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1. It's been a fashion-filled week, but which stars topped our best dres...
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2. See beautiful Blake Lively in her exclusive Marie Claire cover shoot
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3. SEE which Hollywood stars have hit the Venice Film Festival 2010
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4. All the stars and red carpet style from the glittering 2010 Emmy Awards
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5. From brogues and ballet pumps, to boots, wedges and wellies, see our pick ...
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Spa Search
Anastasia at Urban Retreat
Renowned within the industry for her 'healing hands', beauty therapist Anastasia has launched a bespoke facial service at Harrods using Los Angeles skin guru Ole Henriksen's coveted range of products. More a total body experience than a simple facial, the 90-minute treatment works on many different levels, focusing on the external appearance of your skin as well as the emotional and physical factors that affect the way you look. Anastasia relieves tension on the face, scalp and back using a combination of massage, craniosacral therapy and reiki. Not only will you look more relaxed, but the sound night's sleep that follows helps ensure an added glow in the morning, too.
Website: www.urbanretreat.co.uk
Cowgroom Maintenance at Cowshed
As the name hints, this is a treatment that helps you catch up on all those beauty bits in one handy session, but also lends itself to total relaxation. With two therapists working simultaneously, you'll enjoy a manicure, facial, eyebrow tidy, foot scrub, shoulder and neck massage all in the space of the hour-long session. Rather than being rushed, Cowgroom Maintenance is wonderfully relaxing, partly due to the delicious smelling Cowshed products, which seriously aid the wind-down process.
Website: www.cowshedonline.com
Dr. Hauschka Facial Firming Treatment
The ethos behind the Dr. Hauschka skincare regime makes an awful lot of sense: allow the skin to harmonise and balance itself to achieve a stronger complexion, rather than trying to alter the skin to something it is not. The Facial Firming Treatment echoes this ethos, aiming to feed the skin to protect it from the anti-ageing process. Beginning with an extremely welcome warm Sage foot bath - much-needed after a trek across town - a Dr. Hauschka 'Esthetician' or therapist, sits you down for a full skin consultation.
Feeling immediately de-stressed, the two-hour treatment that follows is intended to 'reawaken' the lymphatic system, reinvigorating blood circulation and in turn unblocking pores and ridding the skin of toxins. A combination of a facial Rhythmic Conditioner and a specific treatment mask feed, strengthen and support the elasticity of the skin. Meanwhile a foot, head and shoulder massage allow you to truly relax and unwind. Two hours is a long time to lie flat, so don't be alarmed if you nod off during the process - it's a true sign the treatment is working its magic. To round off the experience, your 'Esthetician' will review your skin and recommend a homecare plan tailored to your needs. Therapy this is not, but it must come pretty close.
Website: www.drhauschka.co.uk
Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial
Elemis's Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial is designed as an anti-ageing treatment, but it's just as good for those plagued by acne scars or pigmentation. It's a very 'active' facial – or tingly for those without a degree in beauty speak – involving a series of three masks, which sweep away dead skin cells and encourage cell renewal (sorry, more beauty speak). Unlike many other facials, this one is all about making your skin look better, so you can actually walk out of whichever Elemis spa you're lucky enough to have found yourself in looking better than when you walked in, despite the fact you're make-up free. As an added incentive, you'll be treated to hand, shoulder and head massages while the different masks work their magic.
Website: www.elemis.com
Emma Hardie Natural Lift and Sculpting Facial
A unique approach to skincare, Emma Hardie’s Natural Lift and Sculpting facial focuses on shaping, lifting and resculpting. Emma’s unusual treatment works to condition the layers of facial tissue, using deep massage to rejuvenate the skin and clear toxins. The newly relaxed – and very soft! – skin then begins to repair and regenerate itself, carrying on the treatment well after you’ve left the salon.
We love the gorgeous smelling range of products used, all developed by Emma herself. We’ll definitely be getting our hands on the Sculpt Moringa cleanser– a wonder balm which can cleanse, moisturise, calm and revitalise. It doubles up as a fab facemask, and can even be used on dry elbows, knees or lips. And the best bit? All the products are completely natural and paraben-free. In fact, they’ve even won a green beauty award. Certainly one of the best non-invasive facials out there – Emma’s treatments definitely get our vote
Website: www.emmahardie.com/
Jurlique De-lux Rejuvanessence at the Jurlique Day Spa
Touted as a 'fingertip facelift', this 90-minute facial from the Australian natural skincare company is based around massage rather than machines or chemicals. Designed to remove fine lines and wrinkles as well as plump skin, it uses a 'press, hold, release' technique that works on the tissue and muscles. After a cleanse and exfoliation, the fabulously named Jewels of Jurlique gels and serums are applied. A course of six sessions is recommended for best results.
Website: www.apotheke20-20.co.uk
Linda Meredith Haute Couture Facial at Chewton Glen Spa
Linda's innovative approach to tackling skin issues in depth incorporates her understanding of the affects that stress, diet and the environment can have on our bodies. An initial assessment of your current skincare regime and day-to-day stresses allows your therapist to determine what food indulgences and environmental issues can cause blemishes and troubled skin. After steam and extraction a unique micro-glycolic serum dissolves dead skin cells, while the mask that follows contains collagen, plumping up skin and giving a more youthful appearance. With a deeply relaxing head, neck and shoulder massage to complete the treatment, you'll leave with rehydrated, glowing skin.
Website: www.chewtonglen.com
Liz Earle Signature Facial
Liz Earle takes the facial to a whole new level of relaxation, with the luxurious Signature treatment. At an indulgent 90 minutes long, we defy anyone to not to fall asleep at least once, as one of Liz Earle's expert therapists sets to work. Incorporating the brand's naturally sourced skincare range, skin is left glowing and revitalised, through a series of sequenced massage, gently clarifying galvanic current, lymphatic drainage suction and cleansing extractions.
Tailored for each individual, the therapist will choose products according to your specific skincare needs, and will adapt the facial accordingly. Results are immediately apparent, while a series of treatments can greatly improve the condition of problem skin, not only due to the facials, but also from the invaluable advice that Liz Earle's experienced therapists offer.
Website: www.uk.lizearle.com
Omorovicza Re-Mineralizing Facial
It may be a bit of a tongue twister, but the Omorovicza facial - originally from Hungary - is quite simply worth its weight in gold. Hungary is famed for its healing waters packed full of minerals, calcium, magnesium, zinc and copper, and creators Stephen and Margaret de Heinrich de Omorovicza have included these extraordinary natural properties in all their Omorovicza products. The ultimate in luxury treatments, the Omorovicza facial combines relaxation methods like massage with a skincare treatment that really gets results.
Available at Glow Urban Spa, 8 Motcomb Street, London, SW1 (020-7752 0652)
Website: www.omorovicza.com
Skin brightener facial at Rookery Hall
If your skin is starting to feel the effects of stress, strain and generally too many late nights, then the Skin Brightener facial is the treatment for you. Not only a truly relaxing experience, this rejuvenating treatment uses Espa products rich in anti-oxidants, to wake up dull and lifeless skin. With a head, arm and neck massage thrown in for good measure, this treatment will not only give your skin a well needed boost, but should also leave you truly relaxed aswell.
Website: www.handpicked.co.uk
