Recommended Facialists - Teresa Tarmey

I've had a lot of facials. A LOT. At one point in my career, my job was testing every facial in town. I know. Hard work, but someone had to do it. As much as I love giving facials, my current back and ongoing whiplash situation mean it would be foolhardy and unwise for me to give facials in the near future. Certainly not in 2015. So I thought I would post about my favourite facialists - and share the joy. ;)

Last week, at the invitation of Cloud 9 Solutions, Teresa Tarmey pummelled my skin within an inch of its life. And it was glorious. Teresa's massage is the closest I have found to my own. Intense, targeted and firm. No messing about. That's where our similarities end however, as Teresa also offers peels, laser for pigmentation issues, LED light therapy, skin rejuvenation therapy and the Venus Viva treatment. She's truly brilliant.

And the best part? No faff. We bonded over our lack of desire for arm and hand massages and long neck massages during a 'facial'. Like I said in one of my earliest posts, 'please fix my face, if I want a body massage that's what I'll book in for'. Teresa gets more done in an hour than most do in two.

I'm almost loathe to tell you about it - she's already hard to see, I don't want to make it even harder, but I am always asked about facialists that I recommend, and I cannot recommend Teresa highly enough. She's based in North London, and is worth the trip if you don't live nearby.

www.teresatarmey.com
@teresatarmey

Cloud 9 Skin Solutions

The Experts. The Facialists. Amanda Lacey.

I'm so frequently asked about favourite brands and facialists that I figured it was time to start showcasing them a little more.

If I was forced to pick one facial to have for the rest of my life I'd probably go for Amanda Lacey's. You know when someone is just excellent at what they do? That is Amanda. The surroundings are immaculate - always - and the hands are warm and firm and leave your skin looking like you've had a rest. Which is what I always, always, need. No-one removes milia better. No-one.

Unlike the trend in recent years, she has no interest in discussing her celebrity clients. None. She would be mortified if she was mentioned as a 'celebrity facialist' - equally, she has zero interest in being famous herself. Completely refreshing and old school. 

Amanda also makes some of my favourite products of all time. I have long been obsessed with the Cleansing Pomade, whilst the Camellia Oil and Oils of Provence Oils will never not be in my arsenal. As well as the hands, Amanda has a nose to rival most fragrance houses, her perfumes, body products and candles are just beyond.

I'm regularly asked for advice on entering the beauty industry so I grabbed Amanda for a quick Q & A this week to get her take on a few things....

How did you end up as a facialist? Was it something you always wanted to do and therefore a straightforward path? Or something you discovered you loved almost by accident?

I guess after my beauty training at the age of 23.  I only ever wanted to own my own business and create beautiful products.  It’s interesting, beauty, it kind of grew on me, and I've had a love affair with it ever since...

I receive a lot of queries about training – some of them seem to be asking for the quickest route to a qualification. Where did you train and how important do you think the basic level of training is?

I trained at Joan Price's Beauty School in Chelsea, London.  Joan was the Beauty Editor at Harper ‘s Bazaar many years ago, so an important figure in the British Beauty scene.  The basic level of training for any therapist is of the upmost importance. Try and always go for a school with heritage and immaculate credentials. (Amen to THAT - CH)

What do you think the best reason for having a facial is? Is it for the results or the feel-good factor – or both?

 I feel when you are having a facial, it is important to experience a sense of well-being and of course overall excellent results. So both!

What is your favourite part of what you do?   

I really have to say, I am very blessed, in that I love every aspect of my job.

What is your favourite skincare product outside of your own range? 

Sisley Ecologique Compound. 

Thanks to Amanda for taking the time to answer my Q's. More Facialists to follow!

More information on Amanda Lacey can be found on her website www.AmandaLacey.com. Queries to jess@amandalacey.com.

Do yourself a favour. Go.

*I have no business affiliation with Amanda Lacey. She's just very good at what she does. 

Fortnum & Mason Bespoke Facial

I had an amazing facial this week. You may think Fortnum & Mason is good for hampers and tea - but their Beauty Rooms are a hidden treasure tucked away at the back of the second floor.

I saw Sarah Brown - their Salon Manager - and was not disappointed.

Sarah has been with Fortnum's since the Beauty Rooms opened and is my kind of facialist.

This is a proper, traditional, maintenance facial where you go to get your skin sorted. No whale music, chiming of bells *shoots self* or incense.

Sarah uses a mixture of Sisley, Aromatherapy Associates and own-sourced products for the treatment. She took a full history via a questionnaire and actually read it before the treatment - again - rare. She then asked every question I wanted to hear: How was the bed? How was the temperature (heated bed obviously..)? Was I happy with the music? Would I prefer it off?

The sequence is roughly as follows:

·         Sisley Cleanser with Sage and Grapefruit toner - beautiful.

·         Double Cleanse using rose exfoliator, contains damask rose and jojoba beads which gently remove dead skin.  Follow with toner.

·         Exfoliation using dermabrasion- very mild setting to improve skin tone, brightness and complexion.  This will assist with penetration of other products and improve texture - best dermabrasion I've ever had.

·         A layer of Aloe Vera gel onto the cheeks to protect capillaries and avoid sensitivity under the steam - added Lavender essence to the steam - took care of my face whilst making sure I had every opportunity to relax.

·         Gentle extraction over cheeks and nose. Sarah also removed my milia. JOY!

·         Cleanse to clean and refresh skin, remove excess crystals.

·         Apply Sisley eye contour mask to barrier the eyes whilst using oil to massage. Massage with Aromatherapy Associates supersensitive facial oil with chamomile - amazing - can't believe I haven't used this before.

·         Remove with hot mitts and lavender essence.

·         Apply Sisley express flower gel mask- during this she used high frequency over congested areas- this will have an antibacterial and germicidal effect on the skin to heal and prevent further break outs - spots dried up next morning.

·         Apply Sisley Sisleya firming serum , Ecologique moisturiser and All Day All Year Sun Protection. 

I'm regularly contacted by students or people looking into doing beauty therapy. Those of you in college or just starting out would do well to use the above as a 'How To'. It was pretty much perfect.

Her station was so perfect I asked her if I could take a picture of it to show as a 'how-to' for would-be facialists before I left.
Above you can see steam machine, immaculate trolley, high frequency and dermabrasion to give you the basics. Out of sight is the mag lamp, hot towel cabinet *bliss* and sink. You may think 'Why is she going on about this stuff?' Because it's important. Everything in that station is designed to give your therapist the best tools to work with to fix your face - at arms length.

I've had some dire facials recently - this was just what I needed to restore my faith.

Bespoke facials at The Beauty Rooms start at £85.00 for an hour. Go for the 90 minutes though. Trust me.

More info here.

* I was a guest of Fortnum & Mason. But I'll be going back. I've already booked in for Reflexology next week.

OSKIA Signature Glow Facial & Skin Smoothing Massage Candle - Review

I didn't go into the beauty business expecting to be paid for reviewing and trialling facials and treatments. It just organically happened. In a really wonderful way. Sometimes it's not fun - when the therapist or the products just don't 'work', I cannot wait to get off the bed.

And sometimes you have a treatment with the perfect product, in the perfect spot, with the perfect pair of hands. Step forward OSKIA and Abigail James.

Set in Covent Garden, the OSKIA rooms are above yoga studios, which immediately sets the tone in a really calm, peaceful manner (removing your shoes to climb the stairs seems appropriate, not over the top).

Not me. Obvs.

What's good about it?

The OSKIA products lend themselves wonderfully to treatments and the routine is along these lines:

• Double cleanse with hot towels (amen)
• Exfoliate using the Micro Exfoliating Balm reviewed recently here 
• Hot oil massage (see below)
• Steam/extraction - if appropriate/requested
• Tissue massage
• Renaissance mask
• Exfoliate and massage arms and hands
• Finishing with sitting up, leaning forward and hot compresses and work on the back (you will groan at this point - not in a 50 Shades way - but you will groan - in a stress being pushed out of your body thank-you-very-much way)

The mixture of Abigail's experience and these glorious products is amazing. Abigail has been added to my list of 'great hands' and I'll be going back for more treatments. She's the kind of therapist, that as a therapist (me), makes you strive to keep learning and be a better therapist.

While all of the products used were beautiful - and I will be reviewing the ones that I haven't already in the near future, I need to take a minute to talk about this:

There is no run-of-the-mill massage oil used in this treatment - OSKIA's massage oil comes from freshly melted candle wax scented with Rose de Mai and is as close to perfection as you will get for massage. I have always warmed oils before using them during treatments - no point in putting them on cold - not tactile, not pleasurable and takes longer to really get the massage going. I smelt this on Abigail's hands as they hovered above my face and as soon as she made contact shouted 'WHAT is THAT??!!!' I think I made her jump. Poor love.

Ironically, given my known dislike of mineral oil - one of the best things during a facial is a bloody good oil under a paraffin wax mask. The heat seals in the oil and your skin is nothing short of remarkable afterwards when the mask is peeled away. Amanda Lacey does this brilliantly in her treatments.

This candle gives you the ability to do something similar - at home - in the comfort of your own surroundings. There is no paraffin here - hence its ability to be used as the massage element rather than the overall mask. Its a mixture of soybean, beeswax and coconut oils. It's also scented with Rose de Mai - swimming with happy Chantecaille memories for me.

Utter bliss.

What's bad about it?

It's not widely available in the UK. You need to come to London. Honestly, that's about it.

OSKIA Signature Glow Facial - 4/5 - purely for limited distribution reasons

Skin Smoothing Massage Candle - 5/5

More information about the OSKIA Boutique Beauty Rooms can be found here and Abigail James here.

More information about the amazing to-die-for candle can be found here. 

Disclosure:

I was a guest of OSKIA. A very grateful one.

No affiliate links.

Best of 2011 - Facial

Kicking off the 'Best of' series of posts for 2011 is Best Facial.

I know facials. You can usually get a really good facial or really good value for money. It's hard to find something that combines the two. Especially in the London area. So I was thrilled to find Suti this year.

The Suti Core Facial is £65.00 and worth every penny. It's on the relaxing/pampering side of facials so is perfect for you if you haven't had a facial before, are planning for a big event or just need downtime while someone fixes your skin.

For me, it was plumping, smoothing and hydrating and the effects lasted around a week.  

Suti is a very small company on the brink of the big time. Owned by sister-in-laws Suzannah and Tina, Suti is a small capsule collection of everything I love about skincare. Balms, oils and tonics that are soothing, healing, nourishing and predominantly organically derived.

Suzannah works out of Barnes and the other practitioners are also based in the South East. The good news is that Suti are looking for salons and spas with a similar ethos to take on their treatments throughout the UK so that could change soon.

Suti products are priced between £18.00 and £26.00 and are available from Nutribeauty.

For more information on Suti including their facials or how to become a stockist email them here. 

*The Suti Facial I had was complimentary - but I will be going back and happily handing over my own ££.

Cheat Sheet - What facial?

Despite their popularity and the continued growth of spas and salons - the average woman in the UK has a facial 'as a treat' across three occasions, a birthday, Christmastime/celebration or their wedding.

There is nothing more frustrating than looking forward to something, paying out good money and coming away feeling dissatisfied so I thought a general guide of what to have and when might prove useful.

Most facials contain the following steps:

Cleanse

Exfoliation (sometimes with steam)

Extraction

Massage

Mask

Application of product

Types of facial

Maintenance

Will include massage, extractions, steam and possibly machinery

Pampering

Lots of massage, possible steam and lots of masks/serums

Cleansing

Massage, clay masks, steam, extractions

Anti-ageing 

Machinery such as microdermabrasion, light therapy, galvanic, Caci and serums/massage

Acne

Deep cleanse, exfoliation, extraction, masks

There are lots of facials on offer - this is just a broad spectrum to give you a basic idea.

Getting married

You don't want to walk down the aisle on the biggest day of your life with a beetroot face or spots. If you want to gear up for your wedding and you skin needs a little help...

• Try and start around 4 months before - 6 if you can afford it
• Have a couple of maintenance facials 6 weeks apart and then a pampering facial a couple of days before the big day itself
• Avoid machinery, extractions and anything you haven't had before on the last facial before the wedding

If your dress is backless or low on the back - consider a back facial. All those people staring at your back acne while you're saying your vows. Eeww.

Celebrations

If you fancy a one-off treat for a special occasion go for pampering. 

• You want something that includes plenty of massage, masks, serums and moisturisers to leave your skin plumped up and bouncy - something that will last for around 48 hours.
• Avoid extractions or too much steam which can leave you red faced and dehydrated
• This is not the time to have a go at those spots

Facials with a purpose

If you have any of the following...

Sensitive - avoid steam, deep clay masks, most machinery - especially microdermabrasion and blackhead extraction 

Rosacea - avoid steam. deep clay masks, fruit acids, microdermabrasion

Acne - avoid mineral oil massage - ask what they are using for massage - a LOT of brands and more surprisingly, well-known facialists use mineral oil as a massage lubricant

Ageing - avoid too much steam

If you are receiving chemotherapy or recently finished treament - avoid massage. Especially lymph drainage massage. Most good facialists should ask you to fill in a questionnaire before your treatment to highlight any concerns anyway - if they don't, leave. Simple as.

I've written previously on what to expect from a good facial - this will hopefully just give a little guidance as to which type to spend your money on.

Anne Semonin Facial Offer at Liberty

I've raved about Anne Semonin facials before - and this week you have the perfect opportunity to try the facials out for yourself in the beautiful Liberty Queen Mary room (if you were a Queen you'd have your own private shopping room wouldn't you?)

Excuse the visual - I was about to have a facial. Giddyness. See that hot towel caddy? Bliss.

If you have always wanted to try Anne Semonin products and need a facial these opportunities are made for you. For £50.00 - redeemable against any two products, you get a 60 minute fully customised facial. And it's a bloody good facial. A real facial. Readers of this blog will know what a fussy cow I am. So go. And if you can't make time this week - they're doing two other weeks on the following dates:
Sunday 20th - Saturday 26th November
Sunday 8th - Saturday 14th January 

If you're a lover of potions and lotions and creams and oils get thee to Liberty stat.
Call 0207 734 1234 for appointments.

More info on Anne Semonin

The Hall of Fame - Anne Semonin and the best facial I ever had....

I should have hated everything about my first Anne Semonin facial.

It was in Le Hotel Bristol in Paris - gorgeous settings...well no - not really, more like a building site at the time. The new spa was being built and there was scaffolding to contend with...
Polite, attentive staff - well, no not really - I'm not one for sweeping generalisations but there was no element of 'Entente Cordiale' on show...
Attentive staff.... well no, not really - my facialist kept leaving the room while my products 'did their work'.*

It looks like this now - not so much then!

But the results. Oh LORD the results.

The Anne Semonin was by far the best result I have ever had from a facial. They took my face to TASK.

It was layer after layer of cleansing, exfoliation, serums, masks, more serums, massage, everything I love. Had I not been so distracted by trying to be picky (not so much a bad habit as what I am paid to do) and find fault I would have remembered more of the processes involved. Anyway, so impressed was I with the results that I left the spa (I was not staying at the hotel - hello??) and didn't apply any makeup for the rest of the day in case I spoiled my face. It was THAT good. Plump, full, bouncy, hydrated fabulous skin. And it lasted.

By the time I got back to London I had the Anne Semonin bug and made an appointment to see the legendary Ewa Berkmann in Claridges. This woman is the Rolls-Royce of facialists.
Some people put their names on waiting lists for handbags.
I hunt down renowned facialists in a quest to learn anything I can from them and feel 'the hands'. I have felt most 'hands' in the business. It's research. What's not to love? Ewa is one of the two top 'hands' I have ever had the pleasure of being treated (pummelled) by - the other is Michelle Roques O'Neil who is the same as Ewa - but for the body.

What was an amazing treatment in Paris, was elevated to another level of brilliance by Ewa. I was in that room for over two hours. She cleansed, exfoliated, steamed, treated, masked, serumed the living bejesus out of my face. I literally fell in and out of consciousness - and still did not want to get up when she was done.

The Anne Semonin range is based on 'the belief the most effective beauty products and treatments are based on a combination of a personal, made to measure prescription and a holistic approach'. I'm of the same thinking that a great massage and a lot of layering of serums and oils does your skin the world of good. The joy of the range is that you can address any problem by mixing trace elements and essential oils to maximise potency and address issues as they arise. And they do address the issues. In this case I would recommend even the seasoned skincare pro takes advice from the Semonin team before selecting products - it's a big range and they can suggest concoctions that may not occur to you.

So the Anne Semonin is in the Hall of Fame. And deservedly so.

And you don't have to take my word for it - if you want to try it for yourself Anne Semonin has two facial weeks coming up at Liberty in London. The first one is from 1st-7th May. Facials are £50 redeemable against any two purchases of Anne Semonin on the day. It may not be Hotel Le Bristol but it's the same product and the same training - get yourself down there - I am.

Anne Semonin is available at Liberty. For appointments call the counter on 0207 734 1234 ext 2156.

*In fairness to the current team my first facial was a long time ago!

How to get the best out of your facial...

Unlike our French counterparts - most women in the UK have facials twice a year - birthdays and Christmas/New Year - and that's being generous.

The majority of women in the UK see facials as a treat - a lot of French women - and New Yorkers - see them as maintenance - and go at least twice a month if not weekly.

So if you're not in the latter group - let me give you some tips to make sure you get the most out of the facial that you DO have...!

Chantecaille Flower Facial

•  If you can,  try and have a facial by a person - not a high street brand.

The best facials come from people who can mix it up a little.  Avoid high street facials if you can.
It's better to save up and go to someone/somewhere whose reputation precedes them.
They will be more inclined to be interested in helping your skin than selling you products.
There are, of course, exceptions to this rule - unfortunately they are usually the high-end brands and are not always easy on your bank account! If this is not an option - always take recommendations of friends above advertising.

• If your therapist doesn't take a health/skincare history or talk to you beforehand - leave.

Anyone worth their salt will take a full skincare history before they lay a finger on you - if they are using machines on you they should also ask questions about your health concerns. If they don't, do not get on the bed. I'm serious. Get back to reception/speak to a manager/or just LEAVE.
Think about it - would a doctor give you a prescription without examining you? A dentist drill a root canal without an x-ray? And most importantly - would you LET them?  You cannot give a decent SAFE facial without information on your client.

• Check the room.

Take in your surroundings straight away. The room should smell clean. Not overpowered by candle scent - although light/unscented ones are fine. The bed should be clean, immaculate, freshly made and ironed. Lights should be dimmed/able to be dimmed.  The temperature should be comfortable - too cold and your muscles will tense up and too warm and you'll be sweating - we're after a facial here not a sauna.

•  Look at the therapists trolley/working area.

Is it clean, free of spillages and oils droplets, with products lined up nicely or does it look like your kitchen after the teenagers party the night before?

• Speak up

Any therapist who asks 'is that music OK for you?' is asking so that you have the option of saying yes or no..
If you're cold, tell them.
If you're too hot, tell them.
If the music is too loud, ask them to turn it down.
If the pressure is too firm/soft, tell them.
You can also gently hint if you would rather not be spoken to - critical in a 'mass market' facial where they are trained to 'talk you through the products'. Spare me. Between the kids, work and the husband - I do not want ANYONE to talk to me thank you. If the place is on fire - please feel free to wake me up. Otherwise, button it.

Any decent therapist wants your experience to be as near-perfect as possible.

• The procedure itself

Should include two cleanses, steaming, extraction (if wanted), masks, massage and machines (if applicable).
The key part of this is the massage - this should be firm - you should feel it working - and should last at least 20 minutes. You need to be pink when you come out of this room -not just look like you've had your make-up removed.  For further info on massage click here.

• Avoid add-ons

If you want you eyebrows plucked/waxed or dyed - ask beforehand.  If you are going somewhere like Bliss, a big part of their treatments is the up-sell. If they ask 'would you like a quick blah blah mask?' it is going to cost you, if they say 'would you like a blast of oxygen' it is going to cost you. Forewarned is forearmed. (In Bliss's defence they do let you know this - not everyone does)

• Tissue

Ah tissues. The very word fills me with fury. Tissues have no place in a facial. Even the softest, quadruple-ply whatever - muslin cloth does the job - and without scratching the skin and completely soaking up all your natural oils to boot. And what is more irritating than the constant 'whooshing' of people pulling the tissues out of the box next to your ear?
Stop it. Immediately.
And stop using tissues on your face if you do it at home - Immediately.

• Overtoning

There is no need to tone in between every stage - utterly pointless. Takes off all the good stuff you're trying to leave in. Spritzing with a floral water is fine - get thee away from my face with all the cotton wool soaked in toner. Stop. It.

• And finally.... the facialist herself (not being sexist here - they are USUALLY a woman)

Namely - breath and fingers. Someone tried to give me a facial once after they'd clearly just come back from their break. Their cigarette break. It did not end well. For her. This also relates to garlic, bad breath, onions, curry.. you get the drift.
I know it SEEMS like commom sense but don't be shy - if she smells - she smells... complain - you'll be doing the next person a BIG favour.

My favourite therapist ever has a slight tendency towards OCD. (LM this is for you!)
Spotless room, spotless person, borderline bleach aroma (not as bad as it sounds), obsessive cleaning, obsessive about the client experience...damn near perfect....