On the scene

Behind the scenes at the parties, launches and events in the world of beauty, aesthetics, spa and nails

OPI Gelcolor Intelli-Gel launch

OPI head office, London

Nail techs and press including PB’s Kezia Parkins were invited to OPI HQ to learn all about the brand’s newly formulated gel polish The Gelcolor Intelli-Gel System.

The first half of the day was all about education, as OPI educator Belinda Price demonstrated the differences between the new and old systems before guests got to have a play. The new system has self-levelling capabilities and a thicker consistency, making it great for both simple and complex nail art.

Attendees then took a stroll round the corner to another venue where a spread of cocktails awaited in a room of long tables decked out with candle-making supplies from brand Babel, which the techs and guests decorated.

Jane Iredale x Get Harley event

The Ivy Chelsea Garden, London

PB’s senior content writer Ellen Cummings attended the first Jane Iredale and Get Harley collaboration event to hear about how mineral makeup brand Jane Iredale can help clients who have had a beauty or aesthetic procedure. Therapists and clinicians can apply the makeup at the end of the treatment so that they can be sure clients aren’t applying their own makeup to camouflage the aftereffects of the treatment, which might irritate skin further. Guests also watched a demonstration of how to apply the brand’s skincare makeup system and got colour matched for their own foundation.

Medik8 Innovation Centre tour

Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Ellen visited Medik8’s Innovation Centre – a 100,000sq ft purpose-built facility that houses the skincare brand’s manufacturing, distribution, research and development, and supply chain operations.

Ellen was given a tour of the centre by Medik8’s head of communications Heather Bloomfield to mark the brand’s 15th anniversary. Highlights included making a batch of Crystal Retinal with formulation manager Lou Reynolds, who also explained all of the lab’s exciting tech and gadgets, and touring the warehouse and production facilities to see the consumer and professional products being mixed and packaged.

Scratch Stars

The Underglobe, London

UK and Ireland nail industry pros celebrated at The Scratch Stars Party on July 21, during an evening of awards, live garage music and nail tech networking. Kezia attended the event, which was hosted by DJ, producer and former England Rugby Union player James Haskell, who invited sponsors on stage to reveal the winner of their respective category.

Attendees enjoyed an evening of prosecco, canapés and speeches, as well as live performances from Shola Ama and DJ Luck & MC Neat. Professional Beauty North stage host and competition judge Kirsty Meakin was recognised for her impact, winning the Services to the Nail Industry Award, with other winners including Danielle Brindley, Lucy PriceMarshall, Kirsty McDonough and Melanie Lewendon.

Temple Spa event

St James’ Court London

Ellen was invited to an evening of wellness, hosted by spa brand Temple Spa’s co-founder, Liz Warom, at Taj Hotels’ St James’ Court in London.

Warom explained the brand’s inception and growth since it started in 2000, including its strong Mediterranean influence and charitable partnerships.

Warom also led guests through a mini wellness ritual, using a few of the brand’s products, before they were treated to a delicious threecourse dinner in the conservatory in the hotel’s courtyard.

Sabirah Talks

Somerset House, London

Fashion brand Sabirah, which aims to elevate all women, regardless of size, religion or race, launched the first in a series of Sabirah Talks panel discussions.

Kezia went along to the panel, chaired by designer Deborah Latouche, which focused on women of colour in the fashion and beauty industries. Joining her was Sharon Lloyd, co-chair of British Beauty Council’s Diversity Equity and Inclusivity committee; Nick Irwin, global ambassador for Schwarzkopf Pro, and his assistant Nuria Ferreira; Arooj Aftab, a fashion creative and cultural consultant; and Karen Cummings-Palmer, founder of 79 Luxe skincare. Underrepresentation of women of colour in the beauty industry was discussed, as well as tokenism, discrimination and pay disparity. Conversation around how the skin tones and hair texture of Black women are discussed and represented were particularly lively.