Tag Archives: Manicure

Nails & Brows, Mayfair

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I had just about given up on beauty blogging in Central and West London until I found Nails & Brows. I am always on the lookout for new places for weekend pampering and this stylish little haven ticks every box.

Specialising in nail and eyebrow treatments, this luxurious boutique is ideal for pre-party preening or just a little TLC. Squashed between the uptight hotels and overpriced bars of Berkeley Square, N&B is a breath of fresh air with a stylish white shopfront amongst the dark and oppressive mega brands.

The gorgeous owner Sherrille Riley told me the tale of N&B before I sat down to be spoiled! She emphasised the brand’s key message ‘the importance of enhancing one’s natural beauty’ and explained the healthy organic products they use and the natural techniques the therapists perform. As I leaned back and let my feet be thoroughly scrubbed, I listened to the other beauticians offer advice to their clients, an in depth consultation that is all just part of the standard service here.

The rainbow selection of Essie colours makes choosing the perfect shade rather more difficult. After testing out five contrasting colours, I chose a very pale turquoise for my fingers and a pretty pink for my toes. Chrysi was efficient and thorough, so that my feet were beach-ready despite the lack of upcoming sunny holiday! While my feet were tended, I sipped a coffee and flicked through a glossy magazine, a rare opportunity to totally indulge and relax.

Next I headed upstairs to the eyebrow emporium where wonderwoman Silvie gave me a miraculous brow makeover. I lay back on the bed and let Silvie examine my brow shape and colour. She tinted and reshaped my brows, accentuating my natural line using the Damone Roberts range. My brows looked their very best: defined, dark and healthy, and without doing anything too radical Silvie carefully created a shape that complemented my face shape and made my features more striking.

My final treatment was back downstairs at one of the stylish manicure stations. Sara chatted enthusiastically to me about N&B whilst trimming, filing and moisturising my hands and nails. The colour looked even prettier on and I admired my choice while Sara finished off the top coat and nourishing oil. There is something about manicures that makes me feel so special, and I spent the rest of the day flashing my fingers at the world. Even a week later they still looked pristine and a girl on the bus came up to me to ask where the colour was from and if my nails were fake as they looked so long!

Needless to say I left Nails & Brows a very happy customer. If only I lived nearer I would be in here every weekend having my nails polished and my brows beautified!

More information and book an appointment here: nailsandbrows.me

Beauty Bazaar, Liverpool

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In my opinion, Liverpool is the perfect city for a girl’s weekend away. There are plenty of cute cocktail bars, vintage boutiques, afternoon tea cafes and art galleries. Though the one thing the female species really enjoy indulging in is some beauty therapy and relaxing spa treatments. Luckily, Liverpool is home to the Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar, a luxury hall of the top beauty brands, everything to preen and nourish your hair, skin, face and nails.

The Beauty Bazaar is centrally located in town and open 7 days a week to look after all your last minute beauty needs. After a long night’s sleep we arrived at 10am ready to be pampered from head to toes. The team had created a little programme for both of us to concentrate on our needs and desires. I started at Nails Inc where the lovely Greta filed and prepped my fingers and toes and coated them in a creamy toffee shade called Basil Street. For men the nails brand offer full pedicures to tidy up and shape the nails and soften the skin.

On the top floor more intensive treatments take place, I experienced a facial and bikini wax here though you can also have therapeutic full body massages if you are in need of total relaxation. The therapists are thorough and thoughtful ensuring you are very comfortable with the temperature and lighting in the room before proceeding. I particularly enjoyed the facial which deeply cleansed and soothed my worn winter skin, and then moisturised with rich lotion so my skin looked plump and glowing when I left.

For the ultimate brow grooming head to Blink where the girls thread immaculately to give defined eyebrows. I warn you it can be painful, especially if you have sensitive skin, but the results are so much better than waxing. Blink also offer head and neck massages which will completely relax and de-stress you. We completed our morning with tea and champagne at the WOW bar where guests can also devour an afternoon tea should you feel peckish after your treatment.

An essential item on any girly itinerary for Liverpool and with the festive season coming up there has never been a better time to visit the Beauty Bazaar for a bit of beauty extravagance.

More information and book a day of indulgence here.

Pink Peony, Barcelona

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My city breaks tend to be busy and tiring, dashing about to try to see and do it all. Barcelona was no exception and by the time we got to Sunday afternoon, we were exhausted.  Pink Peony gave us a chance to relax and recuperate – for a blissful two hours we let the attentive staff pamper our feet and hands.

Located very centrally on the famous shopping street Passeig de Gracia, this small salon opened in 2008; it is the perfect place for shoppers to stop for a beauty break. Hidden away up some stairs, the venue is compact but nicely decorated in clean white with accents of pink. A huge range of OPI and Essie nail varnishes are organised by the door, waiting to be picked for application. The main room is grand and stylish with an ornate high ceiling and intricate tiled flooring.

Pink Peony describes itself as an NYC-style manicure and pedicure salon, offering a range of luxurious nail treatments for men and women. We sat back in the comfortable seats while the therapist massaged, trimmed, cut, filed, buffed, shined, moisturised and (in the case of my male companion) threaded our nails, toes and feet! It was very thorough and efficient. Our battered feet were reformed, ready for more sightseeing.

Whilst our toes dried, we moved to the other side of the room to the manicure stations. A similar procedure was used on our hands and fingernails. This charming neighbourhood salon offers exceptional service, using only the highest quality products. I felt so relaxed after two hours at Pink Peony that I began to fall asleep.

We left light-footed and feeling wonderful ready to show off our primed and prepped extremities at the beach.

More information here: www.thepinkpeony.com

Many thanks to the Barcelona Tourist Board for their help with this trip, more information here.