Relish a pampering day out

In a whirlwind of beauty demonstrations, cocktail-making classes and oh-so chic pop-up stores, Pout Edinburgh is hitting the Capital next weekend with a “ladies’ lifestyle show” strutting into The Corn Exchange.

Like the Chaka Khan hit I’m Every Woman, organisers say that there’s something for everyone: from the teenage daughter who’s just discovered make-up to her 80-year-old grandmother who craves some relaxation.

And for everyone else there are cocktails and Champagne on offer all day.

Women heading along to the Corn Exchange can look forward to a jam-packed programme of events, including a sushi-making masterclass with expert demonstrations, style tips from Glam Candy make-up school, workout advice from Edinburgh-based firm Fitness Chicks and even a flirting lesson with crack romancers from  Beswitchedon.

Also making an appearance will be the team from George Street nightspot Le Monde, a sponsor of Pout Edinburgh, while Patterson SA Hairdressing will be on hand to offer grooming and style tips. Visitors can also browse a collection from High Street retailer Debenhams.

Jennifer Craig, events and marketing manager at Le Monde, said they had been keen to get involved.

“Pout Edinburgh gives us the chance to engage with women in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas,” she said.

“All of the Pout ladies will receive a welcome cocktail, with non-alcoholic ones on offer too.

“On the main stage, we’ll have two of our top barmen presenting a  cocktail masterclass, so the women will be able to see how we make the cocktails and then have a go  themselves.”

Le Monde is also running Pout Party buses from George Street to the Chesser venue.

Amanda Wrathall, sales and marketing manager at The Corn Exchange, said the addition of Pout Edinburgh was breaking new ground in their annual calendar.

She said: “We were looking to add another venue-led event to our calendar, and we realised that around 80 per cent of those attending events here at the Corn Exchange were women.

“From shopping at the Pop-Up Market, to the nail and brow bar to wine masterclasses and cooking demonstrations from Cook School Scotland, you really could spend a whole day here, doing a bit of shopping, grabbing a bite to eat, going to one of the demos or just relaxing with a glass of bubbly.

“What’s different about Pout is the fact that there is the opportunity to sit down and relax, have something to drink or listen to some cool tunes from our DJs Craig Wilson and Ladies on Rotation, who I’m really looking forward to.”

She added: “Of course, with it being a new event it was always going to be a bit of a challenge, but we are really fortunate given the venue and the fact that it’s quite well known.

“We already have some really good relationships with companies who have either been here at events before or who might have attended something like a Christmas party night.

“We’re expecting around 3000-4000 people over the whole weekend, because we get around 3000 for our Wedding Fair event and that’s obviously specialised, so with something like this we’re hoping for even more.”

And she is hopeful that Pout will become a fixture at the Corn Exchange.

“This is something we are really invested in,” she said. “We’re already looking forward to next year – Pout Two!”

More than 65 businesses, large and small, established and brand new, will be making the Corn Exchange home next weekend.

“The businesses that are coming are all really nice local places, ones that people love or might not know about yet,” said Amanda.

One such company is Wo:Mankind Beauty – the Stockbridge-based salon – which will be responsible for the hotly-anticipated nail and brow bar, where revellers can enjoy several treatments, including shellac nails and distinctive, high-definition brows.

Lauren McCanny, who co-owns the beauty salon with mum Sue, says they are delighted to be involved.

“The Corn Exchange first approached us about taking on a smaller space,” said Lauren.

“But when we found out about the nail and brow bar idea, we thought ‘Well, if we’re going to do the event, we might as well do that!’

“As well as the nails and brows, which people can get a discount on if they pre-book online, we are also debuting the Elemis Christmas range, which will be a first look for the ladies of Edinburgh, and we’ve had a lot of  interest in that.”

And she added: “We’re all really excited, with that nervous-excited feeling you get because you don’t know how it’s going to go, but hopefully it will be a great weekend.”

So put on your lipstick and lipgloss and get pouting next weekend.

n Tickets for Pout Edinburgh and booking for beauty treatments can be made online at www.poutevent.com. Tickets are priced at £15 for both Saturday and Sunday, or £16.50 on the door. Preview tickets for Friday, September 14, are also  available, priced at £10.