Beauty, London

Beauty and Melody – The great pampering morning

January 27, 2015
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With My Week of Beauty under way, today it is time to talk about the new salon and treatments I’ve tried last Saturday.

I headed down to Marble Arch in Central London for a great treat – a morning of pampering and beautification  at the Beauty & Melody salon. I was super excited about the good things that I knew was in for at the day and for good reason! Nothing beats spending a good few hours at the salon, being looked after and going out feeling re-energized by having your hair done and your skin cleared and looking glowing! (plus the feeling of freshly cut dyed and cut hair is amazing).

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This was a very stylish salon to hang out at- as you can see on the photos, it’s very spacious and there is a piano in the middle of the room. Yes, a piano. I felt like trying it out but I don’t think that playing ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star‘ with just one finger would be something other people would enjoy though. Maybe I’ll practice ‘Happy Birthday‘ for the next time I visit. The salon offers a wide variety of hair and beauty treatments, you can go in the morning and come out in the afternoon looking like an entirely new and rejuvenated person.

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I was looked after by Andrew, who did  a colour consultation and helped me choose the shade that would achieve the best results, given that my roots were a bit overgrown (I admit it, I had been neglecting my hair colour touch-up for weeks now, I’ve been too busy!), so this opportunity came in good time. While I was waiting I was given an endless supply of tea and an iPad to keep myself entertained with, so I just sat at the hairdresser reading Dangerous Minds, instead of a silly gossip magazine. Nothing like a bit of counterculture to brighten up one’s day.

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I was also treated to hand and shoulder massages during the breaks, as that is part of the package. I have to say that with the shoulder massage I nearly fell asleep, must have been the combination of the kneading of my sore muscles plus the oil used – Shampure by Aveda. I have to say that the staff at the salon was super nice, always making sure I was ok and comfortable, which is what you want when you go for a day like this.

After the hair dye was rinsed I also sat with a strange contraption attached to my head (I always like to imagine alien spaceships and sci fi films when I see the hairdresser machines) while a hair mask was smoothing my hair even further. It worked. I asked what was used and I was told it was from Kerastase – looks like I need to go shopping for it. Actually, I want to marry it as a few days later, I can still feel my hair smooth and strong.

Andrew then cut my fringe, got rid of the dry ends (been having a few split ends lately) and did a lovely blow dry – I usually just get my hair straightened, so it was nice to have something different done. Loved the curls at the end, felt like some sort of Veronica Lake character!

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There, so much better! The before and after photos cannot lie.

It was then time for the Environ Facial treatment, which had been recommended by my lovely friend Lillibelle. The Environ treatment was fantastic, my skin was glowing afterwards and it’s still feeling clear and supple for days. Sylvia adapted the treatment to my skin and specific needs – particularly a good old cleanse. Products were applied, spots squeezed out after a good steaming (so satisfying!), milias were poked and electric shocks given to my face. The electricity is applied using the Environ lonenzyme unit, so that the vitamins can penetrate down to the dermis where it doesn’t go with the regular home moisturiser applications. After this, a specialist algae masque was applied and left on my skin for 20 minutes and it felt so fresh. I don’t know if everyone would find this treatment relaxing as you can see, there’s a lot of poking around but I enjoyed it.

From the website:

One of the six best power facials voted by Harpers Bazaar

Packed with nourishing, anti-ageing ingredients, the Active Vitamin Treatment will leave your skin looking radiant and dewy. The freshest, most active forms of vitamin A, C and Anti-Oxidants are driven deep into the lower layers of the skin using soundwaves and small electrical pulses. This scientific approach stimulates Collagen to soften lines and improve elasticity, increase hydration and boost radiance. The Active Vitamin Treatment is suitable for all skin types and is particularly effective at addressing sun-damage, pigmentation, premature ageing, dryness, uneven skin tone and scarring with measurable differences after one treatment. End result is super clean, hydrated, glowing skin.

I can certainly attest to that. It really couldn’t have been any better. I hadn’t had a facial treatment for years now and it made me convinced that I should treat myself to them a bit more often. I also learned a few things: I need to exfoliate a bit more often, the black bits on blackheads are not pollution or anything like that, they’re oxidised sebum and that you can find good bread in some Polish shops.

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I went out for the rest of the day and didn’t even feel like putting on makeup, my skin felt so good! If you fancy trying out this facial treatment or having a nice haircut, you can make an appointment. I definitely vouch for it.

Beauty & Melody
York House, 19 Great Cumberland Place,
London W1H 7AS
020 7723 5028

I was a guest at Beauty and Melody and as always, opinions and words are my own.

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4 Comments

  • Reply Teresa Ramalho January 27, 2015 at 11:57

    The salon looks lush! So elegant, airy and sophisticated; love the piano and the tea set! With so many places to go in London it is really good to know of a friendly and distinctive place to go where you do not feel claustrophobic within.
    My god your skin looks amazing, I cannot believe the transformation! You look 10 years younger Sara, your entire face looks firmer, is like you had a facelift, the skin looks plump and healthy! I have no words for what I am seeing in the pics! This is the farthest you can go from a standard facial and I cannot wait to try it!
    The hair looks good too but I am mesmerised by the skin!

    • Reply Mrs D January 27, 2015 at 13:09

      Thank you Teresa, I’m very glad it got you interested in trying it out. Like I said, it feels and looks amazing 🙂

  • Reply Jasiminne Yip January 27, 2015 at 12:20

    Oooooh your hair is LOVELY! I’m loving this series of pampering blog posts – don’t you love this sort of ‘research in the name of blogging’? 😉 xx

    Jasiminne | Posh, Broke, & Bored

    • Reply Mrs D January 27, 2015 at 13:08

      Thank you! If all the research I had to do was like this is be a happy woman!

    Leave a Reply to Jasiminne Yip Cancel Reply