Friday 21 December 2012

Review - 'Groom' G-Force Pre-Party Treatment Package at Debbie Thomas

In the run up to Christmas and New Years Eve, it all gets rather hectic and we are prone to running around like crazy people, elbowing excitable (but painfully slow) tourists in Selfridges while we try to nab last minute gifts to shove under a hastily assembled tree.

Beauty treatments? Pampering? Gah! We have no time for such pomp!

Until now ladies.....

Debbie Thomas, the renowned skin care expert based in Brompton Road's legendary Hari's salon has unveiled a collection of 'G-Force' express beauty treatment packages that polish and pamper you to perfection in just one hour.

This last Wednesday after an insane day at work I managed to squeeze in the 'Groom' treatment before I hurried off to a pressing festive engagement.

This consisted of an eyebrow wax and tint, lash tint, mini wax and manicure.

The salon was heaving when I arrived, full of Knightsbridge mummies and Sloaney socialites being blow-dried and back-combed to oblivion.

As I made my way up the steep stairs toward the top of the building, a stunning therapist by the name of Lucy with long fluttery lashes and almond eyes was waiting, ready to wax and tweeze me to groomed perfection.

After 30 minutes of submitting myself to Lucy's grooming powers, I marvelled at my darker, defined brows and sultry blue/black lashes. No more brow pencils for me! Oh noooo.

I was then led to a relaxing treatment bed where I chose a gorgeously shimmering Christmasy red colour from the Essie nail polish collection. I then proceeded to fall asleep while my nails were being filed and polished to festive glory.

Hoorah!




Debbie Thomas also offers the following two express pre-party treatment packages which are also available until New Years Eve;

'Glam': consisting of a SiennaX spray tan, manicure and blow dry or elegant 'up do in Hari's famous bun and ponytail bar.

'Glow': A Hydrafacial (a skin-plumping, deeply hydrating facial), eyebrow tint and shape and lash tint.


So, ladies, I think you will find that it is possible to groom ones self and still have time to shop and be merry.

If  you are feeling slightly hairy/dishevelled and urgently need a quick pampering fix before that glam Christmas or New Years Eve party, book one of these splendid treatment packages now to emerge gloriously coiffed and smug, all set to elegantly wrestle for a mince pie or two.

Book (before the masses do!) at Debbie Thomas at Hari's.

Merry Christmas xxx



Monday 17 December 2012

Product Review - Douvall's Organic Argan Oil Moisturiser

As a beauty writer, I have slathered a ridiculous amount of various lotions and potions on my skin over the years. I do however, always maintain loyalty to one moisturiser/face wash/exfoliator for a good month or two in order to discover the true effects.

One thing I have discovered in my journey of merry skincare sampling, is that the simpler the formulation, the better. Often, fancily packaged products that beckon me with their glamorous facade leave me bewildered after weeks of use when I look in the mirror and see that there is no difference whatsoever to my skin.

Out of the many pampering products I have tried, I must say that Douvall's Argan Oil Moisturiser made the most difference.

After weeks of use I did notice (especially in the mornings) that my skin looked clearer and had a noticeable dewy glow.

Containing naturally occurring skin-nourishing ingredients such as vitamin E, essential fatty acids and oodles of  free radical-fighting antioxidants, it contains only one ingredient, organic Argan oil, ethically sourced from a woman's cooperative in Morocco.

This skin-smoothing bad boy has truly become one of my beauty must-haves.

liquid gold goodness


It even travelled with me and a friend to Croatia for a week-long holiday and saved our sun-parched skin and hair from the dregs of dismal dehydration. Oh, how we fought for the last drops of this golden-hued wonder oil. How we fought....

No other product seemed to condition our straw-like hair and dry holiday skin as well as this fantastic natural product.

Argan oil is also renowned for its use to not only moisturise and prevent ageing of the skin, but to treat acne, so its perfect if, like me, you are plagued by the odd blemish now and then. In fact, while using this product I did notice my skin had never looked clearer and was happily pimple-free. Hoorah!

So, I want to say to Alicia Douvall, the creator of this skincare marvel, thank you for a simple moisturiser that does so much. Thank you for proving that less is more and that chemicals are not needed to make skin look beautiful.

You can buy Douvall's Argan Oil Moisturiser from here

Monday 10 December 2012

Lulu & Boo Mum-to-be Collection


Being an avid organic beauty addict and after years researching the harmful effects of unnecessary chemicals in mainstream skincare, I am even more disgusted at the toxic crap found in baby and pregnancy products that are so heavily marketed to us.
60% of what we slather on our skin is absorbed into the bloodstream, so it is vital that we use toxin-free, natural products to keep our skin heathy and free from allergies and dodgy skin conditions.
Pregnant women and innocent, delicate-skinned mini people especially, need to use organic/natural skincare and stay away from evil products which contain naughty ingredients such as Sodium Laurel Sulphate (found in car washes) Parabens (many of which are carcinogenic!), synthetic fragrances and colours (nasty skin-irritants).
So when one of the first of my friends became pregnant and asked my advice on preventing stretch marks, I presented her with the gorgeously-scented Lulu and Boo Mum-to-be Collection (£40) from the fantastic nativegifts online shop - a merry collection of natural and organic, high quality skincare for ladies (pregnant or not), gentlemen partial to a spot of pampering and babies with brand spanking new skin.








The gift set comes wrapped in beautiful packaging and filled with straw - which made delving in to find the hidden goodies more exciting and satisfyingly farm-like.
It is comprised of three exciting pampering products which are safe to use during all stages of pregnancy.



Sadly, as my pregnant friend is jetting off to live in the US for a couple of years, this gift set is currently mid-ocean, being shipped to her new address, so I was not able to post 'real life. blogging stylee pics here. 
But here is the image from the Nativegifts site!










The Mandarin & Almond Relaxing Organic Bath Oil (100ml) is a gloriously-scented, 100% natural, raw and organic delight to energise and leave skin soft and hydrated. 
It is a heady concoction of mandarin, ylang ylang, sandalwood and rosehip extract to soften the skin and lift the senses. It also contains nourishing fruit oils to help prevent stretch marks.
After my rounded-tummed buddy tried this heavenly scented bath oil she said she felt "much less stressed after a crap day at work' and that her skin was much smoother and smelt like she had just had a very expensive spa treatment somewhere in the Cotswolds.
The next product in this range is the indulgent Shea Belly Butter. (200ml)
Nativegifts describe this luxuriously-rich cream as 'a deeply moisturising butter to combat stretch marks and improve the skin’s natural elasticity.'
The main ingredient in this nourishing product is the organic shea butter which is renowned for its moisturising and stretch mark-preventing properties. Shea butter contains cinnamic acid, which has notable healing and anti-inflammatory effects.
My friend has been using this for a month now during her 5th month of pregnancy and she has been raving about her smooth tummy. She also hasn't developed any stretch marks so far and while this may or may not have anything to do with the belly butter, she is definitely going to keep using it!
Moisturising the skin and improving its elasticity is always good practice for preventing stretch marks so I do beleive this creamy-textured product is a useful aid in the fight against this common problem.
With decadantly-nourishing ingredients such as organic shea butter, organic avocado, rosehip oil, calendula and sea buckthorn you know its going to be dping something right! Oh yeeeah.
Delicately scented with organic neroli and mandarin essential oils, it also is a joy to use (so I have been told!) and will leave mummies-to be smelling yummy and feeling blissed-out.
The set is complete with a Wooden Body Brush to lightly polish and exfoliate the skin - boosting the circulation to further prevent stretch marks. 
My blossoming-buddy lightly brushed her belly in circular motions with this soft-bristled, sustainable brush when her skin was dry before bathing and noticed a significant improvement in the texture of her skin.
And hoorah! Not a stretch-mark yet.
So pregnant ladies and ladies with babies, I will leave you with these words of organic beauty wisdom.
Stay away from generic, mass-produced mother and baby products that contain harmful synthetic nasties and check out Nativegifts for organic, handmade British skincare that wont harm you or your little ones but with swathe you in nourishing goodness and leave you smelling like you have just frolicked in a sweet-smelling summer meadow. 

    Monday 19 November 2012

    Spa Review - The Scarlet Hotel, Cornwall



    Many of us are no longer seeing spas as nice places to splurge on a facial, but as stress-revealing sanctuaries where we can indulge in mind-calming treatments, lose ourselves in much needed escapism and seek temporary refuge from our chaotic lives.

    I have discovered my own stress-busting haven called the Scarlet - a luxurious eco-spa hotel in Cornwall. With its stylish décor, natural reed-cleansed pool and vibrant red (wood fuelled) hot tubs overlooking the sea, this place calms the mind and ignites euphoric moods.

    oooh fiiiish!

    Treatments at the Scarlet are called ‘journeys’, use natural products and are four hours long to allow for optimum unwinding.

    My bespoke journey was determined after I had completed an Ayurvedic consultation form. My answers made it clear to my lovely therapist Rachel that I needed to seriously de-stress.

    Before my treatment, I was shown to an inviting relaxation room for a spot of some much needed meditation to clear my troubled mind and erase the unwanted stress of the city.


    oh yeeeeeah

    My journey began with a cliff-top seaweed bath, shared with one of my favourite people. We laughed as we frolicked happily, forgetting the five hour car journey we had endured, and smirked when we squeezed the organic seaweed, smearing the resulting antioxidant-rich green liquid on our faces, looking like a pair of contented aliens.


    The best location for hot tubs - ever


    In the treatment room after ten minutes of guided meditation, I succumbed to a blissful massage. I find it difficult to ‘let go’ during massages, yet at the Scarlet, under expert hands, I found it easy to drift off and rid my body of lingering stress.

    An Ayurvedic pummelling technique was also used, where crushed herbs encased in a muslin cloth were heated and used to apply therapeutic oils to my weary limbs.

    Ground herbs, including circulation-boosting gotu kola, were then vigorously rubbed over my body. As well as exfoliating the skin, the sensation was highly invigorating and seemed an apt way of rousing me from my relaxation-induced coma as my journey finally came to an end.

    Our beautiful room with a massive shower and rather opulent bathtub

    After this much needed holistic pamper session I made my way to The Scarlet's stunning restaurant with my lovely buddy Sara for some exciting feasting on locally sourced, organic food.

    feed us

    We marvelled at the glistening sea view and cursed ourselves for not booking a longer stay in this glorious place. 

    The food was ridiculously good - fresh fish from local waters, seasonal, organic root vegetables, a merry combination of fine English cheeses and the best chocolate cake known to man.

    mmm organic scallops of a succulent nature


    The next day as we swam in the natural pool, overlooking a picturesque Cornish bay, we realised it would be difficult to tear ourselves away from this magical place that banishes 
    uneasy thoughts and urban stress.


    who needs Centre Parcs?


    But begrudgingly we did....and returned to bustling city streets yearning for steamy seaweed baths and salty sea air.

    Monday 12 November 2012

    Spa Review - Casa Spa Traditional Hammam – Exotic Rural Spa Experience




    The hammam has been a part of Middle Eastern culture for centuries.  My first experience of these steamy havens was in Iran, where scantily-clad women wandered though the misty haze, strategically placed mitts covering their modesty. I emerged flustered, skin gleaming, after a thorough scrubbing by a woman with biceps that could give most men a run for their money.

    There is a traditional hammam in London called Casa Spa. I encourage you to visit when the stresses of life bring you down and you fancy something different from your usual spa treatment. Take a good friend, and enough money to tip graciously. This is a place where friends bond over laughter and idle chatter while they permeate in a room full of billowing steam. 

    You may be shocked when without warning, cold water is thrown over you, but how your screams will merge into laughter, especially as accompanying the splashing is a merry arabic song sung by the perpetrator. The charming Tunisian spa manager ‘Helen’ told me later that the words “Ya Habibi Ya’Allah” were sung during this circulation-boosting ritual because, “it’s good to say the name of Allah when there is a moment of shock”.

    A black olive soap is then slathered over your body before a eucalyptus based ointment preps the skin for the vigorous exfoliation that is to follow. The therapist is armed with a coarse mitt and energetically pummels your body to shed stubborn dead skin.  

    My treatment was surprisingly satisfying and reminded me of being scrubbed down as a naughty, messy child. The whole experience in fact, had a somewhat parental/childlike ambiance. You are instructed to sit, stand, raise your arms, lie down and then of course there is the obligatory splashing  with freezing cold water, in spite of your pleas. I couldn't suppress my laughter when one girl’s request to, “please have a bit more time,” resulted in a ruthless dousing and evil laugh of the therapist. Us Middle Eastern women don’t do unnecessary, static politeness. We mean business.

    Clay masks are applied after the scrubbing to purify the skin, aided by the effects of the steam. My hair was then smothered in a conditioning honey treatment and my friend languished in a zesty lemongrass foot spa.

    I felt a meditative sense of calm as we were led to a decadent harem-style relaxation area. As we lounged on the opulent bed, propped up by gold quilted pillows, we were served fruits and fragrant Moroccan mint tea. Our divine foot massages induced a blissful doze before we finally left this glorious place, with a few more peals of laughter at the distant screams of the newly splashed.

    The Exotic Rural Spa experience for two at Casa Spa costs £149 and may be booked here 

    From my column in yogamagazine.com

    Sunday 11 November 2012

    Revital's 21st Birthday Party




    I have always been a big fan of Revital's health shops and exciting online store with its plethora of holistic goodies, and so I was brimming with excitement after being invited to a press event to celebrate their 21st birthday and introduce their new line of products.

    So with my lovely nutritionist buddy Mel in tow, along we went to the glorious Blue Fin building in London Bridge, ready to be educated on all things healthy and nutritious.

    When we arrived, we were greeted by the inviting scent of a vegan 'anti-inflammatory' curry, smouldering away on a nearby stove. 
    mmm spicy healing noms

    Beckoned over by such a delightfully aromatic waft, we discovered that it was the creation of celebrity 'Medicinal Chef' Dale Pinnock, who's speciality is devising dishes that heal various ailments and prevent diseases.

    Dale explained to us how a powerhouse of healing spices such as ginger, cumin and turmeric are added to his curry to create an anti-inflammatory effect in the body and boost circulation. 

    Mel and I are great believers in using food as medicine and saying no to heavily prescribed, unnecessary drugs so we were rather enthralled by Dale's holistic foodie teachings.

    The curry tasted darn good too. Have kept that recipe filed away for my next dinner party. Oh yeeeah.

    You can find many of Dale's recipes on his website, here, which also lists his next TV appearances and details of his latest medicinal cookbooks.

    After tearing ourselves away from such culinary excitement, we moved around the room to discover all of Revital's new health supplements, diet aids and organic skincare.

    I was particularly jubilant at the healthy pots of nutritious goodness by The Food Doctor - one of my favourite brands of health noms.

    ooooh elo der!

    Deceptively styled as dodgy pot noodles, these hearty pots o' snack time happiness contain body-loving ingredients such as quinoa and bulgar wheat......rather than artificial onion flavouring and MSG.

    Other products that I thought were rather splendid included the range of Pukka organic skincare (especially the firming facial oil containing skin-plumping rosehip seed) and the new Dr Berry Blueberry Punch, which is rather like an innocent Ribena - free from evil refined sugar and colourings and full of health-promoting goodness.

    I was impressed to discover from the helpful Revital advisor that this refreshing, all-natural berry beverage was actually a potent cocktail of antioxidants and phytonutrients which improve cardiovascular health and fight free radical damage, thus revitalising your skin.

    We left with a goody bag brimming with health-promoting, natural goodies, oodles of Dale's recipes .....and the sudden urge to detox and do smugly wholesome things like sprinkle chia or flaxseeds over everything we consumed.

    All the above products and more can be found at www.revital.co.uk








    Monday 5 November 2012

    Review - REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask

    After periods of debauched partying or glutinous feasting on naughty processed foods, our skin looks rather pitiful and yearns for a boost.

    Well, my skin can yearn no more as I have discovered a radiance-evoking face mask known as the Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask from the natural beauty gurus at REN.

    I have always been rather sceptical about face masks. They would either break me out in traumatising acne spots or just make no ruddy difference to my skin whatsoever.

    So I gave up. Focused on giving my face a good scrub with a hearty organic facial scrub containing rosehip seeds or some other kind of earthy, grainy ingredient.

    Then I came across this skin-plumping bad boy.

    REN's renowned face mask has the texture of apricot jam. It is delightfully orange and sticky and smells like plump, juicy apricots that have been grown on an idyllic farm somewhere like Shropshire or Somerset (organic of course...)

    The product is described by REN as;

    'A potent bio active peel mask designed to renew the complexion, reduce the appearance of fine lines and dramatically improve skin tone'







    As is the case with the whole of the REN range, this product is free from toxic chemicals such as parabens, petrochemicals, DEA and silicones.

    I was excited to discover that the mask contains natural fruit acids and Papain, which is derived from Papaya and stimulates cell turnover, encouraging a fresh new layer of happy, gleaming skin.

    Who needs microdermabraision or scary skin peels ay?

    Some may be put off by the sticky texture, but I rather liked the childlike messiness of it all as I smeared it over my thoroughly cleansed face.

    There is a slight tingling feeling which may also alarm certain paranoid, sensitive faced-folk, but I also rather liked this as I felt as though something exciting and technical was actually happening in my epidermis.

    The Result: After 10 minutes, I washed off the gloopy, fruity goodness and smirked with merriment at my much brighter, plumped-up complexion.

    Oh the joy!




    Review - Nude's Cellular Renewal Serum and Moisturiser

    After reading the insane number of positive reviews online, I decided to try Nude's Cellular Renewal Serum for myself. 
    
    
    
    
    It felt a bit wrong not to follow the serum with a merry slathering of the (identically packaged!) Cellular Renewal Moisturiser, and so I did. Everyday....for about a month now. 
    
    
    
    
    I was surprised to find the serum had a silky, non-greasy texture (quite rare with natural/organic serums which are usually oil based).  
    
    
    
    
    It absorbs into the skin quickly and has a gloriously fresh and non-synthetic scent which makes me happy.....and feel rather wholesome.  
    
    
    
    
    The cream is quite rich and deeply hydrating, yet without being too heavy, so as well as before bed, I can use it in the morning without arriving as a shiny-faced odd-bod at work.  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    The result? After a month my skin does look a lot smoother and brighter. I also enjoy the smug feeling of using a glam skincare system that is completely void of chemicals and synthetic toxic nasties.