Stories

Having studied at the National School of Aesthetics and spending time abroad in New York, Sarah Mathieson - leading facialist at Champs-Elysées Day Spa - has brought her skills and knowledge to the city's premier day spas and shares some of her tips with Cityscape. Specialty/favourite facial treatment: Eyebrows! Having had extensive eyebrow training and specialising in microblading, I love transforming clients’ brows with a tint and shape. Measuring brows so they perfectly frame your face and start/finish in the correct place can make all the difference! How and when did you get into the beauty business? Any awards you’ve won? 2010 - I studied at the National School of Aesthetics. In 2014 I worked as a beauty therapist in New York and from there I moved to Auckland, where I worked in the clinic that took out NZ Clinic of the Year. What’s the best thing about working at Champs-Elysées Day...

Cityscape had a chat to Teresa Sime, who is leading the helm at her own salon Lovoir Skin Body & Beauty, about the treatments she specialises in and her go-to advice for hydration. Specialty/favourite facial treatment? Multiple combination treatments – having the ability to use multiple modalities of peels, Dermapen and IPL to get the best results for my client. How and when did you get into the beauty business? I began in the beauty industry when I was 16. I got a position on reception at an up and coming day spa in Marlborough where I was lucky enough to study beauty therapy while I worked part time and then immersed myself into the role of a beauty therapist. When I was in a supervisory role we won best clinic in New Zealand as awarded by the New Zealand Beauty Association. What’s the best thing about working for Lovoir? We only...

Cityscape caught up with Kirsten Yellowlees, Spa Manager of the newly opened Moss Spa at Sudima Christchurch City. She clues us in on her favourite facial treatment, the best thing about working for Moss Spa and her quirky tip for great skin. Specialty/favourite facial treatment: I thoroughly enjoy all elements of the spa industry; however I do have a strong passion for massage and facials. There is nothing more rewarding than working with a client to achieve results, whether that is relaxation or a concern they may have with their skin. How and when did you get into the beauty business? I have been in the beauty industry for over seven years now and I still can’t get enough! I think it is important to keep up with regular trainings as the industry is always evolving. What’s the best thing about working for Moss Spa? Moss will be the first purpose-built hotel day...

Renaissance Spa's Sharnelle Mitchell gives Cityscape the skinny on how she got her gig as a facialist and how education is important in staying at the forefront of the beauty industry. Specialty/favourite facial treatment? I thoroughly enjoy performing Ultraceuticals advanced skin peels followed by a relaxation facial massage, so my client gets the results along with the soothing benefits of the massage. Renaissance's mantra is results-driven relaxation so as long as it ticks those boxes I'm happy. How and when did you get into the beauty business? I was working in a clothing retail store when my boss gave me a gift voucher for a facial. It was my first ever facial and I had no idea what to expect. The treatment was fantastic and exceeded my expectations. This experience inspired me to follow this career path as I loved the way the treatment made me feel and I wanted to...

As another dry Canterbury winter starts to desiccate our precious skin, Cityscape turns to Christchurch’s top facialists for their helping and healing hands. Kirsten Yellowlees, Moss Spa After seven years in the beauty industry, Kirsten is really excited about her latest challenge – being part of the launch of the first purpose-built hotel day spa in Christchurch since the earthquakes. Moss Spa, in the brand new Sudima Christchurch City, in Victoria Street, is where Kirsten works her magic on clients’ skin and soul. “I am a firm believer that having regular spa treatments is important in one’s life – that time to switch off from reality and let go of any stresses and tension is so valuable and often it is too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routines,” she says. Helping clients to achieve their skincare goals is Kirsten’s passion and she has had great success treating the pigmentation and lack of hydration that the Canterbury climate inflicts on us all. “There is...

Our picks of the best flicks, music, books, games and TV to get into this season. Watching Child’s Play Love him or hate him, there’s no denying that the infamous Chucky doll is somewhat synonymous with 80s slasher films and inducing nightmares. Well, brace yourself, 2019 sees a reboot of the original Child’s Play with the 21st Century flick hitting cinemas June 21. Single mother Karen (Aubrey Plaza) gifts her son Andy (Gabriel Bateman) a Chucky doll which, of course, is evil as all get out. Things start to get out of hand when the ‘doll’ takes on a mind of its own and starts to wreak havoc. 21 Bridges Pulling in the big celeb names (Chadwick Boseman, J. K. Simmons and Sienna Miller), Brian Kirk’s upcoming action-thriller 21 Bridges (out July 11) sees Boseman as a disgraced NYPD detective who has a chance to redeem himself after he’s tasked with...

When sustainability and supply chain transparency are as important to you as mouth-watering flavours and great beer, what better dining option than Belgian Beer Café Torenhof and its steaming pots of green-shell mussels fresh from the waters of the Marlborough Sounds? Torenhof’s revamped brunch and a-la-carte menus are a smorgasbord of ethical and delicious options. From the brunch menu, try their Eieren Salmon (Stewart Island hot smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, crispy capers, watercress and toast). And it’s hard to go past Ocean Beef Brisket from the a-la-carte menu – beef raised on lush green South Island pasture and finished with GMO-free grain, served with pan-fried sliced potatoes, glazed baby onions and creamed watercress sauce. Ingredients are sourced where possible from Canterbury or South Island suppliers and are free range, grass and/or GMO-free fed, and Fair Trade Certified 100% Organic. All seafood is sustainably harvested. And let’s not forget the beer, brewed by...

We’re suckers for a cheeky burger (or two) and when we heard the folks from Burger Burger were setting up shop next door to the legends at Supreme Supreme, our tastebuds started tingling and excitement levels started to rise. Those levels are now through the roof as the burger joint has opened its doors and is serving up their mouth-watering lineup of mammoth burgers – we see you McFly – alongside tasty sides, old-fashioned shakes and “really cold beers” to wash all that carby goodness down. Check these guys out who are located on Welles Street and tuck into next-level burger fare! burgerburger.co.nz  

Get the basics right and open homes will be your best friend when it comes to sale time. Love them or hate them, when it comes to getting a quick sale for your property at the highest possible price, there is no better option than open homes. Lots of them – the more you have, the more people you will get through, which increases the chances of prospective buyers falling in love and buying your house. I work to a minimum of three open homes a week, usually one on a Wednesday or Thursday and one every Saturday and Sunday for a minimum of 45 minutes, although an hour is even better. The best time of the day for open homes at your sale property will depend on such factors as household routines and schedules but you also need to take into account the season and its effect on sunlight times...

Canopy Landscape Architects’ Julie Greenslade and Paul Roper-Gee have some great ideas for greening apartment outdoor spaces. ith a fast growing population and strong demand for housing, Christchurch is catching up on the attractions of a central-city apartment lifestyle. It offers convenience, the buzz of city life, minimal commuter travel and the ability to use the fantastic central-city green spaces and laneways as your backyard. Living with less of your own outdoor space doesn’t mean you can’t put your green thumbs to work though. A well-designed balcony or courtyard should seamlessly connect with the interior spaces. Colours and material selections should be an extension of the interior design. It is important to balance practical needs with space for plants. Chairs, tables and sun umbrellas can take up a lot of space so try to pick multi-functional furniture pieces as they will allow for flexibility in use of the space. For example,...

Ballantynes’ fashion stylist Josie Pasane lays out her top style suggestions to steer you through the season. With temperatures steadily dropping from here on out, we’re desperately seeking the coat that will keep us warm all winter long. Gone are the days of the sleek duster or the dainty trench – coats must be at full capacity this winter. Look for extremely oversized outerwear to combat the chill factor and keep you chic. And the best part? Style and comfort collide with these large layers. Want to try the trend in a more subtle way? Let your XXL outerwear do the talking and keep everything else simple. If you love a big coat but aren’t a fan of their shapeless silhouette you can always give them the Meghan Markle treatment by adding a belt for a little more definition. As well as cinching you in, belts are a great way to...

Three Boys brewer Ralph Bungard dives into the history of craft drinkers’ latest darling, dark beers, and what goes into them – in his case, Bluff oysters. Black never goes out of style – especially when it comes to beer! Discussing the evolution of beer styles is a great way to clear a party or get rid of those overstaying dinner guests. To clear that party, start with this: Did you know that stouts are a sub-group of porters? In the distant past these dark-beer gems were referred to as stout porters, simply meaning that they were heavier versions of that old British classic. The porter part of the name got dropped and stouts grew up and left home to create a beautiful life and offspring of their own. Stouts were always considered a bit of a health tonic. They were popular aids to increase the appetite of the elderly and sickly, and...

Dr Libby gives us some top tips for helping with the menopause blues. Let’s be real, the prospect of menopause can be daunting – hot flushes, sleeplessness and weight gain are just some of the things every lass will experience in their lifetime. While it doesn’t sound like the most thrilling time, there are steps you can take to alleviate the transition through the three recognised stages. Renowned for her expertise in nutritional biochemistry, Dr Libby is an authority figure within the health and wellness industry. Her wealth of knowledge is not only educating and inspiring, it has helped enhance the overall health and wellbeing of people globally. Dr Libby says that “to best support your body during this transition of menopause, it’s important to nourish yourself with plenty of whole foods including plenty of vegetables, minimise or avoid alcohol and caffeine, and to do what you can to reduce or...

Hey hey Cityscapers, it’s The Monkees! Ahead of OGs Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz hitting town to perform Monkees songs from more than five decades, we talk music and myths with Michael. You’ve been in the music industry for over 50 years. How would you say it has evolved? It’s become more central to the culture of America since I started listening to it. When I started it was kind of the soundtrack to WWII and it was about staying alive and coming home. Even though those became hit songs in the ’70s, in the ’50s it was about making it home and avoiding those terrors of war. And when The Beatles arrived, it became revolutionary in pure joy and we’re living in that time now. I still feel like a child of The Beatles and find myself humming Lennon and McCartney as much as anything else. What can Christchurch audiences expect...

The flavours of the Asia-Pacific region have a new home in Christchurch at Tower Junction. The Addington retail centre has significantly upped its culinary offerings, so join Cityscape as we take a tour of India, China, Japan and Mexico through the delights of food. Touch – the Taste of India, Hao Eatery, Su Ra Sushi and Donburi, and Zambrero have joined Esquires Café, Anna’s Café and The Speight’s Ale House at the centre. The restaurants are open daily until late, offering lunch and dinner options, including takeaway. So whether you’re looking for a venue with ample parking for a lunchtime meeting or somewhere to meet family and friends for a taste of world cuisine, treat yourself to the flavours of the Asia-Pacific at the conveniently located Tower Junction. Touch – the Taste of India specialises in southern Indian cuisine but also offers delicacies from across the subcontinent. The restaurant is fast becoming...

The inner city is bringing its A-game in luxury accommodation by way of the swanky five-star Sudima Christchurch City, which has opened its doors. With the city’s leading boutiques and culinary haunts only “a martini olive pip’s throw” from the Sudima, experience Christchurch like never before. Their onsite restaurant Vices & Virtues offers an exquisite dining experience with particular focus on sourcing local and sustainable produce and their carefully thought out plant-based menu will offer an amazing range of dishes for vegan and vegetarian preferences. And you can’t go past their luxe Moss Spa. Putting the ‘lax’ in relax, Moss Spa is the go-to for those days when you need to recharge and rejuvenate. Take your pick from their array of treatments – whether it be a facial, a soothing massage, a head-to-toe body pamper or a simple mani/pedi, Moss Spa has you and your body in mind. For the ultimate...

Winter is officially here and just because the temp is taking a deep dive down to single digits doesn’t mean your social calendar has to become non-existent. The city is blessed with an array of hotspots popping up on the regular so if you’re after some tasty eats, the legends at Burger Burger have opened up shop in their rad digs next door to Supreme Supreme; the folks at Cook ‘N’ With Gas have also swung open their doors and are back in biz serving up wicked eats; and Winnie Bagoes have taken up residence next door to Welles Street. If you’re on the hunt for something to do, check out our roundup of activities from comedy to cinema and cuisine to culture to keep those chilly days ticking over. IRT Harness Jewels Shake off those winter chills, dress to the nines and take part in the hottest social event on...

Iconic hard-living Aussie rocker Jimmy Barnes is set to take fans on an epic aural spectacle when his Shutting Down Your Town tour Barnestorms the Christchurch Town Hall on September 26. In what is shaping up to be a stellar performance, fans can expect classic hits from his vast back catalogue such as ‘Working Class Man’ and ‘Ain’t No Second Prize’ plus highlights from his acclaimed album My Criminal Record (out on May 31). No stranger to the music industry, Barnes has dominated the charts for more than four decades, breaking onto the music scene as the lead vocalist for Cold Chisel and then pursuing a solo career which has seen him rack up a ton of accolades. Renowned for his authentic and gritty sound, Barnes has been described as “the heart and soul of Australian rock and roll.” If you’re yet to see the rocker live, best snap up tickets...