From their cool green walls to their ‘extra mile’ attitude to customer service, Cucumba aims to bring something fresh to the world of beauty. They don’t sell treatments, they sell time, meaning customers can drop in, tell them what you want and how long you have and they will adapt their treatments to suit your time, budget and beauty needs. Just don’t call them a salon…

Last week, we caught up with Cucumba to talk massages, manicures and, ahem, Formula One racing…

Cucumba calls itself an ‘Urban Pitstop’, what exactly does that mean?
The ‘Pitstop’ idea refers to Formula One. It’s to do with living life in the fast lane and finding a convenient place to stop off for a bit of maintenance the moment you need a bit of petrol, or your tyres changed. The idea came about after years of struggling to find beauty and massage appointments that fit in with busy jobs and lifestyles [founders Stella and Vivienne were working as a lawyer and a chartered accountant in the city at the time]. It seemed the only way you could get treatments like massages without taking the day off work was to use one of those £1 massage chairs. We saw a gap in the market for a flexible place that could really offer customers what they want when they want it.

How did it come to life?
We drew a race track! We really thought about how at a pit stop you have to be in and out. You can’t waste time. We thought about Quick Fix services and started asking really basic questions like ‘Why does it take an hour to do a pedicure, or 45 minutes for a Brazilian?’ We did undercover research analysing every step of treatments in other salons, breaking down the process and thinking about how to cut the ‘kerfuffle’.

Sometimes when you have a treatment it’s a treat and you want a therapist to take their time. But often, especially in busy cities like London, that’s not what customers want. We realised that we could offer treatments in a quarter of the time, meaning we could reduce the price for the client. Also not everyone feels comfortable in a typically girly salon. We wanted to create a place where everyone would feel comfortable.

If someone pops in for a quick massage or oil change on their lunch or way home, how likely is it they’ll be seen?
They will be seen. I’ve been to salons and have been turned away because either I’m not on the list or the only therapists available aren’t trained in what I need. At Cucumba, all of our staff (including reception) are multi skilled and trained to the same high level, so that whoever walks through the door, whatever they want we can provide it.

We’re also flexible with our time. If you come in and tell us you’re on your lunch and don’t have long we’ll push back our lunch to fit you in or, often, cut it completely. We will do whatever it takes to make sure you get seen.

What’s the most popular treatment at Cucumba?
There are a few. Waxing is probably the most popular but we’re also well known for our manis and pedis and threading is very popular.

We’re big on massage here too and the reason we’re so good at it is because what we do is not light and fluffy. When you come for a massage you want to relax but you want to carry that feeling with you throughout the day and rest of the week. You can’t achieve this with a light touch. At beauty school you learn a routine, but we retrain everyone here because we know you can’t apply the same routine to every client. You need to tune in to someone’s body, diagnose where there is tension and try to remedy it with a blend of techniques. Once someone has a Cucumba massage they stay loyal.

You mentioned your manis and pedis are famous. Can you give us any tips on nail care?
A good manicure is not about how the nail looks. It’s about the whole hand. One big thing we tell people is to moisturise – not just your hands, but your nails. Your nails are like your hair, they’re both made up of keratin. Can you imagine washing your hair without conditioning it? Think about how many times a day you wash your hands and nails and don’t condition them. It’s so important for healthy-looking nails. We use CND Solar oil; it’s the best on the market.

No matter how much money you’ve got or how much plastic surgery you have, it’s your hands and nails that will give you away. Look after them. Moisturising only takes 30 seconds and you can do it at your desk or on the tube. When it comes to polish we use Essie. We love it and so do customers.

Do you get many celebrity clients?
We do have a lot of celebrities coming here, but part of our ethos – and I think this is why they like us – is that we treat everyone the same. The design is deliberately open space so you know what you’re getting when you walk in. Maybe some celebrities wouldn’t like being that on show, but it’s deliberate so that everyone gets the same treatment.

If someone needs to jump the queue we talk to other customers discretely and explain that someone else is in a rush and ask if they would mind if they went ahead. But we would do that for every single client. We think everyone should help each other out, that’s where our saying ‘spread the love’ comes from.

What about male customers?
Well that’s part of the whole concept, we didn’t want to be a traditional ‘salon’ that might be intimidating to some – particularly men. That’s why we’re not pink, we don’t wear the ‘nurses’ uniform and we have guys on the team.

Everything we do is unisex and we adjust treatments, time and prices accordingly. A manicure for a guy doesn’t take as long as it does for a woman. We can scrap the polish and save a male customer time and money, or offer a little extra massage; total customisation. At Cucumba you buy a therapist’s time rather than a treatment so you can customise it however you want. If a man comes in and he plays a lot of sport and his feet are suffering we can adapt a pedicure treatment to spend more time working on the nails, dead skin or massage.

What in your opinion is the best thing about Cucumba?
As a therapist, it’s brilliant being part of a team. In this industry everyone is a sole trader. Even in a team of ten, that’s ten people working individually. It’s great because you’re in control of what you can and want to do, but you’re also in constant competition. Here, we want consistency of service so everyone is trained the same way so there is no competition. We try to discourage customers from going to the same therapist every time they visit to prove that we’re all equal and we’re all as brilliant as each other.

For customers, it’s the fact that what we do is from the heart. We come in early to see people who need to be seen before work. We stay late and skip lunches so that we never have to turn anyone away and people really appreciate it. The biggest compliment is that we’ve had other salons in the area that have had to turn customers away sending them our way because they know that we will do everything to see that customer. We’re not about the money. You’re not in this world for very long, so what’s it all about? Laughter, positive memories and making other people smile. That’s what we try to do. It really is from the heart – that’s what makes the pain worth it!

Cucumba, a Wahanda favourite known to clients as an ‘urban pit stop’ for beauty, has teamed up with Style & Glam Clothing to offer customers a one off night of fashion and beauty indulgence.

On Wednesday 20th February, celebrity personal stylist Natalie Robinson from Style Icon will be setting up a pop-up shop to showcase her Style & Glam womenswear collection from ASOS at Cucumba, Poland Street.

As well as browsing the new collection, guests will receive a complimentary glass of champagne on arrival, delicious nibbles and discounted treatments from Cucumba’s expert team with every Style & Glam purchase.

Fancy a sneak peek? The Style & Glam collection is available to preview at Cucumba now. If you want to partake in the Style & Glam evening, put on your glad rags and head to Cucumba 12 Poland St between 5 and 9pm this Wednesday. We’ll see you there.

From: Beautilicious, By Marianne Gray

Beauty Angel Energising Light Technology (ELT) therapy, has taken the UK by storm with its launch this year at Cucumba salon and Spa Illuminata day spa.
Such is its popularity that it has now adding another flagship store, Urban Beach to host the exclusive Beauty Angel ELT. To celebrate its success, Beauty Angel and hip beauty salon Cucumba in Soho London, are inviting Bloggers and Journalists to come to a private party to review it.

Come and join us for pink bubbles, gift bags, competitions and you will have a chance to review the Beauty Angel for yourself.
The breakthrough and innovative Beauty Angel ELT therapy is a safe, non-invasive therapy that uses no lasers, no UV, injections or surgery to boost the production of collagen naturally. The perfect alternative to Botox and a non-invasive winter beauty treat to revitalise and hydrate dry lifeless skin!

Date- Thursday 1st of November 2012. Time- 6.30-8.00pm
Location- 12 Poland Street London W1F 8QB.
Please RSVP- to Cat Quigley at catquigley@jkgroup-uk.com or call on 0208 498 7275 to confirm your place.

Unlike any other light

This new innovative, light therapy treatment has just been brought to the UK and Ireland from the JK Group Health and Beauty Technologies plc, after a successful response from their launch in Europe, where salons and spas are enjoying the anti-ageing results that their clients are getting from this therapy.

Non-invasive, very gentle and totally safe, Beauty Angel ELT is suitable for all ages and skin types. It can be used all over the body but is ideal for the face neck and decolletage. Eliminating the need for lasers, botox, injections, or surgery, Beauty Angel ELT stimulates the fibroblasts to activate the body’s own production of collagen, elastin and hyaluron enabling a significant reduction in the major signs of visible ageing.

Beauty Angel ELT enables a natural approach to skin rejuvenation with a broad active light spectrum of eight wavelengths ranging from 570-850 nanometres rather than single, selective wavelengths. The clear advantage over other light therapy systems is that light-induced skin rejuvenation is proven to be significantly more effective when several spectral ranges are applied at the same time.

Results can be achieved after just one session and short term; clients can expect soft, supple skin, increased hydration, refined pores and a more youthful-looking, glowing complexion. Longer term, fine lines and wrinkles are reduced and the skin becomes visibly more firm and smooth. Additional benefits include the reduction of age and pigment spots, dark circles and swellings around the eyes.

Sessions last 15-20 minutes with the client simply relaxing on a couch under a warm, golden, mood-enhancing light. Optimum results are achieved over a 5-10 week period with three sessions per week, dependent upon the age and condition of the skin.

The flagship stores that are part of the launch for the Beauty Angel ELT in the UK are Spa Illuminata in Mayfair http://www.spailluminata.com 020 7499 7775 and the Cucumba salon in Soho http://www.cucumba.co.uk/ 020 7734 2020.
You can also find Beauty Angel on Twitter @BeautyAngelUK and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BeautyAngelEurope

Editor Notes
The Beauty Angel ELT is now available for journalists and bloggers to trial. To book your complementary session/s for review purposes, please contact:
Cat Quigley- JK Group PR & Marketing Executive: Tel: 020 8498 7275
E-mail: catquigley@jk-group.com @Cat Quigley

Thursday 1st November is the date to remember. And don’t forget – this is a pre booked ticket only event – call 020 7734 2020 to book

http://www.cucumba.co.uk/other/specials.php

This is one event not to be missed. Places are limited so book asap……..

If you’re having trouble trying to decide how best to party with colleagues or friends this Christmas then contact Abbie or Vivienne our party planners to discuss hosting your party @ Cucumba. Check out our EARLY BIRD offer (attached) or our Pamper Party links: http://www.cucumba.co.uk/corporate/ & http://www.cucumba.co.uk/other/pamperparty.php

Much Love
Abbie & The Gang

Pickled & Pampered costs only £40 for up to three treatments and wine not forgetting the FREEBIES we usually throw in such as the LIGHT THERAPY, SKIN CONSULTATION & SKIN SCANNER. For more details please check out our website @ http://www.cucumba.co.uk/other/pickled-pampered.php

If you’re having trouble trying to decide how best to party with colleagues or friends this Christmas then contact Abbie or Vivienne our party planners to discuss hosting your party @ Cucumba. Check out our EARLY BIRD offer (attached) or our Pamper Party links: http://www.cucumba.co.uk/corporate/ & http://www.cucumba.co.uk/other/pamperparty.php

Love
Abbie & The Gang

What is Fascia?
Fascia is the body’s principal connective tissue, forming a 3D continuous web which surrounds and supports all muscles and organs of the body. It’s arranged in layers from superficial to deep and is functionally continuous with the other main connective tissues: the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and even to the bones themselves. This enveloping web structure allows fascia to act as a neurotransmitter, and as storage of vital body fluids.

What goes wrong?
Aging, injury, poor posture and overuse can all cause damage to the fascia. This damage causes adhesions (fibrosis) between the otherwise freely moving and sliding surfaces necessary to ensure full range of movement and good flexibility. The fibrosis also constricts nerves and vessels, causing pain and metabolic disturbances.
The combination of restricted flexibility and constricted nerves and vessels can ultimately change the function of the tissues and that of distant areas connected by the fascial web.

How does the massage work?
We use a specially designed tool that easily glides over clothing making it perfect for chair massage, and allowing us to work faster and more thoroughly, deep down into the fascial planes.
Using the tool we break down the fibrosis and stimulate the skin and fascial layers, to give immediate and long lasting improvements in muscle length, strength and joint range of movement.
The long broad edges of the tool promote optimum lymphatic and venous circulation. Whist the ends emulates the action of acupuncture in stimulating nerve endings to stimulate
central nervous system mediated pain modulation, giving welcome pain relief.
Finally the mechanical stimulation of damaged connective tissues stimulates fibroblastic activity, effectively “kick-starting” the repair process.

So a date not to be forgotten is Thursday 11th October. For more information please check out the following link http://www.cucumba.co.uk/other/pickled-pampered.php

If you’re having trouble trying to decide how best to party with colleagues or friends this Christmas then why not contact Abbie or Vivienne our party planners to discuss hosting your party @ Cucumba. Please check out the following link http://www.cucumba.co.uk/corporate/ & http://www.cucumba.co.uk/other/pamperparty.php or please call us on 0207 734 2020

All Our Love
Abbie & the Gang

With results achieved after just one session, optimum results are achieved with three sessions per week over a 5-10 week period dependent upon the age and condition of the skin, as long as you wait 48 hours in between treatments. Beauty Angel rejuvenates and revitalises your skin and is a safe, non-invasive therapy that uses no lasers, UV, injections or surgery to boost the production of collagen naturally and suitable for all skin types. The Beauty Angel light stimulates the body’s own production of collagen, elastic and hyaluron. Unlike any other light therapy product, the Beauty Angel ELT uses a broad active light spectrum of 570 – 850 nanometres, instead of selective wavelengths. Light induced skin rejuvenation is more effective when several spectral ranges are applied at the same time.

The light treatment lasts 20 minutes and I will warn you the light is VERY BRIGHT almost unbearable at first but you do get used to it after a couple of minutes and then you relax and it feels almost as if your lying on a beach in the sun. After just the one session, my complexion was refreshed, brighter and I experienced an after-glow. I felt relaxed, especially the muscles in my neck and back felt less tense and I felt as if I had been in the sun for the day. Longer term, clients can see a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, age and pigment spots fade, wound healing and can have a positive influence on hair and nail growth, bones, muscles and tendons.

Have you ever tried Beauty Angel ELT? What were your thoughts?

With 70% of my friends having already given in to the lure of Botox, Fillers, Collagen and treatments that burn your skin off leaving you red for days, I am even more determined to grow old gracefully…..ok, maybe not gracefully….. that is probably the wrong selection of word… but definitely with as little help as possible, for as long as possible. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for a little tweak here and there if you are unhappy with how you look, it is after all, all about personal happiness… but I am simply SO scared of something going horribly wrong…. and as soon as the B word is mentioned, images of some very unfortunate looking celebs spring to the forefront of my mind!!

This is exactly why I am taking you all on my journey with me… from never cleansing, toning or moisturising… to maybe even, at the very end, a little ‘tweaking’ of my own… however at the present moment, I am testing and bringing to you all, the best non-invasive treatments and products I can find….

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Cucumba Salon, on Poland Street, W1 for a sneak peek at Beauty Angel’s, revolutionary Energising Light Treatment (ELT) brought to us by JK Group, having only just hit the UK!

The aim of this treatment is to rejuvenate and revitalise the skin while boosting the production of collagen naturally, however more importantly for me, its safe, non-invasive, uses no lasers, UV lights, injections or surgery.

Now for the technical stuff…… Unlike any other light therapy product, the Beauty Angel ELT uses a broad active light spectrum of 570 – 850 nanometres, instead of selective wavelengths. Light induced skin rejuvenation is apparently more effective when several spectral ranges are applied at the same time. The equipment is aimed to stimulate the skin in order to naturally build collagen and elastin for a significant reduction in the major signs of visible ageing.

The Beauty Angel ELT makes use of various spectral components of light to encourage the regenerative processes as well as boosting blood circulation in the skin. The light is effective in all of the epidermal layers, even deep down, where it is able to improve metabolic processes. It influences the supply of oxygen, and the energy and water balance – all key functions to ensure a fresh, healthy complexion, regeneration, and rejuvenation.

The treatment is completely suitable for all skin types, which is great as often I find some treatments to be too harsh on my super sensitive skin! The Beauty Angel ELT was very gentle with me and after my 20 minute session I felt that my skin was more radiant. Unlike some treatments similar to Beauty Angel ELT, I found the process very calming and I was totally relaxed throughout…so much so that I fell asleep!

Due to how gentle the treatment is, it is able to be be used over wide areas of the body, and is ideal for the face, neck and décolletage. I was advised that the best results were achieved with three sessions per week over a 5-10 week period.

In the short-term, I was informed that clients are expected to notice that their skin is more soft and supple skin. I definitely noticed an increase in my skins hydration, and the treatment left my skin glowing! Longer term, clients are believed to see a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, age and pigment spots fade, swelling around the eyes is reduced. This is 100% a problem area for me and I will be going back to into the salon whenever I can for a top up…..!

Well, unlike any other light therapy, Beauty Angel ELT uses a broad active light spectrum which is more effective in encouraging the regenerative process as well as improving blood circulation as opposed to using selective wavelengths. Ok, so that all sounds interesting but you may be wondering what happened to simply using good old fashioned anti-aging creams? While anti-aging creams are great and in fact the Beauty Angel ELT produces greater results when combined with products, creams however only renew the surface cells whereas the light therapy penetrates deep below the epidermal layers, improving oxygen flow and water balance, ensuring a fresh, healthy complexion, sustainable regeneration and skin rejuvenation. Wonderful but is it safe?

Tried and tested, I can assure you it is safe. The treatment is non-invasive, there are no abrasive lasers or nasty injections and of course, no UV rays are emitted. As the therapy is gentle and totally safe, it can be used over wide areas of the body, though it’s best suited to the face, neck and décolletage areas. And what can you expect?

A totally new experience, I was very apprehensive about the treatment and had no idea what to expect. Though there was no need to be as Abbie, the Manager of the Cucumba salon in Soho talked me through the process and made sure all my questioned were answered before having the light therapy. Lying down on a massage table, Abbie first cleansed my face, neck and décolleté, removing any traces of make-up which could react with the light therapy. Next, as I have a dry complexion she applied Dermatologica Super Rich Repair Smart cream – a rich lotion, ideal for tired skin – this nourishing cream she tells me will give an added boost to the reparative ELT process. To protect my eyes, I’m given goggles to wear as the light gets increasingly brighter during the therapy. All ready to go, the machine, similar to a hood hair dryer is placed over my face and neck. I instantly feel the warmth and with soft Balearic sounds playing in the background, I soon drift off and imagine I’m lying on a tropical beach. The treatment which lasts twenty minutes, aside from the main cell regeneration process it also as Abbie tells me, exerts a number of bio-positive effects on the whole body, enabling relaxation and mood lightening. Indeed, after the treatment I definitely felt relaxed and uplifted, and definitely warm. Top tip – as you are under the bright lights for a lengthy time I’d recommend drinking plenty of water before and after the session so that you don’t feel de-hydrated or over heated. Even after one session I’m assured I’ll see results and yes I do. My skin feels notably smoother, softer and more supple. Immediately after the session I was clearly glowing and overall I definitely feel rejuvenated and brighter eyed. For best results it’s recommended three sessions per week over a 5-10 week period dependent naturally upon age and condition of the skin.

A twenty minute session at the Cucumba salon in Soho costs £23.50 for more information visit http://www.cucumba.co.uk/
Written By Beatrix Zwart