nails - Tried and Tested By Lisa

LEVOI CHAMPAGNE NAIL BAR VISIT NEWCASTLE

Today I visited a Champagne nail bar in Central Newcastle for a pedicure on my poor neglected feet. This nail bar is PURE CLASS. The decor is amazing with inspiring quotes dotted about on the walls and Ann has gone all out with attention to detail, even having a champagne cork table which was very quirky. The lighting, display cabinets and bar all look so fitting to their surroundings and ooze classy. I was very impressed with this place, the the photos do not do it justice at all. LEVOI is a nail bar but also offers HD Brows. One thing I love is the names of the nail packages and polishes, they are all based round drinks. Check out the packages here. This is a great place to go with your girlfriends before a night out or a big event and come highly recommended.

When I arrived I was met by Ann Walker the owner, who offered me a glass of champagne on arrival (it would be rude not to). We talked as she got to work on my feet, giving me the most amazing glitter nail pedicure which I LOVE and she is such a lovely lady and has such a moving story behind starting this venture that I really want to share it with you all…

LEVOI the name. Firstly LEVOI is starting its life in a new independent Champagne Nail Salon in the heart of Newcastle city centre. Founded by local geordie girl Ann walker people always ask about the name and the inspiration for the BRAND. Is it French? What does it mean? How is it pronounced?We pronounce it Le Vua! or you may say Le Voy! It is not foreign or does not have an alternative meaning. It is simply an anagram in memory of an amazing woman that was Ann’s mother OLIVE. LEVOI the inspiration. Ann Walker was raised then named Ann Edington in a very close, respected working class family from Birtley on Tyne & Wear. The family were raised with unconditional love, but always taught good manners and respect, often being reminded that is not about what you’ve got its about being a good and honest person. Now aged 47 years with her own family, Ann has many years experience in the Beauty Industry, having ran her own small salon in her home town of Birtley from 2001 – 2012. Having qualified in beauty therapies, Ann also went on to achieve qualifications in hairdressing and many other Vocational and CPD certificates within the industry. Ann was also later employed as an Account and Business manager for a very well known cosmetics brand from 2011 – 2015. In 2013 Ann’s family were struck by huge tragedy, loosing 5 members of her immediate family in a horrific road traffic collision. Ann lost her older sister (and best friend) Angela, along with her brother in law Dave, nieces Carley aged 21, Beth aged 18 and great niece Lacie Jade aged only 23 months. This was life changing devastation for all of the family, especially Angela’s only son aged 24 at the time, and in turn took its toll on Ann’s mother and Rock of the family. Already suffering cancer Olive also died that same year, only 6 months later. After months of bereavement and specialist counselling, Ann knew that her life would never be the same. She quit her job as a business manager feeling she had lost her drive for the Company she was now working for. After only 3 months in a diversifying role, Ann soon realised that she truly missed the Beauty industry and spent the next few months researching making the new LEVOI Brand. Remembering years earlier, when Ann had her local salon in Birtley, her big sister Angela also had her own salon in Gateshead. They once joked about how they should merge it all together and create a big brand, although jokingly they would never afford to do this. This would be the inspiration behind Ann’s drive. Olive was not a rich woman by any means but along with husband and father George who died in 2008, both worked hard enough to buy their council home where the family were brought up. Following Olive’s death Ann inherited a little cash sum from which she would be inspired to focus on a new venture in all of their memory, and something to focus on for the future of the family. After long days and nights researching Ann finally found the best businesses to work with to manufacture her own LEVOI nail brand.

We’d love to showcase the Brand to you!

Our UK manufacturers lead the way in the development of high quality and innovative products for the cosmetics and beauty industry. With over 30 years of experience in manufacturing cyanoacrylate adhesives,sealants and UV curing nail products, the highly skilled workforce and world-class development chemists continually strive to provide exceptional service to the industry. With their vast experience they have created our Gel formula which is kind on the nail, plus long lasting results, giving you Super glossy, chip resistant colour for up-to 3 weeks. With manufacturing and distribution sites in both the UK and the USA, they are internationally renowned within the global cosmetics industry.

You can purchase LEVOI polishes and gels from £9 online here or direct from the nail bar

I have a special ”TRIED AND TESTED” offer for members when they quote tried and tested on booking

Offers – 10% off all service treatments – 20% off all retail products in store – Offer available until 31st July 2016 – Call 0191 230 5859 or contact us via our FB page

REJUVENATED COLLAGEN SHOTS

*Thanks to Dr Land I was given these collagen shots to try!. I’m always skeptical about these types of ”drinks” because a.) they usually taste like utter ”crap” and b.) you never seem to notice a difference when using them unlike a cream or lotion. Well let me tell you from the off, they certainly don’t taste like crap which is refreshing and they actually taste pleasant, like blackcurrant. I was having one shot before bed every night along side my normal skincare regime. I noticed my skin, hair and nails were in much better condition. I get very dry skin on my body as I wear a lot of self tan but this product really hydrated my skin from the inside out. I also suffer pains in my knees due to arthritis but this seemed to have eased the pain and the only thing I done differently was hit the shots. My hair was thicker and more shiny and my nails were growing like grass which is was a pain as I was back for a gel manicure more regular than normal . Since I stopped using the shots over a month ago my dry skin on my body has returned. I recommend to try this product if you have any skin conditions or feel your skin needs a boost. This product has great online reviews and all the details can be found below. If you would like to purchase this product please order through Novellus Asthetics a stockist. Rejuvenated collagen shots are £40 for a months supply

Rejuvenated – Collagen Shots – 30 Servings

Drink your way to a more youthful and glowing complexion with Rejuvenated’s Collagen Shots!

New anti-ageing collagen drink, formulated by an Olympic worthy development team, claims to smooth away wrinkles form the inside out!

One serving of Rejuvenated’s ‘Collagen Shots’ provides you with 10,000mgs of marine extract collagen – that’s equal to between 20 to 30 typical collagen tablets a day! The fruit flavored drink consists of 100% natural marine collagen and acai berry which helps reduce premature ageing for just £1 a day!

After the age of 25, the body begins to lose its ability to create new collagen, reducing by 1.5% a year and by the age of 45 collagen levels can have reduced by as much as 30%. The visible effects of this collagen reduction are the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and dry skin, which we know too well are associated directly with ageing. With statistics like this, is it is no wonder that no anti-aging system can be effective without an adequate supply of collagen!

True skin health starts deep within and supplementing collagen levels with Collagen Shots will improve elasticity and help to give a more youthful appearance.

10,000 mgs marine collagen, hyaluronic acid, acai berry super antioxidant, combined with vitamin B3, B5, C with zinc and copper.

Boost levels of peptide rich amino acids and improve the skin’s tone and texture with Collagen Shots active ingredients. Reduce the appearance of tell tale signs of ageing.

collagen

Celebrity Makeup artist Daniel Sandler says:
“Taking care of your skin starts from within, and I’ve found Collagen Shots so effective in helping my skin appear smoother, younger and softer. I apply topical moisturisers every day, but use less than before as my skin is in such fantastic condition thanks to this miracle powder.”

Directions:
10 grams (10,000 mgs) of collagen per serving, take once per day (mild berry-flavour)

To get the best benefits from Collagen Shots take daily, ideally half an hour before going to sleep at night, this is when cells are renewing. Alternatively have on an empty stomach either first thing in the morning or before a meal.

Put one scoop in a glass and fill with 200 – 250ml of water (or preferred beverage), whisk with a fork, allow a minute for collagen to dissolve – whisk again and drink.
You could use a small blender or shaker for mixing.
Caution: Not suitable for people with fish or shell fish allergy

Ingredients:
Marine Collagen: Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and supports skin health and its elasticity, taking it as a drink is the perfect way to supplement diminishing levels as we get older. If you are deficient in iron or vitamin C you would take a supplement so this is the perfect way to improve your skin but take a look at the added benefits with our Super Hero Collagen Shots. Collagen contains many amino acids (proteins) and each one has it’s own fantastic benefits, read here for more information on the top 15.

Açaí Berry: A super food with over 19 amino acids itself, including essential fatty acids for skin health and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E. Açaí Berry was our antioxidant of choice as it has shown to be key in improving arterial health, allowing for better blood supply to skin cells. It is high in essential fatty acids ad antioxidant properties.

Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid (HA)has often been called the fountain of youth, it can hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water and provides a cushion filler between the cells. Scientific studies have shown that Hyaluronic acid improves skin hydration and helps to stimulate the production of collagen. It has several other key properties, playing a key part in joint health, supporting the vitreous fluid in the eyes and helping in the reduction gum disease

Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Vitamin B3 is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and lipids in the body and is required to produce energy. Niacin actually reduces ‘bad’ cholesterol and triglycerides and increases ‘good’ cholesterol. It can help in the battle against heart disease.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid): Vitamin B5 is water soluble and is essential to synthesise coenzyme-A and helps to release energy from the food we eat. It is also key for production of red blood cells and affects hormones from the adrenal gland

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine, is required for balancing hormone changes in women, assisting the immune system and the growth of new cells. It helps in metabolism and with good skin health which is one of the reasons we included it in Collagen Shots and is known to help with depression and helps to balance sodium and potassium levels.

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid): Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that protects the body against oxidative stress. Vitamin C plays a significant role in the healing of wounds and helps to fight off infections. It is believed that vitamin C widens the arteries helping to prevent high blood pressure and heart disease. Good levels of the vitamin help to lower cholesterol levels and traditionally it was used to prevent scurvy. It is involved in the production of Collagen and in the effectiveness of Collagen Shots