The Trafford Centre Blog

The races & wedding season

Wed, 16 May 2012 17:22:11 GMT

The races and wedding season is now fully in swing and provides a perfect excuse to go all out. Aintree kicked off the fashion frenzy in April with celebrities setting the standard of what we will be wearing in SS12. Coleen Rooney has appeared in a number of fitted skater dresses and high split maxi’s (think Angelina at The Oscars!), florals, bodycon and nude tones featured strongly.

The usual dilemmas of wedding season will be on your mind with weather predictions playing a big part in outfit building. If in doubt team your chosen dress with a cute cropped jacket, Chanel and Burberry Porsum are a great inspiration for SS12.

The ultimate accessory to complete the look is a statement clutch. Coming in all shapes and sizes this season from box to oversized and leather to prints they are exactly what you need to perfect this polished look.

Not forgetting shoes, platforms are a firm favourite at the races and throughout the wedding season, with nudes coming out to offer the leg lengthening solution. If you are a feeling ambitious go for a pop of colour in contrast to a neutral dress, this seasons sunshine yellow is still very much at the forefront. Most importantly, this is the perfect opportunity to glam up and have fun!

90's Nostalgia

Wed, 16 May 2012 17:05:40 GMT

Re-live your childhood and teenage years with the Geri platform by Read or Dead at Schuh. It seems that everywhere you turn there is a Union Jack flag or branded product and here is the original in the form of the Geri Platform. Geri Halliwell’s infamous style stands out with her collaboration at Next also referencing this era.

Here at The Trafford Centre it has got us thinking back to the 90s and the boy and girl bands we were obsessed with. Like the teens of today who closely follow the lives of One Direction we too consumed ourselves in all things spice. We all had our favourite spice with their iconic style becoming our daily inspiration for dressing.

There is no better time to relive your youth and embrace the Union Jack print as we edge towards the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. All we need now is to dig out the matching dress…

Colour Pop!

Thu, 03 May 2012 09:34:24 GMT

Make sure you dip into the colour spectrum and a splash of bold colour to your spring summer 2012 wardrobe to embrace this on the moment trend.

Model wears outfit from Wallis

Prerna Loafer, £25, from Accessorize

Clutch bag from H&M

Orange neon skinny belt, £6, from Next

Green maxi skirt, £35, from Next

Orange denim super skinny, £25, from Bhs

Model wears dress £75 and clutch £35, from J by Jasper Conran at Debenhams

Fine lines

Wed, 02 May 2012 17:10:42 GMT

Stripes are back with a vengeance this summer. Choose from a huge variety in colour and style that make this trend a must-have for any man.

Model wears outfit from River Island.

Model wears cardigan, £35 and tshirt £16, from Debenhams.

Multistripe crew neck tshirt, £12.99 from Blue Inc.

Stripe belt, £12 from Burton.

Stripe tshirt, £16 from Next.

Nanny State stripe tshirt, £18 from BANK.

Blue harbour polo shirt, £19.50 from Marks & Spencer.

Dare to bare

Wed, 02 May 2012 16:23:54 GMT

Embrace the dare to bare trend this SS12 – sheerness has become a must wear style now more so than ever as seen on the catwalks from the likes of Phillip Lim. However do not fret this doesn’t mean you have to reveal too much. The high street has many offerings where you can dip your toe in the trend, with sheer panelled blouses and lace that merely hints at bare skin. Get this look now…

Sheer blouse and skirt from Miss Selfridge.

To work this trend at the office, choose this pretty beaded scallop shell top, £35 from Bhs.

Tick off two trends at once with this bright dress with sporty mesh detailing. Hartley neon airtex dress, £40 from River Island.

Lace is an elegant choice for any occasion and you can't go wrong with this flattering number from Evans. Black lace dress, £85 from Evans.

Vintage Americana

Wed, 02 May 2012 09:23:57 GMT

Step back in time this season and embrace the vintage Americana trend...stripes and checks should be on your wardrobe checklist! Key colours to stock up on are the traditional red, white and blue with brown leather featuring heavily in accessories. Dig out some classic white tees and a pair of Ray Bans and combine it with these key pieces. Think Mad Men and JFK and you will be well on your way to encapsulating this all American trend...

Pretty Peplums

Tue, 01 May 2012 16:00:42 GMT

Peplums are one of the hottest trends for SS’12 and have been seen on the catwalks from Marc Jacobs to Vera Wang. This ultra feminine style is featured on dresses, skirts, and tops, in a variety of colours, prints and materials.

This pretty trend is a great way to create a tiny waist, and is the perfect way to either dress up a casual day outfit with a peplum structured jacket and jeans or add the wow factor to an evening in a peplum dress with statement jewellery. The options are endless for this workable trend, so get yours now…

Wedged heels

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:04:35 GMT

Wedged heels are making a come back this season so stride ahead of the fashion pack and get yourself a pair of these must have shoes! As seen on the catwalks, wedged heels allow you to encapsulate a number of trends in one since there are no limits when it comes to design, height and colour. So make sure you embrace this seasons key trends from pretty pastel colours, strappy tribal prints, to fluro brights and space age metallic’s. The possibilities are endless as no spring summer outfit is complete with out a pair of wedged heels. Take a look our pick that we can’t wait to get our hands on.

Model wears Balamore wedges, £70 from Bertie.

This wassup wedge, £65 from Office, ticks so many boxes. It's a wedge, it's in bright blue and it's a platform so is the comfiest style for everyday wear.

Trend Watch is a little bit in love with this beautiful sparkly Princess wedge, £68 from Schuh. But can you blame us?

By Hayley Dewar.

Pyjama party

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:52:33 GMT

Wearing your pyjamas in daylight has never been more acceptable… This chic style is one to sport this SS12, as seen on the catwalks of designers like Stella McCartney. This easy to wear trend features relaxed silhouettes and luscious fabrics from silk to satin, wear yours with heels and decorate with fabulous stand out accessories to make it ultra glamorous.

Model wears Martinique jacket £65, Martinique trousers £65, Derrly necklace £16 and Norm sandals £25, all from Monsoon.

Must have summer prints part 3

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:34:32 GMT

Our stylist Eve picks her favourite pieces from Topshop to show us how to clash prints with confidence. And proves this trend isn't as tricky as it looks.

Must have summer print part 2

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:03:31 GMT

Do you love this season's print trend? Out stylist Eve has been to MANGO to show us how to embrace print from top to toe.

Must have summer print part 1

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:56:28 GMT

Prints were all over the catwalks this season, but how do you give a simple nod to the trend? Our stylist Eve visits Karen Millen to show us how to introduce print to our wardrobes.

See the new ride at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:57:00 GMT

We were there when the first children tried out the new LEGO City: Forest Pursuit driving adventure. Watch the video to hear what they thought.

Facebook leisure reviewers try...Laser Quest & The Rock

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:57:42 GMT

Hayley Edginton says...

Other than taking my son to birthday parties, we have never been to Laser Quest, but we will definitely be going back!

The staff were friendly and helpful, the place was clean and not overbooked.

I never thought of it as a family event but we had so much fun. It is however highly competitive so be warned!

Lucy Markillie says...

Laser Quest is a great attraction for the whole family, as it's suitable for all ages and is based around teamwork. The course is on two levels, so there's plenty of hiding places for you to sneak into! The staff were brilliant - they'll help you put on your laser vest and make sure it's all working before you can enter the arena. Don't worry if you've never been before as full instructions are given, along with a safety demonstration before the game can commence. The staff are also on hand in the arena should any problems occur during your game. After the game, you receive a certificate as a souvenir and there's also a moving climbing wall named The Rock outside the entrance for you to try your hand at.

Facebook leisure reviewers try...ODEON Cinema

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:34:27 GMT

Lucy Markillie says...

The auditorium itself was clean, comfortable and offered plenty of legroom. The sound and picture quality were also great. I chose to watch 21 Jump Street (rated 15), which is about a pair of coppers who get sent back to high school to try and break down a drug dealing ring – I’d recommend this film, it was much funnier than I was expecting. My only criticism would be that the drinks and snacks are quite pricey so make sure you take a bit of extra cash with you – a bottle of water will set you back £2.60. If you’re willing to pay for them, there are a good choice of snacks on offer from popcorn, sweet and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.

Tina Bailey says...

This is a once a week film showing aimed at those with babies. The idea is that you can go to see the latest film releases, without worrying about your baby crying or making noise, as everybody there is in the same position. The volume isn’t quite as loud as usual, and the lights are left slightly up, so you can feed and soothe your baby without missing the film. You pay for adult tickets and babies gets free entry.

When you arrive at the cinema, your pushchair is taken from you and stored in a secure area. You are given a raffle ticket to claim it back at the end. If your baby is in a car seat, you can take that into the cinema with you.

When the film started, my son (who is 9 months old and loves tv) became instantly transfixed on the screen. He happily watched for a good 70ish minutes before he got a bit restless – at which point I gave him a drink and he settled down again. I would definitely use this service again, and recommend it to everyone.

Tina Bailey is The Mother Geek, a mum-of-one blogger from Manchester. You can read the full versions of her Trafford Centre reviews over on her brilliant blog – click here to pay her a visit!

Hayley Edginton says...

We visited the cinema on a warm Thursday evening in March. The cinema was extremely quiet, which may have been due to the uncharacteristic weather outside or just due to it being a school night.

For us, this meant uninterrupted bliss for two hours! No rustling crisp packets or shadows creeping across the screen 10 minutes into the film! The seats were lovely and comfy, 'We Bought a Zoo' was a great family film. Overall, we had a very enjoyable evening.

Gemma Valentine says...

When we got to the ODEON we were quite shocked at what was available to do on this level of The Trafford Centre, if only the kids were a little bit bigger or we had gone on our own. There was a rock climbing experience, Laserquest and Paradise Island Adventure Golf (I think we should have done the adventure golf, as my little girl would have loved it too). We will be paying another visit soon to try this out, as it looked great and the setting was brilliant. We went to the cinema and even got the option to choose premier seats or standard, we choose the premier ones which were bigger and right in the middle of the cinema with the best view - yet another great experience.

Facebook leisure reviewers try...Aerial Extreme

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:22:53 GMT

Lucy Markillie says...

This is a fantastic activity for all ages, providing you’re over 1.1m tall and weigh under 19 stone. The staff were fantastic and so friendly - I was quite nervous doing the course, so the instructor offered to do it alongside me, so he could encourage and help me along the way. After a full safety briefing, you’ll complete a small course to start off with, then you progress onto the main one. The course consists of numerous activities from tightropes to ziplines, and the sense of achievement you feel once you’ve completed both the courses is amazing. Don’t let your nerves put you off!

Hayley Edginton says...

Wow! Aerial Extreme has it all! We had tears, laughter, screams and cheers during our 2 hour adventure. The staff were enthusiastic, motivated and extremely helpful. We had a few wobbles on the way round but this only added to the sense of achievement and satisfaction at the end. If you are looking for a way to get the most out of your time with the family - this is it!

Facebook leisure reviewers try...LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:06:59 GMT

Tina Bailey says...

I attended LEGOLAND Discovery with a group of family members, and several children under 4 years of age. It is a good mix of activities to keep kids of all ages entertained. (And parents too – if you like Lego, 4D Cinema or theme park style rides).

Kids under 3 get in for free. When you arrive, you are shown into the LEGO Factory, where Professor Brick-a-Brack tells you how LEGO is made. There are some opportunities for the kids to join in, and press some buttons for him here. The 3 year olds loved this. At the end of the Factory Tour, everyone is given a certificate. (This part takes around 10 minutes).

Next, you move on to the Kingdom Quest ride. This is a slow moving “shoot em” ride, which allows 5 people per car. The adults found this ride particularly exciting as they could get a bit competitive!

When you leave this ride, you enter “Mini Land” – here, you’ll find many scale models of famous British attractions, made from Lego! There are buttons which bring some of the models to life, too! The kids loved pushing these.

Once you leave Mini Land, you are “free” to do what you want to in the main area. Here you’ll find the 4D cinema, which shows a different Lego film every hour. The film requires you to wear 3D glasses, and you will be blown on, rained on and snowed on, in sync with the film. The kids were amazed by this and loved it. My husband, however was left feeling very sick by the 3D screen. (If you need glasses for watching TV – make sure you take them)!

The Soft Play area was amazing too. The kids had an amazing time playing on the climbing equipment. slides, rubber lego bricks and foam. They spent a good 90 minutes in here, and loved every minute of it. Children are required to take off their shoes, so make sure they have matching socks on!!

Tina Bailey is The Mother Geek, a mum-of-one blogger from Manchester. You can read the full versions of her Trafford Centre reviews over on her brilliant blog – click here to pay her a visit!

Hayley Edginton says...

Legoland is my little boy's favourite place, it has lots to keep the children amused. The models are amazing to look at; from Blackpool tower to the Trafford Centre itself. The 4D cinema was a hit too, but be sure to sit on the front row for maximum enjoyment. There are large play areas and model making zones and even a cafe for the grown ups. The new girly 'Friends' area does have its downside though. When we visited, there was a young Beyonce wannabe who wouldn't give up the karaoke. Headphones or ear plugs are definitely the way forward for this attraction!

Gemma Valentine says...

One word, amazing! My little boys face was a picture from the moment we walked in. He was so excited to go on the first ride 'Kingdom Quest' and to shoot the Evil Skeletons and Giant Trolls to save the princess. He was running out of the ride and still trying to shoot the baddies, holding his finger's like a gun!

LEGO Miniland was fantastic, and I would never have thought that all these landmarks could have been built out of Lego; United Football Ground, Salford Quays Bridge and Alton Tower's Oblivion to name a few.

My little boy did not know were he wanted to go and what to look at next. He queued up to watch the 4D film, then noticed the Police cars that he could drive (like a go kart) and so shot off to join the queue. The only thing with the cars was he could not get used to steering and kept getting stuck on the side - he still enjoyed it though.

My little girl was asleep for the first part of Legoland but she made up for it when she woke up, straight into the Lego pit and loved it.

The fire academy and construction site soft play zone was great and my little boy spent plenty of time in there. He was disappointed as his sister could not play with him as she is only 17 months old and wasn't big enough, so he had to play on his own in there. I think it would have been good to have a small soft zone for younger children, like a Minnie/Mickey Mouse setting, as there isn't that much that the younger children can play on.

I think I was expecting it to be bigger inside Legoland Discovery Centre - but it still did not disappoint. My children really enjoyed it and my little boy could not wait to go to school to tell his friends where he had been.

Overall we had a great time here at LDC and we would come back again in the near future!

Victoria Wilkinson says...

We had a fantastic afternoon at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre; it is definitely every little boys (and dads) dream! First the children were taught how LEGO was made and were able to interact! There was a 3D cinema but my children were that bit too small.

In the big room there is plenty to do, a massive play area, LEGO pool, LEGO buggies for older children, a fairground ride, area for little girls so had pink LEGO to play with. Plus there was also a cafe on site to enjoy. For the adults there is built LEGO of different areas of the UK like the Lake District! Great for children 3+ depending on your child, you could spend a day there! Also after a fun afternoon we sat and ate a Cadwaladers ice-cream in Barton Square as the café is just next door!!

Facebook leisure reviewers try...Namco Station

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:52:16 GMT

Lucy Markillie says...

The Namco Station is a great way to spend a few hours with your family. The main attraction is the bowling alley, although I would recommend booking a lane as it can get quite busy. They have lighter bowling balls and ramps for younger children, and a good choice of heavier ones for the adults. There’s also dodgems, which are a good laugh and you get quite a long ride for your money. In addition to this the surrounding arcade offers something for everyone, from slot machines, air hockey, simulators and crane grabbers.

Tina Bailey says...

An amusement arcade in its traditional form! There is also a bar, bowling alley, Dodgems and many, many machines. We spent half an hour in here on the machines, we spent a total of £5 and I won a Disney Teddy on the grabbers (Cost: 30p) – I won it on my first go!

There are many types of games. Including arcade driver simulators, penny pushers, teddy grabbers, bingo, fruit machines and more. The family area pays out prizes in tokens, not money – which you can then trade in for prizes. We got 155 tokens from our £5, which bought us a quacking duck soft toy. On the whole, it was a fun half hour, and the machines were not difficult to win on. We didn’t try bowling as I’m pregnant so not really up to it at the moment, but the lanes looked great, and the food hall looked good too. The Dodgems looked like fun too, but again – we were unable to try these. I think anyone with older children would enjoy an afternoon in here. Bowling, followed by a couple of turns on the machines would have been a perfect School Holiday day out for me when I was 10+. We will be back when the kids are old enough to enjoy it.

Tina Bailey is The Mother Geek, a mum-of-one blogger from Manchester. You can read the full versions of her Trafford Centre reviews over on her brilliant blog – click here to pay her a visit!

Hayley Edginton says...

We visited at 5pm on Saturday and were a little anxious that it would be overflowing with teens; but we were pleasantly surprised. The bowling area was generally home to families celebrating birthdays or couples enjoying an early evening bowl. The bowling area was clean and tidy with staff constantly clearing glasses and rubbish. The kids loved playing the 10p game with the moving shelves but when their pound was gone it was time to go! Great fun had by all.

Gemma Valentine says...

This was a great experience for the kids! They both ran off in different directions, one to the motorbike games and the other to the teddy-bear grabbing machine. My little boy was obsessed with the cars, motorbikes and even the dancing machine. It was great to see them having such an amazing day.

We have never taken the kids bowling before and only realised this as we got to the Namco Station. He loved finding his own bowling ball and rolling it down the lanes, his eye would not leave it until it had hit the pins, then he would jump up with excitement even if it only knocked a couple over. I think his arms were tired in the end as he started to use the stand his little sister was using. She also loved pushing the ball down the stand and even tried to follow the ball a few times!

We also experienced the dodgems (not my little girl) and this was a struggle to attempt to get my little boy off, and he loved people crashing into him as he squeezed his Dad's arm laughing and smiling.

There were a lot of games and rides in the Namco station for the kids to enjoy and they had a fab time.

Facebook leisure reviewers try...Paradise Island Adventure Golf

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:35:09 GMT

Lucy Markillie says...

This is the perfect family activity – there are two 18 hole courses to choose from (one is split between 2 levels, the other on one level, making it a great choice for those with disabilities). The atmosphere adds to the fun, with animal sound effects, strobe lighting and even a plastic elephant that squirts water at players. There’s also a bonus hole which gives you the chance to win a free game if you can get a hole in one.

Tina Bailey says...

Me and Hubby went to Paradise Island Adventure Golf with the baby. When we arrived, we were issued with 2 balls, 2 clubs, a scorecard and a pencil. As we had the pram with us, we decided to use the 18 hole disabled course, rather than the full on “crazy” circuit, which was not pram or wheelchair friendly. Your scorecard shows you the “par” for each hole, and then you take turns to complete each hole. You cannot move onto the next hole until all members of your party have completed the current hole. The holes become more challenging as you proceed, and we had a great time. The sound effects and scenery are great too.

One thing I want to point out though, is that while the disabled course is pram friendly, there are still steps, uneven surfaces and bumps to navigate, so wheelchair users might need a bit of assistance here and there. We will definitely be back for another game soon! It is a fab way to kill a rainy afternoon in the school holidays.

Tina Bailey is The Mother Geek, a mum-of-one blogger from Manchester. You can read the full versions of her Trafford Centre reviews over on her brilliant blog – click here to pay her a visit!

Hayley Edginton says...

I have wanted to take the kids here for a while as I loved crazy golf as a child. I was so disappointed!

The place lacked any kind of atmosphere and apart from being passed our clubs as we entered, we had no help from the staff.

A diagram with hints on or a member of staff providing assistance may have improved this experience.

Alan Mead, Paradise Island Adventure Golf, replies:

“Thanks Hayley very much for taking the time to visit and review Paradise Island Adventure Golf! We are really sorry that you didn’t feel as though enough assistance was offered on the course, as all of our staff is trained to provide help when requested.

“In terms of a diagram, we make sure that we display posters and clear instructions on the scorecards for those players who need them – but we’ll certainly be looking at ways to make these more obvious to our customers, in light of your remarks. We hope you’ll visit again soon for another round!”

Enjoy the ride

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:33:08 GMT

There's plenty to keep the whole family entertained at The Trafford Centre leisure venues. Watch the video to discover LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Aerial Extreme high ropes adventure course, Laserquest and The Rock, the 20 screen ODEON cinema and Namco Station.

In The Night Garden LIVE - your reviews

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:17:20 GMT

THE incredible In The Night Garden LIVE show returns to The Trafford Centre (18 August - 2 September 2012) with it's colourful and fun extravaganza that is loved by adults as much as their children!

Take a look at some of your reviews for the show, and remember you find find out more, including how to book your tickets, by clicking here.

"The show exceeded my expectations. We took our two year old son; he was fascinated and jumping with joy. We all had a fantastic time throughout. We had premium seating which was well worth the money as we were in the front row. There wasn't a queue and plenty of parking spaces. All in all a lovely memorable experience would highly recommend it."

Taira Khan 5/5

"Fantastic show, my 2yr old loved it as did her 2yr old cousin. Meeting upsy daisy absolutely made the visit!! Can't wait for next year."

Claire Gross 5/5

"This was a great show - with adults enjoying it as much as the children! Our son has special needs and was engaged by the show from start to finish, which is very unusual, so brilliant! In fact I thought the show would work very well for lots of disabled children e.g. ASD/PMLD as it's a very sensory experience. In view of the fact that a visit with an ASD child can often be quite complicated we received excellent service in terms of seating and from the front of house staff as well as the show working fantastically well for both our children. I know Calvin would love to come back again and again! Thanks again to you all!"

Miranda Yates 5/5

"FANTASTIC!!! What a show and such a fun day out, our daughter Lilly-May absolutely loved it, such a joy to see her little face light up, watching her favourite TV characters - Thank you so much :)"

Jayne Rabson 5/5

"Absolutely brilliant. Saw the Macca pacca show! My 2 yo loved it! Thank you the cast was really super..."

Sophie Faulkner 4/5

"Wow what a show just been to see the show with our daughter who has autism she loved the show so did we the staff were so nice and friendly, and the show was Great well done to everyone and thank you for making our daughter smile so much..."

John Stuart 5/5

"We took our 8 month old daughter and she loved the show. We loved seeing her smile and giggle. She stayed happy and focused all the way through. The venue was excellent and very well organised and there was plenty or room and a great view. The only down side was that the extras such as balloons and fans were very expensive."

Fiona Richardson 4/5

"Took my 2 year old son today (we went last year too). It didn’t disappoint for a second year. It was amazing to watch my son dance, clap and call out to the characters. We took him to meet Iggle Piggle afterwards and he was full of smiles. The grandparents enjoyed it too! It never matters where you sit (we choose to sit at the back) as you can see it all so clearly- my son could sit, stand or lay down. Thank you again for another brilliant year."

Jaime Gridley 5/5

"My son will be 1 in 3 weeks and has been a fan of Igglepiggle since he was just 5 months! He was absolutely thrilled to meet Igglepiggle today. He was smiling throughout the show and i just loved the look of shock and joy on his face when he met Igglepiggle! Even though the show was for the kids, We enjoyed the show as well. Thank you for such a wonderful experience!"

Shahrana Nizar 5/5

"The show was absolutely brilliant!!!! My Grandaughter loved the show. The use of the puppets and the live sized characters made it fantastic. The meet and greet was a super ending to our day!!! well worth seeing!"

Julie Artingstall, Trafford Park 5/5

"Amazing show and worth every penny. My 18 month old daughter was engrossed from beginning to end, at times screaming and shaking from excitment, always smiling and clapping and singing along. She practically threw herself out of her daddy's arms when we met Upsy Daisy afterwards, she was so keen to give her a kiss and a cuddle. Absolutely brilliant."

Sarah Brown, Trafford Park 0/5

"I would definately recommend the show. The whole setting was excellent my child was so excited and overwhelmed by it all. I would also recommend when you book your ticket to pay a little extra for you child to see a character the pictures are lovely. 10/10"

Patricia Lees, Trafford Park 5/5

"A wonderful experience for both children and adults."

Barbara Hardy 5/5

"Absolutley fantastic! We took our 3 year old daughter yesterday and I can honestly say it was worth every single penny. The showdome, show, toilets... everything was brilliant especially the puppeteers who had some fantastic expressions that were very inkeeping with the charactors. We paid to meet Upsy Daisy afterwards and again this was worth the money and included a mounted photo."

Catherine Hughes 5/5

"Wow what a show, My Daughter sang her heart out and could not keep her eyes of the show a real treat for the family, Good value for money"

Scott Allen 5/5

I took my children aged 2 and 1. Absolutely fantastic! they were both mesmerised by the show and really enjoyed it. Money well spent! "

Raheela Ameer 5/5

"I have taken my 22 month old daughter today. It was fantastic. She loved every minute of it. she met upsy daisy after the show, that made her day. Excellent facilities while there and all staff very cheery, chatty and happy to help with anything. "

Leanne Hunt 5/5

Wok and roll – Wokooshii launches

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:39:24 GMT

Fancy experimenting and trying Japanese or Korean cuisine for a change?

Gerry Yeung has embarked on an oriental odyssey and has now opened a brand new concept restaurant called Wokooshii.

Food glorious food

Gerry is keen to put Japanese and Korean food on the menu in the North. He explains: “I felt it was a great opportunity to introduce shoppers at the Trafford Centre to a totally new experience. We’re the only restaurant in the centre that serves a fusion of Japanese and Korean food. Although Japanese and Korean food is gaining popularity in London it’s still relatively unknown in the north.”

He raves about the mouth watering menu: “Korean food is fabulous and has its own Far Eastern style and distinctive flavour. If I had to choose my favourite dishes from our new menu I’d go for crispy tempura prawns or Korean pancakes, they’re almost like an oriental pizza and salmon teppanyaki with rice or a Korean hot stone bowl with rice for my main. For pudding I like something refreshing so I’d choose one of our mango deserts.”

The menu is an extensive one. Gerry explains: “We have 67 dishes on our new menu and all are freshly made every day. Our aim is to create quick, simple but authentic food that customers can enjoy even in a hurry.”

Design

The restaurant has undergone a makeover by my interior designer Roberta Fulford and is open, light, airy, colorful, cheerful, modern and chic.

The name and branding for the restaurant was created by Altrincham creative agency RMS. Ruth Shearn, the managing director at RMS, said: "This has been a fantastic project – creating a brand new name and identity for a restaurant that will become a household name has been very exciting and has really played to our strengths."

Located on the same site as the Yang Sing, the restaurant is open every day and can cater for 80 -100 customers. The menu is very responsibly priced ranging from a dish of kimchi at £2.90 to a fillet streak teppanyaki and rice at £14.99.

Use your noodle – come down and try it yourself!

The name Wokooshii is derived from a combination of the word ‘wok’ and the phonetic translation of the Japanese word ‘delicious’. The name is designed to reflect the fun, Eastern vibe of his new restaurant!

Justin Webb

Coffee and cake the Nutter way

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:39:42 GMT

THE stunning new Nespresso boutique at The Trafford Centre has opened - and to celebrate, multi-award-winning local chef Andrew Nutter has designed a bespoke menu of savoury and sweet dishes to be paired with Nespresso’s premium Grand Cru coffee.

The Nespresso store on upper Peel Avenue is a unique retail experience, which immerses shoppers in an indulgent, multi-sensorial space where they can discover the entire Nespresso product range whilst enhancing their own coffee expertise.

And by drawing on the rich culinary heritage of the North West and inspired by the brand’s luxurious collection of 16 Grand Crus, Andrew has created a series of beautifully designed dishes to ensure the Art of the Espresso meets the Art of Northern Cuisine.

The menu is crowned with the signature dish we present here – the Nespresso Eccles Cake, the ultimate twist on a Manchester classic which was invented just a stone's throw away from The Trafford Centre.

Containing four shots of espresso,, this traditional treat is given a rich elegance, best complimented with a shot of Nespresso’s Ristretto Grand Cru to match the cake’s coffee-enhanced, fruit-based flavours.

The dishes allow coffee lovers to discover the Grand Crus’ distinct notes and aromas with a menu which can be created at home and expertly matched with pairings endorsed by Nespresso’s coffee experts.

Andrew Nutter explained: “Coffee has the same range of individual notes and aromas as wine, so why not pair it with food? These recipes are easy to make at home but provide coffee lovers like me with a fun way to experience all the coffees available. Like the signature dish: there’s nowt more to Manchester than its Eccles Cakes but in my recipe it takes on new meaning as the Nespresso Ristretto Grand Cru gives it a chic, espresso kick!”

Nespresso Ristretto Coffee and Toffee Eccles Cake

- Serve with Nespresso’s Ristretto Grand Cru -

1 x 397g tin condensed milk

4 espresso cups of Ristretto Nespresso

115g currants

115g sultanas

175g puff pastry

1 egg – beaten

Caster sugar for sprinkling

1) Place the unopened can of condensed milk in a pan of simmering water, simmer for 3 hours and then leave to cool – open and spoon the toffee into a container.

2) Freshly make your 4 espresso cups of Ristretto Nespresso and pour directly into a bowl containing the currants and sultanas, cover with cling film and macerate for 2 hours.

3) Take the puff pastry and roll out thinly, cut into rounds approx. 8-10cm, place a spoonful of marinated sultanas in the centre of each and also a teaspoon of the toffee, fold the pastry over to form a parcel and slightly flatten it.

4) Repeat the process until all the mix is used up. (Any excess toffee can be refrigerated for future usage).

5) Place the cakes on a non-stick mat, brush with some beaten egg and bake in a hot oven at 160°C for 10 minutes sprinkle with some caster sugar and bake for a further 2 minutes.

6) Remove from oven – leave to cool slightly and serve.

Nespresso Ristretto

POWERFUL AND CONTRASTING:

A blend of South American and East African Arabicas, with a touch of Robusta, roasted separately to create the subtle fruity note of this full-bodied, intense espresso.

For more information visit the Nespresso site.

by JUSTIN WEBB

Pop-up fashion stuns shoppers

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:53:27 GMT

The Trafford Centre is well-known for it's large-scale fashion extravaganzas on the Main Stage of The Orient - but this season we have tried something completely new.

The "flash-mob" fashion shows are designed to grab your attention when you're out on the malls, and within arms reach of the fabulous styles you're viewing.

Our dancing models popped-up where we least expected them, and showed off some great pieces for spring summer 2012 - as you can see from our gallery of images below!

Bold and bright

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:17:54 GMT

Stylist Eve shows us how to introduce bold bright colours into our wardrobe by layering with our favourite neutrals.

Candy colours

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:47:21 GMT

If you're going to wear any colour this season, make it a pretty candy shade. Stylist Eve picks her favourite pieces from Topshop's spring collection.

Feminine tailoring

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:35:42 GMT

The catwalks were awash with pretty fabrics and soft shapes. Stylist Eve shows us how to work this season's trend for feminine tailoring with the latest collection from Karen Millen.

How to bring colour into your bedroom

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:26:09 GMT

Borrow some of stylist Emma's top tips for introducing spring's must have colours into your bedroom.

How to make simple updates to your home

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:17:14 GMT

Chelsea and Emma visit HomeSense and show us how a few simple, colourful pieces can transform a living room.

How to use statement accessories in your home

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 08:52:49 GMT

Chelsea and our stylist, Emma, show us how to bring spring's statement accessories to your home. All pieces available from Dwell at Barton Square.

Pastel vs neon

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:48:52 GMT

Pastels and neon brights are big news in home interiors for SS12 and will radically freshen up your home. Choose colourful accessories to give your kitchen a new lease of life, but will you choose neon brights or pastel shades?

Playnation kitchen accessories from a selection at John Lewis.

Neon brights...

Kettle, £25 from British HOME Stores

KitchenAid mixer, from £419 from Selfridges

Kenwood kmix boutique filter coffee maker, £80 from Debenhams

Set of three bright pans, £30 from Next Home

Joseph Joseph eight piece multi nest, £37 from Selfridges and John Lewis

Pastels...

Heart dish drainer, £20 from Next Home

Pink toaster, £20 from British HOME Stores

Storage jar, £7.50 from M&S Home

Creative Tops iced fancies wall clock, £16 from Debenhams

Set of three storage tins, £14 from Next Home

By Catrin Bell.

Vintage chic

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:20:38 GMT

Channel a fashionable vintage vibe with cream, soft lilac, antique rose and powder blue colourings. A few carefully chosen accessories can give a bedroom a soft, feminine feel.

Bedroom furniture and accessories from a selection at John Lewis.

Dressing table and chair, £250 from Next Home.

Southwold chair in vintage rose, £375 from Next Home.

Cath Kidston wash bag and towel from Selfridges.

Floral stripe bedspread, £60 from British HOME Stores.

Carol Lake/Edition daisy chain heart cushion, £18 from Debenhams.

Florian table lamp, £35 from British HOME Stores.

Star by Julien Macdonald antique crackle glass votives, £6 from Debenhams.

White swirl cupboard knob, £4.95 from John Lewis.

By Catrin Bell.

Giant Flashmob boosts local youth

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:45:31 GMT

WHEN local dance tutor Hannah Paice approached The Trafford Centre late last year, it was with an audacious idea.

She wanted to create an enormous flashmob, as a challenge to her students at Salford City College.

And she wanted to show another side to the region’s young people, after the terrible riots in the northwest last year.

“I knew I wanted to tell the other side of the story for local youth,” she said. “To show the talented, friendly young people I work with every day.”

The two of us stood on the giant ship in The Orient food court, and planned how to squeeze in 400 dancing students, during opening hours, in a way that wouldn’t scare shoppers, or halt trade for our 60 restaurants and cafes.

Planning

It seems the more “spontaneous” you want a flashmob to be, the more planning has to go into it.

As a famous tourist destination, The Trafford Centre could not hold a large-scale event of this type without rehearsal, or a proper risk assessment. It’s the only safe, legal way to run a flashmob of this kind when you are The Trafford Centre.

A few people on YouTube have criticised the fact that The Trafford Centre knew about this event – we did know about it, because every step of the flashmob had been pre-planned, and rehearsed. We know this isn’t traditional for flashmobs, but it’s just the way we have to roll!

We had 12 cameras focused on the dance – and we needed to rehearse all those camera angles.

We had thousands of shoppers in the Centre at the time, both very young and rather older - and we didn’t want to trap them amongst hundreds of dancers.

And because the flashmob was so huge, taking over two floors of The Trafford Centre, plus escalators, elevators, stairways and balconies – many of the participants couldn’t actually see the other dancers. And so that had to be rehearsed down to the second too.

Secret rehearsal

For this reason, we held a secret midnight rehearsal some weeks before the flashmob, to reduce the risks of anything going wrong, and also because as performing arts students, it was important that the dancers felt prepared for what they were about to do.

In all honesty, I was worried something would go wrong – that the music wouldn’t start, or our “trigger” dancers would slip, or the cameramen would be facing the wrong way. I need not have worried! Every bit of planning paid off, as these amazing young people dominated the space with their energy and enthusiasm – and weeks and weeks of dance rehearsal.

Flashmobs are fantastic fun, and the original flashmobs were unplanned and completely spur-of-the-moment, it’s true.

But ours was choreographed, filmed and held in a unique and busy space. That’s why our YouTube video looks so impressive – because even the apparent simple things can take a lot of work behind the scenes.

So many managers at The Trafford Centre have approached me to say that this flashmob (or whatever you like to call it) was one of the most impressive events we've ever held. And for that, we have to thank the brilliant students at Salford City College's Pendleton site - and the lady who came up with the whole idea, Hannah Paice.

Justin Webb

Top 10 bridesmaid dresses

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:58:16 GMT

For today’s bride anything goes when choosing bridesmaid dresses. From the traditional and elegant to the contemporary and on trend, we’ve chosen our favourite 10 dresses available this season.

Bhs offers a great selection of styles, available in a range of colours so there’s no excuse not to keep all the bridesmaids happy. (From left to right) Alicia £120, Cecily £90, Eleanor £90 and Anna £90 all in merlot from Bhs.

For a sophisticated affair, choose this elegant black and white maxi dress, Pearce II Fionda one shoulder maxi dress, £140 from Debenhams.

Prints are a key trend this season and perfect for spring and summer nuptials. Printed one shoulder maxi dress, £229 from Ted Baker.

With the shops full of pretty pastel colours, there’s never been a better season to choose bridesmaid dresses from your favourite stores. Jacquard prom dress, £48 from Dorothy Perkins.

Choose a dress with pretty details and keep flowers and accessories to a minimum and the end result is totally chic. Etienne dress, £140 and Sevron court shoes, £65 from Monsoon.

For a high summer wedding bright colour works really well. Coral dress, £175 from Karen Millen.

Simple dresses don’t need to be dull and the detailing on this dress is flattering too. Blue strapless dress, £90 from Evans.

Elegant yet simple, what bridesmaid wouldn’t love this Limited Collection heavenly pleat dress, £55 from Marks & Spencer?

Nude colours have been popular on the red carpet this season, and translate beautifully for bridemaid dresses. Gracie maxi dress, £175 from Coast.

It's no wonder Coast is a go-to for brides, with stylish dresses available in a range of colours like this Savannah maxi dress in navy, £195 from Coast.

By Catrin Bell.

Bridal gown inspiration

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:08:08 GMT

Whether it’s large scale or intimate, a traditional church wedding or a ceremony in hotter climes, we’ve spotted a host of gorgeous dresses sure to make you feel your best on your big day.

We love the pretty waistband on this dress, which just gives a lift to the simple shape. Antoinette dress, £295 from Bhs.

If your wedding plans have been inspired by last year’s Royal wedding, then you may want to consider the dress to match. Rose dress, £595 from Bhs.

The soft fabric of this dress make it look almost ethreal, perfect for a vintage inspired wedding. Wordsworth dress, £300 and Eliza clutch, £45 from Monsoon.

If you're looking for a dress you could wear again, this maxi dress is spot on. Maxi dress from Ted Baker.

Miasara maxi dress, £395 from Coast.

This dress would be an elegant choice for your bridemaids if it's not right for your ceremony. Roksanda/Edition satin maxi dress, £95 from Debenhams.

This on trend 60s inspired shift would work just as well for Mother of the Bride as well as the bride herself. Cadogan lace dress, £110 from Monsoon.

As well as being flattering on most shapes, this dress would allow you to show off a fabulous pair of shoes. Darling prom dress, £295 from Coast.

By Catrin Bell.

Boys in blue

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:13:01 GMT

Like a breath of fresh air for your wardrobe, you can swap dark colours for shades of blue – mixing it up with just one colour palette. Here are our top blue picks for a cool spring.

Model wears Warner crew neck jumper, £85 and Wickham casual touser, £89 from Reiss.

Blue heavy chambray shirt, £19.99 from Blue Inc

Crafted liotta scoop neck t-shirt, £8 from Republic

Blue polka dot polo shirt, £20 from Burton

Sartorial shirt, £39.50 from Marks & Spencer

Pale blue chinos from Debenhams

Blue chinos, £45 from River Island

Espadrilles, £18 from Next

Navy lace up, £46 from Burton

By Catrin Bell.

Tangerine dream

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:43:24 GMT

Contrast shades of orange, tangerine and apricot with nude tones for a modern look this season.

What better way to inject some life into your work wardrobe? Model wears tailored jacket £40, trousers £25 and court shoes £25, all from Bhs.

We'll be wearing this stylish coral dress, £175 from Karen Millen, for our special occasions this summer.

Just the thing to throw on over a t-shirt and jeans. Orange jacket from New Look.

Sleeveless blouse, £12 from Next.

Lyon laceup brogue, £75 from Bertie.

The Trend Watch shoe collection needs this wedges. Appropriately named 'Worship My Wedge.' £60 from Office.

Clutch bag from River Island

By Hayley Dewar.

Under the sea

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:23:17 GMT

Shimmering materials and oceanic prints in aquatic colours from pale turquoise to deep glistening navy will decorate stores for SS12.

Model wears floral blouse, £45, and blue maxi skirt, £45 from Evans.

Speziale mermaid maxi dress, £79 from Marks & Spencer.

Erica two tone top, £15 from River Island.

Oceana dress, £100 from Monsoon (available from May).

Rope top, £26 from Next

Blue ruched front 40s blouse, £25 from Bhs

By Hayley Dewar.

Pretty sweet

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:06:05 GMT

Shades of mint gree, pale pink and lilac were a prominent feature on catwalks from Marc Jacobs to Louis Vuitton. This easy to wear trend allows you to add a little extra frosting to your wardrobe for SS12.

Jacquard prom dress, £48 from Dorothy Perkins.

Limted Collection slinky vest top, £29.50 from Marks & Spencer

Yellow dress from Miss Selfridge

Pink trousers, £30 from Bhs

Lace peplum dress, £45 from Dorothy Perkins

Duffle bag, £38 from Accessorize

Blitzen sparkly court shoe, £85 from Dune

By Hayley Dewar.

Bold hues

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:45:26 GMT

The colour spectrum isn't limited for men this season. The SS12 catwalks were splashed with vibrant colours from highlighter yellows to peacock blues - embrace the trend and ensure you wear the boldest of hues.

Model wears tshirt and trousers from River Island

Stripy tshirt from BANK

Premium chinos, £32 from Next

Orange v neck sweater, £79 from Reiss

Limited Collection shirt, £29.50 from Marks & Spencer

Multistripe crew neck tshirt, £12.99 from Blue Inc

By Hayley Dewar.

Review: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:06:36 GMT

EVERYONE is talking about The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - the film with a cast list that reads like a BAFTA awards seating plan, and a title that challenges the tongue like a vindaloo ice-pop.

This colourful and poignant movie tells the tale of a disparate group of UK pensioners, who decide to "outsource" their retirement to the cheaper, and more adventurous Jaipur, India.

On arrival at the eponymous Hotel, our star-studded cast of characters meet the wide-boy-with-a-heart hotel owner Sonny (Dev Patel). Despite Sonny's enthusiasm for his crumbling hotel, it soon becomes clear to the Brits abroad that, much like themselves, the hotel's heyday is very much in the past.

As the bustle and chaos of India starts to effect the lives of the merry band, we see how their prejudices are challenged, and their long-held asssumptions about their lives are so easily unravelled. Racism, love, marriage and social expectations are all examined, with a light and intriguing touch from a stellar cast of superb actors.

Old and new

The storyline is not action packed, and trips along at a sedate pace. But the momentum of the movie builds up to a great set of denouments, and a satisfying if unexpected conclusion for all involved.

The India portrayed in the movie is both old and new, modern (phone call centres) and ancient (temples and the Untouchables). All this is seen through the prism of the elderly British person's experience, of feeling outdated, unloved and "past it".

Special mentions must go to the incredible Dame Maggie Smith, whose performance steals every scene she's in. And also kudos to the young Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel, whose confident and rounded performance is never once over-shadowed by the actors around him - who boast CVs which are taller than he is.

We left the screening feeling touched by the soft-hearted storyline, and blown away by the crazy, colourful world of Jaipur - and wondering how come Britain can produce so many great thespians?

Must be something in the water.

4/5 Recommended by Justin Webb

You can book tickets to see this movie at the Trafford Centre ODEON Cinema - click here for details.

Why not enter our competition to win a trip to India? Or watch the movie trailer online here?

Bright future for Salford schoolyard

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:43:01 GMT

A SALFORD school had a face-lift this week - when our staff picked up their paint-brushes for a good cause.

St Andrew’s CE Primary in Eccles was in dire need of a new lick of paint for its outdoor classroom area, after the colourful murals that had brightened up the schoolyard for years wore away.

So 19 members of staff from The Trafford Centre donned over-alls and dusted off their brushes, to spend a community day creating new décor for the Barton Lane school.

The idea for the painting day came from a story in the Salford Advertiser, in which an organisation called Tree Inspired was putting local businesses together with schools to work on environmental projects.

We approached Tree Inspired, and they told us about St Andrew’s and their need for a nice, colourful new mural to brighten up their outdoor play area.

We soon had volunteers from all departments, and so an eager gang of security officers, cleaners, catering and reception staff, and managers, took a day out from the shopping centre to refresh the school facilities.

These events form part of Community Connections – a new scheme in which Trafford Centre staff donate up to two working days per year to local charities or community projects.

We were delighted at the opportunity to do something so worthwhile on our doorstep, and we hope our pirate and forest-themed artwork will inspire and motivate the St Andrew’s pupils for many years to come.”

Cash gift

The school has also benefited from a cash donation towards play equipment of almost £2000, collected from the famous fountains at The Trafford Centre.

Headteacher Karen Leyland said: “We are delighted that The Trafford Centre chose us to be the beneficiaries of their Community Connections scheme. It’s really important to us that the learning environment for our children is as good as it possibly can be – and we love the look of the new mural, which brightens up a well-used area of the school no end!”

Ace Décor on Oldfield Road in Salford generously donated paints and tools to the task, while Eccles firm Roy Fisher Design and Build acted as handyman on the day.

Thankyou to everyone who took part, and to St Andrew's for a lovely packed lunch on the day! We hope you enjoy your colourful new space!

BY Justin Webb @ The Trafford Centre

Moviedome... The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:14:07 GMT

For a disparate group of English pensioners (Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton, Celia Imrie and Ronald Pickup), retirement takes an unconventional turn when they abandon their homeland, enticed by advertisements for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, a seemingly luxurious sanctuary for “the elderly and beautiful” in Jaipur, India.

On arrival, they discover that the hotel falls somewhat short of the romantic idyll promised in the brochure, but they are gradually won over by the ever-optimistic young manager Sonny (Dev Patel), and tentatively embark on a new adventure, finding that life can begin again when you let go of the past.

To celebrate the release of the film on 24 February 2012, we're giving away a fabulous holiday for two to India! Enter here>>

Watch the trailer here, but to be in with a chance of seeing the film first, enter our competition to win tickets to a screening on Tuesday 21 February>>

Facebook Beauty Babes review... Lush Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter, £5.95

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:05:19 GMT

Niamh Norton

I love anything that smells fresh and lemony and this product did not disappoint, I would buy it for the smell alone!!! However I am pleased to say it also works well on moisturising dry cuticles and any other dry areas like elbows, knees, heels etc. a great staple product for winter.

Amanda Graham

Lemony it says and lemony it is! Unfortunately, I found the smell a little overpowering and sickly on what is otherwise a really lovely product. A little went a very long way and left my cuticles feeling soft and easier to push back. Thankfully, the smell did subside after half an hour or so, but the softness lasted all day. A really nice product.

Charlotte Paisley

I was surprised when I opened this to see just how thick the consistency was which means a little really does go a long way. It has a fantastic lemony scent that I just love, but it is quite strong. It really does do its job though, my cuticles look and feel great now thanks to Lemony Flutter. It so moisturising it would do wonders on any other dry skin areas too.

Julia Ward

This looks like yellow putty and has a very strong scent of sweet lemons which I really love. The texture is thick so a little goes a long way. I found by taking some and warming it between my fingers before applying it worked best as it avoided me using too much. It goes on quite greasy but sinks in quickly to a velvety matte finish. I used this on my toenails and their cuticles and it has made them look really healthy and my feet smell delicious. It’s felt like a treat using this and I highly recommend it.

Susan Renshaw

This smells simply divine!! I am in love with the smell of this cuticle butter, it is zesty and fresh and all round yummynses!! I suffer from dry hands and that includes cuticles, which are in a pretty dire state. After having kept this cuticle butter on hand on my desk all week and using it morning and afternoon, I can truthfully say it has made a difference after just using it for several days. My cuticles are much softer and less stressed than they were! I also use it all over my hands as it smells so yummy, but I doubt this will make it last very long and is not the intended purpose! It did leave a slight greasy residue but I would say that’s because I used it for more than its intended purpose and spread all over my hands! Highly recommend this for poorly cuticles and you can’t argue with the £5.95 it costs for such a great little product.

Facebook Beauty Babes review... Lush Hair Mask H'Suan Wen Hua, £8.50

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:58:38 GMT

Niamh Norton

I wasn't too keen on the scent but the actual product worked really well on my naturally curly dry coloured hair. Perfect treat to apply before jumping in the bath as it recommends leaving on for 20 minutes then once rinsed off my hair felt lovely and soft and manageable. Well priced at £8.50.

Amanda Graham

This was the first time I'd ever used a pre-shampoo leave-in conditioner but, unfortunately, it will also be the last time I use this particular one. Applying the mask, you can't help but notice the strange and somewhat antiseptic smell, which reminded me of the mouthwash you get at the Dentist's - not really something anybody likes to be reminded of! Whilst it undoubtedly made my thick and, at times, frizzy hair softer and easier to manage, the lingering smell was overpowering and left me feeling nauseous.

Charlotte Paisley

I love this product, it is applied onto dry hair and then left for 20mins and then shampooed out. What you are left with is beautiful shiny, soft and brilliantly conditioned hair. It leaves your hair with a long-lasting cinnamony smell, which I personally didn’t like at first but it is already starting to grow on me. I will defiantly be buying this again.

Julia Ward

As soon as I took the lid off the pot I was hit by the smell which took me back to my last appointment at the dentist. Not a great association but it usually goes the things that are good for us we least want to do. With this in mind I applied about quarter of the pot of beige slimy paste to my long locks which was quite a task as it is applied to dry hair. I waited the recommended 20 minutes and it was such a relief to wash it out as the smell is so overwhelming. I expected my hair to feel smooth once it was rinsed but it felt dry and straggly, quite an achievement as I have fine, oily hair. I shampooed and conditioned after as directed. My hair just felt like it normally would after I do this. Feeling very disappointed I started to blow dry and this was the magic bit…. once my hair was dry it felt smooth and soft and really cleansed. It looked so good I did a few hair swishes in the mirror. This one wasn’t for me but it did make my hair look great. If you can handle the smell and messy application it is definitely worth a try.

Susan Renshaw

Lush is my favourite shop at The Trafford Centre and I am a huge fan of all their products!! I have long, dyed and fairly dry hair, so an effective hair mask is exactly what it needed. The smell of the mask was strong and spicy smelling (in fact reminded me of a vanilla latte from Starbucks), not my usual type of scent I would go for, but for the promise of intensely moisturised locks, it didn’t really bother me. The mask had to be rubbed into your hair whilst it was dry, which I found unusual, and a little messier than normal masks as it seemed to detach itself from dry hair easier than wet and proceed to be blobbed around my bathroom. Anyway 30 minutes later I washed and conditioned my hair as usual and rinsed all traces of the mask away, my hair didn’t feel much different. However when I came to dry it, I could really feel how soft, silky and light my hair felt. It didn’t hold the smell of the mask very much either and I was left with lovely soft rapunzel locks. I used half the tub for one application, so for 2 intensive treatments, £8.50 is a very affordable luxurious hair treat and would obviously go much further on shorter hair.

Facebook Beauty Babes review... Giorgio Armani Regenessence 3 R Youth Generator Serum, £88

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:50:30 GMT

Amanda Graham

I applied this serum to my cleansed face underneath my usual night-time cream, paying particular attention to those nasty wrinkles around my eyes. A little went a very long way and my skin felt beautifully hydrated without feeling sticky. I woke up to lovely soft skin and I'm sure those dark circles that seem to have taken up permanent residence on my face appeared lighter.

Charlotte Paisley

This is a beautiful youth serum that left my skin feeling instantly smoother and more toned. After just a couple of days of use my skin feels so much healthier and brighter. It has a really thin consistency which means it is absorbed quickly into the skin. The only downside of this product is the high price tag; at £88 unfortunately I will be unlikely to be buying it again.

Julia Ward

My assessment is quite simply, if you are after quick results then look no further.

My skin looks dewier and more luminous and the smoothing effect this has had on my décolleté is amazing…. and I’ve not even been using it for a week! I actually look forward to applying this lovely pale pink serum. It has a lightweight fluid texture and quickly melts into my oily/combination skin without leaving any sticky feeling which I can’t say about all serums I’ve tried. It does have a very strong floral scent but it isn’t unpleasant and it hasn’t caused any aggravation to my skin. There should be a warning on the bottle to only try this product if you are prepared to get hooked!!

Facebook Beauty Babes review... Kiehl's Creme De Corps Original Nourishing Cream, £27

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:43:07 GMT

Niamh Norton

I have read lots of reviews on this cult product over the years in different magazines so it was great to try it for myself. Beautiful scent which lasted on the skin for quite a while after application, the consistency of the cream was quite light (but I do normally buy body butters) however it was really moisturising and especially effective on dry patches like elbows and knees.

Amanda Graham

I have mixed feelings with this cream. It claims to be superb on extremely dry or flaking skin...and it is! After just two applications to a dry patch on my poor hands who are made to suffer the washing-up three times a day, this cream made a significant difference. It wasn't overly greasy and left my skin soft and supple. However, the fragrance was a huge disappointment; it smelt bland and, unfortunately, didn't have the luxurious aroma that you would expect from a moisturiser with this price tag.

Charlotte Paisley

A thick and luxurious body cream that made even the driest parts of my skin feel softer and silky smooth after just one use. It absorbs quickly into the skin and was not too greasy. This cult beauty product leaves a fresh but subtle scent so great for people who chose to avoid overwhelmingly scented body lotions.

Facebook Beauty Babes review... The Body Shop Honey Bronze Dry Oil Shimmer For Body, £16

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:05:38 GMT

Amanda Graham

Upon first sight of this, I was expecting it to make me look like Jodie Marsh in her recent body building competitions, but it was actually a really pleasant surprise. It has a very subtle iridescent shimmer and just a hint of a colour - ideal for smoothing on to sunkissed arms, legs, shoulders and chest. However, I found the smell a little sickly and the shimmer had rubbed off after only a few hours - very disappointing as, otherwise, this would have been an essential item in my holiday suitcase this summer.

Charlotte Paisley

This shimmery body oil left my skin looking subtly bronzed and smelling great. I wasn’t to shimmery as I have often found with other body shimmers. It absorbs into the skins really fast and leaves no greasy residue and you might expect with body oil.

Julia Ward

I’ve poured so much effort into using so many tanning and bronzing creams, lotions and powders over the years with so many varying degrees of disappointment that I have pretty much settled on being my pale and interesting self now. I was happy to get out there and give it another go but did wonder if it would end up being another one I’d walk away from.

I admit I’ve never tried bronzing oil before so this was going to be a new experience. It looks quite dark brown and has a shimmer in it but not a glittery shimmer. The oil felt greasy when I first applied it but with a little rubbing in it sank into my skin and left it feeling really smooth. It glides across the skin beautifully and I really enjoyed applying it which I usually don’t with bronzing products. There were no interesting positions required to put it on and there were no patchy bits left on my skin. It has a lovely gentle sweet, tropical, floral scent to it – quite hard to describe but the smell reminds me of holidays in the sun.

It didn’t make me look bronzed but it did give subtle warmth and glow to my skin. It also made me smell divine. So, not what I was expecting but not disappointing either and I’m sticking with it. I think it would probably work better with the bronzing claim on someone who already has a tan and they want to enhance it.

Susan Renshaw

Love Love Love this dry shimmer oil. I am a fairly regular ‘fake tanner’, and on special occasions I like a bit of glitter to accentuate my tan. But at nearly 35, I feel I am getting too old for the full on glittered look!! This oil left my skin with a beautiful sexy sheen and a glisten, rather than full on bling and glitter. It felt like heaven to apply and smelt so good too. I’m looking forward to wearing this in the evening on holiday, will be perfect and really compliment my tan! £16 seems a fair price too as I will only wear it on special occasions to glam up my skin, so should last a good while. Great Product, thanks Body Shop!

Niamh Norton

I have been using this product since it was launched last summer, it has an amazing scent on application but unfortunately this doesn't last as long as I had hoped it would, but it does leave a gorgeous sheen and a slight glow which works well over any self tan, also being a dry oil it soaks into the skin really quickly without leaving it feeling tacky. A perfect product for summer months.

Facebook Beauty Babes review... The Body Shop Matte It Primer £11

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:00:02 GMT

Amanda Graham

With a naturally oily complexion I need every bit of help I can get to stop my make-up sliding off after five minutes. I applied this silky primer and instantly noticed that I had a smoother, more even skin tone, with fine lines disappearing right before my eyes. Already very impressed, I applied my foundation which went on beautifully, blending far easier than usual. Even more impressed. And the pièce de résistance? My face stayed shine-free all day long. Super impressed! My new make-up bag essential!

Susan Renshaw

This is the second primer I have tried in a matter of days and this one was considerably cheaper than the first I tried, being just £11. I didn’t expect it would be that great at such a lower price. On application it was a lovely consistency and smoothed really well over my face, leaving my skin feeling really fresh and clean. My foundation smoothed nice and evenly over the top and I actually didn’t need as much foundation as usual. The result was a lovely dewy finish that looked very blemish free. I still needed a little bit of powder over the top as I suffer fairly oily areas in certain places, but my make up stayed on well all day. Great little Primer for a reasonable price.

Niamh Norton

Unfortunately there wasn't enough sample to use on my face so I tried it on the back of my hand which did make it feel velvety soft and left it looking really smooth, I would definitely consider buying this product to try properly especially at such a great price of £11 for a primer.

Julia Ward

I’m always on the look-out for a product that can keep my face shine-free. So many make the claim but have failed to deliver – could this be The One???...

This thin textured clear gel easily smoothed over my face and it instantly mattified my skin and made it feel absolutely gorgeously velvety soft and silky. The effect immediately reminded me of the result I get when using Smashbox Photo Finish Primer which is a highly acclaimed, award winning product.

It created a lovely smooth canvas to apply both liquid foundation and just powder over and it did improve the staying power of my makeup. I really wanted this to live up to the promise of banishing shine, but unfortunately, like all the others that came before, it didn’t do it for me.

At £11 this must be one of the most pocket friendly primers out there and it really did make my skin feel amazing and make the application of makeup easier. I found it gave me a comparable result to a primer which is about three times the price so it must be flying off the shelves at The Body Shop. If shine isn’t a problem for you, I’d say go grab yourself a tube because this is a keeper.

Charlotte Paisley

This is a fantastic primer that does exactly as it says. Just a tiny amount left my skin feeling amazingly smooth and poreless. It’s completely non-greasy leaving your face looking totally matte. My foundation went over the primer beautifully and lasted longer than normal. This product is great value for money and I will be buying it again.

Facebook Beauty Babes review... The Body Shop Extra Virgin Mineral Powder, £15

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:54:56 GMT

Julia Ward

I’m a huge fan of mineral powder and this didn’t disappoint. The powder is soft and smooth and is easy to brush onto the skin. It gives a lovely natural, mattifying coverage. I dusted some of this over liquid foundation and it didn’t look too heavy.

It isn’t as finely milled as other mineral powders I’ve used but that seemed to make it easier not to apply too much. I couldn’t get it to give my skin the luminosity that my BareMineral foundation does but it certainly gave me a smooth, matte effect. It evened out my skin and covered blemishes without much effort or looking obvious

If you haven’t tried mineral powders before or want a matte effect then I’d say this is a good one to try. It’s easy for a beginner to get started without making too many mistakes with the application and I only needed to touch it up a couple of times during the day to keep my oily/combination skin shine free.

Susan Renshaw

This light feeling powder glides on easily and leaves skin feeling soft, silky and not too set and matte looking. It seemed to let your skin breathe better than many other powders I have used over the years. I used it over the Virgin Mineral Foundation and it really does make your face look fresh and clean, not caked on and thick. I would say if you are buying the Virgin Mineral Foundation and you need a little more coverage, then this powder compliments it perfectly

Amanda Graham

With naturally oily skin, loose powder is an essential item in my make-up bag but, unfortunately for me, it normally needs reapplying throughout the day to keep that shine at bay. I applied this powder on top of my usual foundation and was really surprised at how much extra coverage it gave. It blended beautifully matching my own skin tone seamlessly, and helped to further cover some minor blemishes. Easily the best loose powder I've ever used and I've discovered a new favourite.

Charlotte Paisley

A gorgeous light-weight powder foundation that gives a really light, natural coverage. You can use it alone or over a liquid foundation to set if you want more coverage and a long lasting look. A small amount goes a long way, making it great value for money.

Niamh Norton

I already own this product and it's a great powder for setting my foundation, leaves a lovely matt finish which is perfect for my quite oily T Zone. I like the fact it is a mineral powder, and the colour 102 Natural Ivory is perfect for my pale skin tone. Best applied with a large fluffy brush.