The Sneak magazine

Monday, 4 May 2015

Here’s a selection of classic nude accessories which are so stylish and go with just about everything!

Two-tone Tote

£25.00

BHS

www.bhs.co.uk

Heels Sandals

£89.00

Dune

www.dunelondon.com

Brogues

£69.00

Dune

www.dunelondon.com

Faux Fur Clutch Bag

£55.00

Dune

www.dunelondon.com

Rouched Scarf

£5.99

Internacionale

Richmond Watch

£495.00

Links of London

www.linksoflondon.com

Wallet

£49.00

Love-My-Soul

www.love-my-soul.com

Nail Polish in Buff

£3.50

Limited Collection at Marks & Spencer

www.marksandspencer.com

Faux Fur Stole

£25.00

Simply Be

www.simplybe.co.uk

Classic Court Heels

£69.99

Steve Madden

www.stevemadden.co.uk

Biker Jacket

£55.00

Very

www.very.co.uk

Wednesday, 29 April 2015

The Sneak’s Editorial Assistant, Amelia Waterson, reveals some options for those suffering with early hair loss

According to research, around four in five men will experience some degree of baldness by the age of 70. The reason hair thins, or disappears all-together, is usually down to genetics or hormones and can be inherited from either parent. This results in high amounts of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), that disrupts normal growth patterns of the hair follicles, which causes the hair folic to die and the hair to disappear.

This statistic led me to research a few of the options available to those losing their hair, and wanting to prevent it. With a cure to baldness expected to be on the shelves within the next few years, the stress of early hair loss could soon to be over. While many men accept losing their hair as inevitable, for some, it can cause a crash in confidence and result in a major lack of self-esteem. If it’s something that is bothering you, here are some ideas to help make the most of your hair, at whatever stage of hair lose you are at.

Fight the fear

Propecia is an advanced drug (for males only) that can be ordered online through www.thehealthcounter.com, after a short online assessment has been completed. This treatment can halt hair loss and, in some cases, can also lead to regrowth. The cost of this varies depending on the length of treatment.

Nioxin shampoo is a hair care range designed specifically for thinning hair. This product intensifies the thickness of each existing strand for a fuller looking head of hair. For more information and prices, visit www.nioxin.com.

Laser light therapy (LLLT) initiates the chemical reaction in the cells that make up the follicle causing growth activity.

Although it is pricey, hair replacement surgery is a very effective option. With stars such as Louis Walsh using this treatment it has become very popular. Here, hair follicles are moved from one part of the body, to the balding spot, resulting in hair growth over time.

If you’re after a treatment that actually prevents balding then Minoxidil could be the product for you. It acts on the scalp and can promote growth on bald and balding areas and at just £23.99 from Kirkland Minoxidil UK, it’s a relatively inexpensive option. Buy from www.kirklandminoxidiluk.co.uk.

For another affordable, and less invasive method, try changing your diet. The right kind of nutrition can help fighting hair loss. Try snacking on walnuts, carrots, eggs and Greek yoghurt to help boost hair growth, the natural way.

These methods will, of course, require further personal investigation into procedures and clinics to find the best option to suit you.

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Mark Blake Trichology Clinics

If you’re thinking of going down the hair replacement surgery route, one clinic that offers such treatments is the Mark Blake Trichology Clinic, which specialises in thinning hair for both men and women. Mark Blake explains: “The clinic offers two types of surgery, FUE – Follicular Unit Extraction – which is where the follicles are drilled out, and FUT –Follicular Unit Transplantation – also known as strip surgery.

“Surgery prices range from £5,500-£15,000 and these procedures can take up to a day. After 3-4 months, the new hair starts to grow through and as this hair is taken from another part of your head, there’s no chance of rejection and it will be the same colour and texture as your existing hair. Your newly transplanted hair will then last you a lifetime.”

There are Mark Blake Clinics in London, Cheltenham and Liverpool. To find out more about the Mark Blake Trichology Clinic, visit www.markblake.co.uk

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Monday, 27 April 2015

The Champagne Lifestyle

Writer, Rob Carter, reveals how gents can look like a millionaire on a budget

We’ve all been there; you want to look good, you want to impress, you want to turn heads but there’s one problem – you don’t have the bunce and you're low on moolah. Ultimately, you just don’t have enough wedge…

Well, put down that tiny violin and look no further. We’ve done a bit of research and to ‘fake it until you make it’ just requires just a few minor tweaks to your personal style and mindset. By following the tips below, you’ll have everything you need to look the part, act the part and live the part – you’ll be able to convince anyone that you’re a millionaire…

Step 1. Look the part

Focus on the emotional benefit of sharp dressing. Once you’re plugged into the idea of looking the part you’ll naturally aspire to make some positive changes. Contrary to popular belief, a designer wardrobe doesn’t depend on a huge bank balance. Sending out the right message simply requires smart thinking.

• Sharpen up your groomed style with a classic haircut and a professional shave. A traditional men’s barbers will give you just as good a cut as a stylist without charging a small fortune. Take a look at some of the latest classic hairstyles for men to get an idea of what’s fashionable right now, and keep your hair trimmed and tidy.

• While we’re on the subject of classic styles, be sure to look at some of the designer threads you can find at vintage clothes stores, or on online auction sites. A vintage herringbone, checked three-piece suit, for example, could be yours for just over £100 and will really get heads turning. Swap your tired wardrobe for elegant pieces that reflect your new status.

• Don’t forget the briefcase. Even if the entire contents is a half eaten apple, carry a briefcase around and you’ll look like the brains behind a business operation. Just make sure nobody finds out what's inside! However if this does happen, simply say you are the CEO of Innocent Smoothies, they’ll definitely believe you...

• They say that ‘shoes maketh the man’, so make sure you give your shoes a military style brush and polish. Your expensive appearance will be instantly busted by scruffy footwear.

• Finish off with a signature scent. Go for an aftershave with a musky, wooden smell but with a hidden array of citrus to it. We love Creed’s Millesime Imperial to smell like a true millionaire, but if the budget doesn’t stretch that far, go for something like Collezione Nero, £15.00 from Marks & Spencer, for a suave fragrance that blends top notes of apple, cardamom and pepper, with heart notes of sage, cedar wood and patchouli resting on a sophisticated base of tonka and amber musk. Or, opt for another affordable fragrance with Joop! Homme aftershave, £18.00 from Blue Inc. It’s a sweet, woody fragrance with an oriental feel with amalfi lemon, bergamot, orange blossom and mandarin orange top notes. It has heart notes of cinnamon, lily of the valley, cardamom, heliotrope and jasmine and base notes of vanilla, patchouli, tonka bean and sandalwood.

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Step 2. Act the part

• Give your name a makeover. The perfect name conjures up leadership qualities, revered status and influence. For example, if your name is Barry or Larry try switching to Barrington or Laurence instead.

• Hire some wheels. Need to impress for a special occasion? No stress. For just over £500, you can hire a Lamborghini, Porsche or Ferrari for the day from companies such as Hertz. Your flash wheels don’t have to be parked on your drive 24/7, just make sure you don’t waiver the accidental collision cover! Find out more here by visiting the website at www.uk.hertzsupercars.com

• Be unique. Some of the world’s wealthiest men have a distinctive eccentric streak. Exaggerating your unique quirkiness will leave people assuming that you have stacks of cash. Just be sure to be eccentric and not crazy, think Jack Sparrow not Van Gogh as nobody wants to be picking your ear off the floor!

• Know your Art. Amassing general knowledge about art history, fine wine, gastronomy and classical music conveys the message that you’re the real deal. A quick skim through the Art History for Dummies website is a good place to start.

• Take up an unusual hobby like wine tasting with a company such as Vinopolis, which will also assist with part of the previous point. You’ll earn respect for mastering a pastime and may even meet some fellow wealthy chaps because the rich make time to pursue other interests. Be warned though, they may also be fake millionaires! Visit www.vinopolis.co.uk to book on a course.

• Change your lingo. Refine your speech by speaking the Queen’s English with correct intonation and pronunciation. Take a gander through Debrett's New Guide to Etiquette and Modern Manners by John Morgan to give you everything you’ll need.

Step 3. Live the part

• Ditch the comfy armchair in favour of world famous designer furniture at a fraction of the price. Simply kit your pad out with replicas of the classics such as the Eames Chair or the infamous Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair from www.trueinterior.com.

• Get the paintbrush out and decorate your home with a neutral palette and embellish it with a couple of large mirrors – on the walls not the ceiling. The light colour and large reflections will make the room seem bigger that will ooze taste, style and sophistication.

• Alternatively, why not go the whole way and hire a wealthy guy’s apartment for the weekend? Rent a bachelor pad online for a couple of days and you’ll be well and truly living the part without the mortgage-inducing heart palpitations!

• Finally, to really sell the lifestyle part, take a leaf out of this Dutch lady’s book who faked being on holiday with merely the use of Photoshop and Facebook – www.news.distractify.com. You too can fool your online friends into thinking you're living the millionaire lifestyle with just a bit of cutting here and pasting there. They never need know you actually uploaded the photo whilst sat in your underpants watching The Chase!