Monthly Archives: August 2015

Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream

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Yay for our first product post! This moisturiser is my saving grace. Benefit is well known to be a slightly more upmarket high street brand, which my friends have told me to try for years. This particular cream has worked wonders for my skin.

I have normal to oily skin, which often makes finding
a good moisturiser difficult. I have struggled in the past to find a product that didn’t leave my skin feeling greasy and looking overly shiny. After complaining about this to my friends, I was basically sat down and told to look into Benefit Cosmetics.

I was gifted a tiny sample of the Total Moisture Facial Cream, which made my face feel touchably soft. I was therefore delighted to receive the £29.50 1.7 oz. tub as a Christmas gift.

You only need to use a tiny amount of this cream at a time as a little goes a long way, which I think makes it worth the price. I would never normally spend so much on skincare, preferring to hunt down a bargain, but this cream is a lifesaver, and I will definitely be restocking once mine runs out.

The cream is described as a ‘hydra-concentrated facial cream formulated for normal to dry skin that provides immediate and long-term hydration for an ultra-radiant complexion’. Looking at their site, most reviews say that it has drastically improved people’s dry skin. These reviews would lead to you the idea that this cream is just for people with dry skin, but I think if you can get your hands on a sample you should give it a try. I’m not the targeted skin type and I have definitely seen an improvement in the overall appearance of my epidermis.

Essentially, the Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream is a miracle in delightful packaging. Peer pressure aside, you can’t argue with results, and I have certainly benefited from using this product (*snigger*).

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Rejuvenation – Chesterfield

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Rejuvenation is a large, high profile salon in Chesterfield, with good web presence.  It has a lot of services that I was interested in, as at the time of visiting I was looking for a little help in losing some weight. I went there for Caci non surgical body treatment, and also tried one session of colonic irrigation therapy.

This salon is a little out of town and not the easiest place to park, but happily the street parking is free. Initially I had a positive response to the salon. The decor is attractive and the beauticians friendly and hard working. However, I found that some had little training other than second hand from the owner.

Treatments

With the Caci treatments, the beauticians were trying their best to position the contact points of the machine correctly, but often referred to an instruction sheet. These are lovely people, don’t get me wrong, but the owners need to invest in them and their training.

I didn’t realise that it wasn’t quite right until I had a session with one of the owners. She positioned the points correctly and the effect was far better (you would hope so as she had the training). A course of Caci is a bit of an investment, so I felt short changed and have not been back. I have found a more professional salon. Furthermore, I felt that the owners were taking my regular sessions for granted. They seemed to be treating me as though I was on a production line, instead of having a rare hour that was for me – next cheque please!

The colonic irrigation was a little different. The lady who administers the treatment is an eccentric delight! There was no time to feel nervous as she chattered about her little dog and made me feel completely comfortable. It seemed like the most natural thing in the world to be doing, and I felt really good afterwards. If she works anywhere else I would certainly have some more treatments.

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Mirage – Chesterfield

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This is a tiny Tardis of a salon in a busy little shopping parade in Littlemoor. You might pass this over thinking it is all about tanning and nails – but you would be overlooking a little gem of a salon.

At the front is a single salon setup on one side and a small waiting area on
the other. As you go back through the premises, there are two K-mirageSun Sunshower tanning booths and a sunbed. These are not something I need to use but I am told are state of the art; they were extremely popular whenever I was there. Then there are the Biosculpture nail bars, and beyond that the treatment rooms.

I went there for Caci, the non-surgical beauty treatment, but they also have a good menu of other face and body treatments. I also saw some amazingly pretty and creative hairstyling, particularly prom and party looks.

The staff are very friendly and during my course of treatments I was made
to feel relaxed and unrushed. The treatment was painless, and it gave me both a fresher look and a little indulgent me time.

Mirage does not have a website, just FB, but here is the link – Mirage

Powerpuff Girls rating XXXX

 

 

Reds Salon Ltd – Chesterfield

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redsReds Salon Ltd, where my mum and I most recently went to get our hair cut, is a friendly, calm environment, and I have never been more pleased with the result.

For a little while, my mum has been cutting my hair, because she is creative, it is easy, free, and she does what I ask. However, this year I decided I wanted something a little bit shorter and fancier. We strolled around Chesterfield town centre, looking for somewhere that would allow walk in appointments. After checking out a couple of hairdressers and deciding they weren’t for us, we stumbled across Reds.

They gave us the works. We each had our hair washed by friendly women IMG_9946
using incredibly delicious smelling shampoo. I was then directed to a seat near the window where Duncan Yates instinctively knew exactly what I wanted. Not the most confident person, I didn’t know how to tell him what I wanted my hair to look like, but he took my rambling and gave me the best haircut I’ve had in years. He knew exactly how to shape my hair to best frame my face, and when the cut was finished blow-dried my hair into glorious ringlets. (pictured right: Eloise)

Overall, the professional but friendly service and excellent quality of cut meant that I thought we’d have to fork out a fortune, but in the end it was a very reasonable price – less than the last time I went to a proper salon.

I loved this salon, and I loved the results.

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Barlborough Spa & Beauty – Chesterfield

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Okay, so first I should say that I have not used the spa facilities; I went for eye lash extensions, so can’t really comment on anything else. It’s a cozy little retreat on a working farm, some way out of town, in Barlborough.

Nicki, the owner,  welcomed me with open arms. When you arrive you enter a large room which has a huge hot tub in the centre, with a sauna and shower to the side. The treatment rooms are just off this, and are small but sassy. She told me that the hot tub can be privately rented and that they hold young girls parties there, which I have since heard are very popular with the little princesses.

As I had worn extensions before I thought I knew what I was in for but this was a completely different experience. Nicki carefully applied each extension to one of my individual natural lashes, choosing the exact length and size to get the desired effect. This took two hours! The reason is so that, as your natural lashes shed, you only lose one, not a clump that is attached to one. Makes sense, if time consuming. They don’t stick together, and I was impressed both with how natural they looked, and Nicki’s patience.

I have since stopped using eyelash extensions, which I will blog about later, but if you want long natural looking lashes for a special event I would certainly recommend this place – here is the link Barlborough Spa.

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Hellaby Hall Hotel & Spa – Rotherham

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Another bargain break, with breakfast, dinner and use of the spa. We were a little worried on the way there as you drive through an industrial estate to get to the hotel. The hotel itself is one third 17th century Hall and two thirds modern extension. The actual hall is lovely, but you enter through the modern side. Here is their link – Hellaby Hall

We stayed two nights on a weekend break. The room was comfortable and spacious, although it could have done with  a refurb.

Food and drink

We went for dinner as 2 courses were included in the deal, which was delicious, with little wait. Not surprising as apart from us there were only two other tables dining in a rather large restaurant.

That evening we sat in the bar in the Hall, which was nice, even though the hotel is also used as a wedding venue and that can make you feel like an unwanted guest!

Breakfast was included with  a pleasantly surprising selection and again friendly staff.

Spa

Use of the large 20 metre pool, sauna, steam room and gym is free for guests and towels are provided. The pool has an adult only section, which is great as it is open to the public with membership. There are beauty treatments, but it’s not really a spa, more a pool with extras.

Summary

We didn’t get the spa feel we were after, but I think it is a case of “you get what you pay for”, and we made the most with our own face packs and the mini break.

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Daresbury Park Hotel & Spa – Warrington

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I went here for a Spa weekend in January. The hotel has had some rough reviews, but I think it depends where you are in the building as some of it needs refurbishing. Our room was in the newer part of the hotel and just a hop and a skip from the “Spa”. I use the term loosely.

Our twin bedded room was reasonably well appointed, with lots of room, 2 easy chairs and a table, plus a reasonable sized bathroom. Mainly the hotel seems to have 2 main sources of clientelle, wedding parties and refugees, neither of which caused us any issues. We also met some other ladies that had taken up the same weekend Spa offer that had enticed us.

The Spa

This is Spindles Health club, which is also open to the public with a membership fee.There is a 15 metre swimming pool, so we chatted to the attendants and found the times when it was likely to be empty. Such luxury! At other times it is over run by rather boisterous hens and/or stags. There is a jacuzzi which is rather odd, as the step into it is so far down you could almost think it is a plunge pool. My friend adores the bubbles, but only attempted it once. Ridiculous shape. Then there is a fabulously designed Turkish bath. It is fairly small but covered in mosaic and the black ceiling has twinkling lights. Incredibly relaxing and I want one… Other than that there is a shower that changes lights and patterns, hmmm.

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We didn’t have any spa treatments included in our stay, but were very  lucky to find an available space, although it had to be straight away.  Otherwise they are booked up with bridal parties, very busy. If you want  to go, booking in advance is a must.

I was impressed with the full body salt scrub that I had, and my friend  enjoyed her massage which we had simultaneously. Fun to chat a little as  we were worked on, and the beauticians were excellent.

Food and Drink

We had breakfast and an evening meals in our package. This is in a large and rather rowdy room rather like a cafeteria. We both found something to eat but I was not very impressed. This is catering en mass for a limited budget, and I felt they were trying to do their best with poor ingredients. On the second morning I asked for a poached egg, and the chef seemed very happy to do this, and she made a good job of it too, bless her.

There is also a bar just outside the restaurant, and we did spend a pleasant evening with a group of like minded people, although the bar prices are a tad on the expensive side.

Summary

If you find a bargain deal on this hotel, take your own beauty treatments and champagne, as we did, ask for something you want for breakfast, and make the most of the limited facilities. It’s not bad, it’s clean, and we had fun!

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Klasse Spa – Barlborough

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Ok this is hard to post publicly on the net but I like to have a Hollywood wax. The full Monty, clean and silky smooth. Fortunately, I have now found a superb beautician, but I made the mistake of booking an appointment at the inaptly named Klasse Spa.

The staff are skittish and poorly trained. I had to chase up messages left on their voicemail to get the appointment in the first place, then they did not seem to have me booked in when I arrived.  The place itself feels unspalike as it is amongst some fairly new industrial buildings, but looked reasonably clean. Luckily I was not there to use the spa, as I have subsequently read some dire reviews on TripAdvisor!

The young beautician was pleasant enough and assured me that they had the best wax and would do a thorough treatment. As she started she told me about her boyfriend, then prattled on about a new machine that they had just got for spot fat reduction – an obvious sales pitch. As she told me to roll from one side to the other I was wary, as those of you who have this done will know it is usual to adopt a variety of positions to get a “clean sweep”. It was over quite quickly, and she had another abortive attempt at selling me sessions with the horrendously expensive fat dissolver thing before I scurried out.

When I got home, to my dismay I discovered that only the visible hairs had been removed; not a full Hollywood, despite assurances it would be. Agh. Very disappointing.

Somewhat generous Powderpuff Girls Rating X 

Geiko – Leamington Spa

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This modern, oriental inspired salon is in the town centre and I managed to get a last minute appointment with an intermediate stylist. geiko The salon has an opulent feel, and I was welcomed by the salon Director, Paula.

The friendly stylist I was allotted checked the feel as well as the look of my hair. She asked me what I would like, which is not something I am used to, but makes a lot of sense.

I was treated to a fabulous shampoo and long relaxing scalp massage, using Shu Uemura products containing bamboo. This left my hair feeling like silk and smelling of, well, what I imagine a summer meadow in the orient would smell like. Gorgeous!

My haircut was perfect. I rarely like the finish but this was glossy, faultless. Paula came over to check that I was happy and to give her approval. I felt that I was treated like a special guest, somehow, and walked out feeling head turningly stunning. Click Geiko to go to their website.

Powerpuff Girls Rating XXXXX .

Silver Scissors – Chesterfield

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Silver Scissors – Chesterfield

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This is a fun, welcoming salon a little way outside town – on the Brampton mile for the pub crawlers – but with easy parking and a handy cash machine across the road. I had my hair styled by Chris who has since retired in June (a bit young to retire, Chris!). It is still family run by the next gen, and the salon has now recruited an excellent colourist. Click Silver Scissors to see their FB page which will give you a feel for the relaxed atmosphere of the salon and examples of their creations.

The salon is unisex, uni-age and an overall pleasurable experience.

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