With such a vast array of skin care brands on the market, there is tough competition out there enticing you to part with your hard earned cash. So which brands do Mwaah readers splash out on and why? And what exciting new products can you expect from your favourite brands this Summer? Following our Facebook skincare survey, Roohi-Saba Rais reveals all.

Is Sawbo one of Hertfordshire’s best kept secrets? Sarah de Souza visits the little town with a big heart to find out for herself.

"Filled with a wealth of period buildings and historic architecture alongside the banks of the River Stort, it has a busy traditional High Street with a range of unique boutiques, a bakers, supermarket, traditional public houses, bars and restaurants and a bi-monthly farmers market." Adam Mackay, Mackay Estate Agents

Manor of Groves Hotel, Golf and Country Club in High Wych, Sawbridgeworth, firmly believes that local ladies appreciate value and good customer service. This is why their company motto is ‘Experience the Difference…’ The ‘Difference’ in this case, is consistency. Whether attending the venue for its superb conference and banqueting facilities, to have a relaxing pamper treatment or invigorating work out in the Health Club, unwinding with a round of golf, or relaxing in one of the 80 spacious bedrooms on the 150 acre complex, they strive to offer a consistent level of high customer service and deliver an enhanced experience.

With local ladies predominantly in mind, the Health Club is delighted to announce they have become a registered Dermalogica Skin Centre. Dermalogica is only available in specifically appointed skin care and skin treatment centres, and was created in response to the professional demand for highly active products that work in a simple and
effective manner. Manor of Groves’ qualified skin care therapists can now show you the path to perfect skin. Call now to book your free skin mapping consultation.

Every other month, Manor of Groves host a ‘Ladies that Lunch’ event in one of their elegant Georgian function suites. This is the perfect opportunity for ladies of all ages to meet up with friends and colleagues, and is a great way to make new friends too. There is a different guest speaker on a variety of lifestyle themes at the two course lunch which also includes a day pass to the Health Club.

For more information on any of the above and to find out all the exciting things which are currently happening at Manor of Groves, please contact Nikki Orsini on 01279 600 777 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

V Norris, Mwaah’s salon networker, has been scouring the region’s salons for their top tips for 2011.

If you thought 2010 was glamorous wait until you see what’s coming up in the world of beauty in 2011! Last year’s key look was big, dark hair extensions, heavy eyes, obvious brows and heavy make up - certain celebs I could mention were edging towards the ‘drag queen’ look – but now it will be more fun and sparkling with the emphasis on individual style.

Eyes continue to be big and bold - supersized lash extensions are already so popular that one local salon reported this treatment being requested by 80% of her clients. This look suits all ages – whether you are looking for a voluminous glam look or need to simply compensate for sparser natural lashes.

Super durable gel nails are hot right now but nail wraps are set to be even hotter (almost literally!). Vinyl transfers are applied gently with heat to bond lightly on to your own nails. But be warned, because this look is not for the faint hearted. Forget plain solid colours, nail wraps will enable you to coat your claws in a range of funky designs and prints for a more individual, fun look. Did you see Katy Perry with images of hubby Russell Brand adorning her talons – a work of art? Mmm? Maybe you’d just prefer to update your manicure, in which case think rock chick - dark bold colours such as purple, dark green, darker blues, plum and muddy olive are going to be bang on trend. Matt is going to be a really hip finish but if you really want to glam it up, then go metallic.

According to Jackie Coleman and her team at Bishop’s Stortford’s Urban Spa, the captivating trends for 2011 are currently being set by a number of celebrities across the globe. “We are noticing that the foremost fashion statement is to achieve luminous glowing skin, high definition eyes and embellished hand and toenails. This can be achieved with a few simple procedures such as Crystal Clear Microdermabrasion facials, IPL Skin Rejuvenation treatments, Salt and Oil Body Scrubs, Hollywood Eyelash Extensions and Minx Nails.”

Temporary body tattoos created from colourful crystals, known as the Vajazzle, are set to be the latest salon treatment. Suitable for use on the face as well as the body, it will rock your looks on the dance fl oor and you could even get ‘vajazzled’ if you wanted to surprise that special someone with a more ‘discreet design’ (for their eyes only!). One ‘must-have’ will be dazzling teeth, so you will see an increasing number of local salons offering teeth whitening treatments. Oh yes, this year’s set to sparkle alright!

Salons are going to have to fi ght for our business more than ever in 2011 and will become more conscious of the marketing power of the internet to offer out incentives and special offers to attract us to their salons – ideal for when you just want to dip your toe in the water and try something new. Signing up to receive last minute deals from individual salons or ‘host’ sites (such as Groupon) allows the beauty bargain hunter to sit back and wait for offers to come into their inboxes.

Other trends include Moroccan inspired hamman spas, warming and soothing lava shell massages, but anti-ageing is the boom market, with surgical and non-surgical
medical aesthetic treatments for both genders, particularly those aged 50+, battling for your personal beauty budgets.

When it comes to looking for a real alternative to surgical treatments. Local beautician Karen Dovaston- Harris specialises in this fi eld, offering treatments such as Mesotherapy that give visible results after the first application of products.

“Mesotherapy is an excellent treatment” says Karen, “it’s done via a machine that uses radio waves. The products are capable of penetrating the skin and infl ating up to 30 times their size fi lling in all the empty spaces, so even the deepest wrinkles will gradually disappear. The Skin Lifting Peptides in this treatment really do tighten the skin on the face. Mesotherapy treatments can also be customized to suit your own special needs. If you have pigmentation or age spots for example, the products can be mixed together to address these particular areas. If you suffer with fat bags under the eyes or dark circles these also can be specifi cally mixed which
really reduce puffi ness. Our alternative ‘Botox’ eye treatment is excellent for lines and tightening of the eye and forehead area.

Another must have treatment is The Jet-M Hydrojet vitamin infusion facial which is like microdermabrasion but is done with jets of water, instead of tiny particles. This really hydrates and plumps up the skin. Firstly, to aid lymphatic drainage, jets of water are passed over the face to the base of the neck towards the lymph nodes, this helps to drain puffi ness from under the eye. A concentrated oxygen and saline solution is then infused into the skin to exfoliate dead skin cells - once the hydrodermabrasion is complete, a tailored choice of vitamins are then infused into the skin."

Contact V with your beauty news on 01992 578862 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Karen Dovaston-Harris 01799 541888

Q. There are so many salons/ beauticians around these days and I’m a stickler for customer service - how do I sort the good from the bad? Caroline Crossley, 46, Bishops Stortford

The old adage that you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression could have been written with beauty salons in mind - many customers are transient, and customer loyalty is at a premium. “You should be able to tell the level of service from your first phone call”, says Jackie Coleman, who with husband Perry, owns Elements and Urban Spa in Bishop’s Stortford, “a good salon should be informative and helpful discussing what service you require – why not book a consultation so you can have a face to face talk with the appropriate person? A customer led salon will acknowledge you from the moment you walk through the door and will remain attentive throughout your visit. They will listen to you so they understand your personal needs and then deliver the best treatments for you”.

This feeling is echoed by Emma Mennie (left), owner of Blanco Browns day Spa and Tanning Salon in Sawbridgeworth; “Whether it’s the receptionist who answers your phone call or the struggle you have fi nding somewhere to park, it is all relevant to your overall experience at a salon. We have a dedicated person to take the client’s jacket, make tea and take an interest in YOU! I don’t want to be leaving messages on a voicemail when trying to book appointments and when I enter a salon I don’t expect a receptionist to carry on her conversation about her boyfriend – As a paying customer, I want to feel the stresses of the day leave me as I park right outside the door, walk into a relaxed, warm and inviting place where they know my name and my needs”.

Not everyone is comfortable making that first step into a salon, so what price a friendly, happy welcome? Invaluable!

Both Jackie and Emma are keen to advocate the power of recommendation when it comes to choosing the best personal, customer service orientated business and stress that a great way to research this is to look at testimonials on websites and Facebook pages.

Q. If I was to allow myself a budget per month to keep myself looking good in 2011 – what treatments should I prioritise and what sort of budget should I consider?
Victoria, 28, and Jill Brayshaw,34, Bishop's Stortford

Choose the treatment you think you need most”, advises Sian Page of Beauty By Balance. “We need to change our beauty regime with the seasons in the same
way we change our diet. Massages and facials are great in the winter months as they also give you time out to rest and recharge as well as treating your skin which
can suffer as a result of the harsh winter weather. As we move into spring think about treating your feet to a refreshing pedicure ready for that gorgeous sunshine.

Urban Spa have been recognised in the professional beauty industry by being voted in the top 50 most desirable spas throughout the UK,
as well as coming 23rd within the top 50 destinations to experience a wonderful treatment and amazing service. Contact them at www. urbanspabeauty.com or 01279 465 666.

Blanco Browns www.blancobrowns.co.uk, 01279 899001