h1 class="cl2">      InnoCos Digital Summit in London 

The third Annual #beauty20 Awards are around the corner and Global Cosmetics Community is looking for beauty bloggers to win Best Beauty Blog category and to present #beauty20 Awards to the beauty brands winners during the evening awards ceremony at innoCos Digital Summit in London on April 29  2015

We will be awarding the most successful beauty brands, retailers and bloggers for the categories of Best Beauty Blog, Best Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram, Best App, Best Online Video, Best e-Commerce Website, Best Beauty Startup and Best Beauty Brand Online.

There are only 9 places available for the VIP beauty bloggers who will also be honoured by presenting one of the 10 awards to the winning brands. The winners will be chosen based on 2 criteria’s:
1.     the traffic they will generate by asking their followers to nominate their favourite beauty brand
2.     our judges rating based on the most popular beauty blog.

All beauty bloggers are welcomed to join the contest and our selected VIP group of 9 bloggers will be announced on February 28.

Bloggers who are interested in being selected for VIP tickets are expected to do the following:
-        Nominate your blog to win Best Beauty Blog category at www.beauty20awards.com
-        Post a blog post or Twitter message, Facebook, etc. asking your followers to participate by nominating their favorite beauty brand online at www.beauty20awards.com .
-        Use the hashtag #beauty20 on all your posts what will help us to monitor activities

About innoCos
The international innoCos conferences have not only set a goal to organize exciting presentations, rousing speeches and inspiring workshops, but also bring together representatives and leading professionals from the fields of Innovation, Marketing, R&D, retail, branding and packaging in the cosmetics industry promoting networking to challenge and inspire. For more information or to attend the event go to www.innocosevents.com
About #beauty20
#beauty20 Awards were initiated in Paris in 2013, see here first winners, and continued in New York in 2014, see here the winners of #beauty20 Awards in New York. 
  

UNDERATED PLAYERS OF THE EPL (PART 2) - WHITNEY OLADEINDE (15/04/2015)

Every sport, in every part of the world is guilty of overhyping particular players and completely ignoring equally talented players. So as promised, here is the second part of my 'Most Underrated Players of the EPL 2014-15 season so far'. In this article, I'll be revealing the most underrated defender and striker (in my opinion).

UNDERRATED DEFENDERS

I had to go with the two here, however, originally my first choice was: 

José Fonte

José Fonte has made 157 clearances and 17 blocks. The Southampton captain has made more interceptions than any other Premier League centre-half; and he has only made one defensive error in 29 games. His stats speak for themselves to be honest!

Southampton have only maintained their position on the top half of the table, even through their goal drought a couple of weeks ago, because of their solid defence. They are 6th in the table but have conceded the least goals in the top 6 with 21. Chelsea (25), City (28), Arsenal (31), Manchester United (27), and Liverpool (32) have all conceded more which speaks volumes about Fonte’s leading role in Southampton’s defence.

Martin Škrtel

The second defender I would say is underrated is Martin Škrtel, he has suffered from a lot of criticism in the past but he has improved a lot, staying solid throughout Liverpool’s slightly shaky campaign this season. He has won 90% of his tackles, 65.1% of duels and 68.8% of aerial duels this season.

I’d say his improvements are down to the fact that he is much better suited to a 3-4-3 formation and since Rogers has started playing with three at the back I have seen his performances improve tremendously!

One game where he really stood out for me was in Liverpool’s match at the Liberty Stadium in March, by the end of the first half he had made 9 clearances, won 100% of his tackles and had a 97% passing accuracy. By the end of the game he had completed 92.2% of his passes in that game, and won 75% of his duels. Škrtel’s defending was just as important as Henderson’s winning goal in this 1-0 win.

them an important point at home! He has been a valuable asset to Brendan Rodgers this season.

UNDERRATED FORWARD

Charlie Austin

Overall, if I had to choose the most underrated player in the EPL, it would be this guy. His finishing is superb; he's great in the air and does not lack defensive capabilities!

This season Charlie Austin has made 27 appearances in the English Barclays Premier League, scoring 15 goals. The only strikers to have scored more are Aguero, Harry Kane and Diego Costa. The only difference is these players are surrounded by top players, creating chance after chance for them; Austin does not have this same kind of support at QPR.

Austin is the second highest English goal scorer in the league and has achieved this with QPR, a team that has spent most of its time in the relegation zone since their promotion to the Premier League. It's no secret that the only reason QPR are not last on the table is because they have been heavily dependent on Austin's match winning performances.

In all walks of life, my definition of success is being able to do what some may deem the “impossible” out of what you have or bringing reserve out of a limited resource…

I don’t think that many can disagree that Charlie Austin has brought reserve out of a limited team.

YOUNG PEOPLE & SOCIAL MEDIA - DAMILOLA GBADAMOSI (08/04/2015)

I recently watched a documentary on Channel 4, Teens, and it really got me thinking about young people and social media. I’ve always been fascinated by the power of social media, to change perception, change lives, bring people together and tear them apart. However more than that as “a spectator” as my friends affectionately (or maybe it was shade) call me, I tend to retweet, like, reblog and watch interactions.  That means I do not contribute often, and do so more in answering a particular questions. I am a keen observer of people online and offline and these are some of my observations, positive and negative, about social media and young people.

When you are using social media right, it can be a platform to showcase and elevate yourself and your talents. From sharing art, music, poetry and so much more, ranging from the beautiful and unique to the captivatingly bizarre. Young people use social media to access opportunities, and create opportunities for each other and themselves. Particularly because social media has away of bridging the gap between the traditionally unreachable and the masses, many find success “online”. Of course, the entertainment factor is the reason most of us use these platforms; you can always be sure a visit to the platform of your choice will provide some laughter or shock value. Platforms like twitter’s create the unique experience of watching a Friday night episode with hundreds of people, aware of their every reaction. Social media has also awakend a real social and political awareness in the youth, with political debates, major news stories and sometimes even more obscure ones getting as much if not more attention as Eastenders, any football match or Take Me Out. 

But there are pitfalls. Social media has bred the “online persona”, sometimes miles away from who we really are. And whilst harmless exaggeration of character is one of the joys social media allows us, I worry that some personas are borne of or breed insecurity. They also create a removed sense of accountability that leads to severe cases of cyber bulling. And whilst some people take it to the extreme, particularly when cloaked with anonymity, a “keyboard warrior” is something that social media has allowed all of us to be at some point. The speed at which you can share your opinions, sometimes mean it is done without thought. We say things we would never dare in person, and forget the emotions of people on the receiving end. More concerning than the hurt we can cause each other is the harm we cause ourselves. We lower our self worth and belief, often envying and coveting the unknown, in the names of  “goals”. Forgetting that a picture captures a fragment of a life, and people show the fragments they hope are enviable. To covet or envy the relationships, bodies and successes we see in fragments, with no sense of how the were achieved, boarder on dangerous.

Watching the documentary, and from personal experience I am motivated to stay on social media, by all the things young people can, have and will achieve through it. I just worry that many of us are more caught up in its drawbacks. I recommend you give the documentary a watch it’s previous episodes are now up on Channel 4’s website and the newer episodes will air on Tuesdays at 10pm. Maybe like me you will find yourself thinking a little differently before you hit send/post.

                 WOMEN IN MUSIC UK

 

 As we know, there are significantly fewer women in executive positions within the music industry than there are men, as well as speculation about gender equality and whether women are able to fulfill the same roles as men. 

 

We are running a sophisticated evening seminar entitled "Women In Music UK", to be held at Platform in Islington. The event will take place on April 21st and Platform in Islington and will see women from some very lucrative and well-known businesses in the music industry, such as Remel London, a presenter for LinkUpTV and DJ Melody Kane who DJs for both Nike Town and SB.TV, one of the leading music sites in the UK. There are many more women on the panel in exceptional positions within the music industry. There is already a great social media buzz around this event, which is due to increase as the event gets closer and more panelists are announced.

 

 

 

 

 

                                          IMPORANT INFORMATION

                               Date: Tuesday 21st April

                  Venue: Hornsey Road Baths, 2 Tiltman Place,           

                     Hornsey Road, London N7 7EE

                                   Time: 7pm

                             Tickets: Earlybird (£5)

                                           Standard (£10)

 

                  If interested email:  k.watkislewis@gmail.com

 

 

BE THE BEST YOU - PAUL OLASEHINDE (30/03/2015)

So as we delve into the fourth month of the year, it’s a decent time to look back and see how we’ve done since the beginning of 2015. Me personally, it could be better… a lot better but slowly and surely things will pick up they always do. One question I was asking myself is, am I being the best version of me? I mean of course we can all visualize where we ultimately want to be but I’m asking myself and you, are you the best version of yourself day in day out?

I’m sure a lot of us are in a situation or situations we don’t want to be in. Jobs we don’t like, family problems, relationship issues and the list goes on, but unfortunately that’s life. However, its imperative you find yourself smiling and staying as upbeat as  much as possible. Life is filled with opportunities everyday, if we look hard enough and if we’re lucky enough some of them fall at our feet. You would hate to have missed out on one because you weren’t in the mood or just weren’t being the best you. Imagine you had a conversation with a manager at your place of work and because you weren’t bothered and just acted anyhow he told you he decided not to put you forward for a promotion as a result of that. You’d be kinda vex right? Now this is just one of the opportunities you know you had that you missed because you weren’t being the best you. Imagine all the ones you would have missed out on that you didn’t know of.

Now don’t misunderstand me I’m not trying to be unrealistic. Life is a handful and plenty more of them. Days will come, weeks and even years where it will feel like it you will need to draw on every fiber in your body to crack a smile. Sometimes it might not even be possible but that’s exactly it, you do what you’re capable of that day. Sometimes you’ll just manage a smile, some days it will be a smile with a bop in your step making everyone laugh and lighting up the day. In this example the day you only smiled isn’t lesser than the day you were walking with that swagger because on both days you were the best you possible and that’s the best you could do. Everyday is different so we must continue to adapt to what it brings and be realistic with how we feel but always aiming to push past the pain and disappointment some days may bring.

There are some real bad days though right? Nothing you’re attempting is helping you and it feels like the day is dragging you somewhere you don’t want to go. This is when I recommend you reach out to someone. Friends aren’t there to just help you take pictures for Instagram,  I've talked about this in a previous post, if you trust them enough, open up to them they could be of more help than you could imagine. They could say one thing that could change your whole outlook on that day, they could say something you have already told yourself but say it in a way that was different and it just hits you. At the end of the day, commit everyday to God and I’m sure you’ll come out the other end all right.

So I encourage you to take control of how you’re feeling. Circumstances play a huge role no denying that but at the end of the day you decide how you let it affect you even if you think you don’t. Be the best you! You never know who you’re going to meet that day. One conversation is all it takes and it could be life changing in so many ways. First impressions mean a lot and once its gone you cant get it back. So show everyone the ten out of ten version of you, you wouldn’t want them to get the wrong idea right?

AMERIIE - Master Class Media (24/03/2015)

I'm sure many of you are aware of the beautiful and talented Singer/Songwriter Ameriie. Well MCM managed to get an interview with her before she tours the UK this week. Although Ameriie has been quiet on us for a while, as she has ventured into other projects aside from media, she has recently released two singles 'What I want' and 'Mustang'. These will probably be performed amongst her old soulful and rhythmic material that she is known for.

It's been a while since we have heard from you, what is the reason for you taking a break from the public eye

"I’ve just been in Creation Mode, working on my albums BILI and Cymatika, as well as writing fiction. I also started a youtube channel recently, Books Beauty Ameriie, something I began so I could geek out over books and share things that I love, including skincare products and makeup."

Since you've been away has your style in music changed? What inspires you to write? Can we expect to see the old Amerie with the instruments and live band or are you introducing yourself as someone new

"I don’t think it’s changed much but to be honest I haven’t listened to the radio in quite a while. One of my projects, BILI, sounds like an extension of Because I Love It (2007), with it’s driving rhythms and New Wave influences. My other project, Cymatika, is very cinematic and heavy as far as sound goes. Both projects are very “me” but they also reflect the way my sounds evolve even in the course of a single album."

what influenced you to do a UK tour are you trying to widen your audience internationally instead of just focusing on the US?

"Since the beginning of my career, I’ve traveled and made it a point to spend as much time internationally as possible. Music is universal and it’s wonderful to experience it in-person. As for the UK in particular, I love it so that makes traveling there easy!"

What is special about this album in comparison to your previous ones, are there any songs we should look out for or collaborations to be excited for?

"I’m keeping mum on these projects so far, especially because they are still taking shape!"

         What is your plans for your career after the tour?

"I’m continuing to record for my projects and I’ll still be writing the stories I’m working on at the moment."

         Describe your style and this album in one word

                              "Ameriie."

 BEAUTY AND MELODY - BOOHEMA BOOHENE (18/03/2015)

Universal Contour Wrap (inch loss wrap)
A scientifically proven inch loss treatment, the universal contour wrap is a safe and effective way to lose inches in two hours. Bandages are dipped in a natural sea clay solution and wrapped around the body gently to remove toxins and compact fatty tissue. Additional techniques will help lift the buttocks, flatten thighs and tighten the skin, leaving you with soft supple skin and a smoother firmer body shape.

I had always heard that you could use wraps to loose weight. But I never believed the extent of it. It seems surreal that wrapping a bunch of bandages around yourself could aid in weight loss but IT ACTUALLY WORKS!

As someone who has struggled with weight all my life when Beauty and Melody offered me the opportunity to try out this treatment i was delighted. Beauty and Melody is situated on Cumberland Place which is a back road off the busy, vibrant Marble Arch, it is about a 4 minute walk from the station. The accessibility is very convenient for it's customers. Upon arrival the staff had already prepared me tea, and catered to me to make me feel relaxed, which made me feel immediately welcomed. Time was not wasted and my beauty consultant escorted me into a room. Taking your clothes off in front of a stranger is not something everyone is comfortable with, however the consultant was very patient, understanding and helpful towards making me feel comfortable.

The process is fairly simple. You are measured all around your body, and then wrapped tightly in hot/warm sea clay bandages. Once this is done you are then given what I like to call a shiny space suit to sweat in. This suit is to increase the amount of heat in your body which helps you sweat more to get out bad toxins. The treatment lasts for two hours, however it goes extremely quick, and during the process I was allowed to drink tea, which made me feel very at ease. After the treatment my feet were soaking, it felt as if all the water had been sucked out of my body, and after the bandages were removed I had a very light bouncy feeling.

Now for the results.. had I lost any weight? Well.. yes I did. I honestly couldn't believe it myself but the evidence was right in front of me. As I was measured for the second time I lost 14 INCHES all around my body. The most being lost on my thighs and arms. I was fairly disappointed that no pounds had dropped off my waist but something is better than nothing therefore I can't complain. I was told you need about 6 sessions to see the full effects however I definitely saw some after just one After a successful treatment I was treated to a wonderful gel manicure, again with more FREE tea!

I honestly have no complaints or issues with Beauty and Melody. They deliver what they promise which is excellent customer service, Powerful treatments and a relaxed environment for their clients.

Female or Male I would definitely advise paying a visit and finding out about this particular body treatment or others. They also offer waxing, hair treatments, skin-care, makeup, body massages and many more. The price range isn't too bad and to be fair I feel it is quite reasonable for the treatment you get.

The Universal Contour wrap for two hours is only £75 definitely a bargain.

Visit www.beautyandmelody.co.uk
Or follow them on Twitter: @melodyandbeauty