SUMMER 2020 LOOKBOOK

July 26, 2020 by Mr Luke Christian

I struggled to come up with a name for this blog post as here in the United Kingdom it’s felt the least like Summer ever! Anyway, for this lookbook I selected a few outfits I would have worn had the pandemic not hit us all. I met up with the ever-talented Sophia Carey for this and I am so pleased with the results! What do you think to this lookbook and the outfits I wore? Would you wear any of them or are they not for you? Let me know below or let’s continue the conversation over on my Instagram and Twitter!

SHIRT: ASOS
TROUSERS: ASOS
RING: SAINT LAURENT (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
BOOTS: JEFFERY WEST (CURRENTLY SOLD OUT)

SHIRT: ASOS
TROUSERS: ASOS
RING: SAINT LAURENT (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
BOOTS: JEFFERY WEST (CURRENTLY SOLD OUT)

HEARING AIDS: PHONAK
RING: ASOS (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
EARRING: VINTAGE STORE IN MANCHESTER, U.K.

SHIRT: ASOS
TROUSERS: ASOS
RING: SAINT LAURENT (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
BOOTS: JEFFERY WEST (CURRENTLY SOLD OUT)

SUIT BLAZER: ASOS
SUIT TROUSERS: ASOS
TRAINERS: CALVIN KLEIN

RESTARTING

July 19, 2020 by Mr Luke Christian

Isn’t it strange how the universe works?

A week ago I shared on my social media platforms that I had been struggling with my mental health for the past month or so and that whilst I was so focused on my business (deafidentity.com), I no longer had the time to focus on my blog, social media and my ‘brand’ so to speak.

Yet, here I am. On my blog, writing this new post to be shared across my social media platforms.

2020 has undoubtedly been the year that has shaken everything up and if we classed life prior to lockdown as ‘normal’, then I’m glad we’ll never go back to that ‘normal’ again. Life I think for everyone was becoming too fast-paced, we’d lost sight of what was actually important, what we truly value in life and what we hold dear to us. I’m glad that that ‘normal’ is now becoming a thing of the past and that as we begin to navigate through these tricky times, a different way of life is coming. It’s needed.

I had an email come through to me a couple of days ago asking for my ‘Media Kit’ and when I saw that phrase it took me back to the old days of blogging, when blogging was good, when it was real and when people didn’t care about Instagram followers and how their feed looked.

But it was a little bittersweet, because whilst I reminisced about the early days when I had just started, I’d basically announced that I was taking a step back and that the transition from being a blogger to becoming a businessman was now underway. I no longer felt connected to my blog however, it made me curious to see just what my July 2020 Media Kit actually looked like given that the last time I’d updated it was January 2019… I was shocked.

It made me realise how far I had come both in 1 year and since September 2015 when I started. It kick-started something within me again. I don’t want to feel pressured or like I have to put something out there just for the sake of it. I want to feel inspired. I want to write as if nobody reads blogs anymore, the way I used to so that if people did and do read it, it’s a bonus.

So, I’m restarting again from scratch and reconnecting with things that (to quote Marie Kondo) spark joy.

BBC RADIO 4 INTERVIEW

July 15, 2020 by Mr Luke Christian

I had been approached by BBC Radio 4 earlier today (Wednesday 15th July), to give my opinion on what it’s like for deaf people and the difficulties we face now that face masks are becoming mandatory.

Below is the transcript of my interview, and you can also click here to listen to the interview in full. My segment starts at 24:30 and I would love to know your thoughts on this incredibly important issue? Let’s carry on the conversation over on my Twitter or Instagram.

TRANSCRIPT FOR MY INTERVIEW WITH BBC RADIO 4 REGARDING THE DIFFICULTIES OF FACE MASKS FOR DEAF PEOPLE

“Since people now have to start wearing masks it’s made me feel a lot more anxious about going and about in public, especially into shops because I just don’t know how I’m as deaf person going to be able to understand people.

Because I do rely on lip-reading, and facial expressions/facial movements play a big part in this as well. So if there’s big face masks covering half of people’s faces, then that is something that me personally, and lots of other deaf people, are really going to struggle with.

I recently went into a shop and one of the store assistants was wearing a face mask. So I went to the till and I was just buying like groceries, food shopping or whatever - because they were wearing a face mask I didn’t really understand what they were saying so I was sort of you know, looking a bit confused and a bit puzzled but then I started to notice that the cashier store assistant was getting quite annoyed and irritated by the fact that I kept saying “pardon”, sorry” , “what” , but because it was embarrassing for me – and I wish I hadn’t done this – but I just didn’t really say anything and I just paid for my things and then I just walked away, where really I wish that I would’ve had the confidence to be able to speak up and say ‘you know what, I am deaf, and it’s hard for me to be able to understand what you’re saying because you are wearing a face mask’, but in a public setting it’s just a very difficult situation to be in.

During this pandemic, one hundred percent in my opinion deaf people have been completely forgotten about. When all of the daily briefings were being held on the TV, all across the world there were all these sign language interpreters, however here in the United Kingdom, that was not the case. It was only because there was relentless campaigning from deaf people, deaf organisations, petitions being signed, that the government sort of sat up and realised, ‘oh, oops,' we have forgotten about deaf people, maybe we do need to have a sign language interpreter for the daily briefings?’ But this was months later and I do feel now with the face masks and face coverings as well, why hasn’t the government stepped in and made it a regulation for clear masks to be invented and given out?”

Huge thank you to the team at BBC Radio 4 and Evan Davis for approaching me to give my opinion on this and for accommodating to my needs by allowing me to record my answers via Voicenote so that I didn’t have to struggle via the phone or ‘Zoom’!

LOCKDOWN LOOKBOOK

May 15, 2020 by Mr Luke Christian

As a huge lover of all things fashion, I jumped at the chance when I saw that Jess McGhie was offering her services for a ‘Quarantine Photoshoot’! I have worked with Jessy before on DEAF IDENTITY a few times now and she honestly is, the best of the best. Having said that, whilst we’ve worked together in the past, this time was actually our first time together working for ‘me’ so to speak so I knew that I was in good hands!

I wanted to channel some outfits that I would have worn outside of lockdown and if I’m being totally honest, I just wanted to feel dapper and get dressed up again… It’s been a long 3 months for everyone so this provided me with a good excuse! I hope you like the images, I am beyond thrilled and if you’re interested, head over to Jess’ Instagram now and book a session.

KIEHL'S POWERFUL-STRENGTH LINE-REDUCING & DARK CIRCLE-DIMINISHING VITAMIN C EYE SERUM

April 02, 2020 by Mr Luke Christian

About a month or so ago I attended the launch of Kiehl’s latest product; Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing & Dark Circle-Diminishing Vitamin C Eye Serum, and despite the name being a little bit of a mouthful, it does exactly what it says!

The launch took place in the Pegasus Room in Selfridges London and I was completely taken aback by the mesmerising statue/feature of the horse which dominated the whole restaurant and was adorned in glitter head to toe. We were escorted to a private room to learn more about their latest product whilst tucking into our delicious three-course meal along with sipping on a specially crafted cocktail for the event (or 2!)

KIEHL'S POWERFUL-STRENGTH LINE-REDUCING & DARK CIRCLE-DIMINISHING VITAMIN C EYE SERUM

Kiehl’s latest product had been formulated specifically for the eye area and contains powerful, potent ingredients such as:

Tri-Peptide Complex
Hyaluronic Acid
10% Pure Vitamin C

and the formula has been clinically demonstrated to reduce lines, crows feet, puffiness around the eye area and visibly reduce the appearance of dark circles.

As a big fan of all things Kiehl’s naturally I was excited to try this out, especially as their ‘Creamy Eye Avocado Treatment’ is my all-time favourite eye cream so I was keen to see how the new launch would stand against the previous Creamy Eye Treatment. Since I’ve launched a business it can be a little stressful at times which results in lack of sleep, therefore, resulting in my eyes looking puffy and tired so this came at rather a good time!

I applied the Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing & Dark Circle-Diminishing Vitamin C Eye Serum with my ring finger as this places the least amount of pressure within your eye area as it’s such a delicate area. Once the serum had been applied, I almost felt a slight warming sensation to this which we had previously been told at the Launch in London that this is due to the active ingredients within the Eye Serum which means it’s working! The sensation wasn’t uncomfortable nor did it make me feel the need to scrub it off so don’t panic…

I’ll be honest as I always am, I didn’t see any results immediately however, that’s to be expected! After applying this for 6 consecutive nights I began to see that my eyes looked a lot less puffy and that the discolouration of my eye area was beginning to lighten in colour too. Overall I was impressed with this Eye Serum and found that the texture was a lot finer and smoother than my original favourite of the Creamy Eye Avocado Treatment. I also liked the hint of the orange scent coming through too!

For more details on the Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing & Dark Circle-Diminishing Vitamin C Eye Serum, head over to their website and be sure to read more of my reviews on Kiehl’s below:

You can also read about the three events that I went to with Kiehl's:

Kiehl's Pure Vitality Launch | Kiehl's On Wheels; Manchester | Kiehl's Boutique Store Opening; Manchester

Have you tried the new Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing & Dark Circle-Diminishing Vitamin C Eye Serum? If so, what did you think to it? Have you tried any products by Kiehl’s before? Which one? Let me know your thoughts below as I would love to hear from you and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button!

STOP FEELING GUILTY

March 31, 2020 by Mr Luke Christian

I know the title might be a little ‘clickbaity’ but, as the whole world is going through a pandemic and the current climate has left everybody feeling shaken and as though their world has been flipped upside down, I think it’s time we stopped making others feel guilty by shaming those who aren’t feeling as productive as others.

Whenever I log onto social media, it seems that there is a whole influx of people almost boasting of their new records from their home workouts, their new baking skills, their new YouTube videos, blogs, social media content which don’t get me wrong is amazing, however, just because there are others out there who aren’t up for doing home workouts, or they’re feeling too low to be focusing on learning a new skill or perhaps even do anything, does not mean that they’re ‘lazy’ or any less than the person next to them.

The news over the past few months has felt scary at times with bold, dramatic headlines in the news and daily updates from our Prime Minister (here in the United Kingdom), so it’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed and a little drained right now, because I know I have felt this way and if you’re reading this and you too feel this way, then just try remember that this isn’t a sprint and that just because others are out there doing things at home doesn’t mean you should feel compelled to either.

Take this time to rest, recharge your batteries and find what makes you happy! If you are struggling then here are some charities/services to help with your mental health:

Mind Charity

Mental Health UK

Mental Health Foundation

Sign Health

Deaf4Deaf

Don’t forget to reach out if you’d like somebody to talk to! Stay strong, stay positive and stay safe. x

JO MALONE LONDON - SILVER BIRCH & LAVENDER

March 25, 2020 by Mr Luke Christian

Jo Malone London have recently launched their LavenderLand Limited Edition Collection which consists of fragrances based around the ‘Lavender’ note and for me personally, whenever I think of Lavender, it automatically evokes memories of being around my grandparents house when I was younger and the note just feels a little ‘old fashioned’…

It’s safe to say that Lavender certainly isn’t something that I’m ever drawn to however, with that being said, I have managed to sample all of the LavenderLand Collection and to my surprise, I rather like them!

JO MALONE LONDON - LAVENDERLAND COLLECTION

Lavender & Coriander Fragrance
Wisteria & Lavender Fragrance
Silver Birch & Lavender Fragrance
Lavender & Musk Pillow Mist

For this particular blog post I will be reviewing the fragrance I kindly got gifted which was Silver Birch & Lavender.

Top Note: Grapefruit
Middle Note: English Lavender
Base Note: Silver Birch

Out of the LavenderLand Collection, I struck lucky by receiving Silver Birch & Lavender as this was my favourite from the three! The opening has a fresh, fruity-like burst from the Grapefruit note that is soon taken over by the English Lavender, however, what I like about the way that the English Lavender note has been used, is how it lingers softly behind the other notes so it doesn’t have that nauseating, overwhelming punch that I often associate Lavender with. The fragrance almost has a rather soft and whimsical touch, which allows the woody, earthy notes to stand out leaving the overall scent feeling quite masculine with a feminine twist. Flamboyant shall we say?

Silver Birch & Lavender has an incredible longevity to it and lasted on my skin between 7-8 hours and its sillage soft-medium. Ideal as we move forward into the warm Spring season and I would recommend wearing the Silver Birch & Lavender throughout the evening as this is when I feel the scent comes alive! To find out more, head to the Jo Malone London website for more details on their LavenderLand Collection and be quick as it is Limited Edition and as we all know, Jo Malone Limited Edition Collections mean exactly that so don’t miss out.

*Side note, I WISH Lavender & Musk Pillow Mist was a standalone fragrance as this was another personal favourite of mine so if you manage to try anything out, head for the Silver Birch & Lavender along with the Lavender & Musk Pillow Mist!

For more of my Jo Malone London reviews, check below!

FRAGRANCE: Vetiver & Golden Vanilla, Bronze Wood & Leather, English Fields, English Oak & Redcurrant, Tobacco & Mandarin, Dark Amber & Ginger Lily, Myrrh & Tonka

EVENTS: Christmas 2016, Christmas 2017, Christmas 2018, Poptastic, The Bloomsbury Set Blossoms Collection

SKINCARE: Geranium & Walnut Hand Cream, Myrrh & Tonka Shower Oil

Have you smelt Silver Birch & Lavender yet? Have you smelt any of the new LavenderLand Collection scents? If so, which one(s)? What are your thoughts? I would love to hear from you so leave a comment below and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button!