THE THEmag mag JuNE JuNE2013 2013
EDITOR’S LETTER festival chic Hi there, Check out our brand new look – what do you think? Our Birchboxes now come in an array of gorgeous colours! We hope you’ll love our fresh logo and the colourful layout in the magazine and on our website as much as we do.
PS Don’t forget to join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram all month long using #BBxFestivalChic
Festival season is upon us, so we’re packing wellies, sunscreen and a little luxury to ensure we’re Festival Chic throughout! Whether you’re heading to a UKbased music event like Glastonbury, crossing the channel to a European festival like Benicassim or just planning to watch the coverage from the comfort of home, we’re bringing you a taste of the season. With all this music on our minds, we’re introducing you to our latest Birchbox Crush – Ellie Rowsell is the frontwoman of one of our favourite up and coming bands, Wolf Alice. She shares her favourite things about festival season as well as a memory-sparking beauty product. We also have two top eye make-up tutorials so you can channel the looks of Alison Mosshart from The Kills and Karen O from Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Also inside: from snacks to skincare – we’ve got your festival survival kit sorted, SPF for all skin types, the lowdown on Manchester’s top hotspots and multitasking products to make your life easier and bag lighter. Consider your festival season sorted! Enjoy...
Beth
02 EDITOR’S LETTER 04 THE agenda
Everything you need to know this month.
06 BIRCHBOX CRUSH I ELLIE ROWSELL
The Wolf Alice singer is heading to a festival near you.
08 FESTIVAL SURVIVAL KIT
Don’t forget these must-pack items.
11 BEHIND THE BRAND I COOLA
Get the lowdown on SPF for your skin type.
12 MULTIPURPOSE MUST-HAVES Packing light? We’ve got you covered.
14 GET THE LOOK I ROCK STAR LINER Channel these famous frontwomen.
16 THE WANDERLUST COLLECTION
The story behind our exclusive nail polishes.
18 BIRCHBOX IN MANCHESTER Where to spa, stay and socialise.
19 JOIN THE CONVERSATION
BIRCHBOX uk
BIRCHBOX MAG
birchbox.co.uk
Senior Editorial Manager
beth squires I @bethsquires
@Birchboxuk
Writer & Coordinator
Grace garginI | @gracegarginI
Birchboxuk
design
victoria strauss
Birchboxuk
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CONTENTS
June | 2013
BIRCHBOX THe MAG - JunE 2013
June | 2013
THE AGENDA
juNE 2013
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READ
Everything Is Perfect When You’re A Liar
Kelly Oxford made us take notice of her on Twitter thanks to her dark sense of humour. Now her first book – Everything Is Perfect When You’re A Liar – is released in the UK on July 1st. A series of no holds barred (and very funny) essays charting her life, she shows that 140 characters is just the beginning.
it girl
Kate Bosworth
We always love seeing what Kate Bosworth wears to the summer festivals and now she’s the face of Topshop’s summer Festival campaign, working with them to create a 16-piece collection inspired by her style. She debuted some of them – of course – at California’s Coachella Festival in April.
LISTEN
MARK J. MULCAHY
Dear Mark J. Mulcahy, I Love You – a longanticipated new release from Mark Mulcahy – and Haim’s debut album are topping our charts of ear-candy. You can hear what we’re listening to on our June Editor’s Playlist – just look BirchboxUK up on Spotify!
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Glastonbury 2013
Glastonbury 2013 is on from 28-30th June and – whether you’re watching from your sofa or Worthy Farm itself – it’s set to be fantastic! Our favourites include Haim, Cat Power, First Aid Kit, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Lianne La Havas, Local Natives, Seasick Steve and headliners The Rolling Stones. Want to go further afield? Benicassim is our pick of the European festivals – running from 18th-21st July.
watch man of steel
Are you ready for a new Superman? Brit Henry Cavill takes on the role for director Zack Snyder in Man Of Steel (out June 14th), alongside Amy Adams as Lois Lane. Released on the same day, Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing stars Nathan Fillion and a handful of other Buffy alum, while June 21st sees Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke reunited for Before Midnight – the third of Richard Linklater’s trilogy.
beauty buzz word TRENCH FOOT
Trench Foot is a medical condition caused by prolonged exposure of the feet to damp, unsanitary and cold conditions... like a mud-soaked festival! Just a friendly reminder to make sure you take your wellies to whichever UK festival you might be attending this year... BY BETH SQUIRES
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NEWS TO KNOW
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«Ayez confianceBIRCHBOX en vous, CRUSH suivez votre instinct et ne l aissez pas un non FROM WOLF ALICE vous déco urager.»
ELLIE ROWSELL
Ge t ready for a ne w music crush . Wol f Al ice ar e a mai n stay of our office p l ayl i sts and si nge r E l l i e Rowsell i s ge ar i ng up for f estival season wi th th e rest of the band. S h e to ok s ome ti me o ut to share her must - haves and fu t ure p l ans wi th us :
Tell us how Wolf Alice came together?
others. I’m gonna pack knickers, socks, a raincoat, tuna, sweetcorn, vodka and nothing else.
Joff [Oddie] and I had been writing songs for a while and playing a few acoustic type gigs here and there. We wanted to be in a proper band though, so we roped in Joel (Amey, drums and vocals) and Theo (Ellis, bass). Our sound has been described as "funge" which is folk and grunge. I’m not sure it’s suitable, but it’s a great word.
What’s a t ypical festival day for you?
A game of Jenga, warm beers, a burger, pre-show nerves and post-show hugs.
What’s your favourite thing about festival season? Festivals are great because they’re mini holidays. I like not washing, not working, sleeping in a tent, eating massive yorkshire puddings with sausages and beans and mash and gravy and mushy peas. I like music too.
What are you packing for the festivals this year? We’re playing a few – Latitude, Longitude, Beacons, Secret Garden Party, End Of The Road, amongst
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Baby wipes – if you shower at a festival, you’re a wuss. It’s all about a quick wipe down and some deo for the B.O.
What’s your beaut y must-have?
Perfume. I like the feeling when you return to old perfumes and you feel all nostalgic for the past and the time you wore that scent. It’s like being transported back in time and everyone should experience that with the magic of perfume.
Who are your beaut y and st yle inspirations? Noel Fielding. He looks a bit like my mum so I have a sentimental attachment to his appearance. He’s also brave and experimental in his style and can be an icon for both males and females.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t follow the crowd, do what you want and trust your gut.
What’s next for you and the band?
Hopefully an EP sometime after the summer and then I’d love to work on an album. BY BETH SQUIRES
LISTEN http://soundcloud.com/wolfalice FOLLOW http://facebook.com/wolfalice
YOU CAN FIND US at birchbox.co.uk/shop
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What’s your festival must-have?
June | 2013
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DON’T FOLLOW THE CROWD, DO WHAT YOU WANT AND TRUST YOUR GUT.
JunE | 2013
festival survival kit
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No wellies or blow-up mattresses here – this is your beauty survival guide. Letting your hair down and adapting your daily routine is all part of festival season, but just because you’re using portaloos doesn’t mean you’re allowed to resemble Ab Fab’s Edina by the end of Glastonbury. We’ve picked out a handful of products to keep you covered, whether you’re actually at Glasto or just in your back garden listening to the live coverage...
Ojon Full Detox™ Rub-Out Spray ojon.co.uk The lack of water means that dry shampoo is your new best friend – this one by Ojon is a BBx favourite. It sprays on completely clear, so you don’t have to worry about rubbing in white powder residue. Natural Soap Bark extract absorbs oil and impurities, leaving behind refreshed, full-bodied hair. Ojon Oil seals cuticles and builds the hair’s natural resistance to future damage.
Murad Correcting Moisturizer SPF 15 birchbox.co.uk/shop This colour-correcting moisturiser provides all day hydration with SPF 15 protection, perfect for those with easily irritated or sensitive skin. If you catch the sun, the Peppermint Leaf Extract instantly cools and relieves discomfort and stinging. The slight tint evens out dull (or hungover) complexions too!
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birchbox.co.uk/shop Tackle sun protection the natural way with Green People’s organic, fair trade formulas. Packed with nourishing aloe vera and avocado, it’s suitable for the most sensitive of skins – even eczema and psoriasis. Slather this over your limbs for UVA and UVB protection while the super-smart tan accelerator boosts those tan lines.
Stila Convertible Color, Fuchsia stila.co.uk Look out for multi-purpose make-up products that minimise space in your backpack. These gorgeous little pots contain a creamy, blendable colour for cheeks and lips, leaving behind a dewy glow. This universal pink shade can be applied using the handy mirror – just blend with your fingers. BY GRACE GARGINI
FIND ME at birchbox.co.uk/shop
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Green People Sun Lotion SPF 15
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Wild TraIl WholeGrain Bar birchbox.co.uk/shop Need an energy boost? Tick off one of your five-a-day with these super-nutritious Wild Trail bars. We cornered founder Gordon Leatherdale to find out what makes Wild Trail bars a different kind of snack:
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I’ve been interested in food from a young age; what began with bizarre experiments developed into a greater understanding and love for food, which lead me to start a small chain of farm shops. I found that there was a growing demand for a healthy snack bar – the market was saturated with products claiming to be healthy, yet I found that bars claiming to be low in fat had simply upped the sugar content, and those claiming to be low in sugar had a high fat content.
Our philosophy is based on providing the ultimate healthy snack using nothing but good, honest, natural ingredients. We aim to bring you the immense power of healthy, wholesome nutrition, packing one of your three whole grains and one of your five fruits a day into our bars. They not only taste great, but are low GI and contain the least amount of sugars and fats (and saturated fats) than any other snack bar on the market. Plus, they’re vegetarian, veganfriendly and free from wheat and dairy. They’ll fill you up with no reason to feel guilty in sight!
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We’ve been testing them out and they’re perfect for keeping hunger pains at bay, whether you’re in a field at Glastonbury, on the road or at the office! Both the Orange & Apricot and Sour Cherry flavours have just hit our e-shop.
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BEHIND THE BRAND
COOLA
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When COOLA founder Chris Birchby found out his relatives had faced skin cancer scares, he vowed to spread the word about the importance of sun protection. Launched in 2007, COOLA’s eco-conscious 70% organic sun protection waves goodbye to goopy textures and undesirable scents, i.e. things that put some off re-application. Here’s a whistle-stop tour of their hero products:
Your Daily SPF
Body Saviour
Classic Face SPF 30 Cucumber
Sport SPF 30 Unscented Sunscreen Spray
UVA and UVB protection are covered with this formula. Age-reversing antioxidants – including evening primrose, acai and linseed oils – deflect free radicals within a formula that’s water-resistant for extra durability. Smooth on a thin coat over exposed skin (under foundation) an hour before stepping outside. Plus, you don’t have to worry about that typical white SPF residue, thanks to Coola’s latest formula.
This clear and convenient spray contains 97% organic plant inactive ingredients. Four safe sunscreens – oxinoxate, octocrylene, octisalate and avobenzone – absorb UVA rays (which age skin) and UVB rays (which burn skin) while algae extract and cucumber nourish and refresh the skin. Bonus: the water-resistant formula is perfect for swimming or exercising.
For Oily/Combination Skin Mineral Face SPF 30 Matte Cucumber All the same skincare benefits as the classic for those with breakoutprone and hyper-sensitive complexions — this light cream dries to a matte finish and doubles as a primer. No need to wait before you step outside: mineral sunblocks start working right away.
find these coola products and more at birchbox.co.uk/shop
BY GRACE GARGINI
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Multipurpose
Must-Haves
Versatil it y i s the nam e of the gam e wi th th es e i nge n io us p roducts. Whe the r yo u want to save p r ecio us ti me i n th e morn ing or stre am l i ne your be au t y stas h for f estival s e as on , invest in these k e y p rodu cts and re ap th e i r many b e n e f i ts !
Beauty Protector protect & detangle birchbox.co.uk/shop This leave-in mist conditions, shields from heat and sun damage and detangles. The 100% vegan, paraben- and sulfate-free formula seals the hair cuticle, smooths, moisturises and minimises frizz, while safeguarding colour and adding shine. As if all that wasn’t enough, it also provides protection against UV rays and heat! The sweet-scented nongreasy formula is suitable for all hair types – just hold the bottle four to six inches from damp hair and spray a few times, before combing through your hair. This do-it-all styler is perfect for saving space in your overnight bag.
Carole Franck Fluide Fraicheur Phyto-hydrant birchbox.co.uk/shop Don’t let the lightweight formula fool you – it’s packed with active ingredients like potassium, which helps retain water in your skin cells to keep them hydrated long after application. The formula also includes barbary fig, which contains polysaccharides – a fancy name for the chain-like sugars that make up your skin structure. Maintaining a good concentration of these sugars helps repair your cells and allows your skin to heal from within, which is amazing for those tackling wrinkles and a general loss of elasticity. This non-greasy, silky moisturiser also doubles up as a fantastic primer under foundation.
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birchbox.co.uk/shop Sourced from the English and Welsh countryside, this truly luxe scented bath and shower gel shows multitasking at its most indulgent. It can be used in both the shower and the bath and is the perfect travel companion. Willow Song is a blend of fresh, green notes, contemporary florals and sensual cedarwood that creates a romantic aroma that envelops the skin. It doesn’t just smell divine; the Willow Bark extract is renowned for its toning properties, while Water Lily root soothes both the mind and body and has moisturising properties that nourish the skin as the tranquil scent melts away a stressfilled day. Fireside is a spicy and sensual fragrance, containing red, yellow and white organic beetroot farmed from the kitchen gardens of a 17th-century Welsh inn, perched on the banks of River Monnow. Antioxidant ingredient Betacyanin (which gives beetroot its red colour) is rich in proteins and vitamins which promote healthy, bright skin and neutralise damaging free-radicals. by grace gargini
YOU CAN FIND US at birchbox.co.uk/shop
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Noble Isle Bath & Shower Gel
June | 2013
Rock Star Liner
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GET THE LOOK
Black Smoky Eye
Iconic black smoky liner has been adopted by the coolest female (and male!) musicians around. The aim is to add definition to your eyes effortlessly – that 'tried but doesn’t look like it' trick. We’re big fans of Alison Mosshart’s interpretation – she’s one half of indie rock band The Kills with Jamie Hince, aka Mr. Kate Moss. Keep things modern by making everything else simple and focus on the eyes. Run a black kohl liner along your upper lash line – making sure you get right in between the lashes – and flick out to recreate Alison’s look. To grunge things up, line your upper and lower lash line and smudge out with a brush or your finger. ModelCo’s EYE DEFINE Eye Pencil is highly pigmented, superlong lasting and comes with a travelfriendly sharpener. Layer up the pencil and smudging technique till you reach your desired rock goddess level.
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Technicolour
Can you get any more ‘colourful’ than Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman Karen O? A fan of bold design, Karen fully embraces this trend with her amazing stage makeup. Yes, this is stage make-up and we know you’re not popping to the shops with this, but we have to admit – we’re inspired. Whether you’re at a festival or not, experiment by choosing a fun coloured eyeliner to accentuate your eyes, or outfit! Laura Geller Beauty’s Inkwell Waterproof Gel Liner in Purple looks gorgeous with green eyes, comes with a handy brush and sticks around. We’re a big fan of Sisley’s smooth pencils, the Sapphire shade from their Star range is a grownup yet fun glittery blue and Deep Jungle is a wearable khaki green. Simply line your upper lash line with one colour (or three!) or fill in the entire lid and blend depending on how bold you’re feeling. BY GRACE GARGINI
FIND ME at birchbox.co.uk/shop
THE WANDERLUST COLLECTION
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BIRCHBOX & COLOR CLUB
Th i s m ont h , we’ re ce le brat ing our n ew l ook and t he de bu t of Bi rch b ox Fra n ce and Birc hbox Sp a i n wi t h — w hat e lse — a c u sto m col l ect i on of w ildly go rge o u s p ol i sh es. We co llabo rate d w it h on e of our fa vo u r ite brands, Co lo r Club®, to create THE WA N D E R LUST COLLECTI ON. The fo u rso me isn’ t ju st on t ren d — i t ’s ahe ad of it. We’ ve comb i n ed t wo of o u r favo u r ite ge nre s to crea te wh a t we’ re bet t ing w ill be a n ew n a i l cra ze : paste l ne o ns. Ea ch sh a d e i s inspire d by o ne of o u r Bi rch b ox offi ce s — Lo ndo n, Par is, New York a n d B arce lo na. To c re ate t h ese un i q ue co lo u rs, o u r New Yo r k sta ffers t ra velle d o u t to t he C o lo r Cl ub fa ctory, mo o d bo ards in hand, to sp en d a n e nt ire day w it h t he comp a ny’s ch ief c he mist, mix ing sh a d es unt i l they we re ju st r ight. Ever y single Bi rc h box s ubs c ri ber i n a l l four count r ie s w ill be get t ing t wo of t h ese eye - catc hing po lishe s i n t h ei r b ox t his mo nt h. Now, let u s i nt rod uce you ...
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PARDON MY FRENCH A standout lavender that’s an ode to the Provençal lavender fields. Mod In Manhattan A brilliant off-white that represents the glow of the mega-watt city at night. Reign In Spain A vibrant coral that screams summer. A nod to our Mediterranean counterparts. London Calling A stylish neon green inspired by London’s leafy parks.
"I love bright nails for summer and this neon coral reawakens my pale, winter complexion. I can’t wait to rock it with a tan!" — Cristina (wearing Reign In Spain).
from paris
"Mod in Manhattan is exactly the kind of colour I love to wear everyday. It looks really chic on short nails, looks great with all skin tones and goes with any outfit." — Mathilde (wearing Mod In Manhattan).
FROM NYC
"I’m not usually a big fan of green, but this one is an exception. I’ve been wearing it with simple white t-shirt and jeans, it’s my new go-to office look." — Meredith (wearing London Calling).
from London
YOU CAN FIND US at birchbox.co.uk/shop
"This lilac shade is summery and fun, but bright enough to not be too girly. Looks great next to blues and whites – it also happens to match my new bikini. Bonus." — Grace (wearing Pardon My French). BY GRACE GARGINI
WIN 100 NAIL POLISHES Show us your Wanderlust polish manicure on Instagram or Twitter by tagging @BirchboxUK and #BBWanderlust for a chance to win 100 Color Club polishes.
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FROM barcelona
June | 2013
OUR INTERNATIONAL EDITORS LOVE
June | 2013
BIRCHBOX
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IN MANCHESTER
MANCHESTER
We know yo u — our loyal m e m b e rs — ar e bas e d all ove r the UK , so we ’ ve starte d to ve n t ur e o ut of B i rch b ox HQ in Lond on and vi si t yo ur lo cal ci ti es ! E ach mon th , we ’ll t wee t to ask for your ti p s and th e n p o st p ic s of o ur trave l s on I nstagram . Fi rst up, we tackle d Manch este r – here are he r #B B xIn MCR must - d o s !
STAY
The Lowry Hotel welcomed us with open arms and a massive comfy bed, not to mention a luxurious bath, delish breakfast and plenty of REN products in the bathroom! On top of a fab on-site spa and the chance to celeb spot in their bar, they even offer a Bath Butler to run you the perfect bath – yes, we indulged...
SOCIALISE
A wide-ranging, good value (and very tasty!) menu is on hand at Panama Hatty’s – we tried the nachos, the ribs and a burrito, plus cocktails! SoLita’s Tribute burger was super-tasty — we wish we’d left space for their famous Deep Fried Coke... Next time! If you’re looking for spectacular views of the city over drinks, we recommend the chic Cloud 23 and we also enjoyed the wild cocktails back down on solid ground at TUSK. Once we’d shopped at Affleck’s Palace and Harvey Nic’s, it was time for afternoon tea at the gorgeous Alice In Wonderland-themed Richmond Tea Rooms! If you’re there from day to night, The Lodge bar is in the same building – with a totally different atmosphere and some eye-catching lighting fixtures. Teacup On Thomas St also really impressed us with superWant us to visit friendly service and a YOU? Tweet us delicious breakfast. @BirchboxUK
SPA Of course, we fitted in some pampering, visiting the newlyrelaunched Sienna Spa at the Radisson Blu Edwardian – it’s a must-visit. Selfridges Manchester Exchange offered us a skin-saving and relaxing Clarins TriActive Facial, plus a quick eyebrow tidy, thanks to a 10-minute threading session at Blink.
BY BETH SQUIRES
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and let us know where we should plan to travel to next...
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JOIN THE CONVERSATION
#BBxFestivalChic
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we wan t to he ar from yo u ! te l l us what yo u th i n k of th i s mon th’s issue and t we e t or i nstagram a p hoto of yo u an d your b ox with @b irch b oxuk and #B B xfestivalch ic - we might even use th e m i n the july mag!
FOLLOW US
This month, you shared these pics with us on Instagram. Thanks to: @ronnieconns @mrstnorris83 @hintofsparkle @harrietrose
blog.birchbox.co.uk @BirchboxUK instagram.com/birchboxuk pinterest.com/birchboxuk birchboxuk.tumblr.com facebook.com/birchboxuk youtube.com/user/birchboxuk
Kez Seery showed off the Green & Spring goodies she won in one of our fab Facebook competitions. Meanwhile, we’ve been sharing what’s been going on in our office on social media too: Afternoon Tea!
Until next month...
The Birchbox UK Tea
m
thank you Throughout May you helped us support Fashion Target Breast Cancer. With lab coats at the ready, we visited the Breakthrough Breast Cancer lab to find out more about the vital research that you helped fund. Check out our blog to find out more…
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SHOP YOUR FAVOURITE PRODUCTS
AT BIRCHBOX.CO.UK/SHOP
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