CHANEL HANDBAGS UK DUTY FREE PRICES - JUNE 2012

Like so many other ladies out there I have a teeny designer BAG FETISH!.  My first designer bag was a Gucci handbag over 10 years ago, then it just escalated from there to Burberry, Balenciaga, Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs, Mulberry & many more.  This all started at a very early age but my all time favorite designer handbags are my Chanel Handbags.

My mum could clarify this when we both use to watch Dynasty back in the late 80’s and all I would talk about was “I love that bag mummy what that lady has with the Gold chain” That bag being a timeless classic Chanel.

My lovely Mum surprised me a few years ago while she was at the airport with buying me the Timeless Classic Lambskin handbag with Silver hardware .  She knew that this was my dream handbag and I absolutely adore it.  As the leather is so soft though I only use this bag for very special occasions.

When we go away we usually travel from Heathrow Airport. Terminals 3 & 4 both have a Chanel Boutique and I have since gone on to purchase another Chanel Classic bag along with some Chanel Ballet Pumps and Purse from there.

The savings I feel are great if you’re looking to invest in a Chanel Hanbag as you’re saving 20% on the price and with some of the Chanel handbag prices this can make a massive difference.

As I’m always being asked how much do you actually save and as I’ve recently visited the boutique at Heathrow Terminal 3. I managed to get some up to date prices for some of the Chanel Classic Bags for you:

Baby 2.55 Flap Bag £2,145
Small 2.55 Flap Bag £2,225
Medium 2.55 Flap Bag £2,479

Timeless Classic Small: £2,116
Timeless Classic Medium: £2,225
Timeless Classic Jumbo: £2,479

Maxi Flap Bag £2,691
Available in Caviar or Lambskin Leather

Medium Shopping Bag £933

Large Shopping Bag £1,033

Medium Bag: £1,191
Available in Black or Beige

Tote £1,333.00
Available in Black or Beige

And here's my lovely little collection...

Prices do increase each year for the bags and looking at my receipts which I always recommend you keep! there is quite a difference in price as to when I purchased them.

I hope this blog was useful and it would be great to hear what Chanel bags you own.

Love Jo x

HOBS SALON REVIEW & 50% OFF A COLOUR & CUT FOR MY BLOG READERS!

I'm forever changing my hair colour going from really dark to adding a few highlights and then before I know it I'm blonde with dark roots and deciding whether I should go back dark again! 

I wanted a bit of a change and something quite low maintenance as I don't always have the time to get my hair done with juggling work and a family. 

I have been using a well known large chain salon for a few years now but always felt at each appointment I was on a conveyor belt and being rushed. The money you sometimes have to pay for your hair now it should be an enjoyable and relaxing experience and not seem like a chore.

I decided to try somewhere new and made an appointment with a salon called HOBS which is not far from me in North London.

HOBS hairdressers have been focused on the needs of clients for over 25 years with each salon offering a wide range of cut, colour and hair care services.  All HOBS staff are trained at the HOB London Academy and they currently have 23 award winning salons which are open 7 days a week with selected late night openings.

So here's my experience...

I popped into HOBS Southgate Salon prior to my appointment for a consultation with a lovely lady called Ozzie who's the Salon Manager.

At my consultation I had some pictures of J Lo's hair with me and explained I wanted some subtle Highlights like hers but something which wasn't really going to notice when my roots started to show.

Ozzie explained to me that I could have Balayage highlights with an all over colour which     J Lo had in the picture. What's Balayage I hear you ask?  Balayage is a hair colouring technique which is designed to create very natural-looking highlights which grow out without developing a noticeable and obvious root. The word “balayage” is French for “to sweep,” a reference to the way in which the colour is applied. This was perfect!! Finally a technique where there was no rush in the near future to get my roots done! 

After having a 48 hour skin test for the colour I was back in a few days for my Colour & Cut appointment with Ozzie.

Here's my before, during and after pictures...

Before - Brassy mis match of colours with Roots!

Before - Rats tails spring to mind!

During...

Balayage highlights are added with foils

All over colour is applied to the remaining hair whilst the foils are still left in

After my new Colour, Cut & Blowdry

What did I think about my experience at HOBS?

Service:

I can't fault the service I received at HOBS from start to finish.  Everyone was really friendly in the salon yet still very professional.  It was a very calm, stylish and relaxing atmosphere and when the colour was developing I wasn't forgotten about sat somewhere in the corner.  I was asked regulary if I was OK, wanted a drink or if I would like any magazines while I was waiting.

When my hair was ready to be washed I was asked to be seated in a chair and my legs were elevated by a built in foot rest.  I was then treated to a scalp massage by the assistant and a electronic back massage by the chair .  

Hair Colour & Cut

AMAZING!! My hair has never looked so good and the colours are perfect.  I know that where the all over colour is a near match to my own colour I won't have to rush back to the salon in a few weeks to get my roots done.  The highlights are just subtle enough and blend really well with the rest of the colour.

I had about an inch off the length and my layers and Ozzie created this beautiful curly blowdry which shows the definition of the highlights perfectly.

Since my visit to the salon many friends and clients have noticed my hair and I get complimented regulary.

50% OFF FOR MY READERS!!

For all my Blog readers & followers, HOBS in Southgate are offering an amazing 50% off your first cut and/or colour service with their Salon Manager Ozzie. The offer is valid Monday - Thursday only and for those of you who require a colouring service.  A skin test and consultation is required minimum 48 hours prior to the appointment. .

Here's their full address and contact details:

HOBS 42 Chaseside, Southgate, London N14 5PA Tel No:020 8886 1121 http://www.hobsalons.com/salons/southgate.php

All you need to do to receive this fantastic offer is quote my name Jo Coletta Blog when enquiring and booking.

I would love to hear back from those who'll be trying them out! and even better to see your before and after pictures? Please email them to me at jo@jocolettabeauty.com.

Love Jo x

MY HOLIDAY MAKEUP & BEAUTY ESSENTIALS

Just getting ready to pack for my holiday this weekend so here’s a little look into my travel makeup and beauty bag…

Makeup Bag
Even though I love to apply makeup on others and have stacks of it in my kit, my makeup bag proves to be very different! I’m not one to really wear that much especially on holiday. So here’s the items I like to take with me:

 

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser  - This is very light which I prefer the feel to on my skin but it still balances my skin out nicely and adds a healthy glow. Perfect for while I’m away as it contains a SPF20 and I tend to have a couple of colours to blend if my skin tone changes colour
Laura Mercier Golden Mosaic Shimmer Bloc - This I wear when I want that holiday glow, I just powder lightly to all the sun kissed areas of my face & body but alternatively I also use the different segments separately for eyeshadows and highlighters.
Laura Mercier Cheek Colour – This is lovely just to apply to the highest points of the cheek bones as it gives a very subtle dewy look.
Mac Eye Kohl Teddy – This is my favourite brown coloured eye pencil, as I can line the inner/outer of my eye and if outer can smudge a little for an evening look.  I also blend it all over my eye as a cream base before applying eyeshadow to prevent creasing.
Mac Nude Eye Kohl Pencil - This I line the inner waterline of my eye with to make my eyes appear brighter.  
Laura Mercier Mascara 
Powder Brush & Eyeshadow Brush from Real Techniques
Lip Brush - MAC
HD Brows Tweezers & Brow Beater Gel
Here’s my selection of holiday lipsticks that I take with me which I can also blend (left to right)
MAC: Blankerty
Shu Uemura: 520
MAC: Morange
MAC: Redd
MAC: Snob
MAC: Rebel
Laura Mercier Natural Lipgloss

Beauty Essentials:
I really love the Elemis Pro-Collagen Range and where I buy the full sizes throughout the year I tend to always receive a gift which contains the travel sizes.  I put these away as these are great for when I go away on holiday or weekend/overnight breaks.  Here's what I use...

Elemis Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser - This anti-ageing cream cleanser is purifying and balancing and really deeply moisturises my skin.
Elemis Soothing Apricot Toner - Lifts away all traces of cleanser and soothes my skin.
Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator - Gel exfoliator which is gentle enough to be used daily, leaving my skin silky soft and conditioned. I use this twice a week.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Serum - Stimulates cell renewal & really gives me a little lift!
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream 50ml - Really hydrates and moisturises my skin.  Also reduces the appearance of wrinkles. 
Elemis Exotic Cream Moisturising Mask - Really lovely deep moisturising mask which I use twice a week.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Lifting Treatment Neck and Bust - Clinically proven to reduce skin crêpiness & increase skin firmness
Elemis Liquid Layer Sunblock SPF 30 - Water resistant SPF 30 protection against UVA, UVB rays and pollution.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Body Cream - This body cream moisturises and tones my skin leaving it lovely and smooth and looking firmer.
Hair Care - I like to take a treatment with me so I use Kérastase Travel size Shampoo and conditioner (not pictured) and for daily use after washing my hair I apply Kérastase ELIXIR (pictured).  This makes my hair feel really soft and amazing. Great for giving me that natural beach wavy look.

Love Jo x