For those who are looking for a convenient, safety-conscious (ie who use virtually organic colours if you request it) central hair salon in London’s West End, which offers great colours and cuts at reasonable prices, then look no further than Jigami.

Having decided to avoid as many hair colour chemicals as possible when getting my latest highlights, and after surfing around the web for organic hair salons in London, I was lucky enough to come across Jigami.

Using a seaweed-based lightener, by Organic & Mineral Research, to achieve blond tones (instead of standard bleach) and also colours, that are “95% water and contain no peroxide, resorcinol, ammonia or mercury“, plus patiently answering all my questions about the products before booking the appointment, they intrigued me enough to trust* them do my hair.

Upon arrival, I was met by a nice stylist named Sarah who did a colour consultation with me and my trim. I liked her as she, similar to the staff who answered the phone, was very patient and good at what she did. After being offered a beverage, Sarah chatted to me about the colours we could use and then got down to work. The atmosphere of the salon is humble and pleasant with spotlighting, a large window out front, and wooden floors. It also doesn’t smell of chemicals as the products they use are virtually fume-free.

Opting for a half-head of highlights, Sarah said that she used to work with Aveda products (which also contain less chemicals than a lot of other brands), but even those used to make her eyes run. However, she never had a problem with the Organic & Mineral Research Colours.

The whole process to get my hair coloured and cut took about 2.5 hours and I was, overall, pleased with the results as my hair came out a gorgeous golden blond. I rate Sarah’s work as good and would go back to her again. However, it wasn’t as impressive as the work at Rush in Camden as they got exactly the colours I wanted first time round. However, they use chemical products.

I had asked Sarah to use at least two colours for the highlights. However, only one was used. (Rush knew to use two without my asking – and they matched the colours perfectly without my asking). The cut was also a bit average, yet I still like it. I say this, as a few weeks earlier, I had gotten a trim to my bob that had given me an excellent flair with some loose layers. This time my bob was nice, but not as sexy as my previous trim.

Yet, I still think that she could do an excellent cut with a bit more input from me next time (although I did mention what I wanted before she started snipping).

* If you’re a bit vain like me (and have had your hair turned orange or white when you asked for blond), you’ll know that switching hairdresser is a big step.

Further information:
Jigami (official site)
Organic & Mineral Research (official site)

For bath and body product lovers, look no further as this shop in the lovely and posh setting of Primrose Hill Village has a cornucopia of bath and body products. – as well as stocking furniture and fixtures for the bathroom, stylised vanities for the dressing room or bedroom, bathrobes and baby/maternity clothes and accessories.

Not only is it a quaint shop, it also only stocks high quality brands such as L’Occitane, Molton Brown, Crabtree & Evelyn and similar. My other favourite finds – besides the fab bath & body products – include the cute baby clothes (with shirts that say ‘Enjoy chocolate’ written in the classic Coca Cola font), towels and accessories and contemporary and chic bathroom accessories such as chrome toilet paper stands.

And, perhaps the best thing, besides the variety of products available is the personal and attentive service from the staff of this family-run business. They know their products and are always happy to help without being pushy.

Whether you are looking for something for a friend, family member or ‘new family’ – either in a contemporary or period style (such as Victorian-type handsoaps), you are likely to find it here – and it’s a much easier and nicer experience than having to go and fight the crowds at Harrods or Selfridges.

Some may think that going to a spa is a waste of time. However for those of us who like to be pampered and get our bodies and skin rejuvenated – and most importantly, relax – then having good products used is very important. And, it’s also good to know what’s worth bringing home for continued use.

A lot of people say that expensive products won’t keep your skin/body healthy. However, that is bullshit – as long as you choose the right ones.

My overall opinion, is that they’re good for maintenance on top of what is now called ‘non-invasive’ techniques such as botox, mesolift, fillers, Green Peels, soft lights (such as Epilight), radio waves, etc. Although I’m not endorsing over use of these, either.

So with this in mind, here are a few of the spa ranges that I recommend:

My favourites – I would bring these home:
Dermalogica
Rating: **** (out of 5)
Reason: good, natural-based products with lots of sea elements/minerals. I have had various facials, with results that last for days.

La Prairie
Rating: ****1/2 (out of 5)
Reason: only, as far as I know, a few of the top salons that A-listers visit use these products – particularly for their famous ‘caviar’ facial. I am a big fan of La Prairie as I find that the range of products, at least 4 out of 5 times, ‘does what it says on the tin’.

Guinot and Gatineau
Rating: *** (out of 5)
Reason: again, both good brands that actually produce reasonable results. However, I’d say that they’re for younger skin.

Darphin
Rating: *** (out of 5)
Reason: again, another fantastic brand that left my skin glowing for ages and worked wonders for my eyes. However, I think Darphin range is more suited for people with normal skin. I’m right on the border of not recommending this for take home. Yet, it is, overall, a high-quality range.

Nice at the salon, feels and smells great, but I wouldn’t take it home:
Espa
Rating: *** (out of 5)
Reason: ‘natural’ and ‘aromatherapy-based”, the products are nice, but aren’t going to work wonders on your skin. I experienced them when I went to Rookery Hall at the New Year – and unfortunately, the results, in some cases, wore off hours later.

Decléor
Rating: *** (out of 5)
Reason: I really like this line, which is also very plant and aromtherapy-based – even more than Espa. However, the range doesn’t have long-lasting results and would only recommend it for younger skins. Yet, it smells great!

Don’t bother with:
Elemis
Rating: ** (out of 5)
Reason: After trying this range in St Lucia at LeSport, I was not impressed with the products – less so than Espa. The salt scrubs were nice. However, I didn’t really notice any results from the facials (and one was very specialist – including oxygen and a silk mask). I don’t know why some people like this range, but am always open to hearing about their good experiences and why they do.

If you’re looking for reasonably priced natural body and bath products, which are handmade, then look no further. Estheticals on eBay has some excellent ones – from soaps to body butters and creams. Items are reasonably priced and free from parabens and other additives.

Sample items include (with postage on all these items being £2.20): a solid rose & ylang ylang body butter bar – £3.00 for 150g, chocolate or blueberry or coffee whipped butters (in jars) – 250mls for £3.50, coconut soap scrub – 200g for £2.50, chocolate chunky soap – 200g for £2.00, pomegranate scented sugar scrub with jojoba oil – 250g for £3.50 (for buy it now).

Full information:
Estheticals (eBay)

An average face mask that doesn’t do much for the skin – however smells nicely of lavender and has a cooling effect when on. (And with that said about the lavender, don’t know where the lettuce comes in as it’s not even one of the ingredients.)

Worth trying if you want to try all of Lush’s products. However not worth the money.

A good hairdresser – like a good cleaner – is hard to find, yet when you do find them, is worth their weight in gold. Having made such a great discovery in Camden, it’s definitely worth sharing.

Having walked by this slick-looking hairdresser several times on The Parkway, with its large glass windows and silver stainless steel fittings at each hairstyling position, and noticing their good range of hair products – Tigi* and Kerastase – I decided to give them a try to get my hair cut and my highlights done. Also impressed with their late opening hours and 7-day per week service**, which shows that they’ll go to great lengths to please their customers, I hoped the cut and colour would be as good.

So with my former hairdresser unable to see me after work to do a full head of highlights and a cut on my shoulder length hair, I crossed my fingers and fairly fearfully (having had the bad ‘orange’ highlights experience before when you want blond) gave them a try.

Happily, from the point I stepped into the hair salon, I was treated well and had no worries. Both the manager of the salon, who did my colour, and one of the mid-level stylists who cut my hair both listened to what I wanted and were able to give me exactly that. Plus, during my treatments, I was also offered many beverages – from wine to tea, coffee, cappuccinos and lattes – accompanied by biscuits, and during my shampooing I was given a great head massage.

At a price of £98.95 for the highlights and £44.95 for the cut, the entire experience is a reasonable price for London (considering what some of the West End salons and stylists IT girls and A-listers use charge).

With the chain being the Winners of the Hairdresser of the Year Awards for 2007, and now having had several good experiences at Rush: Camden. I can happily recommend them. Sadly, they lose a star as, although their hair-colouring products are top of the range and are the same that many top hairdressers use, they’re not as organic as, say, Aveda’s, which contain many less chemicals***.  

* Tigi is one of my favs. Despite their brightly-coloured plastic bottles, which can make them look like childish products of perhaps a bit tacky to some, they deliver good value for money. The Oatmeal and Honey Conditioner, for example, moisturises overly dried out hair more than most stylists’ first choice – Kerastase.
** Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm.
*** Current hairdyes, to date, have been deemed safe by health authorities, which authorise their use. However, more and more reports in the newspapers show a link between hairdyes and cancer. NB: if the chain ever switches to Aveda or a more natural range and someone notifies me, I’m happy to update this review.

Further information:
Rush (official site)

Like most women, I like smooth, hairless legs – and other parts. But what’s the best way to keep them hairless? After years of experimenting, here’s what I’ve found to be the best ways (listed in order of effectiveness) of making yourself permanently hair free…

1. Epillating: this method of hair removal is done with a device that looks like a man’s electric shaver. However, instead of a blade, it has several rows of tweezers that whizz around and pull out the hairs on your legs by the roots.
Good points:
a) you get more hairs out, permanently, with an epillator than with waxing
b) hair regrowth takes longer than with waxing
c) it barely hurts if you’ve been doing waxing for awhile. My mom and I both use the Philips Satinelle Ice Premium Epilator, which as the title states, has an ice feature that also numbs the pain – and according to my mom, who uses it for Brazilians/Hollywoods, it doesn’t hurt at all. After years of use, my mother is now hair-free all over her body. This is the best permanent hair removal treatment (that I’ve tried) for the cost/effectiveness.
d) The Philips Epilator I use costs about £62, however you can get a brand new one on Ebay from about £25 upwards.
Bad points: the only drawback is that the hairs that do grow back are fairly thick as you’ve tweezed them instead of waxed them. Hair growth with waxing is finer.

2. Intensed pulsed light/laser hair removal: either of these is used to burn the hair down to the follicle, killing it and preventing its regrowth.
Good points: my hairdresser recommended the intensed pulse light, saying it was the best money she’d ever spent as she was hair free (of course you’ll get a few stragglers), particularly in her bikini area, and she didn’t have to wax anymore. She had a course of about 10 treatments, over 10 months, at £60 a time.
Bad points: the cost. Also, lasers can be painful.

3. Waxing*: this involves either yourself or someone else applying wax to your skin, then ripping the hair out.
Good points:
a) it removes a lot of your body hair permanently
b) regrowth is fine and after a few treatments, you’ll only want to get waxed about once a month – or less
c) if someone else does it for you, it can be very fast
Bad points:
a) the cost
b) it hurts

4. Shaving: most women know about this from an early age, you buy a razor at the shop and attack your legs, armpits, elsewhere.
Good points: quick to do and quite cheap
Bad points:
a) hair regrowth is very fast
b) shaving encourages the hair to grow back much thicker
c) you can cut yourself easily
d) razor bumps

5. Dilapitory (hair removal) creams: these are chemical based creams, like Nair, that dissolve the hairs.
Bad points: frankly, I can’t think of any good points as these creams use nasty chemicals that get into your blood stream through your skin and can also give you a rash. Sure, they might be ‘quick’, but shaving is just as quick.

6. Natural hair removal sprays and gels: you spray/rub these on to remove the hair on your body. One of the most popular ones is Nads (which you have to rip off like wax – but it’s not hot). Have never used these so can’t attest to whether they’re any good or not.

* tip for waxing/making it less painful: women, never go right before your period as your pain threshold goes down 40%

For those who are looking for a good waxer in London
and also somewhere to get a painless Brazilian/Hollywood done!

Going on holiday soon where bikini-wear is required, I decided instead of epilating (as usual) to get everything waxed (as it also saves a lot of time over epillating – ie having an expert wax you for like full leg, brazilian, underarms and eye brow/lip chin takes between 45-75 minutes versus two hours of epilation, in my experience, to do your legs and bikini area).

Beauty Essence Soho – great for waxing

So, called up Beauty Essence in Soho, (which looked nice when I passed by and also offers loads of treatments – at slightly high-end, yet still reasonable, prices) and booked a full leg (£32) and Hollywood wax (£47 – same price as Brazilian there). Frankly, I thought the Hollywood was a bit expensive, as one can get either that or a Brazilian done for between £25-35 elsewhere. But, I wanted to do it right away so I went with Beauty Essence and paid £71 for full leg and Hollywood (they give you a 10% discount for booking the two treatments together).

You get what you pay for

From visiting Beauty Essence, I can say, you get what you pay for! My excellent therapist was a Japanese woman named Sumi, who knew exactly what she was doing so that the Hollywood was painless (and there was quite a bit of hair to take off where I’d had a Brazilian before). She used a thick, beeswax-type lavender wax* for the Hollywood. And, she rightly claimed that it hurt less than the thinner waxes, which you use strips with. However, for my legs, she used a thinner tea tree wax, with strips.

Yup, I’d definitely go back again 

The whole experience took 45 minutes and when I have the money and inclination, I’ll go back again as there are several branches in London and they do early and late hours before/after a typical 9-5 work schedule. Also, would love to go back and try their beauty treatments after the excellent quality treatment this past time – plus they do really good special offers, which are listed on their website.

* Sumi also told me that there are hundreds of waxes available now for this kind of thing and that she’d used chocolate and ginger waxes before. I asked how can chocolate wax benefit your skin and she said, it was used more because it smelled nice!

Further information:
Beauty Essence Soho – tel: 020 7734 9734
57 Poland Street, London, W1F 7NW – map
Beauty Essence (official site)

L’Artisan Parfumeur sent me a bunch of samples of their beautiful range of scents. Here’s what I thought of them…

Timbuktu: a gorgeous and enamouring earthy scent
Rating: **** (out of 5)
Their description: “a wild, bewitching, mysterious potion with woody overtones and spices from afar”

L’Eau de L’Artisan: a beautiful light, fresh scent. Elegant and elite.
Rating: *** (out of 5)
Their description: “light and long-lasting freshness, scents of sun kissed countryside… a perfume for sunny days”

Bois Farine: too powdery-smelling for me!
Rating: ** (out of 5)
Their description: “a bewitching blend of powdery flowers and mellow words, a sensual bouquet that will caress your skin”

Mure et Musc: a delicate scent for a woman who appreciates subtlety
Rating: *** (out of 5)
Their description: “so fresh and at the same time so sensual… leaving an unforgettable train of mystery and excitement”

Fou d’Absinthe: just like they say, this is an enticing woody yet spicy scent
Rating: *** (out of 5)
Their description: “taste the bewitching green magic of this potent liqueur, with its chilling, yet burning herbal, spicy, woody blend”

Poivre Piquant: smelled too much like baby powder for my taste
Rating: ** (out of 5)
Their description: “the vibrant warmth of white pepper combined with the velvety tenderness of honeymilk – a spicy touch of sweetness – an irresistible contrast”

Jour de Fete: a gorgeous vanilla scent, which will make you seem yummy to others
Rating: ****1/2 (out of 5)
Their description: “celebrate with the delicious, smooth aroma of sugar coated almonds and velvety vanilla”

Premier Figuier Extreme: unfortunately, smells highly of alcohol so I can barely smell the figs
Rating: * (out of 5)
Their description: “all the pleasures of the fig tree brought together in an extravagant elixir”

Ambre Extreme: a lovely light scent of Oriental spices
Rating: *** (out of 5)
Their description: “an oriental elixir to make your head spin”

Mimosa Pour Moi: a gorgeous fruity scent (although mimosa is a herb)
Rating: **** (out of 5)
Their description: “memories of a weekend on the Riviera with the mimosas in bloom”

Cologne Mure et Musc: just like they say, a strong citrusy scent
Rating: ***1/2 (out of 5)
Their description: “gorged with citrus fruit and a touch of herbs, Mure et Musc sparkles for summer”

Piment Brulant: the pepper is evident, followed by an undertone of alcohol. Too bad the chocolate isn’t
Rating: * (out of 5)
Their description: “a hot Mexican pimento sets the chocolate on fire… and fever sweeps through your blood”

Tea for Two: L’Artisan Parfumeur gets points for originality. But, who really wants to smell like iced tea?
Rating: ** (out of 5)
Their description:  “both voluptuous and spicy, a smoky rich and distinctive tea blend you can enjoy as a second skin”

La Chasse Aux Papillons: a gorgeous scent in between citrus and floral. Highly inspired.
Rating: ****1/2 (out of 5)
Their description: chasing butterflies… a heavenly fragrance playing hide and seek amongst orange and lime trees in blossom

La Chasse Aux Papillons: a gorgeous scent in between citrus and floral. Highly inspired
Rating: ****1/2 (out of 5)
Their description: “chasing butterflies… a heavenly fragrance playing hide and seek amongst orange and lime trees in blossom”

Dzing!: a terrific musky scent that reminds me of classic perfume Opium by Yves St Laurent
Rating: *** (out of 5)
Their description: “a fragrance soft and fierce…. Very wild very sweet! With Dzing! Every day is another fragrant show!”

Verte Violette: a gorgeous floral scent – doesn’t particularly remind me of violets. However, very enticingly romantic.
Rating: **** (out of 5)
Their description: “the delicious fragrance of a freshly picked bouquet of flowers”

Ananas Fizz: a gorgeous fruity smell, which will make you utterly delicious
Rating: **** (out of 5)
Their description: “intense and coloured, heady as an exotic cocktail”

Voleur de Roses:  sadly, can’t smell anything but alcohol
Rating: * (out of 5)
Their description: “refreshing like rain after the heat, soft yet tenacious and strong too… unusually evocative”

Patchouli Patch: a lovely, light, exotic scent. Seductive and appealing.
Rating: *** (out of 5)
Their description: “like a patch suffusing the skin with a gentle layer of patchouli”

Fresh Line is an exciting shop for those who are fans of Lush. All the stuff is handmade, natural and smells/feels divine on the skin. They do a ton of stuff and it’s a step up from Lush as the quality of the products is a bit better and more innovative – as is the packaging (generally really nice glass bottles). Because it’s a pretty and fairly fancy place, it reminds one of B Never to Busy to B Beautiful in some ways. However it uses better ingredients and no alcohol or synthetics as preservatives. Interestingly, it’s a Greek company that has several branches throughout Europe.