Guest Post - The Cookery School by Shannel Watson

I quite vividly remember home economics classes with the aptly named (and aptly rounded) Mrs Cook.  I remember pineapple upside down cake with tinned pineapple rings and stale glacé cherries from the school larder, baking in rusty tins in old temperamental ovens. Fruit flans made from packaged supermarket bases topped with tinned fruit and 'quick gel', and a meat cobbler consisting of a Pyrex dish brimming with grey mince and peas, randomly topped with scones. 

Whilst I overcame my early introduction to home cooking, becoming quite obsessed with baking home made goodies, I  never really lost my disdain for group cooking, so when I was invited to The Cookery School, my curiosity was piqued but my expectations were not extremely high.

The Cooking School has taught thousands of students over the last decade in its modern kitchen, located a stones throw away from London's bustling Oxford Circus. The institution prides itself on using simple, mostly organic, locally sourced ingredients of premium quality, commonly found in most home kitchens. This is the only cookery school in London to have been awarded the maximum 3 stars for sustainability from the SRA.  No BOGOF bulk purchases for this school, oh no. We were presented with West Country fresh cream, organic asparagus, locally sourced eggs and fair trade chocolate - all measured out and ready to roll.

Oooh. Rum!

To start we were welcomed in with organic wine and canapés, whilst our welcoming teacher Rosalind talked us through what the evening had to offer.  We were shown how to make fresh pastry dough before being divided into teams of six and thrust in front of a Kitchen Aid (a very posh kitchen appliance - for those of you not in the know). We were then told to flatten the pasta to prepare it for shredding.  After dusting down the dough with plenty of semolina to keep it from sticking, we started to feed the dough through the pasta press (note to self - Google proper name) until it came out so thin that it was virtually see through.  The main risk here was that it would tear or fall apart, so before it got too long, we were advised to cut it in half and 'press' separately.  My overly ambitious group decided we would not be beaten by a strip of paper thin pasta and refused to cut it, mucking in with all hands available. 

We will never stop. Never!

Next it was time to prep dessert.  We were informed that normally, pudding is prepared first, whilst the kitchen is cool, however an unfortunate incident involving some blackened sponge fingers slightly changed the order of the day. We were making Tiramissu. Perhaps my most loathed dessert after lemon syllabub (or any dessert with a big acidic lemon as the main flavour profile)

Damn I'm good at whipping...

This was fairly easy to put together, once we knew what we were doing.  Fellow cook Marcela's overzealous whipping technique proved so effective that we actually whipped our double cream all the way to butter leaving us to start again with a fresh bowl of double cream. We began alternately layering cream with rum and coffee soaked biscuits before topping them with cocoa powder.  Our sweet creation was then ready to take away  in little labelled containers.  I already had a few friends in mind who would be grateful for such a dish. 

Marcela described my Tiramisu as 'perfect', the cooking school welcomes beginners and amateurs as well as experienced cooks.  This is not a competitive cooking class, but it was...

Next on the Menu was tagliatelle with asparagus and wild garlic leaves...

We were taught a quick way to remove the stem of the asparagus for minimal waste (these can be put aside for a stock). We then beheaded and sliced them into thin slivers.  At this point I noted how blunt my knives at home were and how much easier it was to prep food with adequate utensils.  We added sliced garlic and fragrant garlic flowers into the mix, before being suitably plied with chilled organic wine.  I had already decided to avoid alcohol this evening, so I did miss out on this tempting offering, standing narrow eyed with a glass of ice water whilst listening to murmured exclamations of how delicious the wine was. Regardless, I was having a great time without the need for booze.

Whilst we were standing around drinking (and not) drinking delicious wine, the team whisked away our cooking stations and replaced them with a long table adorned with fresh white linen table cloths and silver cutlery. The lights suddenly dimmed and we all oohed - as if a light dimmer was a rare and special thing.  The scene set, we scrambled to get a seat with our new found team mates and settled in to taste the fruits of our labour, laughing at how we thought we would be scrubbing out mixing bowls and wiping down work surfaces. Oh how wrong we were.  

The tagliatelle was served to us with a dusting of Parmesan, a seasonal salad and yet more wine.  It was divine.  My first taste of fresh pasta, and although I have recently taken up a zero carb lifestyle, I was prepared to demolish this gluten-rich offering in the name of education. Afterwards, I noticed that rather than the usual bloated, heavy feeling I experience after a big bowl of pasta, I felt comfortably sated.    

As well as tiramisu to take home, we were served generous portions with a choice of tea or coffee.  Just to be polite I took a bite. The coffee and rum mixture swilled out of the sponge as my spoon delved in and by the third bite I was starting to feel quite intoxicated.  'I'm meant to be avoiding alcohol tonight' I complained to my new cooking buddy, 'I don't even like tiramisu!' 'You don't have to eat it you know,' she responded matter of factly with a wry smile. Of course she had missed the point here. Of course I had to eat it. 

The combination of West Country cream, mascarpone, rich espresso and rum soaked sponge layers was far too tempting for even the strongest will to resist. By the time I rested my spoon in the thoroughly excavated bowl, I was awash with that familiar warmth you get when you have dined well in good company. On second thoughts, this could have been due to the copious amount of boozy pudding I had just devoured. 

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Go on. Delve into my bountiful foodie wares

Worries of tiramisu  wedges being squelched in handbags soon evaporated when we were given generously laden bags of exciting produce to nestle within our kitchen cupboards, including enough space to ferry our perfect puddings to husbands, kids, friends or whomever else was lucky enough to be at home when this heady dessert arrived.  

When I finally made it home, happy and cheered by a good evening, hoping that the dessert would remain in its perfect form to be shared with others at a later date, something inexplicable occurred.  I ate the whole sweet, stodgy delight all over again.  It just happened!

Hair-extending guru Shannel Watson is the owner of Secret Extensions and a recent convert to the religion of fine cheeses. Follow her on Twitter @SecretExtension and Instagram - shannelwatson for more of her foodie and hair-related shenanigans

My Top Five Skin-Friendly Fake Tans

With the enticing promise of summer and the unyielding fear of pasty thighs tormenting us, many of us are reaching for the (fake tan) bottle as a ‘safer’ way to achieve that glamorous, sun-kissed look.

But just how safe is this seemingly innocent alternative to a detrimental dose of sizzling sun worship?

The sorry truth can be found upon looking at the ingredients lists of these synthetically fragranced creams, gels and lotions, which can contain harmful chemicals that can affect the health of our skin.

Parabens, artificial fragrances and even formaldehyde can be found lurking within the gloopy formulations of our favourite bronzing products, and have been proven to cause numerous health problems including hormone imbalances, rashes and even cancer.

In search of the perfect sun-kissed look without the barrage of unnecessary chemicals, I opted to take an even safer route to a glorious golden hue by testing tanning products that contain much kinder ingredients.

Here are my top 5...

Karora Express Bronzing Mousse 150ml, £25.43 8/10
This botanical badboy of the natural tanning world contains hydrating aloe vera, acai extract and grapefruit peel oil  for streak-free bronzing and silky smooth skin in a flash. I prefer to apply this before bed as it is tinted and feels sticky on my skin - but after showering, I am left with a stunning natural shade of brown which fades evenly after one week. Colour can be washed off after one hour for a lighter shade.

The result – An even, golden tan after one hour, which darkens after three hours (and more so overnight).

Tan Organic Self Tanning Oil 100ml, £24.99 8/10
I discovered this EcoCert approved organic dry tanning oil at The Urban Retreat beautique's fantastic natural beauty event and have been hooked ever since. A decadent blend of antioxidant-rich argan and borage oils, this toxin-free self tan is the perfect choice for those who crave a subtle wash of colour rather than a full-on ibiza-esque leathery tan. When I apply this natural zesty concoction after a hearty dose of exfoliation in the shower, it sinks into my skin effortlessly and develops into a natural hint of colour overnight. Note - I awarded this product 8/10 as the result was not dark enough for my exotic tanning tastes. If you are happy with a lighter shade, this amazing oil is a perfect 10.

The result – Non-greasy oil leaves a subtle bronze glow after five hours. 

Green People Self Tan Lotion 200ml, £18.95 9/10

The first self tan to be certified organic in the UK, this nourishing lightweight lotion contains the self tanning ingredient DHA, which has been derived from sugar rather than harsh chemicals. I like how the non-sticky lotion quickly blends into my skin and leaves it deliriously soft to the touch due to its skin-conditioning organic ingredients, which include rose geranium and sandalwood oils.

The result - easy to apply organic formula creates a light brown hue after 3 hours and fades perfectly.

For All My Eternity Spray Tan - Medium to Dark, 250ml, £24.99 9/10
Perfect for those who prefer a deep, chocolate brown tan, this lightweight dark liquid spray applies and blends with ease - just like a professional spray tan. I love how this product smells of almond macaroons and that you can see exactly where you have sprayed due to its rich guide colour. Although it contains an array of skin-nourishing antioxidants and organic essential oils and is paraben-free, I have awarded this product a 9/10 only because it is the least natural of the bunch. Otherwise it would have gained a 10 as the result was truly outstanding.

The result - wake up to an strikingly intense, natural looking tan after a professional style application before bed

Vita Liberata Deeper Deep Untinted Self Tan Gel - Dark 200ml, £22   10/10               
Glossy-locked Made in Chelsea star Ollie Locke’s deep mahogany hue is the sultry result of this paraben-free product, which contains skin-plumping hyaluronic acid and plentiful organic ingredients such as skin-beautifying grape seed extract and soothing shea butter. I love applying this non-greasy, untinted gel after my morning shower with their easy-to-use tanning mitt and watching as the colour develops towards the end of the day - perfect for those glitzy after-work soirees.

The result – Untinted so will not stain clothes and develops into a beautiful golden brown shade after 6 hours 

Before and after using Vita Liberata's Untinted Self Tan Gel

Disclaimer: If you are seeking a good fake tanning product that does not leave the dreaded 'biscuit' scent, you will be searching a long time. All of the products reviewed by me did indeed leave me smelling like a naughty digestive, yet after showering and applying my favourite body cream the smell was no more, so worry not.

The Bright Young Things Film Club - Afternoon Delight at the Mayfair Hotel

My once ardent love for the cinema has sadly waned due to the mediocre offerings on screen and pitiful generic snacks. Long gone are the days of my innocent youth when an overpriced bag of stale popcorn and a vapidly stereotypical American teen prequel were enough to satisfy my cinematic urges.

Now I need more from the big screen experience in order to be expertly coaxed from my comfortable sofa and beloved Sky Plus box.

And expertly coaxed I was by The Bright Young Things Film Club – run by two bubbly film-loving ladies - Bridget Arsenault of Conde Nast and Fatima Martinez-Moxton from Mexican luxury jewellery brand Tane.

I discovered that this exciting club celebrates the world of cinema in the form of plush arty screenings at luxury hotels with the addition of cocktails and cake.  My interest was suddenly piqued and my recently dwindled passion for cinema reignited.

Ok, they had me at cake…

I took a fellow baked good-adoring chum and an empty tummy along to their screening of Jill Soloway’s Afternoon Delight – an empowering exploration of female sexuality and emotion with a thigh-slappingly humorous edge.

The film was shown on the bountiful screen at the celeb-adored Mayfair Hotel’s private cinema, which boasts lavish maroon leather seats and an opulent carpet.

After a warm greeting by Bridget and Fatima we followed the merry abundance of excitable guests to the bar area of the cinema where we were suitably plied with organic cookie and cream truffles, blondie brownies and sour cream coffee cakes by bespoke baking connoisseurs -Tea America.

Come to mamma...

We were then treated to enticing BYTme peach-infused cocktails by Circoc Ultra Premium Vodka – which along with the sweet treats, were also included in the all-inclusive ticket price of £17.50.

Cradling our cocktails and suitably armed with a supply of extra cake (in case we were to suddenly face the wrath of hunger pangs mid-film) we took our seats. We were thrilled to find that awaiting us was a goody bag filled with Propercorn sweet and salty popcorn and a bottle of refreshing Unoco coconut water.

Pink goody bags filled with healthy snackage? DO I?!

Starring the gloriously talented Kathryn Hahn, playing a bored wife and mother who moves a homeless stripper (the fantastic Juno Temple) into her home, Afternoon Delight was in my eyes a perfect film.   Funny, intriguing, shocking, heart-warming, realistic and gritty – with a hearty dose of feminism, it was a refreshing portrayal of American suburbia from an unashamedly female point of view.

Afterwards, the audience were treated to a live Q&A via Skype with the extremely witty Jill Soloway herself, who had us all in stitches with her interesting yet hilarious responses to our questions.
An afterparty in The Mayfair Hotel’s Quince bar followed which involved copious Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka cocktails and fervent film-related banter between cultured guests.

Admittedly, since my pleasant Bright Young Things Film Club experience, I have found it hard to join the masses at the local Odeon whilst expertly trying to dodge flying popcorn from groups of restless teens.

I can’t bear to watch another trashy thriller with no substance directed by middle aged men who demonize women for expressing their sexuality, or patriarchal romantic comedies where female (wife material) love interests are pigeonholed into ‘wholesome’ roles such as teachers or book shop owners. 

Why cant potential wives be investment bankers or forensic scientists dammit? Or even just work in PR?

Thank goodness that next week I’ll be attending Bridget and Fatima’s screening of Sweet Dreams – an award-winning documentary by Rob and Lisa Fruchtman about a group of Rwandan women who open an ice cream shop and form the country’s first all-female drumming troupe. 

Well, it makes a nice change from watching inebriated American teenagers discuss prom outfits. 

The Bright Young Things Film Club will be screening Sweet Dreams at 18.30 at The Mayfair Hotel on 30th April. 

Tickets can be booked here.

Youngblood - the 'Mac' of the Mineral Makeup World

Ah my beloved blog. Forgive me for neglecting you. Welcome me back to your wordy bosom with renewed vigor and let us start afresh.

It has probably been over a month since I last blogged due to a frantic few weeks of fashion copywriting for my favourite store, Selfridges.

Now I am back to fervently blog away about all things special and exciting to me such as high-end mineral makeup brand Youngblood's elegantly-packaged, celeb-adored cosmetics.

Being a firm advocate of organic and natural skincare products, I have always tended to shun chemical-free 'natural' cosmetics, because quite frankly, most of them are just not very good. There. I said it. (argh!)

Saying this, Youngblood's pigment-rich mineral products, which are free from harmful chemicals, actually surprised me with their premium quality and flattering results.

My recent obsession is their Dragon Fruit Lipstick, £14, - a creamy formulation enriched with pout-pleasing natural ingredients such as grape seed extract, jojoba oil and honeysuckle flower. The intense shade of berry pink is perfectly on-trend for the spring/summer season and compliments most complexions - especially olive tones like mine.

I use it with their creamy Pinkberry Lipliner, £10, to prevent feathering and the colour lasts for hours before I need to top it up again.

The problem I find with most natural, mineral-based lipsticks is that the colour is usually too sheer and not vibrant enough for my liking. Youngblood's lipstick is bold, smooth and leaves a semi-matte finish - which I find rather sophisticated. Long gone are my younger days of sticky bubblegum-hued  glosses that would menacingly attract stray hairs to my lips as I plodded sullenly along windy streets.

Someone dear to me once said, 'don't let anyone with bad eyebrows give you advice about life.' I agreed with her profusely, being equally militant with my Persian-inspired brow-related views. A perfect pair of arches frame the face and work in harmony with your features, so the right brow product is essential.

Youngblood's renowned Brow Artiste, £30, the all-in-one brow kit for gorgeously groomed arches is one of my must-have cosmetic products. Eyebrow pencils can often create a harsh 1980's style effect worthy of a cameo in a Dynasty remake, so I tend to steer clear of them in favour of brow-beautifying kits like this splendid Youngblood creation.

Available in a variety of colours and featuring two mineral pressed powders - a lighter and a darker shade, as well as a slick tinted wax to set your handywork until the early hours, this badboy of a eyebrow perfecter is definitely a keeper.

My perfectly coiffed and coloured brow with Brow Artiste

The kit also contains a handy mirror, tweezers and a double ended brush - one side to apply wax and powder and the other to brush those pesky stragglers into sultry submission. The result is striking yet natural and the effect lasts all day.

For me, Youngblood truly is the 'Mac' of the mineral make up world. Their products look stylish in your vanity case and tastefully enhance your features, allowing you to create your own work of art - all without a barrage of skin-sullying chemicals.

Before - makeup free with obligatory selfie pout

After - with Youngblood's Brow Artiste and Dragon Fruit Lipstick (and my lovely buddy Roshana)

Happy Chip Week! McCain's 35th Anniversary Press Dinner at The Haymarket Hotel

Forget London Fashion Week, last week was also Chip Week, which filled me with child-like joy and wonderment - being one rather partial to the act of eating.

Although I loathe convenience food with a vengeance and am a great advocate of fine holistic fayre involving wilted kale and raw almond butter, oven chips I do adore.

Yes of course chopping your own spuds and frying them in oil (coconut of course dahlings) taste better and leave you emanating in a substantial dose of smug satisfaction, but I'm sure many of you will agree...

you better believe it!

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for cooking your own food from scratch and believe many wholesome meals can be made in just a few minutes, yet potato peeling, chopping, frying, dodging random flying oil attacks aimed towards your eyeball - this takes time...and a heck of a lot of patience.

So, on the odd occasion when I get home after a long, tiring day or when I feel the need for a second dinner at 1 am, I have been known to shove a tray of McCain Rustic Chips in the oven, which I usually nom with a frivolously fried egg or two.

I especially adore these vegan-friendly oven chips as they are only 3% fat, contain two ingredients - (potatoes and a dash of sunflower oil) and are made with the fiber-rich, vitamin C-packed potato skins left on. Oh the wholesome joy of it all...

To show my support of such a worthy chip I even attended McCain's 35th anniversary dinner party, held at the elegant Haymarket Hotel in Mayfair.

I must confess that my evening had a rather naughty start as I somehow ended up at the wrong event within the same hotel, drinking a rogue glass of champagne that was meant for associates of a rubber band company (don't ask).

Eventually I made it down to McCain's chiptastic (sorry) shindig which began in the Haymarket Hotel's famous pool side bar - a shimmering scene of eye candy shrouded in seductive, pink-hued lighting.

Just smile until the chips arrive ladies...

Whilst sipping retro Harvey Wallbanger cocktails, I mingled with lovely McCain PR's and fellow food-loving journalists, including seasonal dinner party guru Liz O' Keefe who develops seriously sumptuous recipes for The Good Food Channel, and Delicious Magazine's talented food stylist Rosie Ramsden, who along with her food writer husband, sadly no longer gets invited to dinner parties. This clearly being the unfortunate consequence of their profound food judging skills.

Feeling merry and fueled by our grumbling tums, we made our way to the private dining room where we were greeted by a fabulous table decorated with 1970's style adornments - similar to the sort of kitsch nick knacks that grace the coffee tables of charming grandmothers up in Hull.

I reveled in the hearty menu, which featured 70's classics such as prawn cocktail and chicken Kiev - which I later discovered upon glancing at a guest's plate (whilst battling a sudden case of food envy), appeared to be the biggest chicken Kiev in the world.

I opted for an enticing, slightly more modern version of cheese and pineapple on a stick as my starter and ploughed  down with glee on a hefty sirloin steak accompanied by watercress, a peppery cream sauce and a pleasing mountain of McCain oven chips.

Come to mamma...

Admittedly, it did feel rather odd to be served oven chips in such plush (non-homely) surroundings, yet as I chomped away on these surprisingly delicious golden nuggets of potato goodness, I felt a sense of gastronomic comfort. Although I was wearing my finest Reiss dress and highest patent heels, surrounded by the stylish splendor of a 5 star London hotel, I felt that same comfy feeling I get when I'm curled up at home on my beloved sofa with my second dinner nestled on my lap.

Now, that's my kind of dinner party...

Made in Chelsea....and Paris. A Review of Guild Hairdressing

I recently dyed my hair a darker shade of brown after flaunting a golden, highlight-strewn mane over the summer and became somewhat addicted to the darker side...

I was suddenly enticed by the sultry allure of midnight-hued locks and craved a more intense, chocolate-rich shade to start the new year - as well as a fashionable, body-boosting layered cut...kind of like a less dated version of Rachel's from Friends.

After indulging in a stunning shellac gel mani pedi at the newly opened Guild salon on the Kings Road, I had got to know its charming co-founder Philippe Hostalery, who left me intrigued after singing the praises of his business partner and the salon's renowned Parisian hair stylist - Philippe Gentner.

Pretty, shiny nails that last for two weeks without chipping? DO I?!

Gentner is widely known by glamorous Parisian socialites and well-coiffed celebrities to be a genius with a pair of scissors and a hair dryer, so I was keen to be booked in for a glorious new hair style created by his talented hands the next time he graced the London-based salon with his presence.

I also booked myself in for a colour session with Guild's senior designer, Sebastien Elissalde - a tress-transforming colourist with a creative mind and a hearty laugh...

My barnet-beautifying day at Guild began by bumping into half the cast of Made in Chelsea as I sauntered up the drizzly Kings Road on my way to the salon. When I arrived, a flurried, damp mess, I noticed another character/actor/reality star from the show getting ready to leave whilst swaying a beautifully styled head of long, shimmering waves that, quite frankly, needed to be Instagramed right then and there.

As I nibbled on hob nobs and sipped a strong cup of hot tea, Sebastien discussed my dashing delve into darkness - showing me examples on a colour chart and explaining which shade he felt would suit my olive skin tone the most.

Redken's Shades EQ Gloss - an ammonia-free, conditioning demi-permanent colour in a dark cocoa brown shade was chosen to dye my long, parched hair. I was told it would create an exceptionally glossy and hydrated result, gradually fading after 8 weeks.

After the creamy colour solution was slathered on and left to do its magic for the next half an hour or so, it was washed off while I lay back on one of Guild's swanky massaging chairs - with built in mood lighting (oh yeeeeeah).

I was then fabulously styled within an inch of my life by Gentner, who cut seriously sassy choppy layers into my hair, finishing with the mother of all blowdries.

The result was truly stunning - big, bouncy, layered hair that was vibrantly coloured and glimmering with multidimensional shine.

With the hair styling geniuses of Guild - Philippe and Sebastien 

In the days following my visit to Guild, I basked in a merry array of compliments on my sultry new look. My glam mummy, being rather partial to the odd trip to a swish salon...and pampering in general (hey, we're Persian, preening is like breathing to us) was keen to be booked in for a colour with Sebastien and a cut with grooming guru Gentner.  This was due to her great approval of my newly decorated head. And she doesn't approve lightly. Oh nooo.

Maybe a spot of backcombing pls?

Upon visiting the salon, my mummy silently admired the exquisite decor of the place and became somewhat attached to the massaging chairs. She opted for a ruby red shellac manicure, an intense permanent golden blonde colour and a sassy feathered cut, which I think made her look even more splendid than she usually does.

My freshly styled mummy with the talented Andrew

...and colouring expert Sebastien

Philippe Hostalery and I at Guild, one week after my colour and cut

Heck, I sang the praises of this place so much that even my good buddy Anseh popped in for a quick pre-interview blow dry by Guild's expert designer Andrew Mar after marveling at my magnificent mane.

Work it baby!

After a good gossip, a black coffee and some serious ghd action, Anseh left Guild with advert worthy hair and a smug grin - what better way to start an interview...other than maybe arriving with a basket of pie?


Your glam Guild experience can be booked here.

REN Moroccan Rose Ritual - Hydro Healing Notting Hill

After a hard slog in the office or traumatizing experience involving aggressive bargain hungry shoppers in the sales, its always rather nice to book yourself in for a spot of  soul soothing spa pampering.

January, being the most 'blah' month of the year, is always made slightly more bearable when you have a top-to-toe, deliriously scented body preening procedure to look forward to - and I was certainly looking forward to my two hour long REN Moroccan Rose Ritual at Hydro Healing, a quaint beauty salon nestled behind the buzzing streets of London's eclectic Notting Hill.

Loving the minimalist chic reception area at Hydro Healing

After filling in the necessary forms in the stylish waiting area, I was led by my charming therapist, Sophie Cooper, into an inviting treatment room, enticingly shrouded in dim lighting, before being presented with a warming green tea - very well received after a brisk walk in the London chill.

The experience began with an all over body exfoliation using REN's Moroccan Rose Sugar Scrub, containing precious rose otto oil, before a warming shower.

Come. Rest on my padded, heated goodness.

I then indulged in a blissfully relaxing body massage, which was expertly carried out by Sophie's healing hands using an intensely hydrating combination of  rose otto infused body oil and cream.

REN's decadant Moroccan Rose Collection.

The next dreamy stage of this glorious mamma of a treatment was the hydrating and purifying facial, tailor made to suit my individual skin type. REN's Purity Balm was massaged in to deep cleanse my congested city complexion, followed by their excellent Clear Calm Clarifying Clay Cleanser to purify, banish excess sebum and help reduce pore size.

An invigorating jojoba facial polish was then used to slough away dull, dead skin cells to reveal the luminous glow I once possessed - previously banished to oblivion after the skin-sullying festive period - abundant with late night parties and naughty food feasting.

The daddy of all cleansers,

An omega 3-rich night serum containing antioxidant rich algae was then smothered all over my face and massaged in thoroughly to intensively nourish and actively repair skin cells.

Next my favourite REN product, The Glycolactic Mask, containing brightening fruit enzymes, was applied to help further dissolve those dulling dead skin cells - and encourage the kind of hearty glow one only really experiences after a brisk walk on a rugged Cornish hillside.

Think a jog in the park is the only way to get a healthy flush? Jog on mate.

After a snooze inducing 10 minute head massage, the mask was removed and the treatment ended with the application of a soothing eye cream and radiance boosting serum to give me a party-ready glow for the evening ahead of me.

Later, when applying my make up at the treatment room mirror, I noticed a significant improvement to the look of my skin and was very impressed indeed.

With my new luminous complexion, all over touchably soft skin and relaxed muscles, I stepped out on to bustling streets ready for the evening ahead...and ready to book the whole experience all over again.

Oh Hydro Healing, how you have healed me.

The REN Moroccan Rose Ritual costs £150 and can be booked here.

The Winter Paradise Luxury Manicure - Paul Edmonds

I am an fervent lover of Christmas. I adore how this time of year is full of excuses to pamper one's self to merry oblivion, as well as being a perfectly acceptable time to gorge on fine foods and sip bubbly beverages.

Since pampering and noming are two of my favourite activities, I jumped at the chance to review the Winter Paradise Luxury Manicure at one of my most beloved hair and beauty salons - Paul Edmonds.

When I arrived at the stylish Knightsbridge salon it was buzzing as usual, brimming with fashionable London socialites preparing for glamorous nights out and middle eastern yummy mummies cradling their Birkins as their highlighted locks were blow dried to voluminous glory.

I was led downstairs to a cozy special manicure area, complete with mini TVs and comfy padded chairs. After my previous gel nails were removed, the indulgent treatment began with an enticing taste of luxury as I was offered a glass of champagne and seasonal chocolate truffles to accompany my hand preening procedure.

Ah! What to nom and what to pamper with?! Tis confusing.

Being the natural product lover that I am, I rejoiced that an indulgent array of products from the chemical-free Eminence range were to be used on my dehydrated mitts - pitifully traumatized from winter's wrath.

First a divinely scented coconut scrub was massaged into my hands to slough away dull, dead skin before a decadant chocolate mask was lavishly applied.

Resisting the temptation to lick my coco-smothered fingers, I then placed my hands into special heated gloves to aid the nourishing effects of the mask.

As I lay back and failed at resisting the urge to devour all the chocolate truffles, I was treated to a relaxing hand massage with the silky Eminence Mimosa Champagne oil - an antioxidant loaded, free radical busting concoction of jojoba, pomegranate and grape seed oil.

Again!!

With the (very charming) main man Paul Edmonds himself who kindly treated me to a mini blow dry!

The most luxurious manicure of my life, perfect for Christmas and New Years Eve parties, finished with a file and polish in a jubilantly festive ruby red shade...and a cheeky extra glass of champagne.

Well, it tis the season to be jolly and all that malarkey...


The Winter Paradise Luxury Manicure at Paul Edmonds costs £100 and takes 75 minutes 

Review - Elchim 3900 Healthy Ionic Hair Dryer

Being a proud eco princess with a limited patience for prolonged hair drying I eagerly accepted the invitation to try the new Elchim 3900 Healthy Ionic Hairdryer - which supposedly cuts drying time by 30% and nourishes hair for a catwalk-esque, shimmering result.

A firm favourite of Lana Del Ray's stylist, Anna Cofone, this stylish dryer was developed by the expertly coiffed hair experts of Milan to offer a plethora of pleasing barnet beautifying benefits to busy folk with no time for tedious follicle-related faffing.

Christmas has cometh!

I was promised mesmerizingly silky hair due to the ergonomically designed dryer's ionic and ceramic systems which help to seal the cuticles of the hair, effectively moisturizing them for a glossy, salon-style finish.

Unlike many naughty hair drying devices, this nifty dressing table essential has significantly lower electromagnetic emissions - low level radiation which can cause tissue damage by releasing electrons in the skin. Although risks are low, excessive expose to such menacing rays can lead to health issues such as digestive problems, constipation, abdominal pain and even mutated DNA - so why not opt for the less risky option?

The Elchim. One serious hair blasting badboy

When I took the Elchim 3900 out of its box I marveled at its chic design (and I don't marvel lightly). Black and white with a detachable nozzle and an easy to grip design, it dried my hair quickly, leaving me with shiny, smooth locks worthy of a cheesy shampoo advert involving plentiful hair swishing.

Another notable observation was that the Elchim was a lot quieter than my usual hairdryer of choice due to its clever built-in silencer - meaning my noisy hairdryer loathing kitteh was significantly less disturbed. Which is always a plus. 

Peace-loving kitteh used to wait outside to avoid noisy hairdryers. Not any more.

Shiny-haired at dinner with my two blonde buddies after a slinky blowdry with the Elchim

The Elchim 3900 Healthy Ionic Dryer comes in seven shades and costs £99, except the swanky titanium edition which is £119.

Buy one from ere!

Review - Organic Hair Colour Transformation with Karine Jackson

Golden-hued, shimmering highlights can brighten the complexion and compliment a tan - perfect for the summer months. But come winter, it's always a good idea to opt for a darker, sultrier mane.

This was why I decided to book an appointment at my favourite organic colour salon owned by the renowned Karine Jackson - reoccurring winner of colourist of the year and beloved by many an organic hair dye devotee London-wide.

Chemical-based hair dye has been proven to cause carcinogenic effects. This isn't airy fairy speculation or exaggerated scare-mongering. A report from the National Cancer Institute in 1994 clearly states that long term users of dark synthetic hair dyes have an increased risk of cancers, such as multiple melanoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In 2001, a study in the International Journal of Cancer discovered that those who regularly use chemical-based permanent hair dye to colour their hair are twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as those who don't use such toxic colouring products.

Many of us are now thankfully shunning the dreadful risk of potentially developing cancer in the quest for the perfect colour or to cover those pesky gray stragglers. We are actively seeking non-toxic alternatives.

For me, the organic hair dye used at Karine Jackson is the safer way forward...

I had highlighted my hair for the first time this summer with Karine and was impressed with the flattering, non-brassy effect. Weeks after my initial appointment, my hair continued to get lighter and attracted an array of compliments (and a few blond jokes).

After enjoying my summer dalliance with the lighter side, I decided it was the time to go for a richer, darker shade, so I submitted my locks to the talented tress-transforming hands of Claudia - a senior stylist at Karine's Covent Garden salon.

A dark, gloopy organic dye smelling rather festivity of pine was expertly smothered all over my hair as I sat back and flicked through some gossip-ridden glossies.

After 30 minutes or so it was washed off in a deliriously relaxing manner before my striking new dark brown locks were blow dried  to a gloriously glossy finish.

Before - a week after stunning highlights by Karine

2 months after highlights

After - glossy dark colour by Claudia at Karine Jackson

As you can see from the photos (yeah, I have a 'side') the colour transformation is striking yet still quite warm in tone to suit my olive skin - as expertly recommended by Karine.

Merry Christmas!

Organic all-over hair colour at Karine Jackson starts from £60.