Beauty Matters Launch - Garforth, Leeds

Last week my friend Lizi and I had the pleasure of attending the Beauty Matters salon launch party in Garforth, Leeds. Beauty Matters ie one of Leeds' oldest independently owned beauty salon businesses and recently the team invested a six figure sum into a new, large premise in the town of Garforth.  The new salon has an opulent yet homely feel and was fitted out by the same team who built the Harrod's Dior counter and the Ben Sherman shop in Covent Garden. There's mood lighting in the massage rooms giving you a sensual feel, there's bright beautiful lightening in the main salon area and the corridors are liking walking through someone's home with fluffy warm cream carpets and gorgeous furnishings. All these attribute to the salon being one of the most relaxing atmospheres I have seen and felt in awhile.

During the evening we were given the chance to sample a few of the Beauty Matters treatments that set them apart from many salons in the area.  One of the product ranges they were keen to share with us on the night was Eviron. Environ is an effective and proven skin care brand from South Africa, favoured by the likes of Elle MacPherson and Naomi Watts. The salon uses these products in a number of treatments such as facials and the product are also available for customers to purchase at home.

Environ an effective and proven skin care brand from south africa favoured by Elle MacPherson and Naomi Watts, which will be used in a number of treatments such as facials and ill also be available for customers to purchase for use at home.

Another one of the Beauty Matters prized treatments is 3D Lipo. 3D-Lipo is probably one of the most advanced machines of its type and offers a new dimension in non-surgical fat removal, treatment of cellulite and skin tightening in one award-winning machine.  Beauty Matters has a number of 3D-lipo specialists on hand to give you treatment advice and offer you the best course of action when it comes to non invasive fat removal. During the evening we were led to a room where we could watch a 3D lipo demonstration and I found it really intriguing. The woman was laid on the bed with a machine grabbing part of her stomach and freezing the fat cells. It looked slightly painful, but when I asked the woman how she felt, she said 'it didn't hurt one bit'. If I had £1,000 to spare (which can be paid in installments) I'd be all over this. The staff raved about how well it worked and if this an alternative to going under the knife, it would be something I would consider.

Next stop was the nail bar where Lizi and I were treated to an express manicure. I'm usually not one for getting my nails done as I tend to chip them really easily or pick them off when I'm stressed (which probably one of my worst habits), but I was really impressed with the CND Vinylux polish that they use. I opted for a really bright red colour and it stayed on my nails at least five days without chipping after the event. 

Of course it wouldn't be an event without great canapes and champagne and boy, did the Beauty Matters team deliver. All the canapes from the event were locally sourced and some of the vegetarian offerings consisted of griddled aubergine, cheese stuffed pastries, blue cheese and pepper on bruschetta and for dessert, the most yummy chocolate mousse.

At the end of the night guests were encouraged to help raise funds for the local Macmillan Cancer trust who supported this event and as always, I was happy to donate to such a deserving cause. The next day I received an email saying that I had won a facial from their raffle, which has to be the most perfect excuse to visit the Beauty Matters team again. If you live in Leeds, Garforth is only 5 minutes out of the centre by train and I thoroughly recommend popping by. If you're in need of a girly day out or a little bit of 'me-time', Beauty Matters is the place to go.

What are your favourite beauty treatments?