The specialists in beauty treatment and pampering have come to Manchester’s Harvey Nichols, so that perfect beach body is not too far away.
Urban Retreat offers every kind of treatment from hair and body products to massages and facials and even packages for all the yummy mummies and brides-to-be.
Viva Magazine received an exclusive invite to the Urban Retreat event held yesterday. The theme – Get Set To Jet. So who are we to pass up an opportunity for a day of pampering in a luxurious setting? After all summer is very nearly here so we can hide behind the thick coats and dark colours of winter any longer.
I was greeted by the lovely Alicia who explained this event is not just about improving the outer appearance, but improving our body from the outside allowing us to be at our best all summer long.
I was first introduced to Christian Coates from the company Soulmatefood, one of the largest dietary service companies in Britain. The service they provide is individual to each customer and what you want to achieve, whether it be losing weight or bulking up Soulmatefood provides it all. A six-day week diet with 5 meals per day, all prepared and delivered to your house. The only thing you have to cook is the evening meal. Perfect! Christian says, “It’s like having a personal chef.”
Soulmatefood is the diet with a difference, not only does it taste amazing but it’s also an educational process. You are taught about your own body and what foods work for you. After an 8 week course you are left to go on your own with all the new found knowledge you have been given. With more than 300 clients nationwide and celebrity clientele from around the world including Cheryl Cole, Jude Law, Black Eyed Peas and Olympic hopefuls, this is definitely the diet that works. Soulmatefood is a Manchester based company but delivers nationwide, so that healthy lifestyle is within our grasp.
The educating process did not end there. I was introduced to Katie Mares a trainer from Murad, an American brand that specialises in improving the skin’s health. The products are the ideas of Dr Murad, a dermatologist and pharmacist, whose thesis is ‘the science of cellular water’. His theories are about using the water we drink to its optimum.
Murad works in a three way system; topical, internal and emotional and the products have a very high success rate. With products to suit each individual and treatments and consultations to care for the person’s needs and emotional state Murad can treat anti-ageing, acne and redness. The products they provide include lotions, exfoliation creams and supplements. Clinical trails have shown firmer skin by up to 78% and improved texture by up to 47% in just 8 weeks. Yes that means - goodbye cellulite!
This is definitely an event with more substance than just spa treatments. When I had just about heard everything I could on skin and cells we were taken to relaxation heaven.
Alicia steered me in the direction of an Urban Retreat therapist and I was whisked away to the privacy of a treatment room. Spa time - and a massage was on the menu. Relaxing on the massage table to the sounds of the panpipe and trickling water I was treated to a full body treatment. The scrumptious Urban Retreat Scrub & Hydrate helps repair skin cells and removes dead skin cells leaving the skin soft and renewed.
The treatment began with an exfoliating scrub applied to the skin in circular motions, not only renewing skin but also releasing some of the tension in the muscles. After a refreshing shower, back on the table and the massage is completed with a rich body dream and spritz. The effects were immediate and my skin already had a visible glow.
Next on the summer menu was a facial. I was treated to the Keraskin 4 Seasons Ritual. A relaxing exfoliation and massage to the face and the shoulders. After a cool mask was placed on my face to tone and then massage ended with a moisturising process. When I finally forced myself up from the comfort of the table my eyes felt bright and my face was definitely soft and glowing.
I was led to my very own Treatment Plan area and the beauty therapist looked at my own skin and created a list of products from the new Aromatherapy range. The ‘De-Stress’ range smelt beautiful with tones of rosemary and jasmine. Summer was feeling closer already; it’s amazing what a few beauty treatments can do to your mood.
Once again Alicia led me to a different area the Lash & Brow Boutique I was especially excited when I was told I would be getting some lash extensions. Nouveau Lash Extensions – Blink and Go, are the latest innovation in semi permanent lashes. The hand cut, non-allergenic lashes add up to 30% in length and volume.
When the beautician is finished I can see the difference straight away and they last up to 2 weeks; good bye 10 minutes of mascara application in the mornings! As Claire is doing my makeup I realise the afternoon of pampering is coming to an end, it was the worst feeling ever! Make up done and goody bag in hand my Urban Retreat is over.
This day was wonderful and all the staff at Urban Retreat made it even better with their lovely smiles, bubbly personalities and calming atmosphere. This event was more than just a treat it was educational, learning about healthy diets, skin cells and helping ourselves from the inside out; this will not only help us for the summer but for the rest of the year too.
This was definitely a day to remember and Viva will definitely be back for more products and beauty treatments. Summer is nearly here and - thanks to Urban Retreat at Harvey Nichols - Viva is ready for it!
Words: Laura Burke
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