by AsimGee worn with boots by Hush Puppies

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.

An

Fashion Essentials for the City Streets.

Everyday

Adventure We may be dreaming of sunshine and far away shores, but look closely and there’s beauty to be found in wintry skies, windswept beaches and those comforting chunky knits that shield us from the elements.

Jacket, £40, River Island; shirt, £12, Primark; shorts, £22, New Look; Belt by Isabel Marant at Cricket; glasses, £125, Ray Ban at John Lewis; ring, stylist’s own.

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women’s fashion

Take a walk on the wild side in spring’s dresseddown knits

.

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Dress by Claire Andrew, boots by Hush Puppies & earrings by Millefiori.

Photographer: Noree Anne Celine; Model: Kitty Moran; MUA & Hair: Noree Anne Celine; Styling: James Connolly.

Knit by Zara, vest by Esprit, necklace by Claire’s Accessories & earrings by Lafayette.Â

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I want to be a good example, not an idol

ESCO WEARS: Camouflage shirt, Topman, £36; Boy London cap & Blood Brothers bomber jacket, all from Selfridges Manchester.

Words: Emma Hill, PHOTOGRAPHER: Matthew Stansfield; FASHION STYLIST: Bryan Harrop at Boss Model Management; FASHION ASSISTANT: Beth; MEN’S HAIR & GROOMING: Collette Casey. LOCATION: Camp & Furnace, Liverpool. WITH THANKS TO: Alistair Goldsmith & Ben Osu.

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His&hers interview

ESCO WILLIAMS L i v e r p ool ’ s U n S u n g H e r o

Winner of the MOBOs UnSung Award Esco Williams tells His & Hers why he’s less driven by the trappings of fame than by an old fashioned desire to make a difference.

W

hen His & Hers met Esco Williams, the singer songwriter and self-proclaimed ‘soul powered nerd’ had just returned from a trip to LA and was being courted by the press in the UK and US. We were prepared for a big ego to accompany such a stellar success story, but when Esco greeted the His & Hers team, we realised immediately that the polite, understated and open star had not had his head turned even slightly by the trappings of success.

After a relaxed chat with the team, Esco found a quiet spot in Camp & Furnace’s expansive dining area, where he opened up about his diverse musical influences, spanning decades and genres, from Al Green, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder to Liverpool’s new wave of musicians.

Having opened for a series of the UK’s biggest names, Esco has no shortage of industry insiders willing to speak frankly about their experiences. He told His & Hers: “I’ve seen first-hand how the pressures of

ESCO WEARS: Purple Topman shirt, £34; dickie bow, stylist’s own; Topman jeans, £30 & trainers £110 from Diesel at the Metquarter, Liverpool.

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His&hers INTERVIEW this industry can affect people.” However, Esco has also had the benefit of seeing how his predecessors have handled those pressures, and has listened to advice from some of the best in the business, perhaps most notably Damon Albarn, who spoke frankly to Esco about how he’d stepped out of the limelight and rediscovered his early love of music with Gorillaz.

Esco cheerfully confessed that it’s not just fame that can be challenging, declaring: “It’s been a hard graft trying to make a living out of music, and being a MOBO winner definitely makes that side of things easier!”

Since entering the music industry as a teenager, Esco has had a firm focus on giving something back to his community as a youth facilitator and through his music.

He explained: “I don’t want to be a brown Justin Bieber. I want to be a good example, not an idol! I’m interested in showing young people that being a musician isn’t

all about getting courted by the paparazzi – I’m trying to create good karma and good experiences. Times are hard and everyone’s just doing their best and trying to get along and I want to help where I can.”

Esco was happy to confirm His & Hers’ suspicion that fame hadn’t really changed him, chuckling as he admitted: “I’ve been away on holiday for three weeks and a lot of that time was spent eating and playing Pokemon. I’m known as the ‘original soul powered nerd’ and I’m happy with that label. Being cool to me is about having the confidence to be yourself and embracing what makes you different.’

As our interview draws to a close and Esco prepares to join the rest of the team for the His & Hers photo-shoot, there’s just time for one last question about what 2013 holds for the star. Esco says that he has some new material in the pipeline and is gearing up for his stadium tour. He’s also excited about festival season, saying: “I’m planning on playing as many festivals as possible – I don’t care whether it’s on stage or just in someone’s tent – it’s just about being there!”

Esco will be performing at the O2 Academy in Liverpool on 21st February: www.o2academyliverpool.co.uk & will be starting his national tour in March.

At the time of going to press, there were rumours of a New Challenger album in the pipeline. Watch this space!

ESCO WEARS: Acne top from Harvey Nichols Manchester, worn with a cap from Selfridges Manchester & jeans from a selection at Topman. Glasses & shoes are Esco’s own.

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plus special guest

08 MARCH 2013

LIVERPOOL ECHO ARENA 0844 800 0400 | AEGLIVE.CO.UK | AXS.COM SEE TICKETS 0871 230 1097 | TICKETMASTER 08444 775 775 WWW.NEYOTHEGENTLEMAN.COM | ‘R.E.D’ THE NEW ALBUM OUT NOW! AN AEG LIVE PRESENTATION

His&hers lifestyle

Emma McHarrie’s Entertainment News F

Well, where to start?

2013 is already very busy with a packed diary of must-see events!

ebruary and March have a distinctly sporty feel; those who know me may have a little snigger at the thought of me and the word ‘sporty’ being used in the same sentence, but I’m referring, of course, to watching, not partaking!

The end of February sees Liverpool boxing champ David Price take on American Tony Thompson in a 12-round international heavyweight contest – I’m convinced David is a world champion in the making. Meanwhile, in March we’ll be welcoming the stars of the Men’s & Women’s British Artistic Gymnastics, with this year’s event promising to be extra special with our Olympic gymnasts – many of them now superstar medal winners – back competing for British titles in front of the allimportant home crowds. Finally, Liverpool boxer Tony Bellew returns to the Arena for a thrilling fight against Isaac Chilemba in an official final eliminator for the WBC light heavyweight world title.

It’s not all about sport though – my diary also has a healthy sprinkling of music to look forward to! Grammy award winner Ne-Yo kicks off March’s this will be “the fans’ final chance to see the show with events calendar, supported by X Factor judge Tulisa, the original arena tour cast” – definitely one to see! swiftly followed by ladies’ favourite and cheeky Essex Looking further into the year, American superstar chap Olly Murs who’s here for two shows and will Alicia Keys – booked to sing at the U.S. Superbowl no doubt be performing a selection of catchy tracks next month – comes to the Echo Arena in May from his past three albums, including his most recent and number one album, Right Place Right Time. to showcase her fifth studio album, Girl on Fire.

It’s not hard to see why she’s a fourteen time Jesus Christ Superstar returns to Liverpool Grammy Award winner – I think she must be in mid-March after overwhelming praise from one of the most talented artists of our generation audiences and critics alike during the 2012 tour.

- I’ve already cleared my diary for this one!

Original cast members including Tim Minchin, February Top Tip: Jesus Christ Superstar – 15 March.

Melanie C & Chris Moyles are reprising their roles, For more information, visit: www.echoarena.com with show creator Andrew Lloyd Webber saying that

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it’s our chance to shine

it’s the Grand National 4th - 6th April 2013 Ticket Hotline 0844 579 3001

aintree.co.uk #JSGN2013

Teddy, £49, Collection by John Lewis; necklace, £97, Alex Monroe at Benna; charm bracelet, £195, Alex Monroe at Benna; earrings, £1, Primark.

Dress, £1,360, Catherine Deane at Harvey Nichols; necklace, £12.99, H&M; arm cuff, £6.99, H&M; rings, £95 each, at Harvey Nichols, Manchester.

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Women’s fashion

UNdress impress to

Whatever you’re wearing, slip on some of this season’s most sensual lingerie underneath to unleash your inner siren.

Black Basque & Stockings Basque, £60, Boux Avenue; suspender belt, £20, Boux Avenue; knickers, £18 Boux Avenue; necklace, £525, Shourouk at Benna; stockings, £5.25, John Lewis, shoes, Kurt Geiger.

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Dress by Claire Andrew, boots by Hush Puppies & Red Underwear Set earrings

by Millefiori.

Bra, £30, John Lewis; thong, £15, John Lewis; suspender belt, £15, stockings, £5.25, John Lewis £5.25.; earrings, £52, Anton Heunis at Benna & necklace from Benna.

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Women’s fashion Cream Underwear Bra £26, Boux Avenue, worn with knickers, £16, also from Boux Avenue.

Spring’s most lusted after lingerie has a retro-chic twist.

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Black & Cream Set with Cover-Up Bra, £24, Boux Avenue; knickers, £10, Boux Avenue; Kimono, £25, Ann Summers; ‘Amour’ necklace from Benna; stockings, £5.25, John Lewis.

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PHOTOGRAPHER: Moy Williams; STYLIST: Hester Brodie; ART DIRECTOR: Josh Taylor; HAIR & MAKE-UP: Paula Maxwell; MODEL: Erica at Industry People; STYLIST’S ASSISTANT: Natalie Oldershaw; PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT: Lucy Sugden-Smith; LOCATION: Abode, Manchester.

woMen’s fashion

Update a classic look with a clever cover-up

An exclusive fashion show featuring the latest trends, live entertainment, complimentary cocktails, celebrity appearances, late night shopping, luxury prizes and much more!

Visit www.springintostyle.co.uk to get your tickets now – just £10!

Follow us @springin2style

springintostyle.indd 1

30/01/2013 15:52:52

women’s fashion

STREET SMART

The Street Smart team hit the streets of London to find out how our readers have been wrapping up while waiting for spring to arrive.

WORDS: Hannah Ramsay, PICTURES: Alexandra Burnside Hughes

Gemma, 22

Student Pulling off head-to-toe high street isn’t always easy, but here Gemma does it well, combining a New Look dress with a jacket from H&M and River Island scarf. Her shoes were a bargain buy from New Look.

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Lauren, 18

Student Lauren went for a modern preppy look, pairing dogtooth print leggings from Topshop with a bright blue H&M jumper. She toughened things up with a studded ASOS bag and leather jacket.

Joanna, 22

Student I spotted Joanna’s unusually shaped A140 cape-coat a mile off! She kept the rest of her outfit simple with classic skinny pants from Topshop and ALDO boots and finished with a trilby sourced from eBay.

Ellie, 21

Student Ellie wrapped up against the winter chill in a cosy but stylish cream coat, picked up in a charity shop. Her chunky boots were a Topshop purchase, while the fur scarf is vintage.

Charlotte, 18

Works in Urban Outfitters Charlotte stayed loyal to her brand in a flowery Urban Outfitters dress, but then added a pop of colour with a stylish cobalt coat from ASOS. She finished the look with Topshop boots.

Julia, 29

Journalist Julia looked very chic in her Topshop coat, under which she wore a jumper from French Connection and jeans, also from Topshop.

Office shoes and a Zara bag completed the ensemble.

competition

Win a VIP Break with Malmaison Liverpool & the Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar

His & Hers is giving one lucky reader the chance to win a luxury stay at Malmaison Liverpool, plus a pampering treatment at the Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar.

M

almaison and Harvey Nichols are both brands which are synonymous with indulgence and luxury. From February, they’ll be joining forces to offer guests at Malmaison Liverpool selected offers at the Beauty Bazaar to make your break even more special.

For your chance to win the ultimate girls’ mini break, including Malmaison’s girls’ night in or out package with dinner, a drink, bed & breakfast, plus a pampering treatment at the city’s famous Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar, simply email: emma@egpublishing.com writing ‘Girls’ Weekend Competition’ in the subject heading and explaining why you and a friend deserve a treat and we’ll choose a winner

by March 15th. Winners will be informed by email and will be entitled to hotel accommodation and a selected treatment (treatment details will be sent to the winner by email & are not transferable). Dates are dependant upon availability and this prize does not include transport. Terms & conditions apply. www.malmaison.com www.harveynichols.com/beautybazaar

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His&hers GADGETS

Matt & Jayne’s

Matt Littler & Jayne Mahon Road Test

Matt’s must-haves for him The WiiU Redux

I know this came out at Christmas, but Nintendo built some clever stuff into the WiiU that you might not know about, namely TVii. This genius software (due out later in the year) is a bit of a game changer. The WiiU is already very living room friendly in that you can instantly switch to playing directly on the tablet-like gamepad and it can take over the TV remote duties, too.

Now the WiiU wants in on your programming as well, with TVii - it will scan your Sky+, Tivo, live TV, hard drives and whatever else you feel like attaching to the WiiU and bundle the lot together in one easy-to-use menu. However, the TVii will only be as good as what you can ‘suck’ into it, so get going!

Prices for WiiU bundles start from approx. £239

YouView

We killed off Sky recently and replaced it with a shiny new YouView box. Hands down the best thing we ever did, TV-wise! It does everything you’d expect in terms of recording shows, has an app for your smart-phone, so if you’re out and realise you’ve forgotten to record something, you can ask the box to do it remotely. But, its killer feature is that it can look back in time seven days and call up shows you’ve missed - awesome! Not satisfied with time travel, it also boasts smart TV-style apps, Freeview HD and a 500GB hard drive - I think we’ve found ourselves a Sky beater! www.bt.com/YouView

Seagull 1963

Matt Littler

Enough tech – let’s talk style. When I’m not ‘geeking out’ in Team Deathmatch, I’m obsessed with vintage gentlemen’s accoutrements. I have a dream watch - a ‘60s Universal Geneve Compax - one day it’ll be mine! In the meantime, I’ve found a reissue of a 1960s Chinese army pilot’s watch. This winter, why not ditch the G-Shock and put something a little more refined on your wrist. Available from selected vintage stores.

Matt’s picture is by ITMcreative/parissawalklett, Jayne’s picture is by Matt Ford, www.mattfordstudio.com

W

e’re excited to introduce His & Hers’ new road testing team: former Hollyoaks actor turned TV presenter and director, Matt Littler, who’ll be putting the boys’ toys through their paces. Meanwhile, beauty aficionado Jayne Mahon, who’s an award-winning Art Director & Salon Manager at Andrew Collinge, will be unveiling the most lusted after gadgets for girls. Oh, and did we mention that as Jayne and Matt are newlyweds, we’re anticipating a spot of girls V boys rivalry!

Must-Haves

Spring’s Must-Haves for Him & Her

Jayne’s Must-Haves For Her The GHD Hairdryer

As a busy stylist at Andrew Collinge, I know which boxes need to be ticked when investing in a hairdryer. This one has a 2100 watt motor, making it much more powerful than a normal hairdryer.

Also, it’s ionic (so helps get rid of the dreaded frizz).

The GHD hairdryer has two different sized nozzles – I’d go for the smaller one as it’ll help direct the air flow more precisely for that salon look.

The GHD Hairdryer is available from Andrew Collinge salons, priced from: £99

Clarisonic Plus

This little gem is a personal favourite of Gwyneth Paltrow. The Clarisonic uses sonic frequency of more than 300 moves per second to gently exfoliate your skin, reviving dull areas and increasing blood flow. The plus model also comes with a choice of heads, and with the selection of three different speeds and a body mode.

Clarisonic Mia 2, from £130 from The House Beauty Spa, Liverpool, or selected skincare retailers nationwide.

Origins Plantscription, SPF 25

The Origins mission statement is to create high performance skincare that’s powered by nature and proven by science, and this product more than lives up to that statement.

Not only does Origins Plantscription feel amazing on the skin, but due to the 300,000 raspberry plant stem cells in every jar, it does its job well, oh and it smells pretty good too. So well done Origins - this jar’s a keeper!

Plantscription, £46, from the Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar, Liverpool, & Origins counters nationwide.

Tweet: @mattlittler or @JayneMahon

Jayne Mahon

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Skincare heroes Whether your skin’s still showing the signs of party season excess or is dehydrated due to the recent bad weather, His & Hers has found a skincare solution for you.

STYLIST: Hester Brodie, PHOTOGRAPHER: Rob Rusling at Photolink

Darphin’s Vital Skin collection provides the perfect pick-me-up for tired skin; we’d suggest you try their Anti-fatigue Serum (£49 for 30ml) teamed with the Replumping Energic Emulsion (£39 for 50ml) to give skin that youthful glow.

Balance Me has some fabulous treats for face and body; this amazing face serum is 100% natural and perfect for any skin type (£30 for 30ml). We’re also loving their brightening skin polish - its minty fresh smell and exfoliating crystals make for body buffing brilliance (£15 for 220ml). Available at the Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar.

No beauty feature would be complete without one of the bestselling radiance boosters of all time, Clarins Beauty Flash Balm (£28 for 50ml). The His & Hers team has been teaming this with Clarins’ new HydraQuench Intensive Serum (£40 for 30ml) to help restore skin’s natural hydration while helping us to fake a healthy glow!

If you have sensitive skin we’d recommend this Elemis Apricot toner (£21 for 200ml). It’s alcohol-free making it ultra-gentle, so perfect for daily use, and can be applied to cotton pads to use as an eye rejuvenator. The Elemis range is available from The House Beauty Spa, Liverpool, or on Elemis counters.

Take 15 minutes out and apply Rituals Vitality and Energy mask (£14.50 for 75ml), simply wash away and leave skin feeling refreshed and radiant.

The Hydroplenish anti-aging moisturiser from Tracey Bell’s SkinScription range is their best-seller at this time of year, and deservedly so! This skin saviour quickly plumps and hydrates winter skin, erasing any signs of dehydration (£34 for 28g), www.shop.traceybell.co.uk

His&hers BEAUTY

HIS & HERS ROAD TEST:

Pain-Free Waxing

A quick straw poll of the His & Hers team revealed that waxing was our number one ‘essential’ salon treatment. So when we heard about Strip’s pain-free waxing, we couldn’t resist investigating.

A

fter finding that the men and women in our social circle were both equally hooked on their monthly waxing appointments, we sent a willing male volunteer to Liverpool’s chic new Strip Waxing Bar within the Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar.

Our road-tester said that he was immediately impressed with Strip’s cool modern layout, which he commented was “not too girly.” Staff were friendly and welcoming and we’d heard encouraging reports that Strip delivered the fastest and most genuinely pain-free waxing treatments in the city.

After waiting in the luxurious waiting area, our reporter was ushered into one of the attractive treatment rooms (pictured).

Our road tester commented: “My back hair, even as an extra layer of warmth in mid-winter, had to go. I was in need of ‘manscaping’, and when I heard about the Strip Bar, a luxury waxing boutique, at Harvey Nicks in

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Liverpool ONE, I had to find out more.

“I braved the elements and was warmly greeted by friendly professionals. The first thing that struck me was the elegance of the decor: I had my treatment in a chocolate coloured private room, complete with a flat screen TV. I had a full back hot wax and strip wax. Both were painless and fast, and lifted the hair without any friction. It was a pleasure and I’ll definitely be returning.”

The His & Hers Verdict: The hot and strip waxing treatments at Strip are fast, pain-free and carried out in some of the chicest treatment rooms in the city. We’d recommend this treatment to anyone. If you’ve tried waxing before, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by this ultra-luxe (but surprisingly affordable) treatment. If not, we think that like His & Hers, you’ll soon be hooked!

Turn to p3 for our exclusive Strip Waxing offer. www.stripwaxbar.com

His&hers His&hers beauty TRAVEL

Fabulous Facials The His & Hers team recommend four of their favorite facials to get skin feeling wonderful and new

Best for Deep Cleansing: Tracey Bell’s Facials Featuring Gentle Microdermabrasion For radiant skin, it really does all start with clever cleansing. If your usual skincare regime just isn’t feeling as effective as usual, and you want to tackle blocked pores, Tracey Bell’s facials featuring gentle microdermabrasion are the best way to turbocharge your skincare routine. After your facial, blackheads will have vanished and skin will look more even and radiant. Don’t let the word ‘microdermabrasion’ put you off – this is a surprisingly relaxing and gentle treatment which delivers instant results.

Best for Anti-Ageing:

Best All-Rounder:

Carita’s Ultimate Gold Perfection Ritual

Dr Karidis’ Hydrafacial Treatment

The iconic Parisian beauty brand Carita has recently arrived at the Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar. If you’re new to the brand and looking for instant radiance, Carita’s Ultimate Gold Perfection Ritual, featuring a handson massage and use of Carita’s world-renowned ‘PRO-LIFT’ technology is a great introduction to the brand. His & Hers met with therapist Rochelle and was impressed by her in-depth skincare knowledge and years of training. Definitely a safe pair of hands! Price: £155.

This popular facial is suitable for all skin types. After an initial assessment, a specific hydrafacial treatment will be tailored to suit your unique skincare type and to target specific skincare concerns.

Combining cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration and antioxidant protection, this facial really is the ultimate all-rounder!

Tel. 0845 606 0342, www.karidis.co.uk

Tel. 0161 838 8873, www.carita.co.uk

Best for Beauty on the Go: Guinot’s Express Facials at The House Beauty Spa If you’ve been meaning to book a facial for months, but just never seem to have the time, we’d recommend Guinot’s 30-minute Hydraclean Facial or their 45-minute Essential Facial.

The Hydraclean costs just £25 and is perfect if you’re suffering one of those unfortunately timed breakouts before an important event. The treatment is proven to decrease the size of blemishes by a whopping 97%. His & Hers tried it while suffering a minor break out and we were delighted by the ahem, ‘on the spot’ action. Tel. 0151, www. thehousebeautyspa.co.uk

Tel. 0151 707 0340, www.traceybell.co.uk

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His&hers GIFTS

V❤lentine’s Wish-List We’ve rounded up our pick of the sweetest treats from Liverpool ONE.

Harvey Nichols Rosé ChampagNe, £32, from the Harvey Nichols pop-up Food Market at Liverpool ONE.

J‘ enny’ gingham underwear; bra, £24, & knickers, £10, from Boux Avenue, Liverpool ONE.

Thierry Mugler’s ‘Womanity’, £62.50 for 80ml.

Available from John Lewis, Liverpool ONE

TeaShed ‘You are my Cup of Tea’ tea bags, £4, from John Lewis, Liverpool ONE.

Lomography Evelyn Camera from Urban Outfitters at Liverpool ONE.

Harvey Nichols Marc de Champagne truffles, £18.95, from the Harvey Nichols pop-up Food Market at Liverpool ONE.

Lancôme ‘ Blush in Love’, £34, from Beauty Bazaar, Harvey Nichols at Liverpool ONE.

‘To’ Heart Mug by Miriam Mirri, £17, from Utility at Liverpool ONE.

Hommage Carbon Fibre shave set, £390, from Beauty Bazaar, Harvey Nichols at Liverpool ONE.

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If your goal is to make a great first impression, we think we’ve found you the winning LBD. This little number has the perfect balance of class and sex appeal - its longer length gives you the right amount of grown-up glamour, yet its mesh panelling exudes sex appeal. Dress, £35, River Island.

To finish off this sophisticated yet sexy outfit, we’d suggest a bag that matches the fierceness of those shoes. Opt for something like this studded black and sliver clutch. It’s large enough to make a statement and carry your ondate essentials, yet small enough for evening glamour. Clutch, £45, Accessorize.

Now we know if you’ve been with your partner for years, Valentine’s Day can starts to seem a bit of a cliché. So if you’re not doing anything special, why not pick up this cute pack of heart confetti from M&S and make dinner just that little bit more lovely.

Confetti, £1.50, Marks & Spencer.

Hester’s

LOOKS Whether you’re loved up, have a hot date, or are simply going out with the girls, make sure you’re looking your best this Valentine’s Day.

And finally, ensure that romance is in the air by spritzing one of Jo Malone’s limited edition ‘Sugar & Spice’ fragrances. His & Hers favourites are the delicious ‘Redcurrant & Cream’ and the ultra-indulgent ‘Bitter Orange & Chocolate’handbag-sized sprays, £38 each, www.jomalone.co.uk

Now we know what you may be thinking: White stilettos, really? Yes, really! Spring/ summer 2013 has seen the return of the white stiletto, and why not? Think about the shape, a stiletto is a classic - you’ve been wearing this shape with the perfect jacquard trouser this winter, so why not sex up your spring wardrobe? The key is to keep it simple and don’t pair with out-there brights. Shoes, £65, Office.

What you wear underneath your clothes is just as important as the outfit itself, so why not log on to the-editeur.com and purchase something a little special in their amazing underwear sale. We found this gorgeous Mimi Holiday set for under £50. Bra, £26, and thong, £17.50 both Mimi Holiday at the-editeur.com.

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His&hers Social

An evening with H

Gillian Flynn Best-selling author Gillian Flynn speaks exclusively to guests at The House Beauty Spa’s Book Club.

is & Hers was delighted to join a host of the North West’s most glamorous book lovers for Gillian Flynn’s exclusive talk and book signing at Caveau, Liverpool.

Following an informal dinner, Gillian read excerpts from ‘Gone Girl’, her critically acclaimed novel, which is about to hit the silver screen following a multi-million pound deal with Reese Witherspoon’s production company, before answering a series of questions from guests.

Having written for Entertainment Weekly for a decade before becoming a best-selling novelist, Gillian’s passion for the written word was evident as she chatted to guests about her stellar career.

Margaret Harry, owner of The House Beauty Spa, said: “The House Beauty Spa Book Club events have proven so popular with our ladies, so we are delighted to bring such a leading author as Gillian Flynn to Liverpool.”

About the Book:

On the morning of their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick walks downstairs to find his wife making breakfast in the kitchen.

They have a brief exchange and he leaves the house for work. He returns at lunchtime to find the living room in disarray and his wife gone, apparently abducted. The anniversary present that she was wrapping lies in the middle of the floor, a pair of scissors beside it. Or does he? As Nick struggles to portray himself as the desperately concerned husband and the case against him appears to grow stronger by the day, the real events of that anniversary morning become ever more elusive. Gone Girl is a brilliant portrait of a deeply dysfunctional family marriage and a trial by media rather than jury.

His & Hers’ verdict: We’d recommend this darkly compelling read to anyone who likes their fiction with an edge! www.gillian-flynn.com www.thehousebeautyspa.co.uk

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Men’s fashion His&hers

Shore thing This month’s menswear shoot is inspired by those last-minute adventures that call for travelling light. Leave all those expensive accessories and styling products at home and invest in these beach basics which can handle a little water!

Mac from Zara, Manchester, worn with leather trousers, also from Zara, Manchester.

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Shirt, £29,99, H&M; vest, £5 for two, Primark; sunglasses, £2, Primark.

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His&hers fashion Shirt, £29.99, H&M, worn with boxers, £35 (pack of three), ASOS.com

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Men’s fashion Shirt, customised by stylist, worn with boxers, as before, & jeans, £39,

by Abercrombie

Keep things simple, ditch the clutter and dare to travel light this summer

Photographer: Darren Lennon represented by The Dot Factory Digital Assistant: Danny Cheetham; Art Director: Josh Taylor; Stylist: Hester Brodie at Industry People; Hair and Make-up: Caroline Shuttleworth at Industry People; Model: Tom at Elite.

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His&hers ENTERTAINMENT

GOING OUT

His & Hers’ Dates for the Diary for March/April

Ne-Yo comes to the Echo Arena (Friday 8th March)

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e-Yo comes to the Echo Arena (Friday 8th March) Global superstar Ne-Yo will be landing in Liverpool on Friday 8th for his hotly anticipated performance at the Echo Arena.

The Grammy award-winning singersongwriter will be headlining at the Echo Arena as part of a sell-out tour of the country.

Joining Ne-Yo as part of the tour will be UK songstress-of-the-moment and MOBO award winner – Tulisa. With a UK number 1 single already under her belt and a debut solo album just released, Tulisa’s addition will undoubtedly make this one of the freshest and most exciting tours of the year!

Ticket prices: £36-£40, six tickets per person maximum, www.echoarena.com

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Aintree Races (4th-6th April) ollowing a snowy, cold January we all need something to look forward to. It’s time to take off the gloves and snow boots and start thinking about champagne breakfasts and the hunt for the perfect dress. Yes, The Grand National Festival is approaching and it promises to be bigger and better than ever before.

The last two years have been record breaking for the National, with sell-outs in 2011 and 2012, the first since 1984. This year will see the launch of Grand Opening Day on Thursday 4th April, and organisers have made sure it will be one to remember.

As well as top class racing, Grand Opening Day will be very fashion-focused. The popular Matalan Fashion Show, usually held on Ladies’ Day, will now be staged on both Thursday and Friday, giving the fashionconscious ideas on how to spend their winnings!

Grand Opening Day also boasts a stellar music line-up to keep the party going after the last horse

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is back in the stables. The bill is topped by The Saturdays, who will perform hits including ‘All Fired Up’, ‘Forever is Over’ and ‘Just Can’t Get Enough.’

This is the girls’ first appearance in the city since 2011, and they are intent on getting the festival off to a flying start.

With a wide range of packages available, there is an option to suit everyone. However, the Grand National Festival is on course for a third consecutive record-breaking year, so if you want to secure your place - don’t hang around!

For more information on tickets and packages for the three days, visit: http://www. aintree.co.uk/pages/grand-national/ or call the ticket hotline on: 0844 579 3001.

His&hers fashion

Tee £60, Adidas by Stella McCartney

Shorts, £59, Sweaty Betty

Jacket £165, Adidas by Stella McCartney

Vest £65, Adidas by Stella McCartney

Shorts £60, Adidas by Stella McCartney

Leggings £65, Adidas by Stella McCartney

Tee £120; Leggings £190, all Lucas Hugh

A Fashion Lover’s Guide to Sportswear WORDS: Hannah Ramsay

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hen your idea of exercise is shopping, a foray into the world of proper sport can spark fear in fashionable sorts. Jogging bottoms and a baggy T-shirt? No, thank you.

But I was aware, somehow, of a phenomenon known as ‘designer sportswear’, though my exercisephobic self had never dared delve any deeper.

Now, I don’t mean that recurring trend where fashion becomes inspired

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by sport; this is technical sportswear, designed in the knowledge that we want to look good whilst we work up a sweat. These pieces won’t flit out of fashion; instead they should be added to your classics section, next to your white shirt and LBD. Yes, really.

Recently, I actually took up a sport, and have realised that sportswear, with a designer influence, isn’t so scary.

Who knows, if you embrace designer sportswear, you might just find (as I did) that you actually quite like it.

His&hers health

Is it time for a new you?

His & Hers’ resident fitness experts Anthony Brett and Lucie Riches share the ultimate secret to looking and feeling better.

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magine one of the slightly scary people on the shopping channels offering one thing that could improve your self esteem, blood pressure, sleep patterns, sex drive, bone density, immune system, mental acuity, energy levels, body fat percentage and social circle. So what is this wonder product?

Exercise!

If you’ve already abandoned your New Year’s Resolutions, because we’re all too busy with work/ kids/university to follow them through anyway, right, we have a few key tips to help you get back on track: •• First of all, get rid of the ‘New Year’s Resolution’ tag. If you label your wellbeing with something as frivolous (and prone to being ignored) as a New Year’s Resolution, you’ve started off on the wrong foot.

•• Examine your relationship with exercise.

Exercise can often be associated with punishment, boredom, taking up all of your spare time or even pain, and this can persuade you not to start in the first place. If you relate to this view of exercise, it’s likely you have tried and failed to maintain an exercise regime before.

•• Instead, look at what exercise can do for you, giving you time to yourself, rewards for working hard, a chance to de-stress and an improvement in your quality of life that you control. Looking at the benefits will help you approach exercise positively.

•• Be realistic. If you haven’t trained for a while, or ever, throwing yourself into a five session a week regime in the gym is probably not the best idea!

Whilst I don’t believe that you have to get fit to use the gym, you have to be sensible. Identify how much time you have for exercise before you get started.

•• Don’t focus on goals, focus on behaviours.

Saying ‘I’m going to lose a stone’ is not as useful as saying ‘I’m going to the gym three times this week’. Behaviours lead to your goals.

•• Good luck with your new regime! We’ll be back with more fitness tips next month.

Email: info@pellaris.com, www.pellaris.com, twitter: Pellaris_GB

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His&hers FITNESS

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Gym Class Heroes The everyday luxuries that will glam up your gym kit.

1 For yoga or floor work, this Adidas by Stella McCartney

yoga mat, £60, available at the Flannels store on The Avenue, is lightweight & chic, www.theavenuemanchester.com

2 Origins’ new VitaZing moisturiser has been formulated to

deliver immediate vitality and vibrancy while rehydrating. We like the fresh scent and lightweight texture, plus the simple packaging’s perfect for the gym bag. Price: £27 from Origins counters nationwide.

3 GHDs are our on-the-go hair styling heroes. The new GHD

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Candy Collection is perfectly on-trend for spring/summer & no matter how hard your workout was, they’ll work harder to get your hair looking sleek and shiny again. Visit: www. ghdhair.com for UK stockists.

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We like this stylish yet practical Adidas by Stella McCartney yoga bag, £55, available at the Flannels store at the Avenue, Manchester, www.theavenuemanchester.com

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5 Revive parched lips with a quick slick of Jo Malone’s

Vitamin E lip conditioning treatment, £22, for that final post-gym fix.

6 Hit the showers in style with Jo Malone London’s

refreshing Lime Basil & Mandarin body & hand wash, the perfect fragrant indulgence after a workout. Price: £15 for 100ml or £30 for 250ml. Nearest stockists: The Metquarter, Liverpool, the Jo Malone London store, Chester, or Harvey Nichols, Manchester.

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Ojon’s Rub-Out Dry Cleansing Spray not only looks better in your gym bag than the other dry shampoos on the market it’s also one of the best we’ve found for cleansing the scalp and hair without water, absorbing excess sebum and adding volume. Price: £18. Available from Harrods, John Lewis & Fenwicks.

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One of His & Hers’ all-time favourites – a quick dab of Yves Saint Laurent’s famous Touche Éclat (a cult classic which has been around for 20 years) will disguise post-workout fatigue, helping you fake a healthy glow in seconds, £25 from Yves Saint Laurent counters nationwide.

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MEN’s fashion

STREET SMART The Street Smart team have been out in force snapping London’s most stylish shoppers.

WORDS: Hannah Ramsay, pictures: Alexandra Burnside-Hughes

Wimutthi, 23 Jack, 20 Hotel worker We loved Wimutthi’s casual yet eclectic outfit, consisting of a jacket from Peacocks, Gap top and jeans bought in Sri Lanka. He accessorised with New Look shoes and a Troop bag.

Videomaker Jack was, funnily enough, making a video when we found him dressed casually in jeans from Topman, a New Look duffle coat and converse trainers. Simple but effective!

David, 19

Student We thought David looked very stylish in his turned up jeans from ASOS, which he wore with a Topman jumper and coat. His monochrome shoes were from Kurt Geiger and his bag from Carhartt.

Dillon,20

Sales Assistant To create his striking monochrome look, Dillon layered up a vintage shirt with a jumper from H&M over skinny jeans. His shoes and jacket were both charity shop finds.

Max, 21

Student Max went for smart casual here, wearing a Mulberry coat over a Calvin Klein top and Topman trousers. He finished off the look with a printed bag from ASOS and Dune shoes.

Jason, 24

Teacher Jason proved he is one stylish teacher in this combination of Nudies jeans and maroon Uniqlo jumper. He kept the chill out with an American Apparel coat and finished the look with Ben Sherman shoes.

His&hers lifestyle

His & Hers’ social diary

Awards Special

His & Hers celebrates the achievements of our award-winning friends and advertisers who ended 2012 on a high as we look forward to toasting more business success stories this year!

The Tracey Bell team celebrates after the brand is honoured as ‘Cosmetic Dentist of the Year’

The Tracey Bell team (pictured at the famous Cricket Christmas Party, which they were proud to sponsor) have started 2013 with plenty to smile about. They ended 2012 in style, after winning an award for having the best cosmetic dental clinics in the country.

After winning this title in the prestigious Aesthetic Awards in Association with Cosmetic News, Tracey Bell declared: “To be named as Best Cosmetic Dental Clinic in the UK is a true testimony to the team at the clinic and the work they put into giving their best in customer care, patient satisfaction and most of all great dental results.”

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His&hers lifestyle

Liverpool’s most stylish turned out in force for the Juice FM Style Awards

His & Hers was delighted to cover the 6th annual Juice FM Style Awards at the breathtaking Anglican Cathedral last year.

The glittering awards were held in association with Tessuti and were presented by Sony Award winning Juice FM Breakfast hosts Adam Weighell and Leanne Campbell.

The awards celebrated Liverpool as the most stylish city in the world, covering music, fashion, sport, retail and culture.

Juice FM Station Director Graham Sarath said: “As with the rest of the station, the Juice FM Style Awards have grown massively over the past six years. The important thing for us is that the winners are all voted for 100% by the Juice FM listeners. Juice listeners are always bang on trend, so giving them this voice truly shows the brands that are making an impact in the city”.

His & Hers editor Emma Hill, who was delighted to be chosen as Fashionista of the Year at the awards, said: “I’d like to thank the team at 107.6 Juice FM for my award. Being shortlisted alongside Justine Mills, who is one of my fashion heroes, and the enormously talented Matthew O’Brien was a huge honour and I was staggered, and enormously excited, to receive this award.

“As if this wasn’t excitement enough, watching His & Hers advertisers Hotel Indigo and The Echo Area being acknowledged as leaders in their field, then seeing the brilliant Esco Williams (featured on p14) receiving his ‘Up and Coming Award’, and enjoying a series of fantastic live performances while feasting on a delicious three course dinner by Pickled Walnut was the icing on the cake.” His & Hers will be visiting www.juicefm.com regularly for updates on 2013 Juice FM Style Awards – we can’t wait!

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The inaugural Women in Business Awards launch with a bang

The inaugural Women in Business Awards for the Liverpool City Region will take place on 8th March at the Hilton Hotel.

Hosted by Downtown Liverpool in Business, in partnership with the Women’s Organisation, the event will celebrate female-led businesses and female entrepreneurs for their outstanding work during the past 12-months.

An online poll is now open so that you can vote for your favourites from the shortlist (be quick, though, as voting closes on 15th February!) Just visit: www. downtownliverpool.com/womeninbusiness to cast your vote. Online votes will count towards 50% of the overall vote, with the remaining votes being given to the judging panel.

To book tickets for the awards, email: Chris.McKenna@downtowninbusiness.com or call Chris on: 07554 450423.

His&hers TRAVEL

Love is in the air If you’re looking for somewhere suitably romantic to spend Valentine’s Day without breaking the bank, the big hearted team at Hotel Indigo have the answer.

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ouples can enjoy a romantic stay at Hotel Indigo, the stunning boutique hotel on Chapel Street, as well as some mouth-watering food courtesy of the hotel’s restaurant, Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, for an unexpectedly modest price.

For Valentine’s Day 2013, the hotel has hit the mark with an amazing deal - dinner for two in the restaurant, plus overnight accommodation and breakfast, from just £147 per couple (*Offer available on February 14th, 15th and 16th.)

And wait until you feast your eyes on the Valentine’s menu, put together by Michelin star chef, Marco.

His decadent array of starters, mains and desserts are guaranteed to raise the heartbeat, instil the passion and spice up this most romantic of evenings.

The list of delights to choose from includes pan-fried scallops with braised pork belly and green pea foam or beetroot and goat’s cheese heart with a herb salad for starters, and prime rib-eye steak with butter cooked fondant potatoes, curly kale and black peppercorn sauce or pan roasted cod, brown shrimps and ribbons of green vegetables with steamed potatoes and red wine sauce for mains.

Then top your evening off with one of Marco’s indulgent desserts, including double chocolate fondant with black cherry sauce, sherry trifle or passion fruit parfait with warm strawberry sauce.

Alternatively, diners can enjoy three courses from the enticing Valentine’s menu for just £50 per person, including a complimentary rose and a box of chocolates.

To make a reservation, call the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill on: 0151 559 0555.

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His&hers TRAVEL

A Manchester Mini-Break Hester Brodie enjoyed a stylish mini-break in one of our favourite cities.

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hether it’s a Valentine’s treat or a weekend away with your best friends, city breaks are always a winner! So to coincide with our sumptuous lingerie shoot, which we shot at the fantastic Abode hotel in Manchester, we decided to pack our cases for a mini-break at this chic hotel.

Walking through the doors of this Grade II listed building, I was instantly struck by the grandeur of the place, and as we checked into our room an ‘Enviable Suite’ on the third floor, the feeling of grandeur certainly hadn’t subsided. Original parquet flooring and soft tartan furnishings were teamed with bookshelf-style wallpaper and modern light fittings, giving our room a sophisticated feel.

Stepping into the bathroom, the indulgent rain shower caught my eye immediately - and ladies, fear not, I also spied a ‘Wii’ games console on the TV stand, meaning I could get ready in peace without my partner moaning - The Abode really has thought of everything.

After a good hour spent indulging, we went down for dinner in the Michael Caines Bar & Grill.

We were served by a knowledgeable waiter, who recommended the Hanging Steak and the Pinot Noir - we couldn’t refuse, and it didn’t disappoint. After dinner, we strolled into Manchester’s trendy Northern Quarter. Whether you’re a couple planning to sip cocktails after dinner, or a group of girls ready for shots and sore feet, the bars in the Northern Quarter will cater to your every need. We opted for a few cocktails and headed back to our home for the night.

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The Abode Manchester is the perfect place to spend a weekend; the city gallery and high street are all within walking distance, so there’s plenty to see and do, and as it’s also just minutes from Piccadilly Station there is no need to take the car - the perfect excuse to indulge in a few more cocktails than is strictly necessary. www.abodehotels.co.uk/manchester, tel. 0161 247 7744

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His&hers DINES OUT

The restaurant where every day is different

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Hannah Ramsay breaks the habit of a lifetime and shakes up her menu choices at London’s Trullo.

ome may call it cheating, but I generally like to peruse the menu before I visit a restaurant. This wasn’t to be the case with Trullo, a quirky Italian based in London’s Highbury and Islington, however, as they change their menu daily.

Upon arrival we found said menu, concise but exciting, printed simply on a piece of paper. The décor too is unfussy and slightly industrial, with paper tablecloths and thoughtfully placed accessories that give the place a rather European feel. The Trullo philosophy is to use quality ingredients that are underused and seasonal; something certainly reflected in the dishes on offer. Friendly waiting staff were on hand with explanations of the more unfamiliar offerings and to recommend a suitable wine from their extensive list.

Having settled on a surprisingly good bottle of house white, we chose our starters: Burrata, which turned out to be a type of mozzarella, and roasted baby artichokes for me and cuttlefish with red

onions and alioli for my dining companion. Both were simple yet full of flavour and a great start to the meal.

For the main course I couldn’t resist the panfried seabass. Delicately spiced lentils were the perfect accompaniment and the salsa rossa added a delicious chilli kick. Meanwhile, the portion of lamb that my guest received was generous to say the least!

Served with chickpeas, spinach and salsa verde, she rated it very highly indeed, though.

Dessert was a unanimous decision, both choosing the vanilla and caramel panna cotta, which was amazing and not at all hard to finish despite being on the full side!

Tempting as it looked; we didn’t have room to sample the cocktail menu, so we’d highly recommend a visit to sample both this and their food offerings. You mightn’t be able to guarantee what you’ll be eating, but it’s certain to be tasty if our experience is anything to go by. http://www.trullorestaurant.com/

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His&hers dines out

Sensational Sunday brunch His & Hers tucked into a Sunday dinner with a difference at Liverpool’s Malmaison Hotel. WORDS: Jean Hill

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here was a flurry of snow, making the Princes Dock, Liverpool, even more picturesque on the day His & Hers was invited to the launch of ‘Sunday lunch with a twist’ at the Malmaison Hotel. As we stepped inside, a brazier radiated heat to welcome us to a place of sheer elegance and classic design.

There were friendly greetings from the professionals: Sommelier, Sarah Donoher, waitress, Jess and chef, Stephen, which helped create a sense of well-being. The views are spectacular and it felt like fine dining even before we sampled the food.

We should start at the beginning: the Chef’s Table, is a buffet like no other. It offers hors d’oeuvres, Scottish cured and smoked salmon, a selection of classic cheeses, Caesar & Tomato and Mozzarella salads, Prawn and Crayfish Cocktail (exquisite), fine cooked meats, spicy couscous and rustic bread. I tried the sourdough and it was superb. We wanted to sample everything and couldn’t because there were mains to follow. The soup (of the day) was white onion, with a smooth, creamy consistency and the subtle kick of chestnut made it special. About sourcing; the beef is naturally reared and dry aged on the bone for at least 28 days.

I was sipping a delightful soft, light red wine when the mains arrived. The Corned Beef Hash consisted of finely cubed potato, rich full-flavoured beef with a runny fried duck egg to complete the treat. The Grilled Swordfish with roasted Provencale

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vegetables was beautifully presented and cooked to perfection. The Salmon & Cod Fishcake (declared the best of fishcakes) came with spinach and herb sauce, a winning combination.

We’d enjoyed a banquet already, but the desserts are to die for. I chose Crème Brulée, a genius combination of crunchy caramel and creamy custard. His & Hers has a memento of all the foodie delights captured on camera; the most spectacular, hot chocolate sauce, dribbled onto marshmallows, white chocolate and vanilla ice-cream, that seeped through all the layers to wonderful effect. At £19.95 for lunch (£7.95 for children under 12) this is an offer too good to miss: and with mouth watering Bloody Marys, one named Bloody Murder, who could resist? Not us; we’re going back very soon.

Tel: 0151 229 5000, www.malmaison.com

Adam Franklin’s Yacht Club This month, we paid a visit to the Yacht Club, the latest acquisition by Adam Franklin, the owner of Liverpool’s famous Franklin’s Deli. WORDS: Jean Hill

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he sun was streaming across the Yacht Club Marina, like a foretaste of spring, as we arrived for lunch. The view across water was sails blowing in the breeze and boats lifting up and down in the Marina, as befitting a city with a rich nautical history.

Inside is light and bright with a spectacular view of the Marina and the nautical theme extends to the beautiful compass rose carpet. We were greeted by Robbie, who was gracious and attentive, introduced us to Mally, our waitress, and talked us through the menu options, but it was Sunday lunchtime and it had to be the Carvery. There’s a two course option at £13.50 or a three course option at £16.50, which is superb value.

As you would expect there’s beef, turkey, pork and ham to choose from with all the trimmings. The Yorkshire puddings were impressive and looked as good as they tasted. The vegetables were cooked to retain a sharp fresh taste and with sugar

snap peas, beans, carrots, new and roast potatoes, the choice was impressive. The accompanying sauces: cranberry, horseradish and apple tasted home-made. It’s the perfect location to relax on a Sunday afternoon and let the world, literally, sail by.

We ordered desserts, and chatted to people who had just arrived; three generations of the same family - all equally relaxed in such a warm welcoming atmosphere. It’s fascinating to watch the young and not quite so young bonding over ice-cream and soft, moist, hot chocolate fudge cake. I chose bread and butter pudding with apricots and sultanas because the ingredients, though simple, taste magical in the right hands, and it was perfect. Robbie and Mally appeared effortlessly efficient, but I imagine there’s a good deal of organisation behind the scenes, to make this such a delightful experience for the diners.

Telephone (For Functions): 0151 707 6888 Email: mailliverpoolmarina.com

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His&hers STYLE

Queen of the Night

The most beautiful piece of jewellery I have seen from both an aesthetic and design perspective is Shaun Leane’s ‘Queen of the Night’. It was commiss ioned by Boucheron for their 150th anniversary and is worth £2.1m. The story goes that it was based on Napoleon’s mistress who could only come out at night.

Gold Jewellery

Silver and gold in and out of fa fall shion throughout th e ag but gold is defin es, making a comeb itely ack at the moment. Pa ndora’s gold collections are doing well and we seeing some be are autiful rose gold piec es from designers such Monica Vinade as r that complement a plethora of colours and styles.

Shaun Leane

Shaun Leane is one of my all-time favourite jewellery designers and winner of UK Jewellery Designer of the year several times over. We have been lucky enough to meet him on many occasions and he has also attended one of our shop launches in Chester, where he was more than happy to mingle and sign Shaun Leane autographs for doting fans!

My Design Passions His & Hers met up with Maureen Hooson, the style savvy founder of Mococo, at one of her flourishing stores based within the Metquarter, Liverpool, to find out how she finds everyday inspiration from a broad array of sources.

Rococo Style

I love this st yle period - an ex and travagant time that ex uded opulence an da inspiration fo definite r own business my .

Five Star Service

of the little luxuries Five star service is one my husband always and that myself y in big cities, seek. Whenever we sta to places like es selv our at tre to like we k for tips and loo we ere wh e’s, Claridg g back to brin can we t design hints tha ped into Sir our stores. We once bum se hotels, and Philip Green in one of the give us some to ugh eno d kin he was our business. ut abo ice great adv

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A Valentine’s Wish

LIVERPOOL STORE

CHESTER STORE

Metquarter

16 St Michaels Row

35 Whitechapel, Liverpool

Grosvenor Shopping Centre, Chester

Merseyside, L1 6DA

Cheshire, CH1 1EF

0151 255 0388

01244 312 043

To shop online or for a full list of Mococo stores please visit: www.mococo.co.uk

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