Beauty Products Review

Out on the lash again!

'It is a myth that mathematicians are all too busy contemplating the mysteries of prime numbers that we don't notice what we look like'

When I look in the mirror, I see a 10cm scar across my brow. It's new and I'm still getting used to it. Very conveniently, it runs the length of my left eyebrow but, to my eyes, it makes my face look very asymmetrical. As a mathematician who researches symmetry, this has caused me a huge amount of anxiety. Studies show that we are drawn to faces that are more symmetrical because it is an indicator of good genetic heritage. Bottom line, symmetry = beauty.

I got the scar after I clashed heads with a Swedish novelist in a recent tournament for the England Writers Football Team. Playing football is my way of keeping fit. I don't work out but I jog, partly because I find the exercise gives my brain room to allow my subconscious to explore the latest problem I'm working on. Coffee and chocolate are my other key ingredients in proving mathematical theorems, but I'm conscious of what I look like in the mirror enough not to overdose on the chocolate.

I guess what other people expect to see if they were looking at a mathematician in the mirror is a bearded, bespectacled man with wild hair sprouting in every direction. My department does have those who conform to this 19th-century stereotype, but a good proportion don't. It is a myth that we're all too busy contemplating the mysteries of prime numbers to notice what we look like. As one of the public faces of my subject, I am keen to contradict people's preconceived idea of what a mathematician looks like.

The French firm specialized in the manufacture and packaging of cosmetics is extending its offering, as of the beginning of September, with a range of lipsticks and lipgloss. Éric Merville, CEO, tells Premium Beauty News what were the main stages in the development of Aircos during these last years and what the company's objectives are.
Premium Beauty News - If we quickly go back over the main stages of Aircos' growth, the whole only dates back to fifteen years.
Éric Merville - (...) - Companies & industry

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Kate Carter recommends a little something to brighten up every day of the week. Check back each day for the next suggestion

Friday

T-shirt, £18, from Asos.com

Everyone's favourite online fashion store Asos have teamed up with the London College of Fashion to design a one-off T-shirt for the Jeans for Genes charity. The result is this very stylish ribbon and chain print top by first year illustration student Elise Mary Yasmin Pellican: great name, great design. The charity itself supports children with genetic disorders, and all proceeds from the sale will go to it.

Thursday

Canvas and leather bag, £170, by Veja at Darkroom

Veja have branched out from lovely stylish simple trainers to bags - this range is exclusive to the rather fabulous Darkroom boutique on Lams Conduit Street (last non-homogenised street in Central London? Discuss). Using organic cotton, wild rubber, vegetable-tanned leather - the company's ethical credentials are impeccable. Expensive, yes, but highly durable and hey, it's never too early to start stocking up on Christmas presents. Particularly if they are for yourself.

Wednesday

Aesop exfoliating paste, £26, from beautyexpert.co.uk

If you've not yet discovered Australia's brilliant Aesop range, buy of the day highly recommends it. This exfoliator is gentle but thorough, and although the price may seem quite steep, a tube lasts an inordinately long time. The haircare range is also very high quality and again, a little goes a very long way.

Tuesday

Baby slippers, £30, by Camper

Growing up sucks. You have to go out, get a job, act responsibly, stop climbing all over the furniture and leaving your mucky handprints on the TV, you're not allowed to howl any more because someone stole your toy and you don't get to wear cute rabbit slippers. Not if you want to be thought of as in any way normal, anyway. Buy these for someone small and cute then, and relive your lost youth while feeling just a teeny bit jealous.

Monday

LCN nail varnish, £5.30, from beautyconcepts.co.uk

Buy of the day was recently horrified to learn that people actually queued - yes queued - for the latest 'must-have' Chanel nail polish, and that it changed hands (nails?) on eBay for a small fortune. Save yourself said fortune, then, and buy a nail varnish for just over a fiver that's brilliant quality and has more shades than a Dulux showroom. LCN's new range launches this September - our favourite shades are 'paparazzi' (the deep blue above) and 'dark room' (gothic black, Twilight DVD not included).