We have (A) Lift off at the salon

@thesalon 

Its no secret that I’m always on the lookout for products promising to keep me looking “youthful”

I’ve promised my husband I will never go down the surgical route but apart from that I am always a keen guinea pig for new beauty treatments. 
I don’t mind getting older (in fact I’ve never been happier since hitting my late thirties/early forties) but I just hate looking tired.

So when Gaynor from the Gaynor Parry salon offered me a series of A-Lift facials to get me ready for attending the Plus size awards I was very happy indeed.

The Team at Gaynor Parrys

A-Lift is a deluxe anti-aging facial that claims to use the latest technology to re-energise cells in the face and neck. The treatment boasts of  “immediate results and long-lasting effects,” and compares it to “airbrushing the signs of ageing away”

It all sounded a bit too good to be true but as it also non invasive and pain free I figured it couldn’t do me any harm and maybe would help me look fresher for my big event.

Arriving at the Salon-a little bit nervous and with my usual under eye circles

I was a little bit nervous when I arrived at Gaynor’s salon (which is lovely) but straight away my beauty therapist Chloe put me at ease.

Chloe explained that our skin cells are like batteries. They produce lots of energy (known as ATP), which causes the skin to regenerate and stay looking healthy and supple. As you get older, the power in those cells decrease, meaning that your ATP levels are lower. As a result, your skin starts to lose its youthfulness, and the muscles in the face, neck and jaw start to sag. The A-Lift reenergizes the cells leaving your skin looking plumper and softer without the use of filers.

The A-Lift (stock photo)

For best results you need three treatments (I had two) and after filling in a fairly detailed questionnaire about my health, any underlying medical conditions etc we were off.

The facial itself was incredibly relaxing. The beauty therapist massaged my skin with what looked like mini jump cables. The treatment latest 40 minutes and didn’t hurt at all.

Immediately afterwards (sans foundation) loving how plumped out and fresh my skin looks

I don’t know what I was expecting but I was really surprised at how fab my skin looked straight away. My biggest problem area for lines is my forehead and these were significantly plumped out. I also noticed that the areas around the side of my nose, which have started to hollow out as I’ve got older, looked fuller.

After my second treatment-make up free and looking a bit of a drowned rat but my skin felt so soft

I went along a few days later and it was just as relaxing and my skin looked amazing again.

I also had my eyebrows shaped and coloured by Ashley at the salon and other than Lilly Von Pink this is the best brow shaping I have ever had.

Loving my newly shaped brows too

So how did my skin fare afterwards? Well its continued to look a lot fresher so I would definitely say its long lasting. I also found my make up applied more evenly.One thing I did find is that I got a small outbreak of spots under the skin on my jaw line which I always tend to with any facial which uses oils, so unlike me if you are planning to treat yourself to one of these treatments I would do it a few weeks before an event. 

A few days after the treatment-My skin still looks great

I am totally convinced this works though and will definitely book myself in for a few a year now. At £60 a go these are not cheap but so much less scary than Botox or fillers.

And how did I feel on the night of my event? Absolutely awesome. here I am in full glitter queen mode.

With Gemma Collins at the Plus Size Awards who is also a fan of the A-Lift facial apparently

Ready to party
Gaynor Parry’s Salon is at 4  Holmlands Drive Prenton 0151 609 0378

The treatments I received were complimentary but I have not been paid for this post and my views are my own.As with any beauty treatment always go to a qualified beautician who should ask you a series of health related questions before you begin.

For more of my beauty posts check here

Capturing the Curve Workshops

In other body confidence news I'm planning two plus size pin up workshops next years, one in Manchester and one in London. A day to revel in your curvy beauty, be made over myself and Lilly Von Pink and have your very own photoshoot in a safe empowering environment-All the details can be found here

Limited Edition Killer Curves Tee Shirts (including the brand new Curverella and the zombies design) Now On Sale

My brand new Killer Curve tee Shirts cost £13 and are available to buy from here having curves never looked so good!

All content (text, photos and other) are the property of Betty Pamper (aka Perelandra Beedles) unless otherwise stated. Please refrain from copying any material without recognition of the author and a link to the source on this blog

I love to read your comments. Im not always the quickest at replying to them but rest assured I read every one. For quick responses twitter and facebook are probably better.Thanks so much for checking in. It makes my day.

Becoming A Chubby Mermaid

Ready to party with my fellow fattys

At the weekend I attended the British Plus Size Awards. I was nominated for best plus size blogger and had also been asked to collect an award on behalf of Accessorize. The awards as it turned out did spark some controversy and I will write about that later in the week but first I wanted to share with you what I wore.
When planning what to wear at a black tie event its really easy to  fall into "American Beauty Queen" territory. The invite had stated dresses must be floor length which if adhered to discounts well over 50% of the available plus size evening dresses out there.
I don't do floor length, I'm too fat and short to carry it off and always feel I look like Yoda, so right from the off I knew I wanted something semi fitted, to the knee and in a fabric or colour that would be a real showstopper. 
I looked at a few brands but having recently modeled for Simply be I knew their party dress selection is amazing this year so they were my natural choice.

I don't so floor length-end of

 I had seen this  Mermaid green sequined dress by AX Paris a few weeks before and instantly fell in love with it. Simply be offered to dress both myself and my little girl (from their recently launched Simply be kids range) which was so kind of them and we waited for the postman every morning, anxious to try on our frocks.

Breathtaking colour

My dress when it arrived was actually more breathtaking than in the picture. The colour is just magical and despite being quite fitted, the fabric is heavy enough that with some shapewear I didn't feel you could see every lump and bump.

This dress is fitted without showing everyone what you had for dinner

A dress this glittery demands twinkly shoes so I opted for these Glitter flared heels which were high enough to give me some statue but didn't look as if I would be hobbling around all night.

Twinkle twinkle little shoes

Although the dress on its own is quite beautiful, as it had a high neck I decided it needed a collar of diamonds. 
My budget couldn't stretch to the real thing so I picked up this beautiful necklace from Primark for £6.

Bling, bling

Matching hairbow and bitchface

To finish off the look I wore a matching hairbow and a Glitter Disco clutch  by Accessorize. 
Rather than wear tights or bare legs I decided to wear the dress with my Grazia wet look leggings from Simply be. Its a style I first tried at the Golden Renaissance shoot and I've come to love it. It turns a party outfit into something slightly more edgy.

Wet look leggings makes a nice change from tights

No helmet head for this Mermaid

yet again not wanting to comply too much with the blacktie rules that seem to deem that every woman must wear her hair in a helmet like "up do" I decided to carry on with the Mermaid theme and have my hair down and softly waved.

Mermaid got back

 I felt absolutely wonderful in this dress.Its so beautiful. I shimmered like a well fed sea creature. Some dresses are works of art and this is one of them.

Her debut outfit post-Baba in Simply be kids

My little girl chose a one strap spotted dress  which she teamed with a white furry gillet from Primark and her black Goldigga wedges.
She was so excited about attending the event with us. I try to take her to things like this whenever I can. It shows her that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. She has already declared she wants to be a "Plus size fashion designer" when she grows up.

What a dollychops

Betty and baby Betty

As is so often the case I actually enjoyed the getting ready to go out process more than the event itself which is often par for the course with me. Its all about the clothes and when the clothes look this good can you blame me?

London we are coming to get you

Mummy and daughter voguing in Simply Be

For more of my outfit posts check here

Capturing the Curve Workshops

In other body confidence news I'm planning two plus size pin up workshops next years, one in Manchester and one in London. A day to revel in your curvy beauty, be made over myself and Lilly Von Pink and have your very own photoshoot in a safe empowering enviroment-All the details can be found here

Limited Edition Killer Curves Tee Shirts (including the brand new Curverella and the zombies design) Now On Sale

My brand new Killer Curve tee Shirts cost £13 and are available to buy from here having curves never looked so good!

All content (text, photos and other) are the property of Betty Pamper (aka Perelandra Beedles) unless otherwise stated. Please refrain from copying any material without recognition of the author and a link to the source on this blog

I love to read your comments. Im not always the quickest at replying to them but rest assured I read every one. For quick responses twitter and facebook are probably better.Thanks so much for checking in. It makes my day.

Christmas Frockagogo With Scarlet and Jo

Gearing up for Christmas party season

As a fully paid up member of the "crazy about Christmas" club there is nothing I don't like about the run up to baby Jesus birthday. However if I had to pick one of my favorite elements it would undoubtedly be the need to buy ridiculously sparkly over the top clothes to wear at parties. Christmas celebrations as far as I'm concerned are the perfect excuse to indulge your inner diva and wear some seriously glam gear.

The first time I tried S and J

I first fell in love with Scarlet and Jo when I modeled for them at Plus North. The dress I wore for them remains my all time favorite item of clothing ever to have graced my chubby body and I long for the day I can own it (its never been on sale, I spoke to S snd J's designer at the Plus size awards the other night and apparently its the only one he ever made-sob)
So when Scarlet and Jo sent me another of their exquisite frocks I was very excited. 

Lacey Loveliness

Everything about this brand screams quality. From the lavender tissue paper and ribbon it arrives in to the finishing of each garment, hidden zips, luscious fabrics, if quality is your thang then this is most certainly the brand for you.

Perfect for after dark glamour

This Pink Lace prom dress ticks lots of my fashion boxes. Its classic 50's inspired shape remains one of my preferred silhouettes especially for partywear and I just love the overlay of black lace on top of the hot pink.
I as a rule avoid high round necks with short sleeves as it can make me look like a shelf of boob but because the lace features on the decolletage I don't feel it shortens me too much.

I dont usually go for this shape but the lace makes it work

Fab lace overlay

As I'm quickly coming to expect from Scarlet and Jo its all about the details. The zip at the back is perfectly fitted and looks gorgeous,the lace fabric is also really nice, stiff enough to make this feel like a proper prom dress but not scratchy.

ooh I love a hidden zip

I like the idea of the ribbon at the waist as I always like to define my waist but I did find the ribbon slightly rode up as you can see from these pictures, only a small niggle and more to do with the thickness of my middle I think.

Not sure why I look quite so "bitchface" here

As its absolutely freezing I've worn this with black tights and black wedges. My hand bag is from debenhams.My necklace was £6 from primark (they have some great accessories at the moment) 

Primarni Bling-keeping it real

I've put a sparkly shrug over the top which I also think looks really nice and is perfect for me to wear in the taxi and until I get to the party.

A sparkly shrug pulls this all together and will keep me warm until I arrive at the party

Dolly the cat getting into the action

Scarlet and Jo is a diffusion line for Evans so available in their stores and online. This dress is £65.
Have you chosen this seasons party dress yet? or do you have a tried and tested little number that demands to be shown a good time again?
For more of my outfit posts check here

Capturing the Curve Workshops

In other body confidence news I'm planning two plus size pin up workshops next years, one in Manchester and one in London. A day to revel in your curvy beauty, be made over myself and Lilly Von Pink and have your very own photoshoot in a safe empowering enviroment-All the details can be found here

Limited Edition Killer Curves Tee Shirts (including the brand new Curverella and the zombies design) Now On Sale

My brand new Killer Curve tee Shirts cost £13 and are available to buy from here having curves never looked so good!

All content (text, photos and other) are the property of Betty Pamper (aka Perelandra Beedles) unless otherwise stated. Please refrain from copying any material without recognition of the author and a link to the source on this blog

I love to read your comments. Im not always the quickest at replying to them but rest assured I read every one. For quick responses twitter and facebook are probably better.Thanks so much for checking in. It makes my day.