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The London Guide From Bon Vivant

Posted by Emyr Thomas

We hope that our members and readers enjoy our regular blog posts – we try to make sure we tell you about the best venues and experiences to help maximise your free time and to ensure you are ‘in the know’ before anyone else.

In addition to the blog, we have launched a new section on our main website called The London Guide – your one source for the best hotels, restaurants, bars, spas, exclusive events and cultural highlights in one of the greatest cities on Earth – London.

Whether you want to know about the best London hotels (luxury or boutique), want to find a suitable London restaurant for the right occasion (brunch, afternoon, business lunch or private dining room, for example) or need inspiration for somewhere to go for a drink (cocktail bar, rooftop bar or champagne bar).

Bon Vivant’s London Guide hopes to be your one source to return to time and time again for inspiration on the best that London has to offer – it has our best content in one place, easily accessible and in an easy format to navigate.

We also have a section on London neighbourhood guides and a selection of holiday destination and travel guides including the Caribbean, Mallorca, Barcelona and the South of France.

Bon Vivant’s London Guide will tell you what you need to book, for whom, when and how. Click here to read The London Guide.

If you would like us to cover any content that we currently don’t have, please email us or leave a comment below – we would love to hear your thoughts. If you don’t already subscribe to our blog, enter your email address below:

Mensphere – Online Grooming For The Modern Man

Posted by Emyr Thomas

Introducing Mensphere, a grooming, accessories and gift website for the modern man, that I thought you’d like to know about. Mensphere has a selection of carefully curated products (some classic and many emerging brands) in the world of grooming products and accessories.

Whether you are looking for face creams, sunglasses, cuff-links or underwear, the sleek website is easy to navigate with detailed descriptions and images of the products.

Menshpere stocks established luxury brands such as Clarins Men, Clinique and Anthony through to niche, international companies like Recipe for Men and Prospector Co on the grooming side and exciting accessory labels such as Hamilton and Hare and Alice Made This.

Mensphere is also the first online retailer in UK for skincare brand Triumph & Disaster from New Zealand and Twinluxe from the United States.

If you’re looking for a gift for the man in your life, Mensphere allows you to create your own gift box or use pre-selected options for the Working Man, Social Man or Travelling Man (I’m all 3 – hint, hint!).

Based in London, Mensphere is a good place to start for all your grooming products and accessories or for inspiration for gifts for the modern man. For further information, visit the Menshpere website.

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Waterhouse Young Clinic

Posted by Emyr Thomas

In a beautiful townhouse on a quiet street in Marylebone with a grand entrance and imposing staircase, you’ll find the Waterhouse Young clinic that offers an impressive range of non-surgical skin treatments. A team made up of surgeons, aesthetic doctors and nurses deal with every skin issue from fine lines and wrinkles to sun damage and acne scarring.

I am no stranger to an afternoon of pampering, but can sometimes find that a facial treatment has more of a relaxing effect than doing much for rejuvenating my skin, therefore I was intrigued by the sound of the ‘HydraFacial’ treatment offered at Waterhouse Young.

HydraFacial is the latest non-invasive skin resurfacing and rejuvenating treatment, which purports to being less invasive than microdermabrasion, but with significantly better results.

Waterhouse Young are keen to not portray themselves as a spa, which is evident as soon as you walk in. There’s no lounging area, steam room or shower but a rather lovely sitting room that’s both stylish and homely where a nurse sits with you to discuss your requirements and your course of treatment.

Your first session starts with a detailed skin analysis using a state-of-the-art VISIA machine, which will highlight any areas of focus that you may wish to address. The results of the tests rank various features of your skin in percentile terms against a large database of your peers of the same demographic. The results can induce both smugness (no wrinkles!) and fear (too many holidays, apparently…)

The HydraFacial procedure at Waterhouse Young involves using a special hand piece to remove dead skin cells and impurities through a gentle suction process, whilst simultaneously cleansing and hydrating the skin with antioxidant serums.

They finish by shining red LED lights onto the skin to aid circulation, reduce redness and irritation, and to stimulate collagen and elastin production. The procedure is non-evasive and is still relaxing despite the suction method used.

The result? I can genuinely say that my skin looked more radiant, healthy and clear after just one session, although they recommend a course of 6 treatments. The most noticeable difference was that my skin looked firmer, which lasted long after the treatment.

For best results, they recommend an intensive course of one treatment per week for six weeks. Each treatment costs £200 and takes approximately 40 minutes to administer.

New for 2013, Waterhouse Young has extended its portfolio of non-surgical skincare treatments by introducing the new Intraceuticals Rejuvenate+ Boosters collection.

The professional Rejuvenate+ Booster treatment serum is delivered using pressurised oxygen so the skin can absorb the nutrients quickly leaving the skin firmer, hydrated and glowing. The full list of Rejuvenate+ Booster treatments can be viewed here. The treatment is perfect before a big occasion or event to remove the signs of the previous night’s over indulgence!

Waterhouse Young have just launched a new treatment focusing on body-contouring, the EndyMed PRO 3DEEP device, which uses radiofrequency technology to heat the skin without any pain or discomfort. Heat application causes collagen to contract, which tightens and lifts the skin – this is perfect to prepare for summer!

Waterhouse Young also offer a ‘come to you’ service for those with demanding schedules. For further information, please visit the Waterhouse Young website. Your skin will be ever thankful.

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Why not read some of our best London content including our guide to the best afternoon tea, the best boutique clothes shops in London or where to sample the city’s best coffee.

Beach and Yoga Retreat in Mexico

Posted by Bon Vivant

It is never too early to start planning your next great escape. Bon Vivant is excited to highlight the Beach ‘n Yoga Retreat brought to you by Health Yoga Life. It is the perfect way to become a new you in the New Year!

When London gets dark, feels dank and somewhat isolating, escape to the Caribbean with like minded internationals all in search of improving themselves and learning strategies for healthier living. At the start of the New Year we all make commitments to eat better, rest more deeply and enhance fitness routines – this retreat is the best way to kick start that commitment.

Imagine a week of never having to make the bed, pick up the dry cleaning, or answer to anyone – except you! The only sound is the ocean breeze wafting through cacti as you recover in a hammock or go for a swim in the Caribbean.

Besides a tropical reprieve in the middle of winter, the Beach ‘n Yoga Retreat can help you recover from the overindulgence of holiday parties, concerts, dinners, and pudding extravaganzas. Shed the exhaustion and the pounds with this week long retreat from 20 January 2013.

Informational and restorative, you will learn techniques to employ in your daily life to achieve more balance and wellness. Included is everything from eco-chic beach front rooms at the Amansala resort, tailored super-food meals, 2 yoga sessions per day, healthy living strategy sessions and more.

Excursions to Mayan ruins, sunken rivers and caves are also on offer; but with the emerald ocean and sun-warmed sand a step away, you may not stray far from the resort! To learn more about this trip, please click here. Bon Vivant readers can save $100 by entering BVC at check-out here.

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QMS Medicosmetics and Spa

Posted by Sophie

Tucked away around the back of Peter Jones on London’s refined Sloane Square lies the UK’s flagship store of QMS Medicosmetics and Spa. With its sophisticated address, and in the vicinity of other retail outlets with equally reliable, long-trusted reputations, you know that this German company means business, and fittingly, it is one that is not focused on a beauty that is only skin deep.

Inside the spa the ambience betrays intentions of beautiful and slick European elegance. White walls are underscored with azure blue lights that hint at the Mediterranean, and clear, bright, unblemished surfaces abound in a way that you can only hope will mirror your own facial canvas once you leave here post-treatment.

QMS Medicosmetics and Spa was founded on interesting principles by a maxillo facial surgeon, Dr Erich Schulte, whose work prior to setting the company up concentrated on healing patients who had suffered severe accidents and burns.

Through this work he developed products for everyday use in conjunction with his latter research on the beneficial effects collagen has on anti-ageing and skin regeneration.

From this his first skincare range was launched. Now a global brand, treatments at the spa range from skin cell renewal, pigmentation correction, firming treatments and skin regenerating treatments. The concise menu of what’s available is priced upwards of £45.

I had a bespoke facial, specially tailored to my skin type, and I was able to try out the addition of the oxygen concentrator – a sensation akin to somebody blowing fine streams of pure oxygen onto your face, encouraging everything that’s been absorbed to penetrate deeper and work more efficiently.

Afterwards, your therapist will write a detailed recommended skincare routine, and will remain on board for you at the spa to answer any further questions in an unstuffy, approachable environment.

If Sloane Square is less handy, then QMS have recently launched their range at the beauty counters in Liberty’s iconic Regent Street store – somewhere you can also book in for spa appointments.

The verdict? Perhaps I was having a good week anyway, but a few days after my 90 minutes at Cadogan Gardens someone who I’d not seen in a little while asked me if I’d found love. “Your face says it all”. Little did she know.

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Sergio Giannasso Hair Salon, Covent Garden

Posted by Bon Vivant

From the moment I stepped into Sergio Giannasso‘s hair salon on St Martin’s lane, the overriding feeling was of pure relaxation and enjoyment. Bright and airy, and split over two floors, this salon has struck a balance of homely welcoming and stylish modernity.

Upstairs is bustling and home to cutting, a vivacious reception desk, and huge displays of fabulous, colourful styling products, whilst the basement feels far more leisurely and is home to the colouring, washing and tiramisu (more on that later) and even offers a hot desk area for those needing to work while they beautify.

Sergio has been in the industry for 20 years, and his experience at some of London’s finest celebrity stylist salons (Director at Charles Worthington, for example) is apparent from the outset. His team has been hand-picked from both cutting edge and hugely fashionable salons, and unlike most competitors, anticipate colleagues’ needs to make service and guest experience seamless.

I was fortunate enough to visit one sunny Friday afternoon, and helped along by free-flowing Prosecco, and home-made tiramisu (Sergio’s Italian generosity and hospitality ooze throughout the salon) from start to finish was indulged and utterly spoiled with real skill, technical ability and charm.

The services I received included a cut, colour and blow dry, and all three were executed brilliantly, a rare feat for a someone as peculiarly fussy. The salon offers every service you’d need for hair, including Great Length extensions, and being on St Martin’s Lane, it caters to many a West End Star with a blow dry.

Already offering make-up services, now expanding to include limited cosmetic procedures and with rumours of a nail bar opening in the future, it’s easy to see that the salon will soon be a fully-fledged one-stop-shop for beauty as well as hair.

The long-serving team members with their vast experience and skill coupled with Sergio’s expertise, generosity, and wonderful flair for service make this a great find. I simply cannot recommend it more highly. Below is an example of Sergio’s styling (not me!).

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Leticia Haute Coiffure – Salon Review

Posted by Frances

Finding a salon in London is never easy, and so when we were invited to try Leticia Haute Coiffure nestled into chic Marylebone, it didn’t take much persuading.

The salon opened about 2 years ago, and recently purchased the property next door, transforming it into a gorgeous nail bar.

The pampering began with a mani-pedi in the nail bar, executed brilliantly by obviously well-trained staff. There was a huge selection of essie and OPI colours to choose from, and staff were great at recommending and guiding according to the trends.

The pedicure at Leticia Haute Coiffure even included a paraffin wax treatment, which I’d never had before, and despite feeling a little silly walking around with wax and plastic bags on my feet, the result was baby-soft skin that looks fresh and hydrated.

Glammed up and nails decorated, I went through to the hair salon to be greeted by the in-house puppy, Jack. The salon has a real personality and welcoming feel which Jack only added to, and really feels like a haven. They even have a VIP room if you want total privacy, or to use with friends or your Mum for an indulgent treat.

Pierre, the Creative Director at Leticia Haute Coiffure has worked all over the world, and has a background in fashion, which really shows in his advice and style when treating hair. He talked me through the issues I had with my hair, and quickly dispelled most of my misconceptions about its condition, and what my routine should be.

Post hair-wash I was taken back to Pierre who gave me a 15 minute head and shoulder massage which left me feeling like I was 21 again (no mean feat) and was a superb addition to the cut.

Leticia Haute Coiffure really goes the extra mile in making guests feel relaxed. The cut was superb and I have already booked appointment number 2. Followed by the quickest blow dry I’ve ever had (I think he’s actually won awards on the speed of this) which was as good as any I’d ever had, but in less than half the time, this salon is a real find.

The spa downstairs offers treatments, some of which are totally unique to the UK (Galvanic, which Brad Pitt favours, and leaves you looking 10 years younger) as well as facials, massages, and waxing.

It’s refreshing to find a salon in London with personality, quality, professionalism and individuality without paying astronomical fees, but this is one to keep on your radar and try next time you’re in town with a spare afternoon.

Address: Leticia Haute Coiffure, 61 Chiltern Street, London W1U 6NG

Phone: 020 7935 1770 (Hair Appointments); 020 7935 8913 (Beauty)

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Ayanna Spa Review

Posted by Vilma

Vilma Darling visits the lovely Ayanna Spa in Chelsea.

Freezing temperatures, Arctic winds, lack of vitamin D and too much comfort food are only a few things that I dislike about winter. But my skin hates the horrible weather with such passion, that it goes red and becomes so dry, that it actually hurts.

My body this time of year only wants to eat and sleep. But the show must go on and so to treat my miserable self I went to the Ayanna Spa on Holland Park Avenue in London.

The ladies there told me straight away that my problematic skin and body had come to the right place. They said that Ayanna was a results-based spa and that the therapists did not follow protocol – every treatment would be adjusted to your particular needs.

My experience started with a massage to relieve stress and tension. Like most desk-bound and heavy-bag-carrying people, I often have pains in my neck, head, shoulders and lower back.

Kay, the massage therapist at Ayanna Spa, concentrated on those areas and confirmed that I have ‘lots going on’, especially on my left side. She was full of very knowledgeable advice and was so good at making me relax that towards the end I did not want to leave the lovely heated bed.

I could have fallen asleep there and then, but another therapist was waiting to do my facial.

Mariana looked at my skin and suggested the Prescriptive Facial. She cleaned it, hydrated, nourished, calmed and, where needed, skilfully decongested.

The Ayanna spa was opened only three months ago by ex-City girl Nalini Williams. She had been a regular spa client for many years and has been collating her experiences to one day open her own spa where clients can relax and leave feeling rejuvenated.

Nalini teamed up with her facialist of five years, and they pooled thoughts, knowledge and experience and the building of their dream began. They have decided to use Pevonia for their advanced formulation and innovative treatment products, Priori for anti-aging cosmeceuticals range and DANNÉ Montague-King for the paramedical products and treatments.

CACI has been chosen for its leadership in aesthetic treatment technology, HydraFacial for skin resurfacing without the need for lasers, Active Optima 518 for IPL hair removal and skin rejuvenation using a patented GEM technology and Radio Frequency for slimming treatments.

The spa owner is often a ‘guinea pig’ for treatments they are experimenting with, but she says she loves the HydraFacial and Lumafirm Lift & Glow facials that work wonders on her skin.

“We remain focused on our original vision – employing the best resources to provide clients with results-based treatments in an environment they can enjoy and relax.”

Bon Vivant’s members are entitled to a discount of 10% on treatments at Ayanna spa.

Address: 146 Holland Park Avenue, W11 4UE

Phone: +44 20 7998 7872

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Read some of our other spa reviews including Waterhouse Young clinic.

Ushvani Spa, Chelsea

Posted by Vilma

Vilma Darling eases away her stressful week, not at the bar where she usually resides, but at the beautiful Ushvani spa in Chelsea.

Have you ever had a working week from hell? When everything that could go wrong does go wrong, and you are even blamed for things you haven’t done, but no one cares about your explanation?

The only cheerful thought in my head at the end of THAT week was about my appointment at Ushvani spa in London, where I was booked in for the 90 minute massage.

Ushvani (usha means dawn in Malay and avani is earth in Sanskrit) is a tranquil oasis just around the corner from the busy Sloane Street in Chelsea. Set in a Grade 2 Listed Edwardian town house, the spa is a hidden gem, which I was struggling to find due to illogical house numbering typical to central London.

The spa had sent me a map with its location, but of course after my mad week in work, I had temporary amnesia and forgot to print it out…

When I finally did find it and was buzzed in at “No.1” Cadogan Gardens, most of my worries were left outside on the steps together with the city noise and pollution after the heavy door closed behind me.

The friendly, smiling staff, lovely smells, colours, dimmed light and the hot towel soaked in ginger and nutmeg to clean the hands immediately washed away some of my stress.

Founded by the Malaysian businesswoman Usha Arumugam, Ushvani Spa is an exclusive 3-story urban sanctuary with treatment rooms for both men and women, a suite for couples or families, a beautiful yoga studio and wet facilities for women only.

Hibiscus, the Malaysian national flower, features throughout the spa, and the beautiful dark wood furniture, original carvings and sculptures, that were all specially commissioned from local craftsmen in Malaysia, fit in the period building layout and the Georgian wooden staircase looks very natural with yellow silk batik curtains hanging in the middle.

Before my treatment I was invited to experience the spa facilities in the basement at Ushvani Spa. I was the only guest there and was told that unless clients come with friends or family they wouldn’t have to share space apart from briefly crossing paths in the changing rooms.

I tried every possible shower combination – monsoon, tropical and other names that I can’t remember (every one of them came with dramatically changing lights). I inhaled nutmeg and ginger scented hot air to clear my lungs in the steam room and was blissfully sitting in the hydrotherapy pool next to a cascading waterfall when I was told it was time for my treatment.

The lovely therapist listened to the stories about my stressful week and straight away adjusted the massage to the needs of my sore neck and shoulders. The knots in my neck were so tight that I did see stars when she was pressing them, but I knew I had to suffer for hopefully better health.

The best part of my treatment was the heated bed and also the advice the therapist had given me how to treat my sore neck and tension headaches – she demonstrated a few exercises and advised to apply balms on the troubled areas.

Ushvani Spa’s therapists say the spa’s philosophy is based on Asian culture that focuses on spiritual harmony and natural treatments. All products are bespoke and made of natural herbs, spices and flowers in Malaysia or inspired by the country.

After my massage I was treated to a cup of hibiscus tea to finish off the relaxing experience. The exclusivity and fabulous therapists come at a price, but it’s worth it – a 90 minute massage costs £180; a 120 minute massage costs £240; and a 30 minute body scrub costs £60.

However, Ushvani’s Vinyasa Flow yoga classes are at a standard price for £15 per 90 minutes. Private yoga classes are available upon request and the best thing about it is the Sentosa studio – the most beautiful and stylish yoga room I have ever seen. Various workshops such as ‘Boosting your Energy’ are organised there, and at £37 for two hours is an original and exclusive present.

For further information or to make a reservation at Ushvani Spa, please contact your concierge.

Address: 1 Cagodan Gardens, London, SW3 2RJ

Phone: 020 7730 2888

Website: www.ushvani.com

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Read some of our other spa reviews, including Ayanna Spa and Waterhouse Young clinic.