Dr Alkaitis Organic Skin Food Facial - CONTENT Beauty

For a fresh-faced glow that suggests you've been frolicking joyfully in a sun-strewn meadow, the face needs to be thoroughly exfoliated and detoxified. Sadly, flaky, dull skins look a sorry state, even under the most fabulous skin-enhancing make up. 

Recently I have spent many late nights hunching over my laptop working on the exciting new women's London freemium, Elate Magazine - of which I am editor in chief and beauty director (argh, so much work dammit!). 

My weary, overworked self was starved of TLC and my skin parched due to broken sleep and central heating turned up on high. I was in desperate need of a radiance boost, so I booked an appointment at the quaint beauty store and salon - CONTENT Beauty in Marylebone for The Organic Skin Food Facial - by the renowned vegan and organic skincare brand Dr Alkaitis.

A beauty-lovers paradise 

Such pleasing arty pomp!

This treatment is 100% organic and each component of the products used are biologically active and therefore more readily absorbed.

The facial began with a thorough cleanse to purify and remove dead skin cells using a purifying cleanser. This was massaged into my skin in circular motions and removed by a warm damp cotton towel.  

My therapist then applied an enzyme exfoliating mask which dissolved accumulated debris and dead skin - natures' glorious alternative to a chemical peel.  Containing enzymes of bromelain and papain (from pineapple and papaya), this wonder mask naturally exfoliated and also brightened my complexion with its antioxidant-abundant extracts of strawberry and blueberry.

Such creative folk

This intensive procedure was followed by a lymphatic drainage massage on my face, décolletage and arms to manually detoxify, firm and plump the skin. A soothing treatment oil was used, containing raw, cold-pressed ingredients, including jojoba,  turmeric and white sandalwood to hydrate and repair.

So live, so fresh, so wow

Just when I thought it was all over, a final mask was applied to deeply nourish and rejuvenate. I was excited to discover that my therapist had mixed in some manuka honey to activate the raw ingredients of  grass juice and seaweed. This enabled all the wholesome components to work at optimum levels and actually “feed” the skin with nutrients.

Organic just does it better. 

After a relaxing arm massage, the ‘live’ mask (agh, its alive!) was removed and my skin moisturized to a pleasingly luminous state with a microcirculation-stimulating cream containing echinacea and St Johns Wort.

The result – my skin looked radiant, pores appeared more refined and previous niggling thoughts eradicated.

For more info on Elate Magazine (and if you have a fondness for extreme food porn) please follow us on Twitter and Instgram @ElateMagazine.

Agua Aromatherapy Massage - Agua Spa at the Sanderson

Agua Spa at the unashamedly luxurious Sanderson Hotel is a hidden sanctuary nestled within the midst of the hustle and bustle of London's heaving West End.

Upon hearing of my post New Years Eve frazzled state, a fellow spa addict recommended I try the Agua Aromatherapy Massage, which uses both eastern and western massage techniques and high quality essential oils from Aromatherapy Associates. This renowned skincare brand is renowned for their soul-soothing organic formulations and sustainable methods of scouring chemical-free ingredients. 

The treatment itself aims to relive stress, expel toxins from body tissues and effectively stimulate blood flow and lymphatic circulation - very appealing to my naughtily overindulged, toxin-laden self.

The minimalist, pure-white, spiritual decor of the place immediately evoked a feeling of calm and serenity as I entered, allowing me to leave behind the troubling tribulations of city life. 

I was shown through to a glorious mass of white billowing curtains to view the inviting relaxation room - complete with pleasing selection of magazines and healthy refreshments. There was also a rather seductive steam room and (ingenious!) personal meditation enclosures, fitted with flat screen TVs for not so mediative individuals.

After filling out the obligatory health forms, my friendly and welcoming therapist guided me to the all-white treatment room and proceeded to discuss the benefits of each essential oil formulation that would be used for my full body massage. I chose the Support Organic Supersenstive Oil - Aromatherapy Associates' delicate formula of jojoba, apricot kernel and chamomile.

As I drifted off to a blissfully relaxed haze, the expert combination of firm and gentle massage techniques soothed the tension from my muscles, whilst the calming classical music contributed to my tranquil state. My therapist would occasionally stop and present her oil laden hands to my face, instructing me to inhale deeply before the next stage of the treatment - further enhancing my sensory experience.

Whilst relaxing in my sumptuous meditation booth after my rejuvenating massage, I contemplated how long I could stay in this mesmerising place. Cocooned in such a dreamy ambience, I had no desire to pry myself away and return to the rainy gloom of London streets. 

But hey ho! Pry myself away was what I did - with the addition of silky smooth, fragrant skin, a deliciously spaced-out swagger and a renewed drive to take on the city...and a brand new year.

Aveda Full Spectrum Hair Colour...and a cheeky touch of volume

If you’re a regular reader of my beloved blog, I’m sure you’re used to reading my numerous blatherings on the toxic nature of chemicals in mainstream skincare, how they are so readily absorbed into the bloodstream - and therefore how terribly harmful they can be to our innocent little bodies. 

After thorough research on the matter, I now feel the need to indulge in a satisfactory rant on the dangerous effects of both domestic and salon based hair dye, before discussing the much kinder, botanically derived natural hair colouring treatment by Aveda – pioneers in plant-based, ethically produced skin and hair care.

Firstly, I want to emphasise that chemical-based hair dye has been proven to cause carcinogenic effects in some people.  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 myeloma 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, and are looking for safer alternatives.

I booked an appointment for an all over colour at the Aveda Institute in London's Covent Garden after learning about their Full Spectrum hair colour, which is composed of plant and non-petroleum based minerals, rather than an abundance of hazardous chemicals.

During a colour consultation a week before my actual colour treatment, I discussed my colouring concerns with the creative technician who reassured me that I would achieve the desired effect. I was told that a slightly darker colour (very on-trend dahlings for Autumn/Winter) with a warm, golden tone would be a rather flattering look for me and would compliment my olive skin and dark brown eyes perfectly.

Where did errybody go?

On the day of the colouring treatment, I was welcomed by my warm and cheery creative technician, who nestled me in a comfortable chair with a much needed cup of tea and a pile of glossy magazines to flick though whilst she expertly cocooned each strand of my hair with the botanically-enriched colour.

A permanent colour was applied to my roots, comprised of 97% naturally derived ingredients and a 99% natural semi-permanent colour throughout the lengths and ends of my long hair. Due to the vast number of times the lengths of long hair have been dyed and the absence of greys, it is not necessary to colour this area with a permanent dye. 

I was told that a permanent colour is only required to cover re-growth and greys at the roots and a semi-permanent, glossing colour is used simply to ‘refresh’ the colour of the rest of the mane.

After an invigorating shampoo and head massage, my hair was spritzed with Aveda’s Damage Control spray to prevent tangling, protect against heat styling and breakage from combing. I was excited to see my new colour but had to patiently await the results whilst experiencing a root lifting, volumising blow dry.

Arty natural decor sadly not included...

Finally, I admired the finished result in the mirror. Shiny, voluminous locks, dark, rich brown in colour with shimmering tones of gold that caught the light mesmerisingly

I was thrilled with the colour result and vibrant shine emanating from my glossy locks, and even more so when told that I could maintain this ‘just coloured’ lustrous look by using three of Aveda’s haircare products from the Colour Conserve range.

The Colour Conserve Shampoo, which contains green tea and grape seed extract gently cleanses coloured hair and effectively protects it from environmental aggressors to prevent fading. I relished in the amount of SLS free lather produced as I washed my freshly dyed hair a couple of days after my colouring treatment.

The conditioner of the range is extra nourishing, as dyed hair requires more moisture to lock in colour and maintain a glossy appearance. Bitter orange peel extract and jojoba oil help to hydrate dyed hair that tends to be dryer and more porous.

It was recommended that at least once a week I use the Colour Conserve Strengthening Treatment to envelop my hair in intense moisture and strengthen each hair shaft with sunflower and macadamia nut oil, to ensure stronger hair and enduring richness of the colour.

Due to my ardent love of extra hair, I finished off my new look with the addition of some sultry, yet delightfully discreet extensions from the aptly named Secret Extensions  (previously blogged about here) - famed for their tress-transforming abilities and celeb-heavy clientele. 

Merry Christmas! 

The final festive look.

Made in Chelsea...for Food Lovers - The Phene Chelsea

Lovers of the drama-filled reality TV show Made in Chelsea will have heard of The Phene - the quaint West London pub famed for its enticing dishes, charming (heated) garden and well-heeled clientele.

During the summer months, I would often pop in for a quick alfresco drink with friends and would be tempted by the mesmerising foodie aromas wafting towards me from the stylish dining area - so when I was invited to sample the delights of their autumnal kitchen with a friend for dinner, I eagerly accepted.

I arrived with an empty tum and my identical food twin Melissa. I refer to her in this endearing manner due to the fact that our friendship was forged as a result of our ardent love of similar culinary delicacies. 

We bonded at work over fine cheeses, juicy meats and sultry sushi, marvelling at how similar our food tastes were as we feasted on bountiful platters of fine wares, whilst our colleagues looked on enviously from behind their unappetising Pret sandwiches. 

Due to our mutual tendency for developing severe bouts of food envy, we decided to share everything we ordered, as we sat in the plush dining seats of The Phene.

A generous starter of Tuna Tartar and Avocado Salad arrived first, drizzled lovingly with cajun dressing and topped with a thin sesame cracker in a rather dramatic fashion.

Holy mother of....

Next came a happy mass of beef carpaccio - embellished with salty slithers of parmesan and garden-fresh herbs.

These was devoured in a shamelessly hasty manner before we were presented with our mains - half a lobster drizzled with chilli and lime butter and a 6oz fillet steak with a golden hollandaise sauce - all served with the best tasting hand cut chips I have ever had the pleasure of noming.

Both dishes were so good that conversation dwindled to a minimum. We then started to feel slightly saddened that our once smugly heaving table was no longer heaving, so we decided that the only way to quell our mournful foodie longings was to order yet another main!

Oh the joy...

Sorry vegan readers!

Our friendly waiter recommend that we try the slow cooked lamb, which arrived nestled on a green mound of wholesome vegetables and a pleasingly decorative adornment of ruby red pomegranate seeds.

This dish was of such an epic nature that no words can describe its true splendour. I can only urge you to seek out this fine meal with haste and bask in its exotic meaty glory.

A third main? Why not?

At this point we were ready to roll off home, but decided it would be rude to not stay for pudding - especially when there was a rich Malteaser cheesecake paired with a Valrhona chocolate sorbet on offer.

After a quick Google, I discovered that Valrhona was a French manufacturer of luxury chocolate - and luxurious it was....

The smoothness of the sorbet was the perfect match for the moreish maltiness of the cheesecake, which vanished within minutes - again in serious silence.

Meal-loving Melissa and I

My beloved identical food chum and I left The Phene in a happy haze of gastronomical wonder, clutching our food babies and pondering on when to arrange our return...

Organic Cleansing for Hair, Body and Face

Merrily cleanse away the day from your face, body and hair with sublime natural and organic products blissful enough to transform the dowdiest bathrooms into a seriously sultry spa...

Antipodes Nirvana Body Wash

The first time I used this 100% natural foaming unisex body wash, made primarily with lush organic ingredients, I was transported to a period of my childhood where I would eagerly pick ripe blackcurrants on country walks with my daddy. The intoxicating blackcurrant scent was so realistic, it had such a profound memory triggering effect. I was told later that the New Zealand based skincare brand employ a French ‘nose’ to choose their natural fragrances.  Not just a blissfully smelly experience, moisturising hibiscus flower and antibacterial harekeke oil ensure that skin is deep cleansed and seriously hydrated.

John Masters Organics Evening Primrose Shampoo for Dry Hair

Yes. I am a lover of John Masters Organics. After trying oodles of organic and natural hair care products, I am adamant that former New York eco-hair dresser, John Masters has created the best range of premium quality organic hair care on the market today. His vitamin and amino acid enriched Evening Primrose Shampoo for dry hair is a godsend for those with dry, lacklustre locks yearning for much needed moisture and a good cleanse that doesn't strip excess oils.

Inlight Organic Face Cleanser

For me, the balm is the future of effective cleansing. Forget wash-off, foaming face cleansers that dry the skin and cause the dreaded 'tight face.' Inlight’s 100% organic, silky-smooth, golden cleansing balm is truly exquisite. It's suitable for all skin types (including acne and rosasea prone) and removes both organic and synthetic makeup effortlessly. A soothing blend of coconut oil and shea butter are expertly combined with astringent green tea and purifying rosemary for an optimum cleansing experience. Remove with a hot damp muslin cloth or ideally, with a cotton wool pad infused with Inlight’s refreshing floral face tonic.

Review - Douvall's Organic Argan Soap Set

Regular readers of my blog will know I've had a hearty obsession with the organic argan oil brand Douvall's for some time now.

I interviewed the lovely Alicia Douvall for my beauty column in Yoga Magazine many years ago - shortly after the launch of her ethical beauty brand, and was impressed by her passion for this golden, skin-smoothing saviour. 

She spoke ardently of the oil's multiple beauty benefits and regaled me with inspiring tales of female empowerment in Moroccan women's co-operatives - where the product is ethically sourced.

I left Alicia with a bottle of her argan oil to try (which I wrote about here) and the rest is history. I became addicted to its silky feel and was amazed at how the condition of my skin improved after just weeks of use.

After using it morning and night on my face and body, I noticed that my acne started to clear up and my complexion was smoother and had a luminous glow, which made me feel somewhat jubilant upon looking in the mirror after a lengthy slumber.

The soaps are all infused with moisturising olive and cleansing coconut oils, beautifully presented in a set of three - rosemary and argan oil, lavender and argan oil and a simple argan oil bar.

Argh! To disrobe or not to disrobe?! Tis a conundrum.

Argan oil - so gentle on the skin.

Lavender - to 'calm, balance and invigorate'

Rosemary - to 'refresh, rejuvenate and energise'

Now that's my kind of soap...

They are not overly perfumed (which I love!) and create a gloriously rich foam to envelop you in serious sudsy joy every time you shower.

Just like the brand's now iconic Argan Oil Moisturiser - these soaps contain natural antioxidants, vitamin e and essential fatty acids to nourish and condition as well as cleanse the skin.

The only problem may be your reluctance to disrobe them of their opulently bejewelled packaging, which add a touch of spa-like chic to your bathroom...but I joyously unveiled them anyway! 

Harr!

Traditional Italian food in London - Briciole

Sometimes I yearn for the type of hearty Italian fayre that only ample-bosomed Sicilian women make in their rural sun-soaked villas for their noisy, hand-gesturing families.

Luckily, I recently stumbled across a quaint Italian deli and restaurant by the name of Briciole, which serves exactly this kind of food, in a homely, non-pretentious atmosphere. 

I took a fellow food-lover who used to refuse to dine in Italian restaurants, believing he could make the generic pasta dishes better himself, so I knew he would be the strictest critic.

We arrived disappointingly full at the bustling restaurant, having previously devoured an epic kebab-laden feast for lunch earlier that day (hey, we're Persians, its how we roll), yet we were impressed with the pleasant summer scene of Mediterranean-style outdoor and indoor tables heaving with tanned diners and adorned with charming pot plants.

As I scanned Briciole's enormous menu - a combination of traditional italian dishes and copious varieties of fine cheeses, I began to slowly regain my appetite (this is also how I roll).

To start, we indulged in a delightful cheese-fest...

There was a walnut, gorgonzola and fig salad that disappeared within minutes and a mesmerising menarche of moreish morsels on a plate - consisting of cured Italian meats, sweet potato bread, truffles on toasted ciabatta and the most exciting grilled slabs of cheese I have ever tried in my cheese-obsessed life. It was a smoked cows milk cheese called Scamorza Affumicata. Order this when you visit and thank me via an abundance of complementary Tweets. 

Such cheesy splendour...

By the time the mains arrived by our slightly protruding bellies, we were slightly fearful of further gorging, yet in the name of honourable food blogging, we ploughed on remarkably.

A whole roasted sea bass with red peppers and olives appeared, which was outstanding and made eating on a dangerously full stomach an effortless affair.

The sides of dark wilted spinach and cheese-drenched (ok, I have a cheese addiction) baked asparagus were also rather splendid in nature.

I'm not usually partial to pasta when I dine out, yet I found the tagliolini with red Sicilian prawns and sweet cherry tomatoes to be a fetching flourish of flavours that reminded me of balmy Sardinian summers consisting of long evenings feasting in candlelit trattorias that would never seem to close.

Luckily, my dining companion also found that the wares presented to us met his refined Italian dining tastes, leaving me basking in a pool of merry smugness at being the one to have discovered such a foodie gem.

Noms

We finished our feast off with an ample portion of sublime coffee panna cotta and a satisfyingly golden-topped creme brûlée infused with aromatic bergamot. 

"Sorry, I don't have room for pudding", said me, NEVER

Overall, our evening at Briciole was an exquisite eating experience, which I would thoroughly recommend to those who seek home cooked Italian food minus the pomp...and ample bosoms.