EARTHLY BODY Marrakesh X Leave In Treatment & Detangler

Any chances of ever meeting a man in my formative months at University were ruined by a horrid hairdresser who (without asking) chopped off my hair and gave me a mullet. It was just awful. Those close to me jokingly referred to me as mullet girl and I felt like a female version of Pat Sharp.

The only plus side of having my hair unwillingly chopped off was the fact that the awful knots I had when my hair was longer totally disappeared. My hair was therefore in better condition and my mullet had a lovely shine to it.

Thirteen years later and the mullet is a distant nightmare but the long hair and knots are back. So it's with a great sigh of relief that I have recently discovered Earthly Body Marrakesh X Leave in Treatment and Detangler.

Basically, after you wash your hair, spray it all over (or just on the ends if you suffer from greasy hair) before you dry it. It smells luscious, gets rid of all your knots and honestly makes your hair shine like glass. My hair is also in much better condition since using it.

Amazing Facial from Spa Fabulous

I find facials embarrassing. A massage is one thing, but having someone leaning over your face and studying your pimples and commenting on your blackheads is quite another. The worst part of the whole experience is when they get the mirror out at the end and say "look how amazing your skin looks" and all you see is an oily, no-makeupy mess. Even worse is when you expect to have a glowing complexion for at least the next week but when you look in the mirror nothing has changed.... You still have the same old problematic skin and the £50 facial you've just invested in has done sweet FA.

Yesterday, everything changed when I had a truly magnificent facial performed by Neena Trehan. I first heard about Neena through Lisa Snowdon who is a massive fan of her products which are 100% organic and just great on the skin. Neena has spent years formulating her products and facial technique and I can honestly tell you that they work.

The facial itself was called the Complexion Perfection Organic Electrical Facial and is the only one in the country (perhaps even the world) that combines the goodness of organic products with the plumping benefits of an electric facial device which quite literally sucks at your skin making it look plump, firm and glowing.

Neena used her famous cleansers, scrubs and masks on me and gave me the most relaxing shiatsu face massage. After about an hour the moment of truth came and the mirror came out. All I can say is that it was like looking at a different person. My skin was sparkling, glowing and clear and it's still looking amazing a day later.

Neena's products are available here . I love all of them but particularly recommend the face oils and her Little Pot of Heaven which is a beautiful moisturiser. Neena is also spreading the word and 28 salons have now been trained not only in her facial technique but stock her products. Let's hope more and more hear about her!

Ren No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm

I am categorically uncool and always have been.  I have friends who are very cool. They live in East London, they go to cool bars and clubs and wear really cool clothes. I on the other hand am at my happiest watching the London Philharmonic Orchestra and although my dress sense isn't bad, I never quite got that effortless, Kate Moss look and take ages putting outfits together.


On the subject of being uncool, it's alway taken me ages to pick up the latest cool words and phrases. When everyone was watching Ali G and saying "Ay for real" I was still using phrases from the Simpsons. By the time I'd moved on to Ali G, my friends were saying "ace" and using these weird triple negatives that I never quite got the hang of.


Anyway, ever since watching "Friday Night Dinner" on Channel 4, I have taken to saying "Shit on it" as much as possible. In case you've never seen the series, "Shit on it" is a phrase employed by the seriously uncool Dad who also enjoys saying "Nice squirrel Jackie" in reference to his wife's roast chicken.


"Shit on it" is a great phrase and I employ it as much as possible. (Apart from when I am on air and in front of children and my boss). It is a much more fulfilling version of just plain "shit" and is guaranteed to make people giggle. It is also very catchy meaning that many of my friends now use it, finally making me a cool trend-setter type.


Anyway, today is a day when I will be employing my favourite phrase for the following reasons:


1.  I have lost my voice.
This is seriously bad news for a radio presenter. My show this morning was a total and utter disaster and I have missed out on running around the streets of London and reporting on the Olympic Torch Relay which I am absolutely gutted about.


2. I want to go shopping
 What better way to soothe a bad throat than a little bit of quiet retail therapy? It's not going to happen...I've spent every last bit of money this month on clothes, face-creams and other such frivolities so will instead be moping around drinking lemon and honey and feeling sorry for myself.


3. My pet hedgehog smells
Hetty my African Pygmy Hedgehog is smelly in the summer. This means bathing him which is not a nice event for either party.

Anyway, if you, like me are having a "shit on it" kind of day and unlike me have a bit of cash floating around, then may I recommend a really really lovely cleanser. I have recently bought Ren No.1 Purity Balm and it is absolutely brilliant. It's organic, smells beautiful and leaves my skin soft with a lovely glow. I can imagine that this cleanser would be great for women with drier skin, but mine is combination and it works just fine.

Man-Flu

It's 21:58 on Saturday night and I'm sitting on my bed in a bath-hat with a face mask on. My nose is red, I feel bleugh and I should be downing shots at the hen-do which I left two hours ago. I am quite frankly a moaning old lady with man-flu.

After spending the day drinking cocktails with a group of lovely girls and a particularly fun hour punting in Cambridge (all the guys who actually control the boats are 1. gorgeous 2. Cambridge/ex-Cambridge students 3. Called Giles) I realised that sometimes you just need to be with women. Don't get me wrong, I love male company, but my idea of heaven is chatting about men, pregnancy, men troubles, beauty products and other shallow stuff without being judged. (I can talk politics/theology/sociology if need be but sometimes quite frankly I can't be bothered.)

Anyway, I bonded particularly well with Lisa who like me had a stinking fluey cold and was a beauty therapist so we could natter on about our favourite products.

Lisa's makeup bag was full of delights such as my favourite Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser and a stunning M.A.C lipstick in Coral. I in turn introduced her to my new favourite ever mascara. It's called Eyeko Skinny Brush Mascara and not only is it great for helping your lashes grow but it makes them look ultra-long and clump free. A certain Spice-Girl recommended it to me (I'm not telling you who as I don't think she'd want me to) and her lashes always look fabulous!

Anyway, I'm off to wash my face-mask off and dream of Giles whilst keeping my husband awake with my man-flu inspired snoring.

Covent Garden Dental Spa

For the first time in my life, ever, I have had an enjoyable experience at the dentist.

Picture the scene: You enter the dentist reception only to find plush sofas, the sweet smell of aromatherapy and music that you only ever hear in spas. As you sink into the sofa and read a magazine you are offered a herbal tea and led into a chill-out room where you are treated to a session in a massage chair along with the sweet scent of a lavender oil-burner and the soothing sounds of Classic FM.

As you are led out of the chill-out zone and into the dentist's chair, you can't help but feel sleepy, utterly relaxed and ready for whatever they bring on.

This is exactly the greeting you get at the Covent Garden Dental Spa and boy does it make a difference. If you are scared of dentists then it is guaranteed to help curb the panic and if not, who would have thought that a trip to the dentist could be as good as going to your local spa?

Anyway, massage aside, I was there to trial their Diamond Sparkle Hygiene Polish. This involved a thorough clean and scrape and then a wonderful polish that really did leave my teeth sparkling. I keep licking my teeth because they feel so shiny and smooth. (A bit weird but I bet I'm not the only one!)

The dentist, Flora Chigwedere, who is also the founder of the Spa is without a doubt the best I have ever seen. She was gentle, knowledgable and thorough. I loved her words of wisdom including the great tip that Aloe Vera toothpaste is a great natural whitener. (Make sure you also use a regular toothpaste as it doesn't contain fluoride).

If you are nervous of going to the dentist and want an experience that is actually enjoyable then please please give this place a try. It is a total pleasure and I can't recommend it highly enough.

http://www.coventgardendentalspa.co.uk/

Soulmate Food

As I munched on cakes, scones and crustless sandwiches while cheering Murray on yesterday I placed my hand on my bloating tummy and inwardly scolded myself. Only the day before I was a virtuous dieter with a flat and happy tummy.

Here's the diary of my week as a contented dieter thanks to diet delivery company Soulmate Food.

Sunday 1st July:

I am eating as much chocolate as possible and feasting on steak and chips."Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we diet".

Monday 2nd July: 

I was really excited when I got to work and was handed a massive box filled with my meals for the next two days. Having used diet delivery companies before and been less than impressed with the quality and variety of food, I was really relieved to see how delicious everything looked. 

Soulmate food are a diet delivery company that offer a variety of different plans including detox, juice cleanse and Cellulite. I have chosen the 6 day Weight Loss diet which consists of 3 main meals and 2 snacks a day. Everything looked very fresh and wholesome and there was enough food to keep me full for the entire day.

Breakfast which was a gorgeous bircher muesli was a particular highlight and I loved the dinner of fresh cod and vegetables.

Tuesday 3rd July:

I'm really enjoying not having to worry about going food shopping and knowing that all my food is sorted. The meals today were all really tasty and I loved tucking into a healthy flapjack this afternoon without feeling guilty.

Wednesday 3rd July:

Box number two arrived this morning and was filled with stir-frys, breakfast pancakes and even a delicious lasagne.

My tummy is also feeling a lot better today. I tend to suffer with IBS symptoms. I think this might be due to my early mornings. (I get up at 2am to present my radio show) and also bad eating habits that tend to go with working odd hours.  I haven't eaten any bread or wheat so far this week and I think this may have really helped. It's also great to be eating such a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Saturday 6th July:

Today is my final day of my diet and I'm really going to miss it. Every meal has been fresh and tasty and all the stress of cooking and worrying about what to eat has been taken away.

I have lost a couple of pounds and my tummy is looking flat and feels great.

Soulmate Food are a really good company. Nothing is too much for them and the quality of the food and service is fabulous.

If you fancy giving one of their diets a go check out their website http://soulmatefood.com/order-now/