Just when you thought you knew what was in and what was out, along comes another year. Fiona Adams takes a look at the health trends to watch in 2016
A new year always brings with it a wave of new trends, as the human race continues its relentless search for eternal youth and novel – if occasionally faddish – ways of securing it. Here are my favourites for 2016...
Rock on
Increasingly popular, indoor bouldering is an ideal sport to take up during winter, as you can do it in warmth and comfort. A kind of climbing, you don’t need safety ropes or harnesses as you climb to lower heights – with cushioning below in case you fall – and it’s as much a workout for brain as for body as you negotiate different routes. It is fun and sociable, but you can also do it alone.
At Sutton’s Craggy Island Centre, there are three different challenges: the Cave Room (with chambers and passages), the Rock Room (with 100 boulder routes) and the Competition Room (with another 100 routes, including steep overhangs). Go on, grit your teeth and have a go.
The Brow's the Limit
Want an instant facelift without resorting to the knife? Pay a little attention to your eyebrows. Brow guru Shavata Singh (who opened her first brow bar in Harrods in 2004) tips that “
big, bold, modern brows” are here to stay. “In 2015 we saw a 20% increase in people booking brow tints, which is the best way to define the brow and make it look bigger and bolder,” she says.
Get a head start with Shavata’s brow strengthener (£15), which uses cold pressed castor oil to encourage the growth of hair and lashes.
Hair tomorrow
Stylist to the stars Sinead Kelly thinks that it’s blondes who are set to have more fun in 2016, as highlights will be the order of the day.
“Clever highlighting techniques are big news,” she explains. “From micro babylights designed to create a natural beach-chic style to sweeping hand-painted balayage, which is making a big comeback. Pair with a bronde or platinum colour for an on-trend look that suits any style.”
Food for thought
South London charcuterie specialist Serious Pig has created a new snack to stop hangovers in their tracks (yes, truly). Hangover Cured contains such efficacious tonics as chilli and ginger, and nutritionist Angela Dowden is a fan.
“Nibbling on high quality meat protein while drinking is a good idea, as it’s rich in the amino acids you need to make neurotransmitters,” she explains.
Super skin
Leading brand Murad believes that the future of beauty lies in new ingredients.
“One trend we’re seeing more and more is the use of fermented botanical ingredients in skincare,” says Vice President of Product Development, Jeff Murad. “Fermentation can release potent molecules into the skin which are not easily accessible in many plant extracts in their pure form.”
Try the new Murad anti-ageing blemish products, which feature antioxidant-rich fermented black tea.
Supplement central
If you have a fussy child and are at your wits’ end as to how to keep them healthy – despite their best efforts to eat only nuggets/pizza/sausages/ham sandwiches (delete as appropriate) you might be interested in two new products by Cytoplan. Nutri-Bears and Kids Immunovite provide multivitamins and minerals plus vital immune support, designed for children and to help bridge nutritional gaps. Helpfully, NutriBears look like sweets. Hurrah!
