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Hairdressing Heaven 'Up North'

If you believe that to get that once in a lifetime haircut, you have to head for the capital, think again. How about reversing the trend and heading up North?

With 7 salons located in the North's hotspots, you could be in hairdressing heaven within two and a half hours of leaving London.

Of course, we never talk the talk without walking the walk, so we put our own heads quite literally on the block in the search for perfect hair.

My hair is my crowning glory - with a great cut and colour my confidence is sky high. I could even forego make up if my hair is on top form. I also have very high expectations - I like people to notice my hair, to comment, but more importantly, I like to look in the mirror and see great hair. After a series of mini disasters, I needed an overhaul, and so the challenge was set.

West Row, Harrogate, is conveniently placed within very easy walking distance of both the train and bus station, and exudes quality from the outside in. As you approach, you are in no doubt that this is a top class salon, and I felt more confident just walking through the door. And as soon as you walk through that door, the experience (and I believe a hair appointment should be an experience) continues to excel on every level. Imagine writing a list of what you believe you should get at a salon, and you get it here and more.

Firstly, I am made very welcome and dealt with promptly, pleasantly and most importantly for me, both Sam (my Stylist) and Simone (the Manager/Magician) are interested in what I want. I am a firm believer in giving a hairdresser my thoughts, then bowing to their superior opinion (do you go into a restaurant and tell the chef how to cook?), and with professionalism and an enviable ease, they decide on a course of action. This is no mean feat - my previous encounters mean I need stripping back to basics in my quest for that perfect style and colour, and it is obvious both know their trade well.

With in date magazines, coffee AND yummy biscuits at my disposable, Sam made me feel very much an individual, not only listening, but telling me about herself, always working at an efficient speed and concentrating on me. After having my hair coloured now for over twenty years, this is the first time I have had any excess on my skin immediately removed, and at West Row an empty coffee cup always leads to an offer of more, or a glass of water perhaps, more magazines...but all done in a way that makes you feel appreciated.

West Row work as a team, and Simone checked my hair regularly, always letting me know how things were proceeding and why what was being done was being done. The same goes for Sam and Terri, the trainee who shampooed my hair, who tells me what products are being used and why. This level of service wasn't heightened for a visiting journalist, as I noticed the same with every other client too.

As to the finished article, it's a WOW! Imagine a pair of pound shop flip flops compared to some Jimmy Choos, and that sums it up. Normally I need my roots touching up every three weeks, but three weeks on, there is no need as my hair was coloured so well initially. I walked home as opposed to taking transport as I wanted people to see my hair. My husband noticed it, loved it and told me it was worth every penny, and neighbours stopped me to comment.

And just incase you thought we didn't care about mens' hair, we checked the experience with a male teen reviewer with the salon unaware of our connection. As we expected, the same highest level of service was given, resulting in a fashionable style that our reviewer stated was the best cut ever. For a self conscious but fashion aware teenager, getting the right result is extremely important, and with our reviewer definitely returning for his next cut, the proof is in the pudding.

Saying that, will I return? As the saying goes, you get what you pay for and the results speak for themselves. So with my next appointment booked, we would have no hesitation in saying that Hairdressing Heaven does exist 'Up North',

For salon details, go to www.westrow-hair.com

 

 

 

The Champneys Experience - a review by FromBumptoGrump

Ask people to name a spa resort, and Champneys will often be the reply. Lots of us dream of going there to be pampered, and to get some much-needed total “me” time. We are no exception, so set off to see what all the hype is about.
Champneys Springs is located in Leicestershire and the UK’s first purpose built health farm. Set in dreamy countryside, you start to relax before you even arrive. As you walk in to the resort, we were impressed by the understated reception area, very different from the hustle and bustle of hotel culture.
Of course, we were here to enjoy the Champneys experience, so after changing into the accepted attire of Champneys white dressing gown, it was time to undertake some treatments – all for the benefit of research, you understand.
You are literally spoilt for choice and so I went for three - a facial, manicure and pedicure. The manicure and pedicure are done in a relaxing friendly area and be prepared to get the most relaxing foot spa experience ever – infact, it was so good, I bought one from the shop later! The beautician worked with care and efficiency, putting you totally at ease, and telling you exactly what she is doing throughout. At the end, suggestions are made as to what products would be beneficial to purchase, but this is not a sales pitch, and after you see the results, you will be sorely tempted to buy.

Like with everything at Champneys, a lot of thought is put in to everything they so, so it was suggested to take a break to let everything dry, meaning it was lunch. This is no diet farm, and the emphasis is firmly on healthy, tasty choices and not on a small quantity. The choice was vast and we especially liked the hot wraps – simply choose what you want in it, and it is cooked for you there and then.
After lunch and a nice stroll around the grounds, it was my husband’s turn to be pampered. The 85mph Men's Grooming Experience is “85 Minutes of Pampering Heaven”. This 85 minutes of quality treatments to suit your needs, from skin buff facial, tension relief neck and shoulder massage, scalp massage, express manicure, express pedicure, eyebrow trim and tidy, nose and ear hair trim. So good, I hardly recognised him after and he felt the most relaxed he had done it years. Again, product suggestions are made, and my usually ‘a quick wash will do’ man was keen to treat himself for once and continue the regime at home.

Time for a facial – there are a lot to choose from, and ‘relaxing’ was my choice. In a darkened room with the faint sound of bird song in the background, lie back and enjoy beauty heaven. Your appointment time is filled with lotion upon potion being delicately applied, as always everything being calmly explained, and this was worth a trip to Champneys alone. Trust me, you will see a difference with anything you have done, and that lasts after you have left also.
I would also like to mention the Chromo – Science experience. I was unable to experience this for health reasons (Champneys are excellent at ensuring that your treatment is suitable), but it came so highly recommended I had to include it. This is at the higher end of cost, but everyone we spoke to who had experienced it, said it was relaxation but on another level. A relaxing body, mind and soul experience incorporating an amazing facial treatment. This ancient holistic approach combines with modern active chemistry to balance the mind and body and re-programme the skin, whilst offering a complete re-balancing of your energy centres (chakras). You will relax by candle light and experience colour therapy and meditation with the use of brand new active ingredients to stimulate the facial skin cells to function in the way they did in your younger years.
To summarise our Champneys experience, do believe the hype. Prices are reasonable, the food is excellent, the surroundings are perfect, and you will experience exceptional staff at every point. This is not so much about purely treating yourself, but more about taking care of yourself and giving your body what it deserves.

 

 

 

A New Beauty Secret

www.BeautyCounterDirect.co.uk

We’ve all heard countless beauty tips over the years. Advice to get plenty sleep, drink 8 glasses of water a day and protect your skin with SPF protection all year round is often quoted, but our favourite beauty tip is new. It isn’t a cream or a lotion, nor does it come in beautiful packaging. In fact it isn’t even a tangible product – our latest beauty secret is the Internet!

Of course the Internet isn’t new, but women are discovering that it is an indispensable asset, revolutionising their beauty regime and transforming the contents of their cosmetics bags.

Internet shopping in general is much cheaper than shopping on the high street and beauty shopping is no exception. With savings of up to 70%, quality brands become much more affordable. And when you save money on your regular brand you’ll have more left over to pamper yourself or try the ‘latest celebrity must-have’.

There is also a wider choice of beauty products available. Department stores tend to all stock the same range making many classic fragrances hard to find. Having spent hours scouring the high street to no avail a simple online search can find your favourites in a minute. You can have them delivered straight to your door, usually for less than the cost of a trip to town, making it a convenient way to shop as well. Products that have been discontinued locally are more readily available on the web. No need to spend you lunch hour scouring the shops or battling through the crowds with children in tow.

With a plethora of products backed by millions of $ advertising all making exciting sounding claims, it can be very difficult to know which products to choose. How do you separate the hype from fact in order to choose the best product to suit your needs? Once again the Internet comes to rescue. Online product reviews are a great way to get honest opinions of all the latest products from real people who aren’t trying to sell you anything. Who hasn’t felt intimated by immaculate sales assistants at the department store beauty counter, who have sales targets to meet? Although their advice can be very helpful and they are well informed about their own products, you can go in for a lipstick and leave with a whole new skin care regime and an empty bank account. Whereas on the Internet you’re free to browse to your heart’s content comparing different products and brands uninterrupted.

With easy access to Cheap Cosmetics and unbiased information you can afford to experiment with products you’ve read about and select the right products for you. When friends see the new you they’ll be asking you to share your new beauty secret. Whether or not you tell them is up to you!

 

 

 

 

Skipping - a great way to exercise

For those of us looking for a fun way to exercise, go back to your youth and invest in a skipping rope.

Skipping is something that can be done in your spare time, even a few minutes a week will help do you good.

Skipping is a quick and easy exercise to perform and you can enjoy skipping at home, privately in your bedroom or when the good weather arrives have a few minutes skipping outside in the fresh air. It does not take long to learn to skip and can be fun for all the family. Skipping is not complicated and if the skipping ropes are safe and easy to use, so if you can walk or run skipping may be a new way to exercise anywhere, anytime. Skipping is easy, safe and just muscular coordination.

Check out information on Skipping as the numbers do not lie. The effort it takes to jump the rope for ten minutes is the equivalent of running a mile in eight minutes. A great exercise routine in just 10 minutes, easy enough to do before you even take the children to school! It has been said that 30 minutes of skipping is as good for your heart and weight loss as running a couple of miles, which is pretty amazing for something that only requires a piece of rope. Also all the family can join in fun skipping games, and just enjoy joining in with family fun in the garden or at the park.

Skipping offers a wide range of benefits, including protecting your joints. Skipping is easier on the knee joints than running due to the impact of each jump which is handled by both legs simultaneously. Unlike jogging, skipping is also good for your arms as the shoulders get a good work out due to the continual motion of turning the skipping rope.

So check out all the facts and information on skipping and you too could have your own fun packed skipping programme set up which can be enjoyed by all the family, young and old.

Want to win a skipping rope? Check out our competitions!