Set in London’s West End and only metres away from Oxford Circus, the Retreat at Czaro is the perfect place to have a revitalising pit-stop. Whether you’ve tired yourself (and your credit card) out after shopping your way down Oxford Street or fancy a pre-theatre beauty treatment, this luxury boutique is the ideal place to rest your weary legs.

The spa

Situated inside the Czara hair salon, the Retreat spa area is a tranquil and peaceful step away from the busy life outside of its doors. With white walls, pretty vintage accessories, delicious scented candles and gorgeous finishing touches, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported a world away from the hectic centre of London.

Treatments and facilities

With a wide range of choices on offer including manicures, pedicures and waxing for a quick fix, The Retreat has a variety of both short and lengthy treatments depending on how much time you can spare. With nails being pretty hot on the beauty radar at the moment, The Retreat offers a wide range of gel extensions and luxury manicures for hands to be envious of. If individuality is your thing, the salon specialises in nail art for tailored talons and a look like no other.

For an indulgent day of pampering, The Retreat offers a handy Pre Holiday Package to save you all the panic and effort before boarding the plane. Perfect for the summer months, the treatment includes a refreshing 30 minute facial, eyelash and brow tint for pretty peepers, a half leg and bikini wax for fizz-free skin that’s bikini-ready, and a manicure and pedicure to have you looking your very best while lounging on the beach.

If relaxation’s more up your street, the stress relief package is just the ticket. Enjoy a luxury facial with eye treatment to give your face a pick-me-up and keep you looking bright-eyed, finished with an indulgent Indian head massage to leave you clear-headed and ready to hit the city's streets again.

Treat yourself

Whether you’re passing through the capital or fancy a quick fix, The Retreat at Czaro is a perfect place to head and enjoy a spot of pampering. No matter how much we love to shop, it leaves our feet sore and our arms tired from all that carrying, so having a spa on our doorstep amid our shopping splurge is just what we need. The holiday package is a one-stop solution for all your beach body woes, so all you need to find is a good pair of sunglasses and your passport…

Londoners, how many times have you missed out on that exercise class, quit the gym or not exercised for a fortnight because you just have no time? We know the feeling. Us busy city types can barely sit down for a quick cup of green tea thanks to our hectic lives, which makes fitting in fitness that much harder when you live in the Big Smoke.

Fret not, Londoners, for there might just be an answer. Instead of finishing work and hopping on the tube, how about using your commuting time to run home? Cancer Research UK has teamed up with London’s running club, Home Run, to support the easy way of adding in at least 30 minutes of exercise to your day and reducing the risks of developing cancer in the process.

Home Run’s mission is to help Londoners exercise, and with a series of specially designed routes from the inner city to popular living areas such as Clapham, Finsbury Park and Shepherd's Bush, the running groups will help and guide you along while your bags get carried home with you in a rickshaw - all for free.

Varying between two to six miles in length, the runs aim to promote fitness and provides the ideal way to blow off some steam post-work while meeting new friends and getting the blood pumping around the body. Research from Harvard University suggests that 30 minutes of exercise per day can reduce a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer by nearly half when compared to those who infrequently exercise, while exercise can also cut colon cancer and lung cancer by 40% - that's enough to convince us that we should get moving.

Routes vary between two to six miles, and if you're not a runner then there's no need to worry; a guide will match the pace of the person at the back at all times so you won't get left behind. You can even decide to hop on a bus for part of the way if it's just too much for you to keep up with - just meet the group at your destination later to grab your bag. So, no excuses. Make your journey from work count towards your beach body plan and avoid the bustle of the tube in one simple step...

If you’ve ever fancied tackling the great British countryside to help get you fit and fancy throwing in the towel to costly gyms, here at Wahanda we have a variety of ways to embrace the great outdoors. From bootcamps to outdoor personal training sessions, you too can exercise al fresco and see what it the fresh air can do for you.

Ladies, the gym's out for summer. With a 52% increase in women choosing to exercise outside since 2007, the hottest fitness trend today is breathing in some fresh air while you workout.

Shock Absorber, the UK’s leading sports brand, conducted the survey and found that women are now ditching the gym in favour of embracing the good British weather and getting out there. A third of all women surveyed felt that they were pushed to workout harder thanks to being inspired by the far more interesting surroundings.

Preferred outdoor exercises included running and cycling, but new fitness trends have also impacted on the survey. Buggyfit, where new mums exercise together outdoors behind their prams, and British Military Fitness where you can get fighting fit with former soldiers, now have almost 1 in 10 women taking part.

As well as being a good solution to rising gym fees and our purse strings becoming tighter, going out to exercise can bring many health benefits too. The University of Essex’s Dr Jo Barton stated:

“Green exercise offers unique benefits compared to working out indoors. It significantly improves mood, self-esteem and restores mental fatigue. Added to this, people work harder when in a natural environment but perceive their workout to be easier. Training in the great outdoors also provides essential variety, especially with the changeable British weather– this maintains interest and reduces dropout whereas keeping fit indoors is more predictable.”

Shock Absorber has launched its ‘Get Out There’ campaign to promote the benefits and encourage women to share their inspirational places to train. With locations such as the White Cliffs of Dover and the Brecon Beacons being voted as some of the best places to workout and grab an (hopefully not too) breathtaking view, we're not sure the treadmill is enough for us anymore...

The Botox jab, which helps eliminate the appearance of wrinkles, frown lines and freeze facial muscles, is now to be offered on the NHS in England and Wales for chronic migraine sufferers. Not only a well-loved beauty treatment, this time-eraser can now be used to treat those blinding migraine attacks.

We’ve got to know the wrinkle-reducing injections as the wonder stuff used by celebrities to leave them looking more youthful (and sometimes a little doll-like), making Botox a top product on many people’s wishlists. But while the rich kids use it to tighten the appearance of skin, it can now be used to treat muscle spasms and even stop excessive sweating when injected into the armpits.

Receiving approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010 as a treatment for chronic migraines, the facial filler is injected into the face and neck to help stop the onset of the debilitating effects of migraines. Apart from the severe headache, symptoms include sensitivity to light, noise or smells, possible nausea and vomiting, visual spots or shapes and tingling sensations, including numb limbs.

With over 700,000 people in the UK suffering with migraines, this is sure to be a popular NHS treatment for those who can get it. Costing £349.40 for a 12-week cycle, you must have headaches for at least 15 days of each month, with at least 8 being classed as migraines, and must have tried at least 3 medications with no luck in order to qualify for treatment - so it's not for everyone.

Dr Fayyaz Ahmed, chair of the British Association for the Study of Headaches, said: "The medical evidence shows that Botox can provide significant benefit to patients with chronic migraine, helping to reduce the number of days disrupted by migraine or headache and improving their quality of life."

If you suffer from migraines, will you be hoping to give Botox a go?

Breathtaking natural views of rolling blue waves and undulating sand dunes provide the perfect backdrop to contemporary spa The Oitavos, snuggled 20 miles away from bustling Lisbon in the coastal area of Cascais, in sunny Portugal. With attentive staff catering to your every need, this is definitely one spa that you’ll never want to leave...

The venue

The Oitavos is a stamp of sleek modernity among gorgeous natural wilderness. The quirky ‘Y’ shaped building ensures that every view is outward facing, taking in the picturesque coastal views, or even the luxurious golf course. Clean white lines and shapes create the signature simplistic style throughout the building, which houses 142 rooms, 16 of which are suites.

The hotel’s 5* restaurant provides delicious menus that are a mix of traditional Portuguese food and contemporary cuisine from around the world. The accommodation is incredibly spacious, with the striking modern decor only increasing the roomy feel.

The treatment

Offering a uniquely organic and sea-inspired spa menu, The Oitavos sticks close to its natural roots by incorporating water-themed treatments and facilities into their indulgent spa. As well as a natural sea water swimming pool, they also have 10 treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, heated indoor and outdoor pool, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi, sauna, gym and numerous seawater treatments. They use VOYA products to further emphasise their links to the nearby ocean, specialising in sea-salt exfoliations and deluxe seaweed facials and baths.

We enjoyed the elegantly named Sea Breeze Manicure and Pedicure, which lasted a blissful two hours, as well as the lymphatic drainage massage and express massage, which were carried out to the highest quality, with therapists Claudia and Leila on hand to attend to our every need.

They also offer a golf course, which was rated as one of the top 100 by America’s Influential Golf magazine, plus a health and racquet club and an equestrian centre nearby – they really have thought of everything.

The result

One of the best bits of The Oitavos is the massive attention to detail that really ensures that your spa break is memorable, divinely comfortable and perfectly unique. Everything was well considered, with nothing left to chance, and it was the small things that really made the difference to our stay.

We adored the little welcome note left in our bedroom, as well as the useful cards listing our treatment times for each day of our stay. We also loved the super snuggly and soft quality linens and robes - we couldn’t have felt any more at home. Wahanda CEO Lopo Champalimaud is also a regular visitor, as The Oitavos is actually run by two of his cousins – so needless to say, we’ll be back…

Passport at the ready? Check out the deals and offers we have for The Oitavos and start packing…

Happy Monday, Wahandies! We’re getting closer and closer to summer (could someone please let the sun know?) and we’re all looking forward to getting away and enjoying some relaxation. We’ve also got a great competition for you to kick start the week – we’ve teamed up with designer dress hire experts Wish Want Wear to offer one very lucky winner a year’s supply of stunning designer dresses plus a £200 Wahanda voucher. Enter now for your chance to win this exciting prize and keep that beautiful body of yours looking fashionably fabulous this summer…

Good news

Get eating more fruit and veg. Less than a quarter of us in the UK are eating our five portions a day - even though fruits and vegetables are vital for keeping your body at your best. High in levels of vitamins, potassium and cancer-busting ingredients, a plant-based diet full of pulses, grains, fruits and vegetables has been linked to reducing occurrences of the big C and encouraging a health body, so try going vegetarian for a few days a week for a new way to stay healthy. We’ve got plenty of delicious and healthy meals on our food blog including a whole range of healthy soups, curries and delicious salads to get you started.

Top treats for the week ahead

California Smile Home Teeth Whitening Kit, £18 – Get pearly whites with this great deal from California Smile Clinics. An at-home whitening system, this full set includes FDA approved gels and all the kit you need to keep your teeth looking and feeling their best. Plus it's National Smile Month on Sunday, so why not start early?

Slim and Trim Shorts, £11.99 – Lose those extra inches and enjoy trim thighs. Double the effects of your workout - just 30 minutes of high energy exercise will equal an hour’s weight loss and toning on your lean limbs. With 72% off, these trimming shorts are perfect for exercising or even for sleeping in them.

3 Sessions of IPL on Small Area, £89 (or £135 for Medium Area)– Hair today, gone tomorrow. Bin those razors and benefit from smooth fuzz-free skin with this great offer from Destination Skin. Available at 11 locations UK-wide, zap away pesky hairs all over your body including facial areas with Intense Pulse Light therapy.

If you try one new thing this week, make it...

Walking to work. It’s National Walk to Work Week, so we’re being encouraged to ditch the cars and the public transport and use our legs to get to our desks. More than a fifth of daily journeys to work are under a mile, so swap busy trains and buses for an invigorating walk in the fresh morning air. A great way to de-stress and an easy way to incorporate exercise into daily life, pop on some comfy shoes and walk your way to happiness. Plus, you might end up saving a lot of cash by ditching the expensive transport – so swap that saved money for a pick-me-up treat such as a manicure or a spa day...

If you need a helping hand for the week ahead, head over to our Facebook page for an inspirational quote to get you motivated for anything that may come your way....

For many people exercise is a rude word but we all know it plays a huge part in any healthy lifestyle and certainly when it comes to managing our weight. The dilemma for many people looking to lose weight is that when you are unhappy with your shape/size the last place you want to be is in Lycra in a gym which we imagine to be full of ‘beautiful thin people’!

That was certainly me when I was pushing a size 20, Lycra was meant to be worn as several layers of undergarment NOT in a gym!! The reality is that the real way to burn fat is with the following: consistent cardio and strength training. That often goes down like a lead balloon because anything that includes the word 'consistent' also often includes things like 'boredom' and 'monotony' and 'slow to achieve noticeable results.'

Consistent exercise is the real key to fat loss but it is only 20% of the equation - with your nutrition being the other 80%. This is where many people who do bravely make a stab at including exercise in their life, falter. They take up exercise but don’t have a smart nutrition plan and the results are slow or nonexistent and in frustration they give up as quickly as they have started.

I want to offer a light for anyone who has ever struggled to find a way to end the struggle to lose weight or maintain it without hunger or deprivation.

Most of us are time challenged; my solution was to look for a smart, simple flexible solution for both my nutrition and exercise. When I found it, not only did I lose 75lbs but I dropped 6 dress sizes and turned my body into a fat burning machine that burns twice as many calories every day - and all without counting calories and just 50 minutes of exercise 3 times a week. This is what I now love sharing with my clients and other coaches who I train, as it is life changing and I love what I do because I get to be part of that.

I want to share part of that with you here - let me introduce you to the concept of fat burning. It's true that there are no 'magic' fat burning exercises - but there is something you can do to enhance your body's fat burning potential and that is this: work really hard.

Intensity is the real game-changer when it comes to burning fat because, when you work hard (as in going to a place where you can't breathe, can't think, can't stand it for more than few seconds at a time), your body responds by becoming something of a fat burning machine. As one study I researched suggested, "...vigorous exercise favours negative energy and lipid balance to a greater extent than exercise of low to moderate intensity." Which is a fancy way of saying you can burn more fat.

I set about researching the very best High Intensity workout in the shortest time and this is what I will share with you in my next blog. Watch this space……

Forget irritability and cravings, The De-Stress Diet can help you lose weight and make you feel good long term – what better impetus is there for sticking to a healthy lifestyle, says co-author Anna Magee

Stress affects sleep, skin, mood, even your heart health and now, mounting evidence has uncovered a strong link between chronic stress with excess weight. When we’re stressed, our bodies create the hormone cortisol that encourages the body to release calories, fat and energy into the bloodstream. That cortisol not only signals the body to store stubborn fat around the belly, hips and thighs, it can make us crave the sugary and fatty junk foods that feed stubborn fat.

A diet and lifestyle addressing stress is the key to long-term weight loss and a calmer mind but it’s the one thing most diets fail to consider – until now. By lowering stress hormone production in your body and minimising comfort eating and sugar cravings, new book The De-Stress Diet can not only help you feel better but - followed for six weeks - it can help you lose up to ten pounds and keep them off for good. Here are my 10 key leading guidelines of slim and calm living.

10 steps to de-stress, weigh less and feel great:

1. Focus on feeling good Before you reach for a sugary snack or choose the sofa over the gym, ask yourself ‘How will this make me feel in an hour?’ That Yorkie will leave you tired and cranky when its high wears off while only 15 minutes in the gym will help lift your mood for the rest of the day and increase your metabolism.

2. Easy breathing therapy Five minutes gentle breathing morning and evening can calm you down for the day. Lie down in bed or on the floor with your head supported and body covered by a blanket. Observe your breathing without forcing it to change until it naturally becomes longer and slower, helping you relax.

3. Walk it off Walking regulates stress hormones without generating more and relaxes tense shoulder muscles and the habitual breath holding that stress causes. Walk outside for 30-45 minutes each day - get a pedometer and try and clock up 8-15,000 steps throughout the day.

4. Rest – not only sleep We can’t avoid those children or bosses but opting for rest between stressful times helps prevent the development of hard-to-shift stress related weight. As well as sleep and the odd opt-out Sunday duvet day we need active rest - think swims or walks in nature and regular calming yoga sessions - and social rest such as socialising with people we like.

5. Pack in protein and vegetables The De-Stress Diet is based on a hunter-gatherer one with plenty of vegetables cooked every which way and mind-calming, energy-giving protein at each meal (choose from eggs, nuts/seeds, lean – ideally organic – meats, poultry and fish) to aid the loss of stored fat and satisfy appetite.

6. Dump craving foods Stress can cause a vicious cycle of cravings for sugar and refined carbohydrates especially if you turn to these when the pressure’s on. Avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates and opt for occasional quality treats instead of habitual crutches (we love chocolate covered Brazil nuts). Watch labels: anything ending in –ose as well as maltodextrin, corn syrup, cane juice, barley malt, molasses or brown rice syrup is still sugar.

7. Don’t fear fat You need healthy fats at every meal for appetite satisfaction, feeling calm and keeping sweet cravings at bay. Opt for avocado, almonds, nuts, seeds, olives, flaxseed, sesame, coconut or extra virgin olive oil and even a pat of butter on your vegetables (helps you feel more satiated than having them fat-free).

8. Less-is-more fitness Hours on the cardio machines can lead to increased stress hormone production, sabotaging weight loss. Research now shows short bouts of targeted exercise increase fat-burning metabolism for up to eight hours after your workout. The De-Stress Diet contains a super-effective 25 minute resistance training programme that uses lots of muscle groups and includes squats, lunges and press-ups and do-anywhere morning and evening yoga sequences (get the videos at de-stressyourlife.com).

9. Increase good stress Not stress is bad. Regular exposure to mild ‘good’ stress causes a defensive response in the body – called hormesis by scientists - which leads to a building up of the body’s defense systems. Healthy stressful challenges are within our control, have an end in sight and are followed by a period of recuperation, for example exercise in all forms and short, regular intellectual challenges. Bad stress is ongoing and feels out of our control, for example having a bad boss, unhappy marriage or relentless money problems.

10. Lifestyle default That crème brulee or a few vodka tonics don’t matter in the scheme of things if you default back to a low-stress healthy lifestyle. An all-or-nothing attitude toward your diet creates more stress and leads to binges but if you regularly exercise, eat a healthy, satisfying diet and take daily quick de-stress measures the odd night on the tiles is good for the soul.

The De-Stress Diet by Charlotte Watts and Anna Magee is published by Hay House, £12.99 and is available now.

The big lash look has hit the fashion scene hard this year, so when we heard about a brand new treatment that has the same effect as false lashes or extensions but uses your own eyelashes to achieve it, we were intrigued. Who wouldn’t want to save on all the fuss and hassle of curling, layering on the mascara and gluing on fake lashes to get extra length?

Already receiving plenty of attention and curious enquiries despite only just being out of the starting blocks, we weren’t going to pass up the opportunity to explore this time-saving treatment some more...

The venue

Stunning splendour, gorgeous grandeur and an impressive imposing air are all common in London’s glamorous Park Lane, but nowhere more so than at Athenaeum Spa at Athenaeum Hotel. As the massively tall glass doors were opened for me by smart suited doormen, I couldn’t help but feel slightly overwhelmed, incredibly excited and completely in awe, all at once.

The spa area is actually downstairs in the basement area of the hotel, where I was shown into a room that seemed to be the waiting room and treatment room in one. The autumnal decor of reds, oranges and clay grey were soothing yet stylish, and despite the small size and the lack of privacy, it was still a comfortable space.

The treatment

The Lash Lift is a new technique that has only just been added to the menu at Athenaeum Spa. It works like a perm, lifting your natural lashes to make them appear longer, more fanned out and thicker, creating a look similar to strip lashes or extensions. If you also have the optional MYscara, this semi-permanent, smudge-proof extra is the perfect finisher for a longer-lasting look. The Lash Lift will last for between 6 to 8 weeks and the MYscara lasts for up to 3 weeks, saving you bundles of makeup application time each morning.

After studying my eyes, friendly therapist Rachael decided that a natural look would suit me best, since my eyelashes were already quite long. She settled on a ‘medium’ lift, although she personally preferred the ‘small’ which funnily enough is the most dramatic one you can have, giving you the fake lash look.

Although it feels strange having various sections of your lashes taped up or down, the treatment wasn’t painful or uncomfortable at any point - especially since the skilled Rachael, who has been working at Athenaeum for six years, had an incredibly gentle touch. It was sometimes hard to know what was going on, since you have your eyes shut for most of the treatment, but she was always explaining the next step and asking whether I was ok.

Once I had all the various bits and pieces on my eyes, including a silicone pad contraption that would curl the lashes, it was left for 12 minutes before Rachael began rubbing off the layers she had carefully applied. It is a fiddly and time-consuming process since it goes on your eyes soft, but then turns into a rubber-like substance which is peeled off.

Once my eyes were bare again, I checked out the lift and could already see a massive difference, but I still had the MYscara to go for that extra definition and colour. The lashes are taped up once more as the bottom lashes are painted, and then it’d time to shut the eyes again for the top lashes to have their turn. Once the war paint is on, it dries for four minutes and then it’s over. It is a fiddly process so it does take quite a while - I was there for about 90 minutes in total.

Rachael also informed me about aftercare for my lashes – I couldn’t get them wet for 24 hours, had to avoid eye makeup remover and try not to sleep on my face for fear of squashing them. I asked whether I could wear eyeliner, and although you can, Rachael didn’t recommend it as the MYscara will last far better without.

The results

I knew my lashes were already pretty decent but I had no idea they could go to these lengths. I keep thinking I have a hair on my face, but it’s actually my long lashes tickling under my eyebrows! I was met by plenty of cooing at the office as it does give you an instant, noticeable result, and they even survived my morning shower. A complete time saver, that gives an eye catching, bold look, meaning that you don’t need to spend ages applying the contents of your makeup stash to your face!

They look impossibly long and really nicely spread out - even my lower lashes which have a tendency to clump up. It’s only day one after treatment so it’s too early to comment on their staying power, but I can see that if you take care of them they’ll last well. Plus, even after the MYscara wears off the Lash Lift will still be working its magic so all I’ll need is a regular mascara to keep the curl looking good. The Bambi look is so in…

It’s nearly summertime and that means one thing: preparation for the upcoming holidays. Whether you’re jetting off abroad or enjoying a staycation at the great British seaside, there's a lot of buffing and polishing to do before you don the swimwear and get out into the sunshine. If you’re feeling a little nervous about baring all, our beach body area is ready and waiting for you to treat yourself to some fab fitness deals and a spray tan or gel manicure along the way.

We’ve picked out some of our favourite questions about the upcoming holidays because let’s face it, we all worry about the same things; that our bum looks big in this, we're a bit wobbly around the thighs and that our hair is going to frizz up like a lion's mane as soon as it gets a little humid. Never fear, as Wahanda’s here and we have everything you need to keep you turning heads for all the right reasons...

Any advice on the best way to protect your hair while on holiday?

Hair can become a nightmare to deal with after it’s been baked in the sunshine, suffocated in chlorinated pools and swished around in seawater. Protect it from the elements by tying it up in a funky headscarf or hide it under a trendy hat - or there are some fantastic UV protecting hair care products on the market to stop sunshine ruining pretty locks and stripping colour away.

What's the best exercise to get a flat and toned stomach?

Blast the belly flab for good. Getting a toned tum is hard work without the help of our trusty Spanx to pull us in and look super-trimmed, and the big reveal on the beach is enough to turn anyone's stomach in fear. Many people worry about their ‘spare tyre’ and at Wahanda we’ve got plenty of fitness deals to help trim that waist down so you can hit the sand with confidence.

How can you protect sensitive skin from the sun?

Sensitive skin can be a nightmare in the sun. Stay safe and cover up to protect from damaging UV rays with a high SPF sun cream, or try some new products on the market to keep skin well-armed for sun damage. Avene’s SPF cream is a favourite with sensitive skins who are prone to prickly heat and flare ups, or for refreshing after sun to soothe burnt skin try a natural aloe vera gel packed with antioxidants to help skin repair.

Got a question? Head over to our community page and ask our friendly experts, who are ready and waiting to help you with everything from beauty problems to fitness tips...

It’s competition time over here at Wahanda! To coincide with our beach body launch this summer we’ve teamed up with the delightful dress hire site Wish Want Wear to offer one lucky lady a whole new look. With £200 of Wahanda vouchers for some full-on pampering and an incredible one year’s worth of designer dress hire up for grabs, the winner will be turning heads wherever they swish off to in their new fab frocks.

Wish Want Wear, the company behind the rental services of designer dresses, headwear and statement accessories, is a great concept that lets you incorporate top designers into your wardrobe at a fraction of the price. If there’s a special event that you really want to wow at, Wish Want Wear have it covered with their elaborate selection of stunning outfits, including designer ranges such as See by Chloe and Temperley London. You can even chat to the online style team for help on what will suit your body shape if you can’t make your mind up between that dazzling LBD and the floor length sparkler. The best part? Your chosen dress will arrive directly on your doorstep ready to turn you into the fashionista that you've always wanted to be.

If you’re unsure of your size now you’re in full beach body mode, don’t worry as you can order a back-up size completely free to ensure that the perfect dress will look equally as perfect on you. After all that hard work on the treadmill and eating carefully to prepare for the upcoming bikini season, what better way to show off your new toned body than with the ultimate selection of glamorous treats.

Included in the prize package and accepted at over 1,000 locations across the UK, our Wahanda vouchers can be spent on anything from yoga lessons to manicures, a detox wrap or power plate sessions- you can choose whatever you fancy to make yourself look and feel beautiful. Now there’s no reason not to enjoy a great makeover and a new dress each month to leave you looking like a million dollars - so enter the competition and keep those manicured fingers crossed...

Click here to enter

Leading makeup retailers have released figures that show the beauty differences across the UK. While the northern lasses stock up on fake tan, moisturisers and mascara, the girls of the south pick up more facial serums, lipstick and blushers.

While there is a constant stream of north-south divide jokes and media-created stereotypes from television shows such as The Only Way is Essex, Made in Chelsea and Geordie Shore, this sales breakdown of who buys what and where makes an interesting read.

According to retail brand John Lewis, the northern girls enjoy the more ‘glamorous’ look and are clearly in need of some sunshine - the city of Liverpool spends a whopping 35% over the national average on fake tanning products, whilst southern women spend 21% more on facial serums and oils in the hope of keeping their face looking as youthful as possible. Elsewhere in the country, Newcastle ladies are purchasing 15% more moisturising products while Cardiff's beauty buffs spend 51% above the national average on blushers.

Sales figures from leading high street retailer Superdrug found that the county of Essex wears the most false eyelashes – who on average buy a new pair of eyelashes every fortnight, closely followed by Manchester. Another survey revealed that a large number of Essex girls wear three pairs at a time to complete the full and foxy TOWIE look - now that's dedication.

Interestingly, though the figures reveal a few geographical beauty trends, they also show that both northern and southern dwellers spend their budgets on the same top five products. Apparently we can't live without tinted moisturiser, concealer, mascara, powder and pink lipgloss - showing that no matter where we live, we can’t resist these makeup bag must-haves.

Do you prefer the natural look or the glamorous look? Either way, here at Wahanda we have a great range of beauty treatments on offer including eyelash extensions, fake tanning and makeup master classes so you’re always looking your best, no matter what part of the country you’re from...

Make a beeline for honey and celebrate National Honey Week (7th-13th May 2012) by smothering yourself in some delicious products that are almost good enough to eat. With high levels of antioxidants that search out harmful free radicals, antiseptic properties and mild acids that make it easier to shift dead skin cells, using honey on the skin is a great way to moisturise and get skin-happy.

The little wonder syrup has also been linked to preventing cancer and Alzheimer’s, as well as helping in the fight against the common cold. From treating wounds to soothing stomach upsets, the golden liquid tastes pretty good on toast too.

The average bee will only make one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime, so to make the most of the good stuff we’ve picked out our favourite ways to indulge and feel bee-autiful...

Manuka Doctor Foot and Heel Cream (£8.99)

The Manuka Doctor range of bee-friendly honey products are a luxurious treat for the skin. The bee venom face mask has been linked to being Kate Middleton’s skin saviour in the run up to her big wedding day last year and dubbed 'natural Botox', while the foot and heel cream is a must for baby-soft feet.

With summer around the corner, we’ll soon be peeling off our thick socks to slide into a pair of flip-flops. Make sure feet are smooth and beach-ready with this honey moisturiser containing avocado oil and shea butter, with a dash of peppermint for a refreshing and cooling treat for overworked feet.

Melvita Ultra-Nourishing Body Balm (£22.00)

This deliciously rich body balm is part of the Apiscoma 3-Honey complex range, which nourishes skin with nutrients, stimulates the production of new skin cells and revitalises dull skin.

Packed with over 11% pure butters and oils, this natural body balm stops dry skin from returning and soothes without synthetic fragrances or parabens. Containing royal jelly, cocoa butter and extracts of Stevia leaves, this creamy skin-saver had us buzzing about it when we first tried it out…

Honey facials

What better way to enjoy the delights of honey than with the experts? Still fairly new to the spa market, honey facials are growing in popularity thanks to their beauty benefits which is why we've got a couple of deals for you to try.

Tucked away in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter is the Body Regeneration Clinic, where you can enjoy a sugar scrub and royal jelly and honey extract facialfor just £19. As the honey moisturises skin, the self-heating face mask will open pores and allow the beneficial honey properties to work their magic within.

If you’re nearer the capital, The Residential Beauty salon in North West London is well worth a visit. With a one hour anti-ageing and anti-oxidant honey facial on offer with a huge 53% discount, this is a facial not to miss out on. Using 100% natural honey, you will enjoy a tightening skin massage that works out facial muscles, then lie back and relax as a honey mask will rejuvenate the skin and reach deep down into pores to moisturise. Tailored to your skin’s needs, this facial will cause quite a buzz...

This is a perfect vegetarian dish packed with flavour and super-healthy with plenty of onions, tomatoes and potatoes. A delicious midweek meal for vegetarians or those looking to eat less meat, this spicy curry from the team at British Onions is perfect to include as part of an Indian banquet or for a yummy lunchtime treat.

Add warm naan bread on the side to soak up all the juices, and add any leftover vegetables, diced chicken or beef, peppers, butternut squash or even a handful of extra chillies for a healthy curry to warm you up and leaving you wanting seconds, and thirds....

Onion and Potato Curry

Serves 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes

You will need:

• 1 1/2 tsp coriander seeds
• 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• 2 sticks of cinnamon
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 5 dried curry leaves
• 1 green chillies, seeds removed and chopped
• 2 British brown onions, peeled and roughly sliced
• 2-3 tbsp coriander, chopped
• 5 medium-sized new potatoes cut into chunks
• 10 ripe vine tomatoes
• 250ml water
• 150g frozen peas
• Approx. 3 tbsp thick, plain yoghurt

Method:

1. Place the coriander seeds, fennel seeds and mustard seeds in a dry pan and heat gently until they are lightly roasted and aromatic. Pour into a pestle and mortar and ground.

2. Pour the oil into a large, heavy-based pan, place over a medium heat and add the crushed spices, cinnamon, garlic, curry leaves and chilli, a pinch of salt and cook for two to three minutes.

3. Add the onion, turn the heat down low and cook for 15 minutes or until the onions are soft and beginning to take on a golden brown colour.

4. Add the potatoes, tomatoes and water then cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.

5. Add the peas and cook for a further 15 minutes. Stir in the yoghurt and coriander leaves then season and serve with warmed naan bread.

Originally designed for the ballet dancers of the nearby Royal Opera House to relax in 35 years ago, the flagship Sanctuary Spa in London’s Covent Garden is a one-of-a-kind haven where you can unwind and recharge those batteries. Run by women and made exclusively for women - ballet dancers and busy city types alike - you can pirouette straight into this decadent spa for a bit of me-time day or night.

The spa

The Sanctuary Spa is an indulgent spa tucked away from the hustle and bustle of lively Covent Garden. Split into a day spa and a separate specialist skin spa, you can choose to simply relax in style or treat yourself to some professional skincare treatments. The Sanctuary believes that women who feel good about themselves and their body show it on the outside, so it’s not all about facials to make you glow; they take pride in creating a super spa experience that will leave you feeling revived inside and out, including a fantastic restaurant and even better products.

Treatments and facilities

The Sanctuary Spa offers a wide variety of treatments, as well as two relaxing pools and lounges with plush furnishings to rest your weary muscles in. One decadent lounge has koi carp swimming around, to further enhance your state of utter bliss, while the larger pool has a swing above it so you can feel free and easy in the impressive and airy surroundings.

When you book a spa day or a spa evening, you have a choice of either 25 minutes in a sleep retreat where you can lie and doze off on a gently vibrating soft bed, or 25 minutes in an infrared sauna - where warming infrared signals are transmitted deep into the muscles to aid tension release. There’s even a rasul treatment add-on for spa day bookings, where you can coat yourselves in 100% natural mud to draw out unwelcome toxins from the body and finish with a tropical rain shower - and all this in the heart of London...

The spa also offer plenty of specialised treatments if your needs are more targeted. Whether you fancy an oxygen facial, an aromatherapy massage, a hot lava shell massage or a full body massage to feel good from top to toe, The Sanctuary Spa has a treatment for anyone - even some tailor-made offerings for special mums-to-be.

Treat yourself

Whether you’re visiting the capital on a quick getaway with the girls or hoping to hide from busy London life, the Sanctuary Spa is an ideal place to rest and put your feet up in true spa style. With many of the treatments using The Sanctuary’s notorious range of signature products, you can try to recreate that idyllic treatment once you get home too.

With selected bookable spa days here at Wahanda, you can book your date with indulgence in just a few clicks. Currently available for their Spa Day Escape package, simply, click, choose your date, and turn up for the time of your life...

If donning those lycra shorts and trainers and heading out for a bit of hearty exercise only occurs to you after you’ve spent a week indulging in too much food, it’s time to re-think your regime. We're gearing up for our beach body goals at Wahanda, but fitness is a must-have for the whole year round - because while it's great for toning up, exercise does much more than just work on the outside...

The natural happy pill

Enjoy the so-called ‘runner’s high’ with a brisk bit of exercise. When exercising for either a long period of time or in brief intervals that really push your body to work to the limit, endorphin production is activated in the body and leads to feelings of being naturally happy.

Usually released to combat pain and extreme fear, endorphins can also be activated by spicy foods and love (aww). As a natural painkiller, by pushing yourself for just that little bit longer while working out, you get the best of both worlds - a little piece of happiness and some pain relief to help those aching muscles.

Keeps that ticker going

Not only does keeping fit help you lose a bit of extra fat gained around the waist, but it can also help shed a build up of fat around those vital organs. When fat builds up around the heart, it can become harder for our little tickers to pump the blood around our bodies - no matter what your age.

Physical activity also helps lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease, while improving blood circulation around the body and preventing blood clots that can lead to strokes and heart attacks. Not that we're trying to scare you into exercise here...

Helps you live longer

Need we say more? Exercising regularly can help you to live a longer, healthier life. A Copenhagen City Heart study of nearly 20,000 participants found that jogging for at least an hour a week can extend your life expectancy by an average of 6 years. An hour a week for a few more years - we’ll take that! As well as the health benefits to your heart that regular exercise can bring, it can also ward off disease by helping to maintain a healthy immune system. Race you to the gym....

Whether you’re thinking of taking up dancing classes, joining a gym, or would like one-to-one personal training sessions, we’ve got it all here at Wahanda. Browse by area or look for a specific exercise method - there’s something for everyone, so no excuses...

This week we’ve been celebrating all things sun-savvy for Sun Awareness Week and learning more about staying safe in the sunshine. While the sun is lovely to sit out in and relax with a good book, it’s always best to cover up with sun cream and protection to reduce the risks of skin cancers, sunburn and leathery skin.

We here at Wahanda love sprucing up our skin with some fake tan or treating ourselves to a professional spray tan. With summer fast approaching, we’ve picked out three of our favourite questions from the Wahanda community on how to be brilliant at bronzing. With so many beauty myths out there it's hard to make sense of all the tips and tricks, so come over to the Wahanda community and ask the experts...

Is there anything I should do to prepare before going to get a spray tan?

With spray tanning it’s recommended to exfoliate the skin a few days prior to your spray tan appointment. Paying particular attention to knees, elbows and other drier areas, use a body scrub or exfoliating mitt to brush off dead skin cells and leave skin smooth and ready for a lovely and even tan application. If you need to remove hair, try to do so before you tan as removal methods such as shaving and waxing will pull off skin cells that have been treated with tanning solution - resulting in a dodgy and patchy tan.

What's the best (foolproof) fake tan for VERY pale skin? I have found gradual moisturisers too oily!

Pale skin can show up tans that are on the orange side much more easily, and if you have fair skin it may be best to try a few products to determine what looks right for you. With everyone having different colourings and either pink or yellow tones in their skin, there is unfortunately no one-product-suits-all. Fake Bake do a self tanning cream especially designed for pale skin, or mix any regular tanning product with moisturiser for a DIY gradual self-tanner.

What's the best wash-off tan on the high street?

Wash-off tans are great for using on a night out where you fancy looking a little sun-kissed. With a choice between matte products or a shimmery sparkle, wash-off tan is an easy way to bring a bit of brown to your skin fast, and without staining your bed sheets. Best applied with a mitt for even application, or even mixed with moisturiser for a super-smooth and healthy look, these super quick skin savers are a girl's best friend.

Got a burning question that needs answering? Head over to our community page and get typing - there are hundreds of friendly experts who are ready and waiting to help you out on everything from beauty problems to fitness advice...

I was so angry yesterday. I watched ‘This Morning’ and the fantastic interview with Emer O’Toole discussing a topic very dear to my heart – to shave or not to shave, a women’s decision to grow her own body hair. After the feature I witnessed the most ridiculously negative onslaught at this gorgeous woman via social media. It was like the UK had turned into a bunch of pitchfork-welding villagers. I was waiting for someone to start chanting ‘burn her’ like some crazy Monty Python sketch.

Seriously I was livid… over a bit of body fluff.

Anger, as an emotion, is new to me. My raging fires had died out so long ago that I stopped experiencing anger altogether. Nothing and no one could hack me off, I was such a ‘nice’ person. And then I discovered that I was denying an incredibly important part of myself. I dared to step into the flames of my emotion and it has been the most empowering, liberating decision of my life.

Why do we get angry? It’s a very natural reaction to being offended, threatened, wronged or denied. It’s a human instinct, proof that we are still animals. Anger is immediate. It’s like a fire, it ignites, it rages and it burns out. I love watching a child having a full-on tantrum, so alive in the moment and with no regard of what others think of them. They just let rip. It usually lasts no more than ten minutes and then it’s gone.

Do you remember not getting your own way or being denied something as a child? Do you remember your reaction? My mother still talks about the royal tantrum I had, aged 3, when I wasn’t allowed a second go on the 20p ride in ASDAs. I was not allowed to have a go on that ride for weeks afterwards as a result. Needless to say I learnt a lesson and it was the first and last childhood tantrum I ever had.

Here lies the difficulty with anger. We are taught from a very young age that tantrums are not acceptable behaviour and are punishable. On the flip side tears and upset are often rewarded with cuddles and soothing. We are taught anger is rejected and tears are accepted. Have you ever been so cross that you have burst into tears? It’s common that the two emotions can get muddled up.

Different emotions create different chemicals reactions in the body. When we happy our body floods with the hormone serotonin which makes us feel good. Anger creates a stress response in the body – heart rate, blood pressure, and adrenaline levels increase. Because of this some health practitioners believe that anger should be overcome – all emotions are a choice and therefore can be selected.

I once heard a practitioner say he was above anger. It was the biggest load of tosh I’d ever heard. No one is above anger. Experiencing anger is a part of the human condition. It’s like saying I’m above eating (I will never say that).

Anger that isn’t allowed to express itself turns into resentment which often becomes dis-ease within the body. Conditions such as digestive problems, constipation, eczema, psoriasis, endometriosis and migraines are common symptoms of repressed anger.

So you’re really hacked off. What do you do? Start verbally or physically attacking people or destroying their property? Maybe not. However I do thoroughly recommend a good old fashioned childhood tantrum. An empty room at home – just you, a defenceless pillow and your raw, unadulterated anger. Wonderful. Trust me, as a recent divorcee, this is one of the most cathartic and cleansing things you can do. Afterwards you feel lighter, freer, calmer. Once the fire has burnt out, rational thought kicks in and the situation that troubled you in the first place can be addressed with a clear and calm head.

Now that I’ve had a healthy rage over society’s reaction to one women’s body hair, I can rationally and calmly reply to all the bush haters on the Daily Mail blog that they are all a bunch of idiots.

Do you think expressing anger is healthy?

What can parents do to help children experience anger in a healthy way?

This week's Sun Awareness Week has had us preparing for the summer ahead as well as re-looking at our current skincare regimes. With worrying stats revealing that the majority of us Brits don't protect our skin in the UK sun, we thought it was high time to highlight the issue and make sure Britain starts acting sun savvy.

Sun protection should be a no-brainer for normal skin types - just slap it on; but for those of us with sensitive, intolerant or even allergic skin, it's quite the beauty dilemma. The sun will often cause sensitive types to react with prickly heat and sunburn, while the SPF filters in sun cream itself can cause irritation too - leaving us a bit clueless on how to stay sun safe. Thankfully, there are a few brands out there who know their stuff when it comes to skin reactions - and our long time favourite Avène now has a sun care range that'll soothe any sunshine woes…

The product

Avène prides itself on offering skincare that will suit any degree of sensitivity - they cover sensitive, intolerant and allergic skin types with their great range of skin creams, cleansers and now sun care. Being a super sensitive type, I tried out their recommended cream for allergic skin in the range - the Very High Protection Mineral Cream SPF 50.

The cream's formula uses a 100% mineral screen to create a barrier that blocks the rays of the sun, rather than sinking in to the skin itself - making it ideal for those of us who have to be gentle with our skin. Paraben, alcohol and fragrance free, it suits those with a delicate disposition while also protecting against UV rays.

The treatment

The cream itself is in a 50ml tube much like their daily moisturisers, so it's ideal for travel. As a huge fan of Avène's standard skincare, I thought I knew what to expect - but was pleasantly surprised when I realised it was lightly tinted too. Why isn't more sun care like this? Holiday skin for me means daring to bare all, with little makeup during the day because it simply melts off or clogs my skin in the heat, particularly if I've used a sun screen underneath; this innovative product banishes the fear of leaving your face nude because it not only protects, but leaves a gentle translucent sheen on the skin too.

The result

Unsurprisingly, I was really, really impressed. Sun creams are often more greasy than standard moisturisers, but this felt much like my usual Avène daily moisturiser (which incidentally has an SPF 15) - quite a light consistency so that a lot goes a long way. Best of all was the tint - it really is a great idea because it makes those makeup free days in the sun much easier to do. The colour is light and doesn't give a strong coverage, but leaves skin with a healthy, even glow, much like a tinted moisturiser. And there was no allergic reaction in sight. Result.

Of course, the icing on the cake is the high SPF - anyone with sensitive skin tones will want the best protection around, so with factor 50 in the bag you can be sure you're giving your skin exactly what it needs. This one's going straight into our holiday essentials kit - and we'd happily wear it every day here in the UK too. If only the sun would come out to play a little more often…

Ready for the summer but not ready for the side effects it brings to your skin? To celebrate Sun Awareness Week and help everyone to become a bit more sun-aware, we’ve rounded up our five favourite products to pack in your suitcase for those summer holidays...

Mosquito spray:

Don’t feel the sting and remember the mosquito repellent. Feeling the burn of a raised mosquito bite is a frustrating and an itchy subject, so always make sure you spray yourself before heading outside. Whether it’s in the garden or away on holiday, stop these little blood-suckers from having their next meal or any chance of passing on nasty diseases such as malaria and yellow fever.

Our favourites are the Jungle Formula range, where even those with sensitive skin can repel nasty bugs with a special alcohol-free formula, as well as Andrea Garland's Lemon Balm Body Gloss for a beautifully scented and gloriously luxurious way to ward off the pests.

Cooling gels:

Soothe sore and sunburnt skin with a swipe of refreshing cooling gel. A medicine cabinet essential for those prone to sunburn as well as a way to relieve muscle tension, cooling gels can soothe skin tissue and reduce redness in angry, inflamed skin. It also has rehydrating properties, encouraging water to the surface layers of the skin, meaning that skin can heal faster while you lie back and enjoy the refreshing cold feeling.

Acriflex skin cooling gel has been developed to work with reddened, sore, dry and irritated skin so is the perfect product for your handbag.

Protective shampoo:

While most of us are busy applying sun cream, a large yet very important area of our bodies is often left to sizzle in the sun unprotected. Our hair is a prominent part of our daily routines, so why is that most of us still don’t treat it with some tender loving care when we’re on holiday or in the sun?

Chlorine, sunlight and salt water can all strip the hair of its natural oils and proteins and leave that mane looking less than perky. Organic range Green People has a shampoo and conditioner range that gently washes away salt and chlorine while rehydrating sun-damaged tresses. Over 80% organic and packaged in handy 100ml tubes, this product may just save the day on scorched locks.

Hydrating sprays:

Another way to keep cool is with a revitalising spritz of hydrating spray. An aerosol full of miniscule droplets of cold water can rehydrate, freshen up makeup and provide instant relief from any dryness or tightness of the skin. Perfect for when you’re feeling a little dry while flying or in air-conditioned offices, a mist of H20 can instantly replenish moisture to where your skin needs it most.

The Avene Thermal water spray is ideal for soothing sunburn, sensitive skin and any irritation. Simply spray, wait a few seconds and pat dry for the ultimate rehydration fix, or give a face mist such as the one from AEOS a go for in-flight hydration.

Calming creams:

Accidently overdone it on the sunshine or developed prickly heat? Whilst there’s nothing more you can do to prevent it, you can help to work with the skin to lessen and soothe it. If your skin is sensitive to cooling gels and hydrating sprays aren’t solving the problem, a skin calming cream could help to regenerate angry skin.

Top beauty brand Pai’s Comfrey and Calendula Calming Body Cream is packed full of anti-inflammatories that can help to strengthen damaged skin and fight against irritating prickly heat. For a super skin remedy, add a few drops of model Miranda Kerr’s favourite skin product Rosehip Oil for a vitamin-rich cream to speed up damaged skin.