A/W 2015 with Debenhams

The Principles jacket of my dreams

Autumn is finally here- I know I should really be still clinging on to the hope of some actual summer showing its face around Scotland but I have always been an Autumn gal, so I for one am happy when it is time to get proper layering on the go again. I adore the autumn colour scheme, the crispness in the air and getting to hide under big cosy jumpers while indulging in hot chocolates at any given opportunity. As always I know I can look to Debenhams mix of brands to help me pick out key pieces I am going to want in my winter wardrobe, and this years Autumn/ Winter showcase was no exception. Held in the gorgeous BlythswoodHotel, the brands on show had just the right mix of print and sequins in among really versatile pieces to keep your look fresh. It is too easy to fall into a style rut at this time of year, but the dark and gloomy mornings are no excuse to not stand out. Some absolute top picks for me this year were the Preen/Edition offering which featured some stunning textures ( and a stunning horse print dress), and the jaw droppingly gorgeous No 1. by Jenny Packham evening gowns that I am now dying to find occasion for. 

The Nine by Savannah Millercollection was a newcomer to my radar that left a really lasting impression- featuring seriously wearable designs with some stunning sequin pieces that felt far more high end than their price points.

The beauty department were not one to fall behind either with new additions to the line up in the Argyle Street store from the likes of the much loved theBalm products, really catching my eye. Another stand out piece had to be the amazingly names ‘ Ross and Rachel’ blusher from Too Faced, and oh my lordy the new Miu Miu scent is needed just for the bottle! I also finally got my hands on the Urban Decay smoky palette which was just as I expected- Stunning.

Lori/ Ayden /Lynsay

We were treated to some stunning Lorraine Woods flowers on the way out of the event that were perfect for getting me right in that Autumn spirit and have lasted an insanely long time in my living room. Never mind to top it all off I got to spend some time with these mega babes, as always Debenhams puts on quite the show.

Glasgow Reviewed; Cut and Colour with Anderson's

Getting my hair cut is not usually a relaxing experience for me thanks to a few disasters along the way. I usually see it akin to having to book a dentist or doctor appointment, necessary but entirely put off-able and ultimately given into just from necessity. I understand that is not how most people I know treat a haircut however, and quite rightly so! The opportunity to head into a salon, enjoy a bit of pampering and switch off while someone gives you a new look and a mega confidence boost in the progress, is something that should be enjoyed and definitely not seen as a chore. This all changed for me last week when I headed along to the stunning city centre Anderson's to meet the owner Keith and have him work his magic on me and show me what a truly amazing salon experience should be like. From the moment you walk into the salon, this place feels like home and I could literally feel my shoulders relax as the super lovely receptionist took my coat...

Looking like an up-cycled haven, you can instantly get an idea of the Anderson's ethos as you look around. From crates on the wall to act as planters, to old church floorboards acting as the actual cutting stations- this place has some serious eco style and it is no wonder they have already bagged a Salon Design of the year award! There is not an air of pretentiousness about the place or that really clinical vibe I often I feel when I walk in salon that instantly makes me feel completely un-relaxed. With a stunning leather couch to chill out on while you wait, sitting right next to the most glam refreshment station I have ever actually seen in a hairdressers ( and most cafes for that matter!) this place is ridiculously cool without being intimidating. Situated handily just off of George Square on South Frederick Street, Anderson's has only been open for under a year but already racked up some seriously impressive accolades, the most recent of these being the prestigious Best New Salon at the Creative Heads Most Wanted awards in September.

I was lucky enough to get to bend the ear of owner Keith who is the most down to earth, passionate and seriously talented guy whose creativity and style shines through in the salon. With a fascinating history of his own (from footballer to club nights to hair dressing) he has an amazing vision for Anderson's and alongside his partner Caroline, they have put together something incredibly impressive and most importantly, unique to the Glasgow salon scene. In the future there will be a second floor offering more cutting stations, a bespoke barbering area, a bar and an event space that will allow the team to offer even more and I am super excited to see what they come up with.

So aside from the fact I want to move in ( and possibly want Keith and Caroline to adopt me) was the actual cut any good?? Yes, yes it was.

Keith took time to listen to what it was I was looking for, what kind of time I put into my hair, and generally the lifestyle I needed a cut to fit into. He was fantastic at talking me through his vision of how to bring it all to life to suit my face shape and using semi permanent colour to bring warmth into my skin tone and really make the cut pop. Over his years in the industry, Keith has really been taken by the work of Davines, finding their high-end products and techniques to be ahead of the game in the industry, so he set out to be the first salon in Scotland to be representing the brand. Davines products are guided by the principle of sustainable beauty and it ties in so beautifully with the Anderson's ethos along with their shared passion for creativity and quality. Keith talked me through a Davines technique he would be using to allow for really natural application of the lighter colour to be worked into an over all warmer dark shade on my hair which would really give it good movement and depth. Using what I can only describe as strips of sticky fly-paper alike pieces, the Flamboyage technique means he could attach my hair to them and get a light handed and not too ‘organised’ distribution of colour through my lower lengths of hair. It handily also makes the colouring process is incredibly quick and pain free without having to use all the foil in the world and really hand pick every colour strand which was perfect for the undone look I prefer.

With the dye on, I sat back and enjoyed a magazine and some seriously impressive refreshments. I know I shouldn’t award points to somewhere because they can bring me the greatest hot beverage of all time, but it is my blog and I am going to. One minute you ask for a hot chocolate and the next thing you know there is the most amazing marshmallow filled creation sitting in front of you in a mason jar complete with biscuits and a dusting of extra chocolate- I mean come on. If I don’t normally relax in a salon, here I was endanger of getting a little toooo comfortable! It was this level of attention to detail that just makes the experience feel so special. From guzzling delicious drinks, to being able to put my feet up on the reclining hair washing station to the complimentary head AND hand massages the lovely team provide- you just could not fail to walk out feeling on top of the world.

With the colour off, and feeling insanely good about myself already, Keith got under way with the cut as I interrogated him all about the plans in the works for the new basement addition to the salon. This place already has a pretty magical feel in it that goes far past ‘just a hair cut’ that I can totally imagine how amazing a space they are creating. Before I knew it, we were done- and it sounds ridiculous but I was having such a good time in the chair that I actually completely didn’t notice my hair actually changing! But what a change it was, I was completely bowled over with my new look- it might sound silly but it just felt so me. It was effortless to recreate, the colour just made me look much more polished with still retaining that undone feel and the cut was just perfect for my face shape and gave me the volume I always crave. I was over the moon and really could not believe just how good the finished effect was- I never thought I would leave a hair salon feeling so happy!!

I was pretty sad my time for now had come to an end but without a doubt I will be back to see what the team have come up  in the future, with such a wonderful hand picked team of stylists to choose from and such  an exciting direction from their passionate lead, Anderson's is sure to be winning more awards soon.

You can check out the salons website to book online or call the team on 0141 237 6250.

 I have a couple of 20% off first time visit vouchers for anyone booking ( just get in touch on Twitter) and it is worth pointing out students can get 25% off prices every Tuesday and Wednesday too. 

Thanks to team Anderson's for such a marvellous time

Glasgow Reviewed; Iolla Eyewear

Affordable glasses when I was younger meant the old NHS prescription bad boys that looking back, were utterly heinous. Big, wiry, and ill fitting springs to mind and I absolutely HATED wearing them.  I can still remember getting my first ever pair that my folks were willing to pay for when I was about 17, and finally I would actually wear them when I needed to and could stop giving me deep frown lines from screwing my face up to see!

Since then I have developed a serious passion for glasses and have actually learned to enjoy picking out my next pair of frames and working out what works on my face shape. The problem of cost was still an issue however and it felt like such a big investment of cash going into my frames that I would only do it every few years which mean't I would quickly become bored with what I had. In the past couple of years I have dabbled with trying out budget options ( with frames coming from China) and I have had success with a few pairs but the quality has just never felt up to scratch for daily wear and every attempt has always come with a high amount of risk in terms of finding a pair that actually suit me without trying them on.

This is where my glasses journey meets a new brand and showroom based right here in Glasgow that is truly set to change everything for specs fans. For only £65 which includes your lenses with anti reflective coating, you can get yourself a simply stunning frame which the young entrepreneur who has started the company has designed himself through this exact frustration at finding well made, affordable glasses.  Meaning 'To See' in Gaelic, Stefan alongside his colleague Brian, have launched Iolla- an online eye wear company that also provides that offline experience in their stunning Finnieston showroom. I was bowled over when I walked into their bright space which is perfect for finding a new pair and if you are anything like me- trying on every single frame in the place. Leave no stone un-turned I say! Named after famous Scots ( a lovely touch) the entrepreneurs have designed each frame specially and sourced the best quality acetate in a range of stunning colours, to be able to offer some seriously stylish eye wear. Knowing ahead of schedule the £65 price point, I definitely had my reservations about how the quality would be in the flesh but it was completely unnecessary. These are completely gorgeous and feel very much akin to any high-end frames I have tried in the past.

I took along the pickiest person I know when it comes to my glasses; Ally might be indecisive when it comes to many things but knowing what eyewear suits is his undoubted super power. We have been to known to stand in a high street opticians and have him veto literally 95% of the shop and mange to whittle it down to only a couple of frames that truly work. This was a completely different experience however as my 'shortlist' ended up being 6 strong- a massive compliment from him! Luckily Iolla are also as good at picking staff as they are at designing frames and showrooms, as they had incredible  patience and were so lovely and encouraging at helping me whittle it right down based on what I wanted them for, and what worked best. It was without a doubt the most fun I have ever had selecting new frames, I didn't want to leave the shop! You need to make sure you have your prescription for ordering, which you can have done elsewhere and receive a print out to take with you or handily you can update to your order online just by taking a picture of it. You will pay more if you are after super thin lenses or you have a very strong prescription which is completely normal for ordering glasses, the included anti reflective coating in the £65 price however is added fantastic value.

In the end I settled on the Walnut Tortoise colour in the Patterson frame and it is truly love. I am already planning my next pair from the ranges and without a doubt I am finally going to treat myself to prescription sunglasses too. Clearly I don't need much or a reason to get back into that gorgeous showroom ( complete with lovely honesty bar with profits going to Glasgow City Mission) Check out the ranges online here or get yourself along to the shop pronto- if you find me there it is cause I have officially moved in, it is the coolest spot in Finnieston!

Glasgow Reviewed; Fixing pigmentation with La Belle Forme

Around 18 months ago I posted about my amazing experience at La Belle Forme in Glasgow. A couple of sessions with these guys and the hyper pigmentation and melasma that I had long suffered with was lasered away and the results have continued to blow my mind. My results post also happens to be my most popular of all time and the one I get emails and questions about regularly and with so many people wanting to know how it was I thought I would link back to how laser treatments were my saviour.  I had tried numerous creams and treatments before finding La Belle Forme and it would have saved me a fortune if I had known the kind of treatment that might actually work, so I wanted to highlight for readers who might not have seen it before, might be in the same position and are not sure where to even start trying to clear something like this.

my skin before any lasers and a snap taken a couple of months ago ( pre infection scars currently)

I had suffered for a few years of darkening spots on my  skin ( due mainly to the contraceptive pill) and they had slowly but surely really affected my confidence as the darker patches took over the majority of my face and were harder and harder to cover. I had no idea just how much it was bothering me really until after my laser treatments- my skin was so much clearer and my confidence took a massive spike that I hadn’t really been expecting.  The whole process although slightly painful ( but over quickly and completely manageable), only requires a very small amount of down time and really provides lasting results that I am still so thankful for now.

my skin before any lasers and a snap taken a couple of months ago ( pre infection scars currently)

The kind of results these guys can help achieve has been on my mind a lot recently since my confidence has once again taken a tumble, still skin related but this time the result of some returning adult acne and an unfortunate couple of infections on my skin that has left me with a large number of pink fresh scars. I am now looking at options to try and correct these and will definitely be heading in to hear their professional opinions of the smartest way to tackle these new frustrating problems. I know I am not alone in suffering from these problems given the amount of tweets and emails I have had when discussing spots on social media! The attitude and approach of the team at La Belle Forme has had such a lasting effect on me that when looking to find someone I trust to point me in the right direction, I haven't had to think twice. The atmosphere they have created in  their Merchant City clinic is a credit to the health and beauty scene in Scotland and I can’t wait to head in and catch up with the lovely team.

My Universkin serums

If you haven't already caught my review of my consultation experience with Universkin at the La Belle Forme Clinic in Glasgow- then you catch it here. Getting to watch my own tailor made serums being mixed for me was a really exciting experience and I couldn't wait to get them home to get going with using them. Following my skincare questionnaire I was given both an AM and PM serum to use, each one was labelled up with the ingredients chosen for me and my therapist went through how best to use them.

My AM serum was mixed with L-Ascorbic acid ( vitamin C) alongside Ferulic acid which I was delighted to have chosen for me as I have actually seen fantastic results using Ferulic before and I am always on the hunt for Vitamin C based products generally.

And my PM serum utilises Phytic acid, Arbutine and B3 and between the two serums we were looking to lighten any scarring pigmentation, keep my skin clear and also work on brightening and hydrating too.

Housed in small, secure bottles with a thin top, the Universkin serum is a milky texture that is not too runny but not at all thick and unspreadable. The bottle is perfectly designed so that you simply squeeze the tip to dispense the perfect dot on your fingertips ( I find 3 or 4 does my whole face) and then tap it across the skin. Due to the very active ingredients, the serum has no added perfumes and smells 'clinical'. This isn't a bad smell at all and is actually a scent I prefer as I would rather forgo synthetic florals for something that is actually working for my skin.  I love how simple and clean and unwasteful it is to use, never mind handily portable in a small, sturdy bottle. I quickly got used to how best to apply and have been using both serums for six weeks and been really happy with the results.

You are advised to use your products within 6 weeks of receiving them, as Universkin believe just like you wouldnt drink 6 week old orange juice, neither should you apply old vitamin C to your face and I found my serums lasted around 6 weeks anyway with daily use. In this time my skin definately calmed down considerably from the spottier phase it was in when I started which was perfect for me just going on holiday. It left me skin with a lovely texture and was definitely helped brighten the dullness that I suffer from while leaving it really soft and hydrated at the same time.  I loved the process of putting the serum together and think the idea of then going back for a new supply means you can actually change or tweak your potion due to what your skin needs now is absolutely genius. For my skin concerns I know that I would need to refill my skin prescription to see continued lightening of my scarring but seeing how the serums have helped in other areas and knowing the reliable and proven ingredients that are being used, I know I will continue to see changes.

My well loved empties!

For anyone looking to start using more results driven ingredients on their skin this is the ideal way to start out and means you don't have to think about only treating one of your skin complaints at once. As always the La Belle Forme team are incredibly knowledgeable about the products they stock and are amazing at answering any questions and giving you their own experience of trying out the serums too.

To book in to create your own bespoke skincare you can contact the clinic on 0141 552 0828

Banton Frameworks Glasses

Much like the excitement that Christmas is coming when I was little, knowing that my order for Banton Frameworks was one day going to show up has been tickling me pink for the last wee while. To bring you up to speed I found these guys through the amazing kickstarter campaign they were running to help them fully launch their incredible range of eye wear. You can read my introduction post to the team behind Banton here.

Since the campaign was successfully funded it was down to me to actually make some decisions of which of the stunning frames on offer I was going to go for and man was that a hard choice. Starting at Frame Style ( adorably all named after British Inventors) I was totally stuck between the slightly cat eye shape of the Clancy and the more thinner and chic Lamont.   Thanks to the incredibly well made App the team have created I could actually 'try' the frames on a picture of me and it really helped me make my decision. Clancy was the man for me. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the app was to use, I have tried various 'simulated try on' functions in the past with websites that have been generally been completely useless and not helped me make a good decision at all, but Banton have done theirs really well.

Next up was my toughest decision was what my actual frame would be made from, I went back and forward over some of the gorgeous colours in the acetate and the quirkiness of the smoked oak but due to my paler colourings I decided the burgundy acetate was going to be a guaranteed winner and it went with the fittings that had really caught my eye. From here you can personalise your choices as far as your own temple fitting and leather colour for the legs which I love as they can really change the over all finished look of  your pair. I thought the rose gold offering for the temple colour was really unique and that it complemented my frame colour perfectly and when I added in the tan leather on the legs the whole package had me really excited.

Given the huge success of their kickstarter campaign I had to wait a wee while to receive my glasses but when all the individual elements are being carefully crafted and pieced together from all over the UK it really is no surprise! With the leather earpieces being cut and stitched in Somerset, the temples being created in Manchester and then all assembled with the frames back in their Lochside workshop here in Scotland, these specs really feel like a journey. I pretty much screamed when a package plonked on my desk out the blue and I realised inside was the stunning silver tin containing my Clancy's, and boy was it worth the wait.

Elegant, beautifully crafted and impeccably stylish- these frames are a total prized piece. I love how they look on, I love the story they tell and I love how different and unique they are for me. The time the duo have taken in developing the processes they combine is evident in the quality of the finished products and they have been outstanding to communicate with throughout the process too. I am absolutely delighted with my frames, they feel insanely comfortable to wear ( I have clearly missed having a nosepad) and think it has been such a fun and unique experience that I wouldn't normally associate with picking glasses. I would definitely recommend checking out the bespoke option Banton are offering for your next pair or even consider giving the opportunity to create their own as a gift- I would love to receive something as special as this!

You can check out the full range of frames here or download the app and try them all on.

Glasgow Reviewed; My first ever Spray Tan with Benefit

Even though I have such a passion for all things beauty related I have never actually tried a spray tan before, I think the now famous Ross from Friends scene must have scarred me growing up and I have just always had this worry that I would end up AN 8!

Panicking post spray about how dark I was turning...

When Benefit moved their boutique into the larger area in House of Fraser and they had the space to offer both waxing and tanning, I knew at some point I would get over my fear and let them take me through it. So with my upcoming holiday being around the corner, I decided it was the perfect time to get a bit of a holiday glow with a tan the day before my flight and I headed in for the Benebabes to show me the ropes.  They use Vita Liberata  for the spray which i have heard Tan fans absolutely rave about thanks to its really natural colour and even though I maybe went a little darker than I needed I have to totally agree with how natural a look it gives.

Turning super dark the night before then healthy glow the next morning 

Being my first go, I did feel a little silly standing in my glamorous paper pants but i was totally put at ease in the room and talked through all the positions to move into in order for a really even and quick application. Apart from being slightly cool ( quite refreshing though) it was all over really quickly and before I knew it I was a fairly deep brown shade all over! A bit of a discussion with the Benebabes before I went in and they felt the medium was the colour for me and I actually got a shock at how dark it was. Perhaps the light might have been better for my first time, although the gang described it as more a glow and not too much colour so this seemed the better idea- I think I just wasn't ready for how dark the application colour of the medium would actually be!

Ready for my flight with my new lovely colour

I had time to let it dry a little bit, which it does super quickly before pulling on my loose clothes to head home where I got the teasing of a lifetime from Ally and my neighbour and I had to laugh along as I felt so funny with it on! I needn't have worried however as come morning, and with really minimal transfer on anything, I had the nicest tan that was super close to what i would usually come home with after a couple of weeks in the sun! It was really nice to jet off with an already lovely colour and it actually made me fuss less about trying to 'get a tan' while I was away which can only be good for my skin. Over the days it blended in nicely with any colour I was picking up and didn't start to go patchy as it went away which was amazing. 

My faux glow next to Ally's pasty arms on the flight

I really enjoyed my first spray tan and It was great to be in the teams capable hands. I would definitely  do it again for holidays or special occasions as I definitely prefer myself with a bit of healthy colour and it is so easy and safe this way. With prices from £20 you just can't go wrong.