before and after Archives

saharasplash3 March, 2019

Refresh and restyle at RUSH Farringdon

Have you ever just got up, looked in the mirror and thought, what is my hair doing? Or rather, what am I not doing to my hair? Although I am really good at maintaining my hair week to week and keeping it in good condition, I’ve not had anything done to it at a hairdressers since the last time I visited RUSH Shepherds Bush back in March 2018! So a whole year has passed far too quickly, and I was definitely thinking it was time for a refresh and restyle.

After watching several shows on Netflix trying to work out if I could pull certain hairstyles off, I finally made the decision to have a fringe cut. I used to have a side fringe about ten years ago, but this time I was older and wiser, therefore something a bit less teen and a lot more class was in order.

I made my way into London on a sunny Saturday morning and arrived at the brand new RUSH Farringdon salon just a few minutes walk from Farringdon underground. I was kindly invited by RUSH for my treatment, and I always look forward to working with the RUSH team every time we collaborate.

My stylist for the day was Romina, a Sydney stylist who had just relocated to London. I told her what I would like and she got really excited, knowing a big change was imminent. We took before and after pics against the coolest wall, and then got started!

I was confidently calm as the scissors took to my locks and it was over in about five seconds flat. My short fringe bounced unnaturally either side of my forehead, the roots clearly not wanting to settle on a new direction.

I thought it was amazing even before it was blow dried and styled.

I stepped out the salon and found a Byron Burger a few buildings down that looked practically empty. I chose a window seat so I could make use of the sunlight to take my first pic avec fringe! My sister interrupted the moment by calling me in a state of shock after seeing my Instagram story of my salon experience. She demanded to see pics instantly, to which I obliged and then she said she loved it- phew!

I’ve been blown away by all the positive and encouraging messages about my new look. I wake up every day happy with my hair and I want to thank RUSH Farringdon and Romina for helping me achieve it!

Saharasplash x

What do you think to the new do? When was the last time you had a refresh and restyle? If you’ve been on the fence about it, I urge you to take the leap and do it!

saharasplash1 January, 2017

Three Week Journey with Esthechoc

Hey gang!!! I can’t believe that the holidays are over so quickly and we are yet again faced with another number, another year. I’m not going to do a reflective post on 2016, I am always looking forward far too much for that. So I have a lovely post all about chocolate that is good for you inside and out- call it a beauty chocolate miracle! Read on to find out about my three week journey with Esthechoc.

First things first, Esthechoc is a dark chocolate which acts as an anti-ageing supplement. If you want to go into a bit more of the science, the ingredients in the chocolate (Cocoa Polyphenols along with Astaxanthin) help to enhance microcirculation and support oxygen saturation. This is basically a huge antioxidant boost which we all know is what helps keep you looking fabulous and healthy.

I had the pleasure of attending an event at the D. Thomas clinic in Chelsea last year (wow how funny that 2016 is now last year!) and we got to try out the chocolate in many yummy forms!

Of course the chocolate at the event (and the Esthechoc three week supply) is gluten free and suitable for vegetarians too if you are curious.

It comes in a cute little box similar to After Eights- each chocolate is individualy wrapped and there are 21 in a box. I’ve tried beauty supplements before in the form of pills and drinks but I found that it wasn’t for me. With Esthechoc, it is so easy to stick to the full 21 days because who doesn’t want a piece of chocolate every day? It’s like having an advent calendar all over agin!

I thought I would track my skin over the three week course so you can have a look…

I trialled my three week journey with Esthechoc from the 1st to the 21st December as I wanted to see results just in time for the Christmas festivities. I reallly do think that it has helped make my skin look more luminous and youthful since picking up a 38kcal piece every day to enjoy.

I don’t want to fool anyone into thinking that this will turn back clocks and wrinkles will be gone overnight, this isn’t for those wanting a quick fix. What the product does do however, is that it helps to actively support your skin’s nutrition to keep it looking at its best. Think of it as maintaining rather than reversing!

I would recommend that you try my three week journey with Esthechoc for yourself if you are feeling a fresh start to your skincare routine and diet in 2017. This is not a food supplement to replace meals with, it is for those seeking a bit of indulgence which is actually good for you. So no feeling guilty for grabbing a slice of beauty chocolate for the next three weeks!

Saharasplash x

For more great content, head over to my previous post all about Sushi and Jess Wright!

saharasplash20 December, 2016

Spray Tanning, Norvell and Cucumba

I know this may seem like a funny kind of time to do a post on tanning but I think that it doesn’t matter what day, week or month it is during the year when it comes to looking your best. Tanning is something that I have only recently discovered. This year I have had a grand total of three spray tans and each of them have been completely amazing. The first time I ever had one was by a beauty therapist in Ipswich- Victoria Bradfield. I was so nervous at first because I have always had the palest of skin and I didn’t think that I would really suit a tanned look; but to my appreciation and surprise it actually turned out rather well. So here is where my third tanning story comes in for you- Spray Tanning, Norvell and Cucumba.

It was a crazy busy day and I had just been to a launch party on Carnaby Street. I was in the right area for my appointment at Cucumba beauty boutique which is located just a few minutes from Liberty London. Cucumba is a trendy spot for those wanting a quick eyebrow tint or a 15 minute spray tan. They have just started to use Norvell as their spray tan product in their salon and so I was there to test it out. The place was looking amazing and I was greeted with a lovely glass of champagne on arrival.

Cucumba have a downstairs section for all of the spray tanning pods so as I made my way downstairs I got a good look at all of their services.

Of course we had to do a before pic and so I decided that as I was wearing some of my better underwear I wouldn’t mind doing a full body shot for the blog.

Here I am in all my pale glory!

The spray tan process is something that I’ve been getting accustomed to over my past few experiences. I went for the lightest spray tan as I usually do and the whole process took about 15 minutes to spray me from top to bottom. The great thing about Norvell spray tan is that there is no biscuit scent unlike other competitors. The tan itsself when applied and dried has a very faint aroma but it is more like a vanilla body spray.

So here is the after picture taken as soon as I got home

Yes this looks very dark but you do need to leave it to develop before washing off. As my appointment was an evening appointment I decided to go to bed and leave it on overnight before showering the next morning.

I thought I would also include a photo after a few days to show you the difference a couple of showers can make!

This shot was taken three days after my tan and on my hen party weekend. I can honestly say that the glow of the Norvell spray tan was so amazing and it had me feeling fabulous for the whole weekend.

If you have a chance you should definitely make it down to Cucumba near Oxford Circus for a New Year spray tan with Norvell!

The Norvell range is a huge one and also includes products for self tanning at home. They have an exclusive Strictly Come Dancing sunless collection from shimmering mist to those all-important self tanning mousses and sprays.

Find out more info by checking them out on social media @NorvellTan.

Saharasplash x

Liked Spray Tanning, Norvell and Cucumba? Well then head over here for more beauty talk!

saharasplash24 May, 2016

My FaceGymPro Experience

It was just another day in the life of a blogger. I was getting up to date with what had been going on over Twittter since being at work. Upon scrolling through my Twitter feed, I noticed one tweet about a Harrods experience which I was most intrigued about. The lovely Kirstie from Babushka Communications emailed me all the details about having a FaceGymPro trial with their new product! So here is all about my FaceGymPro Experience.

If you follow me on snapchat you saw me live on the day as I was walking through the rainy streets of London. It was a dull day but my spirits were high as I clutched my umbrella and iPhone tightly down Brompton Road.

At 6.30 sharp I arrived at the lovely Harrods entrance, and I walked all the way through to the beauty apothecary section while ogling at everything I went by!

So a bit about the device before I give all the details away about my FaceGymPro experience. The FaceGymPro is an electrical device which stimulates the muscles in your face. This essentially gives your face a workout, but without all the hard work you normally have to put in down at the gym! The FaceGymPro gives you a way to naturally lift your features and tighten up all the areas you want to be tighter without having to go under the knife or get injections.

My wonderful assistant Lyndsay explained to me that you can use any gel/water based product with the device to activate it, as this is what creates the current to get it to work. There are multiple levels of intensity to try depending on where you are rolling across the skin. I needed a higher level for my forehead and a lower level for around my brow bone and my jawline.

So the sensation is very bizarre at first. It’s not as intense as an electric shock, but you can certainly feel the current as it moves across your face. It was really funny around my mouth area as it made my lips twitch, but after a few minutes the sensation became less weird and more relaxing as it rolled across my cheeks and jawline.

I had a 25 minute treatment with the FaceGymPro, and here is my before and after shot:

I really noticed a big difference in my cheeks as my face looked more contoured and lifted. I also saw a really big reduction in the lines around my mouth and my forehead. I cannot recommend this enough to all you curious readers!

So details:

FaceGymPro comes in 3 colours- yellow, grey and white and is £399. You can alternatively book a 40 minute electrical lift treatment for £90 and there are other options too depending on what you are looking for.

I hope you enjoyed my FaceGymPro Experience. Go and book yourself a trial at Selfridges so you can see for yourself!

Saharasplash X

Want more? Then check out this crazy colourful post featuring Joe Browns!

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