Tag Archives: treatment

Shavata Brow Studio, Oxford Street

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I originally noticed Shavata Brow Studio because of its innovative arty branding. This brow studio is located in House of Fraser on Oxford Street though there are branches elsewhere across the country.

Professional lash and eyebrow treatments frame your face unlike anything else and with the effects lasting longer and longer it seems to be an increasingly worthwhile way to spend your money.

At the small boutique Shavata counter you can have threading, tints or lashes. I tried the most popular eyebrow shaping. Threading is fast becoming the most desirable way to trim and define your brows despite the pain the method causes. My therapist at Shavata made sure I was comfortable in the reclining leather chair before quickly and accurately plucking away the unnecessary hairs with thin white thread. She followed my exact instructions and removed the hair only from the bottom and middle of my brows, (I find removing from the top causes unattractive regrowth).

When I was done she offered to try some of the Shavata beauty products out on me… to make my eyebrows even more striking. The brow pencil, gel and highlights worked wonders calming the redness and defining my new brow shape.

Shavata operate a walk-in service and, with no appointment necessary, it is quicker and easier than ever to get your brows in perfect condition.

More information here.

http://www.shavata.co.uk/

Away Spa, W Hotel, Leicester Square

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 The Away Spa is just one of the many reasons to visit the W Hotel, one of the coolest places to stay in London. Located at the top of the building, through numerous glass doors, you feel totally secluded and relaxed within these safe walls, oblivious to the chaos of Leicester Square down below.

When I attended an opening at this hotel I was lucky enough to experience a mini massage from the expert therapists, so I couldn’t wait to return and have the whole spa experience. The environment at Away Spa is instantly calming, white décor, dimmed light and soft purring music, it is enough to send you to sleep before the treatment even begins. Just like the rest of the hotel, style and fashion influences are obvious, the layout and materials all feel very luxurious and elegant.

I had a 55 minute AWAY Facial, the signature face treatment with Ela, a fresh faced therapist who was friendly and chatty. Before the treatment began we had a brief discussion to talk about my diet, lifestyle and beauty routine, and how all these affect my skin now and in the future. I was a little scared by her warnings… how the consequences of my lifestyle (albeit very healthy) could change the look and health of my skin in ten years time.

Soon it was time to recline on the warm plush bed, elevated far off the floor you immediately feel like you’re floating. It is a very relaxing and gentle facial with no intrusive or harsh techniques and no extraction. Ela used the natural REN Clean Bio Active Skincare line on my skin, the normal range was suitable as apparently my skin doesn’t vary too much in different areas. I drifted in and out of sleep as my skin was kindly pampered over the next hour. Ela cleansed my skin removing all dirt and makeup and soothing my skin with a hot flannel and massage. The REN products smelt and felt delicious, used in this bespoke facial to achieve the best results. In some facials the stages can feel aggressive, especially exfoliation and masks, but at the AWAY Spa they carefully use the best quality products to hydrate and refresh your skin without aggravating it. Along with the simple steps of the facial, Ela constantly massaged my face and neck to completely relax my upper body, it was heaven.

I’m pleased to report that I experienced no post-facial spot eruptions, a common after-effect from face treatments. The effects were quite the opposite, ultra smooth and soft skin that lasted up to a week after the treatment. Despite being very tired, my skin managed to look radiant thanks to the magic touch of my therapist.

After a blissful hour in the AWAY Spa, I wished I was retiring to one of the beautiful hotel rooms for a little nap.

Visit the website here for more information.

http://www.wlondon.co.uk/forms/away-spa

Emma Hardie Facial, Michael John salon

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Emma Hardie is the queen of facial therapy and I would truly recommend her to any woman of any age.

Based downstairs at the lovely Michael John Salon (where I reviewed the hairdressing a few months ago), it is a heavenly place to spend an afternoon. Emma is a warm and bubbly person and I immediately felt at ease in her very capable hands, it was a pleasure to spend an hour with her. I met Emma briefly when I visited first time round and spied her by the mirrors using a rubber to ‘rub out wrinkles’ – I’m not sure she’ll remember this incident but it made a lasting impression on me… and ever since I’ve wondered if rubbing out wrinkles really works!

Previously a furniture restorer, Emma’s move to beauty is intriguing, now she restores skin to its former beauty. When you think about it these professions have quite a lot in common. I had heard murmurs of her sparkling reputation in London’s beauty scene and was excited about the prospect of trying out her expertise myself. Climbing onto the soft bouncy bed, I covered myself in the fleece blanket and felt ready to settle down for an afternoon nap. Emma talked through her methods and beliefs, explaining the skin’s supple nature and its ability to be flexible if you treat it correctly. She felt my skin and decided to perform a calming bespoke treatment to soothe and energise and hopefully help with the obvious dehydration.

Using her own products: the subtle Moringa Foaming cleansing wash, hydrating lighter lotion and the most magical professional cloth mitt, she deep cleansed, stretched, buffed and polished my skin. My face responded well and seemed incredibly grateful for the energising and refreshing treatment. Stimulating the skin, Emma livened up the colour and general tone of my complexion… so that my skin colour was much more even and glowed like I have never seen it glow before, it was a complete transformation. Although the techniques are tried and tested, Emma makes every client feel like a special individual tailoring the treatment to suit particular needs. By the end of the facial my body was almost asleep but my face felt awakened and animated.

Emma has developed a gorgeous range of proactive products to kick start your beauty routine at home. As she mentioned to me, it is all about what you use and how you use it and judging by her flawless skin, it appears to be true. After continuing to use Emma’s products at home I can promise the results are noticeable almost immediately.

Go and book yourself in for a facial with Emma Hardie, then recommend her to your mum, granny, colleagues and friends, they will all thank you for it!

Visit Emma Hardie’s website here to hear more about this amazing woman and her amazing products.