A facial at Tracey Bell...

I have been very fortunate lately to attend so many parties and events, but we all know that the one downside of partying and late nights can be skin that is left looking a little bit (whisper it!) dull. This was exactly the predicament I found myself in of late, having come home in the small hours of the morning on too many occasions to remember, and fallen into bed having taken off my make up with the most rudimentary swipe of a cleansing wipe possible.  
Usually, when I am being ‘good’  I do use cleansing wipes, but then I also wash my face with Nivea facial wash gel and remove any further traces of make up with their Micellar water. After that I always moisturise using Nivea Soft or L’Oreal Revitalift Repair 10 and usually a serum too. I am sure you can imagine, that my abandonment of the usual routine had left my skin in a state of rebellion. Dry and flaky with zero glow or vitality, I was in serious need of giving it some TLC. Luckily, the very day after the lavish party at Delamere Manor, I was booked in to have a facial at the lovely Tracey Bell* salon in Liverpool last Friday, in association with His & Hers magazine who I am lucky enough to work for. 
A last minute deadline came in on the morning of the facial, so I spent the hours beforehand writing a press release. It was quite a comical turn of events, as in true ‘what can go wrong will go wrong’ fashion, I found myself rushing to finish the press release whilst on the train to my appointment. I then realised I had sent off the draft copy (complete with typo!) instead of the proof-read version, just as the train went underground. I then spent twenty agonising minutes waiting to arrive in Liverpool so that I could sprint out of the station to where I had a signal for my personal Wifi hot-spot again on my phone. Cue a comedy sprint up the escalator, during which the handle on my handbag snapped! I then managed to connect to the hot-spot only to be told off by the train station guard for balancing my laptop at the top of the stairs whilst I tried frantically to send off the proof-read version via email! I finally managed to send it and by then I was running fifteen minutes late and feeling more than a little frazzled. Oh well, the life of a novice writer never did run smoothly and luckily when I arrived at Tracey Bell the staff were lovely about my tardiness and I was instantly settled in on a sumptuous sofa with a welcome mug of coffee in my hand. I hope you can forgive the make up free photographs of me everyone!

After filling in a quick pre-treatment questionnaire I was escorted downstairs into the inner sanctum, where I was forced to relax as my phone lost its internet connection. Probably a good thing as it meant I could finally stop checking my email! There was a huge open plan waiting area where I relaxed with my coffee and flicked through glossy magazines, and in no time I was beckoned into one of the treatment rooms by my lovely therapist Hayley. She explained that I would be enjoying an Oxygen facial, a non-surgical  treatment with Intraceuticals products.

 The decadent waiting area complete with reclining chair. The perfect place to relax!

 One of the relaxing treatment rooms, complete with Fake Bake tanning booth!

Favoured by the likes of Madonna, Oxygen facials are popular to revitalise dull skin. Rejuvenating serum is applied to the skin and a machine similar to an airbrush then applies a jet of oxygen to your skin which increases absorption of the product and targets fine lines and dryness. The serum contains Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamins A, C, E and Green Tea to result in instantly smoother looking skin. Hayley talked me through the treatment to a background of relaxing music, and I was so relaxed I felt as though I could drift off to sleep, but we were too busy chatting! Stage two involved the application of Rejuvenate Hydration Gel with Hyaluronic Acid to seal in hydration and protect against moisture loss.
The jet of oxygen felt so pleasant and cooling against my skin, that I could feel it working its magic. It felt so soothing having the serums applied to my skin and I could feel the intense hydration, the perfect indulgence for my neglected skin! The third and final stage of the treatment was having Rejuvenate Moisture Binding treatment applied to my skin to seal in moisture and to ensure my skin stayed hydrated long afterwards. It contains essential oils such as jojoba, macadamia, wheat germ, and sweet almond. Further key ingredients were vitamins A, C, E and Green Tea to protect the skin. By then my skin felt absolutely amazing and I could not wait to see the results.

My lovely therapist for the afternoon. 

 Ready to be pampered and preened.

A range of the Intraceuticals products for use in treatments or at home.

 I was slightly nervous but I was put at ease by my lovely therapist, as we chatted throughout the facial and I soon relaxed as the treatment got underway.

 The machine used is just like an airbrush, and it feels really soothing and cooling on your skin.

Half way through the treatment, my skin was already glowing! You can see that my eyebrows needed shaping, which Hayley kindly did at the end of my treatment.

My lovely therapist and I, thank you for my glowing skin and new eyebrows! 

Hayley kindly offered to shape my eyebrows at the end of the treatment too, since I mentioned neglecting them for a while. She did a super job of waxing them into a lovely arch and I felt like a completely new person by the time we left the treatment room. I was delighted to see that my skin looked absolutely glowing and much younger than it had when I walked in. I would definitely recommend and Oxygen facial to anybody who feels they have been neglecting their skin. Hayley then whisked me to the chic make up area of Tracey Bell, where she applied mineral foundation (as I explained I was going out for the evening so I needed make up on despite my glowing skin!) mineral make up is gentle enough to use after facials, so she applied foundation and blusher and touched up my eyebrows using a HD palette.

 The make up area in Tracey Bell is a relaxing haven!

 Preparing for my make up to be done in the glamorous make up area!

 Feeling revitalised! 

What a fun afternoon! 

 Feeling glowing after my facial, I was ready to head out for the evening.

 The selection of treats I was sent home with!

After a couple of hours of being pampered,  I was finally ready to leave, so I bid the lovely Hayley and the rest of the team at Tracey Bell a fond farewell. I was given a wonderful goody bag to take home, including Eye Scription Illuminate and Anti Wrinkle Serum, Skin Scription Matrix Rebuilding Serum and a gorgeous coral lipstick. I set off into the afternoon feeling thoroughly revitalised. I just had time for coffee and a sandwich, and then before long it was time to head out for the evening. Of course, I could not wait to check my email and I was thrilled to find out that my press-release (minus the typo!) had been approved!  Thank goodness for that after such a disastrous morning!
Thank you so much to the lovely Tracey Bell salon for making me feel so pampered, revitalised and relaxed for the afternoon and to His & Hers magazine. Tracey Bell offer a wide range of treatments from facials and manicures to fillers and cosmetic dentistry. I would definitely recommend the salon for a thoroughly professional and friendly experience which caters to all your beauty needs. 

Tracey Bell 

32-36 Hanover Street 

Liverpool

L14LN

0151 707 0340

http://traceybell.co.uk/

We headed out for some bubbly and cocktails to round off the day!

What do you all think, have you ever had a facial or would you like to try one? Remember I love to read your thoughts and thank you all for reading this post!

Until next time,

Camille 

xo

*Disclaimer 

I was kindly invited to review Tracey Bell Salon, therefore my treatments were complimentary for review purposes, All opinions expressed are my own and honest.

An evening at Delamere Manor

There are some parties which simply take your breath away and last Thursday, the historic Delamere Manor* in Cheshire played host to an amazing one which I was lucky enough to attend. Set in 100 acres of grounds and with a private lake, six master bedrooms, stunning dining and reception rooms, Delamere Manor is the former home of Gary Barlow. 

The manor was being launched as an exclusive wedding and party venue by the owner of the historic home, Michelle Stubbs, who enlisted the help of PR guru Paul Knowles of PK Agency to turn the manor into a stunning party venue. It was a dazzling night as soon as we arrived at the vast enclave, with Luminate lighting casting an ethereal glow on the property and Bentleys and Rolls Royce cars on display. There was a vast Tipi provided by Big Chief Tipis and a fleet of luxury Range Rovers awaited to ferry the guests to the luxury Tipi in the grounds. Guests walked up a sweeping walkway to the fairytale kingdom which awaited them within. There was a roaring wood burner crackling merrily away at the entrance and tables adorned were adorned with exquisite cupcakes by and wedding cake displays by Bloomsbury Cakes. Further inside, the Tipi opened out into a vast space, adorned with chandeliers, beautifully set tables with fragrant floral displays by florist Springbank and candelabras. There was also the dazzling feature of a large dance floor lit by an illuminated ‘#Dance’ sign. We were in heaven as we admired the beautiful coloured glassware decorating the tables and the sparkling fairy lights which lit every corner of the Tipi. We gasped in awe as we found a secret passageway which led to a secluded Moroccan Boudoir where lucky guests could recline on floor cushions by flickering lamp light and admire the couture gown on display by Jean Jackson couture. The Tipi was so breathtaking and there was also another more intimate Tipi where guests could continue the party. 

The house was lit so beautifully by Luminate lighting.

The Tipis  were accessed by a sweeping walkway.

The crackling wood burner kept the chilly night at bay! 

Delamere Manor makes such a beautiful party or wedding venue, and the huge Tipi had been decorated to show just how it would look for a wedding or a special event. The coloured glass twinkled beneath a sparkling disco ball and everywhere looked simply magical. The dance floor proved a huge hit, with many guests (including me) posing in front of the huge illuminated '#Dance' sign provided by The Word Is Love. There were sumptuous wedding cakes on display and huge Macaroon towers which looked simply irresistible!

The Moroccan Boudoir area was so lavish, with lanterns and floor cushions creating a decadent feel.

After experiencing the delights of the Tipi, we were whisked back to the Manor by Range Rover just in time to see celebrity guests such as model Amanda Harrington, writer and model Jade Ainsworth and celebrity Mark Byron arriving. Later there was an extra celebrity guest in the form of actress Daniella Westbrook too. I was honoured to meet an idol of mine, renowned stylist Lorraine McCulloch who is one of the best and most respected stylists in the country. I loved her Stella McCartney cape and enjoyed chatting to her so much!  Inside the house our breath was taken away by the sheer scale of the party. Live music was provided by a DJ and the great saxophonist Dax on the Sax who got the room shaking inside Delamere Manor’s private nightclub which has its own bar, comfortable booths and a huge dance floor lit by glittering lights. 

A stunning floral display in one of the dining rooms.

A beautiful table setting in another of the private dining rooms 

Beyond the nightclub was a further private room, where band Back to the 80’s belted out classics from the era. Guests were treated to a delicious array of canapés such as mini salmon burgers served in takeaway style boxes, lobster and caviar, teacups of butternut squash or asparagus soup and desserts of Tiramisu served in cute flowerpots and chocolate pannacotta served in golden eggshells! No attention to detail was spared and everywhere you looked luxury abounded!

 Salmon burgers were presented in cute takeaway boxes!

This butternut squash soup had a delicious hint of spice and creamy coconut. It was served in teacups which was a lovely idea! 

Champagne flowed and there was an Iceberg Vodka bar serving the most wonderful cocktails containing the quadruple distilled vodka which is created from Icebergs formed from Arctic glaciers which have naturally detached off the coast of Newfoundland. The vodka is smooth and delicious; it was perfect in the array of cocktails on offer. 

The Iceberg Vodka bar.

Guests mingled in the exclusive Iceberg Vodka bar.

 These servings of pannacotta and tiramisu were cute and delicious! 

The party was in full swing and I slipped upstairs to get some exclusive behind the scenes shots of a photo shoot which was taking place. Stunning models wore breathtaking couture wedding gowns from designer Mark Melia and jewellery from Boodles and I was lucky enough to get some candid shots of the models as well as having a peek around the stunning bedrooms at Delamere Manor. My eye was particularly drawn to a huge walk in wardrobe and a large bathroom with a freestanding bathtub! 

 A lovely candid shot of models wearing Mark Melia couture bridal gowns for a photo shoot I was lucky enough to go behind the scenes on.

Models wore beautiful Mark Melia couture bridal gowns and Boodles jewellery for a photo shoot.

 One of the stunning suites. 

This amazing bathroom would be a perfect place for a bride to relax before the wedding!

Back downstairs after my tour, the party was going strong and the DJ was making sure everyone hit the dance floor. Before long, there was an extra treat in the form of delicious Iceberg Vodka logo cupcakes which was just what everybody needed to keep their energy levels up during all that dancing! 

Guests including Amanda Harrington enjoying the stunning private nightclub inside Delamere Manor, where champagne flowed long into the evening.

 Delicious cupcakes kept the guests happy! 

The more intimate Tipi made another focal point for the party.

Eventually it was time for me to bid a fond farewell to the party and to the beautiful manor house. I felt like Cinderella for the night and I had such a wonderful time which I will never forget, so thank you very much to Paul Knowles of PK Agency for kindly inviting me to the amazing party, and to owner Michelle Stubbs and the whole team involved in the lavish party. It was a pleasure to see inside such an amazing home and to observe how it had been transformed into a stunning party and wedding venue. Delamere Manor can cater for parties numbering between 50-500 guests, which makes it ideal for more intimate weddings and parties or larger show-stopping events.  Delamere Manor is available for booking for parties and weddings as of 1^st May 2015 and demand is already unprecedented after such an incredible launch! 

Delamere Manor.

Cuddington Lane, Cuddington, Cheshire CW82TE

enquries@delameremanor.co.uk

01606261361

What do you guys think, would you like to have a party or a wedding at Delamere Manor? Remember, I love to read your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post! 

Until next time,

Camille 

xo,

*Disclaimer: 

I was kindly invited to this event as a guest of PK Agency, all opinions expressed are my own and honest.