Halloween special: 5 bizarre beauty treatments that spooked us out

October 31 is celebrated as Halloween the world over.

The eve of trick-or-treat, horror stories, costume parties and scary make-up is upon us. While Halloween is all about these things, we list a few scary and bizarre beauty treatments that we found downright spooky. Are you a braveheart to try them out? Read on to find out!

Vampire facial

This beauty treatment certainly goes well with the Halloween spirit. It involves drawing out blood from one’s body and then injecting it back in the person’s face. It is believed that since one’s own blood is used, it creates platelet-rich plasma which smoothes out fine lines and the appearance of wrinkles. Reality TV star Kim Kardashian had given it a try once. The results are said to be instant you so can go for this treatment just before your Halloween party.

Cryotherapy treatment

How would you like to freeze your body for some time? If that is your idea of fun, then try cryotherapy which essentially involves exposing yourself to extremely low temperatures (as low as -140 degrees) for a short duration of time. Apparently, this eliminates toxins from the body, helps regenerate tissues and stimulates collagen production. A celebrity who’s tried it is Demi Moore.

Leech therapy

In this, slimy leeches are placed on your face and neck to let them detoxify your blood, leaving you with a fresher and younger looking feeling. Medically, a few variety of leeches have been used to cure a few diseases and now they are being used for cosmetic purposes as well. Demi Moore once admitted she let leeches such on her blood to look younger.

Joker smile surgery

Want to emulate the joker with a permanently fixed smile on your face, even when you are sad? This is what the joker smile surgery will do for you. The procedure will curl up the corners of your lips by altering your facial muscles and their setting especially the jaw muscles which are responsible for giving you a droopy smile as they pull the lips downwards.

Fire facial

If extreme cold is not your cup of tea, try extreme heat. In fire facials, a towel soaked in alcohol and a secret elixir is put on the face and then the towel is lit-up for some time before it is extinguished. It is believed that fire creates extreme heat which can treat the appearance of wrinkles, sagging skin, fine lines, etc by altering one’s body’s chemistry due to the adrenalin response.

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Charles James Is the Met's 2014 Costume Institute Exhibition

Calling all fashion historians: Ever heard of Charles James? You’ll know more than you ever dreamed in a few months time after the Metropolitan Museum of Art features the Anglo-American couturier next year in its annual Costume Institute exhibit.

In an email announcement on Monday to its members, the Met revealed “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” will be the Costume Institute’s 2014 exhibition. It will run from May 8 until August 10, 2014.

The London-born designer moved to the U.S. in 1940. He had no formal training, but, according to the Met:

complex cut and seaming led to the creation of key design elements that he updated throughout his career: wrap-over trousers, figure-eight skirts, body-hugging sheaths, ribbon capes and dresses, spiral-cut garments, and poufs.

The Condé Nast image accompanying the announcement shows debutante-aged women in a grand parlor, swathed in feet of icy blue and creme silk, elbow length gloves in site. It is decidedly elegant, expensive, and dated. Approachable? No. But then again neither are the Picassos and Goyas lining the halls of the venerable institute. Sometimes art needs to be an escape. The Charles James exhibit appears to fit nicely into this category.

You might remember that the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibit in 2011 smashed attendance records for the Met’s Costume Institute, drawing 661,509 visitors.

I don’t expect this exhibit to garner the same widespread attention; I have never heard of Charles James before and I am fairly confident that a large portion of others haven’t, either. The exhibit will have to stand on its own merit, and Charles James on his vintage couture designs (unlike the Prada/Schiaparelli exhibit in 2012 that touted the Italian designers’ names, but fell flat in designs).

Though we don’t want to fuel the fires of speculation, perhaps someone deep in the fashion PR trenches is staging a comeback for the Charles James line. Far fetched considering the designer died in 1978, but you might remember that a retrospective of the Madame Vionnet designs in 2009 at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs was an unexpected prelude to the relaunch of the brand (which now has a star following and billionaire Russian designer backing it up).

Last year’s punk exhibit (photo above) made goth very glamorous and incited a conversation not only on the origins of punk, but also of counterculture movements en masse.

I, along with many other art fashion fans, will wait with baited breath, hot with chiffon hopes and couture anticipations — and I can’t wait to see those gowns at the Gala.

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Great Witch Hazel Beauty Uses

This great natural ingredient is eco-friendly and very cheap and you can find it in almost every drugstore. The final distilled product that's sold to us comes form the steam of witch hazel's leaves and bark. Plus, it comes in various forms, as an astringent, wipes or cream, so all you have to do is choose the best suited for your skin condition.

5 Uses For Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel Uses: Acne

One of the most important uses of witch hazel is in treating acne. You probably didn't know, but using it regularly will help you fight acne and blemishes. You should also know that this is a natural astringent that will help you control the oil level and reduce inflammations. We recommend using witch hazel as a toner. Apply it on your face after removing your makeup and shortly you'll see a great improvement of your acne.

Witch Hazel Uses for Skin: Helps Healing Bruises

Another great property of witch hazel is that it helps speeding up the healing process of your bruises. Add some witch hazel on a cotton pad and then apply it on your open bruise. You should repeat this procedure three time a day. Moreover, the tannins contained by witch hazel's leaves, bark and twigs will help you reduce the swelling and regenerate your skin. Soon enough, your bruises will be healed!

What Is Witch Hazel Used for: Refreshing Your Skin

We simply love this natural ingredient because it's the perfect skin refresher during hot summer days. Sun exposure during summer leaves your skin oily so you need a good cleanser. That's why we recommend witch hazel as a natural cleanser because it will remove all impurities and excess oil very fast and will let your skin rejuvenated and glowing. Plus, it smells divinely.

Witch Hazel Use: Eases Psoriasis and Eczema

If you've been dealing with one of these conditions, then we're happy to recommend witch hazel. It has some great anti-inflammatory properties that will help reduce the pain, the redness and itching, those common symptoms of psoriasis and eczema. Moreover, we'd also recommend paying your dermatologist a visit if you have very sensitive skin.

Great Witch Hazel Use for Your Skin: Keeps Your Skin Moisturized

Witch hazel oil eliminates water loss and keeps your face skin hydrated. We recommend using it right after you took a shower because you'll not only moisturize your skin, but you'll also prevent it from becoming dry.

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Adidas leads a dance revolution for women

The bonds shared between girls in Southeast Asia is celebrated by adidas with its first ever regional campaign for women.

NOTHING beats getting things done with your girlfriends and adidas is here to support just that.

This season, adidas introduces its first Southeast Asia campaign for women. It centres on the key insight that girls in Southeast Asia rely on their peers and communities as a source of strength and play an instrumental role in inspiring each other to go all in, whatever their pursuits.

Created by women for women, ‘all in for #mygirls’ is about providing inspiration, support and motivation through the sharing of real stories of real women through multiple touch points, to encourage Southeast Asia girls to go all in for their sporting passions.

The brand has teamed up with local ambassadors from across the region – Fay Hokulani (representing Malaysia and Singapore), Ana Karylle Padilla Tatlonghari (Philippines), Si Phitsinee Tanwiboon (Thailand), Maria Selena (Indonesia) and Nguyen Thi Kim Dung (Vietnam) – bringing them together on one social platform to connect and share their experiences, sporting passions and personal motivations to spur each other and other girls on in their individual pursuits.

#mygirls for Southeast Asia kicks off with the release of the Fall/Winter FW13 women’s training collection. The first phase is themed around the girls’ love for dance, and the campaign was launched across the region on Sept 15 supported by retail, public relations, digital and online activations through adidas’ Facebook page.

Decked out in bold and playful colours, the photo shoot presented the upbeat, unique and energetic nature of the women. The stylish yet comfortable Techfit, CIimalite and Yoga apparel, coupled with the sporty adiPURE and Climacool footwear brought out the sassy and exuberant dancer in the girls.

Designed primarily for indoor training, the adipure 360 footwear is made of super light and flexible materials, featuring the latest in technology to support multidirectional movement. The anatomically designed shoe provides comfort and support throughout every stretch, every stride and every step making it a hot feature in dance spotlight.

Alternatively, the Climcacool features new ventilation channels across the outsole and the use of climacool material on the upper of the shoe, which helps sweat to evaporate. In addition, the COOLEVER lining, a special clover-shaped yarn, keeps the foot cool, dry and comfortable during your activities. The achieved performance benefit of 360° ventilation reduces thermal stress and discomfort during workouts and results in increased performance.

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How to be a happily single woman

Being single can be a source of anxiety for many. Here, women give their tips on dating, sex and embracing single life to the full, whatever your age.

TIMES have never been better for single women. Long gone are the days when they needed a man to pay the bills and protect them, with a social status dependent on their spouse. Despite the return of Bridget Jones, there are single people of all ages out there going about their business and enjoying themselves, and the word spinster has pretty much been outlawed.

And yet, says Zoe Strimpel, who is organising a discussion on the topic at this year’s Cambridge Festival of Ideas in Cambridge, Britain, being unattached and over 30 remains a source of anxiety for many. Concerns range from mass hysteria over biological clocks through to fear of coping alone in old age, via unhelpful stereotypes of cat ladies and cougars.

“Sometimes it’s hard to know how to be a neutral single woman,” says Strimpel. Joining her in discussion will be relationship counsellor Susan Quilliam, psychologist Cecilia d’Felice, and authority on sexual matters, Rowan Pelling.

Here is a preview of key tips from the event, entitled How To Be A Single Woman In 2013, Whether You’re 25 Or 60, along with some thoughts from happily single women.

Age 20-30

Don’t feel obliged to regale your coupled-up friends with wild tales from dating’s front line. There’s an immense pressure to be showily “single and loving it”, says Strimpel, whose book The Man Diet was published last year.

“I have heard some distressing sexual things women have reluctantly done in the name of fun,” she adds, “such as going home with unfriendly randoms only to be secretly appalled by their callous and unattractive behaviour, the porn pop-ups carelessly left flashing on their laptop.”

People expect that their single friends will want to talk about men, whether it’s about sex, or deconstructing their behaviour per se, “but the more you talk about something, the more entrenched in your mind it becomes”, breeding unhealthy obsessions, says Strimpel.

Engage in lofty activities. When you’ve been burning the candle in search of romance, only to find yourself exhausted, try staying in to read War And Peace instead. That’s what Strimpel did, and it helped her gain some perspective. “I felt so smug,” she says. “I couldn’t believe that I had bothered with these losers when I was now too busy contemplating the battle of Borodino in 1812.”

30-40

Don’t feel like a failure; seize the opportunity to find yourself instead. “When you’re in a relationship, it’s very hard to see yourself clearly because you’re constantly in response to your partner,” says d’Felice. Whereas when you’re single, you can take stock, learn from your mistakes and work out what you want for the future. “Particularly for women who have been conditioned to be givers rather than takers,” she adds, it’s an opportunity to put ourselves first. “This is not an act of selfishness,” she says, “it’s a very important act of selfhood.”

Contentment is key. Tina Andrews, who has been single for a decade, points out that there are happy and unhappy people in and out of relationships. “For me it’s about being content and, hopefully, that takes you on the right path. I see more pain and misery from women who think they should be in a relationship, who put themselves out there to be knocked back, and lose a sense of themselves. I think: you’ve wasted 10 years trying to find a man while I’ve enjoyed myself.”

Avoid women’s magazines. Patti Burton, a charity manager who has been single for more than 20 years, cites her disinterest in glossy articles “aimed at people who are part of couples”, as one of the reasons she has never felt any stigma about her relationship status.

40-50

Don’t be afraid of 40. Andrews felt in the run-up that her options were falling away, but then realised: “I actually don’t care. I don’t have the urge to have a family, and I don’t see 40 as the end of that anyway. As we grow up, our expectations of certain ages change. It’s the Friends generation turning into the Sex And The City generation, moving into The Golden Girls. Life continues at all these ages.”

Give thanks that you’re among the last generation who didn’t learn about sex from Internet porn.

Single mums can have fun, too. “Of my friends who wanted to be older mums,” says Pelling, “more of them had children than not, despite everyone saying their chances were about 2%.” And those who went for it on their own with sperm-donor dads are still dating. “The biggest change is Internet dating, so you don’t have to join the amateur dramatics society and the tennis club any more to meet people.”

50-60

Women do not become invisible in middle age. “Some of the most attractive, lusted-after women I know are in their 50s. It’s up to you whether you think it’s time to withdraw,” says Pelling. You do, however, have to be robust in the face of those who want to knock women down. “But it’s not as if we’re dressing to attract people of 28 ... Why should we have to not be a sexual person just because we’re on the wrong side of 45?”

Don’t be hemmed in by cliches. You can’t stop people using labels, such as cougar, says Pelling. “Culturally, we’re much worse than, say, the French about older people having sex. Everyone in France expects glamorous 60-year-olds will be, but we’re sort of still coping with the idea. There are a load of unpleasant terms out there but it’ll get you nowhere having any anxiety about those.”

60-plus

Don’t take the decreasing numbers of men personally. “Be realistic,” says Quilliam, “and face the fact that there are fewer men than there once were and you’ll probably live longer than most of them.”

Enjoy not having to pick up anyone’s pants any more. When her marriage ended, Burton (now 65) assumed she’d eventually have another live-in relationship but what has largely been on offer is “lonely men who need looking after. I’ve got three children and six grandchildren – I do not need a middle-aged man to look after.”

All ages

Be positive, says Quilliam, “if for no other reason than bitterness is not a good look – to attract a partner, for your friends to hang round and, most importantly, for you.” Don’t spend the rest of your life saying “... the bastard’s robbed me”. Do whatever it takes to move on: counselling, talking to friends, rethinking your life.

Be self-determining. It’s easy to be passive, says Quilliam. If you want a partner, try Internet dating, or taking other steps to find one. And if you want to stay single, or have a string of casual affairs, go for it. You now have the freedom.

Connect in a way that’s right for you. Burton gets all the human warmth she needs from her family. Or gather friends around you, says Quilliam: “You can get most of what you want from people other than a partner.”

Finally, Quilliam quotes the words that poet Seamus Heaney texted to his wife last month when he was on the brink of death and she was facing widowhood: “nolle timere” (don’t be afraid). “The key thing about being single is don’t be frightened. In today’s world as a woman, you have huge status, you can manage on your own, you can choose to build your own life.”

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Krishna Mehta explores handloom textiles of Benaras

After successfully featuring the textile and craft of Gujarat and Manipur, designer Krishna Mehta showcased the weaving community of Varanasi or Benaras for her latest collection at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW).

Mehta's "The Magic Woven...by Krishna Mehta", saw tasteful designs and vibrant colour combinations on garments. Traditional buttis, bellas and phoolpatti, with prints, applique embellishments and embroidery techniques in the design celebrated the weaving legacy of Benaras, one of India's oldest textile centres.

"Being a textile weaver, I love textile collections. Last time my collection was on Manipur weaving, and I have also done collections of Pochampally in Andra Pradesh. This time I decided to do a collection with Benaras because the city is very famous for its handlooms. You can get the best cotton and silk in Benaras. Moreover after weaving, the textile is very versatile so I chose Benaras for my spring summer collection," the designer said.

Mehta used printing and dyeing techniques from crafts and traditions across the world, juxtaposing them with vibrant handloom textiles.

"I have used Jaikart with extra yarn as a weaving technique and for texture I have used Shibori and Tie & Dye. I have constructed comfortable silhouettes and have used a whole spectrum of colours from pastel to bright, for instance, fresh mint and peach to bright reds and fuchsias," she said.

The collection line-up had elegant garments and accessories, in hand-woven fine cotton and silk Jamdanis, Kinkhabs, Tanchoi, and cutwork fabrics, created by using multiple innovative weaving techniques that complement the materials.

Mehta entered into an association with the government for this collection, and thanked the development commissioner for handlooms of the ministry of textiles of the government of India for support.

"I got a lot of help and support from the government of different states. They usually help me visit the best places and choose the right yarn, etc. The government also helps weavers to produce the textile of my choice, providing them yarn which is not easily available. I must say that the government has always made an immense contribution to putting my collection together," she said.

She added that Indian designers could do much more to promote traditional textile and handlooms.

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Canceled Candidates, One-Man Police Department, Traffic Fatalities, Duggar Family Trail and More on the W&OD.

Patch has 31 sites in Virginia and Washington. Here are some of the top stories from around the region this week.

Beloved Reston Watering Hole to Close After 22 Years

The Lakeside Inn, the neighborhood bar and restaurant for a generation of Restonians, announced it will be closing by the end of October.

Updated: Comstock-Murphy Forum in Great Falls Canceled Due to Anticipated Crowding, 'Outside Disruption'

A candidate forum between incumbent Republican state Del. Barbara Comstock and Democratic challenger Kathleen Murphy in Great Falls for Tuesday night was canceled due to the anticipated crowd being too large for the venue.

One email from the Great Falls Citizens Association's debate team that was forwarded to Patch blamed the cancellation on "outside disruption."

The move has angered gun safety advocates, who had planned a small demonstration outside of the event and wanted to pressure the incumbent into talking about her record.

Fairfax City Petland Lawsuit and Countersuit Both Thrown Out of Court

The brakes were put on two dueling lawsuits Wednesday between the infamous Fairfax City Petland store and one of its customers, who purchased a $2,400 Maltese puppy named Ty back in May that died 13 days later of multiple causes including an upper respiratory sinus infection and hypoglycemia. Petland’s management is suing customer Kevin Mulcahy for the $1,100 balance on the puppy, while Mulcahy is countersuing for the initial $1,300 deposit he put down as well as vet bills, supplies and several days of lost wages to care for the sick puppy and appear in court at least three times thus far.

Readers React to Jogger-Cyclist Crash on W&OD Trail

After Patch ran a story last week on a serious collision that took place on the Washington & Old Dominion trail that sent a cyclist and a jogger to the hospital, hundreds of Patch readers clicked on the story and some weighed in.

Police are stepping up their presence on the popular trail after the serious crash between a cyclist and jogger Sunday before last, according to a news release from the City.

Police Chief Mary Gavin announced last week the additional deployment of bicycle and motorcycle officers along the popular (W&OD) trail, to educate and enforce park and traffic laws.

Officer Starts His Own Private Police Department in Manassas

Michael Youlen is a force to be reckoned with—a police force, that is.

Youlen, a former Manassas Police officer and private detective, started his own police force, the Manassas Housing Police Authority, in Manassas just over a year ago.

Hemorrhoids, Fungus, Dog Poop More Popular Than Congress, Poll Reports

What are some things more popular than Congress right now?

Hemorrhoids, toenail fungus and dog poop among other items, according to Public Policy Polling released Tuesday.

Tysons Corner's CustomInk Named Top Place to Work

Tyson’s Corner-based CustomInk was named one of the top places to work.

The custom T-shirt company was ranked eighth out of 25 medium-sized workplaces on the Great Place to Work list. The company was profiled due to employee perks like weekly meals, parties, tuition reimbursement, and an informal dress code, according to the list.

New Ghostly Stories on Haunted Occoquan Tour

Local ghost tour guide and paranormal investigator Kay Pietrewiczhas collected even more ghostly tales this year, just in time to guide visitors through the haunted streets of Occoquan during Halloween season.

Third Accident Raises Fatality Total in Loudoun Over Weekend to Five

Another fatal accident over the weekend reported by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office raises the total to five.

An accident in Aldie Friday afternoon killed a Texas woman on a weekend when two additional accidents too the lives of four other people in Loudoun County, according to reports from the LCSO and Virginia State Police.

Mars Candy Heiress Was Driver in Fatal Crash Friday in Loudoun

The driver of a Porsche SUV that struck a minivan occupied by several Texas women in Aldie on Friday has been identified as Jacqueline Mars, one of the richest women in the world and a co-owner of Mars Inc., the world’s largest candy company.

One of the passengers from the minivan died in the accident, and prosecutors are reviewing the case to determine whether charges should be filed.

Man Stable After Falling 15 Feet Through Grate in Ballston

A man in his mid-50s fell through a grate in the small grassy area between 950 N. Glebe Road and an adjacent building shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Rescue workers were able to pull the man to safety and transport him to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where he was in stable condition.

The man was walking to a meeting when the grate collapsed under him, Arlington County Fire Capt. Bill Shelton said. Shelton could think of only one other similar instance of something like this happening in the last 17 years.

Roundabout Proposed at ‘Failing’ Braddock, Pleasant Valley Road Intersection in Centreville

Fairfax County residents have until Oct. 23 to weigh in on the proposed roundabout which would replace the existing four-way stop that transportation officials say has to go.

The intersection of Braddock and Pleasant Valley roads in Centreville is considered problematic and is now the subject of a $4 million improvement project that could transform it into roundabout.

The intersection, which is near Cox Farms, is currently a four-way stop, with a single lane in each direction, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) data shows.

Problems occur during peak hours on weekday morning and evenings, when the intersection becomes extremely congested, causing backups on Braddock Road.

Police: Arlington Man Sexually Assaulted Roommate While She Slept

A 31-year-old Arlington man has been accused of sexually assaulting his roommate while she slept.

Police say Allister Kennedy entered his 24-year-old roommate's bedroom at about 11:50 p.m. Monday. Kennedy allegedly pinned the woman down while she slept and sexually assaulted her.

The woman eventually fought him off and called 911, police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck said.

2 Killed, 1 Seriously Injured in Crash on Van Dorn Street Outside Alexandria

Two people were killed and a third person injured early Sunday morning when a car crashed into a bridge pillar on Van Dorn Street near Vine Street, police said.

Police: Alexandria Man Arrested, Charged with Sexual Battery

Fairfax County police responded to a call around 6:40 p.m. Monday in the Huntington area of Alexandria after a woman reported she was inappropriately touched while riding a public transit bus.

Man Charged in Deadly Crash on I-95 in Stafford

Virginia State Police charged a Hampton, Va., man with reckless driving in a Tuesday morning four-vehicle crash on I-95 which killed one, injured two and snarled the morning commute for hours.

Teenager Robbed, Assaulted on Old Blacksmith Drive in Burke

A 16-year-old boy was robbed and assaulted while walking on Old Blacksmith Drive near Villagesmith Way in Burke Monday.

The teenager was ambushed by three people around 6:40 p.m. and had his property stolen, according to the daily crime report released by Fairfax County Police Department Tuesday.

Duggar Family to Visit Woodbridge to Support Ken Cuccinelli

As part of their recently-announced Virginia Values Bus Tour, theDuggar family, stars of the TLC reality TV show "19 Kids and Counting," will be visiting Woodbridge next Wednesday to raise support for Virginia gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli.

3 Dead in Triangle Trailer Fire

Three adults were found dead in a Triangle trailer after a fire broke out early Tuesday morning, Prince William County Fire and Rescue officials said.

Firefighters responded to a fire at the mobile home near the 18700 block of Fuller Heights Road around 3:22 a.m. They were able to extinguish the fire, but found three adults dead inside the building. Officials believe the three victims, who are unidentified at this time, were residents of the home.

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Kate Moss could front Topshop move into China

Kate Moss could lead Topshop into China after the fashion chain's billionaire owner Sir Philip Green said he was in "advanced discussions" to open its first outlets in the country.

With the model set to put her name to a new collection for the retailer, due to launch in 40 countries next April, Green said today: "We could use that as an opportunity to open 20 to 30 pop-up stores within department stores in China."

Moss's latest collaboration with Topshop will be the first since she walked away from a previous project three years ago. The model, who was paid a reported £3m for her first collaboration, will work on the new collection with stylist Katy England and Topshop's creative director, Kate Phelan. At 39, she is old enough to be the mother of many Topshop customers, but Green insisted she still had fashion influence.

"Show me anybody with better fashion credibility. She's spent 20 years in the industry – who knows the business better?"

Using Moss's name in China would echo Topshop's move into the US four years ago, where the model's worldwide appeal helped secure sites in a number of Nordstrum stores as well as four standalone stores.

Green, who opened a Topshop store in Hong Kong this summer, said he was in negotiations with a number of parties about different opportunities on the mainland, and Topshop's China launch might also begin with standalone stores alongside department store outlets.

He could not say when these might open but said: "We can open in any market pretty quickly. If we did the deal tomorrow we could open in six weeks."

Green is also looking at pop-up shops for Topshop Unique, the catwalk range which showed during London fashion week.

Meanwhile, Topshop is continuing its expansion trail in the US where it is just completing the opening of 20 new Nordstrum outlets. Green said more could follow next year if the current batch perform well, and there could be as many as 70 across the country in future as well as standalone stores. He is in negotiations to open four of five more high street outlets with plans for at least one more New York store.

This year the Arcadia Group, which includes Dorothy Perkins, Burton, Miss Selfridge, Wallis and Evans as well as Topshop, has opened 154 new stores globally, taking its total to about 700.

In the UK, Green is conducting a "capital investment review" amid increased competition from the internet and rival chains. Each of the Arcadia brands has been asked to make a pitch on how it could rejuvenate the look of its stores.

Green would not put a figure on his investment plans but said trial revamps of Dorothy Perkins and Burton stores in Bluewater, Kent, and an Evans store on Oxford Street, London, had produced double-digit increases in sales. He said each chain could get a budget to try an updated look in 10 to 30 stores.

Green has previously announced plans to pull out of 200 to 300 smaller stores when leases expire and he confirmed that process was continuing.

The everyday things that age you

COMMUTING

Whether you spend half an hour a day waiting at bus stops or you simply walk to work, pollution clogs pores, breaks down collagen and leaves skin dull and lifeless. Plus a build-up of oil and dirt can lead to breakouts.

To help fight damaging free radicals skin expert Amanda Elias recommends choosing a moisturiser to protect you when you're out and about.

"Look for an anti-oxidant. SPFs are important even in the winter as UVA rays cause skin ageing too," she says. "You also need a good end-of-day cleansing routine to remove make-up and also the grime that has settled on your skin throughout the day."

Take your make-up off as soon as possible. "Remove it no later than eight o'clock so you're not too tired to do it properly."

WASHING UP

"Often people don't think of their hands when it comes to anti-ageing but they are one of the first places age shows. They can be neglected, especially when we're always plunging them into hot soapy water," says Amanda.

Cleaning the dishes doesn't however have to be bad for our hands. She suggests using washing up as a pampering session.

"Two or three times a week massage in a thick layer of cream before putting on rubber gloves. The heat from the water will warm the cream and help it sink deeper into your skin."

Washing our hands continuously throughout the day causes them to become dehydrated too.

"Even when we do use an SPF on them we end up washing it off which leads to age spots so try to remember to reapply."

YOUR DESK

We know that sitting at a desk all day is bad for us but it can add years to your face too. When stressed our sebaceous glands produce more oil resulting in adult acne, plus tired eyes become dry and more lined.

Jill Zander, founder of the Jill Zander Skin Rejuvenation Clinic, recommends regular desk breaks for their beauty benefits. "Even if just for a few minutes, make sure you get out of the office," she says. "Being outside tops up your vitamin D levels which stimulates the production of elastin and collagen."

Air conditioning also wreaks havoc on our skin causing a dull, dry look.

"Always make sure to keep a large bottle of water to hand to stay hydrated from within through the day," advises Jill.

Bacteria on phones and keyboards are transferred to your hands and face causing breakouts so give the area a good clean once a week.

YOUR SLEEP POSITION

We all need our beauty sleep but depending on which way you lie you might be causing unwanted lines and wrinkles.

Most at risk is your chest.

"If you lie on your side the skin naturally creases," says Michael Oko, who runs a sleep disorder clinic in London's Harley Street.

You can try to combat this by making sure you are ready to sleep. This will mean you're less likely to keep tossing and turning.

"To ensure you fall asleep in the position of your choice, try to get into a routine," Michael advises.

"Stick to it every night to ease yourself into a sleeping pattern. Have a bath before getting ready for bed and leave iPads and gadgets outside the bedroom. Quality is more important than quantity when it comes to beauty sleep. Without good quality sleep skin doesn't heal and regenerate."

To keep larger breasts from ageing try sleeping in a bra. It will hold them in place and stop the delicate skin stretching as you sleep.

WASHING YOUR FACE

While our faces certainly benefi t from a regular exfoliation to lift away dead skin, scrubbing too hard actually has an ageing effect.

"When you scrub you can create tears deep in the epidermis," says Amanda Elias. These tiny irritations cause dry, fl aky and uneven skin.

Amanda recommends using a facial exfoliator with glycolic acid.

"This gently dissolves the dead skin cells from your face," she states.

The eye area is especially sensitive and extra care should be taken.

"The skin is thinner than that of the rest of your face and it doesn't produce its own oil." Make sure you go easy when cleansing in the morning in order not to strip skin of its natural protective oils. If you've thoroughly cleaned your skin the night before, doing it again in the morning could dry it out.

"Cleanse upwards in circular motions to stimulate skin without pulling it downwards," adds Amanda.

WATCHING TV

From helping you to pile on the pounds to lowering your mood, watching too much TV could be making you old before your time.

"Being sedentary for extended periods increases your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Simply getting up off your sofa could help you live a longer, happier life," says Dr Emma Wilmot from the University of Leicester. She advises that getting up and about in the evening, even if you just have a chat on the phone while doing chores, is sure to improve your mood more than sitting for hours in front of the box.

"Being social is a great mood enhancer and good for your self-esteem.

"Also, it may not be very glamorous but try doing more housework." For instance, rather than sticking everything in the dishwasher, wash delicate things by hand. Ticking jobs off your to-do list can send you to bed with a feeling of satisfaction at time well spent, making you more tired but relaxed and ready for sleep - crucial for keeping skin looking youthful.

RUSHING AROUND

Living your life at a hundred miles an hour is ageing, says occupational psychologist Sue Firth.

"The stress hormone cortisol can cause you to put on weight, zap your energy and leave you feeling fed-up."

Getting back in control of your life will make you feel less overwhelmed.

"Try very hard not to sweat the small stuff and stay calm," says Sue. "Talk to yourself positively about what you've achieved. Does it really matter if you didn't make it right to the end of your to-do list?" Technology has increased so much that it's impossible to switch off.

"Try not to be always looking at your phone," suggests Sue. "Just because you get a message doesn't mean you have to respond. Give yourself fi ve minutes to just sit and relax. You'll be surprised how much it helps.

"If you can pace yourself in your day you'll live longer and look much fresher."

COMPLAINING

We all love a good moan but negative thoughts de-energise you and if you're down on the inside you don't look great on the outside.

You can let your complaints out but place a time limit on it. Make a decision to have 10 minutes twice a week to moan.

Why not enlist a friend who will demand 10 pence from you every time you complain?

"If the things you believe about your life aren't helping you then try to turn your negative thoughts on their head," says Sue.

"Think of something that makes you moan such as my boss hates me'. Is it actually true? Say instead: My boss might not be easy but he's not as bad as some'."

Try this for a week and see if thinking more positively helps you feel brighter and lighter.

It will certainly help others to see you in a better light.

Old-World name–but don’t call these timepieces a ‘heritage brand’

Like all Swiss-made watch brands, Savoy (pronounced sav-wa) is proud of the Swiss ingenuity and craftsmanship that go into each of its timepieces.

But, as Pascal Savoy, the company’s Swiss founder and CEO, insists, his eponymous watch line isn’t a “heritage brand.” Instead, he’s positioning the two-year-old brand as “a new standard in accessible luxury” aimed at bold, innovative people with good taste.

The US-based Pascal even picked an unlikely city like Manila to reintroduce Savoy globally. Before he opened the brand’s first-ever boutique at the New World Hotel in Greenbelt last May, Savoy was confined mainly to watch stores and duty-free shops in key cities in the US and other parts of the world.

Sole boutique–in Manila

He recently visited Manila to reconnect with his partners here and grace the launch of a duty-free stand featuring Savoy watches.

“This is so far Savoy’s only boutique,” says Pascal, who started his career in the luxury industry with beauty products and fragrances. “It’s important that we communicate to the world first what the brand is all about before we open more boutiques.”

FOUNDED by Pascal Savoy, Savoy Collections brings “affordable luxury” watches within the reach of Filipinos.

Savoy offers men’s and women’s lines either with leather or stainless steel bracelets. Prices range from P50,000 to as high as P90,000 for the diamond-lined ladies’ watch. All watches have similar stainless steel dials in 45, 41 and 35 mm cases.

“Our prices may be affordable, but we don’t sacrifice quality,” he assures. “Instead of paying huge sums to celebrity endorsers, we spend the money on quality components to provide our customers with luxury watches they can afford.”

What sets these watches apart are add-on bracelet inserts exclusively made by Savoy and fashioned from such materials as leather, carbon fiber, ion-plated steel and python.

“Each watch comes with its own pair of inserts,” says Pascal. “You can buy additional inserts later on to replace or add to the ones you have.”

Each pair of inserts comes with four screws that attach securely on the bracelet. Once in place, they can instantly change the look of the watch to match the occasion as well as the wearer’s outfit and mood.

“You can change the inserts yourself, but we would prefer that you come back to the store so we could do it for you,” says Pascal. “It’s one way of maintaining our relationship with our clients.”

CREATED in 2009 by the Geneva-born Pascal Savoy, Savoy Collections was officially unveiled worldwide in 2011. It offers sophisticated, Swiss-made statement timepieces featuring the highest qualitymaterials and leathers.

Market void

Pascal entered the watch industry 15 years ago. In 1999, the Geneva native moved to Florida to become president of Hublot America. In 2004, he founded his own branding and product development company after realizing that there was a void in the watch industry for Swiss-made watches that combined unique iconic designs with reasonable prices.

In 2009, he finally decided to create his own brand with a name and logo that are deeply rooted in the Geneva region. As far as marketing was concerned, Pascal and his collaborators felt that the choice perfectly represented the character the brand wanted to convey: “strong, yet refined.”

After two years of product development, Savoy was finally launched globally at the 2011 Basel World Fair. Critics hailed it as one of the most “innovative” designs in its price category.

Within the next year or so, Pascal plans to open several standalone boutiques, particularly in Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo and the Middle East. But Manila will always have a special place in his heart, he says.

ICON 45mm in Gun Metal

Serendipity

It was serendipity that led him to open his first boutique here. Like all newbies, Pascal was looking for the right partners during his initial quest to expand abroad, particularly in Asia. He bumped into Filipino businessman Chito Bautista in, of all places, a luxury cruise in the high seas.

Bautista, big boss of Timebound Trading Inc., is the exclusive distributor of Savoy watches in the Philippines.

“As concessionaires, we have a strong presence selling watches in several cruise ships,” says Pascal. “Mr. Bautista and his family were then on a cruise in the Mediterranean when he was drawn to our watches. He ended up buying one. It so happened that I was also there.”

Pascal took a chance by telling Bautista that he would like to do business with him in Manila. Was Bautista willing to be Savoy’s exclusive distributor in the Philippines? It didn’t take long for Bautista to say yes.

As for Pascal, he sees the Philippines as a “very trendy” market that fits a young brand like Savoy’s positioning.

“China, Hong Kong and Singapore are already congested markets,” he says. “As a small brand, we want to set foot in a market like the Philippines when things are still growing, and not when we’re already competing with the biggest.”