The Christmas Hair Edit

Issue No. 3
FREE
The
Everything You Need
To Know About
Extensions
Christmas
Edit
ICE QUEEN
The Perfect
Winter Blonde
Inside
The Charlie Miller
‘Big Christmas Do’
Our ultimate gifting guide
Festive Glam
with
Little Threads
Christmas reads with
Rare Birds Books
12 Days of Cosy
Christmas
Ideas

The
Big Christmas Do
On Wednesday 20th of November we hosted the very first ‘Big Christmas
Do’ in our Holy Corner salon.
The evening was a sell-out and filled with festive fun, celebration, and
style. Guests gathered for an event that blended holiday shopping, beauty,
and a touch of luxury... the perfect way to kickstart the season! With fizz
in hand our attendees enjoyed canapés, a multi-prize raffle and an
atmosphere alive with laughter and good cheer.
It was incredibly heart-warming to hear such wonderful feedback from
guests, many of whom picked up some some beautiful Christmas gifts
from the vendors, all of whom were local businesses whose values match
our own.
If you didn’t manage to snap up a ticket, never fear; we’ve put together a
list of all the fabulous presents you missed out on... those goodie bags
worth over £100 are long gone though- maybe next year?!
Can To Candle’s candle making workshops are a
great way to enjoy some “me time”, learn a new
hobby or spend some time in a wonderfully creative
environment Held in the lovely rural village of
Temple just 15 miles south of Edinburgh, their
candle making workshops give you the basic skills
to create a scented container candle made from
100% soy wax. Included in the price is all your
equipment, materials, workshop notes and a midmorning
refreshment of tea, coffee and home made
crumble. After, you can take home a scented candle
that you have hand poured yourself. Workshop
prices begin at £45.
Can To Candle
Candles are, of course, a fail-safe Christmas gift and our lovely friends at Can To
Candle have worked tirelessly to develop a range of high quality scented candles
which not only look beautiful and smell exquisite but don’t cost a fortune.
Their candles are designed to provide a long burn time and along with beautiful
fragrances that fill a room with scent, they look great too. The company was born
from a love of interior design (as well as an obsession with candles), so their
simple and minimal packaging is contemporary and clean to compliment every
style of home.
Their candle collections are designed to make excellent gifts, that are
individually hand crafted and unique, with something for everyone; a generous
selection of different candles mean there is a wide range of price points, from
glass jars, triple wicks and classic cans.
They also offer a huge range of items under £15, from yoghurt pot candles to
candle snuffers, wax melts to Kindle Cones and aromatherapy candles.
Personalised Initial
Candle
£23.95 – £26.45
Wax Melt Packs
Visit their website to make your purchase, seek advice or ask any burning
£6.95 questions...
4.

Paper Tiger
Since 1981, Paper Tiger has offered design-led cards, stationery, gift wrap and gifts from
new and established Edinburgh and UK-based artists, all carefully curated. They have a
large selection of creative cards, stylish stationery, gifts, toys, books and wrap. Paper
Tiger are incredibly proud to represent local Scottish work in all of their Edinburgh
stores which you can find on Lothian Road, Stafford Street and at their brand new
location in Stockbridge.
We love Paper Tiger for their exciting, innovative and distinctive gifts, cards, stationery
and gift-wrap, and who could forget their impressive supply of adorable plush Jellycats.
Visit Paper Tiger in person where you’ll receive a warm welcome and a chance to look at
their vast array of potential stocking fillers and Secret Santa gifts. You can also shop
online, where you can choose delivery or take advantage of their click and collect
service.
Harvest & Green
This stunning luxury florist and chocolate shop, based in Morningside, believe that gifting is an artform and strive to help their
customers make special moments as personal and memorable as can be.
They operate on the strong belief that a thoughtfully chosen gift has the ability to evoke heartfelt emotions. Whether it’s a stunning
bouquet of fresh flowers, a box of decadent chocolates, or another unique gift, they strive to provide customers with a selection
that’s sole aim is to make the recipient feel special. They take great care in curating their offerings, with exceptional customer
service. Harvest & Green also sell luxury chocolates, plants, candles and diffusers as well as balloons.
Classic White Christmas Bud
Vase
£10
Evergreen Christmas Wreath
from £95
Christmas Harvest Bouquet
£50.00
Natural and Wild Christmas
Garland
£40.00
STEKAskills
This incredible Scottish charity empowers young Malawians
by providing essential skills for sustainable futures.
For the past 7 years in the lead up to Christmas we’ve been
selling STEKA’s unique and beautiful handmade decorations
to help raise much-needed funds for this amazing
organisation.
This year our salons are selling decorations which include
cats, bees, butterflies and reindeers, as well as beautiful
double-sided pinnies made from traditional chitenge
material.
The money raised so far has helped build and entirely kit out
a hairdressing school in Malawi and so much more.
Pop into one of our Edinburgh salons and buy yours before
our stocks sell out!
You can read the full story of our journey with STEKAskills on
our latest website blog.
5.

Inside Out Chef
Inside Out Chef is an Edinburgh-based company owned by the lovely
Wendy Paterson. Wendy’s jams, chutneys, pickles and sauces are
made with love, with a huge amount of the fruit and vegetables
coming from her own garden. The vast collection features traditional
flavours such as Tomato Chutney, but also more unusual
concoctions like Strawberry & Pimm’s jam.
The traditional-looking jars are £4.50 each or 4 for £16, and can also
be purchased as a bespoke hamper or a gift box, making them a
lovely (and delicious) gift or the perfect addition to your Christmas
Day cheese board.
Inside Out Chef also offer vouchers for their Scone
School, priced at £70, so you can give the gift of an
experience or new skill. Vouchers come boxed and
with a gift tag, and Wendy will work with you to find
the right date.
Vouchers are also available for their delicious
Afternoon Tea for those in the Edinburgh area,
featuring sandwiches, savouries, scones and your
choice of large cake as well as tea and filter coffee.
Also available are wonderful experiences and treats
such as luxury hampers, romantic hampers for two or
picnics in the park, all with free delivery to Edinburgh
locations.
Contact Wendy via email at
wendy@insideoutchef.com or call 07950431463 to
arrange your voucher or make any other enquiries or
bespoke arrangements!
Womankind Beauty
Based in Stockbridge across two salons, our wonderful business partners have a huge range of potential presents to
offer.
The award winning teams are invested in your wellbeing both physically and mentally, to give a wonderful
experience each and every time you visit. Whether you opt for a voucher for one of their luxurious wellness
treatments such as full-body massages and facials, beauty treatments like lash extensions and manicures, or gift
your loved one some of their clinically proven, personally prescribed products such as the Alumier MD Gift Sets,
ANP Supplement Gifts or make-up by Jane Iredale, a gift from Womankind Beauty is perfect for your loved one who
needs some pampering or wants to invest in wellness in 2025.
Advanced Nutrition Programme
£76
AlumiGlow Boosting Gift Set
£145
Gift Card
various prices
AlumiGlow Brightening Gift Set
£55
6.

christmas reads
Perfect Books to Gift and Enjoy
This Season, Curated for us by Rare
Birds Bookshop
Those of you who joined us at ‘The Big Christmas Do’ will no doubt have met
our lovely friends from Rare Birds Bookshop, who are based at Raeburn Place
in Stockbridge.
Rare Birds began life in 2017 as an online book subscription service and
flourished during lockdown; providing a space where women’s writing would
be take seriously but where books were also read for fun; proving to be a
saviour for many of us in a time of uncertainty.
Thanks to a brilliant community and lots of word of mouth recommendations
they grew from a small group of friends into a huge community. Rare Birds
Book Club now has thousands of members spanning 23 countries. In 2021
they opened Scotland's only bookshop dedicated entirely to women's writing;
a beautiful, welcoming space that’s often alive with events.
Whether you venture into the store for some personalised recommendations or
purchase online, there is a whole host of fantastic gifts for the readers (or
aspiring readers) in your life.
Lucky Dip
£9.99
Perfect for bookworms and
lapsed readers alike, the
Lucky Dip book makes a
brilliant and thoughtful
(letterbox friendly!) gift. A
total mystery, Rare Birds hand
pick their favourite titles and
describe them without giving
away the title, meaning you
can’t judge the book by it’s
cover!
3, 6 or 12 Months
of Reading
from £45
A physical gift card that will be
mailed to you in the post.
The recipient can redeem their
voucher to start their
subscription whenever they
choose, selecting every month
from two summaries. The title
stays a surprise!
Book Bundle
£33
A beautiful gift set of three
books.
You have the option to select
the bundle genre, then the
team of expert curators select
three brilliant books, all
published by female authors.
If you’d rather choose the title, whether for yourself or as a present, they have a
fabulous list of Christmas-themed reads. We asked the team to recommend
their favourite titles, so here are five festive reads, curated for us by the experts!
Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop-
Jenny Colgan
A festive romance by Scottish author Jenny Colgan, about
a bookshop manager named Carmen Hogan who must
save her store and the Christmas wish of its elderly owner.
A cosy and uplifting Christmas rom-com, this book is
described as funny and warm-hearted... the perfect choice
to devour in one sitting, hot chocolate or glass of mulled
wine optional.
8.

the wood at midwinter-
susanna clark
the christmas jigsaw murders & murder on the
christmas express-
alexandra benedict
A double-whammy book rec’ from crime writer Alexandra Benedict.
These are 21st-century, cosy Christmas crimes that don’t shy away from the
darkness and are darkly funny, original and fun.
The Christmas Jigsaw Murders is an entertaining Christmas murder-mystery that
has the added bonus of challenges for the reader to complete, whilst Murder on
the Christmas Express is a modern murder mystery set on an iconic train, with
suspense and plenty of heart.
An elegantly-written literary fiction novella, this beautiful book makes a
stunning present.
Nineteen-year-old Merowdis Scott is an unusual girl. She can talk to animals
and trees – and she is only ever happy when she is walking in the woods.
Described as ‘delightfully odd’ this is a tale that leaves you wondering and ‘a
pleasure to read’, the illustrated pages are a visual treat too.
the christmas tree farm-
laurie gilmore
The third in the ‘Dream Harbour’ series made famous by Tiktok.
American author Gilmore is fast becoming the queen of small-town
steamy romance... and this volume is just as spicy as it’s predecessors.
Compelling, cosy and charming, the story sees Dream Harbour’s resident
Scrooge buy a Christmas tree farm, where she runs into Californian
Bennett, who’s on vacation in the pretty small town. Cue a ‘friends to
lovers’, ‘opposites attract’ trope, with an added element of mystery.
thin air-
michelle paver
A chilling and compelling ghost story for anyone looking for a winter read
that’s most definitely not festive and warm!
Set in the Himalayas in 1935 on Kangchenjunga; the third-highest peak on
earth. Five Englishmen set off from Darjeeling determined to conquer the
deadly mountain - but the lashing winds, intimidating landscape and
isolation aren’t the most terrifying part of this journey.
The creeping dread and unsettling atmosphere is sure to get under your
skin.
Fast paced and haunting, this novel reads like a classic and has been
described as a ‘masterpiece.’
We hope there’s something for everyone in this collection, but don’t forget,
the booksellers at Rare Birds are on hand seven days a week to help you find
your next great read.
9.

The complete Charlie Miller haircare range is available
instore and online now.

Silver
Cherry
Charm
£35.00
Silver Single Bangle
£35.00
EDITOR’S
NOTE
Pink Freshwater
Pearl Charm
£5.00
Silver Gingerbread
man Charm
£35.00
A Gift Voucher for The Spanish Butcher-
58a North Castle Street, Edinburgh
A few more of our best gift
ideas...
Rosie Brown Jewellery- 148 Bruntsfield Place,
Edinburgh
The Spanish Butcher opened in Edinburgh in May 2024 after the Scottish
company’s success in Glasgow.
Set within chic, modern New York loft style interiors, The Spanish Butcher
delivers style along with vibrant cuisine; premium Jamón Ibérico, the finest beef
and fresh seafood, combining Spanish and Mediterranean inspired flavours.
Wear this beautiful handmade sterling silver bangle on it’s own or add charms.
Charm bracelets are a perfect gift that can be added to at every occasion;
meaning you’ll never be out of ideas for the recipient. We love how Rosie’s
designs can be worn every day.
With Rosie Brown, you’re also shopping local with a small business.
Vouchers from £25,
available via email, in an
envelope or in a luxury gift
box
Edinburgh: A New History
by Alistair Moffat
As Scotland’s capital since 1437, the city has witnessed
many of the key events that have shaped the nation.
But Edinburgh has always been much more than just a
political centre. Alistair Moffat shows how the city has
grown, changed and adapted over the centuries; from
prehistory to present day.
Cheese Club:
One Month
subscription-
£42.00
RRP £14.99
Gifts for Cheese
Lovers- IJ Mellis
Purveyors of fine farmhouse and artisan cheese for over 30 years, IJ Mellis
Cheesemongers are a staple for many an Edinburgh resident’s festive cheeseboard.
Their cheese subscription contains a minimum of 1 kilo of cheese and an accompaniment
each month. Choose from a single month, 3 , 12 or every other month; a perfect gift for
cheese-lovers looking to explore new flavours.
Their Cheese & Wine Tasting evenings are also a fantastic opportunity to learn from
passionate and knowledgeable cheesemongers who will lead you through an informal,
informative tasting consisting of 3 wines and 6 cheeses.
Cheese & Wine Tasting
From: £45.00 10.

Christmas
glam with
Little
Threads
The Edinburgh-based hat hire company Little Threads, offer carefully
selected hats, fascinators and head bands for all of your special occasions,
giving you luxury but sustainable options.
Little Threads is run by the lovely Lucy
Parish, born from her love of hats and a
desire to reduce the wastage of people
only wearing items once or twice.
“I have had a love of hats since I can
remember, and would always love
choosing a new one for each event I was
going to, but eventually I had too many,
and most of them had only been worn
once or twice. I thought of the money I
had spent on hats over the years and
remember feeling it was such a waste.”
Lucy wanted to create a business which
would enable her to reuse items, and
offer people a way to enjoy them but for
a fraction of the price.
Lucy loves what she does and it’s clear
upon meeting her that she has a keen eye
for what will suit you, the occasion and
your outfit. Her passion and enthusiasm
shines through.
It’s important to her that people can
experience the luxury of wearing a
beautiful head piece, which is affordable
and accessible too.
Hats, as well as hairbands and fascinators,
can be hired directly from the website,
but you can also make an appointment to
see Lucy too.
Consultations are available on Monday’s
and Wednesday’s, although Lucy is open
to scheduling them outside of those days
too.
If you’re looking for a little inspiration,
we’ve compiled some of our absolute
favourites for the winter season.
11.

Our favourites for...
A glam
Christmas
party
The Pearl
Rent for
£35
The Carla
Rent for
£30
The Rose
Rent for
£30
A Christmas
wedding
Winter
Weddings
The Elise
Rent for
£50
Standing
Out
The Alex
Rent for £50.00
The
Elizabeth
Rent for £35
New Year’s
Eve
12.

ice queen
13.

Not quite.
While most people can go blonde, achieving that true icy white depends
on several factors. If your hair is naturally very dark or has been
previously dyed darker (particularly with the dreaded black box dye), it
will definitely take more time, and care, to get there. Your hair’s
condition is key. If it’s weak or damaged, we’ll have to prioritise its
health. Lightening has come a long way in the last few years but make
no mistake, it’s still bleach. That said, with patience and a good stylist,
nearly anyone can get close.
Achieving platinum blonde is a process. We start with a thorough
consultation to assess your hair’s condition and history. Then, process
typically involves:
Bleaching: The overall aim will be to lift your natural or dyed colour to a
pale yellow. This may take several sessions, depending on your hair’s
current colour and condition.
Toning: This is where the magic happens using a purple or blue-based
toner to neutralise any yellow tones and create that icy, cool finish.
Deep Conditioning: To ensure your hair stays strong and hydrated
throughout. Likely a hair masque or a Kérastase treatment will be
recommended.
That depends on your starting point.
If you’re already a lighter blonde and your hair is in great condition, one sitting
might do the trick. But if you’re starting from dark or have layers of colour in
your hair, it’s likely we’ll need several sessions spaced weeks apart. Rushing it
could lead to damage, and no one wants that!
Yes, cool-toned blondes can fade faster than warmer tones.
The toner that creates that cool shade gradually washes out,
meaning you’ll likely start seeing yellow or brassy
undertones after a few weeks. Regular maintenance is key
to keeping it fresh.
14.

Silver Shampoo: Use once or twice a week to keep brassy tones at bay. Don’t overdo it, as
it can leave your hair looking dull or even grey or purple-tinged.
Hydration: Invest in deep conditioning treatments and a salon-quality shampoo to
prevent dryness and breakage.
Heat Protection: Always use a heat protectant if styling, as bleached hair is more
vulnerable to heat damage. Try to forego the heat a little more often too; your lightened
hair will thank you.
Regular Touch-Ups: Pop back into the salon every 4–6 weeks for a toner refresh and
every 6–8 weeks for root maintenance, and don’t underestimate the need for regular
trims.
Root Growth: The lighter the hair the starker the contrast with darker roots, so expect regular
root touch-ups. You’ll be in the salon more often than with other colours.
Damage Potential: Bleaching can dry out your hair so it might feel more fragile. Be prepared to
invest in professional products and minimise heat styling.
Sacrificing length for lightness: To get you that little bit lighter, your stylist might give you the
option of going for the chop if your hair is more damaged at the ends. You might decide it’s worth
it to get rid of dead ends that won’t lift as well, for breakage prevention and a healthier look.
Cost & Time: Going platinum isn’t a one-time commitment. It requires ongoing care,
appointments, and products, so it’s a financial and time investment.
Skin Tone Compatibility: Icy white can wash out certain skin tones. We might tweak the shade to
add a hint of warmth if needed, so it suits you perfectly.
Charlie Miller Haircare
Silver Shampoo
£21.95
Our silver shampoo
formula will get rid of
any yellow tones in your
hair. It works best on
highlighted, bleached,
blonde and grey hair.
Kérastase
Blond Absolu Bain Lumiere Shampoo
£28.25
This Hyaluronic Acid infused shampoo is a lightweight
formula ideal for lightened, highlighted, or grey hair.
The gentle cleansing formula soothes and hydrates
hair from root to tip, with a lightweight feel.
Itilluminates blonde tones, purifies hair from pollution
and removes dulling agents. Enriched with a
Hyaluronic Acid and Edelweiss, the product prevents
damage and protects the hair fibre. Hair is left
cleansed, shiny and nourished.
Kérastase
Blond Absolu Cicaflash
Conditioner
£35.85
This has a soft lavender hue and restores
like a masque with the lightweight finish
of a conditioner. It intensively restores
sensitised hair, smooths, strengthens,
and softens sensitised lightened hair, all
while nourishing. and helping to prevent
breakage. It leaves the hair soft and
hydrated, lightweight and luminous.
​Concentré Blond
Absolu was formulated
specifically for cool
blonde hair and is
infused with UV
pigment. It’s
restorative,
reconstructive and
neutralises unwanted
brassy undertones.
Composed of two parts, a concentre and a booster,
Fusio Dose is a professional treatment used in-salon
to help you address your main hair concerns and are
formulated based on your hair goals. You can use the
Ultra-Violet Concentre and the Cicablond Booster
together or combine with the other Fusio Doses to
meet different hair goals.
Booster Cicablond is infused with
Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E and is
perfect both in-between colouring
and straight after a colour service.
It instantly conditions and helps
strengthen the hair.
In-Salon
Fusio-Dose
treatment
£20
A strengthening, heat
activated heat
protector that repairs
and protects the hair
whilst styling.
Kérastase Resistance
Ciment Thermique
repairs and protects
hair with its heat
activated properties.
Kérastase
Resistance Extentioniste
Thermique Heat Protector
£34.05
Charlie Miller Haircare
Gloss Oil
£27.50
An oil is essential to keeping your
blonde hair hydrated and smooth.
Our Gloss Oil won’t leave hair
greasy; a few drops will make hair
extra-healthy, sleek and shiny...
perfect for that just-bleached
puffiness.
15.

12 Days of Cosy
Christmas
Ideas
There’s a quieter, more intimate
side to Edinburgh’s festive season
waiting to be uncovered.
Here, we share our favourites of
Edinburgh’s lesser-known treasures
—a curated collection of cosy,
offbeat experiences that wrap you in
the warmth and wonder of the
season.
Here are are 12 enchanting ways to make your Edinburgh
Christmas truly one of a kind...
17.

St. Bernard’s Bar, 10 Raeburn
Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh
This cosy local pub in the heart of
Stockbridge with a chic, speakeasy
cocktail bar upstairs, have a ‘table
sharing’ policy that adds to it’s
quirky, distinctive vibe.
It’s small and intimate, with an
eclectic mishmash of vintage glasses
and shabby-chic interior and that just
works.
Selling local beers and carefully
crafter cocktails, they play vinyl
exclusively, are dog friendly and have
the most hilarious, polar-opposite
Trip Advisor reviews. Visit and make
up your own mind; a unique
experience and perfect if you’re
looking for a friendly, vibrant festive
atmosphere.
18.

Have your own wreath making
workshop at home
Castle Street Flowers is a beautiful
flower stall that’s been operating for
many years.
They have a vast array of foliage and
sprayed festive flowers that can be
added in to a DIY wreath (or you can
cheat and buy one of their traditionallooking,
ready made ones). Their
Christmas trading hours are 8am-
6pm daily.
Wreath-making classes and
workshops have become increasingly
popular over the past few years; a
fantastic way to get you in the festive
mood doing something a little
different. Hosting one at home means
you can choose your own florals and
greenery, making it more personal.
Whether you’re terrible at wreathmaking
and end up with a spindly,
little display, or find a hidden talent
for it, it’s a fabulous way to spend an
afternoon with friends or family.
19.
Brie Wreath
£55.00
Brunch for two
£33.00
Upgrade your wreath-making
session with a grazing board.
Hugely popular at our last few
events have been the stunningly put
together Crunch Cups from Crunch
Platters.
Edinburgh-based and established in
2020, Crunch offer a vast array of
different platters from Brunch,
Donuts, Crudites and of course
classic cheese and charcuterie
boards. Catering from couples to
corporate events and meeting a host
of dietary requirements which
include vegan and pregnancy-safe
options, we love how efficient,
friendly and accommodating Crunch
are.
The love, care and attention to detail
put in to each box shines through; a
delicious addition to your festive
season, Crunch are open right up
until Christmas Eve, and back on the
30th of December. Visit their
website to find out more!

Take a wander around the New
Town
Avoid the crowds and take a wander
around the quieter, cobbled streets
of the New Town.
Often missed in favour of the Old
Town and the busier shopping areas,
the streets beyond Princes Street and
George Street are just as stunning
architecturally and far more
peaceful.
Head towards the West End for a
whole host of local vendors, where
you can pick up some unique gifts,
enjoy a coffee from an independent
retailer or perhaps stumble upon a
bar or restaurant you haven’t spotted
before.
20.

Get Merry at Junk Bar &
Restaurant, Newington
They do things a bit differently at Junk.
A sophisticated take on junk food;
everything indulgent and not
necessarily good for you, but ‘sexier and
more refined’.
Serving fresh, seasonal produce, all
made in house by talented chefs from
fine dining backgrounds, using
Scotland’s incredible larder, with
influences from the likes of Asia,
America and Europe.
Their Festive Menu, £38 pp, runs from
November 20th until December 22nd
and consists of Six Plates, some just for
you, some to share.
If you’re looking for something ‘fancier’,
the ‘Dealers Choice’ Experience; a
surprise tasting menu for two consisting
of an arrival cocktail each and a mixture
of seven savoury and sweet dishes, all
carefully curated using local, seasonal
produce. There are only 100 vouchers
available, and are currently £100 so get
in quick! Vouchers are available on their
website.
Watch your favourite festive
film at The Scotsman
Picturehouse
A luxury take on a big screen
experience, this cinema harks back to
the golden age of cinema with leather
armchair seats, nestled between
individual tables and classic empire
lamps, with a few mod cons added for
your comfort. This year they have a
collection of heart-warming festive
films showing over the Christmas
period. Watch classics such as Frank
Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, Irving
Berlin’s White Christmas or modern
favourites like Elf and Love Actually in
opulent surroundings. They’re also
showing a few Royal Ballet
performances, and some films are
available in their ‘Fizz & Flick’ offer,
where you can experience Christmas
favourites with brunch in the Grand
Cafe and a glass of prosecco on arrival
before heading down to the
Picturehouse.
21.

Enjoy a Christmas reading at
Gladstone’s Land
One of the oldest buildings on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile,
Gladstone’s Land is an immersive experience that takes
you through this important historical building, where
you can learn about the fascinating lives of the people
who lived and worked in the property.
This Christmas, the team are putting on a selection of
festive public readings of some Christmas classics like
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (15th December, 2pm)
and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (22nd December,
2pm) which you can book on Eventbrite.
Enjoy a Candy Cane Latte, Bailey’s Hot Chocolate or
even a festive ice cream in the café afterwards.
If you can’t make a reading, Gladstone’s Land is well
worth a visit. Each floor has been decorated for
Christmas, in-keeping with the time periods. Each
level has been painstakingly restored to reflect the
period accurately. You can view beautiful, hand painted
ceilings from 1620, and even have a poke through some
of the drawers and pick up some of the exhibits. Many
of the soft furnishings have been lovingly recreated by
volunteers.
And it’s the volunteers who truly make your visit; the
passion and knowledge they have for the history of
Gladstone’s Land is incredible.
While tourists flock to the markets, Edinburgh Castle
or Holyrood Palace around Christmas this is the
perfect time to visit and explore, chat to the wonderful
people who work there and learn about an important
part of Edinburgh’s history.
22.

Visit St. Mary’s Cathedral
If you’re looking for a truly traditional Christmas
experience, this breathtaking, neo-classical
Cathedral on Palmerston Place welcomes everyone.
Their Christmas calendar is busy with events like the
more traditional ‘Nine Lessons and Carols’ (7.30pm
on both the 22nd and 24th of December) where you
can enjoy an evening of spectacular music, sung by
the wonderful Choir of St Mary's Cathedral with a
brass ensemble, along with traditional readings for
Christmas, or the quiet and peaceful ‘Silent Night,
Holy Night’ (5.30pm- 6.30pm on the 23rd of
December) that St. Mary’s hope will enable visitors
to welcome Christmas in their own way.
On the 19th December 3pm-4pm, everyone is invited
to go and sing Christmas Carols at the Cathedral,
followed by seasonal refreshments.
There is also an opportunity for children to attend
the annual Children’s Nativity, which is for all pre
and primary school children, on Christmas Eve.
St Mary’s are regular hosts of Fever’s Candelight
Concerts too, lending the stunning backdrop of the
Cathedral to much-loved classical and romantic
works.
St Mary’s Cathedral is open 8am-6pm Monday-
Friday and 8am-5pm Saturday and Sunday.
It is free to enter, and donations are gratefully
received.
23.

Take in the incredible Great Hall
of The National Portrait Gallery
Built as ‘a shrine for Scotland’s national
portraits’, the interior and exterior of the
building were designed to elevate the visitors
experience. Despite it’s distinctiveness, it’s
nestled on Queen Street and, unlike the other
galleries in the New Town which stand alone
and prominent, this gem could be missed.
Inside, you’ll find an impressive collection of
portraits from iconic paintings of Mary,
Queen of Scots to contemporary works
showcasing modern Scots.
Most breath-taking though, is The Great Hall,
introducing guests to key figures and events
in the history of Scotland through its
elaborate decoration.
Around the first floor balustrade is a frieze
against a gold backdrop showing 155 figures
from Scottish history in reverse chronological
order. Above are frescos of a poignant battle,
and the zodiac ceiling is adorned by 2000
golden stars.
The gallery’s tranquil atmosphere make it a
welcome escape from the city’s bustle,
particularly around the festive period. The
gallery is open daily from 10am-5pm, and to
enjoy it at it’s quietest, we would recommend
a weekday morning visit.
24.

Enjoy an indulgent woodlandinspired
festive feast at Lost Shore
Surf Resort.
This Christmas, Lost Shore Surf Resort,
Edinburgh’s newest attraction for surfers, are
hosting an immersive indoor winter
woodland experience from the 5th till the
20th of December.
After enjoying welcome drinks in the festive
courtyard by the firepits overlooking the
wave pool, guests will head into a dining
room lined with long tables and decorated in
fairy lights and a botanical canopy.
There are two options for this extra-special
event; The Long Table Lunch features threecourses
and is served sharing style – ideal for
enjoying as a group. The adults only Long
Table Dinner & Party has the added option of
DJs playing until 11pm.
Both choices are complete with awardwinning
mixologists and a bespoke drinks
menu. The guest kitchen this winter is
Glasgow’s critically acclaimed Five March,
who will treat you to an indulgent woodlandinspired
festive feast.
Tickets range from £45.00 to £49.50 per
person. For more information on the event,
the menu and the resort in general visit the
Lost Shore website.
25.

26.
Indulge in a luxurious hot
chocolate from The Marshmallow
Lady
Serving Hot Chocolate, Toasted
Marshmallow Milkshakes, Giant Toasted
Marshmallows and beautifully packaged
bags of Mallows, this fabulous shop opened
its doors in 2012 on Rodney Street,
Edinburgh.
The Marshmallow Lady herself is Nicole,
and her commitment to her favourite
confectionary is incredible; toasted, in a
milkshake, coated in chocolate, squeezed
between two stroopwaffles, her
marshmallows come in a variety of
flavours, such as Churo, After Eight and
Scottish Raspberry.
You can order them online for your own
marshmallow-toasting pleasure, or visit
the store to enjoy them immersed in
delicious, luxury hot chocolate and see
what limited edition flavours they have on
offer that day.
The perfect indulgent winter warmer!
The shop is open Thursday and Friday
11am-5.30pm and Saturday and Sunday
11am-5pm

Wrap up warm and take a wander
around Colinton Village
Nestled in the outskirts of Edinburgh is the
picturesque village of Colinton, brimming
with history and charm. Once home to the
family of Robert Louis Stevenson, the village
proudly displays a bronze statue of a young
Stevenson, with his Skye Terrier, Coolin.
You'll find Stevenson depicted again in the
Colinton Tunnel.
Once part of the Balerno railway line, the
tunnel has been reborn as Scotland's longest
mural, stretching 140 meters.
This community project began in 2019, with
contributions from local artists, schools and
volunteers.
The mural captures Colinton’s rich history,
depicting local wildlife and colourful scenes
from village life. A wonderful hidden gem, the
walk to and from the tunnel is scenic and
peaceful too. Walk down by the Union Canal
where you might even be lucky enough to spot
seldom-seen wildlife such as otters and
kingfishers.
Warm up afterwards at The Spylaw, a
beautiful, cosy restaurant and bar serving
hearty gastro meals and a vast array of drinks.
27.

Hair
Extensions
E v e r y t h i n g y o u n e e d t o
k n o w a b o u t . . .
with extensions expert Ellie
Gilhooley
Already thinking ahead to a
‘new year, new you?’ changing
up your look with extensions
could be the perfect solution!
Here, Ellie answers all of your
extension-related questions...
28.

W h y m i g h t e x t e n s i o n s b e n e f i t m e ?
D o y o u c h a r g e f o r a c o n s u l t a t i o n ?
Extensions are a way of giving people their desired look...whether that’s
fuller or longer hair. All of our extensions are 100% real human hair and we
can create whatever look you want with it.
A r e t h e y s u i t a b l e f o r e v e r y o n e ?
There’s only a very small margin of people who are not suitable for hair extensions,
but when you have your consultation that’s a decision that you and your stylist can
make together.
No, we don’t charge for consultations, they are completely complimentary and can be anywhere between fifteen
minutes to forty five minutes. Here, we go completely into depth about what you are looking for…we discuss your
desired look, what your hair is like currently, your colour and the colour choice for your extensions... we cover every
aspect including aftercare. We’ll also discuss price and if you want to go ahead, we will order your hair and get you
booked in. It’s important to note too that we wouldn’t be able to give anyone an exact price until they came in for a
consultation.
H o w a r e e x t e n s i o n s a p p l i e d ?
There are lots of different ways you can apply extensions; we use Keratin
bonds or tapes.
The way the tapes are applied is we take a small section of hair and get one
extension, put that underneath the section of hair at the root then apply
another piece on top with your hair sandwiched between. They are very flat to
the head.
With Keratin bonds the hair is picked out in clusters and rolled into your hair so
that they’re super flat.
H o w l o n g d o e s a n a p p l i c a t i o n t a k e ?
Application times can vary massively. It can take anywhere from half an hour to
a good couple of hours depending on what you’re getting . Keratin bonds take
longer to put in the hair because they last longer whereas the tapes can take
anywhere between 30 minutes to 90 minutes to apply.
C a n I w a s h m y h a i r e x t e n s i o n s ?
You can wash your hair as normal. You don’t have to act differently, you just
need to take a little more care. A lot of people do think that there’s a lot more time
and effort involved when you have extensions but you really just have to act like
it’s your own hair. Do wash carefully between the bonds or tapes.
C a n I s w i m w i t h e x t e n s i o n s ?
You can swim with your extensions. Although you should note that bonds are a little bit more suitable for swimmers
than the tapes. There’s no reason why you can’t swim, or go on holiday when you have extensions just as long as
you take care of them. Be consistent with your after-care when you get out of the pool as well as when you’re
washing them and blow drying them. If you swim a lot this is definitely something to let your extensionist know when
you have your consultation.
29.

H o w l o n g c a n I w e a r t h e m b e f o r e t h e y n e e d
r e m o v e d ?
With tapes you can get between 6 to 10 weeks wear. Most people’s last about 8
weeks before you need to get them out and put it back in again. Everyone is
different. It depends on how quickly your hair grows and your preference. With
Keratin bonds they last for 4 to 6 months. They grow with your hair, and you get them
completely taken out between four and six months. Again, this will depend on how
quickly your hair grows and your preference.
W h a t w i l l m y h a i r b e l i k e a f t e r t h e y a r e r e m o v e d ?
When your extensions are removed after Keratin bonds, your hair probably will feel like it’s grown a lot more than you
expected because you’re not seeing it constantly. You’ll probably be surprised at the growth. It’ll likely feel a little bit
sparse at the ends but nothing that can’t be fixed by a little half-inch trim of the bottom of your hair.
Your hair will not be in any worse condition at all with any kind of extensions, or at least they shouldn’t be if they’re done
properly. They won’t cause any balding or cause any kind of alopecia, if that was the case then that would be a
conversation that you and the extensionist would need to have.
We’ve put in a lot of time into training to make sure that we know how to do extensions and how to do them properly.
H o w l o n g d o e s t h e a c t u a l h a i r f r o m t h e e x t e n s i o n s l a s t ?
With tapes the hair can last up to a year, and then we would advise you get a new
set. But with Keratin bonds, the hair lasts six months. You get a new set every
application.
C a n I c o l o u r m y e x t e n s i o n s ?
We can colour your extensions. But they do come in so many different colours
that we usually don’t need to. With Keratin bonds you can still have your colour
done in between applications of extensions.
C a n I t i e t h e m u p ?
You can absolutely tie your hair up. The extensions are quite flat to the head so
they don’t stick out. It doesn’t look great when extensions stick out of a ponytail.
You can definitely tie your hair up, wear an up do, half-up half down, etc.
D o I h a v e t o g e t a f u l l h e a d o f e x t e n s i o n s ?
You do not have to get a full head of extensions. You can get a partial head . A lot of people at the moment are getting a
thickening service, so their hair might look thicker and fuller with only 50 bonds.
Many find that around the front of their hair it’s a lot finer, so they might opt to have their extensions just framing the
face. You do not have to have a full head if you don’t need it and of course a partial service would be cheaper.
If you have any more questions about extensions or would
like a complimentary, no obligation consultation, get in touch
with either our Stafford Street or Holy Corner branch!
30.

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Charlie Miller Magazine
Constant Creativity
Merry Christmas
from everyone at Charlie Miller