Beauty Archives - Page 5 of 8

Jo Malone Scent Experience

There’s more to Jo Malone London than fancy candles and fragrances as I found out during their signature Scent Experience. I was invited along to the Jo Malone concept store at House of Fraser, Intu Metrocentre to discover more about the brand, their immersive Fragrance Combining, and the latest release, Myrrh & Tonka to the Black fragrance range.

Jo Malone is one of the UK’s most famous fragrance houses, founded in 1994 and sold to Estée Lauder in June 2006 in its entirety. The brand continues to thrive with a legion of fans who can’t get enough of Malone’s famous scented candles (I’m one of them) and eclectic fragrances. But did you know that Jo Malone stores and concessions offer in house experiences as well as those signature products we’ve come to know and love? I spent the day with Jo Malone London to discover more about just what’s on offer on counter….

1. First up, the Jo Malone Signature Arm and Hand Massage. This is no ordinary hand massage, it’s an immersive experience with a layered introduction to the range – there’s absolutely no pressure at all to buy from the brand afterwards – something I really like. You’re sat at the beauty bar and given a branded velvet take home pouch for your jewellery before the treatment begins.

First of all you select your wash (all of the washes are a triple threat, they work as a handwash, bath foam and shower gel), then your body cream, and finally your cologne. You’ll be given a lesson in the art of fragrance combining; if you’re familiar with Tom Ford you’ll know about the Fragrance Wardrobe, it’s a similar concept at Jo Malone as all fragrances are designed and crafted to work in harmony.

Once you’ve selected your trio, you’re treated to a foamy wash, which coats the skin in a base scent, then an arm and hand massage with a thick, luxurious body cream, before it’s locked in with a spray of cologne. I like a heady, masculine scent so I opted for latest release, Myrrh & Tonka; a warm, woody mix with vanilla and tonka bean base notes. Long lasting and unlike anything else around.

You’ll leave with arms as light as air, mine felt fresh and cool, kind of like the sensation you get when you use Physio Gel, and the feeling lasts long after you’ve left the counter. This experience is open to anyone, it’s something you can walk on to counter and ask for, book online as a complimentary service, or make a purchase and you get a voucher to re-visit the counter for it.

2. The Jo Malone Birthday Club. How I missed his one I’ll never know Voyeurs, sign up to the Birthday Club by giving the day and month of your birth which is recorded against your client record and you’re in for a treat…..

Now before you get yourself all excited, the disclaimer with this one is that it’s not a yearly thing, it’s “from time to time” and the deal is a mini Jo Malone party on counter for you and five friends. You’ll arrive on counter and be greeted with champagne and chocolates, a signature arm and hand massage is included as well as deluxe samples for the birthday bunny and regular samples for your pals. Not bad right?! Well it was my birthday in January and I’m late to the table but I’ve been invited back for this which I fully intend to do, because, well you know…..

3. Jo Malone Bridal. There’s a whole bridal themed experience available to brides-to-be, from selecting a fragrance to scent your wedding, to gifting for bridesmaids; select from a range of options to give your big day those special little touches. Brides can choose to visit the counter with their prospective groom, mum or whole bridal party and the counter will cater to your needs.

If you’re not familiar with the brand, or if you’ve admired it from afar, this is a great introduction to Jo Malone and the products and services available. Whether it’s home fragrance or skin fragrance the team at House of Fraser are helpful and attentive and when I say there’s no pressure, there really is no pressure. You know me by now Voyeurs, I’d tell you if you were in danger of being cornered. The counter at House of Fraser’s Concept Store is perfectly equipped for mini treatments, it’s a spacious area occupying the front aspect of the store meaning you’re away from the hustle and bustle of the main store and can enjoy browsing in peace.

So, with Mother’s Day right around the corner, where better to start for inspiration than the Jo Malone Concept Store on House of Fraser Intu Metrocentre? Be warned though Voyeurs it’ll be difficult to leave without one of those signature ribbon tied bags for yourself too……

Pixie xo

All Jo Malone counter services can be booked via the brands website or by calling the Jo Malone Counter at House of Fraser Intu Metrocentre on 0370 192 5371

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

The Wax Bar Newcastle Official Launch Party

You’ll have heard me waxing lyrical (see what I did there?) about The Wax Bar, a recent addition to the beauty scene in North Jesmond and you’ll know that I’ve visited the salon for intimate waxing and LVL Lashes (two essentials for your beauty maintenance regime). Now the salon may have been operational since December 2016, but after establishing a loyal North East client base, The Wax Bar threw open their doors this weekend for their official launch party and I was invited along. Obvs.

A live DJ provided the tunes and the salon was set up to provide complimentary treatments including nail polish and stencilling, HD Brows, threading, tinting and my favourite, a braid bar, with added glitter station. Fresh pizza, pasta and doughballs from Pizza Express Jesmond were served, from Pizza Express along with sweet shop sweets and super cute bespoke cupcakes (of which three mysteriously appeared in my kitchen the next morning). Prosecco and Pimms were on tap all night and the party was in full flow when I rocked up fresh com a runway show.

First stop: The braid bar, I was sat in front of a lit mirror and given a selection of styles to choose from, I opted for two top Dutch braids into wrapped ponytails which the Stylist did in record time. Sidebar, The Wax Bar will have a resident hair braider working in the salon once each month offering single or add on appointments. I can vouch for her talent too, she’s young, hip and dresses like a rockstar, oh yeah, she does awesome braids too.

If you haven’t already visited The Wax Bar, the salon is modern and minimalist. With it’s cool grey and white colour scheme (with added Wax Bar branded metallic balloons for the party) it has a fresh, urban feel and the pop of fuschia pink in the branding is uniform throughout the each salon.

New and existing clients had a chance to chat about the treatments and products on offer at The Wax Bar as well as putting forward suggestions to the business – a real nice touch to involve potential clients in shaping the business to suit their needs. Kudos. Owner Nicole Peterson and Area Manager Claire travelled From Edinburgh for the party; saying they’d been nervous and excited for the past four weeks. Nicole told me that after doing some research on Jesmond and learning about its huge student population, she wanted to cater for that because it’s unfair to price out such a huge chunk of the market, to combat this, The Wax Bar offer 25% discount to students on qualifying days.

I chatted to the staff who told me that throwing a launch party works so well in beauty because it offers a great opportunity to meet potential new clients and learn more about existing clients.

These guys are the holy grail of hot waxing; resident hot waxer Gemma has her technique nailed and can have you stripped, Hollywood waxed and out again fuzz free in 20 minutes. The salon also offers a range of other treatments including men’s waxing, gel nails, LVL Lashes, HD Brows and lash extensions amongst other things. Each Therapist has her own specialty so you can rest knowing you’re in good hands. All treatments booked at the official launch party were offered at 50% off but fear not Voyeurs, there are regular rotational offers on treatments and there’s a loyalty club too which allows clients to collects stamps leading to free treatments.

So, long story short, aces launch party, friendly professional staff, free parking outside the door and good coffee. What’s not to love?!

Pixie xo

To book an appointment at The Wax Bar call 0191 2812183

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 Beauty Cupboard, The Glorious North East

The Wax Bar Newcastle

With only a few more days until Christmas, party season is well and truly upon us. If you’ve let your party prep fall by the wayside then fear not as I’m about to tip you off with a brand new beauty offering you’ll want to add to your little black book.

What we’ve lacked in Newcastle for some time now, and you’ll know this because of my endless rants about it, is a dedicated wax bar. Somewhere that specialises in the art of hot waxing, from eyebrows to intimate waxing and everything in between, it’s something we’ve been in need of for a long time.

Brand new salon The Wax Bar aims to address that. On upmarket St George’s Terrace in Jesmond and with free parking right outside the door, the salon is perfectly situated for fly-by appointments. With salons in Edinburgh, Fife and now Newcastle, The Wax Bar is an established brand that’s rapidly expanding largely because of their expertise and quick appointment turnover. Founder & Head Therapist Nicole Peterson is a graduate from the Mary Reid International School of Beauty; an institution with a reputation for being the best of the best in the beauty industry, and those high standards are reflected in The Wax Bar.

From its signature charcoal and white colour schemes complemented by fuschia pink branding, The Wax Bar prides itself on being sleek and minimalist, much like its signature Hollywood wax. ??

I arrived for my appointment and was greeted by two smiling faces and a salon that smelled like fresh grapefruit. The place is gorgeous, pretty damn near perfect in fact. Smart, slick and very clean, there’s a nail bar in the main reception area too. I was introduced to my Therapist Gemma and taken through what to expect from my Hollywood wax (£38) in a well equipped room in keeping with the theme of the salon.

The Wax Bar favours hot waxing and uses Lycon wax throughout, if you’re not already familiar, here comes the science: Lycon is the market leader in hot waxing. Used with an oil prep, Lycon wax shrink wraps around the hair to remove only the hair and not the skin, reducing the pain caused by waxing to almost nothing. Because of this, the area can be re-waxed to remove stubborn hairs, something you can’t achieve with strip wax.

Aside from the gorgeous, simplistic colours scheme and genius branding, one of the best things about The Wax Bar is the speed at which they can turnover an appointment. With over ten years experience in the beauty industry and a flair for waxing, these girls have got mad skills and it shows. With no rushing, but also no waiting around, it’s the perfect appointment – done and dusted in a cool 20 minutes including changing time – perfect for days when you need to be in and out with minimal fuss and with online booking the process is streamlined from start to finish.

Obviously you all know by now that I’m a bit of a waxing connoisseur and after living in London, I’ve come to know where to find the best Wax Therapists in the UK. The Wax Bar definitely makes the cut. With a mission statement similar to Strip in London, although the salon also offers additional sought after beauty treatments such as LVL Lashes, HD Brows and nail services, the focus is firmly on the waxing with a full, diverse treatment menu dedicated to the sticky stuff.

Uncomfortable about intimate waxing? Don’t be. There’s just no need, yes there are places out there that may make you feel uncomfortable, The Wax Bar isn’t one of them. These girls eat, sleep and breathe wax, it’s their lifeblood and their job is to make you feel at ease, which they excel at. It’s a virtually pain free process, (yes, you read that right) and there’s a wickedy loyalty scheme to boot.

If you’re an intimate waxing virgin and are mildly intrigued, then man up and book an appointment, it’ll change your life. If you’re not brave enough to opt for the Hollywood wax then The Wax Bar offers a full suite of waxing treatments including eyebrows (£10), underarms (£15) and legs (£30). If you’re quick you still have time to grab one of their Festive Offers including a Half Leg Wax & Hollywood Wax for £40 instead of £56 and I’d stake my kid on the fact that you’ll be back for more….

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Fashion Closet

Millionaire Hair

You all know the struggles I’ve had with my hair and about three months ago and a course of Viviscal later, it started to show a bit of promise. My hair has always been thick, shiny and lustrous. It’s always been my crowning glory and I took for granted the compliments that people gave me on my super thick hair. That is, until it all snapped off after a horrific bleaching accident. Nutshell version: Too much bleach = unwanted haircut.

I went from having hair that could cover my nips mermaid style, to having hair that barely covered my earlobes. Bummer. It’s surprising how much it actually affected me, your hair is often the first thing people notice, and it can be an armour. But when you’re faced with an unintentional hair disaster, it knocks your confidence.

So, on my quest to grow back my thick, once beautiful hair, I tried most things, including the crazy remedies (castor oil and coffee grounds anyone? Yum). It seemed that my hair had gone into hibernation and then hit the snooze button. It literally refused to grow. I measured my root regrowth at the starting point up to this very morning and in just over 21 months, it’s grown almost an inch. ONE. INCH.

I did however have a recent breakthrough. I was sent a bottle of JKB Argent Millionaire Hair Mist which promised to be “The ultimate pick-me-up for dull, tired and lacklustre hair, it nourishes and transforms your locks from the inside out for incredible light reflecting, dazzling shine!”

Everything about Millionaire Hair mist oozes quality. From the sleek and simple packaging to the decadent, weighty glass bottle that was made to be displayed. First of all, the product is versatile, it can be used in place of dry shampoo, as a styling aid, as a blow-dry protectant or as a detangler.

Millionaire works by penetrating the hair cuticle locking in moisture and smoothing the surface. Unlike other hair oils that simply coat the hair, this oil works from the roots within solving your hair problems and preventing the singe you can get from using regular hair oil. Simples.

“I tried everything other than oil to nourish my hair. It was only when my mum said in her wise way “have you ever wondered why women in the Punjab have long healthy thick hair?” The penny dropped. Its all in the oil, but I didn’t want hair that looked greasy. No way. And that’s when I began developing Millionaire Hair Mist.” Jas Braich, Founder of JKB Argent

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Because Millionaire is packed with organic ingredients, it has a shelf life of 8 months but trust me, you’ll develop and addiction and it’ll be long gone before the use by date. The smell alone makes it worth its £35 price tag. Founder Jas produces blends for herself, her family and friends and with a career honed in the retail pharmacy business, Jas understands what works effectively and the best way to deliver that without the use of harsh chemicals and parabens.

One of the best things I discovered whilst using Millionaire, is that my hair became more dense and thick pretty quickly. When I looked into why this could be, it turns out that the ingredients in Millionaire are proven to slow down hair loss resulting in thicker hair. Winning. I used it after every wash – Jas advises that whilst occasional use is good, Millionaire is like skincare and it’s benefits are longer lasting and more visible with routine use. With regular use, borderlining on addiction, my bottle lasted around 3 months, pretty damn good compared to high street products in the same genre.

There’s a reason Millionaire is garnering so much attention right now, with Harper’s Bazaar and Grazia naming it as one of their top picks, it’s definitely a must have item in my bathroom. Wanna join the Millionaire Hair Movement? Head to JKB Argent to grab a piece of the action, and with Christmas right around the corner, this would make an awesome gift. Just saying…

Pixie xo

INGREDIENTS:

Organic aloe vera leaf juice: smoothes, creates shine, attracts and seals in moisture

Organic Blackcurrant extract: a great antioxidant that helps to combat harmful and damaging effects of the environment gives great volume

Pomegranate extract: high in antioxidants which help bring life to damaged hair

Argan oil: provides essential fatty acids oleic and lineoic that benefits dry and dehydrated hair, will restore, regenerate, reconstruct and strengthen

Sage essential oil: imparts shine, intensifies colour and nourishes

Ginger essential oil: aids in stimulating hair follicles to promote hair growth

Castor oil: high in vitamin E, minerals and proteins, omega 6 and 9, replenishes the scalps natural oil and undo some of the damage of harsh chemical hair products