Vita Liberata Red Carpet Tan, Daniel Galvin Jr Salon, 4 West Halkin Street, Belgravia and by appointment, 0203 4163 116
Kelly Brook and Yasmin Le Bon are both undisputabely gorgeous in a natural way but it turns out they have had one extra boost to help them look fabulous – it’s called Vita Liberata self-tan.
So many celebrities use it they have created a celebrity ambassadors page with Yasmin saying:Yasmin says: “So easy to use, I love it.”
Kelly adds: “It looked so natural and feels so sheer on the skin.”
So there are a couple of reasons to try it and another is the fact that you can tan and go thanks to the new Red Carpet tan. Perfect for party animals with to much to do and never enough time.
Avatar actress Michelle Rodriguez popped into the Daniel Galvin Jr salon in Belgravia the day of the film’s premiere in Leicester Square and since there were no streaks she was able to go straight to the red carpet that evening.
So what was my experience of it?
I got it done before my holiday to the Nokia Day and Night Festival at Papaya in Croatia and this was how I looked on the first day of my holiday. I hadn’t seen any sun and yet I was still golden brown.
The tan is odourless so I was able to pop into the Daniel Galvin Jr salon at lunchtime the day before my flight and go back to the office the same day looking slightly browner but without the biscuit-y smell and orange shine that accompany other tans.
I had a great chat with the beauty therapist who applied it so there was no awkwardness about standing around in a pair of paper knickers and turning round while she sprayed my body all over. And she recommended some products to take away, just in case I was short of time to come back to the salon.
But the best thing about it was having a spray tan before a holiday allows your own tan to build up naturally underneath.
Check out how brown I was at the end (and you can see it even copes with salt water and chlorine without streaking)
Aqua Sheko Foot Spa: Fish Exfoliation, 14 Holland Street, High Street Kensington, 07837 539 325
Aqua Sheko is London’s first ‘fish therapy concept spa’
But what does that mean?
No, it’s not the place where fish go for beauty treatment – it’s where humans go to treat tired feet.
You submerge your feet into a pool of warm water where there are exotic fish waiting to nibble your tootsies and exfoliate all the dead skin.
But how does it feel?
This video captures my reaction as I plunged my feet into the pool (and notice I have a smile on my face)
And does it work?
My feet are in a bad state because of the long-distance running I do and I lost my big toenail doing the London Marathon so this ‘before’ photo shows it was always going to be difficult for the fish to help me much:
BUT as you can see from the after shot, my big toe is less inflames and even the skin on the upper side of my foot looks smoother
It’s definitely worth the cost of £45 for 45 minutes, (consisting of a 30 minutes with the fish and a 15 minute massage afterwards). I’d go back again as I reckon the results would improve over time.
And it is just £30 until 1 July, so get in there quick!
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Neville Hair and Beauty: Cut and Blow Dry, 5 Pont Street, London SW1, 020 7235 3654
Sandwiched in between London’s most desirable boutiques of Knightsbridge, Neville Hair and Beauty is a chic in –the-know gem.
The day I went for a blow dry, the salon was packed with glamorous faces of all ages. I sat down feeling drab and looking like a brunette version of Neil from the Young Ones.
However, within minutes I was whisked to a washbasin where my scalp was massaged after my tresses were throroughly washed and conditioned.
This is the type of luxury that shows why it’s celebrity client list includes A’list stars Sienna Miller and Yasmin Le Bon.
The consultation process is really detailed so you know before scissors reach your barnet that you will get the cut you deserve. (Good for me as I do worry when I leave my locks in the care of someone I’ve never used before).
I could have sat in the glamorous salon all day as it’s so tranquil inside, Momentarily I forgot I was in busy London as I chatted to the hairdresser about my favourite subject – celebrity gossip!
But I think I was in and out (and back to work) within an hour feeling more glam than I have in years. Here’s a snapshot:
Highly recommended.
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Crystal Clear microdermabrasion and oxygen facial, available nationwide www.crystalclear.co.uk 08705 934 934
Everyone wants microdermabrasion and an oxygen facial the the moment. They are two of the most talked about salon treatments, so when I was offered the chance to try both at the same time I jumped at the chance.
Crystal Clear have a bunch of celebs on their treatment list including: Madonna, Kate Moss, Katie Price, Alex Curran, Sadie Frost, Amy Winehouse, Meg Matthews and Dita von Teese. And if it’s god enough for Madge, it’s good enough for me!
I went to Emporium, near Baker Street tube in London for mine, although Crystal Clear offer this treatment nationwide. The salon was small and friendly and my therapist explained all about the treatment to me.
It began with a quick cleanse which smelt divine! Next came the microdermabrasion. Now I’d used a home kit before but this was nothing like how I’d imagined. The mircrodermabrasion was actually a small machine which plugged into the wall, and the therapist massaged my face with it. I could almost feel the dead skin cells falling off as she did it, and it wasn’t painful in the slightest.
Next came a relaxing face mask (Crystal Clear mini lift mask), I was left in a dark room for fifteen minutes with some gentle music and I don’t think I have ever felt so relaxed. And knowing how much my skin was going to be loving me for this made it even better.
When the therapist returned it was time for my skin to get some serious oxygen. Living in London, with all the smog and pollution you often forget how good your skin feels after a country walk and the oxygen part of this facial really made me feel like I was treating my skin after months of abuse in the smoky city.
After the oxygen, my therapist explained that my skin was very dry in areas (too much cold weather and heating I think) and so she applied a thick moisturiser and suggested I use a more nourishing moisturiser on my cheeks in future (as my T-zone still thinks it is a fifteen year old school girl).
I visited Emporium after a busy day, and even though I had to head straight back to work afterwards, it put me in a good mood all day. I felt as though I had taken a two hour nap I was so relaxed. And I think finally my skin has forgiven me for putting it through the trauma of city life. Now, when’s my next appointment..?!
Emporium charge £80 for their treatment which lasts about an hour. But the feeling of your skin afterwards is priceless.
KOKO by Cadbury and Karin Herzog limited edition oxygen facial treatment
Chocolate and facials what could be better? Well now you can combine the two with the amazing KOKO by Cadbury limited edition Oxygen facial treatment.
Set within the luxury 5* Grange St Paul’s Hotel in London is the peaceful and stunning Ajala Spa. Stepping inside feels as if you’ve entered a tropical paradise and you could easily forget that you’re right in the heart of the city.
The pampering facial treatment sees the coming together of KOKO by Cadbury and Karin Herzog’s patented and proven oxygen therapy. More than just a gimmick Cocoa in Chocolate has long been known for it’s anti-oxidant and anti-ageing properties so it only makes sense to harness these qualities in the form of a facial.
My therapist takes me into the treatment room, dimly lit with soft music playing I’m intently feeling relaxed. The treatment is more than just a facial and starts with a back, neck and shoulder massage to help you unwind. The chocolate products smell delicious and I’m tempted to lick my arm… don’t worry I resisted!
Karin Herzog finest chocolate cleanser is then applied and a warm flannel is used to sweep away any dirt. Next comes a scrub to clear any unwanted black heads, vitamin H cream is then applied followed by an Essential Mask, which has been called ‘facelift in a tube’ because of its tightening properties, the mask also delivers 2% oxygen to the skin, leaving it perfectly hydrated.
Now for the best bit, my face was covered in a layer of gauze and my therapist applied warm manoi oil and melted down KOKO by Cadbury truffles were massaged onto my skin, I think I will have to look hard to find an equally indulgent experience.
The whole experience was luxurious and relaxing and you even receive your very own box of KOKO by Cadbury and Karin Herzog limited edition oxygen facial treatment
Chocolate and facials what could be better? Well now you can combine the two with the amazing KOKO by Cadbury limited edition Oxygen facial treatment.
Set within the luxury 5* Grange St Paul’s Hotel in London is the peaceful and stunning Ajala Spa. Stepping inside feels as if you’ve entered a tropical paradise and you could easily forget that you’re right in the heart of the city.
The pampering facial treatment sees the coming together of KOKO by Cadbury and Karin Herzog’s patented and proven oxygen therapy. More than just a gimmick Cocoa in Chocolate has long been known for it’s anti-oxidant and anti-ageing properties so it only makes sense to harness these qualities in the form of a facial.
My therapist takes me into the treatment room, dimly lit with soft music playing I’m intently feeling relaxed. The treatment is more than just a facial and starts with a back, neck and shoulder massage to help you unwind. The chocolate products smell delicious and I’m tempted to lick my arm… don’t worry I resisted!
Karin Herzog finest chocolate cleanser is then applied and a warm flannel is used to sweep away any dirt. Next comes a scrub to clear any unwanted black heads, vitamin H cream is then applied followed by an Essential Mask, which has been called ‘facelift in a tube’ because of its tightening properties, the mask also delivers 2% oxygen to the skin, leaving it perfectly hydrated.
Now for the best bit, my face was covered in a layer of gauze and my therapist applied warm manoi oil and melted down KOKO by Cadbury truffles were massaged onto my skin, I think I will have to look hard to find an equally indulgent experience.
The whole experience was luxurious and relaxing and you even receive your very own box of KOKO by Cadbury truffles on departure. Although I recommend that you eat them and don’t massage them into your face, leave that to the professional therapists in the Ajala Spa. My face looked refreshed and smooth and I was even complimented on how well it looked (so it must have worked)
All in all, a fabulous limited edition opportunity not to be missed.
The Ajala Spa at the Grange St Paul’s , 10 Godliman Street, London, EC4V 5AJ or call 020 7074 1010
As we mentioned in our Mother’s day feature Virgin Active’s HeavenV spa is offering a special two for one mothers day deal for £99. The package includes a facial, full body massage, scalp massage and a file and polish for fingers. As well as that you’ll also get lunch and full use of Virgin Active for the day.
We wouldn’t just recommend somewhere before checking out what’s on offer (thats our excuse anyway) So Annabelle and I headed down to the HeavenV spa in Barbican to experience the pampering for ourselves.
Located inside the Virgin Active gym is the tranquil and relaxing HeavenV spa, set away from the all the action on the street above, this is the perfect place to chill out and spend an hour being indulged. We started with a neck, back and shoulder massage which was pure bliss, the trained therapists new exactly what they were doing as they talked us through the treatment.
We were massaged and stretched until all the tension in our backs had gone. By this point I was so relaxed and almost ready to fall asleep, but now it was time for our facials.
The mini facial is the perfect pick me up for tired skin. After being gently exfoliated and cleansed our skin was covered with a soothing mask and then finished off with a good layer of moisturiser. All the products used in the spa are by Guinot and are known for the exceptional results.
The result was beautifully glowing and refreshed skin. Although I was told not to touch my face. It was so smooth and luminous I just couldn’t help it.
I would definitely repeat the experience there is nothing better than a facial and massage to pick up a grey, cold day.
HeavenV spa’s can be found nationwide. To find one near you click here.
HeavenV Barbican, 97 Aldersgate Street, London, EC1A 4JP
Glam Lash: The Ultimate Eyelash Extension (glamproductsuk@yahoo.com) Freephone from landline 0800 622 6529
Glam Lash is the semi permanent eyelash extension product which is quickly becoming the must have of therapist all over the UK. Loved by celebrities the Glam Lash are the first in the UK to use Flexilash glue which is rubber toughened and carries CE approval. This amazing glue gives your lashes extra flexibility and ensures they last much longer than other semi permanent lashes.
I arrived for my appointment and met the lovely Louise and Margaret from the Glam Lash team. Louise talked me through the treatment as Margaret prepared the lashes. I opted for a natural look, not too fake, but long enough so that I could flutter my new lashes at envious friends.
My eyes were prepared for the treatment and then Margaret got to work painstakingly attaching each lash individually, about an hour later and my lashes were finished. My lashes look amazing and completely natural… and the best thing is they are super light, for effortless fluttering.
The lashes should last for 3 months as long as long as I have regular infills every 2/3 weeks and look after them and use the special mascara that glam lash provide.
Lash extensions cost £90, infills cost £30. Mascara £7. Glam lash also provide a training service for therapists for £150
As you can see from this before and after photo the lashes really do look great. Margaret warned me that once I had tried them I would be hooked. It’s true… I’m already planning my next appointment.
Fake Bake Beyond Bronze self tanner (www.fakebake.co.uk)
The party squad are totally fed up of self tan streaks and unnatural colours, which is why we are so delighted to have discovered Fake Bake Beyond Bronze self tan and instant tan.
Gone are the days of orange legs or white patches, Fake Bake offers a natural, even tan which is easy to apply and revives white winter skin! The best way to cheer up these freezing evenings.
No-one wants to go out with a fab pair of heels and pasty legs, they just don’t mix. But now Fake Bake have come up with genius products to help us girls on the go.
For a tan that will really last try Beyond Bronze self tanning mousse (£21.99). It’s so easy- you just apply it on the skin in the evening and shower off the excess in the morning, and you’ll be left with a smooth even tan that’ll last days.
If you have a last minute ‘pasty panic’ before a big night fear not as Fake Bake have the ideal solution for you. Their Beyond Bronze instant tan shows up immediately on the skin, keeps you looking tanned all night and is easily washed off in the morning. Ideal for those who are a little scared of commitment on the tan front too!
Now we know the Fake Bake secret, you won’t spot the party squad out looking pasty or worse, streaky . And we couldn’t not let our lovely readers in on the secret. Enjoy!
Fake Bake is available at Boots and Superdrug nationwide. For more information visit www.fakebake.co.uk
www.blossomandjasmine.com (Hair and make up to your door)
Nothing screams celeb more than having your hair and make up done in the comfort of your own home before a big event, and if it’s the full celeb treatment you’re after Blossom and Jasmine offer this fantastic service.
So if you’ve got a big event coming up, be it a wedding, night out or anniversary let Blossom and Jasmine turn you into a goddess whilst you sit back and relax with a glass of champagne!
The friendly stylist Rebecca arrived armed with loads of goodies to get me looking my best. And I was so pleased with the results, she listened to what I wanted and spent time making sure I was happy with the look.
The best part of the service for me was not having to worry about leaving the house for a hair appointment, and then struggling to keep my hair looking great on the way home. Rebecca took all the stress oout of getting ready, and left me looking great for the evening, and more importantly stress- free.
To book log on to www.blossomandjasmine.com
Li’tya Mala Mayi (body rejuvination experience)
at The Montcalm Hotel, 34 – 40 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch
(Annabelle)
Yes, this treatment is as fantastic and blissful as it sounds. The hotel is ideally situated by Marble Arch so our advice is to book in after a long days shopping when you need some pampering.
The massage price includes full use of the hotel’s spa facilities which are gorgeous. There is a decent sized pool, a sauna that you could spend all day in and then comfortable chairs to relax and let your stresses melt away.
But then there’s the treatment itself, which we would sum up in two words. Absolute heaven.
We’ll pass it over to the experts for a second to describe the treatment:
“Unwind, invigorate and celebrate with this complete body rejuvenation experience. After an invigorating exfoliation your body will be cocooned in a layer of your chosen silky warm mineral rich Mapi Body Mud. A Li’tya Paudi scalp massage allows you to drift away to another realm and calms the soul. You will then surrender to the healing, grounding and spiritually uplifting rhythmic Li’tya Kodo full body massage to complete this truly holistic experience”
After this, your body feels soft and mostly importantly majorly relaxed. I met friends in the bar afterwards for a drink and they told me I was glowing (and in a good way).
That night I slept better than I have done all year.
This is the massage to get if you’re in urgent need of winding down, and in London that is most of us, right?!
Key Elements: full body exfoliation, body mud wrap, hair and scalp treatment and full body massage.
90 Minutes (inc. 35 Minutes Kodo massage and full use of facilities) £130.
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Xen-Tan- The Premium Sunless Tan www.xen-tan.co.uk
At Beauty Essence, 40 Curzon Street, W1J 7UR, (020 7409 3221)
www.beautyessence.co.uk email: info@beautyessence.co.uk
(Andrea)
Xen-Tan is the new revolutionary fake tan that all the celebrities are talking about (Holly Willoughby and the Saturdays are huge fans) I headed down to Beauty Essence’s lovely salon in the heart of Mayfair to see for myself what all the fuss is about.
I arrived ready for my spray tan and excited about finally adding some colour to my pale winter skin. Busi my beautician was really friendly and made me feel very at ease (it’s not every day you have to stand in front of a complete stranger wearing only a thong made of tissue paper.
I spent the next 10 minutes standing in an array of unusual positions while Busi and Xen-Tan worked their magic. My skin looked instantly glowing and golden and luckily not a hint of orange in sight. Xen- Tan is developed to provide a beautiful olive tan and unlike some other fake tan’s it smells great too.
After 5 minutes of drying I got dressed, I could already see a lovely colour developing. The colour will continue to develop for about 3-4 hours, and I was told not to have a bath or shower for at least 8 hours which gives the tan a chance to really sink in to your skin. If I follow this advice I can expect the Tan to last for around 7 days.
After only 2 hours I am already so impressed with the results. I look lovely and brown, without that cheap fake tan look. The perfect quick pick me up on a cold February afternoon.
Xen-Tan spray at Beauty Essence costs £30 for a full body tan, it’s also available in bottles for a perfect home tanning treat visit www.xen-tan.co.uk for more details.
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