To navigate the turbulent world that is the beauty industry with its endless supply of makeup and skin care products, you’ll need all the help you can get! Discover the latest trends, understand what to look for and find the perfect gift for your friends, loved ones or that special someone.

More is More

Go big or go home this holiday season! Christmas comes around once a year and is the perfect excuse to be extravagant, spoiling those you love with the most luxurious gifts you can find.

Dazzle them with a limited edition fragrance, a cologne, the perfect addition to their beauty repertoire and just what they’ll need to gain the extra boost of confidence that they’ll truly treasure during the festive season.

Discover too a range of warm, exotic or bright and sparkly scents. And don’t forget to go the distance and explore some deluxe candles and home fragrances which will be a sure delightful surprise.

Explore Renewal

It’s unpredictable the effects that the weather can have on your skin, hair and whole holiday season experience. While prevention may be the best option you have to protect yourself against nature, there may come a time when renewal and an uplift are much needed before your natural barriers can again be reinforced.

A gift to nurture the hair will without a doubt be appreciated. Look for natural shampoo and conditioners that have repair and protection capabilities. With this, you’ll be gifting more than just the products, you’ll be providing the gift of stronger, healthier hair.

Top it off with some lavish skin care products. From moisturisers to serums, lotions and creams, the options are endless. Find the right product, tailored to the needs of each individual.

Gorgeous Little Luxuries

While going all out and splurging on your gift purchases may be exactly your style, a smaller budget might dictate that this isn’t possible or responsible. In this case, shoot for some smaller price tags on items that are just as wonderful.

From mascaras to eyeshadows, eyeliners, foundations and more, an individual makeup item for everyone on your list can go a long way. Don’t be afraid to give small gifts, and remember that it’s the thought that counts.

Limited Edition Favourites

What about for those with a medium level budget you ask? We’ve got you covered too. Maybe a luxury gift is a little too high and out of your ability to obtain and maybe a smaller gift just won’t do it.

Enter, the limited edition holiday makeup collections. Often filled with a range of cosmetic sets, palettes and an assortment of items, you can’t go wrong venturing into the land of limited collections. It’s the perfect way to make someone feel special and unique.

Don’t Forget the Classics

Finally if you’re still struggling, the safest route for you to take is to pursue the classics. Whether it’s a retro matte lipstick you’re after or a luxury moisturiser has piqued your interest, these are the items that definitely won’t fail you.

Look to the established brands and their best selling products for some inspiration.

Prep Your Subfloor Properly

Before you do anything else, you need to remove your current flooring and prep your subfloor. This means that it must be imperfections and debris. It should also be as clean as possible. If you have any problems with the subfloor, you can fix them with a waterproof patching compound. The thickness of the floor may need to be adjusted a well. This can be done with a backer board layer.

Lay Out the Floor

Once you have your subfloor prepped, you need to lay out the tile. This needs to be done before you start installing them. It all starts with chalk lines. Snap them at a 90-degree angle in the center of the room, with lines going in all four directions. Begin in the center and start laying everything out radiating outwards. Make note of the tiles that you’ll need to cut down to size and do this before you start the adhesion process.

Mix the Mortar

Your mortar needs to be kept at between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, or else its consistency won’t be correct. It might also try to dry too quickly, which can result in a number of issues. Before you start applying your tiles, you need to mix the mortar following the directions on the package. It shouldn’t be too thick or watery, and the water might take some time in order to react with the mortar mixture properly before you can use it. Any issues with the mortar can have catastrophic tiling results, so make sure to follow the instructions closely.

Tile Installation

Next, you need to install the tiles. Apply a small amount of mortar to the floor – however much you think you can apply in about half an hour before the mortar can set. Remember that too much mortar can lead to uneven patches of floor, so ensure that every bit that you lay down is nice and smooth. Once the mortar is down, start laying down your tiles, gently pressing them into the mortar. You don’t want to apply too much pressure though – just enough to make them stick.

Grouting

After all of your tiles are down, it’s time to apply the grout. Once again, you’ll have to follow the instructions on the package. They usually consist of placing some grout in between the tiles, letting it set slightly, and then wiping away the excess. This is the final touch that your floor needs in order to be completed.

Remember, if you have any question about the tiling process, head to: tile floor installation dallas.

Santa Maria Brickell

Santa Maria Brickell is located on Brickell Avenue, and all fifty-one stories are packed with the best fixtures and finishes. You’ll love the location, which is right on the waterfront on Biscayne Bay. This property was built in 1997, and has been a stand-out in the Miami skyline ever since. Santa Maria has a jacuzzi and lap pool, staffed gated entrance, and both tennis and racquetball courts.

Bristol Brickell

Bristol Brickell is a resort-style condo overlooking Biscayne Bay. The condo was designed and developed by Luis Revuelta and Ugo Colombo, and has just 147 residences- all with the best views of the bay and city. You’ll feel safe with the 24-hour security, and will love the fitness center, sauna, and swimming pool here.

Auberge Fort Lauderdale

Auberge Fort Lauderdale is a brand-new construction project and the ultimate in luxury. The condominium sits on 4.6 acres, and residents get to enjoy 450 feet of beach and oceanfront. This development is packed with amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, full-service spa, and both casual and fine dining. Relax in the cabanas or the swimming pool, grab a massage at the world-class spa, try some wine in the wine-tasting salon, or have dinner at one of the many restaurants.

Continuum South Beach

Continuum South Beach includes two towers- Continuum I and Continuum II. Both can be seen from Key Biscayne and Fisher Island, and both define the skyline in Miami Beach. This is where you’ll find sheer luxury, along with top-notch finishes and materials, like marble flooring, countertops, and backsplashes, European vanity cabinets, Kohler fixtures, and more. Residences are surrounded by glass walls, and the wrap-around balconies offer incredible panoramic views.

Muse Residences

Muse Residences offers residents condos with either two or three bedrooms, and units are fully furnished, so you don’t need to worry about choosing the best furniture for your new condo. You’re close to everything here, from South Florida’s vibrant nightlife to plenty of white sand beaches. Each residence has both intracoastal and panoramic ocean views, along with their own private elevators. Master bedrooms even have their own midnight bars, and the wine coolers can hold up to 148 bottles of wine.

Murano Grande

Murano Grande has redefined luxury in South Florida. This building has some of the largest condos available anywhere, while still delivering elegance, comfort, and modernity. Check out its high-standard amenities, spacious balconies, and features like spacious walk-in closets, panoramic views, flow-thru floor plans, and more.

Gran Paraiso

Gran Paraiso can be found in North Edgewater, close to the Wynwood Art District, Miami Beach Bridge, and the shopping area in Midtown. The property is surrounded by conveniences, included a beach club and even a restaurant by Michael Schwartz. You’ll enjoy amazing views both during the day and at night, which you can enjoy from your glass-rail terraces or from the comfort of your couch as you gaze out your floor-to-ceiling window walls.

Blue and Green Diamond

Blue and Green Diamond is the tallest property in Miami Beach, and is made up of two tours, each featuring 315 units. Blue and Green Diamond are known for perfectly finished interiors and high-standard amenities, and have managed to combine these with spectacular views of the skyline and ocean. Residents can relax in two different pools, grab a game of tennis on the tennis courts, get a massage or beauty treatment in the spa, or work out in the fitness center.

Aria on the Bay

Aria on the Bay is located in a prestigious address, and all residences feature high-end features, flow-through layouts, and high-end finishes. The sophisticated design is apparent right at the entrance to the property, where you’ll see the awe-inspiring landscape and pillars. But where this property really shines is its resort deck, which features sunrise and sunset pools which overlook Biscayne Bay and the city.

Eighty Seven Park

Eighty Seven Park features 70 homes, and if you’re looking for sea breezes and natural light, you’ve found it. The ceilings are ten feet high, and the balconies and open floor plans ensure that you have some of the most dramatic views available in Miami Beach. Fixtures include stone countertops, Italian cabinetry, oak panels, integrated appliances, and more. This property was designed with South Florida’s tropical nature in mind, and features natural stone and grains to help bring the outdoors inside.

Murano at Portofino

Murano at Portofino has a contemporary style with all the luxury you’re looking for. It’s easy to feel like every day is a vacation here, with the poolside cafe and saltwater pool, along with the private beach club. Some residences have eat-in breakfast areas, but you’ll also love the bathrooms which feature spacious whirlpool tubs, marble flooring, European cabinetry, designer faucets, and much more.

Echo Brickell

Echo Brickell takes luxury to the next level, and you’ll actually want to work out in the suspended gym which overlooks downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay. Reward yourself with some time in the infinity-edge pool, lounge in the tub, or relax in the spa which includes breakfast and lunch each day.

Icon South Beach

Icon South Beach has 1 to 6 bedroom condos available, all with the most luxurious features you can imagine. You’ll love the European cabinetry, walk-in closets, 9-foot high ceilings, and more. Each condo was unique, as they were built to the specifications of each original buyer, but all of them feature quality porcelain and marble, state-of-the-art kitchens, and elegant bathrooms.

Apogee

Apogee remains one of South Florida’s most luxurious developments. There are 67 residences here, all boasting the most incredible views of the water and city. Common areas and lobbies were designed by Sieger Suarez and Yabu Pushelberg, and with just four residences per floor, the people who are lucky enough to live here enjoy plenty of space. If you love tech, you’ll love this place, with the Lutron wireless system giving you custom lighting schemes, and you won’t even need a key with your fingerprint entry.

South Pointe

South Pointe tower can be found in South Beach, and you can choose from 1-5 bedroom units. This building has recently undergone a massive renovation, which added a business center and media room. The views are top-notch, and you can see South Beach, Government Cut, Fisher Island, the Miami Skyline, and the Atlantic Ocean. Bathrooms and bedrooms have been styled with the utmost elegance, and select units even have an oversized jacuzzi tub or half-glass enclosure shower.

Step One – understand what is important to the buyer

Just like finding the USP for a product first, you must consider what buyers are looking for. Obviously, if your business is doing well financially this is a natural selling point that won’t take much explaining – after all you can let the numbers do the talking. However, in some cases, buyers may be looking to invest in a particular sector that they require for an existing business, or perhaps they are looking to expand their own portfolio with expertise in a niche area.

Consider what your business can offer, ask yourself, do we have a niche or mass-market product offering? Are we specialists in a certain area? Is there potential for growth?

Step Two – Looking at the wider market

The buyer will also be interested in the long-term, so knowing what sets you apart within the market is also important.

Here we could consider our 4p’s:

Product

Is your product different to that of the competitors, if so what makes it different? This may be a subtle difference such as colour or more defying like an advance in technology.

Also, consider your brand and intellectual property it could be a patent or trademark that gives you the competitive advantage.

Place

Think about your distribution, if you have a physical product that requires thorough logistic operations and your business is in the perfect accessible location you may be on to a winner. Alternatively, you may offer a service that customers require direct access to and you are in the city centre.

Remember your online community too. You may have a large following on the right platform of which to sell a certain product or service, and this could work in your favour.

When selling a business, it’s not always about what you sell.

Promotion

Closely connected to place, your promotion is important to consider, after all you may know your customers very well and can therefore provide knowledge the buyer does not have. No doubt, you will have access to data from successful and unsuccessful campaigns; it is this type of knowledge that may be extremely valuable to the right buyer.

Price

What are your price points in comparison to the competition? If you can afford to provide competitive rates, a potential buyer may find this attractive, as it could be an easy way into the market.

On the other hand if you offer premium rates with a brand and product that reflects this it can be equally as appealing.

Step Three – Selling Your USP

Once you have your USP it’s time to reach the correct buyer so ensuring your message is clear and consistent is vitally important. Mergers and acquisitions specialists can help with ensuring your message is presented in the best way possible, so consider asking the professionals.

Employees

These days, many businesses are fighting to keep employees and reduce churn. And it turns out that the location of your business can either discourage or encourage potential employees from working for you. Is your business close to a bus stop or train station? Do you have free parking close to the office? And are there places for your employees to go and grab a coffee or lunch during their breaks?

Suppliers

Suppliers are obviously a key part of your supply chain. Without suppliers, you’ve got no products for your customers. That’s why it’s a good idea to consider where your suppliers are located and whether it’s easy for them to reach your business. When your suppliers are located nearby, it’s easy for you to see both the suppliers and your products. It’s also much easier for you to restock once stock is low.

Customers

The first thing to consider here is your target audience. Are they tourists? Locals? From the UK? If you’re targeting locals, a shop in the centre of the city or town square is ideal. If you’re hoping to attract tourists travelling from other parts of the UK, it’s a good idea to look for an industrial unit to let close to the motorway or even near an airport.

If you have a B2B business, you may be best to be in an industrial or business area so you can have plenty of meetings with other business owners.

There are pros and cons to many different locations for your customers. While a location in the middle of the city is excellent for foot traffic, it can make it difficult for people to find parking.

If you’re considering the best location for your business, be sure to think about the above points. A location that’s too expensive can be a big mistake if you want to focus on growth, while a location that’s nowhere near your customers will make it difficult for you to reach them.

Bridalwear

Have you ever wondered how the traditional white dress compares to the outfit worn by brides in India, Japan and China?

India

When it comes to what the bride is wearing in India, it often depends on which region of the country they’re from. In some regions, the bride wears a saree which is a garment that looks like a long drape, in others she wears a lehenga which is a long skirt. Often the bride is dressed in red or another vibrant colour, her garments will be carefully embroidered with an impressive design.

Both the bride and her bridal party also are painted with henna on their palms, hands, forearms and legs.

Japan

A Japanese wedding is known for being very elaborate. In fact, it is acceptable for families to spend close to £75,000 on a wedding day. It is often the parents of the couple who organise the wedding, and they are willing to spend excessive amounts to save face. Because of the large scale of the weddings, the bride can have as many as 5 costume changes!

For a traditional (Shinto) wedding, the bride wears a white kimono, but more recently Japanese brides wear a dress that has a traditional print.

China

You can expect the bride to be wearing the colour red. This is considered a sign of good luck that can warn off evil spirits. In some regions, typically in northern China, the traditional attire for a bride is a one-piece dress that is embroidered with gold and silver designs. In southern China, the typical wear is a two-piece frock.

Another part of the wedding costume is the bridal crown, it is worn for photography or for show at a grand occasion. For footwear, a special pair of shoes are often worn that are embroidered with a symbol — for example, a turtle or a deer which symbolises happiness and longevity.

Groomswear

The main males of the wedding often have to follow traditional dress codes. However, many of them are opting for a smart suit similar to how a groom in the UK would dress.

India

Traditions are similar to the women’s as it depends on what region of India the groom is from as to what they wear. Some husbands-to-be wear traditional dress, such as a dhoti which is a rectangular cloth ties around the waist. In other regions, they wear a sherwani (a long coat), a kurta (loose falling shirt that hangs below the knee), or a Western suit.

The men of the wedding often have henna on their bodies too, but it is less elaborate.

Japan

What does a traditional Japanese groom wear? They wear a wedding kimono for the ceremony and then changes into a tuxedo. The formal kimono that he wears is called a montsuki, and often displays the family crest. More recently, younger grooms start the ceremony in a tuxedo too.

China

The groom in China is traditionally dressed in a black silk coat and embroidered robe. Often, in the modern day, the overcoat is not worn.

Headwear is also an important part of a groom’s outfit. This is usually a black hat with a red tassel. Some younger generations are not following the traditional dress code and simply wear a tuxedo or a Western-style business suit.

The guests’ outfits

You mightn’t be aware, but there are many traditions and symbols that you should learn about before you choose what to wear.

India

Don’t be afraid to go bold and bright to an Indian wedding. Wearing vibrant colours will mean you fit in with the Indian guests. Guests should avoid white or black as these are colours worn for funerals and mourning in India. It is also advised that red is not worn either as the bride will probably be dressed in this colour.

The female guests should avoid baring their shoulders or wearing low cut tops. This can be seen as disrespectful — a jewel-tone dress with a shawl is one appropriate outfit. The Indian female guests will most likely be dressed in colourful sarees or anarkali suits. Jewellery is important for women too, choose a statement piece for around your neck with matching earrings and bangles.

What do the male guests wear? They often wear a tailored kurta with a pyjama and a dupatta (shawl) can be added over the kurta. For their feet, sandals, jootis or chappals are often worn as these are comfortable and prevent overheating.

You might find that guests are required to cover their heads too if the wedding is held in a temple. For this, women can wear a long scarf or pashmina over their heads and men are usually provided with a head cover such as a large handkerchief.

Did you know that an Indian wedding is often a drawn-out event? It can be three days long! Make sure you are wearing something loose and comfortable.

Japan

When attending a traditional Japanese wedding, men were once expected to be dressed very formally with a black suit and white tie. Now however, the dress code is more flexible and it is accepted for men to come dressed in suits other than black with various coloured ties. However, it is advised to avoid white clothes with black ties.

What do women guests wear? They often wear dresses that are knee length or a coloured kimono to take on a traditional look. It is best to avoid showing any shoulder as this can be deemed a disrespectful.

China

If you’re deciding what to wear to a Chinese wedding, avoid wearing red as this can be seen as trying to steal the limelight from the bride. It’s best to wear pink, peach or purple as these are all symbols of new life and happiness. A formal dress is suitable for a Chinese wedding.

Avoid wearing black and white, as these symbolise mourning and black is considered to be the colour of bad luck.

Luckily, you can still get plenty of information from LloydsPharmacy and blog posts like this one. Here are a few health issues you may not be used to talking about:

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is more common than you may think, and it refers to the inability to keep or get an erection for long enough to have sex. You may have heard it referred to as impotence. Some men get erectile dysfunction occasionally, such as when they’re stressed or anxious. But if you’re experiencing it often, you may need to talk to a professional.

There are a number of causes of erectile dysfunction, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, injuries, obesity, age, relationship problems, alcohol use, smoking, and more. It’s important to speak to a medical professional so they can rule out any of these underlying conditions.

Hair Loss

Up to a quarter of men begin going bald before they hit thirty. However, there’s a difference between going bald and hair loss. While male pattern baldness is genetic, hair loss can be treated.

It’s important to remember that most males will go bald. Hair loss typically starts in their twenties, and approximately 50% of men in their fifties will be relatively bald.

If hair loss is impacting your life, there are a number of treatments that may help. These include lotions like Rogaine, and tablets like Finasteride.

Contraception

Historically, the only option available for male contraception has been condoms or a vasectomy. But now, a male contraceptive has been developed which doesn’t harm sex drive and is entirely safe to use.

Efforts to mimic female contraception were stalling since men metabolise the hormones much too quickly. However, the new drug, known as DMAU has been produced with a long-chain fatty acid. This slows down its metabolism and means men can take just one per day. While this is not yet available at the pharmacy, it’s only a matter of time.

Emergency Contraception

If your partner asks you to get her some emergency contraception, you may not be sure what she’s referring to. These are known as “morning after pills”, and include brands like Plan B. This pill is not an abortion pill, but actually works to prevent the pregnancy in the first place if the usual contraception method has failed (or was forgotten).