Author Archives: Milly

The new facial to quench parched skin at Skin3, Swiss Cottage

Posted on by

When trying to achieve the perfect skin there is a lot to consider and everything in your life contributes, as I learnt at Skin3 last weekend.

It is all too easy to slip into a bad skin routine… convenient face wipes that dry out your skin, cheap products with harsh, damaging ingredients, and a busy way of life that tires your skin out. My therapist for the day, Faye made me realise how precious our skin is and I was so thankful to hear her expert tips for rejuvenating my skin and understanding its behaviour better. With new technology and products arriving on the market, there are always untried beneficial products out there for your skin, but learning how to apply these different ranges to your particular skin type is crucial. What I discovered at this small North London salon will be gospel for my new skin routine.

Skin3 is the first place I have visited where they truly tackle all three skin care necessities:

FEED and deeply nourish your skin with the Advanced Nutrition Programme essentials.

FORTIFY using the scientific skincare from Environ, results-driven clinically proven products to achieve the best from of your skin.

FINISH with beautiful mineral makeup from Jane Iredale, which cares for the skin while providing flawless coverage.

My time at Skin3 began with an in depth skin analysis / consultation, my skin was assessed with a sophisticated Visia camera, a photo of a section of my face was then transferred to a computer where we could examine my skin in greater detail. This fascinating new technology looks at various different aspects of your current skin condition and identifies where supplementation and changes to your skincare regime may help. It also meant Faye was able to tailor the subsequent facial to my needs.

The Visia camera technology is quite incredible, assessing and evaluating in such detail, I was especially amazed to see a generated picture of my face in 5 years time. Apparently my results were very good… I was particularly worried my sun worshipping would embarrass me… but luckily the signs of sun damage were virtually non-existent. Faye was very frank and honest with me, and though my skin seemed to pass most of the tests with flying colours there were some areas of concern: pigmentation and the touch sensitive nature of my skin. Once again dehydration came up as a problem too, though this time I was given detailed advice about how I could help combat it – rather than loading on moisturiser, Faye suggested daily vitamins and in particular Omegas, high water intake, a regular face routine and occasional masks… at last perfect skin felt achievable.

The facial was based on the Environ Hydraboost Treatment – an intensive treatment that deeply hydrates and pumps the skin with vital vitamins to firm and strengthen. I soon found out, this isn’t a pampering facial, instead techniques and treatments used are intensive and intended to target the skin’s concerns without all the faffing about. Essentially this facial intends to freshen dull, dry complexions, catching the issue at the source and using the Environ high tech machine to fuel the skin with nutrients and moisture. After gentle simple cleansing and toning, my skin was stimulated with tiny electrical currents, a strange but highly effective method. Vitamins A and C were then driven deep into the layers of my skin with the same ultrasound technology, increasing elasticity and radiance, I must admit this part was a little uncomfortable. To give greater moisture, a very heavy face mask (similar to porridge in texture and colour) was spread evenly over my face, only my nostrils were free while the rest of my face entirely mummified to gain maximum results. After 15 minutes (during which Faye was massaging my arms and hands) the now solid mask was removed and my face felt reborn and fresher than ever. Moisturiser and a light dusting of Jane Iredale powder completed the treatment.

I left Skin3 laden with products specially picked out by Faye, all of which aim to improve the long term health and condition of my skin. More importantly I left with a far greater knowledge that I hope I will be able to apply to my beauty routine in future and use to remedy minor problems I do encounter. Hopefully next time I visit Skin3 my newly acquired radiance will be noticeable, not only on the machine but in real life!

Visit the Skin3 website for more information and to book here.

Comptoir Libanais, South Kensington

Posted on by

Comptoir Libanais radiates onto the street, the bright cheerful sign and joie de vivre lures you in to experience the Lebanese food and join the fun. The restaurant, which now has three branches in London is a canteen / delicatessen, a kind of Middle Eastern version of Carluccio’s! It is an expansive space, and gloriously lively inside. Shelves are lined with imported goods – boxes of food and delicacies to try and buy.

When I visited on a Thursday evening every colourful table was filled, the staff were efficiently clearing to enable second, third and fourth sittings, avoiding what could have become a shambolic scenario. There is plenty to choose from but when we ate there, due to menu revamps, much of the main dishes were unavailable. More disappointingly the desserts on offer were sparse. We chose a selection of dishes for starter and main as the plates are ideal for sharing and this way you can get a proper feel for the cuisine.

I adore fresh lemonade, Comptoir offer several interesting varieties, we tried Pomegranate & orange blossom and Rosewater, lemon & lime flavour. Both were very strongly perfumed and a bit overwhelming with the intensely flavoured food, but I can imagine these drinks would be lovely and refreshing on a summer’s afternoon.

To start we tried a selection of falafel and kibbeh, warm and deliciously flavoursome. The lamb kibbeh was my favourite, seasoned minced lamb mixed with spices, crunchy pine nuts and onion, the parcels were accompanied by an organic yoghurt sauce, a cooling dip with the spiciness of the kibbeh. The Mezze Platter is a great way to experience all the Lebanese ingredients: Baba ghanuj, hommos, tabbouleh, falafel, organic lentil salad, cheese sambousek, pickles and warm pitta. Many of these recipes are familiar to me from my childhood when we would often munch on Lebanese snacks. The Comptoir delivered a platter of colour and aroma, all the elements tasted homemade, made with love, expertise and attention.

For mains we ordered a Mixed Grill of lamb kofta, chicken kofta, chicken shish taouk and organic rice. The meat was succulent, marinated in a herby piquant sauce, the lamb was particularly good. Then came the Halloumi Salad, with grilled cheese, baby gem, cherry tomatoes, olives, radish, olive oil and lemon juice. I am an expert halloumi eater, and will admit this was the best I have ever tried, soft and creamy and incredibly moreish. I couldn’t visit a Lebanese restaurant without trying a Tagine… but with enough meat on the table to feed a small family we opted for the Baked Aubergine with rich tomato and chickpea sauce. This was extremely comforting, I find tagines quite heavy, definitely more of a winter option. The tangy tomato sauce and aubergine are a great pairing, however the aubergine had a slightly bitter aftertaste.

I have never liked Baklawa, the popular Lebanese pastries, finding them unbearably sweet… my dad always bought them as an excuse for pudding. Determined to try the Comptoir variety we ordered a selection… and, dare I say it, they were delicious, light and nutty and very fresh. Accompanied by vanilla ice cream and fresh mint tea, it was a lovely conclusion to the meal.

Comptoir Libanais is the perfect place to get a quick bite to eat in a relaxed environment… the food is lean and light, quick to arrive and very fresh. I am visiting Beirut in Lebanon later this month and I can’t wait to eat delicious Lebanese food in its natural habitat!

Visit the Comptoir Libanais website here.

Callooh Callay Cocktails, Shoreditch

Posted on by

A fellow blogger recommended Callooh Callay to me as a must try cocktail emporium in London… how could I resist an endorsement like that? Down Rivington Street, and barely a sign outside… I’m learning that in this city the best bars are always inconspicuous. Inside it is much smarter, moody lighting and glittery candles illuminating the alluring bar. We were led through to a more superior room, where the customers who have made a booking can enjoy table service and a sophisticated place to sip their cocktails. This room is decorated divinely with art deco style ornaments, I felt like I was sitting in an elegant cabaret venue.

The menu, which looks rather like an Ikea instruction leaflet, is titled ‘How to construct your perfect night out’. Compiled by the mixology experts, this guide explains the cocktails and their unique recipes. The drinks are wildly inventive, each title is a humorous play on words… they are certainly not conventional and it would be frowned upon to order a classic. So I relished the eccentricity and ordered the most bizarre concoctions on offer!

Forty Chew and Blow £8.50
Yum Yum, Bubble gum. 42 Below vodka with a dash of Campari and home-made Hubba Bubba syrup.

A dangerously translucent liquid with a curl of orange peel… I knew this was going to be a strong one. This unusual drink is made with Calooh Callay’s very own bubble gum flavoured syrup which miraculously works quite well specially mixed with this high quality vodka.  I still don’t know what ‘Yum Yum’ is, or whether it is simply a suggestion of it’s taste (?!) but either this ingredient or the Campari gave the cocktail an unpleasant bitter aftertaste that rather spoiled it for me.

Gooseberry Fool £9
A grown-up take on a childhood dessert. Beefeater gin with Aba pisco, Swedish gooseberry jam, fresh lemon juice, Bob’s vanilla bitters and egg white. Dusted with nutmeg.

This was delicious. Sweet and aromatic with a spicy touch of nutmeg, the flavours combined well. The inclusion of egg white made the whole cocktail much smoother with a silky texture.

Anise and Nephew £9
A punchy daiquiri style drink using Wray & Nephew rum, Velvet Falernum, fresh pineapple and lime juice with Pernod Absinthe.

I love daiquiris, when made well they are perhaps my favourite cocktail, in fact anything rum based usually pleases me! Conveniently the daiquiri recipe lends itself to being customised with different flavours and ingredients. Falernum (a sweet syrup from the Caribbean) and pineapple juice add the sweetness to this drink contrasting with the harsher acidic lime. The Absinthe adds a lovely kick to the aftertaste.

Top Hat £8.50
An Autumnal glass of Bacardi Superior rum with lime juice and ginger cordial. Sweetened with a Breton Cidre and honey reduction and Bob’s Abbotts bitters with a Crème de Myrtille float.

The ‘Top Hat’ was the only long cocktail we tried… a fabulous adaptation of the mojito. Fruity and exotic and wonderfully refreshing. Unlike the mojito, this cocktail is sweetened with natural honey which gives the taste a satisfying warmth.

Callooh Callay is stylish and exclusive though the environment is a tad pretentious. If you are a cocktail fan it is definitely worth a visit… the cocktails are imaginative, artistic and original, and most of them taste really good too. Callooh Callay change their menu bi-annually and in April a new list of concoctions arrives, so be sure to check that out. Oh and I should mention ‘popcorn of the week’ on the bar menu… perhaps a snack to try with your cocktail?

Ps. Be sure to check out the cassette tape decorated toilets.