Mum-to-be gift

Every mum-to-be should experience it - pampering time for herself and baby.  It’s a very special time which deserves very special attention.  Return to Glory mum-to-be gift vouchers offer three effective packages for pre or post natal pregnancy:  relaxing massage (ease tension, alleviate tired muscles, reduce excess water retention), home reflexology massage (unblock, stimulate and balance reflexes on the feet) or a full home pedicure (soothe aching legs and feet) - £65 each for 1 hour/£80 for 1.5 hours.  Return to Glory in home mum-to-be gift treatments are trusted, convenient, private and all she will ever need to relieve discomfort whether she’s at the early stages or later.

Return to Glory professional pregnancy massage therapists bring all the equipment including soft couch and Neal’s Yard Remedies natural therapies and use traditional pressure point techniques paying particular attention to the common symptoms many women suffer including tight shoulders, tired legs, lower back strain and joint aches.  Every pregnancy massage is tailored to the individual taking into account their shape and size, to bring relief from stress and tension.

What better way for mums-to-be to de-stress and feel a deep state of relaxation that’s not only a priceless but thoughtful mum-to-be gift!

 The ‘Office Rocked’

Suddenly they all stood up and I was quickly roped into exercises in the middle of the office - chairs asunder and limp bodies ready for action. That was my first experience of what I later found out to be the usual lunchtime antic at RTG HQ, met with surprise, laughter and pleasure all in one. 

Set on exercising the team’s mind, body and soul for the day-to-day runnings of the busy office, this was afterall a great way to show off our fitness performance and boost our energy levels.  We each lay on the floor with legs in the air and rotated them in a circle to the count of 10. Before I realized we were onto the next exercise.  Quickly to my feet I managed to keep up with the systematic stretching of arms, again to the count of 10.  Finally finishing off with 10 push-ups that was good enough for all the team but at which point I soon became aware I needed to get fit – and quick!

What’s the moral?  Regular exercise is beneficial for everyone, at home, office or on the go so why not have your own private fitness session with a qualified Return to Glory personal trainer to help you achieve your ideal health and fitness goals.

Walk this way…..for the month of May

“Walk to Work Week” (14-18 May) and “Get Walking Day” (26/27) are great campaigns to encourage active lifestyles and wellbeing.  Walking is one of the easiest ways to increase your fitness regime and improve your health measurably.  Best results can be achieved by applying the following techniques:

Check your posture. Make sure your neck and spine are straight and your shoulders are back and down

·         Be aware of pulling your stomach in and lifting your pelvis

·         Make sure your heel hits the ground first then roll through to your toes

·         Take short steps as it’s easier on the joints and aids better workout

·         Swinging your arms helps you to propel along

Keep up the regime with a mobile personal trainer to help you achieve your fitness goal.

Stop Nail Biting London

Statistics indicate that 44% of teenagers, 20-30% of young adults and 5-7% older adults regularly bite their nails. Often linked to anxiety, nervousness, hunger or boredom and viewed as an OCD, the chronic and recurring habit of biting nails can look unsightly and unappealing.

Professionally applied acrylic nails and gel nails are fast and effective solutions to stop nail biting, whether you’re a long-term nail biter and/or suffer with damaged nails as a result of nail biting.  Acrylic –v- Gel! Acrylic nails are applied using a liquid and powder formula to create a hard protective layer over natural nails which harden when exposed to the air providing the perfect canvas for nail colour.  Gel nails provide the strength of acrylic nails but with the appearance of natural nails and only hardens when exposed to UV light.  However, both types of nails bond to the natural nail.

Regular maintenance is a must for acrylic and gel nails to help desist from nail-biting, assist natural growth and to keep nails looking healthy and strong.  ‘Gel Polish Three Week Manicure’ is the hero beauty service nail addicts love.  Lasting up to 3 weeks, this treatment guarantees super glossy nails that are instantly dry and chip resistant. Stop nail biting now and start nail loving with the three week manicure.

Chelsea Flower Show

London will be blooming on 22-26 May with the beautiful floral displays at the London Chelsea Flower Show.  The spring colour spectrum paints a vivid picture which influences our mood as well as our fashion and beauty wardrobe.  So why not spring into full bloom with an uplifting mobile massage using our natural therapies partner Neal’s Yard Remedies essential oils Geranium (balancing), Rosemary (energizing). Be inspired with a style/colour consultation from a London mobile personal stylist and learn how to colour-up your make-up bag and wardrobe, carry off different colours, shapes and textures confidently and welcome the new you!

The Vitality Show, 22-25 March

The RTG team enjoyed another year of increased success at the Vitality Show, the annual event showcasing the UK’s largest health, beauty, fitness and well-being boutique for women under one roof.  With over 4,000 visitors to the show each day, the 30 strong team got busy delivering over 300 first-class massages to the tired, weary and indulgent each day – proving that this indispensable pampering service offering treatments ranging from full body massages to hand or facial massages to the popular bespoke massage using luxury Neal’s Yard Oils brings women back to our lounge time and time again.  In the specially set up VIP lounge area of the massive halls kitted out with carpet, relaxation music and the tranquil aroma of essential oils, customers enjoyed an exclusive spa experience which also included chilled champagne and goodie bag worth £70.  Revived, relaxed and calm were some of the expressions echoed by our many visitors.  We look forward to taking part again next year and hope you can join us. But in the meantime......

Virgin London Marathon Sunday 22 April

London is the place to be to take part, cheer on and celebrate its annual charitable fundraising sport event where you can expect to see thousands cross the threshold with aching bodies and a jubilant smile.  We will be lending our support with an early bird special promotion for our treasured existing clients and for those with the 'running bug' where you can book 3 massage treatments and get the 4th free by quoting 'Marathon Special' -  until 22nd April. Hurry and tell your friends as this weekend is set to break our usual record number of urgent massage requests.  Good luck!

Hair we go!

Extensions, Extensions, Extensions.  We're so excited about our forthcoming launch in May that is nothing short of the must-have therapy for hair addiction.  You'll be able to update your spring wardrobe with hair styling options of fixed or removable extensions at home or on-the-go.  Watch this space and see if you can spot London's ladies start to shine with the most luscious locks in the UK.

Celebrities often have tons of cash and influence at their disposal in order to get the wedding day of their dreams realised, but it doesn’t need to be so expensive or extravagant for the rest of us. Simply take elements of your favourite celebrity wedding, from the dress and venue to the all-important wedding hair and make-up, and inject your own personality for the best of both worlds.

Kate Middleton’s royal revival

Kate Middleton allegedly managed her own wedding hair and make-up, but if you’re lacking the confidence to apply your own bridal look, summon an expert – a mobile makeup artist who specialises in wedding hair and make-up can not only advise you on the colours that will work for your complexion, but they can also work with you in the lead up to your big day experimenting with different looks and products.

Kim Kardashian’s bling-tastic ball

It’s been reported that the diamonds in Kim Kardashian’s headpiece at her black and white-themed wedding were worth $15 million. Out of reach for us mere mortals – but there are plenty of other ways to add some sparkle to the day. Think about adding some vintage costume jewels to your look – look online for estate auctions and flea markets in your area. A sparkling piece with a little history can top off a gorgeous wedding hair and make-up look on your big day.

Kate Moss’ twenties-style celebration

Step back in time with gorgeous accessories, soft wedding hair and make-up and floaty fabrics for a whimsical twenties-style bridal look. Kate Moss surprisingly ditched her classic rock chic look for a feminine take on bridal with complete success. Steal her look with soft curls, muted makeup and antique accessories for supermodel splendour.

Renee Zellwegger’s beach bash

Although her marriage may have been short-lived, Renee Zellwegger’s relaxed beach wedding style from a few years ago has inspired many brides-to-be. Keep it simple with unstructured wedding hair and make-up – think about booking a mobile bridal beauty therapist to get the natural look done just right. It can be a tricky look to pull off, but if applied correctly you’ll maintain a natural glow all day.

You don’t need to be a cashed-up superstar – just steal concepts from your favourite celebrity weddings for ultimate impact. Most importantly, stay true to your own personality when choosing your wedding hair and make-up style as well as the theme for your venue and dress. Good luck!

Every woman wants to impress her wedding guests and wow her groom on her wedding day. Often overlooked in favour of the dress, shoes and décor is wedding hair and makeup – getting it right is so important as it can make or break your bridal look.

There are many elements of your wedding you need to consider when deciding on how your bridal hair and makeup will be – the style of the dress and the type of venue will impact this – but most importantly is a look that complements your personality and injects a little bit of individuality into the day.

Natural and nude

Check out any celebrity red carpet event  in the last few months and you'll notice a definite swing towards the natural end of the cosmetic scale. Buffed, bronzed and glowing skin doesn't need a lot to make it look amazing – a touch of concealer for any dark circles, a lightweight moisturising foundation for longevity and, to finish off, simply a light dusting of illuminating powder should help you look your best. Tousle some sea salt spray through your hair, add a slick of natural lip gloss and a little waterproof mascara and that's your wedding hair and makeup sorted – fuss-free and fantastic. A great look for beach weddings and a simple, unstructured and elegant gown.

Retro fabulous

At the other end of the styling scale is the classic and dramatic retro look. Think intricately pintucked hair swept off the neck into an up-do, ruby-red lips that last all day, flawless porcelain-like skin and precisely arched brows – old-world glamour at it's best and most timeless. This wedding hair and makeup style will suit events held in stately homes, grand churches and intimate chapels, and will practically work for any gown as long as it's structured and not too casual.

Pretty in pink

Romantic pinks and pretty pastels are a popular palette for bridal faces, teamed with equally unfussy hair – perhaps a simple curl or half-up do to frame your face will do nicely. Keep your skin bronze-free and highlight your rosy cheeks with a smear of cherry-pink blush. Lips should be glossy and eyes lined in a soft grey pencil. Finish this wedding hair and makeup look with fresh flowers tucked into the hair or veil. A lovely, whimsical look for garden weddings, or an event that's not too formal.

As many of you already know from experience, we here at Return to Glory are dedicated to helping you find ways to unwind and relax.

Both in homes and in offices across London, our team has been working with over 5000 repeating clients.

And our Specialists listen.  They listen to the questions people ask and the concerns they have. 

This blog is group effort – made up of from the experience and knowledge of over 150 of London’s finest therapists and trainers, dedicated to their trade.