Envy Haircare

Okay.

I’ve been putting off writing this review, because the product(s) I’m about to tell you about are almost a little secret miracle I want to keep to myself.

Envy’s philosophy is  one product for all hair types. They use 6 ‘intelligent products’ that promise to help repair, tame, lift, add shine, enhance colour, reduce frizz and make blowdrying easier.

Normally, all-in-one haircare products make me nervous. They never work like they’re supposed to, and they’re always overpriced. Not so Envy’s Blowdry set!

This is a £40 good-hair-day ensurer and is definitely worth the price*. I’ve been using the full treatment for almost exactly a month and I’m soooo happy. My hair has never been shinier or softer, and it takes exactly one minute longer than my usual washing routine, so it’s not at all time consuming. Even the conditioner is better than any I’ve ever used, including the one I used basically religiously before finding Envy, leaving my hair tangle-free for ages.

Because I’m nothing but good to you people, I even got a discount for you! Use discount code BLOG40 to get 40% off until the end of March.

Eloise

*Full disclosure, I got this set for free, but I’m definitely going to buy this product again, and at full price this time!

The Nail Bar – Chesterfield

IMG_0769One thing I won’t shirk is decent manicure. I feel so much better when my nails are gorgeous! I am a happy regular at the Nail Bar, so please excuse this if it seems a little over the top. I have had my nails done here at what is now my nail bar of choice since 2012.

The salon is simply laid out in the New York style, and it’s a drop in. Appointments can be made, but most people don’t. One of the team gives you an idea of how long you will expect to wait, which is usually no more than 20 minutes.

Sarah and her Vietnamese team are fast, efficient, polite and very good at what they do. I have acrylic french tipped overlays on my naturally long nails with a glossy gel finish, but they offer every colour imaginable, with any length and any paint effects you can think of. You often start off with one tech preparing your nails before a more experienced tech shapes and finishes your nails. After they dry there is some mango scented hand cream next to the dryer, which is a nice touch.

My nails always last a very long time, and I’ve never had any issues with them breaking (as people often worry about with acrylics). The only reason I get them retouched as often as I do is because of how fast my nails grow, which is obviously no fault of the team.

I haven’t tried any other treatments that they offer but have seen someone get permanent eyebrow tattoos and they looked really natural. There isn’t a web site so I have added this link to their Google+ The Nail Bar so that you can find them easily.

Oh, and it’s educational – I have even learned a little about life in Vietnam and a couple of words of Vietnamese. Cam on Nail bar team! – Vivienne

nailbar

Rejuvenation – Chesterfield

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.

Powderpuff Girls Rating XX

 

 

 

Geiko – Leamington Spa

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

Silver Scissors – Chesterfield

silveracissors

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.

Powderpuff Girls Rating: XXXX