Tan Tuesday- feature product

The first step before any tan application should be exfoliation. This helps to ensure an even tan application because the dry and dead skin cells are sloughed off leaving skin soft and fresh. There are many types of body exfoliants on the market- scrubs, loaffahs, exfoliating gloves, etc. When shopping for a body exfoliant to use prior to tanning make sure it doesn't leave an oily residue on the skin as this will have an adverse affect with the tanning product. 

HeShi Exfoliating Bodywash is a gentle foaming scrub that can be used in the shower. The fruit based Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) and micro-dermabrasion crystals smooth away dead skin cells. 

This product can be applied with the hands or with an exfoliating glove for a deeper exfoliation. Make sure you pay extra attention to rougher areas such as elbows, knees and heels. If using in preparation for tanning, towel dry and apply tanning product; and if not follow with a body moisturiser. Body exfoliation should be done 2-3 times a week, and can be done daily. 

Makeup Monday- minimise your holiday makeup

Whether you're going away for a weekend or a week, packing for a holiday can be tricky and every little bit adds up quite quickly for heavy luggage! 

Here's a quick packing guide for holiday makeup:

From left to right: 

1. Blush- Arbonne blush in Blossom because it works as a blush or bronzer. 

2. Tinted moisturiser- Dermalogica Ultra Sensitive Tint SPF 30- it has a high broad  factor sun protection and gives skin a healthy glow. 

3. Eyelash Curler- Tweezerman makes a good curler & it comes with extra inserts. 

4. Makeup Brushes- Victoria's Secret created this great travel pack with blusher brush, two eyeshadow brushes for contouring and an eyeliner brush. 

5. Liquid Liner- MAC liners work in any climate and add definition and enhance the eye for a day or evening look. 

6. Mascara- MAC prep + prime lash and mascara can be used to create a natural or glamourous look. 

7. Eyebrows- Sleek make a great eyebrow travel kit that contains a gel, powder, two mini brushes & tweezer. This combination keeps brows tidy and adds definition for all occasions. 

8. Multipurpose- MAC lustre drops can be used to boost foundation, add a glow to cheeks & eyes, or brighten dark circles. This multipurpose product is a great travel companion. 

I always have lippy in my bag, so haven't added this to the packing list but this picture shows a look that can take you from day to night on holiday with 10 simple items. I always keep a light 'daytime' colour and darker 'evening' lipstick in my bag for a quick day to evening change. 

Feature Friday- city break skin tips

Whether you live in the city or are going on a 'city break' for the weekend. Skincare is essential because all the additional elements can wreck havoc on your skin. 

Cities often contain additional pollution, harder water and a fast-paced lifestyle. Even if you're visiting the pace of life around you increases. These elemental changes can cause skin sensitivity, dehydration, and congestion. 

Deep Cleanse- To help combat the extra dirt, pollution, and oil secretions a deep cleanse is vital. Dermalogica recommends a double cleanse routine- the first cleanse gets rid of make-up, dirt, and sweat while the second cleanse actually cleans the skin. 

Hydration- dehydration occurs from lack of water in your body and in your skin. With busy lifestyles hydration often gets forgotten- both internally and externally. Remember to drink 2-3 litres of water a day to keep your body hydrated, and to increase this intake with caffeinated or alcoholic drinks and exercise. A hydrating spray, booster or serum can be added to your Skincare routine to help boost hydration levels- Hyaluronic Acid is a key ingredient in these items! 

Moisturiser- wearing apisturiser and the correct one for your skin type is vital in helping promote clear skin & protecting it from pollution and other free radicals. Get face mapped by your local Skincare professional to find out your skin type and use a daily moisturiser with an SPF 30 to protect against signs of ageing. 

Tan Tuesday- Q&A about self tanning

I had a message this week seeking advice for the following 3 questions about self tanning. 

1. Is it safe to use self tanner repetitively? 

Yes, the ingredients are not harmful. The dihydroxyacetone (DHA) found in most self tanning products is often made up of a sugary plant based substance that simulates the oxidisation of an apple, and that's what gives you the sunless tan. So, using this product again and again won't cause your body any harm, and it is a much safer way of sporting a tan that sunbathing! 

2. How do you avoid the "orange" oompa loopa results some self tanning products give? 

The best way to avoid the orange outcome is to patch test the product first.  Also many salon brands have researched and tested their self tanners so ensure that the result is not orange.  Some store bought product ranges don't specialise in self tanning products, so the products often don't create the desired result. 

3. If I have a special occasion I want to use a product for, how far in advance do you recommend I try the product for a 'test run'?

I would recommend a tanning trial at least two weeks in advance because that should be long enough for the sunless tan to wear off completely and if there is an allergic reaction then the skin should have calmed down before the event.  If you want to be overly cautious then try the product one month in advance, and if you're tanning yourself then it gives you a few chances to work on the application technique! 

Skincare Saturday- Spotlight on Spiezia

I was introduced to Spiezia Organic products a few years ago when my Aunt moved to Cornwall, where she discovered them in her local salon in Dartmouth. Having researched them further we set up a meeting with their sales and education team to have an introduction to the 100% Organic product skincare range. We got to see the plant where they create the products and this company was the first to achieve a 100% Organic certification across their ranges in 1999. 

One of my clients is an oncology nurse and I asked her to try the products and research the company to check that they really are pure and cancer friendly.  The managing director of Spiezia founded a charity called Made for Life to provide complimentary support for those diagnosed and recovering from cancer. The charity not only offer pampering using the product range, they're there for support in many other forms too! 

This range does not contain water so the organic products last six months once opened and very little product is necessary because of the dense concentration of ingredients. As with all product ranges some products are better and more effective than others. I don't find the facial cleanser leaves skin feeling as clean as others on the market, but their moisturisers and other products are lovely and can be used in several ways. 

- The intensive moisturiser can be used as a rich facial moisturiser, eye cream, to heal scar tissue and on stretch marks. 
- Soothing leg and foot balm is fantastic for runners and expectant mothers, but it can also be used as a deodorant.  
- Restorative Body Balm is great as a rich body moisturiser, used during pregnancy to prevent stretch marks, heal scar tissue, and is also great as on extra dry areas such as elbows and feet. 
- The baby range is great for all ages from expectant mothers, newborn and adults. The Baby Skin Salve can be used all over the body and is fantastic on nappy rash, milk rash, cradle cap, and other baby ailments that occur from birth. 
- Calendula Ointment is made with a plant that is known for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties.  It helps to sooth eczema, psoriasis, burns, nettle stings, verrucaes and much more.  It can also be used as a skincare product as a facial masque, lip balm, or as a hand balm. 

This award winning product range is handmade in Cornwall, United Kingdom with the finest quality of pure and naturally certified organic ingredients.  When 60% of what you put on your skin soaks into your body it is important to look at ingredients and this range is suitable from birth, during pregnancy, throughout cancer treatments, and for all skin types. 

Treatment Thursday- gel nails

The difference between a gel finish and a natural polish on nails is the durability and length of wear. There are many types of gel polish in the market now, and having used several different brands my favourites are Shellac by Creative and Gel Color by OPI. These ranges offer a great range if colours and the application is quick with an instant dry finish.  They also don't damage the natural nail because they are applied directly onto the nail without any abrasive buffing.  

OPI classic colour- Lincoln Park After Dark 

The New 2014 Fall Nordic Collection 

My Dogsled is a Hybrid

Removal and aftercare are important for natural nail health. Make sure you have your gel nails professionally removed instead of peeling them off as this removes a layer of the nail.  Cuticle oil helps to keep the nail and cuticles moisturised.  Wearing gloves whilst cleaning, doing dishes, or dealing with any type of chemicals, paint or detergent will prolong the wear of the gel and also protect your hands. Maintain that salon finish longer by having a gel manicure. 

Makeup Monday- Get the look

Be Inspired- Get the Look! 

Get the glow: Dermalogica Skin Perfect Primer 

Get the coverage: Dermalogica Sheer Tint Moisture SPF20, medium 

Get rosy- Arbonne blush, blossom 

Get the lips: MAC lipgloss, lychee luxe 

Get the eyes: 

MAC liquid liner, navy 

MAC pigment, teal 

MAC lustre drops, pink rebel 

MAC studio lights, skin lure 

MAC shadow, snow season 

MAC prep + prime, lash 

MAC zoom lash mascara, zoomblack 

Feature Friday- Face Map Our Nation event

September is national Skincare Month and Dermalogica have launched a nationwide theme called Face Map Our Nation.  If you've had a Dermalogica facial then you'll understand what the meaning of 'face mapping' is.  If not, it is the point in a facial when the skincare professional looks at your skin to decide what products suit your skin and to optimise the treatment outcome. The goal for all Dermalogica stockists is to face map as many people as possible, whether each client that comes into the salon for a treatment has their face mapped or each salon does an event.  The goal is to face map 200,000 people in the month of September. 

We held our event on a Tuesday evening 5.30-9.00 to suit working clients and those with families, so they could come after work and children's bedtime. Clients were greeted with a glass of bubbly or sparkling elderflower and canapés whilst they completed their consultation cards.  Then each client was able to view their face in the skin scanner as we face mapped their face, neck and decollate.  The skin scanner enables clients to see the facial area on a deeper level and helps them to understand the condition of their skin.  After each client received a product prescription they then participated in a skin bar session enabling them to try the products on their skin and ask further questions.

"I am blown away by what an effective sales tool that scanning machine was.  When faced with visual evidence of the condition of one’s skin it is impossible to ignore.  Thanks for including me!" -Susan

A quote from one happy participant, and we received many other positive comments about the evening.  Each client received a goodie bag with samples and a travel sized Daily Microfoliant and were entered into a raffle for a complimentary facial. The winner was a new client to Orchids Retreat, and she's getting married in a couple of weeks- lucky Gemma! 

Suncare Sunday

Skin health from sun up to sun down! 

                                  

Daylight Defense is a necessity for all skin types all year round. Not to use a scare tactic but skin cancer statistics in the UK have quadrupled since the 1970's. My mother-in-law works in the local doctor surgery and sees patients coming in to be checked, re-bandaged or referred on a daily basis! Now over 2,600 die a year from from skin cancer in the UK. It's on the increase internationally with the highest rates in the Oceania. 

3 Top Tips from International Dermalogica Experts: 

"When you are near water, snow, or at the beach, watch out as reflection can increase the intensity of UV. Make sure you are re-applying SPF every 2 hours and immediately after swimming." 

Arabella Lane, International Training Specialist

"It is advised to wear long sleeves, trousers, tightly woven fabrics, wide brim hat and large sunglasses that absorb UV. You can purchase clothes that have a UPF rating (ultraviolet protection factor), that block out both UVA and UBV. Some fabrics do a better job than others. Polyester is excellent, where-as cotton and rayon score low. UPF 50 indicates a fabric or garment will allow only 1/50th (approximately 2%) radiation to pass through." Sharon Maxwell, International Education Manager (Europe, Africa & Middle East) 

"Don't forget to apply your SPF daily even on a cloudy day.  Apply your sunscreen to all skin (face, ears, hands, neck, etc.) Look for a sunscreen that is broad spectrum, as this will protect against UVA/UVB protection.  If it does not say either, you may wish to look for another product." 

Victoria Convy- International Corporate Trainer 

Skincare Saturday- Best Skin Brightening

Dermalogica's C-12 Concentrate is known as the 'wow' product of the ChromaWhite range, if you were going to buy one product to mix with your current routine and also one that would help focus on pigmentation the C-12 Concentrate is the recommended product.  It has wind the Evening Herald 2013 Beauty Award  as the Best Skin Brightener.  'An effective brightening system which gets a big thumbs up from a few of our judges.' 

ChromaWhite has been formulated after extensive research into hyper pigmentation and product ingredients.  This range doesn't just target pigment-lightening it helps to optimise the end result with skin preparation to help prevent further pigmentation and promotes skin health. 

C-12 Concentrate is a highly-potent treatment that brightens the skin and targets discolouration to help even out the skin's clarity and overall tone.  Use this product twice daily after cleansing on directly onto areas of pigmentation.  Ingredients such as Palmaria Palmata, Phytic Acid and Ascophyllum Nodosum help to stop the triggers of melanin synthesis which causes pigmentation.  This velvety silicone based product absorbs quickly and helps to reinforce the skins barrier.  For the maximum results it is best to use this product as part of the whole ChromaWhite range and to always wear and spf 30 or above to protect against ultraviolet rays and further sun damage. 

Feature Friday- Chemical Peel

BioSurface Peel 

What is a chemical peel? Many of my clients ask me that when I refer the the new treatment being launched this month.  A chemical peel is accelerated exfoliation which is damage caused by hydroxy acids, Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA), and enzymes.  This controlled damage to the skin is what helps to regenerate the skin helping combat ageing and pigmentation, and helps boost collagen which resurfaces the skin to improve acne scarring and ageing. 

This week I went on class at Dermalogica to qualify in their newest and first instalment of peels.  This type of treatment is completely different from all of the other facials that Dermalogica offer because it is a more serious treatment that focuses on the clients sensation throughout the treatment and is the only company to use a biophasic method.  The biophasic method splits the active ingredients using a different concentration of acid and enzymes to to target a host of concerns. During the course of treatment up to five layers of acid can be applied to the skin to treat as deep at the basal cell layer, which is the bottom layer of the epidermis.  

The healing time from this treatment is much quicker than many chemical peels on the market and leaves skin with a fresher appearance. Healing can take from one to four days and some people don't have any down time with minor peeling.  The best results are noticed ten days after a treatment depending on the depth of the peel.  Three days post peel the cell regeneration begins and changes to the skin are noticed.  Once this re-epithelialisation begins the skin may appear darker around pigmented areas, feel dry and be a bit flaky.  This is just the dead skin cells coming to the surface and once they are exfoliated the skin is left feeling soft and smooth. 

Picture 1. Before Treatment              Picture 2. After three layers of acid 

 Left: De-celerator application which helps to heal, repair, sooth and calm the skin. 

Right: Post treatment (note: no redness!) 

After the treatment skincare is very important and an aftercare kit is given with every facial to ensure clients are using the correct products and looking after their skin post treatment. Depending on the skin concern a course of up to six facials is recommended to achieve the desired results.