Facials

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Most of us lead busy lives and taking care of our skin isn’t always as high on our list of priorities as we’d hope. Skin needs a thorough cleansing session at least once a week to prevent it from looking dull, but a daily beauty routine should be followed if possible. However some women can go over the top with cleansers and exfoliators, vigorously stripping their skin of its natural defences and essential nutrients. It’s often hard to know exactly how we should be caring for our skin and with so many products available it can also be hard to know where to start.

A beauty professional will be able to look at your skin and recommend the best products to use (e.g. products for oily, dry or normal skin) and offer advice on the most appropriate routine for you. They will also be able to offer treatments, such as a facial, to restore a brighter, glowing complexion. Although a good facial will leave you glowing when you leave the salon, it’s important to know that there are other factors determining how skin looks, such as smoking and the amount of water you drink.

What is a facial?

A facial is a beauty treatment to restore a radiant, healthy complexion. Most treatments will involve cleansing the skin to get rid of any dead skin, using toner to clean away dirt and unblock pores and moisturising to rehydrate and brighten the skin. Most facials will also involve a massage to leave you feeling pampered, relaxed and refreshed.

Facials can also involve creams, oils, gels and even oxygen jets, so it’s best to enquire about the treatment beforehand. Some facials involve a consultation with a beauty professional before the treatment to assess skin type and texture, and to tailor the facial around the individuals needs. If you’re particularly unsure about your skin and how to care for it, this may be a good idea for you.

A facial can last between 15 minutes to an hour and a half depending on the treatment you go for. Once the treatment is over, your skin should look and feel soft and fresh.

How can I make sure my glowing complexion lasts?

If your beauty routine consists of splashing water over your face or quickly removing the day’s make-up with a harsh make-up remover then your skin will almost certainly not be looking its best. If you’re always wondering how other people have such a radiant complexion (without any make-up) but yours always looks dull and lifeless then it may be time to start thinking over your beauty routine. A facial will help your complexion in the short term but it’s up to you to ensure it stays looking radiant and healthy in between treatments.

It’s important that skin is kept clean otherwise it won’t be able to kick-start the cell renewal process that helps keep it looking young. So cleanser, toner and moisturiser should be used every day, whichever skin type you have. You’ll need to base the products around your skin type, so if you have an oily complexion, go for products that are formulated to help oily skin etc.

Try to exfoliate at least once a week and apply a face mask as part of your beauty routine to boost your skin. If your skin’s left red and tight you’ve probably been too harsh, or the product isn’t right for you – try out new products, be gentle and take your time! Finally, try to drink at least two litres of water a day, eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and quit smoking to ensure your skin is healthy and hydrated.

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