Fashion Voyeur

People will stare, make it worth their while.

Categories: The Lifestyle Edit

Another Day in Sparadise

Tucked away in the basement of the busy Crowne Plaza Hotel in Newcastle, you’ll find the Mineral House.  An inner city sanctuary I’ve come to know and love over the past six months, the Mineral House is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Newcastle.  With its basement corridor bathed in flickering candlelight and the scent of lemongrass, it really is a treat for the senses.

In a nutshell the Mineral House comprises a gym, pool and treatment spa.  As far as hotel facilities go, this is pretty damn good.  The gym is larger than the average hotel gym and it has everything you’d expect from an unmanned facility.  Sure you won’t find a huge selection of free weights and Olympic bars, but let’s not forget, this is a fitness suite largely populated by hotel guests who use it with the sole purpose of preventing stagnation during their stay.  It’s very well equipped (for what it is) and has a good balance of cardio machines, cable machines, kettlebells and dumbbells – and if my numerous requests for a punchbag are noted then who knows, we may even see that as an addition for 2017.  The Mineral House offers personal training to clients on request and recently extended its hours to offer 24 hour access so now there’s no excuse not to train.

The pool area is gorgeous, accented with soft purple light; the swimming pool is accompanied by a large whirlpool spa and steam room, perfect for unwinding after a workout and there are several loungers poolside for those who just want to chill and be immersed in the cool ambience.

The Mineral House treatment spa is manned by the best Therapists in the business, during the build the recruitment drive was fierce and only the creme de la creme were selected (a massage from Roberta is otherworldly, I can vouch).  The treatment menu is huge, offering a range of spa treatments with a focus on eastern aromatic spices and warm pindas to encourage deep relaxation within the muscles.  Locker room chat is always about how awesome the deep tissue massage is.

As such, the team is a tight knit band of industry pros always willing to help out, I’m often offered a person to work with me on boxing pad work in the gym with me when it’s quiet.

In it’s entirety, the Mineral House is a place I’ve come to rely on to escape real world shiz, it’s where I go to get my head in gear and when I’m lacking motivation I can rely on staff there to gee me up with some inspiring words.  I primarily use the Mineral House for the gym, it’s somewhere you can get your head down and get a serious workout in without judgement, or people staring.  With the influx of no frills gyms in the city, the Mineral House offers a refreshing change from the stereotypical functional gym goer.

My favourite thing about the Mineral House is the convenience.  The location is easy, it’s easy to get in and out of Newcastle from the Crowne Plaza, the parking is free and you’re given towels on arrival.  Seriously Voyeurs, it’s the little details that make the biggest differences: think hot showers with shampoo and shower gel provided, large lockers, separate restrooms and TVs with subtitles so you have someone to watch whilst you train.  Yes, it’s small, we’ve established that, but it’s perfectly formed.

Fancy trying it out for yourself?  Get in touch, they’re a friendly bunch and offer a free trial so you can get to grips with everything on offer and decide whether it’s for you.  With a range of memberships to suit different needs, there’s bound to be something you can work with.  Don’t fancy a long term commitment?  The Mineral House offers two hours exclusive use of incorporated facilities with every treatment booked, spa day sessions are also available.

For a hotel facility I’m really impressed with the Mineral House, whether it’s the cool, calming environment, or the uber friendly staff, it’s a place you’ll feel welcome in from your first visit.  I’m a member and I’ve got to say Voyeurs, I’m hooked, in fact, I’m heading there right now to get my workout on.  If you’re thinking about joining, or checking the place out for a free trial, be sure to tell them Pixie sent you and maybe I’ll see you there some time.

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Glorious North East

LVL Lash Lift at The Wax Bar

You’ll remember that I visited The Wax Bar back in December 2016 for one of their namesake waxes, but did you know, they don’t just offer waxing? Sure, that’s their specialty and I’m pretty sure these gals could wax in their sleep, but they also offer creative enhancements such as Insta-worthy nails, and LVL Lashes.

If you’re not already familiar with LVL Lashes, it’s a revolutionary treatment pioneered by the lash gurus at Nouveau Lashes. The treatment works to enhance your own natural lashes without the aid of ‘crunchy’ lash extensions or clusters. LVL (Lift Volume and Length), often referred to as ‘Lash Lift’, is a game changer – fact. Unlike the eyelash perm of the noughties, LVL works to straighten the lashes at the root, forcing the lashes up and out, meaning that when you look at the lashes straight on, they point upwards instead of forwards opening up the eye – your selfie game just changed forever. Lasting anywhere between 6 and 8 weeks, this just negated the need to travel with mascara. Winning.

The Wax Bar in Jesmond pride themselves on their high standard of training and staff truly are specialists in each discipline, I was introduced to my LVL Technician, Leah, who talked me through the process and each step of the treatment. The treatment takes around 45 minutes and is comfortable – I’m pretty squeamish and get grossed out by eye treatments but found this no problem at all, Leah took pictures of me during the treatment and it looks way worse than it felt. It’s performed with your eyes closed for the full treatment and once you’re set up and ready to begin, it’s actually pretty relaxing.

Leah has been The Wax Bar’s resident Lash Expert since she started with the brand in Edinburgh years ago, she tells me that the trend for fuller, natural lashes is huge in Edinburgh and that the salon at weekends would be like a conveyor belt. With the price point just above the national average at £50, Wax Bar clients get a dedicated Lash Expert delivering their treatment to the highest standard (until the end of January 2017 LVL Lashes at The Wax Bar Newcastle is just £30 and there’s 25% off all other treatments.  If you’re a student then you’re really in luck, the salon offers a thrifty 25% discount on all treatments with a valid student card and it’s Love Club is open to everyone who likes a cheeky offer now an again.

In a nutshell, a solution is applied to break down the bonds inside the lashes and force them to take on a different ‘shape’. Leah tells me that because I have very long natural lashes, we should go for a more dramatic look for maximum effect. The salon is clean and inviting and the sounds of Ministry of Sound Chill Out Ibiza make the space feel current and relaxing, Leah gets to work on my lashes and once the solution has taken, she tints them darkest blue black to match my heart.

I’m assured that the LVL Lash treatment doesn’t cause any damage to natural lashes, and referred to the Nouveau website for information on the research that backs this claim. Whilst it’s not a treatment that’s new to me, I never fail to be amazed by the results, when you’re first handed the mirror after the treatment it’s hard to believe that you’re looking at your own lashes. My lashes look darker, thicker and way shinier, like they’ve been coated with a conditioning serum, but unlike lash extensions they don’t feel ‘stiff’ or crunchy’.

A couple of important points to consider when you’re booking your LVL Lash treatment at The Wax Bar: First of all, you’ll need a patch test at least 48 hours before you plan to have treatment and after treatment you can’t wet your lashes AT ALL for 24 hours otherwise the solution will deactivate. If you’re planning on having this treatment for a big night out, it may be best to have it done a few days in advance so that you can remove your eye makeup afterwards without fear of deactivating the LVL solution.

The great thing about The Wax Bar is its uber cool location, set on leafy St George’s Terrace in Jesmond with free parking right outside the front door, it couldn’t be easier or more convenient to get in and get out with minimum fuss.  The colour scheme is super modern and minimalist with on point branding throughout the salon, cool grey, black and white are the perfect backdrop for the brand’s pink logo. Therapists are introduced on a first name basis and clients are looked after with hot drinks etc. as they’re talked through their choice of treatment.

I had my LVL Lash treatment 3 weeks ago and they still look awesome – I told you this was a game changer and I meant it.  It’s a Fashion Voyeur approved treatment and one that’s an absolute pre-vacation essential, be careful though, it’s highly addictive….

Peace out Voyeurs

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives

The Best Bikini Wax in Newcastle

You know by now that I’m a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to waxing, particularly that of the intimate variety (Sorry if you’re reading this Dad but this is real important stuff), so when an opportunity crops up to try out a new place then provided it’s using hot wax rather than strip wax, I’m absolutely in.

I’ve favoured the “Hollywood” (that’s everything off folks) since the 90’s (talk about jumping on a beauty trend right?!) and living in London I shared my amazing Brazilian waxer with Victoria Beckham, Sienna Miller and countless other celebrities, indeed Otylia Roberts was, and still is known as one of the best hot waxers in the world.  When I relocated back to the North East this left me with a bit of an issue, largely existing as a six weekly trip to London for my fix.

Fast forward to right now and the North East is all over the Brazilian / Hollywood waxing “trend” with dedicated waxing salons opening up and existing beauty salons adding the service to their treatment menu’s.  When Newcastle Hair & Beauty Clinic invited me to  road test their Lycon Hollywood wax, they didn’t have to ask twice……

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I arrived at the clinic and was introduced to Alex, my therapist for the afternoon.  After being shown to a super cute and kitsch floral treatment room, Alex gave me instructions usually reserved for the OBGYN clinic: Undress my lower half and cover up with the towel provided.

Now for anyone new to this type of procedure, this is totally standard; you have to understand that to get a perfectly clean finish, you have to be sans underwear, it’s just that simple.  Alex is an absolute pro – she understands that clients often book this particular appointment with trepidation and she instantly makes you feel at ease.  There’s no awkwardness, it’s not uncomfortable at all, she tells me that she’s done it for so long now it’s the same as doing an eyebrow shape or a leg wax, it’s all about precision and providing the best service possible.  So far so good.

Lets pause for an interlude; the wax Alex is using today is Lycon wax.  If it’s not on your radar or already part of your beauty regimen then familiarise yourself with it because you’re going to like this one – It’s very different to traditional strip wax, where the wax is applied to the skin and a cotton strip is used to remove it, removing the very top layer of skin cells with it.  When it comes to intimate waxing, strip waxing can be tricky, the same area shouldn’t be covered twice meaning that if the hair isn’t removed in one go, you’ve got a problem….

Enter Lycon Precision Waxing.  Using only the finest resins, natural ingredients and aromatherapy oils, Lycon delivers superior performance, removing stubborn hair as short as 1mm.  The area being waxed is treated first and then the hot wax is applied directly to the hair, the wax then shrink wraps around the hair meaning that only the hair is removed and not the skin.  Once set, the wax is pulled away from the skin without the need for fabric strips, it means that large areas can be done quickly and because Lycon Hot Waxes can be re-applied to the same area many times there’s no skin trauma or irritation and I can honestly say that it’s relatively pain free.

So, back to Newcastle Hair & Beauty Clinic, as Alex gets to work, she chats the whole time about anything and everything, from tattoos to dungarees from Topshop, we could be in the line for the checkout at Tesco it’s so relaxed and within a mere twenty minutes I’m done.  On a whim I decide to have my legs and underarms waxed whilst I’m there and before long I’m smooth all over and feeling inspired to book a holiday.  There’s no stickiness or residue that’s often associated with waxing treatments and no redness so I’m good to go.

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If you’re a regular hot waxer, a current strip waxer or a wax virgin just looking to take the plunge then I’d highly recommend Newcastle Hair & Beauty Clinic for several reasons:  1. It’s an uber professional service, there’s no awkwardness, these girls have seen it all before and just want to make you comfortable and give you the treatment you booked in for.  2. Situated above Superdrug on Northumberland Street, it’s a central location in Newcastle city centre meaning that you can be in and out in between hitting the shops and sipping an Americano, no biggie.  3. This is the clincher: This is without doubt, the best hot wax in Newcastle, if not the North East – trust me, I’ve done the research and even had the bruises to prove it. :-/

So, if you want a piece of the action, get yourself booked in with Alex but don’t go telling everyone, it’ll be our little secret, right?

Pixie x

To book an appointment at Newcastle Hair & Beauty Clinic call 0191 2320411

Categories: The Archives

Ladies Pamper Evening, As You Like It

I was invited to a Ladies Pamper Evening this week at eclectic nightspot As You Like It in Jesmond, given that it’s one of my favourite hang outs I jumped in with both feet.  As You Like It is an amazing venue set on the outskirts of Newcastle and spread over three floors, each offering a different vibe.  Quirky and cosy, AYLI claims to be “Newcastle’s most beautiful restaurant” and it’s easy to see why; attention to detail is huge here, right down to the floral wallpaper and perfectly mismatched chairs, it’s no wonder it was once voted “seventh sexiest restaurant in the world” by The Observer.

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The event was held downstairs in Frangipani, a “chintz free function room” which still offers an intimate feel despite being a large space.  I worked a hard Seventies look (very Tom Ford) and I swished through the door, all leopard print blouse and vintage denim skirt still sporting straightened hair from an earlier photoshoot.  I arrived to a warm welcome and a Cherry Bomb cocktail in a vintage style jam jar glass so was already winning before the event had even begun.  The room opened out into a softly lit pop up boutique for the evening with stalls from Salisa UK, Love Niche and even Ann Summers.

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On the outside edge of the room, a brand called Salisa offering a selection of scarves, accessories, clothing and jewellery, all with a very Mint Velvet vibe about it.  Think sports luxe in a cool neutral palette that spans all ages.  Soft touch fabrics and gorgeous buttery soft suede bags invited clients to touch them and owner, Lisa Woodrow was on hand to talk clients through the collection and offer styling advice.  She tells me that her items are stocked in a number of boutiques and stores throughout the region but the bulk of the collection is carried in a small courtyard space just off Sidegate Gallery in Sunniside.  If easy-to-wear separates in soft muted tones are your thing, then it’s worthwhile looking into Salisa a little further.

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In the centre of the space; Love Niche.  We’ve come to know and love this brand, designed by owner Nisha Vedhara, for bringing the glamour and the collection on display today doesn’t disappoint.  Nisha has brought along a super stylish selection of resort wear that wouldn’t look out of place in Monte Carlo Private beach Club, all of which are her own designs and all are equally fabulous.  There’s also a table of accessories which has all bases covered, from snake necklaces through to book style handbags and patterned scarves.  The less expensive diffusion line, Love Niche London is also available to purchase here too and is crowded with Jesmonds Fashion Set for most of the night.

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Mini beauty treatments were also on hand from the girls at City Retreat, Jesmond and these consisted of head and shoulder massages, hand massages, mini manicures and more, there were also Elemis Spa products available to buy on the evening.  Further round the room were displays of beautifully decorated cupcakes for all occasions (sadly not available to eat, just to look at) and jewellery.

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The evening was set up in conjunction with The Chronicle Sunshine Fund in order to raise money to provide specialised equipment to children with special needs and disabilities in the North East of England.  As a mum to a child with disabilities myself, (something i don’t talk about a great deal) I jumped at the chance to support this great event and was pleased to see that it was well supported by the women of Newcastle and that throughout the evening, the atmosphere was positive and non-waning.

thanks so much to As You Like It for inviting me, and also I must say a huge thank you to Nisha Vedhara for gifting me a gorgeous peach tulip midi skirt on the evening, I’m super grateful and absolutely love it, you’ll see me wearing it very soon!

Pixie x