You know that moment when you think to yourself... 'no more messing... I've got to start looking after my skin properly!' Well a while ago I had THAT moment... I've always been very good at the old 'cleanse, tone and moisturise' and I could open a shop with all the face packs I have... and whilst it's lovely to sit in the bath and wallow in a chocolate flavoured mud mask like a hippo... you need to invest in some skincare that will actually WORK in your favour...
Months ago, I went for a Dermalogica Facial, and it was one of the best investments I've made in a long time... I have very sensitive skin, rosy cheeks and the ridiculous 'T-zone' that's suppose to be reserved for teenagers, so I get spots and dry patches too, so its ALL fun and games... After a series of 5 of these and knowing what products I should be using, the dry patches are gone and my skin is in much better condition...
When my fav beauty-therapist-guru Amy suggested I should try the 'iS Fire & Ice medi-facial' by iS Clinical, I was all over it... This is the one that Halle Berry has all the time!
iS stands for Innovative Skincare and it really is... this stuff works on your skin.. you can feel it working even days after... and it isn't a long luxurious facial, where you get a shoulder rub and you're left to have a lil nap with soothing music... these products are at the clinical end of skincare products so they're working for their money and you can see the results pretty much instantly ... The 'Fire & Ice Facial' is a re-surfacing peel, as close as you'll get to a chemical peel without sitting in the dark, scaring small children and we all remember this...
But fear not ... this does the same job and you only look a little flushed after it!
So, it goes like this...
Cleanse - The cleansing complex has a gentle exfoliant in it to get rid of all the make up and residues on your face... it's also got salicylic acid in it too, so it starts off the 'anti ageing' buzz on your skin...
Then... the 'FIRE' part... The Intensive Resurfacing Masque (on the left) ... This is like a warm tingly cinnamon bun on your face... you can feel it working instantly and it smells like a Christmas candle! Depending on your skin type and sensitivity, your therapist will know how long to leave it for... I had it on for 3 minutes exactly, being in the 'rosy cheeked sensitive' club... it was actually very pleasant... but what I really liked was I could feel it working...
This is followed by the 'ICE' part, in the form of the Rejuvenating Masque (on the right) which is AWESOME... it's got aloe vera, green tea, grape seed extract and again it's all natural ingredients... it's SO cooling and refreshing... again it was only on my skin for a few minutes before the after care products, which will again depend on your skin type...
As it's tailored to each individual, the Pro-Heal Serum was the one for me... this product has been the game changer if I'm honest, over the following 4/5 days a few drops of this absorbed into my skin has made a huge difference especially to the rosacea... It has never been exceptionally bad but after my two weeks in the sun even with my SPF 50 on my face it was rearing it rosy head again with the autumn winds kicking in... After a couple of days this had calmed it right down...
and finally the Extreme Protect SPF 30 and you all know how I rant on about SPFs!
Now, there are other products in the range for different skin types, there's Hydra-cool serum for dehydrated skin and acne, Super serum which is more anti ageing and focused on fine lines and wrinkles... and loads more... but your therapist will be know what your skin needs best...
The best part of these for me, having sensitive skin, is they are made with all natural ingredients, so you're not going to have a mad reaction to anything! The main ingredient in the Resurfacing Masque (the fire one) is sugar cane, which is a natural source of glycolic acid! Who knew?! I'm all about reading ingredients and now its on face creams!
There's loads of products in the range, the 'Fire & Ice facial' is one of the more popular ones with celebs and, get this, it's the best selling treatment in the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills! I KNOW!! Move over Halle Berry!
I know I'm not a beauty blogger but sometimes you come across something that's not weight related and just makes you feel good and a week on, my skin is STILL looking better every day! People are saying the holiday did me the world of good but they'll never know!
Vanity Rooms have also put together a little mini 'after care' bag of products after the first facial for a reduced cost... the full size products are expensive... it's a fab way to try them out without spending lots of money on something that might not be for you...
The iS range of treatments isn't available everywhere so you'll need to have a google, I'm lucky enough be close enough to Vanity Rooms in Stepaside where it is available... All the products are on sale there and they'll only give you the best advice for you and your skins needs...
Check their facials >>> HERE <<<
There's no better feeling when you feel good about yourself... and if your skin is something you constantly struggle with then it's worth investing the time and energy to get it sorted... it really can be something very small thats irritating it and it can be sorted out so easily with the right products ...
With the Christmas Challenge kicking off this week, people will start asking over the coming weeks what presents you want, this will be on my list for Santa! If it's not your kinda thing, I would highly recommend the Dermalogia facials, which just leave your skin feeling SO good... (AND you do get a lil nap and soothing music) so pens out ... Dear Santa...
