ARTIST ANDREW SALGADO COLLABORATION WITH HARVEY NICHOLS

Images: harveynichols, smudgetikka, harveynichols, facebook

Andrew Salgado was commissioned by Harvey Nichols to create 6 large scale paintings to be exhibited in the store-front windows of their Sloane Street location in Knightsbridge. Each window sets the scene of an artist's studio. Giant portraits cover the back wall and artists props such as easels, oil paint tubes and tins of paint help compete the art studio effect, with mannequins showcasing S/S13 fashions. Each window shows a different subject matter, mirroring the diversity of Harvey Nichols customers who step through the doors each day. I love his work and how distinctive his technique is, it would be great to see more store windows mixing different creative ways with fashion. Find out more by watching the video below.

VISUAL MERCHANDISING - PRODUCT PLACEMENT

As part of my University creative work, I have been looking at Visual Merchandising and how certain stores put different products in the window to entice customers through the doors. By placing products that work well together be it through colour, style or theme, customers can piece together a story and decide which products they can see fitting into their lifestyle. For the business this means they can maximise sales by a way of attracting custom and promoting their shop through product placement. In the above pictures, I have placed garments with cosmetics and accessories, as well as including prints and colour ways. These are all products that are sold in Harvey Nichols stores and I feel all three looks would work well together for Spring/Summer store windows. As I want the windows to be based on beauty, key cosmetics and accessories would be placed in the front of the window. This would create a focal point for the customer and the mannequins and clothing would be an extra accessory to display a story.

HARVEY NICHOLS BIRMINGHAM - VISUAL MERCHANDISING

I recently took photos of the Knightsbridge store's Visual Merchandising, so I thought I would compare those with the windows of the Birmingham store in The Mailbox. The Birmingham store doesn't have the space that the flagship store has, but the Visual Merchandising is just as effective on a smaller scale. The windows were beauty based promoting Space.NK.apothecary. Placing head mannequins with Percy & Reed Hair products and a Salon window with cosmetics and retro props. The other side showed a 'Harvey's Hot Dogs' van with a sign for New Street. The windows were really bright and fun and I believe they were produced to entice the younger consumer through the doors. At the moment, Harvey Nichols are also giving away a limited edition gift with purchase. Spend £110 on fragrance, skincare, beauty or cosmetics and receive over £130 worth of treats from some of the most prestigious brands on offer in HN. Find out more here. What do you think of the Store windows? 

SBC - SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL COLLECTION COLLAGEN HAND LOTION

Simply Beautiful Collection (SBC) is a beauty brand that offers spa-quality skincare and make-up to deliver expert results at home. Their products are known for being enriched with plant extracts and blended with sensual fragrances to deliver effective results. SBC caters for every skin type and has a solution for every skincare issue. Simply Beautiful Collection has expanded to include prescriptive gels, exfoliators, cleansers, bathing essentials, body butters, serums and masks to create a dynamic range that delivers pure, natural vitality to the skin. SBC started as a salon brand but now is available to everyone from online stores such as; QVC, Cult Beauty and their own website sbcgels.co.uk. 

SBC Collagen Hand Lotion £14.52* moisturises, softens and replenishes skin with conditioning collagen extracts which are instantly absorbed. I had never tried any products from the range before, but was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the lotion. The lotion comes in a 500ml bottle which is great value for money and the handy pump means its easy to use and produces just enough for one use. The product claims to boost hydration and address the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also protects hands with the rich infusion of essential restorative and purifying care. I really love the fragrance it reminds me of pink grapefruit and the consistency is not greasy at all, so it melts in your hands leaving them soft for a while after use.

I left the bottle in my bathroom to use after washing my hands and it seems my sister has been enjoying using the lotion just as much as me. It would be great if they did a smaller size for on the go! I have been checking out the QVC website to see what other products they offer in the range and the bath products have caught my eye.

Have you tried any products from SBC before? 

*PR Sample

BALANCE ME DAILY ESSENTIALS PURE SKIN FACE WASH

Balance Me is a beauty brand that provides natural, high-performance skincare products that are made here in the UK. All their products are paraben and sulphate free, proving great for the skin. I came across the brand through Glossybox and a magazine freebie. The only product I had used in the past was the Wonder Eye Cream, which I really enjoyed - read my review in a recent empties here. 

The Pure Skin Face Wash £16.00* is a skin-balancing cleanser which can be used to cleanse the face of make-up and daily grime which leaves you with a balanced, clean complexion without stripping away your skin's natural moisture levels. The product is formulated with anti-oxidant rich moringa and rice bran oils to brighten and polish the skin. This face wash is mostly suitable for normal to combination skin types and is also 98.8% natural, so you know you are putting something good on your skin.

I have really enjoyed using this cleanser and it has fast become one of my go-to cleansers to reach for. This product is very versatile and I have been using it in many different ways; in the shower, with a muslin cloth and even with my clarisonic. I really like the gel consistency which is so easy to massage into damp skin. The product is so gentle on the skin and foams up to the right amount with my clarisonic, but it's also nice on its own for a quick freshen up. It takes my make-up off in a matter of moments, even mascara without any irritation to the eye-area which I was most impressed about. I love the simple packaging and the affordable price point and I would definitely repurchase this product when I run out. I'm not the biggest fan of the scent as I feel it is quite strong but this factor doesn't really matter when your skin is left feeling soft and fresh and when you know there is no petroleum, mineral oils, silicones, dea, pegs, propylene glycol, artificial fragrances or colours inside the product.

This month is Natural Skincare Amnesty month at Balance Me. By simply placing an order of £25 or more on the Balance Me website you can choose three miniatures to try out as well, which is a great way of trying other products from the brand and seeing what works for you. I am currently intrigued by the Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm which I have heard great things about, so that might have to be added to the wish list... I have also seen that Balance Me are featured in this month's Glossybox, I hope to receive a sample in mine. Have you tried any products from the Balance Me range? What are your recommendations?

*PR Sample