Stef In The City: 5 Ways To Pamper Yourself This Holiday Season
Stef in the City is a monthly column by Stefanie Jones. Stefanie moved from London to be a co-host of the nationally syndicated TV show Daily Blast Live which films in Denver. Starting in 2012, Stefanie was the host of Fashion One Television, an international channel focusing on beauty, glamour, style, luxury, and viewed in more than 120 countries worldwide. A regular correspondent for international fashion weeks and at red carpet events around the world, Stefanie used her VIP access to report on some of the industry’s most exclusive parties. She has interviewed fashion’s most well-known insiders, including Anna Wintour. Every issue, Stef will share her fashion and beauty insider tips with our readers.
The holiday season is officially upon us. Thanksgiving has come and gone and if you’re anything like myself, you’ve probably already eaten your body weight in soft cheeses (damn those tasty charcuterie boards) and probably drank one too many glasses of red with your nearest and dearest. But, let’s be honest Darlings, the month of festive fun is only just beginning - Tis the season to be jolly after all.
Whilst we have Mariah on repeat for the thousandth time and have obsessed over what witty little gift you can get your secret Santa, I ask you…what can you get for yourself? Yep. Read that again - YOURSELF. Christmas is the time for giving after all and you, my Loves, are the most deserving. At this time of year, you're literally expected to become Wonder Woman. You’ll have a million house guests, every Tom, Dick, and Harry just ‘popping in’ to wish you Merry Christmas (take a hint you lot, leave the hamper at the front door with a card) and every time you’ll feel the need to look like a million dollars.
You’ll have to smile and nod your way through your partner’s Christmas party whilst trying to remember the names of new wives, kids, dogs, whatever. On top of that, you can’t possibly get sick despite everyone around you battling the flu and don't even get me started on the in-laws long lists of requests and ugh the tree still needs to be put up. Okay. Deep breath. Put the tinsel DOWN (in fact please burn the bloody stuff I can’t stand it) pour yourself a glass of vino and listen up.
I’ve been trying out ways to help us all look and feel our best during the most stressful season of the year to ensure you remain at your prime. Refreshed, glamorous and without a sniffle insight. Everyone will wonder what your secret is. From your head to your toes, I’ve got you covered.
1. HAIR EXTENSIONS AT ELLE B SALON
First up… book an appointment at Elle B Salon. Listen, it’s true what they say. Your hair is your crowning glory. It’s the first thing people see when you walk into a room and believe me, a bouncy blowout and root touch up makes ALL the difference. It guarantees you look put together instantly. For years I’ve had hair extensions. I’ve tried them all, clip in’s, glue - in’s you name it, I’ve had it, but it’s only when I met Lindsay (owner of Elle B Salon) that I experienced the power - yes the power, of a beaded weave. I won’t lie when she told me about this magical hair transformation I had to google it. I’d never heard of it before and didn’t know what to expect… little did I know it would transform my locks from limp and, to be frank rather blah, to thick, full and fabulous within about an hour. I kid you not. This is what dreams are made of.
I sat back, relaxed and drank a rather delicious tea whilst Lindsay worked her magic on my hair. This was about 4 weeks ago now, and I’ve never had so many compliments. I feel more confident than ever and barely have had to touch it. Styling is a doddle - curls last for days, which means guess what - less time faffing over hair irons and more time for you. It’s a win, win situation. I was apprehensive about not being able to maintain my hair between visits, but honestly - it’s been a breeze and I’m not due back for another two weeks. Dreamy.
www.ellebsalon.com // 2931 W 25TH AVE #102 DENVER, CO 80211
2. HYDRAFACIAL AND CHEMICAL PEEL AT RESTORATIVE INJECTABLES
Next up, we need to tackle skin. Since moving to Colorado, I have suffered from bad skin like you wouldn’t even imagine. The climate here is NOT forgiving. Coming from rainy, moist England to a very dry climate takes quite a toll on your skin. I’ve developed lumps under the surface layer of my face that just have not gone away and no amount of exfoliating has done the trick. I headed to Restorative Injectables to visit Leah to see what could be done and let me tell you, she had a field day on my face. Leah took a look at my problematic skin and informed me that I did, in fact, have mild adult acne. After never having blemishes previously I was horrified, however, she assured me I was in safe hands and that with a Hydrafacial and mild chemical peel I would be well on the way to soft, smooth, blemish-free skin. I’ll be honest, I took one look at Leah’s flawless skin and said shamelessly give me whatever you have. I left with a handful of products, a face that's glowing when makeup-free and a week on, my red lumps have almost fully healed. It's nothing short of a Christmas miracle.
www.restorativeinjectables.com // 6981 E Belleview Ave, Denver, CO 80237
3. TEETH WHITENING AT DENVER MOBILE TEETH WHITENING
As I move swiftly down the body, I stop abruptly at my teeth. Darling’s…. I'm British…I’m a HUGE tea drinker and to be frank, us Brit's don't have the best reputation on this side of the pond for our gleaming gnashers.
I guzzle about 4-5 cups of the good stuff every, single day. Safe to say, that my pearly whites most certainly have been affected by this staining habit and needed some brightening pronto. I’ve always been rather fearful of whitening products as strips and gels applied with gum shields in the past have given me awfully sensitive teeth, which in turn has resulted in me never completing a course. I’m already wincing at just the thought of the horrible sharp pain afterward. You Americans love your sparkling teeth and to be part of the gang, I just needed to shape up… which is where the Tooth fairy or should I say - Vanessa comes into the picture.
She popped over to see me in her super-luxe mobile whitening studio to give me the full whitening experience and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. More importantly - it didn’t hurt. I kicked back and nervously waited for that painful sting after she applied the ointment…. I waited, waited and nothing. Seriously - I was AMAZED. I snuggled under a cozy blanket while watching Netflix for forty minutes and came out with teeth that previously I had only dreamed of. My tea stains are truly a thing of the past and with top-ups every three to six months I am free to drink tea to my heart's content… In fact, someone pop the kettle on will you Loves?
4 IV THERAPY AT HYDRATE IV BAR CHERRY CREEK
Whilst all this glamorizing was going on, I needed to find something to help me glow from the inside out. I have zero intentions of getting the dreaded flu or having to carry around some snotty tissue with me all winter. Seriously, not chic and no thanks. With so much to do, people to see and cocktail parties to attend, I need to ensure my health stays in tip-top shape. This is where Hydrate IV Bar located inside of Live Love Lash in Cherry Creek came into play. I’ve heard about the IV health trend from celebrities back in the UK but never given it a go due to my fear of needles. With people calling in sick at work left, right and center, I knew I had to bite the bullet, face my fears and give it ago. I went in and thought, well, if I’m going for it, I’ll get the kitchen sink. I sat back in a comfy armchair and let the nurse do her thing. Within a second, the drip was inserted and other than a slight scratch - honestly, I felt nothing. I was told to sit back, relax and allow the fluids to be absorbed by my bloodstream filling me with vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants within forty minutes. Now, did I feel the effects immediately? No. However, that night I slept like a baby, it was fabulous. The next day I woke up feeling refreshed, I was up early and raring to go. My skin felt good, I felt healthy from the inside out; it was rather amazing. With how dry the climate is here I am seriously considering a monthly membership to keep hydrated and boost my immune system. I’m keen to try the Jet Lag IV when I fly back from London post-Christmas in a few weeks. Side note - if you haven’t gotten your flu shot, just do it already, there's an IV for Cold and Flu too.
www.hydrateivbar.com // 2717 E 3rd Ave, Denver CO 80206
5. FLOAT THERAPY AT VIVE FLOAT STUDIO
Last, but most certainly not least is your body and mind in its entirety. I wanted to try something that would soothe the mind, body and soul and Darlings…. This is it. May I introduce you to VIVE Float Studio. Upon walking in the building, the general atmosphere just makes you feel calm, the team where beyond charming and so helpful, I felt incredibly welcome and at home. I’ve never seen a Float Studio before and had no idea what to expect, but with glowing reviews, I was ready for the ultimate sensory experience. After washing and cleansing your entire body, you enter the Wave Float Room - which I might add is completely private and for solo use. You slowly sink into velvety soft, skin temperature water and gently lay back. With gallons of Epsom salts surrounding you, you magically begin to float effortlessly. Your body becomes totally weightless allowing your muscles to relieve all tension. Your bones, organs, entire body are now completely at ease and honestly, it feels WONDERFUL.
Whilst your floating, there are multiple options of bespoke lighting and sound available to you at the touch of a button. At the start of my one-hour session, I had the soft glow of pale blue light and enjoyed listening to the calming music. I genuinely thought I would be afraid to turn the music and lighting off or that I wouldn’t enjoy it as much - how wrong I was. When I felt truly comfortable in my surroundings I decided to just go for it and get the full experience and woah, what a difference it made. I lost all sense of my body and the water, somehow it all become one. My mind entered a state of deep meditation almost instantly. I lost all sense of time yet my mind was calm. Tranquility doesn’t even cut it.
After my float session, I tried VIVE Float Studio's Facial Focus Cryo. An added time of approximately ten minutes left me feeling refreshed. The therapist used a handheld device that had a beam of vaporized liquid nitrogen that she gently applied to my face and neck. She described it so beautifully as Mother Nature’s icy hands caressing my skin. I couldn’t describe it more perfectly myself. The cooling air supports the oxygenation of dermal cells, encourages collagen boosting and generally detoxes the skin in one soothing icy blast. As someone that's not a fan of the cold and was slightly unsure at the start - let me assure you, it is heavenly. My skin felt soft, smooth and I felt totally pampered.
www.vivefloatstudio.com // 250 Steele Street Ste. 110 Denver CO 80206
Whilst the holiday festivities are in full swing, I want you to seriously take yourself into consideration. There won’t be time to do it all, however, if any of the above resonates with you I implore you to make time to relax, put your feet up and treat yourself. It's kind of strange that there’s an entire month of the year that you're just supposed to be more grateful, chirpier and the constantly dolled up hostess with the most-est and frankly, that's just not how being human works. It's not about being selfish, it’s recognizing how to be your best self which in turn allows you to be a better you for your loved ones…and let’s be real, you got to protect your gut health this season if you want to keep eating cookies and eggnog, okay?!
Until next year my Darlings, stay fabulous and follow me @steffrjones
