Dive Into Love Brand & Co.’s First Women’s Collection

Gina Kushka, the new face of Love Brand & Co.'s women's collection, photo courtesy of Love Brand & Co.

             Last September, I took a very apropos journey to an area of Chelsea called “The Beach,” where Love Brand & Co. is backing up style with substance. I met with Oliver Tomalin, the founder and creative director of the company, who was kind enough to share his vision with me. (Read the full interview here.) Since 2011, Tomalin has devoted himself to the cause of elephant conservation, ensuring that five percent of all sales are donated to charities (Elephant Family, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and Tusk Trust) that work towards bettering the situation of endangered elephants through conservation efforts.

             At the time of my visit, Love Brand & Co. only stocked beachwear for men, but less than a year on, I am proud to introduce their first bikini range for women. South African singer-songwriter Gina Kushka is the debuting face of the line and has attributed the partnership to fate. Due to her upbringing in Africa, Kushka has been familiar with the conservation and care for animals since she was born.

Photo courtesy of Love Brand & Co.

             She began writing her own songs at the young age of 12 and taught herself how to play the guitar and the keyboard. Categorized by an ambient-come-ethereal electro/pop sound, Kushka will be releasing her first EP this year. Much like Love Brand & Co.’s laidback vibe and fuss-free aesthetic, Kushska has been described by Tomalin as someone who is cool and beautiful without really trying. Thus, it was a “no-brainer” to cast her in the new campaign.

Photo courtesy of Love Brand & Co.

             Borrowing the same basic designs from the men’s collection, expect six statement-making block colors from the women’s collection. Oh, and that “Ice White” shade? To die for with a bronze glow. The bikinis are sophistication at its finest, available in four main styles and five sizes: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 (by British standards).

Photos courtesy of Love Brand & Co.

             Tomalin, ever attuned with the needs of his customers, has designed the bikinis with a “mix and match” concept in mind. Honing in on the wishes of women everywhere, Tomalin’s new collection delivers them with what they want, but are usually unable to find. I can openly attest to this, having tried but failed to diversify my assortment of bikinis through experimenting with different tops and bottoms. Indeed, the cool tones of Love Brand & Co.’s line really take the cake for creating options, as evidenced below in a few examples I have put together:

Photos courtesy of Love Brand & Co.

             Who would have thought that “fashion for the love of elephants” could look so, well…fashionable? Tomalin pulls it off by mastering up timeless pieces that also serve as a reminder of their underlying mission. In the men’s collection, the shorts’ drawstrings are emblemized with silver tusks and a red screw to represent the bloodshed of elephants. The women’s collection does much the same with their bottoms, but in a majestic gold. Giving back to the world in a positive way is surely the most tasteful accessory of any season and of any timeframe. Better yet? It never goes out of style.

Photo courtesy of Love Brand & Co.

             The bikinis might be hanging prettily at the Love Brand & Co. boutique, but in order to do a whole lot of good, they need for you to go and buy them! I have a feeling you won’t need much convincing when you get there. Guys, make sure you tag along too! Once you hit the water, your equally lush Love Brand & Co. ensembles will marry up to stir some poolside jealousy and possibly cause a few ice creams to drop!

Photo courtesy of Love Brand & Co.

             Suit up in bikini tops for 59 pounds and bikini bottoms for 49 pounds. Whether it's for an exotic island beach, the pool down the road, or just your own backyard, you're bound to be spoiled for choice with Love Brand & Co., and left feeling good regardless of your location. To get your hands on these effortlessly chic beauties, shop the women’s collection here, surf the rest of the Love Brand & Co. collection here, or take a trip to “The Beach” and visit them at their flagship boutique. To keep up to date with Kushka and her music, check out her website here.

Photo courtesy of Love Brand & Co.

Product Review: The Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Range

A sampling of the Glam Hair range from Umberto Giannini

As women, we are all looking for that quick fix way to style our hair so that it looks as if we’ve spent hours on it. What we want is simplicity, and hair care line Umberto Giannini offers that expertly. I know that packaging often promotes products as being efficient and easy, but we all know how far from the truth that is sometimes. I would like to give a big thank you to Carmen Hubble for sending over a lovely bundle of Umberto Giannini hair products from the Glam Hair range. Now, allow me to show you just how effortless it is to incorporate these new go-tos into your daily routine.

Step 1. Wash and condition hair with Umberto Giannini Ditch The Dirt Volume Shampoo and Plump & Sexy Volume Conditioner before continuing.

If you would like to browse my review of the Grunge Glamour Tousled Salt Spray, which is also a part of the Glam Hair range, have a look here. Let me just preface by saying that I used the Ditch The Dirt Volume Shampoo and Plump & Sexy Volume Conditioner before applying any of the following products, so you should too! Consider this the first step to achieve any of the looks here. Staying within the same line of products will also optimize the final results.

I really noticed a difference by changing my shampoo and conditioner. These Umberto Giannini products work hand in hand to thicken and nourish my hair before I begin heat styling. Not only that, but they smell delightful. I can’t quite place my finger on the exact smell, but the first thing that comes to mind is of the beach – a clean, salty mix with hints of rose and vanilla that is girly but in the most sophisticated way possible. This is the way with all of the Glam Hair products, so interchanging them doesn’t lead to a scent discontinuity among which products you decide to use.

The only flaw in the packaging for the shampoo and conditioner would have to be that they don’t have pump or squeeze tops, but the product merely flows out. Due to this, it is easy to accidentally overload on the amount of shampoo or conditioner you desire. A nice touch to the shampoo however is that it is clear, but injected with silver glitter to amplify the elegant nature of the line.

While we are talking about packaging, can we just take a moment to appreciate the scandalous women that front these Umberto Giannini products? London-based Together Design thought up the very appealing “glamour girls” who cast their sultry gazes from the bottles. Combined with the matte black and silver color scheme, Umberto Giannini projects professionalism amongst shelves of products that scream for attention through bubblegum colors and overly intricate fonts.

Sex Bomb Massive Mousse

Step 2. After parting damp hair, apply Umberto Giannini's Sex Bomb Massive Mousse to roots.

This is the amount of product you should aim to use.

Step 3. Scrunch the product into your roots.

 Step 4. Blow-dry your hair upside down and the result should look something like this. 

Step 5. Get creative! Try styling this look with your hair pulled off your face, or...

 ...opt for a deep side part with swooping bangs.

Backcomb In A Bottle

Step 2. Apply Umberto Giannini's Backcomb In A Bottle only to your bangs to emphasize and boost your layers.

Step 3. Straighten the rest of your hair.

Backcomb In A Bottle: Look Two

Step 2. Spray Umberto Giannini's Backcomb In A Bottle all over hair. Section off the top half of your hair and pull it into a ponytail, but don't secure with bobby pins yet.

Step 3. Twist your ponytail as shown.

Step 4. Secure the top half of your hair with bobby pins while bumping it up slightly to achieve a bouffant effect. Backcomb In A Bottle essentially does this for you already!

Step 5. Twirl your remaining hair into a high bun on top of your head. 

Step 6. Keep your hair as is or accessorize with a bow (or other hair decoration), as I have done here.

Glamour Puss Crystal Mist

Step 2. Spritz Umberto Giannini’s Glamour Puss Crystal Mist all over hair as liberally as desired.

Here's what the product looks like – a fine coppery/golden mist that adds sparkle to your hair.

The finished effect is difficult to photograph, but I think the subtle nature of this product is what gives it its appeal. This product is perfect for a night out. Without being too over the top, it's dazzling and unexpected when the light hits your hair. 

Just a word of warning: don’t apply the product without draping a towel, or something else, around your shoulders first to prevent unwanted glitter. It goes everywhere, as you can see! 

Morning After Dry Shampoo

Step 2. This next product works most effectively on day-old hair, as I am showing here. My roots are looking rather greasy and the rest of my hair is a bit stiff and lackluster. 

Step 3. Spray Umberto Giannini’s Morning After Dry Shampoo to the roots of your hair from a distance and work it through the length of your hair with your hands. The result? Fresh, fluffy hair without any product buildup!

             Well, there you have it! I hope you have enjoyed my reviews of an assortment of Umberto Giannini products from the Glam Hair collection. Anyone could use them, and I am the living proof! My hair is probably what I spend the least amount of my time on when I get ready to go out or when I wake up in the morning, but I am confident in saying that these products are foolproof. The pictures I have posted for my reviews are as straightforward as they seem and I haven’t left out any steps, so I hope you get the chance to try the looks out for yourself.

Umberto Giannini is a sleek hair care company with a multiplicity of ranges for different purposes and hair types. The products are all easily purchased at any Boots store or online at prices that won’t set you back too heavily. I can attest to the fact that the Glam Hair range certainly lives up to its chosen name and I can’t think of a single woman who doesn’t want some added glamour in her day-to-day life. We all know good hair equals a good day, so don't compromise, ladies! 

             Discover Umberto Giannini here.