This time last year I was just recovering from a very busy visit to the ExCeL for the Beauty Show. I loved looking at all the new products and treatments and was loaded with stocks of waxing supplies, tanning solution and the newest CND Shellac colours! This year I'm recovering from my visit to the ExCeL yesterday laden with bags filled with dribble bibs, dummy clips and milk storage bags! It was the UK Baby Show. Life has changed! I'm four months into my maternity leave and Ruby is 12 weeks old and I'm loving every minute of it. I do miss my work though and my lovely clients but for now I'm enjoying my time off. I had intended to return to work by this point, but have now decided to stay off a little longer.

I will post an update when I am booking appointments again.

Lots of love from me and Ruby xx

Yesterday I attended the first ever UK Lash Convention. It was a really inspirational day meeting some fabulous trainers and highly skilled lash technicians who shared their experience and knowledge.

One of the topics that was discussed in detail was how humidity can affect the curing of the lash glue and other environmental factors that can affect retention of the lashes.

You may have noticed in the summer your lash extensions do not seem to last as long. This is because the heat will cause the glue to cure before it has time to bond. Also sweat will alter the pH of the lashes meaning that the optimum conditions for the lashes to last are compromised. 

What can we do to combat this?

I use Flirties lash glues which are designed to work in a large range of humidity and I make sure there is plenty of ventilation in the salon.

To help your lashes last well you can ensure that you keep them really clean using this Lash Shampoo Recipe. This will help them to last longer between infills.

The 'Lash Poo' Recipe:

• 1 Part Baby Shampoo
  
• 3 Parts Distilled or Purified Water
  
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
  

These ingredients should be mixed together in a small foamer bottle (look in the travel section in Boots or Superdrug).

Use one or two pumps of the Lash Poo and gently stroke this through your lashes and rinse thoroughly with water. Dry lashes carefully.

I am now qualified in semi-permanent Individual Lash Extensions and have a Special Introductory Offer available until 30th April 2015.

Please note a patch test is required. Please contact me for further information and appointments.

How often do you condition your hair? Once or twice a week, or maybe even more than that. Now here's another question for you... how often do you condition your lashes? Probably never right?

Our lashes need looking after and the LVL Conditioning Serum can do just that. It will help your lashes grow longer, thicker and stronger. This product goes on like clear mascara and locks moisture into the lashes. It also acts as a great primer for your mascara giving a much smoother application and can also be used on your eyebrows to help them grow too!

If you have had any perming or tinting to your lashes then this is the perfect product to keep you lashes in tip top condition.

Please get in touch to order yours for just £14.99.

So yesterday I spent 5 hours running around the Professional Beauty Show at the Excel in London and it was fun! I went to a seminar with the amazing James Harknett who demonstrated how to do contouring and body sculpting with Sienna X spray tanning. Picked up loads of supplies for waxing and tanning. And queued for almost an hour to get my hands on these new CND Shellac and Vinylux colours from the Spring and Summer Collections.

More photos of the new collection will be added to the Gallery page soon.

Want to try out these colours for yourself? Click here to book your appointment.

Here are a few tips to help your spray tan last longer and to make sure it fades off evenly!

• First of all it is most important that you exfoliate really well before you are sprayed. This creates a nice even base and gets rid off any dry skin that may absorb too much colour.
• If you need to wax or shave make sure this done at least 24 hours before your spray tan.
• On the day of your spray tan appointment, avoid using any perfumes, moisturisers and deodorants. Moisturiser will act as a barrier to the tan and deodorant and perfume will make you look green as can react with the spray tan solution.
• At your spray tan appointment, make sure you have loose fitting clothes so you don't get any unwanted tan lines when you get dressed after you have been sprayed.
• Leave the tan on for 8-10 hours. Leaving it on longer than this can make you look orange so its not recommended! Get in the shower and stay there until the water runs clear. It is the guide colour from the spray that you are washing off and you will be left with a lovely golden tan.
• To help your tan last the full 5-7 days, avoid long baths, swimming and jacuzzis. Keep your skin moisturised but avoid the use of oil based products as these can strip the tan. 
• If knuckles and toes are looking a bit on the dark side, you can use some baby oil to remove the excess colour.
• Begin exfoliating again from the fourth day after your spray tan, this helps promote even fade off and will stop you looking patchy.

Sienna X have a lovely range of retail products to help you prepare and prolong your tan. Please contact me for orders and further info. Sample sachets are also available from £1.00 so you can try them out before buying the full sized bottles.

So you have taken time out of your busy schedule to make sure your nails are looking pretty for Christmas. Here are a few tips to keep them looking good all the way through to New Year.

• Make sure you are wearing gloves every time you wash the dishes or do any sort of household cleaning that involves water or cleaning products.
• When wrapping presents, avoid picking at the sellotape. Try using a tape dispenser instead.
• If you are going away for the holidays then be aware that chlorine and sun can fade your Shellac colour and weaken it meaning it may chip or peel sooner than your are used to. Also be careful with insect repellents and sun tan oils as these can also cause damage.
• Using Solar Oil at least twice a day (especially at night before going to bed) replaces lost moisture to your skin and nails. Regularly using a good cuticle oil will substantially prolong the life of your Shellac manicure and keep your natural nails and the skin surrounding them healthy, moisturised and flexible.

If your nails do start to chip or peel, do not pull the rest off as this causes damage to the surface of the nail plate weakening your nails. You can file the free edge of your nails if you get a breakage and if you need to have your shellac removed then make sure you give me a call. 

Check out my Christmas opening hours here.

Christmas is now less than a week away and if you haven't finished your shopping yet then here are some easy ideas for you.

If you wish to purchase any of these items in time for Christmas then please use the form on the contact page to talk to me about hand delivery in the Borehamwood area. For more great gift ideas Shop here now!

Don't miss out on your little bit of pampering before the Christmas break. I'm now extending my hours so will be working on Christmas Eve.

And if you have left your spray tan until the last minute then don't worry as I carry the Sienna X fast tan solution "Tonight's the Night" which develops in 2-4 hours instead of the usual 8-10 hours.

Evening appointments are going fast so call or text to book your slot 07472471848.

Introducing the exclusive tweezer of the Billion Dollar Brows Salon.

Pure Precision!

Made from stainless steel and specially coated with a slanted tip, these are the only tweezers you will ever need. Guaranteed to grab every hair, every time.

You can purchase these tweezers at your next appointment for £20 or you can order direct from my website by clicking here.