Facial Tips and Q&A

SKINCARE’S SECRET WEAPONS

Those little skincare gems to add to your routine and give your complexion the winning edge:
A good basic skincare routine of cleansing and moisturising is the beginning to a wonderful complexion, but there are times when your skin needs a little extra oomph. A new boyfriend to impress? A school reunion to attend? For those occasions when you want to pull out all the stops, add these little skincare beauties to your regular routine and you’ll be reaping the benefits in no time.

Applying a face mask once a week will keep skin in good condition, especially if it contains a cocktail of Essential Oils and Fruit Extracts to purify dull skin. Decleor Radiance Revealing Peel-Off Mask, £25.50, will leave you looking radiant.
A fabulous eye cream is a vital addition to your skincare routine. Decleor Relaxing Eye Cream, £35.50, uses a selection of plant active ingredients to get to work on dark circles and wrinkles. Tap it on gently around the eye area twice a day with your ring finger to pep up a sluggish circulation.
All skin types benefit from a skin reviver such as Decleor Natural Exfoliating Cream, £24.50. Formulated to gently absorb and eliminate impurities, it helps stimulate the cellular renewal process and skin takes on a healthy glow

GREAT SKIN FROM WITHIN

Any skincare expert will tell you that it isn’t only what you do on the outside to your skin that determines its condition; it also has a lot to do with how well you treat your body as a whole: what you eat and drink, how much exercise you take, your stress levels. In fact, everything we do on a daily basis has a major effect on our complexion. An holistic (whole body and mind) approach to looking after your skin will enhance a good skincare routine and ensure you look and feel fabulous inside and out. Top London beauty therapist and owner of The Buty Salons in Hammersmith and Fulham, Sam Wimalaweera, shares her advice for looking and feeling fantastic:

A healthy diet is essential to make sure your skin is getting all the nutrients it needs to look radiant. Every day try to include plenty of juicy, sweet fruits and fresh vegetables which are rich in antioxidants to protect skin from damaging free radicals which are reactive oxygen based chemicals linked to ageing and disease.
Flush away skin clogging toxins by drinking 8 glasses of water a day.
Don’t avoid good fats in your diet. Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), found in foods such as oily fish like tuna and mackerel, walnuts, pumpkin and flax seeds and dark green leafy vegetables such as broccoli can help keep the skin lubricated and improve dry, flaky skin and scalp.
Beauty sleep isn’t a myth! Aim to snooze for 8 hours a night as it’s during this time that the skin effectively repairs itself. Not enough sleep leads to bags and dark circles under the eyes and lacklustre skin.
Stress is one of the bodies biggest enemies which means it can wreak havoc on your skin. Avoid it as best you can by incorporating some relaxation into your day with gentle yoga, a mind-clearing walk or pilates. Meditation, a warm aromatherapy bath and massage can all bring big beauty benefits.
Limiting sun exposure will definitely help slow down the ageing process. Make sure you wear a high SPF when you’re in the sun, regardless of your skin colour and stay out of the sun at its hottest, between 12-3.

SKIN PROBLEMS SOLVED

ACNE: Regardless of skin type and lifestyle, acne is one of the most common and stubborn skin complaints effecting around 80% of us at some point in our lives. It’s primarily caused by a family of hormones called androgens which cause blocked pores and lead to overactive sebum production. With bacteria and sebum trapped inside pores the skin becomes inflamed causing spots which are commonly situated on face, neck, back and chest. Acne can make life a misery for some men, women and young adults, but happily, today’s modern advances in skincare means that there are now options out there to dramatically improve spots and blemishes.

IPL ACNE TREATMENT: The therapist uses a hand held device which emits intense yellow, green and red light in a series of short pulses on the area to be treated. Yellow/green light destroys the acne causing bacteria in the skin while the red light directly targets overactive sebaceous glands. Heat from the light causes shrinkage of inflamed sebaceous glands, preventing over production of oil and also stimulates collagen, boosting the skin’s healing process and improving skin tone.

£100.00 - 30min

BOOK TREATMENT

30min | Depending on the severity of acne, a course of between 6-12 are usually required

THREAD VEINS: Rather than the commonly termed ‘broken capillaries’, these are really dilated capillaries. With very thin walls, capillaries constantly dilate and constrict and as we age, these vessels lose their elasticity and can become permanently dilated. Apart from ageing, other causes are hereditary, pregnancy, hormonal changes, energetic exercise, extreme temperatures and skin fragility.

IPL VASCULAR (THREAD VEIN): The therapist guides the visible light from the hand held piece to the blood vessels needing treatment. Haemoglobin in the blood absorbs the light, converting it into heat which destroys the protein in the wall of the thread vein. As a result, the veins will gradually and safely disappear after treatment.

£63.00 - 15min

BOOK TREATMENT

EXCESS FACIAL HAIR: Unwanted, hair in men and women is caused by the male hormone testosterone which is often in overdrive during times such as puberty, pregnancy or the menopause. The texture and amount of hair you have can be a family trait and is usually more common in women from Southern Europe, the Mediterranean and some parts of Asia. Most affected areas are the upper lip and chin and sides of face.

IPL HAIR REMOVAL: The high energy pulses of light are directed at the follicles (hair roots)where growth takes place. The red light is absorbed by the pigment (melanin)in the hair shaft, causing temperature to rise and destroy the hair follicle. The yellow light targets blood supply to the growth cells in the follicle, resulting in further inhibition of hair re-growth. Multiple treatments are required as only hair follicles in the growth phase respond to treatment and so there is usually a 6-10 week interval between hair removal treatments. After each treatment hair growth takes longer, while less hair grows and is much thinner than before.

Note: IPL destroys between 60-90% of growing hairs at each treatment.

IPL Lip and Chin: £42 for 10min or £178 for a course of ten	BOOK (1)TREATMENT
	BOOK FULL (10) COURSE

IPL Sides of face: £63 for 15 min or £567 for course of ten	BOOK TREATMENT
	BOOK FULL (10) COURSE

Q&A

We asked the highly skilled beauty therapist from London salons, Buty Salon, to let you into their top tips for a lifetime of lustrous skin:

Lynsey Oluwo, 20, Position Manager of The Buty Salons.

Q. What’s the best facial you’d recommend for most women?
A. Decleor Facials without a doubt! Not only are they totally relaxing but the products leave your skin looking and feeling revived and rejuvenated. I love doing these facials as I can see immediate results and the client leaves feeling pampered.

Q. Apart from regular facials, what are the skincare basics that every woman should have in their bathroom cabinet?
A. Cleanser, Toner and Moisturiser. I believe that these are essential for everyone to have and should be done twice a day.

Q. What do you consider the best way to achieve a fabulous complexion?

A. I think there are 4 essential things that need to be done to achieve this goal and that is to cleans, tone and moisturise twice a day, eat a balanced healthy diet, drink plenty of water and do regular exercise. These 4 things won’t only give you a fabulous complexion but will make you feel fabulous.

TOP TIP: There isn’t a specific age to start looking after your skin but preventing is better than correcting so try to get into good skincare habits by your late 20’s.

Carolina Prado, 24, Area Manager of The Buty Salons.

Q. What are your favourite facials?

A. I particularly enjoy CACI and enjoy watching my clients becoming happier and more excited at the improvement in their skin after each one.

Q. What’s involved in a normal consultation?

A. We give the client a skin analysis and discuss their main concerns. We can then recommend products and a suitable routine and provide them with after care advice.

Q. What’s products shouldn’t we live without?

A. A good quality cleanser for their specific skin type, a daily moisturiser and an eye cream.

Q. What advice would you give women who wants to improve their skincare routine but isn’t sure where to start?

A. Go to your local salon and have a consultation. They should be free and you can ask questions and receive expert advice.

TOP TIP: When you find the right therapist for you, stick with her, as she will know your needs and expectations.

SHAKE UP YOUR MAKEUP

Fabulous skin is the canvas for great looking makeup but when it comes to covering up those imperfections and enhancing what nature has blessed you with, then there’s no substitute for a makeup bag of beauty marvels!

Ace your base:
If there’s any makeup product worth spending money on, then a good foundation is it. High quality ingredients mean a smoother, more natural looking coverage and many of today’s bases also include special touches such as light reflecting particles to minimise wrinkles and skin brighteners to lift the complexion.

To get the correct shade, try foundation on your jaw line then check it in natural daylight. The least noticeable shade is the right one for you.
Don’t wear your foundation like a mask, smooth on only where it’s needed such as areas where skin is prone to redness like around the nose and the chin.
If you have particularly good skin, experiment with tinted moisturisers to even out skin tone and skip foundation.
Use a good concealer to eliminate dark shadows and blemishes.

Blush up! A pop of colour on cheeks will give you a fresh look and keep skin from looking dull.

If you are over 40 or your skin is on the dry side, use a cream or gel formulation rather than powder which tends to collect in wrinkles.
When applying blusher, smile and smooth a dab of colour on the round part of the cheeks blending it upwards until it disappears.
A little blush on the forehead, tip of nose and chin livens up the complexion.

Bright Eyes: Accentuating eyes can improve your looks drastically, so get practising!

As with blusher, creamier shadows give a more youthful look to mature skins. Over 20s should also steer clear of too much glitter – it’s strictly for the teens!
A taupe shade suits most eye colours and looks good swept across the lid before applying a darker shade in the crease and blending it up and outwards.
Use a brown or black pencil as close to the upper lashes as possible, then smudge with a cotton bud for a soft, smoky look.
Black mascara is great on dark eyes, but a brown/black can look more flattering on those with lighter eyes and complexions. Wait for your first coat of mascara to dry before applying the second for added oomph. And if you want to curl your lashes, make sure you do this before adding mascara as you could damage your lashes.

Lovely Lips: A well applied lip colour will add the finishing touch to your looks.

Lipstick will last longer if you fill in your lips with a nude colour lip liner first, then slick over your colour.
Applying lip liner after you’ve applied lipstick can sometimes look more natural looking, so experiment and see what suits you. However, never try to draw in a lipline as once lipstick wears off, you’ll end up looking like a clown!
If you want to make lips look plumper avoid matte colours and go for a creamier, glossy texture. Dark colours tend to make lips look thinner too, so steer clear of these.

Need a makeup masterclass? Ask an expert for their advice. At The Buty Salon, a 30 minute makeup costs £32, so whether you want a new look for a special occasion or you’re just after some top tips, you’ll love the salon looking beautiful and you’ll be clued up on what looks and makeup products are perfect for you.

COSMETIC ENHANCEMENT WITHOUT THE KNIFE

If you’d like to give nature a helping hand yet you don’t want to go down the surgery route, then there a couple of options you could consider:

Restylane: This is a crystal clear gel made up of non animal hyaluronic acid and water. Hyaluronic acid is a tissue friendly substance closely resembling the hyaluronic acid that occurs naturally in the body. By replenishing nature’s supply of hyaluronic acid, Restylane revitalises and plumps up the skin, diminishing lines and giving a softer look.

Good for: Injecting into facial lines to fill out creases and wrinkles. It’s particularly good for nose to mouth lines and for a natural, fuller lip line. This is a non permanent treatment and effects last for around 4 months.
Price: from £220

Botox: This is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium Botulinum bacterium. It has been used safely as a muscle relaxant since 1980 for the treatment of many ophthalmic and neurological conditions when it was recognised for its major rejuvenating effects on wrinkles.

Good for: Reducing moderate to severe frown lines between the brows and softening lines around the eyes and on the forehead for up to 4 months.
Price: from £220

EYES THAT MESMERISE

The notion that our eyes are ‘the windows to our soul’ isn’t just romantic drivel. Think about it. You can pretty much tell how someone is feeling through their eyes – when you’re happy or sad or if you’re worried or in love. Our eyes give the game away and show just what we’re feeling inside. So look after them and give them something to smile about!

Along with our lips, the skin around our eyes is the most delicate on our face and its one of the first areas to show signs of ageing. Give your peepers some TLC with Decleor Vital Eyes. This unique intensive anti-ageing treatment instantly melts away tension, reducing puffiness and dark shadows as well as diminishing all traces of fatigue. It costs £49 for a 45 minute treatment.
A 30 minute CACI Super Eye Treatment, £44, will definitely firm the muscles surround the area and give your eyes a natural lift while helping to soften wrinkles.
Having your eyebrows professionally shaped can knock years off your looks. Many top makeup artists believe great eyebrows frame the face, open up the eye area and give you a younger, wide awake look. If you’re not keen on attempting your brow shape at home, try salon waxing which is often the easiest and quickest method to get the brows tidy and shapely. £12 for 15 minutes.
If you suffer from sparse eyebrows you can define the area by using a brow pencil to gently feather on little strokes in the direction of your hair growth. Make sure that you choose a colour that’s not too harsh for your skin tone otherwise it can look unnatural . A light brown or sable colour works well on light to medium skin tones. Alternatively, try an eyebrow tint at the salon to get brows just right. £12.
Thick, dark lashes are top of most of our beauty wish lists, so why not improve the look of yours with an eyelash tint to make them look longer and eyes look bigger. £16 for 30minutes.
A relatively new procedure in salons is eyelash perming where lashes are treated with a special glue and then wrapped around a mini sponge textured roller. While your eyes are shut, the perming solution is applied to the upturned lash and left to set for a few minutes before washing off. The result is perfectly flipped up lashes which look fantastic. Having an eyelash tint at the same time will take minutes off your beauty routine if you regularly curl lashes and apply mascara. £60.

BEAUTY TIPS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

Take inspiration from our sisters around the world and try out the failsafe beauty secrets that keep them looking fabulous:

India: Thick, lustrous hair is a beauty trademark of Indian women. They like to massage warm coconut oil into their hair and leave it on overnight to keep it gleaming and in perfect condition.

Australia: The Aussies make great use of their natural home grown antiseptic – teatree oil. Try adding a couple of drops to your cleanser or moisturiser to treat acne or to relieve sunburn. Added to shampoo, teatree oil may help improve dandruff too.

China: We might have heard of the benefits of green tea, but the Chinese swear by the beauty boosting antioxidants in White Tea and drink it daily.

Brazil: those body beautiful Brazilian girls know how to keep their skin super smooth. They grab a handful of ordinary beach sand and rub it in circular movements over their thighs and buttocks to keep cellulite at bay

Japan: Geisha girls are famous for their flawless skin and rumour has it that they apply Camellia Nut Oil morning and night to keep it blemish free.