Tuesday 24 November 2009

Review: Saks Kings Hill, Kent

You must have heard of Saks, right? I know I have and always assumed they would be really expensive, snooty sort of salon with an elite clientele that mere mortals would not attempt to infiltrate. How wrong I was and I am prepared to shout this from the rooftops.
Amazing – in fact so good I have booked my next set of highlights at the salon I reviewed – something I have never done until now after six years of beauty reviews.
My fabulous stylist was brilliant from start to finish and after a heavy night prior to my appointment, all I needed was a relaxing, invigorating treatment and as promised, she delivered.
Situated within the famous David Lloyd fitness centres in Kings Hill, Kent, this Saks salon is deceptive large and home to celebrity dancer (of Strictly fame) Ola Jordon who is a loyal regular – and I can see why.
Fresh, airy, clean and fashionable, this salon has a warm and welcoming atmosphere and was quietly buzzing with energy and an infectious happiness that made the start of my experience very nice indeed.
My stylist talked me through the ideas I had and how she interpreted them with a style and colour that would suit my face shape, colouring, lifestyle and maintenance efforts.
I explained that I wanted to go a coppery shade, changing from my natural dark brown shade, which I feel washes me out, especially in the winter months.
She took me through my current cut and asked me, in detail what I usually do with my hair and how often I go back to the salon for a cut and colour.
We decided that a head full of highlights followed by a copper tint would be the best bet, along with a classic bob that is long enough to tie up and curl/wave/straighten.
As drinks and snacks and copies of Elle and Vogue were sent my way, my stylist packed my head full of foils, going for an unusual packing system, which would avoid the dreaded zebra stripe effect so common with foiled highlights.
As I mellowed for a couple of hours to allow the bleach to take to my dark hair, the team talked me through their extensive training, synonymous with the high standards of all Saks salons. If you want to know anything about hair, ask them: I was blown away by the sheer level of knowledge and expertise they hold and for once felt totally at the mercy of a qualified and experienced stylist –without the hefty price tag.
Once the foils were off, I had a conditioning treatment and invigorating head massage, which very nearly sent me off to sleep.
So snappy was the stylist with the scissors that my cut was finished within half an hour and I was ready to go with a sexy wave courtesy of an old curling technique being re-introduced by Saks stylists.
Hot score: 9/10 – fantastic staff, great salon, brilliant service, great experience and value for money. Top notch.
I am booked in for another cut and colour just before Christmas and can’t wait!
Prices vary and start from about £20
www.saks.co.uk

Review: Jinny Lash

So, I was flicking through some old posts on Liberty London Girl's blog and remembered some interesting stuff about false eyelashes.

http://www.libertylondongirl.com/2009/06/get-lashed-london-fake-eyelash-bars.html

Now, I have always been a fan of false eyelashes, as the gene pool of lashes seemingly missed my eyes and I have always had sporadic, fine and short lashes that are, well to be honest, crap.
So imagine my excitement as a teenager living in the country, discovering the invention of eyelash guru Jinnylash. I had dreamed about these lashes for many years, using Eyelure creations to fill the gap/void/hole that was my eyelashes.
(btw, love Eyelure - defo a teenagers dream)
So imagine my delight when the sexy, raspy voiced PR Guru Lucy Dartford contacted me offering a plethora of tiny lashes to be intricately glued to my eyelashes, leaving me with peepers worthy of a Hollywood star. I nearly wet my pants.
Off I trotted to their fabulous studio, off Regents Street, near St Christopher’s Place (what better venue to flutter my lashes at the unsuspecting locals after?) and prepared myself for an eye transformation.
Your consultant talks you through the procedure while you remove your eye make-up with a gentle lotion and pad provided. As I removed the mountain of mascara from my eyes, I daydreram about the length of lashes to come and almost faint with giddiness.
FYI - I am not the kind of chick to go out without make-up, so to be bare in front of a stranger, felt weird but ok, however this point will come to fruition later...
I am told to relax on a comfy bed and place my head on a special pad, while the technician looks at the length and thickness of my lashes - assessing the new ones that will be delicately glued to my own over the next hour.
As I close my eyes, I must admit I am a little nervous about a metal tweezer-like-contraption heading towards my eyes, but the technician is so gentle and the setting so calm, I am lulled into a sleep after which I am woken by the technician pulling away at the tape that has secured the bottom of my lashes.
To say looking in the mirror afterwards was thrilling is not the word. I had a full set of lashes that fluttered and flirted like the Bambi days of old.
So confident was I of these lashes, that I simply reapplied my eye make-up to match the rest of my face and went mascara free for the first time in public since I was about 12 or on holiday...
(in fact that is a blatant lie, I have the peepers tinted...)
The experts recommend you use an oil free eye make-up remover and a pad or cloth that won't snag onto your lashes. They also recommend only using mascara (should you feel the need) on the tips of the lashes to ensure you are not removing glue/lashes when you remove it at night.
Needless to say the lashes went down a treat. My sister, who is not remotely interested in beauty or fashion actually told me to stop staring at her with 'those eyes' and said she might now consider false lashes herself! Converted in one blink eh? That’s a powerful selling tool!
Prices start from £1 (per lash) and you’re looking at about 100 lashes per eye. For a full set, look to spend £150.
If it is good enough for the writers of Elle and Marie Claire then it is good enough for us!
www.jinnylash.com

Friday 13 November 2009

Emma Watson - Truffle Shuffle Tees

I'm not normally one to brag, but when you write about something you love and a few days later you have an A-List celeb rocking it, then you've got to be onto something.
Earlier in the week Truffle Shuffle helped celebrate the 40th birthday of Sesame Street and the PR Guru's Boudoir PR sent me a range of fabulous snaps to allow me to celebrate with them.
Blow me down, now Harry Potter star Emma Watson is following in the footsteps of Daisy Lowe and many others and sporting the I Love NY tee en route to a very important meeting no doubt.


So if you fancy looking as hot as Emma log onto http://www.truffleshuffle.com/ and snap up a celebrity tee for only £24.99.


Happy shopping! x

Friday 6 November 2009

Savers stores

Now, I love a bargain but I had to blink twice when I saw the bargainous deals at my local Savers store. If you haven’t heard of this fabulous British brand, then I suggest you get yourself out and about. Think of them as the Primark of beauty – bang on trend and perfect for those on a strict budget.
Savers has 230 stores across the UK, as well as a gem of a website with everyday deals.
My current favs are:
Aussie 3 Minute Miracle ONLY £2.99 (RRP £4.49) (you just can’t beat those kinda prices!)
Dove Heat Defence Mist for just £1.49 (RRP £2.99).
They even have the new Cheryl Cole L’oreal range for £1.39 each (RRP £2.45)
Fabulous! x

Thursday 5 November 2009

Retro t-shirt and Sesame Street birthday!

So if you’re a lover of all things nostalgic then check out the Sesame Street website! http://www.sesamestreet.org/home
The famous characters are celebrating their very special 40th birthday and we should celebrate with them!
If you fancy paying homage to your favourite character then check out the best website ever – www.truffleshuffle.com and have a browse at their AMAZING t-shirts!
My favs are:

Every fabulous Famous Forever t-shirt is available from £24.99 with free delivery on spends over £50.

T-shirt designers (or should I say genius designers) Famous Forever are retro design innovators influenced by iconic imagery, classic retro heroes, and every aspect of your childhood; nostalgia oozes from every thread. With a dedicated fashion following, as well as an ever-growing celebrity fan-base, Famous Forever is fast becoming one of the UK’s leading retailers for retro 80s inspired apparel. Everyone from likes Paris Hilton, Alesha Dixon, Anne Hathaway, Lindsay Lohan, Steve Jones and JLC has been spotted showing off their Famous Forever tee!

I heart Famous Forever and Truffle Shuffle equally and will be stocking up for Christmas!


Big love, K

Review: Nails Inc manicure

Wow. How much do I love Nails Inc?
Let me think?
I love that I am getting my new black I-Phone 3Gs, 16GB on Tuesday…..
I love the new Velvet body I have ordered from Topshop.com…
I love Robert Pattinson gracing the cover of Another magazine
…and I love Walnuts and pistachios at the moment….
BUT I love, love, love Nails Inc more!
Seated comfortably at my local concession within House of Fraser, Maidstone, I was greeted by the lovely ladies who, in my opinion are the coolest dudes in HOF.
Their music is fierce (Dizzee Rascal of course) and they are the perfect example of how you hope to look at the end of your session.
My technician’s Jo and Vicky (I visited on two occasions) were fantastic.
Trained to the impeccably high standards Nails Inc demand, the counters, tools and product (as well as the girls) are hygienic, tidy and stylishly merchandised; offering an oasis of calm when you take you seat. There is nothing worse than a dirty counter – you never know the filthy habits of the person who has been seated before you!
They begin with general chatter and begin cleansing your hands and buffing your nails while asking which treatment you might like and which is best suited to your lifestyle and habits. I answered obediently that I am a bit rough on my hands – I type all day and love to cook, so inevitably I am washing up…and damn me for saying so, often without my faithful Marigolds…
I state that I would like a glossy, natural finish, with a little length as mine as very short and weak. Both the girls recommend I have the Gel package and as my nail grows underneath, progress onto the 3 Week Manicure when my nails are strong and long enough.
As a teenager I was all about the cheap, despite being obsessed with beauty products and would happily march myself into one of the cheap, tacky nail bars that use electrical power tools to blast your nails to smithereens… well not @ Nail’s Inc.
Gentle buffing, stroking and advice ensues and once your nails are primed, you’re ready and raring to go.
My extensions are fitted and shaped to suit my nail size - no cheap cut offs here and we then progress to having then glued down and sealed. The gel is then gently applied with the tiniest brush, for ultra precision and your hands are divided between the UV activator: a little desk-top size machine that sets the gel. Several layers are added for strength and to make the finish realistic. As this is happening, the girls chat about the features and benefits, the other range of services and products they provide and how I should maintain my nails after I have left. I opt for a natural finish and stick to protective topcoat and a square/oval appearance. Overall, one of the best nail experiences I have had in a long time. Gracious, informative, delightful to chat to and bang on trend with advice, colours and what we will be wearing at Christmas. 10/10
Full set from £50
3 Week Manicure from £50
Christmas gift idea: The Trend Collection, £15
www.nailsinc.com