Air Pollution is on the rise, fact, and a part of urban living is, you are much more susceptible to and the effects of Air pollution. Over 50 percent of the world’s population lives in urban areas, a percentage that is expected to increase to 66 percent by 2050. But we need to remember for all the disadvantages of City living its also packed with perks – culture, art, restaurants and diversity, just to name a few. But life’s all about balance and at the same time all the big city benefits, urban environments can wreak havoc on your skin.

This week see the launch of a new product, URBAN BLUE Detox Clay Mask, by those clever folk at LAB SERIES. We can’t forget that our skin needs a good detox every now and then.

What this new product does is to help detoxify skin from surface toxins and excess oil. The powerful and absorbing mask boasts a blend of clays, charcoal and other high performance ingredients. Each helps to decongest and unclog pores, reduce their appearance and absorb surface shine. Pores are instantly and deeply cleansed, removing any hardened sebum, dry skin cells, dirt, debris, toxins, and environmental pollutants. Skin is detoxed and left looking healthy, clean, and shine free.

The term artist is banded about all to easily in today’s celebrity obsessed society, with everyone from teen pop singers to two bit graphic T-Shirt producers proclaiming themselves as artistic entities.

Too few true artists ever got to see the merit and interest in their work and many ended their days without even knowing what an impression they had made to the cultural significance of society.

Unfortunately today we have few living legends, particularly in the world of Style and Fashion, many have passed away far too young, other succumbed to toxic vices or the harshness of age has deemed their relevance, irrelevant.

One such survivor and genuine stylish living legend, is Judy Blame, a name which may mean very little to you, but that I’m afraid is testament to the trash society we live in today, where a Kardashian turning up at a shop can evoke more media interest than the totality of that days news.

London based stylist, Artist, accessories designer, artistic consultant etc Judy Blame, began his career in the 1980s as a member of the late, great iconic photographer Ray Petri’s, Buffalo Boys collective. Blame quickly made a name for himself and started to contribute to publications such as i-D and the Face as well as working as an image-consultant for the likes of Neneh Cherry, Björk, Kylie Minogue, Massive Attack and Boy George on some of their most striking personas. Over the years he sort after creativity has seen him collaborate with various design houses including John Galliano while at Christian Dior, where he acted as creative consultant, Rei Kawakubo at Comme des Garçons, where Blame designs their range of male accessories, Gareth Pugh, Marc Jacobs and Kim Jones at Louis Vuitton.

To mark the impact of his artistic contribution, later this month sees his first solo exhibition at London’s ICA, where Judy Blame – Never Again runs through to the 4th September.

The Medium Blame is renowned for is the customisation of garments and creating accessories, where he uses buttons and pins in the same way as some utilise Gold and diamonds. His latest collaboration brings his very British quirk to the queen of gift giving Jo Malone and her iconic gift boxes. Inspired by the London tradition of pearly kings and queens, each has its own pearly symbol and spirit. A heart for charity. An anchor for hope. A crown for royalty. And then there’s his post-punk pin. An unexpected keepsake made with typical Judy Blame irreverence.

Judy Blame for Jo Malone London Box are available with the purchase of two or more Jo Malone London products, exclusive to Selfridges and Jo Malone Outlet and www.jomalone.co.uk

The needs and wants of the contemporary man are changing, one minute we’re being told to be at one with our emotions and embrace metrosexual man. The next we need to MAN UP, followed by being told off if we hold a door open for a lady. The next minute it’s OK for females to objectify men and past suggestive comments about the likes of David Gandy, Daniel Craig, myself, sorry, David Beckham etc, but God forbid Males appreciate the qualities of the female form.

However, men are being offered many new ways to experience services and products, male grooming has gone beyond the purely functional and a splash of Brut 55. One brand which seems to be, quite literally, revolutionising the way males approach general grooming is Aveda. Following the successful launch of the award winning Aveda Men Grooming Destination, Aveda introduces, The Grooming Station – a new pop-up barbershop with a lifestyle and experiential concept, set in the heart of London’s buzzing Fitzrovia.

To satisfy the needs of every stylish modern man the space offers free WIFI and charging points, The Grooming Station has been created as a multi-functional environment for men who want to relax, recharge and browse, or drop in for an on-the-go express barbering fix. Plus treatments start from a pocket friendly £10.

The Grooming Station is a collaborative space that promises men an opportunity to discover treatments and products for hair, skin and fragrance, over the next three-month and features brand including Aveda Men, Clinique for Men, LAB SERIES, TOM FORD and Ermenegildo Zegna fragrances.

Visitors to the Grooming Station can experience a selection of barbering services from a top Aveda Men Master Barber. Services include express options from a Shampoo / Cut / Style to a Beard Tidy, with each barbering service complemented by a free express Aveda Men facial to ensure you feel relaxed and calm after the stresses and riggers of everyday life – a menu designed to offer convenience with a customised approach.

The Grooming Station celebrates the art of craftsmanship and has collaborated with LOCK&KEY, bespoke furniture creators, who helped to design the innovative aesthetic that features unique pieces, crafted from reclaimed and re-purposed materials – breathing new life into previously unwanted, discarded objects.

And if that wasn’t enough for those of you after a dose of popular culture, The Grooming Station will be offering an exclusive calendar of events right the way through until August, including brands such as, luxury British Gin Manufacturers Sipsmith, amongst others.

Ask anybody to name a Fashion house and it up it won’t be long before, even the most un-Fashion savvy of folk, utter three little words which mean ohhhh so much, Yves Saint Laurent or YSL. A house with more History than the Tudors and more interesting than the Ewings.

The epitome of French fashion brands unveils the new fragrance for men – L’HOMME ULTIME – promising to be a tribute to freedom and modern elegance.

This scent features a powerful woody-aromatic composition uniting the freshness of Damask Rose with the sensuality of Clary Sage. The purpose of this new scent is to embody the magnetism and confidence of modern day masculinity.

The opening is aromatic, woody and deeply compelling. An uplifting essence of grapefruit grabs you, punctured by Ginger and Cardamom Seed. Rippling through the centre, a shot of energetic Damask Rose lifts you, exquisitely contrasted with the sobriety of Geranium and the raw sensuality of Clary Sage. A base of Cedar Oil and Vetiver form the interminable trail of the blend, lending a sense of unquestionable authority. The darkly sensual impact of woody notes provides a constant thread for the L’Homme trinity of scents L’Homme, L’Homme L’Intense and now, L’Homme Ultime. With a careful blend of aromatic woods and fresh notes, each edition of L’Homme comes with its own unique intensity and depth of impact. These magical scent were dreamed up by the trinity of Master Perfumers Anne Flipo, Dominique Ropion and Juliette Karagueuzoglou.

French luxury skincare brand Biotherm launched its Biotherm Homme range back in in 1985 and for 30 years, It’s played a pioneering role in men’s skincare, creating solutions to respond to the specific needs of men’s skin, with products such as the breakthrough gel moisturizer Aquapower and the corrective anti-aging cream Force Supreme. Their in house scientists and innovators have been transforming the way men treat their skin. With new products and textures for men’s thicker, oilier skin that answer men’s everyday skin issues, feel great and help skin look better. The brand offers a complete range of over 80 advanced skincare solutions adapted to different skin types and concerns. All products within the range share the power of aquatic ingredients, which ensure light and invigorating textures.

Recently they announced an unique long-term partnership to develop a men’s grooming line with England’s football icon, David Beckham, to become Biotherm Homme’s first global ambassador.
Beckham’s first Biotherm Homme campaign, for the brand’s N°1 moisturizer Aquapower will break Next month with the collection, of both skincare and daily grooming products, will launch later in 2017.

“I’ve been thinking about developing a skincare range for a long time and it wasn’t until I started speaking with Biotherm that it all came together. They are as ambitious as I am, and we look forward to showing everyone the fruits of our labor very soon.” David Beckham.