10 minute read
ALIDA ACADEMY
One for the History BEAUTY BOOKS
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The Spectrum sisters look back on their phenomenal rise to success
or this issue we thought we’d do a little bit of reflecting,
FAutumn seems to slip away as that in-between time from Summer into Winter, it’s here then all of a sudden it’s gone. Probably because everyone’s so busy with September being a re-set month and then we’re full steam ahead for Christmas. When people ask us the question ‘how old is Spectrum’ and we say its over 8 years old, we usually get the response ‘oh wow that’s not long for what you’ve done’, which always makes us think about how the last 8 years has gone so fast, it feels like yesterday we were still in the garage, and we definitely miss those days still, it’s a huge part of our brand history and the starting point of the Spectrum story. During Autumn collectively we’re definitely ready for some more cozy down time, wardrobe updates (jumpers and boots are our favourites! Even though the nights are getting longer, we always feel you can add some high-octane hughes, there’s no need for the season to be too dark, we’re always fans of turning up the brightness as the temperature drops.
Of course it’s not a new season without some fresh beauty products too, we’re reaching for our bronzer to warm up our skin after losing some of our Summer tan, and of course our glowful primer helps to perk up skin which has dulled in the cooler temperatures. As well as reminiscing on the last 8 years, we always look forward to ‘what’s next’ we tend to work 6-12 months in advance, so yes we are currently planning next Christmas. A lot of you will know we work with Disney and we love nothing more than creating elaborate, creative collections that have that ‘magic’ associated with the stories and the characters, nostalgia has a huge part to play when we’re designing our launches. This Autumn/Winter our most fantastical launch will be Cinderella, where we celebrate themes of Midnight and also Transformation, both signifying that elusive passing of time that we all feel at the end of each day and particularly in Autumn and Winter as the days are shorter, what we want ultimately is to make the most of every minute this season. We hope our Cinderella collection takes you back to a time when anything seemed possible, partying until midnight was the only plan for the weekend and all you really need to spark joy is a new pair of shoes, and perhaps a set of makeup brushes.
www.spectrumcollections.com @spectrumcollections
Glowful Primer
£16.99,
Cinderella collection
due out Autum/Winter 2022
All the Skin Feels
Our founder Rosie Harris tried out the Elemis Biotech facial at The Parkgate Hotel and gives her review.
The Biotech Elemis facial is something I’ve been meaning to try for a while. I’m not sure if it’s mum guilt, busyness, or both that has kept me from taking the plunge. Like all busy mum’s I tend to use the evening’s bath soak as my ‘self-care’ routine. A much needed ‘switch up’ was in order. With some intrigue and a face that totally needed invigoration, I headed to one of my favourite stops at The Parkgate. It’s amazing how after only one year this beautiful hotel has become one of the top spots to visit in the capital. Heading to the spa with inviting smells of aromatherapy, you could be forgiven to feel like you’ve departed from the other world, this new one is about ‘me time.’ And with bath robe and slippers in tow, I was excited to see how this facial worked.
The facial itself is a cocktail of concentrated serums plus a 5-in-1 facial machine that offers a combination of ultrasonic, micro-current, oxygen infusion and light therapy. Sounds technical but the experience couldn’t be further from. As you lay on the cosy beauty bed, it feels like your skin is getting a deep treatment. All those stress lines, dry skin, dead skin, all that bad stuff is being removed. The great thing about this facial, is that micro-currents emit extremely low voltage which mirror your own body’s electrical currents on a cellular level to repair damaged skin and help stimulate collagen. Science aside the feeling was like a fresh awakening, all the skin feels. This non-invasive skin miracle, as I like to call it truly felt amazing. Like an MOT for the skin and some much-needed downtime for me. As a fan of Elemis, you will find at the spa a plethora of Elemis skin products with staff only happy to help on products best suited for you. My skin therapist was helpful and knowledgeable as she walked me through each part of the facial. I would highly recommend this treatment, with the results being instantaneous. My skin felt tighter, smoother and my dark circles seemed to have vanished. Now a firm believer of investing in your skin, biotech is a new firm favourite.
To find out more and book your facial, head to www.theparkgatehotel.wales
Teaching the Importance of Diversity Through Haircare
Joy Djadi is on a mission to use her hair skills to help empower and educate students on afro hair care.
As surprising as it may seem, afro haircare teaching is not mandatory. This means that anyone with afro hair could quite easily be turned away from hair salons, due to staff not being trained in that sector.
Afro Hair Academy Wales is the first of its kind, founder Joy Djadi recognised a need for afro hair training services in Wales and has used her skills to tackle an issue, in turn helping many of her students fulfil their ambitions of having all the skills they need to work in their desired field of haircare.
Born in Cardiff, it seemed like the perfect place to get the training off the ground. After much market research, Joy realised not one educational college offered any training qualifications in Afro or textured hair. As Joy states: “Cardiff has developed extensively over the years; we have a stunning city with so many different cultures, but we still lack diversity in covering Afro and multi textured hair within the educational curriculum. Developing the Afro Hair Academy Wales has taken some time due to lockdown. It is a fantastic extension of my professional and personal achievement.”
Hair achievements is something Joy is no stranger to. Starting her journey into Further Education and Training over 30 years ago, Studying hairdressing with City & Guilds at Colchester Avenue College in Cardiff. Joy opened her first hairdressing salon known then as Knotty Roots where the business provided specialist services in Afro and curly hair.
Afro Hair Academy Wales is unique in its field, “We offer what other training providers in Cardiff are unable to offer which is unique. I call it ‘bridging that gap’ and offer vocational training and qualifications combined with hairdressing. Our courses cover Caucasian, Afro and Multi textured hair.” This is an amazing turnaround for Cardiff and has been welcomed by other training providers. As an associate with Isa training group together Afro Hair Academy Wales will offer the combined hairdressing apprenticeship program, also offering fast track level 2 combined courses, commercial courses, where professionals are able to update their skills and gain experience of working with different hair types and textures. The academy will also offer intensive three-day training for professional makeup artists. As Joy puts it, “Our sole aim is to build cohesive working relationships with other training providers, support inclusion and embed diversity in hairdressing training in Cardiff.
To find out more head to Afro Hair Academy Wales, 44 Charles Street, CF10 2GE www.afrohairacademy.info Instagram @afrohairacademywales
Afro Hair Academy Wales
Our founder Rosie Harris reviewed the newest hair spot in Cardiff, and gives her review:
Iwas 17 when I had my hair relaxed for the first time. Determined to loosen my curl texture, I remember vividly heading to Cardiff’s Clare Road and waiting patiently, whilst my afro hair locks would be transformed with a chemical so harsh, if it got into your eyes, you’re likely to be blinded, and let’s not even talk about the skin damage it can do if left on too long.
I wasn’t educated enough about my hair texture, growing up in Barry, countless times being told: “We don’t do afro hair sorry,” or the usual: “Sorry nobody is trained in afro hair here.” The door would literally be closed, as I would endlessly flatten my hair down with cheap hair gel, and my confidence knocked as I would aim for the perfect straight tresses for fear of being ridiculed. Rather than go on a tangent about the names directed at my hair, a victim I am not! Suffice to say ‘Don King’ (as in the boxing promoter) and ‘Pineapple head’ were some of the names directed. I can laugh about it now, I mean Don Kings hair was cool, but back then I felt constantly ashamed of my big afro curls, thanks to the names they were called.
Rewind some 20 years later, and I couldn’t be happier to see a hair brand, Afro Hair Academy Wales, dedicated in educating aspiring hairdressers on afro hair care, in the heart of our Welsh capital. These days I often wear my hair in its natural curly state, and occasionally get it blowed out straight, but unlike back then, I avoid chemical relaxers like the plague! Understanding the right products and treatments is key, and that’s how Afro Hair Academy Wales will help so many.
It was a sunny afternoon as I dashed in greeted by the lovely Joy Djadi, founder and hairdresser in chief. The academy is warm and inviting, Joy is the consummate professional, with a knowing smile, almost as if she understands the hair journey I have been on.
A deep conditioning treatment ensued, basking in the wonderful hair massage and Joy’s knowledge of my hair type whilst soaking in the conditioning oils. After a wonderful blow dry, I explained I hadn’t relaxed my hair in years, Joys reassuring: “You don’t need to, your hair is lovely.” All those years of painstaking chemical straightening products felt a world away. It was lovely being surrounded by an afro hair teacher who specialises in only getting the best from our tresses.
So, what is my verdict? Afro Hair Academy Wales is the spot we have been wanting for and needing, I will definitely return.
