North London beauty lovers, take note: there's a new opening in Muswell Hill you're going to want to hear about.
Fresh from South Africa comes Sorbet, a beauty franchise that's just opened its first UK outpost, with a second en route next month down the hill in Crouch End. With 136 salons across South Africa, it's clearly been doing something right and after trying out a treatment last week I can safely say I hope it's the first of many.
While this particular are of North London has no shortage of beauty locations - hair salons in particular are ten a penny in N10 - as a former resident of the area I have to say I never found one that I was overly impressed with. Speaking with a friend who's lived in Muswell Hill her whole life she was of a similar mindset; the one she re-visited was good enough, though far from spectacular, and at a higher price point that she would ideally like.
The new salon, decked out in crisp white with refreshing splashes of grey and mint, is fairly sizeable compared to others in the area. With an appetising menu of trend-driven manicures, pedicures, nail extensions, body waxes, massages and facials. With top notch customer service the priority, every treatment comes with the Sorbet guarantee; ‘If you are not totally satisfied with your treatment, you don’t have to pay!’
Jade Kirkel, Marketing Manager for the brand said; “We aim to do for the UK what we have done for South Africa; to continue delivering a feeling of self-confidence and delight amongst our guests.”
The other great thing about Sorbet is the affordability of its treatments. I had a Power Mani, a deluxe manicure with an exfoliation and hand massage, plus cuticle work and colour, and it was a grand total of £30.
Ian Fuhr, founder and CEO of The Sorbet Group comments; “Our entry into the UK market has been a long time coming. It’s clear that the beauty market in the UK is fragmented with a handful of salons focused predominately on their profit margins rather than the quality service and results to ensure customer return. There is an opportunity here for Sorbet to deliver a consistent brand message with a three-pronged approach to ensure customer satisfaction.”
As well as offering a fantastic treatment list, Sorbet also stocks a wealth of great beauty brands in the salon including Butter London nail polishes and - my new favourite discovery - natural beauty products from Natural Spa Factory (www.naturalspafactory.co.uk). I picked up one of their Tea Tree, Willow Leaf and Menthol Face Masks (£6.00), designed for oily skin. A sachet of (two portions of) powder, you add water, mix into a paste and then apply to the face, letting it solidify into a rubber mask of the sort usually only found in salon treatments, before peeling off. It. Was. GREAT. One of the best face masks I've ever tried, it left my skin feeling amazing. I will most certainly be investing in some more of their range!
Sorbet Muswell Hill is open now, at 275 Muswell Hill Broadway, N10 1BY. Tel: 020 8883 5061. www.sorbetsalons.co.uk
Love Laurel x
