Feelgood factory (From The Northern Echo)

Feelgood factory

12:22pm Tuesday 24th November 2009 in

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A frazzled Lucy Richardson finally finds a window in her busy home/work schedule and makes a date to be pampered.

I DIDN’T realise how much I was in need of some serious pampering until I stepped off life’s treadmill and through the doors of a beauty sanctuary.

Situated at the end of a bustling parade in Mowden, on the edge of Darlington, Beau Visage offers a full range of relaxing treatments destined to go straight to the top of my shopping list.

With facials using Dermalogica, hand and foot makeovers by OPI, CACI non-surgical facelifts and Crystal Clear micro-dermabrasion – a favourite with Victoria Beckham – the salon combines A-list products with first-class service.

I knew my spotty, parched skin was suffering from neglect but had it confirmed by Beau Visage manager and therapist Leanne Cook, after she performed Dermalogica’s exclusive Face Mapping analysis.

A constant struggle to manage my work/family balance had, in recent months, prompted me to reach for the baby wipes to rid my face of make-up. I was cutting corners on a 20-year cleanse, tone and moisturise routine and ignoring the premium brand products in my bursting bathroom cabinet.

Leanne recommended a Dermalogica facial using products targeted at my sensitive pores and my skin was swiftly transformed from red and angry to soft and calm.

To have someone layer your face in gorgeous lotions and potions before giving a heavenly head and shoulder massage was a truly uplifting experience and actually made me feel quite emotional for the rest of the day.

A desire to restore a client’s wellbeing is at the heart of Leanne’s philosophy.

As the owner of a sister Beau Visage outlet in Hartburn, Stockton, she believes offering exceptional service is the key to customer satisfaction.

“Both salons are located out-oftown with easy parking. This means that for women and girls coming here after work it is safe and convenient,”

she explains. “We have tried to make the experience as special as possible. It is not a spa, but is the next best thing. We want to go that extra mile.”

Leanne and her team have been hosting champagne evenings and other events to entice new customers to try their Universal contour inchloss wrap, a spray tan or eyelash extensions as well as an extensive range of face and body treatments.

“There is a lot of stress in life.

Women and men think ‘I deserve this time out’ and budget for a treatment that month which gives them a great sense of well-being,” says Leanne.

“With the recession, people are no longer able to afford big holidays or cars, but still need an uplifting experience.”

To complement the lovely decor in the Mowden salon, Leanne and business partner husband Mark are hoping to install a nail bar and planning to turn the area at the back of the property into an tranquil outdoor oasis where customers can enjoy a glass of wine or herbal tea.

They are also looking at making their services more direct and turning tired offices workers into glamorous powerhouses from the comfort of their desks.

“We are always coming up with ideas,” says Leanne. “We just want people to look and feel as good as they can – and we know we can make that happen.”

■ Beau Visage is offering a half price Dermalogica Face Treatment to all new clients on production of this page.

■ Beau Visage, 82 Fulthorpe Avenue, Darlington, DL3 9XT.

Telephone 01325-365888; email info@beauvisagebeauty.com; beauvisagebeauty.com

Could your cat make the cut?

MOVE over Calendar Girls, Calendar Cats are set to be the next screen stars. Purina ONE super premium cat food is on the hunt for 12 cats and their owners to star in a series of short mini-films.

The specially selected cats will each take part in a one-month food challenge, designed to help visibly enhance a cat’s health and give them a spring in their step. Each cat and owner will then have their stories captured on film, and go on to become an internet video star. They’ll also receive a fabulous, framed portrait photograph of them with their cat, taken by a leading animal photographer.

For your cat to be considered, send an email with your name and location, a recent jpeg photo of you and your cat, as well your cat’s name, age and current diet, the reason why you have such a great relationship with your cat, and why you think he or she might benefit from a change of diet to PurinaonePR@clarioncomms.co.uk.

Or call 020-7343-3142.

Cookery challenge

IF you love getting creative in the kitchen and developing your own recipes, then the Rapeseed Oil Cookery Challenge is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your culinary prowess.

Simply log onto the competition section of Delia Online (deliaon line.com/competitions) before December 12 and upload your favourite recipe using rapeseed oil. The writer of the winning recipe in each of three categories will win £125 worth of cooking equipment from Le Creuset.

Organic skincare

PAMPER and protect skin this festive season with natural skincare enriched with frankincense and myrrh from Northumberland.

The Natural Empathy range is produced by the Stuckey family who live in Northumberland close to the Yellow Fields farm, in Stanton, where the main ingredient, rape seed oil, is grown and pressed. The range includes two festive season-inspired products which promise to protect the skin with pure essential oils, perfect for this autumn and winter.

Frankincense soothes and calms the mind, as well as actively keeping the skin looking younger. Myrrh is a truly magical ingredient, with its healing properties preventing tissue degeneration and assisting with firmness and brightness of the skin.

The range comes as a body butter (£18 for 200ml) and Care & Repair Signature No 3 moisturiser (£25 for 50ml).

■ For more information and where to buy, log on to naturalempathy.com