The womenswear section of London Fashion Week closes today, and so we reflect on our favourite SS12 from our home town - first makeup, then hair. Now, on to Milan... 

MAKEUP and NAILS

Issa: Inspired by the show's theme of a hot night in Rio, Kay Montano created a 'Bo Derek in 10' look - using MyFace Foundation; DuWop Bronzerush for a sheer non-pearl raspberry cheek; Topshop Kohl in Saddle for a brown lashline, and the taupe-mauve creamy shimmer of Chanel Les Ombres in Ebloui and Illusoire over the lids. Lips we kept nude but glossy with Bobbi Brown lipgloss in beige pink. Nails Inc's Bond Street polish was the urban finishing touch. Look out for our how-to guide with Kay in the spring. 

 
House of Holland: Nichola Joss mixed St Tropez Rose Illuminator with a new silver rose illuminator due out this spring, over a very light base of colour. The result was a 3D glow to the skin rather than a striking tan, channelling Henry's 'pastel punk' muse. Lucia Pica worked this ethereal glow up to the face, with just a touch of pale coral over the lid and a thick MAC black kohl line along the lower lashes to punctuate a unified skintone.

Erdem: Nichola Joss started with a light base of St Tropez Instant Glow Wash Off Mousse and topped with a blend of silver shimmer and duck egg blue illuminator, especially mixed to support the Wedgewood blue hues in Erdem's collection. Andrew Gallimore continuted the glossy finish across the face with MAC Tendertones in Hot and Spicy for a rosy, dewy glow, and a softly stained lip smudging the new MAC Lipstick in Scarlett Ibis with a dab of MAC Pigment in Red over the top.

Temperley: Gucci Westman - inspired by Grace Kelly in High Society - mixed Revlon lipsticks in Candy Apple and True Red, topped with a slick of Fire Gloss for a statement lip. She also debuted Revlon's next new foundation launch, Photo Ready Mousse Foundation for a creamy, flawless finish that sparkled beneath the photographers' flashes.

Topshop: Sophy Robson alternated between Metallic Nails in Heart of Gold, Nails in Peeping Tom and Nails in Minted on each hand, with hieroglyphic transfers over the top, reflecting both the colours and prints in the clothing. Meanwhile, Hannah Murray focused on skin, using Topshop GLOW to create a hyper sheen on the face.

Text: Grace Timothy 

Josh Wood isn't called the King of Colour for nothing - his wizardry with a tank of dye has propelled him from his first clients in Barnsley to the heady heights of New York and Japan before settling here in London. A true trend-setter, he is renowned for the very best 'hyper-natural' highlights, the 'surfkissed' blonde and making grey ok - from magazine covers to the catwalk, and now in Notting Hill...

His new creative atelier is a buzzing hub of hairdressing talent, incorporating art collaborations, concierge services and the very best coffee money could buy into your appointment. Clients will be given their own key for exclusive access, and an iPad to while away the hours while your foils take hold. It's not a salon - think of it instead as the first class lounge on your way to hair heaven.

Josh Wood Atelier, 6 Lansdowne Mews, London, W11 3AN, www.joshwoodcolour.com

Text: Grace Timothy

My scents for this past spring/summer season were floral and fruity - it's like they're the prescription to help you cope with the heavy weight of another drizzly summer in London. Jo Malone's English Pear and Fresia (for the second summer running), Le Mimosa by Annick Goutal and Kai EDT. So now rather than go on smelling like a trug of flowers, these scents have gone to the back of the shelf. And out with the cable knits, coats and scarves will come the perfumes that make autumn the spicy season. This year it'll be the new Miller Harris La Pluie for day and Tom Ford Violet Blonde for evening. As the nights draw in you want your fragrances to be rich, seductive and full-bodied - Tom Ford and Lyn Harris' specialities. 

New daywear - Miller Harris' La Pluie

This is the scent to top your leathers, knits and trench coat - La Pluie, or 'rain cloud' features warming Bourbon notes, calming Lavender and a heart of wet, white flowers. Think more balmy tropical shower than downpour in Dalston, as Ylang Ylang and Bergamot envelop you in a snug, sensual embrace. Available now, it's warm and womanly - perfect for wintery weather. 

A night out with Tom Ford Violet Blonde

After my first impression (that it was called Violent Blonde, a name I felt an instant affinity with) I haven't put the bottle down. It's as dark as it is light - a deep Orris sensuality, entrancing Jasmine Sabac and woody base, heightened by the dappled light of citrus Mandarin, sparkling Violet Leaf and soft Baie Rose. It's an instant hit of opulence, a sophisticated and unabashedly glamorous blend that whispers luxury through luscious lips. Frankly, it's a sexy bastard of a fragrance. By using the Orris root (in butter and absolut form) and Violet Leaf, Mr Ford has respun the Violet story for a modern audience. It lingers, it leaves a sexually-charged trail and it imbues power. What more could you want from a bottle this winter? It launches nationwide on October 3rd - stick it in your diary.

And there's always room for a little Chanel...

It is said that Chanel will appear at least once in the 5 top selling fragrances list each year. When you experience the newest member of Les Exclusifs, launching on October 14th, you'll know why. In the 1920s, Mme Chanel famously took jersey - then a shamefully utilitarian fabric, used in men's clothing and uniforms - and gave it the couture glow in her atelier. This year Jacques Polge - Chanel's revered nose - does the same for Lavender, giving new life to this seemingly mundane ingredient in this fragrance, aptly named Jersey. Forget the synthetic sting of a high street Lavender shower gel or that supposedly soporific fabric softener. Using an extraordinary species grown in Montpelier and unique steam extraction Jacques has revealed Lavender's seductive side. Rounded off with Rose, Jasmin, Vanilla and Tonka Bean, this sweet and powdery accord is my choice for the sunny, crisp days of winter. 

Text: Grace Timothy