Posted on 20 Apr 2011
What’s my name?

As the salon sale completion carries on looming….I have been starting to have nightmares about my future! Am I going to be able to earn a living? Am I going to be a success? Mad dreams of being trapped in small rooms with the wrong equipment and a client about to arrive or a large blank canvas and nothing to write with.  I’ve been waking up in sweats over not knowing the answer to a really basic question, whilst sitting in an office of glamourous and high achieving women.   Torturous nights of waking at 4.45am and lying in bed listening to the birds wondering whether the sale will really happen and when the next exciting chapter of my life can begin.

Am I going to cope without the identity that I have built up in the area as “Laura Nicetouch”. I rather liked my adpoted surname, it made me smile!  How will people address me now? “Laura Umm”, “Laura Nicetouch works for herself, kept the brand &  websites”, “Laura Nice urrr works in London”, “Laura, that girl that had that salon”.  Who knows what will happen – the next month is going to be full of excitement, promise & new opportunities.  I’m such a believer in doors opening or closing for the right reasons.   I may even get to be known as just Laura Ludlow - now that would be a Nicetouch! X

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Posted on 9 Apr 2011
Chubby goes to the gym…..

Part of my knee rehabilitation (its been 5 weeks now) is to join the gym under the strict understanding that I am only to exercise if there is no impact and no twisting and turning – I refuse to swim – Chippy pool has shadows which make me think JAWS is on his way – I prefer the Chippy Lido but its not open until May,  so I am left with one option….join the gym at the Chipping Norton Leisure Centre.

I am a girl who had a gym membership in London.  Since I moved up here, I have utilised village hall circuits classes and the hills and dips around Charlbury to run or to cycle, so registering at the gym this morning was quite an eye opener.  In London it was full of gym bunnies and man muscle, sprinting on running machines, humping (!) weights, heaving bits of equipment whilst seeing how many of the opposite sex (or same sex actually) they could attract.  Chipping Norton in comparison was chilled, normal people working out, smiling, waving good morning at each other.  ”How terribly Cotswolds” I thought as I wandered past a lady wearing her 1980′s leotard and leggings….

Darren is “my man” at the gym, I know his gorgeous wife, she’s a client of mine at the salon.  He is perfect to be my trainer/advisor as he has had two knee operations and is rubbing his hands with glee as we talk instability, over correcting (of my knee that is!) After what felt like a huge amount of form filling, health checks, blood pressure (so low man, I’m about to keel over!) and then he grabbed me – not quite like that……but he pinched me with his callipers – he grabbed my bingo wings, my chubby tummy, my muffin top and my back fat, I did have to explain that if my boyfriend had got half as far as this, he probably would have been thumped……he then finished it off by saying “I’m not happy with this Laura – we need to shift 4% of your body fat because you are at the top end of the scale, the next step you would fall into the obese category”.  Shit – surely not! Me – obese?  I feel pathetically grateful that Darren has managed by the hair of his teeth to save me from myself.  Nearly OBESE???

So as I sit here typing, wondering how I managed to get to nearly OBESE……I cant work it out.  I’m 5ft 6ins and a size 11.  How can that be obese?  I never weigh myself because I’ll never be a 9 stone skinny girl….but OBESE…..crikey….. Let me tell you, my “off peak” membership is going to get such a good working out and I’m over the moon that Sally Donegan is starting Charlbury Ladies Bootcamp on Monday and Wednesday mornings from May 9th.  I’m all over excercise now, well that and spray tans (which knock at least 1/2 a stone off!) .  It will be my best friend…..oh damn, is that a half empty bottle of wine winking at me?

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Posted on 5 Apr 2011
A week of gluing myself back together!

I have realised that maybe I am well and truely broken. Not just a little bit – but properly broken.  Sadly not in the kind of way that sounds eye wateringly rock and roll – not a weekend of crazy partying with me announcing on a Monday that I feel smashed up from my antics, just a stupid, sober, daylight accident!

It happened on the ski slopes of Wengen – a short break (that could so have been a pun) – a cheeky bit of time away from the salon, marred slightly by the momentous wipeout that I managed the first and only day of skiing….the gentleman that came to my aide told me that I looked like I was “making love to the mountain” OHMYGOD how embarrasing – shagging a mountain – that’s got to be a first!

So the rehab (god, I am trying to sex this story up aren’t I!) so far this week, it has cost me £122 just to be able to get my body to function enough to get to work! Maybe if I worked for someone else, I would have just written myself off for the week and sat on the sofa, leg up, scoffing marshmallows (but my arse is already heading towards needing its own postcode!), watching trash daytime TV. Sadly skiving from myself was not an option, so with the help of an osteopath, sports therapist and a pilates instructor – here I am full of beans, shorter (oh yes, flat shoes for 8 weeks!) than normal but definitely here and functioning!

On my arrival back in the UK I rushed my knee in to see Ruari at The Breaksphere Clinic.  Beauty Therapists and Massage Therapists constantly fall apart and the team at the clinic are awesome at getting bodies moving again – my patient notes go on for pages….sore neck, back, shoulder, lower back….you name it they have sorted it!  Ruari confidently announced that I had “dodged a nasty bullet” but he also solemnly told me no sport, no twisting, no walking down hill (I now come home from the Co-op backwards, Charlbury is an accepting place, people just smile and carry on giving me a wider than normal berth……) no running for 8 weeks….. Jeeps. So if I can’t run, then what can I do?  Pilates.  With the beautiful Dinah Siman, a friend, but also the most incredible font of knowledge on the body, its workings, keeping things fluid and rehabilitating damaged ones!  She specialises in Polestar Pilates and Gyrotonic and has a very loyal following of devotees to her studio in Fulwell 07852 272 499.

My next stop was for my monthly “ironing” from Gary the sports therapist.  If he’s good enough for the England Rugby Team, he’s definitely good enough for me.  Sports massage should be made law for everyone to have!  It stretches, unwinds and restores in a way no therapeutic massage can do.  I’m not sure if my begging for a job as his assistant has ever been taken particularly seriously, or maybe its the slightly wistful look I get in my eyes when I imagine all those rugby bodies needing massaging…..however, a girl has got to try!

How lucky am I to have access to such a brilliant bunch of talented therapists right on my doorstep, who inspire me with their knowledge and their dedication to their chosen profession.  As my career turns another corner with the impending sale of the salon looming…….maybe this hurty knee happened for a reason and maybe I will find inspiration whilst I rehabilitate…..

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Posted on 20 Mar 2011
Girl Envy

Waking up on the weekend to a “whats app” message of one of your closest girlfriends saying “do you like my new skinny jeans” set me off. HOW DARE SHE! OMG she looked so awesome. And as the morning continued with me hoisting on my rather unganely “tracky bums” covered in dog dribble and pig slobber and beginning my daily trudge of pulling on my mud covered boots, slopping around with the pigs, walking the dogs and then disorganised dash whilst managing to make myself look and smell acceptable before I reach the salon….I became more and more green with envy.

What was I envious of? For starters, her legs – she won “Miss Lovely Legs” in a dodgy bar in Puerto Banus on a holiday we went on in 1999…..I think the leg part of my envy has been simmering since then! But I think it was more than that…Her cream carpet in her flat looked so perfect and her stories of jetting around the world with her dream job and her wardrobe (I am the one that begs for her old cast offs!) and her, her, her LIFE. Thats it. I want her life. Just for a moment. Just to see whether life with a brazilian blow dry and a card that gets me into the smart lounges at the airports really is so much better than mine.

Don’t get me wrong, I know her life isn’t perfect.  She’s brave, she’s a good business woman, she works incredibly hard to afford the life she has…….she’s overcome some major hurdles along the way – but today, from here, her life looks perfect!  Do you reckon she’d swap?  I doubt it, but then I doubt that I would swap mine for more than 5 minutes.  Hair and mud……the only downsides to owning animals that make me incredibly happy, keep my stress levels manageable and bring me immeasurable amounts of joy that no cream carpet could……My compromise will be visiting her for a girly weekend, stealing all her cast off clothes, making sure I use her coffee machine, trying on her shoes and lounging around on her sofa sans dog hair.  Its the best of friendship, where we can visit each other in our polar opposite lives and take the very best back home with us……I come back from London with visions of cream sofa’s and soft cashmere rugs working in OX7, imagining my dog walk in vertiginous heels, muffin tops tucked into soopa skinny jeans.  My friend leaves here believing that the countryside is full of hope, lovely summery (she only visits between May and September) dog walks, home baking and garden tables big enough to seat 10 people who can all consume their body weight in rose wine.  I think between us we have the perfect friendship and combined we have the perfect life!  We always said we’d end up together in a nursing home – suddenly I’m thinking that isn’t such a bad idea, sooner rather than later! X

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Posted on 1 Mar 2011
March 2011 Treatment Offers

TREATMENT DEALS FOR MARCH 2011

• Book any Dermalogica MicroZone or full length facial & get a free eyebrow shape.

• 2 x Starter Crystal Clear Microdermabrasion – £80 (normally £94)

• ½ leg wax, inbetweeny wax, underarm wax & eyebrow shape – £56 (norm £76) upgrade to brazilian or Hollywood for £8 extra

• 1 x Dermalogica Exfoliating Body Treatment & 1 x Dermalogica Microzone Facial £43 (normally £53)

• 1 x eyebrow shape, eyelash tint, eyebrow tint £30 (normally £36)

• 1 x traditional manicure & 1 x deluxe pedicure £50 (normally £61)

ALL TREATMENTS MUST BE TAKEN BY THE END OF MARCH. NO VOUCHERS TO BE USED FOR THESE TREATMENTS.

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Posted on 21 Feb 2011
A hairy experience!

What is it about our relationship with hair dressers?  It brings out a needy side of us – I know this is true about most therapies/personal services – at Nicetouch we have clients who shriek with dismay should we inform them that their favourite therapist has taken a holiday….but what is it that makes us so precious about who touches us when it comes to having treatments or hair cuts?

I wouldn’t regard myself as extremely high maintenance when it comes to hair cutting.  I always tend to leave it a little too long and only go when the ends of my hair are as dry as sandpaper!  What I am enormously high maintenance about is a) my time and b) who gets to cut/colour it!  The first two years I spent up here, I was on a train every 6 weeks having the colour done in town and couldn’t possibly imagine that anyone outside of SW London would be able to cure me of my attachment to Karen, my hairdresser of 8 years.

I tried – I promise I did.  I had 2 haircuts/colours – one in a large Oxford salon and one in a more local salon – both terrible disasters, one with a hideous update on my fringe which took it from being on trend straight into being dumpy, frumpy and rather naff.  The second visit to a local salon turned my then glossy deep brown hair more than just a bit ginge……this only made me cling on to my beloved Karen like an insecure, hysterical child, whilst totting up extreme hair bills and train fares to boot!

Two years ago I made a significant discovery…..Tabitha James Kraan Hairdressing.  I decided on a clients recommendation (she always has awesome hair) to give her a whirl and I am pleased to report, I have never looked back!

I’m a beauty expert, not a hair expert and I like my hairdresser to tell me what I am going to have – am I “bang” on trend or will I be sporting a simple “waved bob” – no idea – that’s all up to Tabitha who knows enough about me, my lifestyle, the time I have/don’t have to maintain my unruly hair.  Whether I come out brunette, dirty blonde or something inbetween is also up to her.  She is in charge of keeping me somewhere vaguely on trend without me having to think about things – that’s a fair amount of pressure I’m sure….and in my industry – beauty, she is also aware that if my hair is looking ok, my clients will go see her – simple marketing!

The result after a couple of hours in Tabitha James Kraan- FABULOUS looking hair,  beautiful natural toned colours, a cut that I can “cope” with and that suits my lifestyle.  Tabitha has a team of experts who really know their stuff, they are at the cutting edge of organic hair – think fabulous salon, massaging chairs whilst your hair is being washed, cool tunes and decent magazines.  They use Kevin Murphy and John Masters Organics products – excellent products without all the chemical gunk….

Services also include an awesome blow dry bar and teen haircuts too. In the mean time, I will continue to have a girl crush on Tabitha my hairdresser, I’m pretty sure she’s used to it, I’d be lost without her expertise, knowledge and fabulous hair cuts – I now know why I am needy about my hairdresser! Now all I need to find is a personal shopper/stylist and my life will be much more sorted!

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Posted on 21 Feb 2011
Would you like salt with that?

I know that we are supposed to be cutting down on our salt consumption but I am totally in lurrrve with magnesium sulphate.  I originally got the idea from my friend Janey who runs a fantastic fitness business called Fit for a Princess based in London, she started to bathe in trusty old Epsom Salts and it made me think….ohhhh.

Epsom Salt is also known as magnesium sulphate. Originally it was found in Epsom, Surrey but today it is a manufactured product.

It is commonly used in the bath as bath salts where it is said to ease stress, flush out toxins, help ease migraines plus other benefits.  People use epsom salts for treating aching muscles, sports injuries, foot baths, relieving sore muscles and for just relaxing.

So many of the expensive bathing salt products on the market are actually based on Epsom Salts with a little help of some lovely smelling oils and packaged well and sold for roughly £30 for 300g.  I can tell you that you can get good old Epsom Salts on the internet for £25.99 for a whopping 25 kilos!

The secret it customising the salts yourself by using a couple of drops of essential oils (please make sure that you are guided when choosing especially if pregnant or trying to become pregnant).  Hey presto a fabulous bath soak which smells awesome…..

My skin feels fabulous, my legs ache less after my runs and it allows me to take a little time to myself in the evenings.  Try a couple of drops of lavender oil for a soothing bath… What’s not to like?!

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Posted on 31 Jan 2011
February Offers at Nicetouch

February is a short month, so we are going to do offers on short treatments!

Buy your loved one a voucher over the value of £25 for VALENTINES DAY and get a FREE Microzone Treatment worth £18 (which you can give away…….or keep for yourself!)

Feeling dehydrated? We totally rate the CACI Hydrotone Masque. 20 minutes of relaxation on the warm water cushions whilst your face has the most heavenly masque which smells of roses applied…..we then use the electical micro current rollers to make sure that every inch of your face is rehydrated, rejuvenated and wrinkles are finer. Ohhhh, and all for £15……

Feet in a state? Why not have one of our Deluxe Pedicures for £30 – there is nothing nicer than a smart set of tootsies to ward off the winter blues!

Book a traditional or deluxe manicure and have the option of spending an extra 10 minutes with your fingers in a nourishing hot oil treatment.  Its great for dried out cuticles and parched nails and its FREEE, all you pay for is your manicure!

30 minute massages £30 – a perfect pick me up and it doesn’t need to break the bank! Massage is a great stress reliever and we can help to iron out your knots leaving you feeling chirpier and sooooothed.

The sworn by CACI treatments….we love this treatment. It really works! All our clients who have it swear by it. Start your course now for firmer, lifted facial features without undergoing the knife. Normal course of 10 Non Surgical Face Lifts £420 – or £42 per facial (normal price per treatment is £52).

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Posted on 24 Jan 2011
It started with a kiss……

Snogging has been on my mind!  You see, I have always believed rightly or wrongly that “good kissers go places”.  Now whether I mean go places as in, snog someone right and you are guaranteed an invite to the bedroom or that a good kisser is someone who goes places in work, life, love etc I am not sure.  I just know that the great snogs of my life have been successful, attractive, a little naughty and yes, I admit it - that may have led to an invite to the bedroom on occasion…..

The snogging topic was originally raised by one of my girlfriends who had been dating a guy for a couple of weeks.  The signals were all good.  I was getting text updates after each exciting date and it seemed that they had lots in common.  She fancied him too!  3rd date came and went and I eagerly waited for my morning after the date text message imagining all sorts of shenanigans had been going on, but then I got this….”We kissed and it wasn’t great” I sent one back saying maybe it would improve if she tried again and she replied with “His kiss was just too wet and his hands went all clammy” so I tried again saying maybe he was feeling shy and she just replied with “I can get wet kisses from your dogs”.  Too true!

So what’s in a snog?  I’ve turned to my friends male/female, both single and attached to ask them about what is it that makes or breaks a snog.

The turn off’s were unanimous.

Ultimate turn on’s are

  • Anticipation of what may follow
  • Lips just touching
  • Soft unchapped lips
  • Having your face held whilst being snogged (thats a girly one!)
  • Neck kissing
  • Time to savour the kiss (ie proper snogging not just a peck)

I thought I would add Laura’s kissing tips as well……

  • In these tough economic times kissing is cheap and free to transport. It really doesn’t matter where you are. You can kiss: on the street, in the gym, at the fish and chip shop - there are no snogging barriers!
  • Kissing requires no equipment, which means you can do it even when not prepared for the occasion (ohh the excitement!), and even when you have to travel light. This makes it the ideal participation sport for most businessmen (not the married ones, obviously, unless travelling with wife!), manual labourers and even can be done whilst holding a toddler (preferably when they are asleep)!
  • Kissing always livens things up. Try this: the next time you are in an oh-so-booooring meeting that seems to last oh-so-foreeeeever, why not just kiss somebody. Go ahead; try it. See how it livens things up?  Choose your target and just go for it!  Failing that, imagine snogging the best looking person at the meeting whilst continuing to make relevant and interesting comments!
  • Kissing is 100% biodegradable, and recyclable, so when you kiss somebody, you help the environment - hooray!
  • Kissing is not fattening (unless you fill each others mouths with whipped cream before you start your snogging session!). This is perhaps the best news of all, because all you dieters now have something to keep their mouths busy while not eating, and smokers can now quit without having to chew gum - its the perfect reason to start a snogging revolution!
  • Most kisses are not tested on animals, but hey, who am I to stifle your sense of adventure?
  • You can kiss just about everyone: your boyfriend, your aunt, your wife, your dentist, the Prime Minister or your pet hedgehog. Don’t try kissing them all at the same time, though…especially not your boyfriend and your wife….

Just to inspire you in time for Valentines Day (oh yes boys, its on its way!)….I thought I would attach a video of the best snogs out there - I must add for the boys that long hair and spidermen outfits are totally optional……

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Posted on 14 Jan 2011
January 2011 Special Offers @ Nicetouch

Cast off the winter blues by treating yourselves to one of these amazing offers!  Please note that offers will change every month.
  • Dermalogica Treatment Facial – £45 (normally £54)
  • Dermalogica  Exfoliating Body Treatment – £28 (normally £35)
  • Pay up front for 2 X Crystal Clear Microdermabrasion Starter – £75 (normally £94) – can be taken in Jan/Feb
  • 1 hr Hydrotherm Massage – £40 (normally £55)
  • Parrafin Wax Manicures – £30 (normally £38)
  • Pay upfront for 5 x spray tans and get 2 for FREE – £150 (7 tans normally £210)
  • Pay upfront for 5 x Brazilian, Hollywood or Inbetweeny’s and get 1 for FREE
No vouchers to be used for these treatments unless paying full price for them.
Nicetouch has a STRICT cancellation policy.  If you cancel your appointment within 24hrs of the booked time, you will be liable to pay 50% of the TOTAL treatment cost.
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