Pamper

 

 

I've never been on a pamper day, so when ExperienceDays.co.uk emailed me and asked me to review their pamper day for two at a Marriott Hotel of my choice, my thoughts were, why the hell not.  At this time of year we could all do with a bit of sprucing up.

 

 

So yesterday, my friend and I went over to the Marriott Worsley Park in Manchester for a day of luxury and spoiling.  It's a lovely country club style of hotel, set near a golf course and easy to get to on the motorway.  After booking in at the spa, I had a mini manicure, which quite disappointingly was only a file and polish.  However! as the photos below will attest, I routinely ignore my hands, and the beautician (is that what we call them) did a sterling job.  I'm still admiring them today.

 

 



Next up was my pal for a mini facial.  While she was gone I settled myself down in the comfy leather chaise and flicked through the latest glossies.  When she finally came out of the treatment room you could tell she had been well looked after.  She was gobsmacked (this doesn't happen often), a fantastic facial was the opinion.

 

 

We also had use of the hotel's pool (large, sunlit, very nice), gym facilities (extensive) and sauna (didn't try).  My reservations about the day are small and concern value for money.  two mini treatments between the two of us does not equate to a £75 in my book.  Also another small thing would be to offer people refreshments when they arrive, we were offered water and nothing else.  A cheap and easy way to add to the experience guys.  Those reservations notwithstanding, it was a really nice experience and if you have the spare cash, go for it.



A War on Bad Make-Up

I met Daniel Sandler last Thursday in Harvey Nicks Beauty Bazaar and from our conversation I can conclude that eradicating bad make-up is not the only thing on his agenda, but instead he seems intent on revolutionising the beauty industry.

When I first received the invite I was a tad wary, make-up and beauty is just not my thing.  I am a (youthful) middleaged woman with a full time job, children and interests, quite frankly I don't have the time to be faffing in front of the mirror of a morning.  However, I thought this is my angle, how can a top make up artist advise Ms Average like me?  I needn't have worried, as soon as we started talking it was clear that I am the sort of woman that Daniel is targeting.  Women who want quality quick solutions for their face.

Daniel explained that it was while he was doing the make up for celebrities and catwalk models where it was essential he work fast and make them look ethereally beautiful.  Fail safe shortcuts were developed as part of his repetoire, then came the Damoscene moment.  This was exactly what normal women need.  A few choice items in their make up bags which could be smeared on with the fingers and off they can go, confident they are looking good.

According to Daniel, the three basic items a woman needs for everyday are concealer, bronzer (of which he is a great fan of it's versatilty) and either lipstick or mascara if that is where your preferences lie.  Even I could do that.

It was Daniel's desire to improve make up that has brought him the accolade of the 'King of Blusher'.  His renowned Watercolour Fluid Blusher came about through a dislike of powder blusher and the popular glowing look of a few years back.  Cream blusher looks great but has a habit of melting off after ten minutes.  Daniel experimented with mixing cream blusher, Benetint and Nars Multiple to create a long lasting natural looking glow.  When developing his make up range he took his concoctions to the manufacturer and the result is Watercolour Fluid Blusher.

We also talked about buying beauty products.  My feeling is that I tend to avoid it because the pushy hard sell from the usual counters is off putting.  With many Sales Assistants working for the big brands having to meet ever increasing targets, it is us the customer who bear the brunt.  I just want to buy a lippy and walk out, my peace and head intact.  Daniel sells his range via the internet, QVC and select spas.  He told me he often checks in his clients make up bags and suggests new ways for using existing make up they own, in order to get a fresh look.  I really don't think this man could do a hard sell if his life depended on it.  Instead he has a respect for his customer and a desire to improve their lives, a lesson many of the big companies should learn.

I should have also mentioned that he managed to convince me to walk away with an orange lipstick, a colour I've never considered before, let alone bought.  It looks blinking lovely if I do say so myself.

For more information and to buy online check out his website Daniel Sandler.

Glossy Locks

It's not often I feature beauty products.  This is because the market is super saturated with false promises and hopes which I do find quite offensive.  However, if I feature one on here it is because I have been using it and feel it actually does live up to the hype.

There are many nourishing glossers on the market following hot on the heels of the brand leader Morrocan Oil, I've tried a few, but L'Oreals Mythic Oil for me and several of my friends is by far the best.

Rather than containing argan oil it contains avocado and grape seed oil.  Running a few drops through wet hair will leave it glossy and with a flexibility to be envied.  It seems to only be available from salons or on the internet and cost around the £12 mark.

If you have dry or wiry hair, or hair that is going through middle age (yes I know this well), then Mythic Oil could be your saviour.

Silver

For a long time now I have been in awe of women who allow their hair to grey naturally against the convention of a youth obsessed society.  Naturally grey women have a hauteur and a style that I can only envy.  I'm lucky in that at present I don't need to dye my hair, but the silver is creeping in slowly but surely.  Will I have the courage to keep away from the dyes and milk the kind of elegance that these women have?

Top Photo of Kristen McMenamy from Dazed and Confused Magazine

Bottom photo from Toast website

Shiny Happy Skin

Having struggled for years with my skin, I'm somewhat cynical when it comes to the claims of beauty companies.  Time and time again I've read about a miracle potion and ran out and bought it, regardless of the cost.  After reading the lovely Sali Hughes column in the Saturday Guardian  Magazine, once again I hot footed it to John Lewis and made my purchase.  Blooming Nora was she right.  Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser is quite simply amazing.  Even after the first use my skin seems calmer and clearer and had a lovely glowing feeling that usually comes from a brisk walk  on the beach, and it smells amazing.  I am now completely evangelical about this product and at £13.25 for a starter kit which includes a 100ml bottle and two muslin cloths I can afford to be.