#Refresher Facial In Auckland

[iglowspa]

Your Top Choice for Waxing, Threading, and Beauty Therapy in Auckland is iGlowspa

Welcome to iGlowspa, the top spa and beauty therapy facility in Auckland. Our highly qualified staff is committed to giving you the best waxing, threading, facial, body treatment, and general beauty therapy services available. Enter our peaceful retreat and allow us to pamper you with treatments designed just for your individual needs. Visit iGlowspa to explore the exquisite world of beauty and relaxation, where we put your satisfaction first.

[phoebelauardn516]

Week 4 Exhibitions Response

We visited the Auckland War Memorial Museum, which offered an excellent opportunity to explore new things. Some exhibitions really caught my attention due to their methods, effects, facial expressions and more. I notice that photos from past New Zealand are realistic, natural and captivating.

     The first work that stood out to me was a Portrait of a Woman with a sixth-plate ambrotype from the 1860s. The thoughtful presentation of the photograph added depth through the effect layer, giving the photo a refreshing quality. I was surprised by the advanced techniques they used in the past, which are somewhat similar to modern editing apps like Photoshop.

     The second one is an image of a baby, though I didn’t recall the details. The reason I focused on it was because the baby’s rolling eyes were fascinating, and I found that the eyes were painted, which might explain why they look so intriguing.

        The third image was a landscape, titled ‘Cold Water Baths White Terrance’, circa 1880s by Charles Spencer with Cyanotype. It is awesome to make this effect in 1880. It reminded me of riso printing, and the negative colours really drew me in. The details allowed me to learn more about New Zealand’s past. Another one is White Terrace Rotomahna circa 1880s by Josiah Martin in Magic Lantern slide, which was even more detailed and had a well-presented texture.

        The next one was the Portrait of Choie Sew Hoy and Eliza Ann Prescott circa 1886 by Robert Clifford with Hand-coloured albumen silver print, carte de visite. Similar to the baby photo, it involved post-processing with colour. Adding hand-coloured elements gave it a different feel. Without the colour, it would have been a nostalgic silver image, but the colours highlighted their faces like makeup.

        The last work is titled ‘On Right: Mere Te Kaehe Karetail’ from 1893 by William M Hodgkins, created in Gelatin silver print. The most special aspect was the use of a shutter. The right woman’s movement brought dynamism to the photo, showcasing the naturalness and emotion. It made me believe that the four people in the image were close friends.

        Overall, I realized that these photographs focused on capturing naturalness and relationships. The inadvertent movements created something special in the photos—details I might have tried to remove if I were the photographer. There were many other photos and works that I found captivating, but the ones I mentioned left me feeling shocked and surprised

These are some of the photos I took in the early morning before our teams met. I found that it is interesting on the structure, detail and lighting, I edited the ones that were taken by the camera but didn't refine the phone ones.

[joyceblok]

The Gentle Exfoliant – a personal perspective

We all have one. That original beauty product that takes us back to the early days of experimenting with skincare and makeup. The streaky lip gloss phase, with too much Maybelline mascara, springs to my mind for the early days of make up application. For skincare it is our very own Gentle Exfoliant that evokes fond memories of the start of a serious routine. The Gentle Exfoliant was the beginning of a love affair with skincare that eventually became a 25 year career.

Originally sold in a tub it was almost edible it was so delicious. For me, it was the first ‘non-scratchy’ facial exfoliant I’d ever used and I was addicted. The natural jojoba beads were part of the original formulation and the basis of the gentle action - something that is now de rigueur, the natural beads were well ahead of their time. Another bonus was the ability to use the product in a dry form as a gentle mechanical peel as well as a wet application for a quick, effective scrub in the shower. A dual purpose product was excellent for the student budget!

Years later I was fortunate enough to visit the original factory that produced the product for us in France. What an experience for a skincare nerd! We no longer import our Gentle Exfoliant in bulk from France but manufacture the product in Auckland. Modified for cleaner efficacy several years ago, this gentle gem is a truly iconic JB product and we are delighted to still have it as a top seller in our 50th year of trade.

I hope if you haven’t already tried it you will. I am sure you will love it. If you’re an existing lifetime fan, like me, then perhaps it’s time you shared your love by taking advantage of this months 2 for 1 offer. Time to evoke a new memory for the next generation perhaps? Enjoy xx

Dual Application Methods:

To cater to your unique preferences and skin needs,  the Gentle Exfoliant can be used in two ways:

Wet Method: For a refreshing and invigorating experience, apply the Gentle Exfoliant to damp skin. Gently massage in circular motions, allowing the exfoliating particles to work their magic. Rinse thoroughly with water and pat dry.

Dry Method: If you desire a more intense exfoliation, apply the Gentle Exfoliant evenly to dry skin. Allow to dry slightly before gently buffing off with fingertips. Rinse thoroughly and moisturise.

[manukarx3]

ManukaRx - Manuka  Oils in Auckland

The ManukaRx skincare line is made in New Zealand using natural ingredients and is focused on sustainability. The company uses recyclable packaging for the products and does not use any chemicals during the oil extraction process. They also focus on minimal waste and use the water used during the extraction process to produce Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitiser. The brand also provides anti-aging products that are ideal for both men and women. For more information, visit the website.

This oil of skincare products is backed by science and research. The company is committed to creating a product that will help protect and transform skin. The products are also sustainable, supporting the planting of over one million manuka trees on the East Cape of New Zealand. The skincare line is available in several forms and is available internationally. Currently, the company has three products on the market: serums, toners, and ointments.

The products from ManukaRx are sold at retail outlets throughout New Zealand. Each bottle contains a single-use organic ingredient, which is beneficial for both men and women. They are made from a natural ingredient that is rich in antioxidants and other essential fatty acids. The company sells a wide range of skincare products, including anti-wrinkle cream, facial moisturizer, and eye serum. These skincare products are also very affordable.

ManukaRx skincare products are made from 100% natural ingredients that are proven to work. The company's products contain essential oil from the manuka oil nz plant in the East Cape. The essential oil has antibacterial, antioxidant, and antifungal properties. The cleansing foam is light and refreshing, but is also gentle on the skin. Customers will find that the brand's facial cleanser is a good choice for their skin.

ManukaRx products contain the anti-aging and antioxidant properties of the manuka plant. The company's skin care line is based on the East Cape manuka tree. The oil is harvested from the plant's leaves in the East Cape. The East Cape manuka tree is higher in b-triketones than those found in other regions. The cleansing oil is effective, yet gentle and light.

The ManukaRx ointment helps create clearer skin. It is packed with fatty acids and vitamin E that nourish the skin. It also improves the body's ability to fight blemishes. Its antibacterial properties make it a perfect choice for people with sensitive skin. It is a natural ingredient, which works wonders on skin. If you have any questions, just contact a specialist.

The manuka tree is the company's most valuable ingredient. This natural substance is a powerful natural antibacterial, which helps prevent blemishes. It also has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. The company has been working with farmers in New Zealand for more than a decade and has planted over 1 million manuka trees. This sustainable business model has benefited the environment and the company, making its products more environmentally conscious.

Contact Us:

ManukaRx Address: 300 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland, Auckland 1021 Email: rebecca@manukarx.com https://goo.gl/maps/UGEQxK9ifCuwkhpo6

[vikkicheng]

After using @the.avo.tree range for a month, I feel like I’m in a position to give an honest review. 🥑 Swipe for a closer look at the texture and consistency of each product. ➡️ 1️⃣ Facial Exfoliant This has become one of my favourite exfoliators of all time! I have dry skin, which requires regular exfoliation—but the product NEEDS to be gentle! This exfoliator isn't too coarse for my skin and has a brightening effect after use. The avocado fragrance is subtle and natural. Lovely and invigorating. 🥑 2️⃣ Cream Cleanser Buttery smooth and works brilliantly with my dry skin. It doesn't lather like a soapy cleanser but it removes makeup residue and excess sebum on my skin effectively without leaving it feeling tight. It literally works like a protective coat over your skin after use. 🥑 3️⃣ Face Oil This is divine! The consistency is slightly thicker than most rosehip oils but it doesn't feel too heavy. It gets absorbed quickly if you pat it down and it doesn't leave an oily appearance on your skin—more like a healthy, dewy glow. Highly recommend trying this. 🥑 4️⃣ Eye Cream Avocado oil 🥑 + bee venom 🐝 + grape seed oil 🍇 = a great rejuvenation combo. A little bit of product goes a long way—it's rich but easily absorbed. I love using it not only under my eyes but other areas that are prone to fine lines, like my smile lines and my forehead. 5️⃣ Day Cream I love cream-based moisturisers—this is thick but not filmy. The combination of avocado oil, aloe vera and cucumber feels enriching yet refreshing. It doesn't clog up your pores and leaves a beautiful sheen on your face. Amazing for dry skin. 🥑 6️⃣ Night Cream With a slightly thicker texture than the Day Cream, this is loaded with antioxidants—carrot seed oil, kiwifruit, grape seed oil that help boost collagen and lock in the moisture. I find this super hydrating and soothing. I like applying a generous amount as the last step of the skin care routine like an overnight face mask. 🥑 Thanks @publiclibraryshowroom for this lovely gift. I thoroughly enjoyed @the.avo.tree range x — AD // PR gift (at Auckland, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKQWrh6swFV/?igshid=fqhhq4fwv4ns

[classicbeautynz]

Facials Auckland

Classic Beauty knows that you ever tried facials Auckland treatment and it is more or less an hour of treatment on the face. Some may want to go back for another treatment at a scheduled time. Some may find it too strong. But what is a facial all about? Do women or men really need it? Do you need a facial? Yes you do. Everybody needs a facial and if it is possible, you will have to do it once a month. It is a treatment to clean your face and keep it from producing more acne and pimples. The facial will maintain and preserve the skin on your face. Most treatments start with a hot steamer on the face, hot enough to open the pores of the face. Opening of the pores means the dirt particles are easy to remove. The facial specialist will use a cleansing cream to take it all out and massage its way all over the face.

 In some facials Auckland treatments, the use of a facial picking tool is required. To eradicate and heal a pimple, acne, whitehead or blackhead, it has to be taken out manually. Only a facial specialist can do this with a proper bearing. After the facial picking tool is used, the face will be scrubbed off for the last time. This is the final step in cleaning the face. The scrubs will take off the littlest of facial dirt’s the specialist cannot see with the naked eye. The face will not to be healed due to the picking. The anti-bacterial toner will do the job. It will be applied all over the face and this toner will also close the pores and prevent it from opening. Open pores collects dirt and this is the start of an acne, pimple, whitehead or blackhead. 

Before the client leaves the spa, the specialist will have to make sure that sunscreen is applied. This is to protect the skin from UV rays and further skin outbreak. You will be advised not to wash your face for few hours. What you have read above is the whole facial treatment process. It is better for a spa to follow this type of regimen and if you go to a spa which does this, you are in good hands. You will know which spa to go through reviews and you will be able to read it online from sentiments of other clients. From there, you can decide for yourself which place to patronize. Have a great time with your facial and do it monthly, as needed. Many consumers find that they are easily stressed with the constant pressure from many aspects of life such as work, family, commitments and lifestyle. Hence, it is highly recommended that a spa treatment should be enjoyed regularly to ease off the stresses and worries. 

Although many women opt to have their own facials in the comfort of their own home for privacy and convenience, home facials may not be exactly effective. Getting a professional facial at a spa center is growing popular as more women opt to pamper themselves with facials Auckland treatment. There is a definite difference in the environment of a well set up spa center with the wide range of equipment and facial specialists available to get the best of spa and facial treatment. There are many spa centers mushrooming in the city to cater to the growing demand from not just women but also men. The relaxing atmospheres at top spa centers make the clients feel comfortable and de-stressed. 

There is soft piped music and pleasant decor to create an attractive environment that one would want to rest longer. There are professional skincare experts who tend to the needs of their clients in private using the best of facilities, skills and techniques. Facial treatments for both men and women experience acne and skin problems which should be treated by skin specialists as soon as possible. These facials Auckland are therapeutic while cleansing the skin to be refreshed. A myriad of facial treatments are available in the market today to suit the different skin conditions. The right facial treatment can enhance the condition of the face to give a more youthful look with cleaner and fresher looking skin.

Generally, however, it is very uncommon that anybody leaves from a hair salon and doesn't care for the new style. While a few of us attempt to set aside cash by coloring or trimming our hair at home, it is another experience by and large having it done by an expert hair stylist who has all the hair salon hardware available to them. The evidence is in the remarks made by your facials Auckland professionals from hair salon. Hair salon equipment that is useful, forward-thinking, and permits the best hairdressers to expertly keep up your hair is basic. It is the one time we can unwind and let the professional from hair deal with this fundamental need.

A basic spa treatment package would include a facial to cleanse the skin from dirt and dust off the facial pores with the right rubs and lotions. There are a plethora of facial cleansers, scrubs and moisturizers which clients can choose to pamper their skin and face. These facial treatments are performed by qualified and friendly skincare professionals who are trained. The best effects of good facials Auckland treatments would only be felt and seen through regular visits to these skincare professionals. As consumers are normally exposed to the changing and harsh environmental conditions, inside or outside the home or office, there is a need for the regular visits to secure professional assistance in facials for the consistently best outcome. So, if you are looking for facials Auckland then contact Classic Beauty.

For more info :-- https://www.classicbeauty.co.nz/contact-us/

[35elms]

Day 43 -> 45 | Christchurch -> Koh Samet: Waking up feeling much refreshed after our exxxtreeeemly lazy Day 42, we started with a Breakfast of Champions. Eggs Benny for Claire, Matt’s favourite dish of the holiday, Shakshouka, topped off with some raspberry doughnuts. Because we deserved them (we promise Les!).

Then ensued some more holiday grooming including: shaving that beard off to prevent unsightly tan lines (and general unsightlyness let’s be honest), and a treat yo self pedicure because Claire decided it’s much too tricky doing it yourself in a campervan.

The excitement continued with packing! Again, tricky in a campervan, especially when one of the campers is mourning facial hair they were oh so proud of. But we smashed it! And treated ourselves by enjoying a tasty Vietnamese salad with some bits that needed to be finished up: Prosecco and dried raspberries - what are the chances!

After a very very sad goodbye to Cammy 🥺😢😞 we hopped on the plane up to Auckland to settle into another Ibis Bougie (how many points are we on Mudgie?!) pre 6am flight to Sydney followed by Bangkok! A delicious dinner of roast chicken for Claire and chicken burger for Matt before an early night pre very early start.

Quantas treated us much better than Philippine Airlines and we managed to sneak into the lounge for some pre flight snacks (and Bloody Mary’s after Justine called us wimps) in both Auckland and Sydney making the whole experience much more pleasurable than our flights bringing us out to NZ! Claire managed to watch 4 Disney films (must be a world record) en route, whilst Matt enjoyed a few stiff gins and got stuck into some box sets.

On arrival in Bangkok, we hopped in a taxi to the port where a boat would take us out to Koh Samet island for 6 nights in absolute luxury! Shattered, smelly and hungry, we enjoyed long hot showers before ordering some delicious steak sandwiches and hitting the hay pre Claire’s unreasonably early alarm to ensure we could bagsy the best sun beds... updates to follow!

[browsandbeyond]

Why some women prefer permanent make-up

Cosmetic tattoo is the art of microscopic pigment implantation. It's a beauty tattoo that simulates traditional mouth, hair, forehead and cheek skin. With this technique, a woman can enhance her looks and still look natural. Certain names include permanent makeup, Mesotherapy, surgical tattooing, and micropigmentation.

Many women prefer implanting skin shades rather than adding normal cosmetics. This may also help women with difficulty applying makeup due to poor vision or physical disability. If you are sensitive to fragrance and preservatives in conventional make-up, or have an active or busy lifestyle, permanent cosmetics can be your solution.

If you have scant eyebrows, eyebrows end the hassle of drawing brows equally daily. There's no need to think about having to draw your eyebrows, or just brushing off a lip. Cancer patients who have lost chemotherapy eyebrows and eyelashes can undergo lash enhancement and tattoo their eyebrows. They can comfort that their facial features are kept to a minimum despite their illness.

Permanent eyeliner makeup particularly appeals to women wearing contact lenses. This is because this treatment puts an end to sore eyes in the eye corners from artificial eye liner, smudging, streaking, and residual samples.

Women with slim or light lips also profit. Tattooing your favorite lip color also ends the embarrassing and often unintended transfer of lipstick color to objects and people.

Women with scars or burn marks may also use permanent makeup to hide wounds. Women with children will find their nipples darkened and less attractive. Hyaluron Pen Treatment Auckland helps lighten the skin and improve breast appearance.

Permanent makeup costs between $400 and $800 per treatment, depending on the type of permanent makeup materials used. There are differences in tools used for color implantation and differences in pigment types and brands. Advanced study can cost $150 to $250 an hour. Practice in a physician's office or specialty clinic that cost more.

Permanent makeup is also a viable alternative for people with allergies or toxicity issues. Patients will discuss potential pigment-related side effects with their doctors, and contact a professional permanent makeup practitioner. In many cases, pigments are less toxic than normal makeup every day. Individuals suffering from arthritis, vision loss, or neurological problems involving uncomfortable or erratic hand movement can also enjoy the freedom gained by permanent makeup.

 You definitely don't need to change your colors the first year after the first two visits. Many lasting beauty colors need refreshment within twelve to eighteen months. Colors may also change as they disappear.

For traditional makeup, choosing the right colors for your hair and skin tones requires an expert hand. Putting the wrong pigment in your skin can produce distorted color results. Radio Frequency Skin Tightening NZ is crucial to a permanent makeup process. Remember that the operation is lifelong, as its name suggests, and it is both costly and difficult to repair or reverse a botched job.

[beauvisagebeautyspa-blog]

Get Day Spa Treatments and Relax

Are you looking for the best Day Spa Treatments Auckland? Look no further than Beau Visage Beauty Spa & Wellness. This is a one-stop solution for all people who are looking for a perfect place to enjoy spa services. The wide range of spa treatments includes facials, laser therapy, anti-ageing treatments, eyebrow/eye enhancement, hair removal and much more. This means that you can enjoy full services as Beau Visage Beauty Spa & Wellness does everything possible to leave its clients happy and satisfied. This spa centre strives to enhance your beauty and health by providing you with high-quality Day Spa Treatments Auckland at the most affordable prices. Due to these services, you can relax your mind, rejuvenate your body, and refresh your soul. You should never stuck up with your busy life as it will make you feel depressed in the near future. You should treat yourself and get fresher. There are many ways to feel relaxed like listening to music going to the gym or sleeping. However, the spa treatments are one-of-a-kind solutions that can relax you to the best. Visit this beauty centre and have a nice day.

The Day Spa in Auckland can include a perfect massage service. Massage is a treatment everybody needs. It makes you forget about all your problems and just relax. At Beau Visage Beauty Spa & Wellness, you can get a number of massage services based on your requirements, special desires and needs. The motto of Beau Visage Beauty Spa & Wellness is to put back in what life takes out. So here you can achieve your ultimate relaxation and add perfect feelings to your life. Getting Day Spa in Auckland you will never want to leave it as it will add wow factor to your life. The tension will just slip away making you feel energized and happy. The massage therapist will first use pre-blended aromatherapy oil and only after an aromatic welcome ritual the massage of your choice will begin. Your spa treatments may also include eye and eyebrow enhancement which will make you feel so wonderful. The best thing about a day spa is that you get all the services in a very quiet and peaceful environment. It is really worth visiting a day spa frequently to feel better and lead a happy life.

Beau Visage Beauty Spa & Wellness also offers Facials Auckland and ensure that you will get 100% satisfaction. There are many types of facial treatments and your treatment will begin with an aromatic welcome ritual. Each product used through the service will be tailored to your skin’s personal requirements. Your experience will be also enhanced with a head and shoulder massage, leaving you feeling balanced, calm and soothed. The duration of Facials Auckland is different and all depends on your choice. Just decide which kind of facial service you need to take and the therapist will tailor it according to your desires. Just contact Beau Visage Beauty Spa & Wellness and you will know many more details. The therapists are ready to provide you with the best solutions and prices!

[fuzzabledotcom]

One of my personal highlights of 2017 was going to New Zealand to visit family who lives there. I went with my family. We treated ourselves and flew business class with Qatar Airways. It was a pretty straightforward journey. We flew from Manchester to Doha, then from Doha to Auckland. So I can say I officially say I flew the worlds longest commercial flight. The Doha to Auckland leg is just over 17 hours long.

It was a fantastic experience. Everyone from the ground staff to the cabin crew was so friendly and helpful.

You feel like a complete VIP.

From feeling slightly smug that I didn’t have to queue like everyone else waiting to check in. To being handed a pass to gain access to the lounge and priority at the security checks. It was the little things that really made the experience. Not 10 minutes after checking in we settling down with a drink in the lounge. Staff explaining we could help ourselves to whatever we wanted. We did and the few hours we had to wait to board in Aspire lounge at Manchester airport went very quickly.

Business Class were the first to board.

Upon entering the plane, Qatar Airways cabin crew greet you personally before escorting you to your seat. They explain everything around your seat. They give you a menu, explain the concept that Qatar Airways has of ‘Dine on Demand’ ( basically you can eat what you like, whenever you feel like it.)

Once you have stowed your carry on, they bring you refreshment and an amenity kit. The amenity kit was really cool. It’s designed by luxury luggage company BRICS. Italian skincare brand Castello Monte Vibiano Vecchio provided the products inside which included: lip balm, hydrating facial mist, and anti-aging moisturizer.

They then take your food order if you feel like ordering for after takeoff.

The food was amazing. At times I forgot I was eating on an airplane. The cabin crew lay your table for you with a linen tablecloth. You have a choice of sparkling or still water. They bring you a selection of bread. Then they give you an ‘amuse bouche’ ( a tiny little taster before your meal). They then bring you the drink you’ve requested (wine if you like I did asked for them to pair it with the food.)

The staff was so attentive and they make the best cappuccinos.

We landed in Doha, it was one of the quickest flights I have ever been on. As there was so much to stay occupied with thanks to the in-flight entertainment system.

Ground staff at Hammad International Airport directed us to the Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge.

Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge at Hammad International Airport, Doha

It felt more like a luxury hotel than a waiting area. There was endless food and drink, areas to shower and sleep. It was stunning. On the inbound flight, the layover was nine hours.  It felt so good to have a shower after being on a plane for 17 hours.

The shower at Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge.

It was a surreal experience to have my seat on the plane turned in to bed. Complete with a mattress topper, duvet, and pillow. It was as good as sleeping in a proper bed. I had a great sleep on the 17-hour journey from Doha to New Zealand.

So much so I was able to do a full day of wedding planning with my family and not have the jet lag catch up.

You can see pictures of the whole experience below, including the gorgeous food. (yes I am a bit of a foodie.)

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Let us know what your 2017 highlights are over on @Fuzzable.

My 2017 Highlights: Feeling like a VIP on Qatar Airways One of my personal highlights of 2017 was going to New Zealand to visit family who lives there.

[iglowspa]

Experience Bliss at One of the Best Spas in Auckland - iGlow Spa

Imagining a serene oasis of calm in the heart of Auckland. A place where you can escape from the noisy bustle of the city. Where you are pampered and rejuvenated, look no further than iGlow Spa, one of the premium spas in Auckland, located in the heart of the city. Indulge in luxurious massages, facials, beauty treatments, and wellness therapies administered by highly skilled therapists in stylish and elegant settings. Rejuvenate your body and mind with their signature treatments like deep tissue Massage, Hot Stone Massage, or Seasonal Refresh Facial.

After treatment at iGlow Spa, you would walk out feeling refreshed, recharged, and rebalanced. Their niche and tailored wellness programs provide an ideal sanctuary for your well-being. For an unparalleled spa experience in Auckland, iGlow Spa is second to none.

[miseensceneofthemind]

The Good, The Bad and The LP: Maestro Morricone

Unpacking the deadly score to THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY.

Welcome to The Good, The Bad, and The LP, a column dedicated to the alluring world of film scores and soundtracks on vinyl. Join me, as I take a deep dive between the grooves and look at some of cinema's greatest marriages between sound and vision. As the name of this series suggests, scores and soundtracks of all types are up for discussion; the weird, the wonderful, and even the downright bizarre are on the metaphorical table, or more aptly in this case - turntable.

So without further ado, let's drop the needle and get to spinning...

The subject of this first instalment is one of my absolute favourite film scores and funnily enough the very inspiration for the name of this here column – Ennio Morricone's majestic score to Sergio Leone's 1966 Italian Western, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. This soundtrack album was a surprise hit and a testament to Morricone's refreshing, unorthodox take on the western score, staying on the charts for over a year following its release and peaking at number 4 on Billboard's pop album chart. Leone's third and final film in what is affectionately know as the “dollars trilogy,” follows Clint Eastwood's enigmatic 'Man With No Name' (the 'Good'), the steely mercenary 'Angel Eyes' played by the inimitable Lee Van Cleef (the 'Bad'), and a charming miscreant on the run by the name of Tuco, played by legendary character actor Eli Wallach (the 'Ugly'), as they form uneasy and shifting alliances in a race across a Civil-War torn America to find a stash of buried Confederate gold. Culminating in one of the most iconic showdowns ever committed to celluloid, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly would not only retroactively stand as one of the pinnacles of the Western genre, but the score would come to typify the sonic palette of the Western in popular culture thanks largely in part to the eclectic, slightly askew and endlessly inventive score by Morricone, the apex of which can be heard in the film's instantly recognisable theme - *WHISTLE* - outside of the terror inducing theme to Jaws, you would be hard pressed to find a more iconic use of two musical notes in the history of cinema.

Here is a little anecdote for you, and full disclosure – I love Westerns something fierce: this album was actually the first film score I ever purchased on vinyl! Not too shabby for a first film record if I do say so myself! In 2012, I went to visit my good friend who was living in Melbourne at the time, James Buttery (a noted vinyl enthusiast who I highly recommend you check out, especially if you want to hear about some fantastic hard to find New Zealand releases). My purpose for visiting (other than to spend some time with one of my pals) was to see Japanese experimental noise rock trio, Boris, and scope the numerous record stores Melbourne has to offer in the hope of unearthing hidden gems I may not have otherwise encountered in little ol' New Zealand.

Unfortunately, things weren't looking too promising on the record pickup front – nothing in particular captured the heart of my music loving soul, let alone the somewhat diminutive but earnest heart of my pocketbook. Don't get me wrong, my enjoyment of the trip did not solely hinge upon successful record store finds, far from it! However, wouldn't it be nice to find treasure? To be the Indiana Jones of vinyl collecting (a 'recordologist' if you will) in the thick of a grand yet complicated adventure, when just as all hope seems lost, an artifact of unspeakable beauty and significance comes into your possession? Well, maybe not as enthralling or roguishly dashing as Mr Jones, but certainly as passionate when it comes to the thrill of the quest. So, you could imagine my heart stopping dead in its tracks upon flicking through a stack to see the faded red frame of an album cover I had coveted since before I had even owned a record. “Surely, it couldn't be,” I said to myself, trembling as my hands lifted this holy grail from its resting place. There, in all its glory, was the record. It was as if time slowed to an incomprehensible haze of euphoria, and strangely, fear; if I didn't get it then, would I ever chance upon a copy again? I don't think I've parted with money faster in my entire life.

For all of the talk given to the reasons why people gravitate towards records in modern times (many of which are highly subjective), one thing that is hard to argue is how the medium lends itself beautifully to artwork; it's just something that you don't truly get with other physical music media such as compact discs or digital releases, and let me tell you – the album art for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly , painted by illustrator and collage artist Fred Otnes is a sight to behold. Laid out with the evocative colour palette of a tequila sunset, the cover is adorned with a painted depiction of the three titular characters of the film above a battle scene from the war; of note, Clint Eastwood's character is literally stepping down into the the battle scene from a position of power, simultaneously foreshadowing the involvement of these characters getting dragged into the conflict, and also suggesting the violent and tumultuous emergence of the new west in the wake of the American Civil War.

Although the original United Artists release doesn't contain the entirety of the score as featured in the film, what is included is a tight representation of its many musical highlights . The two copies I have in my collection (because let's be honest, one is never enough when it comes to holy grails), were released on The United Artists Records label – one is an original 1967 US pressing that I accidentally stumbled across a few years ago in Auckland's Real Groovy in one of those divine moments gifted by the universe; the other is the aforementioned Melbourne discovery, a 1968 UK first pressing. Both pressings sound absolutely fantastic – turning the volume up reveals an energised sonic palette, with the authoritative low end of thunderous percussion and orchestral strings carrying enough power to shake the foundations – let's put it this way – The Man With No Name and Tuco would have had no trouble blowing a bridge up with this record in place of dynamite. The mid range and high-end reveals a raggedly gorgeous bite, particularly evident in the electric guitar sound, with its glassy distorted sting contrasted arrestingly against the background orchestral arrangement.

Much like the film's visuals, so much of the aural charm comes from the imperfections of the medium, recording environment and technology employed, which we'll get to in practical recording terms a bit later. Sergio Leone's use of Techniscope, an inexpensive film stock that exhibits a more pronounced film grain when enlarged to Cinemascope projection size, resulted in a visual image that gave a gritty toughness to the presentation. The uncanny knack Leone had for framing actors with amazing faces attained a whole new level of lived in dirt and grime when coupled with the added grain texture; facial hair stubble on-screen exhibited a coarseness that suddenly gave the illusion that one could light a match when struck against it. This film was mean and dirty visually. Comparatively speaking when compared to what came before, to borrow a parlance, “this ain't your daddy's western.” Similarly, Ennio Morricone's score was unlike any American Western score that had come before it.

As the main title theme to The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, encompasses so much of what makes the entire score unique, I am going to pull apart some of the more idiosyncratic elements that I find to be, well, just darned right clever as a set of spurs that enter through the window instead of the door, to paraphrase a man by the name of Tuco. As is widely noted, Morricone's main musical motif, *WHISTLE,* inspired by the howling sound of a coyote, is a shared theme of sorts for all three main characters, and as such, is wonderfully categorized by three distinct sounds: For Blondie, a.k.a. 'The Man With No Name,' this motif is played by a flute, for Angel Eyes, an ocarina, and for Tuco, by human voice. Now, this is a seemingly simple thing to have in place, but it is what each sound represents and evokes from a character standpoint that makes it brilliant.

Morricone scores the credit sequence instrumentation as such, to get to the core of who each character is immediately before the narrative even begins. With the choice of flute for Blondie, Morricone uses a light timbre, rather chirpy instrument played in a higher register to represent The Man With No Name's inherent goodness. The tail end of this musical phrase, is punctuated by the sound of a harmonica, using traditional western aural iconography to telegraph Clint Eastwood's character as signaling the coming of something familiar, yet somehow different... he is, the new west.

Here is where things start to get rather excellent. For Angel Eyes, Morricone employs the pure and natural sounding tone of an ocarina, an instrument I am sure many of you gaming fans out there are familiar with due to a little known title called The Legend of Zelda. This instrument has a slightly fuller, deeper timbre than a flute and is played an octave lower than what was used for Blondie. The simple act of making Angel Eyes' part of the theme sound deeper than Blondie's, both in terms of instrumentation and register, very clearly and literally delineates Angel Eyes as being lower than Blondie in a moral sense. In the scene that introduces Angel Eyes as 'The Bad' not far into the film, the ocarina motif is  punctuated by the dastardly twang of a low register electric guitar. Angel Eyes becomes a mysterious and elemental force of nature, deadly and not to be trifled with. Already in a short musical space, we can vividly see the characters in our mind's eye.

When it comes to the character of Tuco, Morricone takes a bit of a risk and employs human voices to underscore the fact that Tuco in many ways, is the most human character of the trio – rough around the edges, endlessly fallible, and yet somehow endearing as heck. One can't help but cheer Tuco on – sure, he's a bastard, a scallywag, a good fur-nothin' rapscallion, but there's a complexity to him – a grey area that escapes easy classification, neither good or bad, and harder to pin down – more messy and chaotic. If that's not human, I don't know what is. When one initially listens to the human cries of 'AAAHYEAAAHYEAAA,' it is very tempting to dismiss it as being utterly ridiculous. I mean, it's hilariously startling compared to what precedes it, but that's the point – it's joyous, strange, and replete with a cackling kind of energy, which is most definitely Tuco to a capital 'T.'

Sergio Leone worked very closely with Eli Wallach in the creation of the Tuco persona, suggesting a great affinity for the character. Tuco in fact is the only one of the three leads we get to learn about in more than passing detail. The sequence where Tuco confronts his brother, catholic friar Father Pablo, reveals an underlying sadness and regret. Later in the film in an emotional scene which effectively juxtaposes on screen violence with music (hello there rabid fan of this film, Mr. Quentin Tarantino), Tuco is tortured to the mournful sounds of captured soldiers performing outside the room of interrogation to mask the sounds of abuse within. The coyote howl may be indicative of a wild animal, a potentially dangerous one at that, but beneath the teeth, the snarls and the bravado, remains a painful, plaintive cry.

So, in the main theme, we have our three characters covered, sharing the same motif inspired by the solitary call of a coyote, but represented individually by having different instrumentation. Another central presence in the film, is that of the soldiers of war. Here, Morricone uses trumpets played in rapid, staccato like-fashion to evoke the rousing charge of battle. In an example of Morricone's lateral approach to score, he uses the cacophonous sound of spring reverb to sonically stand in for the conflict of war – the rattling sound that is heard during the trumpet solos of the main theme, is quite literally produced by kicking a reverb tank, a spring loaded contraption used by electric guitarists in the sixties to produce the lush, wet sound of the surf guitar genre. Talk about the old western genre getting a kick or what!

To cap it all off, we have the striking use of electric guitar. Morricone, having come from a background in pop music arranging at RCA records, brought into the score for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly the sound of heavily reverbed electric guitar. This appropriation of a populist instrument into the western genre, an outsider move if ever there was one, is the final piece of what makes this score so memorable. When thinking of Morricone, it's hard for the mind not to jump straight to whistles, human coyote howls, and the twang of a Fender Amplifier cranked all the way up to 10 (eleven being strictly reserved for Marshall amps only – THANKS SPINAL TAP). In Morricone's metaphorical hands, the electric guitar becomes a weapon – sharp, shrill, and bloody deadly. This instrument also becomes the thing that links all men in the film, with its seductive sound cutting though (and ringing out rather obnoxiously over) the orchestra implying the notion, and some may say folly, of power and violence - take the Native American-like chants that are contrasted against guitar in the theme. Leone was explicit in saying that the film was a deconstruction of traditional Western narrative and iconography with its focus on violence and anti-war themes. Morricone seems to have taken Leone's lead in this regard, suggesting an unending cycle of violence in this sonic contrast. The violence of American colonisation that the chants evoke, is challenged by the new emerging sounds of a violent Civil War, represented by the electric guitar. In Leone and Morricone's world of mercenaries, bandits and soldiers, it would seem violence, begets violence.

It would be remiss of me in a discussion of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, to not mention (in my opinion) one of the greatest pieces of music ever put to screen. Cue, 'The Ecstasy of Gold'

'The Ecstasy of Gold,' marks one of the great turning points in the collaborative relationship between Leone and Morricone. Prior to filming, unlike with what transpired making the other 'Dollars' films, For a Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More, Morricone actually was asked to compose a few of the tracks for Leone to play on set for inspiration. In fact, this process ended up being so successful that every film Leone worked on with Morricone  post The Good, the Bad and the Ugly utilised this method of preproduction composition prior to filming, which is an uncommon practice even today. One of these such pieces was 'The Ecstasy of Gold,' and it is immediately noticeable how much influence the musicality of the track had on Leone's compositional and pacing decisions in the featured graveyard sequence toward the end of the film. The cyclical, escalating nature of the song is reflected on-screen in the frenetic circular panning of the camera, keeping Tuco in focus with the surrounding graves in the background becoming increasingly visually incomprehensible as the sequence reaches its euphoric climax, when Tuco discovers the grave marked 'Arch Stanton.' (By the way, how great a name is Arch Stanton?!?) Outside of the film, the song has become well known in music circles for its use as the introductory entrance music for Metallica's concert performances – say what you will about the merits of Metallica, but they sure know how to co-opt a hell of an epic song for a prelude.

Not a terrible amount is known of the exact details behind the score's recording sessions – we do know the score was recorded in Rome at International Recording Studio (quaint name, I'm sure you'll agree) in 1966, with fellow composer and conductor Bruno Nicolai conducting Morricone's score with the Unione Musicisti di Roma as his sitting orchestra. Accounts of the sessions being hastily arranged as the film was being edited gain weight when considering Morricone's ridiculous scoring output at the time. Contemplate the following: by the time The Good, the Bad and the Ugly was released in Italy in 1966, Morricone had already scored a dozen other projects that year. That folks, is the creative force of a musical sledgehammer (other than Peter Gabriel of course) obliterating all manner of competition. No wonder the man is rightly regarded as an institution unto himself.

I'm going to get into a bit of recording insider talk here, so bear with me! It'll pay off in just a moment, I promise you. Most orchestral recordings are achieved primarily through a recording technique which was developed in the early 1950's called a Decca Tree, named after the record label the practice originated at, Decca Records. In this method, three microphones are arranged in a 'T' shape to make a figurative tree, usually placed behind and above the conductor – when mixed down, the end result is a natural, well balanced stereo sound that wonderfully captures the nuances  and details of orchestral recordings in large acoustic spaces. Other microphones, termed spot microphones, can be added closer to individual instrument groups in order to fill any sonic gaps so to speak, but the core of the sound comes from this Decca tree arrangement. Based on an interview with Morricone's long collaborative recording engineer, Fabio Venturi, and from what was common practice at the time, it is highly likely that the sessions were recorded in this manner. Okay Dan, pretty standard stuff thus far.

So, imagine this if you will: your typical orchestra is arranged in wait, ready to perform, eagerly anticipating the first graceful flick of the conductor's baton, and yet, something is slightly amiss... Let's say, you were a violinist in this session – the title theme begins – you're there minding you own business, waiting for your turn to shine when seemingly out of no where, someone starts to whistle – intentionally – not some nervous new player getting caught up in the melody of the piece, but a professional who was paid to be there. Odd, to be sure to be sure, but nothing that's going to make the pillars of the earth shake. Composing themselves (and yes, that pun is terrible and yet somehow absolutely necessary, if not for anything other than my own amusement), the violinist focuses once more and the piece starts moving along, when BAM – off to the side, the piercing sound of a vengeful surf guitar makes itself known in all its electrified glory. What on Earth is going on here? By this point, the violinist is breaking into a cold sweat. The guitarist has put in their two cents worth, and the main melodic motif returns. Only this time, it's not flutes or ocarinas playing the melody – it's the startling sound of humans, imitating the howling cries of a coyote. The violinist, being the professional that they are, keeps playing, but their mind is no longer of this world, having been shot through the ether into outerspace from a cannon of unfathomable delights (which is incidentally the first and only time you'll hear a cannon be described in such terms - well, that is until the sad but inevitable Good, The Bad and the Sexy parody is made, but that dear reader is a whole other kettle of kittens).

Anyway, the point of that somewhat wordy diatribe was to get across the idea that this recording ensemble had a quirky edge that most other score recording sessions up to that point did not. Having eclectic and unusual instrumentation, and case in point an electric instrument thrown into the mix, adds an extra set of considerations and side effects to the technical process of sonically capturing Morricone's score. The added volume, or as I like to think of it as, pure gumption, pushes the meters – that is to say, the combined room sound of orchestra plus electric guitar when captured by the Decca Tree and additional spot microphones, hits the recording console harder than usual and subsequently saturates the tracking tape machine (hey, remember those?) in a more exaggerated fashion. This saturation, while technically distortion, is aurally pleasing due to its very analogueness. In fact, the imperfections and quirks that the recording methods and technology of the era afforded – the slight presence of noise; the scrappiness of it all; a certain je ne sais quoi - couldn't be a more apt pairing for Leone's beautifully rugged visual swagger.

“So Dan,” I hear you say, “what can you tell me about where I can track this sucker down?” For the digitally inclined who wish to experience the score's majesty this very instant - perhaps for the first time; maybe you've heard it a gazillion times, and just want to pay a casual visit to the house that Morricone built – you can find a couple of different versions on Spotify. They are more or less identical, save for the tracks 'The Story of a Soldier, ' and 'The Trio,' which are both longer on the Italian soundtrack remaster that clocks in at 59 minutes as opposed to the standard Capitol version which is 55 minutes. Either way you go, you're going to be winning at life so don't fret too much!

On the vinyl front, from what I have heard, the recent Back to Black reissue from 2015 is a bit hit and miss when it comes to sound quality and noisiness, but as it goes with these things, give it a spin and trust your ears before you buy if at all possible. If you do happen to come across a reasonably priced secondhand pressing from the late sixties or early seventies in the wild however, don't stop and think about it – lay that money down and walk out with one of the greatest scores ever cut to tape, and put on wax.

Listen on Spotify:

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