Destination Manchester

I’m definitely converted to train travel, thanks to Virgin Trains and the warm and friendly staff. It is so therapeutic. I whiled away the time drinking coffee and staring out of the window as the green English countryside whizzed by – this is a real treat as I live in the centre of London. It is well worth upgrading to First Class for that extra bit of comfort. Two hours later I arrived in Manchester completely chilled out ready to rediscover the city.

My home town has certainly come a long way since the 1990s. Its blend of style and culture make it one of the most exciting cities in the UK.

There are excellent museums such as the Lowry Centre at the revamped Salford Quays, which is a tribute to L S Lowry, the artist famous for his matchstick men. Also worth seeing are Manchester Cathedral, which has an amazing interior, Manchester Town Hall and John Rylands Library, both built in Victorian Gothic style.

Image Courtesy of visitmanchester.com

Manchester is also a shopaholics’ paradise. The city centre is compact so it is easy to walk round. I think it is altogether a much more pleasant shopping experience than London. You’ll find all the usual high street names as well as a Harvey Nichols and Selfridges. Also not to be missed is Flannels, an independent boutique in Spinningfields, one of the city’s chicest districts. If you like malls visit The Trafford Centre. It’s huge.

People tend to dress up more in the evening in Manchester than in London, so you may want to get your hair done. There are plenty of great salons including Andrew Collinge, Nicky Clarke and Trevor Sorbie. My friend, who is in the know, tells me Andrew Barn, at the James Roberts salon, is the stylist celebrities flock to.

I stayed at the five-star Lowry Hotel, the preferred address of stars and captains of industry. And it is easy to understand why. The hotel has a warm and welcoming vibe and the service is excellent.

Manchester does have some great eateries including El Rincon de Rafa, which serves rather good Spanish tapas and Panacea, one of the haunts of the rich and famous. Deansgate is also crammed with plenty of cool bars where you can sit outside, if the weather is good, and watch the world go by.

The place I always head to when I am in town is the Lowry’s River Bar and Restaurant. The food is always delicious. Looking out on to the River Irwell and chic apartments, I felt as if I had been transported to Chicago, but it could be anywhere in the world you wanted it to be.

I never thought I would say this but I think Manchester is going to be calling me back very soon.

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

For more information on the Lowry Hotel visit www.thelowryhotel.com

For more information on Virgin Trains visit www.virgintrains.co.uk or call 08719 774 222.

Hair Extensions

Hair extensions

When I started looking into the world of hair extensions I discovered it is a minefield. Yes, they can give you the thick, glossy long hair you have always desired or the chance to try a new colour or add a fringe to freshen up your look. But good ones don’t come cheap. Prices start from £300 for thickening and £500 for lengthening. I also realised it was a bit like choosing a colourist; you go to somebody who is known for their skills rather than the brand they use.

Types 

Wefts, strand by strand and clip-ins. Human hair is the most natural. Choose Remy hair which has the hair cuticle intact and lies in one direction like your own hair. There are two types of Remy hair: single-drawn – 80 per cent will be the same length and double-drawn which is all the same length and is the most expensive. According to Chris Hinchliffe from the Lucinda Ellery Consultancy double-drawn can create an unnatural finish as the ends have to be cut away which can be wasteful.

Ethically sourced “temple hair” from India is one of the most popular. As it is thicker than European hair, it may not work with fine hair.

Neville Tucker from Neville Hair and Beauty advises against buying extensions yourself. “You should get a certified hairdresser to buy them for you, as they will not only be able to match the colour correctly to your hair, but they will know which ones are more suitable for each individual.”

To ensure a good colour match, Leo Bancroft, resident hairdresser on ITV’s This Morning, suggests holding them next to your hair in natural light.

How? 

The two professional methods are: prebonded (uses an acrylic based adhesive) and polyamide (has a waxy feel). Clip-ins are good for experimenting with different looks, but must be taken out at night.

Research

Always check your technician’s credentials as badly applied extensions can damage your own hair, while too many can cause a strain on the scalp. Extensions must be applied using a good amount of natural hair per connection and be a suitable size for your hair type.

Go for at least a couple of consultations. Check what training the technician has had. Ask about maintenance. Also you should ask to see examples of their work.

Care is needed when styling extensions. Avoid using conditioner near the roots or any oil-based products as this may break-down the adhesive.

They must always be carefully removed. You may need to have breaks from using them – the technician should be able to advise you. You may experience some discomfort in the beginning. They are not always the easy option you think they are.

Where to go

Lucinda Ellery Consultancy (www.lucindaellery.com)
Nyumba (www.nyumbasalon.com)

 

By Daralyn Danns

A little luxury goes a long way

The other day I was walking beside the River Thames when I saw the Silver Cloud, one of the Silversea cruise ships, moored alongside HMS Belfast near Tower Bridge. My mind flashed back to when I stood on the top deck of the Silver Shadow (one of the groups smaller ships), sipping a glass of champagne, and watched Falmouth’s picturesque harbour slowly fade into the distance as we set sail for France. All the stress I had been carrying around with me began to float away like the bubbles in my champagne flute.

I knew I was definitely going to enjoy living in the lap of luxury for the next five days. 

The Silver Shadow was extremely welcoming and so spacious that I felt as if I was on my own private yacht with the crew ready to wait on me hand and foot. 

The attention to detail – fresh flowers and a bottle of bubbly greeted me on arrival in my suite – was superb. There was even a choice of toiletries.

You are certainly not going to starve on board. In fact, I was more worried about disembarking with excess baggage as the food was so amazing.  As soon as I had finished one meal, it seemed it was time for the next. And in case I got peckish, there was always 24-hour room service. To prevent me having to buy a whole new wardrobe when I got home, I chose the delicious low-calorie "Wellness Options" at lunch time and indulged at dinner. The chocolate desserts were to die for.

There were no nasty shocks on my credit card at the end of the trip, as all drinks including champagne and wines were complimentary (fine wines were extra). The staff were not allowed to accept tips so it avoided the palaver of spending the last day filling up envelopes as you do on most cruises.

To keep fit, I always took the stairs and never used the lift. A power walk around the decks before breakfast set me up for the day. There is a fitness centre on board and there are also exercise classes, both of which I never managed to fit into my itinerary. My idea of exercise was soaking in the hot tub by the swimming pool and relaxing on deck watching the world go by. Although dancing after dinner helped burn up some calories – there is something magical about dancing under the stars.

Laughter is the best medicine for destressing and Muriel, a 60-something divorcée from Ireland provided plenty of that. When Muriel met Harry, also a 60-something divorcé, we all started to hear the sound of wedding bells and planning the wedding became part of our daily schedule. After the cruise, she emailed me to tell me that the wedding was off. Life at sea is a world apart from reality. But, after seeing the Silver Cloud, there is something inside me that is hankering after another taste of the glamour of shipboard life.

By Daralyn Danns

For further information visit Silversea Cruises (www.silversea.com) 

The colour wheel

Getting the right hue for your hair can be difficult and I should know after some of the dreadful colours I have endured. Understanding the colour wheel and knowing some of the rules can help you avoid a disaster.

Colour basics

The primary colours are red, yellow and blue. Hair is made up of different amounts of these shades. When the primary colours are combined they create shades known as secondary colours. Mix a secondary and a primary together and you get tertiary colours. For example red mixed with blue makes purple. Mix purple with blue and violet is the result. Purple combined with red makes a reddish purple. The three primary shades mixed together make brown. 

The colour process

“During a colour process you can either go darker where you deposit depth and tone for a darker, richer result or you can go lighter which in some cases, if you are trying to lighten a previous old colour, you might experience a slightly warmer effect as when lightening you expose a warm hue,” says Christel Lundqvist, current British colour technician of the year and creative colour director for HOB Salons.

What happens when hair is lightened?

Bruno Elorrioroz, advanced technical director at the Aveda Institute Salon and Spa explains: “Products containing hydrogen peroxide lighten the hair. The hair goes through various processes. Blue breaks down first. What you are left with is the underlying pigment which is red, orange or yellow dependent on your hair colour.

“For example a base 3 (dark brown) has red underlying pigment. When you oxidise the hair, red will come through. Putting ash into it will neutralise it. It is important that the colourist knows how to neutralise and counteract unwanted tones to achieve the colour that the client wants.”

Bruno points out that colours may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. “To produce the perfect colour you have to work with three elements: lighting, products and the natural hair pigment.

“Hair looks different dependent on the lighting because the colour we actually see is the light reflected off the coloured pigments in the hair. [Technically black is said not to be a colour as it absorbs all the shades and reflects none.]  When having a consultation always make sure the colourist looks at your hair in the daylight.”

Christel adds: “If you are going from a very dark colour such as black to blonde, you would often have to do this in stages as there are only so many levels of lift that can happen in one service. The condition of the hair is always a priority.”  

If you are going to colour your hair at home, especially if you are intending to use a permanent colour (which lightens the original colour while bonding a new hue to the hair), seek professional advice. It’s easy to see how it can all go so wrong.

By Daralyn Danns

Beauty tips from El Salvador

Having lunch on top of a volcano is not something I do every day. But in El Salvador, Central America where there are 23 volcanoes it is part of the experience. Happily, the San Salvador volcano where I was is no longer active, so I could relax and enjoy my meal surrounded by flowers, butterflies and birds.

El Salvador will wow you with its natural beauty. Volcanoes, mountains, forests, lakes and beaches are all within easy reach of San Salvador, the capital. This country may not be highly developed in tourism but its fresh locally grown food is delicious and there are some amazing restaurants, many which have views that are far more beautiful than any photograph can depict. And there are also beauty tips to be learnt from the women.

La Gran Via, a smart shopping mall San Salvador has many international brands including Zara. 

According to Carolina from the Árbol de Fuego, a small pretty “green” hotel in the city where I stayed, the brand changed the way women in the country dress. “They are now far more international in style,” she added.

Centro Comercial Galerias

 

I couldn’t believe how many hairdressers there were. “Latinas really care about their appearance,” Carolina said. “They often go to the hairdressers at least a couple of times a week before work to get their hair done so it doesn’t frizz.”

When dry, porous hair soaks up moisture from the air the hair shaft swells resulting in the frizzes. To help combat the effects coat your hair with plenty of conditioner.

Although PhytoSpecific is a range aimed at those with naturally curly, frizzy or relaxed hair, when it is humid, I use its Ultra-Repair Night Treatment (£24.50).

Denman’s jumbo heat-retaining, anti-static rollers (£3.02 for 3) are another necessity for clammy weather as they can be used to create a tousled effect and calm down frizz. Alternatively, try the TRESemmé Salon Professional Styling Wand (£29.99) and take a couple of sections and curl them to give you that done but undone look.

The Latinas keep make-up simple. Blusher is a favourite as it lifts the complexion but can also be used to correct skin tone without having to use foundation. A colour that is close to your natural flush should hardly need blending and won’t look funny if it wears off. The new Clinique Gradient Powder Blusher in Black Honey (£24) is on the brown side and looks natural on as does Bobbi Brown Blush in Desert Rose (£17) which is pinkier.

Mascara (waterproof) is an essential. Heavier make-up tends to be kept for the evenings. The Latinas play up one feature usually the eyes. Lips are frequently kept neutral. Try Estée Lauder Pure Color Sensuous Rouge LipColor in Nude Affair (£20). It doesn’t dry your lips. Fans of red lippy should leave the rest of the face nude.

By Daralyn Danns

Pictures of El Salvador: courtesy of the Central America Tourism Agency

For info on El Salvador visit www.elsalvador.travel and www.visitcentroamerica.com

Skin care myths

When it comes to skin care separating fact from fiction can be hard. Here are some answers that I have learnt from dermatologists to the most asked beauty questions.

Drinking two litres of water a day will improve your skin?

Water is essential for your general well-being. It won’t make a difference to the appearance of your skin. 

Is a flawless complexion the result of what you eat?

The skin reflects your general health. On rare occasions eating too much fatty food or over-indulging in chocolate can aggravate acne. 

Does soap dries the skin?

All skin needs to be kept clean. Skin is slightly acidic. Soaps are alkaline and can be drying.  

Cleansers made from synthetic detergents such as beauty bars and liquid facial cleansers are less harsh on the skin.  What you use is down to personal preference and skin type. 

How do moisturisers work?

“They can help reduce evaporation by forming an occlusive barrier (e.g. petroleum, hydrocarbon oils and waxes, mineral and silicone oils, paraffin wax). They can also contain humectants which draw moisture into the skin (e.g. urea, lactic acid, glycerol and taurine),” says Nina Goad, spokesman for the British Association of Dermatologists.

Why do creams contain anti-oxidants?

“There is some evidence that anti-oxidants can provide additional sun protection,” says Nina. “They work by neutralising the damaging free-radicals that are triggered by sun exposure and, therefore, can limit UV-induced skin damage. However, anti-oxidants are known to be unstable and often don't penetrate the skin effectively, so their ability to work in various creams differs widely. Their use can be thought of as a supplementary form of sun protection, but should never take the place of a broad-spectrum sun cream.”

How much moisturiser do you need?

Use where needed. Dry skin isn’t the cause of wrinkles; the sun is the main culprit.

Does skin know the difference between night and day? 

The skin is constantly repairing itself. 

Which creams bought at the beauty counter work?

All moisturisers, on a temporary basis, improve the appearance of the skin by plumping it up. I apply a moisturiser such as Nivea Visage Pure & Natural  Moisturising Day Cream (£5.10), the one that the Duchess of Cambridge was reportedly seen buying in June, where necessary. I also like Estelle & Thild Age Rose Otto Facial Serum (£46, Urban Retreat, Harrods). During the day I use sunscreen.

How your skin ages is a combination of genetics and lifestyle. Buy a moisturiser suitable for your skin type. If you like the smell, the texture and it makes you feel good, the cream is working.

Should you exfoliate?

Dead cells are continually flaking off the top protective layer of the skin (the epidermis) as new cells replace them. Skin renews itself every 21-28 days. As we age this process slows down. 

Exfoliators make the skin look smoother, temporarily. If you have sensitive skin try using a clean face cloth instead. Over-exfoliating can irritate skin and cause rashes. 

Contemplating a non-surgical face-lift?

All these procedures carry an element of risk. If you are contemplating using facial fillers consult a dermatologist. 

By Daralyn Danns