Tried and Tested: RUUBY APP

I frequently have those, ‘Thank God (and Steve Jobs) for my iPhone’ moments during the day... How did we cope beforehand?! Seriously?! I recently had a clear out and stumbled across my well-thumbed, little pink A-Z I had to so heavily rely upon when when I first moved to London as a jobbing, auditioning actress… Kids these days, especially ones with no sense of direction like Baby Kelly, will NEVER know that level of stress (or ever have to own a calculator... or have to wait in the rain praying for a Black Cab to appear!) New apps which continue to make our lives easier, photos better, and sentences shorter are released every day and knowing which ones to download that will actually make a helpful impact, rather than take up vital storage space is key.  Ladies… I’ve found one. 

Ruuby is London’s original, and most popular, free digital beauty concierge.  Offering you direct and last minute access to London’s top spas and salons (each vetted meticulously by Ruuby) at the mere quick tap of a screen, leaving those ol'days of googling random places and calling them up in the frustrated hope of a free appointment, or experiencing a lacklustre treatment, back in your past alongside your own little A-Z.  Even more relaxingly, Ruuby also offer therapists who can visit and pamper you from the comfort of your own home, allowing that cherished ‘me time’ to be easily fitted into even the busiest of schedules.

I was asked by Ruuby to try out some of their treatments… I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; My job does NOT suck.  

First up was a mani, pedi at home.  Usually I enjoy the hub-bub of my local Notting Hill nail salon, frequently visiting for a catch up with my bestie.  However, on this particular exhausting day, being able to just zone out and watch some The Gilmore Girls (televised Soul Food) whilst having my favourite Essie colours applied to my hands (‘Lilacism’) and feet (‘No Place Like Chrome’) was pretty heavenly. The best part? No smudging the paint en route home, which let’s face it, aaaaalways happens to me regardless of how careful I am!

I then tried an at home spray tan.  With a pop up spray tent set up in my sitting room, I was goldenised with Siena spray before being able to pop on some loose, unflattering dark clothes and hop into bed.  Waking up to a quick shower and looking a whole lot healthier without any sun-damage, or more importantly not having to bump into any friends (or exes!) whilst looking like a potato, was the dream! 

Next I headed to Richard Ward’s salon on Chelsea’s Duke of York Square, famous for assisting the Duchess of Cambridge with her famous glossy locks – Well, if It’s good enough for Kate…!  The salon is vast and overwhelmingly slick. With a dedicated team of around 80 professionals, amazingly comfortable Japanese reclining chairs, a glitzy beauty zone and an enticing bar area, you can understand why getting appointments here is usually not easy. Using Ruuby however, I could make a fuss free, last minute appointment for the perfect hair swishing party-ready blow dry. 

Finally, I decided to book an appointment with Ruuby’s famed braider, Shabnam, who visited my flat one morning to plait my hair ahead of a lunch at Eight Over Eight, organized by my friend, Rosie Fortescue. I love having my hair braided, especially when it looks a little undone, with a few strands coming out, creating that much-requested ethereal feel.  Also, as long as you don’t go crazy, or get the style wet, it can last a coupe of days.  It was great having my braids done, whilst checking my emails and having my morning cuppa – multi-tasking at it’s best! 

TLC LOVES:  Ruuby...

As I was so impressed with my experiences, I’ve teamed up with Ruuby and we’re offering my readers and followers £10.00 off any treatment when you use the code ‘TLCLOVESRUUBY’ for the whole of September 2016.  Yoooooou’re welcome! 

Tried and Tested: Molton Brown's Rhubarb and Rose Collection

To celebrate the launch of the latest, deeeeelicious, good-enough-to-eat Rhubarb & Rose Collection, Molton Brown has enlisted the help of Tommy, Britain's youngest Michelin starred chef Tommy Banks, raised near West Yorkshire’s famous ‘Rhubarb Triangle,’ the area where Molton Brown sourced their new, luxurious bath and body products' rhubarb from.  Tommy has created two amazing recipes, both featuring rhubarb and rose, to help bring the new fragrance to life.  Creating two amazing and wonderfully sweet recipes, Tommy’s delicious Frangipane Summer Tart and a refreshing Rhubarb and Rose Cocktail would be perfect for any summer lunch (as long as I didn’t ruin them by making either myself…!)

Frangipane Summer Tart

INGREDIENTS

For the Shortcrust Pastry
750g plain flour
375g unsalted butter
300g icing sugar
1 whole egg
3 egg yolks 

For the Frangipane
200g unsalted butter
200g caster sugar
200g ground almonds
4 eggs, beaten
40g plain flour
1 tsp almond oil 
For the rhubarb jam
850g rhubarb, chopped
300g sugar
15g pectin  
For the rose glaze
100g caster sugar
100g water
20g dried rose petals  

1. To make the pastry, rub together the dry ingredients until they resemble the texture of breadcrumbs. Slowly add the egg and yolk to form a smooth paste.
2. To make the frangipane, cream the butter and sugar. Slowly add the eggs while stirring. Fold in the almonds and then the flour. Add the almond oil.
3. To make the rhubarb jam, slowly bring the ingredients to the boil. Simmer gently for half an hour on low heat. Test the jam on a cold plate - if it sets when cold it is ready. If still runny return to a simmer for 5 minutes then test again.
4. To make the rose glaze, dissolve the sugar in the water. Add the rose petals and bring to the boil. Strain through a fine sieve. 
5. Now assemble the tart. Thinly roll the pastry over a 10 inch tart case. Blind bake the pastry case for 15 minutes at 170°C. Smooth the rhubarb jam over the base of the tart case and add the frangipane batter. Cut 1 cm chunks of the extra rhubarb and push into the batter for a decorative finish. Return to the oven for 45 minutes at 165°C.
6. For the finishing touch, remove from the oven brush with the rose petal glaze.

Delicious Rhubarb and Rose Cocktail

INGREDIENTS 

For The Cocktail
50ml vodka
50ml rhubarb juice
50ml egg white
20ml lemon juice
25ml rose syrup
8 ice cubes for shaking 

For The Rose Sherbet
50g rose sugar
5g citric acid 
Makes one 6oz/17.5cl
martini glass

1. To make the rose sherbet, combine the ingredients in a blender and blitz to a fine powder.
2. To make the cocktail add the vodka, juices, egg white and rose syrup to a cocktail shaker and vigorously shake for ten seconds.
3. Open the shaker, add the ice cubes and shake again until the shaker tin has frosted on the outside.
4. Strain the cocktail in to a martini glass and dust the top with rose sherbet.


Hari's Hairdressers, Brompton Road

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I was recently asked to the launch night of Mode, London’s newest and hottest night spot, coincidentally and conveniently on the same day I was due to visit expert hair stylist, the more than a bit divine Benjamin, at Hari’s Salon on the Brompton Road.  How was THAT for some perfect party planning?!  The decadently decorated salon, known for it’s bustling atmosphere and host of characters, is the ideal place to go for a little pre-party pampering; the music is loud, the energy is high and the delicious fresh smoothies you can order upon your arrival certainly provide you with the much needed dose of health and goodness before any impending wild night on the toon!  After my hair had been cut (nothing too dramatic, just some much needed shape) and blow-dried, I was whisked upstairs to have my makeup professionally applied by Andrea.  This is just one of several beauty additions you can book alongside your hair appointment, making getting ready for any event or party utterly breezy.  ​Feeling oh-so-glossy and fresh as a daisy I went forth toMode (below left), for what turned out to be around six hours of non-stop dancing and hair swishing with friends.  Two enthusiastic thumbs up all round!  Thank you Hari's! xx

QMS Medicosmetics Spa

Last week I was invited to have a facial at the QMS Medicosmetics Spa in Chelsea (*sigh…sometimes my job is such a struggle…!) After a long winter’s worth of foundation and fake tan I obviously leapt at the chance to give my face a good ol'Spring clean!  When I arrived I soon realised that I had definitely come to the right place… If my face was to end up looking remotely as as squeaky clean and pristine as the spa I had just entered I’d be thrilled!  This is not some dark, heavily incense scented beauty room filled with whale music, but more like a futuristic laboratory where glowing ladies in stark white lab coats welcome you.  Too often people choose to have facials to chill out or to tackle their current breakouts or problems, at the QMS Medicosmetics Spa however, the facials aim to maintain your skin’s actual health, providing  an experience that certainly feels more medical, and ultimately more important. 

The process and the popular products were created over 25 years ago by Dr. med. Erich Schulte, a leading and respected specialist in skincare.  After working intensely with burns and trauma victims, the doctor German created a technique whereby collagen could be re-introduced and improve the skin’s elasticity and general appearance.  This innovative collagen-enhancing process is at the core of QMS Medicosmetics.

Having the process and the regenerative products explained to me throughout, an entirely bespoke facial was conducted.  During my 75 minute treatment I experienced 98% pure oxygen being delicately blasted onto my face, a hot steam, a fruit enzyme exfoliating cleanse and a heavy, cold marine mask applied over my entire face (including over my lips and eyes which made me feel a little like Mrs. Doubtfire!)  This mask is latterly shown to you to inspect, interestingly showing you areas of dehydration and patches of potential ageing that have been imprinted on to it.  Until the end, where I was treated to a brief massage, my facial was not particularly relaxing, but it certainly was effective.  I left with plump and soft skin and a little bag of samples to try at home.

Treatments start from £45.00 for 30 mins.
QMS Medicosmetics Spa, 43 Cadogan Gardens, London SW3. 

Alber Elbaz for Lancôme

Alber Elbaz, creative director of Lanvin, has collaborated with Lancôme on his first make-up collection – and the results are predictably gorgeous! The super glamorous, limited edition capsule collection, entitled Lancôme Hypnôse, is covered in fun illustrations and divided into four main themes; Définicilis, Doll, Star and Drama. Available in shops this week, from £18.50, I have my eyes (literally) on the mascaras… all of them!
 
Youcef S. Nabi, Lancôme president, said in a statement that Alber's "sense of luxury, his vision of femininity and that hint of audacity resonate perfectly with the new values of the Maison Lancôme. We are extremely proud and happy that, with us, he is set to channel his universe into the world of make-up for the very first time."

SS'13 Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week

Ooh la laaaa… For five days a year, a few selected designers present some of the most beautiful and otherworldly creations during Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week.  Haute Couture means ‘High Fashion’ in French and the ultra-luxe, super detailed pieces are made on an individual basis (for those that can afford it!)  Last week Christian Dior, Giambattista Valli, Jean Paul Gaultier and Maison Martin Margiela all showed their latest haute couture creations but it was the glitteringly elegant Elie Saab dresses and the floaty, intricate Chanel collection which really caught both my eye and imagination...

Described as an 'Ode to Delicacy,' the Elie Saab SS’13 Haute Couture show in Paris (above and below) was utterly breathtaking.  Totally timeless and totally dreamy.

And speaking of dreamy… Beaded and sequined Chanel Couture gowns glided down a forest-styled runway filled with Coco Chanel’s favorite flower, the camellia.  The traditional wedding finale was also anything but ‘traditional’ with two brides walking, hand in hand, down the runway together – perhaps Karl Lagerfeld's stand against the thousands of Parisians who recently marched in protest against the legislation of same-sex marriage? 

I loved the striking red bejeweled pouts at the Christian Dior show (below left) and the extreme false lashes at Chanel (below right)  which resembled dark, feathered tears.

Naturally Beautiful, Beautifully Natural: My Facial With Abigail James At Lomax Chelsea

I went to Lomax Chelsea last week for the most extraordinary facial.  I was lucky enough to secure an appointment with one of London’s top facialists; holistic therapist Abigail James.  When the UK’s most well regarded beauty editors are vying for time with Abigail’s healing and expert hands, you know you’re in for a real treat!  Steering clear of all synthetic products and cosmetics, Abigail’s mantra is ‘Naturally Beautiful, Beautifully Natural,’ and the organic approach to health and wellbeing she extols reveal fantastic benefits – namely, glowing and clear skin.

The whole experience was truly bespoke.  I filled out a detailed questionnaire, covering all my skin routines, product preferences, medical conditions and dietary choices, which Abigail then read through and discussed at length with me before the facial, enabling her to design a treatment based on my specific requirements and needs.  When I was completely comfortable in one of the 5 Lomax treatment rooms, Abigail went on to give me a really relaxing, super beneficial facial, which included some manual lymphatic drainage and facial reflexology to encourage my skin’s natural healing and vitality.  The products she used were all ethical and organic, little known, niche brands (OSKIA, Dr Alkaitis and Live Native) but I certainly intend to track them down.  I would have happily fallen asleep as she fluttered these lotions and potions over my face like a butterfly but I did not want to miss a moment.

After the facial Abigail gave me fantastic advice on what products to use and where to find them, and how I can better my overall health, which in turn, would also improve my skin.  I left feeling completely relaxed, rosy-cheeked and with a long shopping list. 

Thank you again Abigail xx