We draw inspiration from our adventures in London, Milan and the US when we create our beautiful jackets and blazers. In fact, globetrotting is one of our favourite past-times and we’re not alone – research shows that most millennials are increasingly placing more and more value on travel experiences.

There’s nothing quite like touching down in a new destination ready to explore, but don’t you just hate how your skin looks and feels after a plane journey?

Between weekend city breaks and long-haul adventures, business trips and exotic vacations; frequent flying takes a toll on your skin. Even short flights can have a negative impact, leaving your skin feeling dehydrated and looking dull.

Humidity in an airplane cabin can dip as low as 20%, but our skin is at its healthiest in environments with at least 60% humidity. High altitudes and recycled air mean very little moisture and this is bad news for your complexion. The dry air in a plane cabins dehydrates your skin, leaving it looking tired and more vulnerable to infection and breakouts.

Tips for keeping your complexion in perfect condition when you fly

Pre-flight

If possible, try to get a facial in the days leading up to your flight. Healthy skin is the best starting point!

In the week before you’re due to depart, up your water intake and snack on moisture-rich fruit and veggies like cucumber sticks.

On the day of your journey, skip makeup! Do a thorough cleanse before your flight to ensure there are no traces of foundation etc on your face before you board to avoid post-flight breakouts. 

Follow with a rich moisturiser, which will create a barrier between your face and that nasty plane air.

During your flight

Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! Keep a carry-on size jar of moisturiser in your cabin bag and apply regularly (with clean fingertips) to keep your skin hydrated. The dry air affects your lips too, so remember to keep topping up your lip balm.

As tempting as it may be to toast your adventure with an inflight tipple, it’s best to avoid alcohol while flying. Instead, sip water throughout your journey – experts recommend drinking twice as much water in the air as you would on the ground. You should also avoid salty foods.

Take an empty, refillable water bottle with you through security and fill it with drinking water before you board to ensure you never run dry. 

You might be craving a latte to help you adjust to a new time zone, but caffeine isn’t good for your skin. Instead, slip some green or herbal tea bags into your carry-on and ask the cabin crew for hot water. Your skin will thank you for skipping your usual coffee fix.

If you’re flying in First Class (or you just seriously don’t care about scaring fellow passengers in Economy), your skin will be forever grateful for an inflight sheet mask. Dare you don one in the air?

Upon landing

We don’t like to harp on about it but keep sipping that water!

Take that post-flight shower refreshment to another level by using a body brush to get your circulation going again before you hop under the hot water. This will exfoliate any scaly patches that have accumulated during your flight. After showering, slather on a high quality, super nourishing body oil or lotion to pack the moisture back in.

With these handy skincare tips for plane journeys, you’ll arrive in your destination looking your best – even after a long-haul flight. 

So, where’s next for you? You can follow our adventures over on Instagram!

Not everyone likes to try new things in January. It’s a cold, often long month after the excitement of Christmas and New Year is over, and that makes it a difficult time to make lifestyle changes like introducing new a health and fitness regime. It’s perfectly understandable if you didn’t make, or abandoned, your new year resolutions!

If you avoided making changes at the beginning of the year but you’re ready to revitalise your life now, one easy way to change things up is to start drinking healthy juices as part of your usual diet.

Now that 2019 is in full swing and you’ve survived January with a little help from the cookie tin, Netflix and your hot water bottle, it’s time to focus on nourishing and cleansing your body.

Drinking homemade healthy juices is a great way to cram plenty of healthy vitamins and minerals into your diet. Juices are a fantastic way to stay hydrated and can help the body function more efficiently. The natural sugars from fruit and vegetables improve energy levels and help remove toxins from your system, meaning clearer skin. Combined with a healthy overall diet, they can really do wonders for your physical wellbeing.

4 healthy juice recipes to try this month

Green Detox 

How to make it

Combine green apple (core removed), a chunk of fresh ginger, parsley, a handful of spinach, a few chunks of cucumber and the juice of one lemon (or half a lemon, depending on your preference). Put everything in a juicer. Voila!

Why is it good for you?

Using mostly veggies helps keep the natural sugar content low, meaning this is one of the most sin-free juice recipes around. The green apple acts as a natural sweetener while the ginger aids digestion and provides anti-inflammatory powers. You’re also getting iron from the spinach and a whole host of vitamins from each ingredient.

Zest of Life

How to make it

Combine two peeled, chopped carrots with half a chopped pineapple and one orange. Add a small chunk of ginger for an extra kick. Juice.

Why is it good for you?

This Vitamin C juice is packed with energy-giving ingredients. Carrots contain beta-carotene, fiber, vitamin K, potassium and antioxidants, while the fruits control your blood sugar and help keep your immune system healthy. This is the perfect juice to wake up to in the morning.

Purple Power

How to make it

Add one fresh beetroot to your juicer along with a handful of purple kale leaves, two generous handfuls of berries and one green apple. Add a little coconut water if the juice is too thick, and a little raw honey to sweeten naturally.

Why is it good for you?

This gloriously purple juice harnesses the superfood properties of beetroot, which boost stamina to help you exercise longer, improve blood flow, and help lower blood pressure. Kale also has superfood status and it ups the nutrients in this healthy juice. Berries are packed with antioxidants and add sweetness, though you can add honey if it’s not quite sweet enough for you.

Berry Healthy

How to make it

Juice 6-8 fresh strawberries (hulled), with one large, peeled and cubed cucumber plus one small red apple and two carrots. Serve over ice with a sprig of mint.

Why is it good for you?

This delicious strawberry based drink is full of antioxidants and maintains heart health. The ingredients can also improve your eyesight and reduce the risk of stroke.

You can make these easy juices in the morning and take them to work, and your healthy start to will encourage you to make better choices throughout the day when it comes to food and exercise.

These healthy juice recipes are particularly beneficial for people with busy lifestyles who don’t always get the time to sit down to a balanced meal. Give them a try and let us know your favourite over on Instagram!

With mass parties, family gatherings, work dos and festive nights out taking up a large part of the holiday season, you want to make sure you’re looking your best (and not overly exhausted) for all of the celebrations you’ll be attending. As we edge closer to the most anticipated days of the year, it’s useful to know what you’ll be wearing during the holiday season so there’s no last minute panic. Here are just a few tips from us here at Charlotte London to help you on your merry way.

Step Out Of The Traditional

With red and green often associated with the festive season owing to their traditional hues, don’t forget this palette isn’t your only option and others are available. Dark blues and silk textures are a new trend and always seem to evoke the feeling of a frosty, winter morning. In a biblical twist, Mary was often painted wearing blue to show how important she was, so keep that in mind next time you’re picking a blue dress off the rail.  

Stay Warm & Wear Layers

As you’re likely to be dipping in and out of the house a lot during December, it’s always wise to cover up as much as possible – but wear enough layers to feel comfortable if taking pieces off gradually. As many areas are blustery cold during the winter months, people tend to turn the heat up at office and house parties. Since you’re going from chilly conditions to toasty temperatures, wearing additional layers will allow you to add or take away clothing at any point throughout the night without any stress.

Glam & Add Some Sparkle

They say ‘it’s the most wonderful time of the year’ for a reason, and we believe the holidays are the perfect time to add a touch of glitz and glamour to any outfit. If you don’t usually wear jewellery, or not much of it, start by adding a beautiful sequin clutch bag or wearing a glittery necklace to help you really stand out. Delicate pieces tend to have more impact alongside a vibrant outfit, so take this on board and make sure you shine as brightly as possible.

Find A Versatile Jacket

Don’t ruin a beautiful outfit this festive season by wearing a drab day coat on top – invest in a beautiful sequin jacket or a trench instead. The Classic Leopard Trench from our latest NEW YORK collection is ideal (and perfectly lightweight!) to throw on over any classic outfit without losing appeal. Don’t make the mistake of covering up completely and instead, indulge in an easy to style and timeless piece that will become a go-to in your winter wardrobe for years to come.

Most Importantly – Just Be Yourself

We understand the pressure around Christmas and NYE to look and feel your absolute best, and while you should dress appropriately at each event and party, don’t forget that you should also be true to your own sense of style and wear what you feel most beautiful and comfortable in. No doubt if you’re happy in what you’re wearing, you’ll appear more confident as the day goes on. Sometimes being secure in your choices can make you seem even more fashionable and stylish – so give people something to talk about!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year  to everyone, with love from the Charlotte London team.

With a host of winter cityscapes, Christmas markets and fairy-light fuelled places to explore each year – whether you have just a few short days, or a whole week away over the holidays, we’ve rounded up our top 4 favourites places to visit when the festive chill starts to linger.

Reykjavik, Iceland

There’s nowhere on Earth quite like Reykjavik, which is why over 1.5 million people visit this beautiful destination each and every year. Located on the coast of Iceland, Reykjavik is both the largest city and the country’s capital and is a prime location to get you in the Christmas spirit.

Don’t let the price of food and drink put you off as there is so much to see and do around every corner. Be sure to take a thermal jacket and thick waterproof coat when visiting later in the year and prepare to be blown away as it’s not the boring, frozen and barren landscape that most people imagine.

If the gorgeous cobbled streets, museums, restaurants or the striking concrete Hallgrimskirkja church doesn’t take your fancy, why not take a dip in the luxurious geothermal Blue Lagoon – one of 25 wonders of the world and a perfect example of the island’s volcanic activity.

Iceland is well known for its many beautiful waterfalls which are all worth a visit. When most people visit they tend to visit the following three waterfalls: Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Seljalandsfoss especially is a 213ft high water feature and might just be one of the most visited waterfalls in Iceland.

If you wish to explore your senses further, take a coach trip out to see the Northern Lights which, if seen on a clear night – will dance right in front of your very eyes. The best time to see them are when there is guaranteed darkness between September – Mid April. There’s never a dull day in Reykjavík during the wintertime, even if the days are long and dark.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Renowned as the world’s leading festival city and home to the iconic Edinburgh Castle, it’s the winding streets, breathtaking palaces and castles and the bustle of Princes Street that will transform any cold night into a winter wonderland. Christmas in Edinburgh is one of the highlights of the winter season and is an architecturally varied place, rich in culture, and further known as the gateway city to the Scottish Highlands.

With dozens of coffee shops and restaurants to step out of the cold and refuel in, it’s the annual ice skating rink set up every year that is enough to make any festive grinch beam with festive cheer.

Arthur’s Seat, perched on the edge of the city, is also an ideal place to take a snowy stroll while soaking up unparalleled views across the landscape. Be sure to pack an extra coat as it can become extremely windy at what feels like the edge of the UK. We highly recommend checking out the highlands as well, which are undeniably exquisite during the colder months.

Prague, Czech Republic

The capital city of the Czech Republic oozes in history, culture, and gorgeous restaurants and is best known for its Old Town Square which boasts colorful baroque buildings, gothic churches and the iconic medieval Astronomical Clock. Prague very much equals Paris in terms of its beauty and in truth, there is no bad time to visit this vibrant city. The winter season in Prague usually lasts from December to February, with January typically being the coldest month. The ideal time to visit however is at the end of the year as it is generally quieter.

With thousands of tourists flocking to Prague each and every year, over-tourism is becoming a problem during the summer months when Charles Bridge is usually full to the brim with tourists, artists and souvenir sellers. During winter, Prague is still a popular destination, but there are noticeably fewer tour groups, stag and hen parties and screaming children. Completed in 1402, pedestrian Charles Bridge is lined with statues of Catholic saints and is a ‘must see’ location in Europe.

New York City

Any visitor of NYC will tell you, the best things to do in winter are worth braving the cold for. There’s so much to see and do whilst there that it can be tough creating an itinerary that covers everything the city has to offer.

Ranging from outdoor winter festivals to indoor exhibits, a longtime holiday tradition each winter resides at the Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhattan. It hosts the most famous Christmas tree in New York City (and what you might recognise from the film Home Alone!). When you’re not filling up on pizza, gourmet food or indulging in Broadway shows, it is also the home to the ice skating rink that might be the most quintessential winter New York City activity.

During the colder months is also the best time to try indoor attractions like the venerable institutions on Museum Mile or witness first-hand the outstanding live music and comedy shows in Time Square. Not forgetting, when snow covers Central Park, it becomes a sledding ‘utopia’. More so, nothing will put you in the holiday spirit quite like the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, where the members of the famous New York City Rockettes perform holiday-inspired dances and songs.

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Charlotte London’s New York inspired pieces coming in early December.

What do you think of our cold month destinations. Are you trying any of these soon?