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Hair by Daniel Hersheson

1 Oct

As a child I treasured the trips to London with my Dad and brother. A few times a year we would bundle into the car and travel for what seemed like hours to explore the Big Smoke. Each time we arrived in the city, we would take trips to Hamleys, Harrods and Harvey Nichols, followed by a walk around Knightsbridge. As we paced the streets and rode the world famous tube trains on the London Underground, I knew that this was where I wanted to be when I grew up. So when I finished college, I packed up my life and came down for a new start in a city that had inspired me for countless years.

London is one of the best cities in the world and one where, even after seven years, I still feel incredibly lucky to live. There is never any excuse for boredom in such a culturally vibrant city and just when you think you have seen it all, think again, there is much more to come.

London is home to the best – the best fashion, restaurants, museums and the best salons. London soaks up some of the best UK talent and once they arrive, they scarcely leave. Mark Alexander is a perfect example. Hailing from the North, Mark originally came to London for a couple of months but was so taken with the city that a couple of decades later still calls it home.

I came to London with a dream, one that I haven’t quite fulfilled, but I’m pretty sure I’m on the right track. Seven years on and I still feel inspired as I walk down the escalators deep underneath the city whose streets I’m certain are paved with gold. Somewhere. This year has been my busiest yet and after what seemed like a short summer, I was in desperate need of a hair cut and colour so I headed to Daniel Hersheson in Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge for a couple of hours of pampering.

BEFORE

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I visited on Saturday afternoon and was surrounded by beautiful women armed with the latest designer handbags and glossy locks. I swapped my jumper for a gown in the cloakroom and was shown to my seat. ‘Would you like anything to eat or drink’, asked my host. Would I like anything to eat? I’ve never been asked that before. I settled for a glass of water and slumped into my seat.

I glanced around and one woman next to me was being attended to by three staff – one blow drying the hair, another giving her a manicure and another a pedicure. I was told she visits the salon twice a week. Another beautiful Asian lady with a Hermes bag plonked next to her sat nonchalantly chatting on her phone with foils in her hair. The woman next to her flicked through fashion pictures on one of the ipads supplied by the salon. I retrieved my ipad from my bag and sat tapping away until Jenna appeared next to me, all smiles. ‘I am going to be doing your colour today’, she said in a sweet voice. The consultation, to my surprise, was quick. Very quick. She glided off and returned a few minutes later with a pot of grey gloop. As she was busy brushing the colour through each strand of my hair, we got chatting and realised that we were not only hair twins but we both come from a similar part of the world. Both of us had moved to London a few years ago to escape the dull and lifeless cities. Both of us are never going back to live in our respective home towns and for the moment, neither of us has plans to leave London.

As Jenna was putting the finishing touches to her masterpiece, Carly bounded over and introduced herself. She was going to be cutting my hair after the dye had been washed out. She ran her fingers through my hair, wincing up her face as she did so. ‘You haven’t had your hair cut in a long time, have you’? Feeling flush I told her what she already knew. Rather than asking me what I wanted, she told me what I should have. Usually I would be hesitant to listen to someone I didn’t know telling me what I should look like, I like to think I have my own sense of style, you see. But I completely agreed with her. She walzed away and waited while I had my hair washed.

The cut was short but sweet and Carly left my hair looking healthy, glossy and full of volume. It’s funny really how a lick of paint and tidy up can make you feel – I walked out of Daniel Hersheson that day feeling like I belonged in an episode of Desparate Housewives. I may not be in the same boat as the woman who can afford a blow dry, manicure and pedicure twice a week but I will certainly be saving my pennies and return to Daniel Hersheson, if only to walk out of Harvey Nichols feeling like I had just walked off a L’Oreal set.

AFTER

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Food for Think was a guest of Daniel Hersheson

My semi permanent hair colour with Jenna – £75

My cut with Carly – £75

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Suedey Salon – review

3 Aug

As a child I used to loathe the hairdressers. Could it be because my dad insisted on me having a short bob and my mum insisting that I had a fringe? You see, my hair just does not work in that style. Frizz and waves do not bode well with a short bob on my head. I will never forget the day I walked into school to laughter from my friends after the hairdresser had hacked my fringe to no longer than 2cm long. The shame.

I was around 16 when I decided to colour my hair for the first time. I went for peroxide blonde – I was a little indie kid and that almost white blonde colour was terribly fashionable at the time and I loved it. I had a few mishaps when I attempted to do it myself. My friend and I thought it would be a good idea to use the same pack of hair dye for both of us. Big mistake. We ran out half way through, which ensured that my hair was patchy blonde, not too dissimilar to a blonde leopard.

I stayed blonde for many years until I saw an image of Karen Gillan in the paper two years ago. Her glowing red locks gleamed on the page. I studied her skin colour tone – pale and similar to mine so in a split second I decided to book an appointment at the hairdresser. Once I was in the chair and that orange gloop was brushed onto my hair, there was no looking back. I walked out of the hairdressers that day a new woman. I loved it and I haven’t looked back since. But having been to the same hairdresser for a couple of years, I decided that I wanted a change. I am no longer content with the rushed job, wonkey massage chair and thick Essex accents. I wanted something lovely, luxurious, personal. Enter Mark Alexander, owner of Suedey in King’s Cross.

On the day of the London 2012 opening ceremony, Jack and I were invited to be interviewed by Robert Elms at the Olympic Park to talk about our Eat the Olympics project. Our supper clubs started that evening and the morning was the last chance I had to perfect my locks before three weeks of donning my apron and serving food in my new flat to total strangers.

As I entered the tiny and utterly adorable corner building salon, Mark was sat in the chair with a cup of tea awaiting my arrival. He warmly greeted me and offered me a seat. I was able to choose my own gown (grey or blue? I opted for blue) and I was swiftly seated by the window.

Mark fetched two colour books, opened them up and asked me what colour my eye was drawn to. I pointed out two colours and Mark nodded in agreement. He analysed my skin tone and provided me with reasons why the red suits me – something my old hairdresser would never have done.

Mark then got down to work, but not without providing me with a herbal tea and a bonne maman cake first. As he pasted on the colour, we chatted like we had known each other for years and it even turned out we had a mutual acquaintance.  I learned that he arrived in London 20 odd years ago aiming to stay for a year but never left, bar for three years when he moved to Barcelona and commuted to London (yes, that’s right), never missing an appointment. Pretty impressive.

During my hair colour, I felt relaxed, pampered and like Mark actually cared about what I had to say. It’s hard not to compare the experience to my old hairdresser – had I told her half of what I told Mark, she would have nodded her head without a proper answer, a sure sign of listening but not taking it in.

Mark washed my hair and even asked me how I wanted it blow dried. Having never been asked before, I stuttered and eventually asked him to tell me what he thought was best. He dried it with a barrel brush to create soft waves and body, which lasted for two days after!

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Regrowth and blow dry with Mark costs £90 (£120 with a trim)

Food For Think was a guest at Suedey.

 

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RELAX, Covent Garden

19 Jun

London life is hectic, fast paced and quite often there don’t seem to be enough hours in the day to get everything done.

I would be telling a lie if I said I was not busy. But I would also be telling a lie if i said i didn’t love this city. I work in a full time job and have two blogs to feed in my spare time. So every now and then it’s nice to have some me time and relax. Cue Relax in Covent Garden, a gorgeous spa tucked down Mercer street.

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I stepped inside off the busy Covent Garden streets laden with weekend shoppers and was greeted by the spa manager before being shown upstairs and offered a complimentary lemon and ginger tea. I was left to peruse the coffee table magazines until my masseuse greeted me and showed me to the chair.

I was at Relax for a 30 minute chair massage and was quite happy to be able to sit straight in the chair – no messing around with taking clothes off, or having to cover my body with a towel.

My masseuse asked if I had any problems and I pointed out an area around my left shoulder that is prone to tension.

She started off with a medium pressure and worked her way down my spine putting pressure on many points down my back. She then worked her way up and concentrated on my problem area, which felt strangely unproblematic. She worked her way down my back on one side and back up again before moving to the other side. Strangely my right side was more uncomfortable than my left. My masseuse put pressure on the top of my shoulder and I was surprised to feel muscle knots, which she attempted and succeeded to iron out.

Half way through my session I looked at my watch and thanked god I still had 15 minutes left. The last minutes went too quickly for my liking and I slumped even further into the chair and enjoyed a few shivers down my spine as her hands, arms and fingers comforted mine.

My half an hour drew to a close and I sat up to thank my masseuse. Surprisingly the time did not rush by too quickly and I felt relaxed but energised. And the best thing was that I didn’t need to waste any time by getting dressed. I walked out of Relax into the sunshine smiling and looking forward to the day ahead.

Relax
7 Mercer Street
Covent Garden London
WC2H 9QJ
Tel: 0207 871 4567

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Shoe making at Bedruthan

30 Mar

A few months ago I was presented with a little booklet. On the cover was a drawing of a beautiful Cornish beach and the words ‘Bedruthan hotel’. I flicked through and stopped at the sight of a very pretty pair of shoes. Upon closer inspection, I saw that the hotel would be running a two-day shoe making course in March, which was to be hosted by Green Shoes.

I surprised myself that I overlooked the baking and pizza oven-making courses in favour of being able to make myself a pair of hand made shoes. Jack has just designed a range of menswear shoes for Hush Puppies so I guess that was in my consciousness and I thought that it would be a nice weekend away together.

A few months later, we were boarding an extraordinarily small plane at Gatwick airport en route to Newquay. A mere 50 minutes later, we were off the plane and straight into a taxi for a ten minute drive to the hotel. Upon arrival we were given our room keys along with instructions for the course, which started at 10am the next morning.

As we arrived at 9pm we had missed the welcome drinks so decided to have an early night and rise early to make the most of the predicted sunshine. We entered the bedroom and headed straight to the doors overlooking the beach. As it was dark we couldn’t see anything but could hear the waves lapping she shore.

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We deliberately left the curtains open in the room and as the light shone through in the morning, I was delighted to see a beautiful uninterrupted view of the beach. We jumped out of bed, had a shower and quickly got ready for the day. We had just over an hour until we were due to arrive at the workshop so had a quick stroll to the beach. The weather was beautiful and the sun was shining. A huge rainbow spanned across the water before our eyes and we felt lucky to be seeing such a beautiful sight. Then as quickly as you could say rainbow, the rain started, first lightly, followed by heavy hailstones. We ran as fast as we could back up the the hotel, up the hill, slightly restricted by our heavy water soaked jeans and shoes. After a quick dry off back in the room, we enjoyed a hefty breakfast at the buffet before making our way to the workshop.

A small group of people stood waiting and after a quick name exchange and introduction, we were provided with nametags and then quickly set to work. In order to distinguish what size shoes we would be making, our feet were simply measured by drawing around each foot and measuring with a tape measure. We were able to choose the colour and type of leather that we wanted – we had a choice of vegan or leather. We were also asked to choose between a small range of styles that we wanted to make. Having seen a beautiful pair of leather t-bar sandals in YMC last summer, I chose to make a simple pair of t-bar sandals with a brown leather upper and a navy blue strap.

We took the corresponding size template for both the upper and the insole of the shoe and used a sharp tool to gently score the leather around the pattern for each foot. Then, keeping the pattern on the leather, we scored holes lightly with a sharp pointed tool all around the pattern. After each hole was scored, we took the pattern off and used the same tool that we scored the leather with to completely slice the pattern out of the leather. This part took a steady hand and a lot of patience.

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The next stage was to stick the pigs skin lining on top of the upper pattern and use a hammer and a pin to punch holes all the way through the leather.

Each stage took a while and during the morning we were provided with fresh tea, coffee and home made biscuits at 11am. We then broke for lunch at 1pm, which consisted of sandwiches and soup and we ate whilst overlooking the beach from the dining room.

When we returned after lunch, it took me a while to decided whether or not to punch a pattern in the front of my shoe. The shoes that I had seen in YMC had a complex pattern on the front, which consisted of a number of punched holes. And as I’m not overly creative in that sense, I enlisted some help to draw a pattern, which I used to score the template on my upper. Nervous, I took hold of the knife and started cutting the pattern, realising that there was no way back. The knife was surprisingly easy to manoeuvre and not one mistake was made. My finger however was starting to feel sore due to all of the pressure I was putting on it to make sure that my pattern was perfectly cut. Even a few weeks later I have yet to regain feeling in the tip!

Impressed with our work for the day, we left at 5pm to enjoy the spa facilities on offer in the hotel, including a spa pool, swimming pool, sauna and steam room.

We went downstairs to the newly opened Wild Cafe for dinner and enjoyed a range of dishes such as freshly caught mackerel rollmop, fish and chips and a really amazing chocolate bread and butter pudding for dessert.

The next day, we enjoyed the same breakfast buffet – a Full English with locally sourced sausages and bacon along with a bowl of local Cornish yoghurt, home made granola, fresh fruit and poached pears. The breakfast offering was fantastic and a great way to fuel the busy morning.

When we arrived at the workshop at 10am, the rest of the group had arrived and already started work. I punched holes through the crepe sole and started sewing, by hand, the upper of my shoe to the sole. It took a while and by the end my little fingers were sporting a couple of hefty blisters and similar to the numb finger, the evidence of sewing and pulling the thread extremely tight is still there.

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Next came the gluing of the crepe soles to the bottom and inserting a last into the shoes. The last, I was told, mimics the size of your foot and allows the show to really take shape. Once the last was on, we were able to leave the workshop for a few hours so we decided to take a walk along the coast to Bedruthan Steps.

We walked up the winding path, up the hill onto the walking path on the cliff top and were struck by how windy it was. It took around half an hour to reach the steps and we were pleasantly surprised when we arrived. Despite the wind and the threatening rain, we walked down the steep and narrow steps to the bottom where lay a bay. But as the tide was firmly in, we were unable to step foot on the beach.

When we arrived back at the workshop, our shoes were ready to try on. I cautiously slid my foot into my creation and was overwhelmed when it fit. We all put our shoes on and walked outside – everyone had done such a fantastic job and every single shoe was very pretty. After a few ‘team photos’, we were back on our way to the airport to board the plane back to Gatwick. We were back in London at 9pm on Sunday evening. I felt like we had been away for a lot longer than the standard two day weekend. I can’t recommend this trip to a Londoner enough – quick, easy, beautiful and very fun.

Food For Think was a guest at Bedruthan

Two night break and shoe making course – 2nd to 4th March & 22nd to 24th June – from £354 per person

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Murad facial – Essential Therapie

13 Mar

The first time you do anything always carries with it a sense of nervousness and excitement. “You have never had a facial?” trilled Paula, my therapist for the hour as I confessed all. You see, for reasons way beyond my comprehension, I have never taken good care of my skin. I started moisturising (sort of) in my second year of university but I only recently discovered the joys of cleansing, toning and moisturising in one go.

A few months ago I boarded a Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong. As I reclined in my seat, the stewardesses handed me a gorgeous little toiletry bag. I eagerly unzipped the little blue bag and inside I found miniature samples of Murad, a skin care range that I’d previously unheard of. And for the first time ever on a flight, I cleansed, toned and moisturised before I reclined my bed and actually slept. I was sure I felt the benefits on arrival in Hong Kong and I was hooked.

Upon arrival back into London, I was happy to find a salon that performed facials using Murad products. Essential Therapie is situated just off Fleet Street and within perfect reach for busy city types, perhaps the most likely people to want to wind down at the end of a busy working day.

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The salon offers three types of facial – Murad, Dermalogica and John Masters Organic.

Murad – Cosmeceutical Range. It is a results driven brand that contains the most active ingredients to give maximum benefits in minimal time.

Dermalogica – Cosmetic Range. It has active ingredients, but is considered less active than a cosmeceutical brand.

John Masters Organics – Organic Range. It uses certified organic ingredients that contain no parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, petro-chemicals, synthetic fragrances and artificial colours. This is suitable for clients who have very sensitive skins or who prefer no to use chemicals on the skin.

As it was my first time and I am naturally fair, Paula decided to perform the AHA Rapid Exfoliator Facial (£66). The words that then came out of her mouth were music to my ears. “You have very soft and smooth skin, you must have good genes.” I had kind of figured this out as I have never had any major issues, I rarely break out in spots and I haven’t exactly been kind to my skin over the years.

Resurgence Group

Paula started off by explaining the facial process and set to work cleansing twice while my face was sprayed with steam. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the warm mist enveloping my face and the lather of the cleanser cleaning away the remnants of the mornings make up application.

The next stage was to apply the glycolic with giant cotton buds. Paula explained that there would be a slight tingling feeling or a minor irritation feeling. I felt a slight tingle but most was dispelled due to the soft giant cotton buds that circled my face during the application. It was left on my skin for three minutes before being removed with a hot towel.

Paula then performed what is called extraction. Sounds scary but I was surprised to find that this meant she took two tissues and used them to squeeze out any impurities. She was slightly disappointed as I didn’t have a great deal of blockage as my pores are very small, which I was told is a good thing.

After a few minutes, I was told the hard bit was over and it was now time for the massage. Paula took a squeeze of massage oil and set to work on my face, incorporating my arms and neck. After a massage that, if I had a choice, would have lasted all night, my face was covered in a cream mask, cotton pads soaked with hydrating toner and a lavender scented eye pillow and I was left to rest for approximately 10mins. When Paula arrived back in the room, she whipped out another hot towel and wiped the remnants off my face. But the biggest surprise was still to come.

I popped to the bathroom following my treatment and was almost shocked as I looked in the mirror – I looked 17 again and my skin was positively glowing. I couldn’t have been happier.

After my consultatoin, I was provided with a tailored prescription so that I knew what products to continue using. A week later, my products arrived – AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, Refreshing Cleanser, Hydrating Toner, Renewing Eye Cream, Active Radience Serum and Essential-C Day Moisture SPF30. I have been using the products for a week and I swear, I’m never looking back. The dark circles under my eyes have diminished, my face feels clean and toned and firmer. My skin is by no means bad but now is the time to prevent it from being bad in the future and Murad is helping me on my way to doing just that.

Food For Think was a guest at Essential Therapie

Essential Therapie
39 Whitefriars Street
London
EC4Y 8BH
020 7353 1895

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Cowshed Hot Stone Massage, St Moritz Hotel

6 Jan

Time stresses me out. I hate being late and nearly always arrive early. So imagine my stress levels when I realised that I had completely missed my hot stone massage at Cowshed at the St. Moritz Hotel in Cornwall. I’d booked it for the wrong day. Big whoops. Luckily the lovely manager understood and booked me in for the same time the next day.

I arrived slightly early (of course), filled in a form and was taken into one of the six candle lit treatment rooms at the back. I undressed and lay a towel over myself before the masseuse reentered the room, turned the lights down and explained the treatment to me.

A hot stone massage uses volcanic basalt stones, which are bathed in warm water and anointed with spicy, sensual aromas. They are placed on key energy points of the body and are used to massage using traditional techniques easing pain and tension and enhancing relaxation.

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I sat up while my masseuse placed hot stones on the bed, which touched certain energy points of my back when I lay back down. She then placed a hot flannel over my eyes and a small cold stone in the middle of my forehead, which I was told would regulate my body temperature.

Then it was time to relax. I chose the jasmine, chamomile and sandalwood massage oil, which in Cow Shed terms is called the ‘Lazy Cow’. All treatments at Cowshed use botanical products, derived from the garden at Babington House, Somerset and are hand-blended there for the ultimate pampering experience.

My masseuse started with my arm and gently massaged up and down before discreetly incorporating hot stones into the massage. The stones, although very hot at first, were soothing and incredibly relaxing. Just before she moved onto another part of the body, she left the stones touching key energy points of the area that she had just worked on before replacing the towel so that I didn’t get cold. She then moved onto the leg and the other side before I was asked to turn over on to my front.

Somewhere between turning over onto my front and the end of my treatment, I must have fallen asleep. Thoughts were whirring around my mind, which morphed into the first stages of strange dreams. I regained consciousness a few times and tried my hardest not to drift off again. Never before had I felt so totally and utterly relaxed. An hour and fifteen minutes of pure bliss passed and before I knew it I was drinking a large glass of water before walking out of the hotel in a daze to be greeted by very unwelcome cold air and drizzle. I felt relaxed for the rest of the evening and for the first time in weeks I slept solidly through the night without waking once. If only I could have a hot stone masseuse on hand every time I’m late. Wouldn’t that be nice.

Cowshed Hot Stone Massage costs £90 for 75 minutes.

Food For Think was a guest at Cowshed, St Moritz Hotel.

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