Pure Massage

I signed up on something of a whim to run a 10k Race For Life in aid of Cancer Research, slightly unprepared for the challenge that lay ahead. I hadn't run since the days of cross country club at school, and the treadmill was always the one machine in the gym I avoided like the plague. However, following my aunt's diagnosis with breast cancer, and never one to turn down a challenge I began running again, determined to complete the 10k  without stopping to walk.

What followed was a very sweaty 10 weeks, in which my co-workers at The Amazing Blog witnessed my hobbling into work, my aching limbs, and a rather dodgy knee. And having completed the race with Eleanor and Sarah cheering me along, suffice to say that the following day my body was ravaged. Thankfully, I was booked in for a relaxing massage at Pure Massage in Fulham, a haven of tranquility tucked away from the lively Fulham Broadway.

I was taken into one of the treatment rooms by my friendly massuese and after leaving the room to allow me to undress she swiftly returned to work her magic. She begun the massage by placing a warm towel on my ankles and feet, which had an immediately soothing effect. With calming music playing in the background I slipped into a blissful state as warm oil was expertly worked into my throbbing muscles, with special attention being paid to my shoulders and calves which were, unsurprisingly particularly tight. After having massaged my back, neck and calves I was then turned over so the masseuse could concentrate on my legs and feet, and it seemed that the hour had passed in the blink of an eye.

Following the massage we briefly touched upon my exercise regime and the importance of regular massages in order to recover from strain and injury was emphasised upon. I was also told to ensure that I stay hydrated at all times - particularly when training. Given that after my Race For Life I swiftly signed up for a half marathon, I'll certainly be going back for a post run massage!

And so, whether, like me you're after a massage to help the condition and recovery of your body in relation to exercise, or whether you simply fancy indulging in a bit of me-time away from the hustle and bustle of London (particularly during the all-encompassing Olympics) visit Pure Massage in either Fulham or Bond Street - and with 15% off for all new clients, what's not to love?!

Give your brows a blush...

There’s never a dull moment at Amazing PR and this Monday was spent at ITV’s This Morning offices leisurely sipping mugs of tea and eating toast and marmite in their legendary Green Room. Our Lovely client Karen Betts and I were there rubbing shoulder with likes of Jeff Brazier while chatting to the XFactor head make-up artist Natalya Nair and the lovely Phil Vickery who was regaling us with his delicious pear recipes. This was all because the This Morning’s researchers were putting together a feature on eyebrow treatments and got in touch with us, hoping that Karen Betts might want to lend a helping hand, which, of course, she was delighted to do.

The Eyebrow Masterclass was hosted by glamorous beauty editor Nadine Baggott following a domination of brows on the A/W 11 catwalks. Demonstrating a variety of ways in which eyebrows can be both corrected and maintained, threading and waxing were featured showing how brows can be shaped using these classic techniques. Permanent make-up expert Karen was then asked to carry out her very latest eyebrow procedure, Brow Blushing on This Morning's contributor Felicity McKenzie (see quick snap 'on location' above). Felicity was guilty of over-plucking and hesitant about committing to permanent make up - so this was the perfect treatment for her "WOW I feel instantly glamorous and confident. I just can't stop smiling I love it! I would definitely have the  permanent make up procedure next time." Developed by Karen Betts, the UK’s leading practitioner and trainer in permanent cosmetics, the Brow Blush is available nationwide from any Nouveau Contour trained technician. It is a fantastic way to trial permanent make-up without making a long term commitment. Unlike the more permanent cosmetic tattooing, it penetrates only the surface layer of the skin, and gives fantastic results that last between two and four weeks.

Dissimilar to techniques such as threading and waxing, which focus on hair removal, the Brow Blush is specifically designed for those whose sparse or over-plucked brows are in need of a little help. So for anyone who’s been a bit pluck-happy with their tweezers in the past (like me!) or has naturally sparse eyebrows, who is considering permanent cosmetics but doesn't want to initially make the long term commitment, this is the treatment for you. The Brow Blush is indeed a fabulous alternative to labouring with an unsteady hand with your  eyebrow pencil in order to try and achieve stunning shape and definition. Brow Blushing starts from £100, to find out more please call tel no: 0845 644 3994

Your eyelashes

LVL Lashes is one of my most favourite beauty treatments. I love the way it is low maintenance but really gives a full-on WOW look to my lashes. It’s also a relaxing treatment that allows you to close your eyes for 45 minutes, with the cooling gel pads placed just under eyes, for a soothing experience.  LVL Lashes will lend a remarkable amount of length, thickness and uplift to your very own eyelashes. My LVL Lash treatment lasts the life of my eyelashes (approx 6-8 weeks) and the best bit is that you’ll have no more waking up with false lashes on your pillow or spidering down your face – these are YOUR eyelashes. Want to know more? Firstly and most importantly it doesn’t harm the fine hair of your lashes. It’s a specially designed formulation developed with the latest innovative technology that is virtually damage free and it’s an easy process too! See what Top International Make Up Artist, Lisa Eldridge recently had to say about the LVL Lash treatment: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mjf2CrUO1DY] “I am obsessed with curling my eyelashes! Even if I don’t put on any make up, I have to get my eyelashes curlers out to look and feel awake. I really do believe that having curled lashes is one of the quickest ways to brighten and lift your entire face. When I heard about the latest technology in lash enhancement, the ‘LVL’ (length, volume and lift) developed by Karen Betts, I could barely contain myself! Having sent many women to have this treatment done I finally decided it was my turn. Have a look at the procedure itself and the frankly, gobsmacking results in this short video”. Top International Make-up Artist Lisa Eldridge   An LVL Lashes treatment is from £45.Visit www.lvl-lashes.co.uk for moreinformation – there is a Salon Finder here too, so you can find a qualified LVL Lashes technician in your area. Or call 0845 644 3994.

Flash the Lash

Okay, I am going to be completely honest here, I was a bit sceptical and apprehensive when it came to strip lashes, I always thought they looked too tricky to apply, and being as cack-handed as I am, would take loads of practice and time to apply and, once on, would irritate me. All of these factors have put me off experimenting with strip lashes. I tend to not have a lot of time on my hands when it comes to getting ready to go out so, for me, quick, easy to apply beauty products are a must.  What’s more, once applied, I would constantly worry that they might fall off anyway so all that bother, hassle and practice for nothing. Whenever I go out I have always opted to be boring and stick to the safe option of wearing mascara - plenty of it mind you. So, as gathered, I am a strip-lash virgin! Finally, the lovely Karen Betts and celebrity lash technician, Jane Tindall, introduced me to their Blink + Go strip lashes and I am now a committed fan of the range. Not only are Blink + Go strip lashes very simple, quick and easy to apply, they instantly gave my lashes a gentle natural lift that my droopy eyes desperately need (trust me, every photograph taken of me I look half asleep). In the blink of an eye, my eyes suddenly looked dramatic and awake – yes – no more detagging photos on Facebook. One advantage of the Blink + Go range is the adhesive dries transparent so even if the first attempt at applying the lashes goes askew simply moving it to a new position means that the white adhesive disappears - perfect.

Karen and Jane were super helpful and recommended which lashes suited my eye frames.  The Blink + Go range has a shape and size to suit all eye shapes as well as occasions, from the dramatic over the top look, to the more natural everyday style. Jane suggested I use the Temptress range (me a temptress – well I never!) to give me a luscious lift. I wore them back in the office that day and then into the night when I met with friends for after work drinks.  Friends commented on how my eyes appeared more open and lifted but the lashes still looked very natural - all compliments a girl likes to hear.  The lashes were very comfortable and didn’t irritate my eyes. To be honest, if it hadn’t been for my friends’ comments that evening I would of forgotten that I even had them on.

And here is the best part…the lashes are reusable and I found that they did not lose their shape. Karen applied the lashes on the Friday and I found myself easily reapplying them, which I was very pleased about, on the Saturday evening – brilliant – a convert.

I now have the confidence to apply them without taking up too much of my precious ‘getting ready time’. I didn’t realise how simple and effective applying Blink + Go strip lashes would be.  So I encourage all strip lash virgins out there to give Blink + Go a try and see for yourselves how easy they are - whatever style you're in the mood for – be it Flirt, Tease or the Temptress, I promise your eyes will be transformed.

www.blinkandgo.co.uk

NC