At home facials

Treating yourself to an ‘at home facial’ is easy and you can often use products you already have at home.

Start by creating yourself a day spa atmosphere. You will need candles, relaxing music, slippers and something to keep your hair off your face.

Start by cleansing your skin. Using your usual cleanser, cleanse your eyes and lips first and then remove. Next cleanse the remainder of your face working from your neck upwards.

* TOP TIP * rather than using disposable cotton pads to remove cleanser, buy some muslin cloths. The grainy texture gently exfoliates and leaves your complexion soft and glowing.

Buff away dead skin cells using your exfoliater. If you haven’t got an exfoliater to hand, you can make your own using a mashed banana, oatmeal and honey. Work gently into your skin using circular motions but keep away from your eyes and lips. Rinse and remove using warm water.

Bill out your skin by massaging your facial oil into your face. Start at the neck and gently massage into your face using upward, stroking motions. Don’t use more than necessary and again keep away from the eyes. If you don’t have facial oil, organic sunflower or olive oil is an acceptable alternative. (Remember Sophia Loren claims the secret of her youthful looks is down to regular use of olive oil). Allow the oils to absorb into your skin whilst you spend 2 minutes concentrating on deep, relaxing breaths.

Now for the lovely mask. Apply to your skin following the instructions; again keep away from the eyes. For a home-made mask, mix half a ripe avocado with a couple of tablespoons of natural yogurt and blend together. You could always add a little honey. Leave on your face for approximately 10 minutes. Then rinse to remove.

Finally massage your usual moisturiser into your face using sweeping, upward motions.

Of course, if you prefer to have someone else give you a facial whilst you relax and enjoy yourself, arrange an appointment with me. I will complete a skin analysis prior to using only organic, aromatherapy products. These products smell divine and leave your skin feel soft, fresh and plump.

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Autumn skincare

So after last weeks glorious warm sunny weather (well here in England anyway) the time has come for me to re-evaluate my moisturisers. So what are my requirements for an Autumn/Winter moisturiser?

• I swap from lotion to a thicker cream
• I don’t need SPF’s
• Once applied, I immediately notice a difference with my skin
• Good value for money
• Suitable for my sensitive skin
• As few artificial ingredients as possible so no Sodium Laureth Sulfate (some studies claim these can be drying and harsh on sensitive skin)
• No parabens
• Preferably organic (Soil Association approved)
• Smells pleasant
• Has other benefits (ie I love using Aromatherapy products, not only do they smell divine but Frankincense for example also has regenerative properties)

I know some people don’t enjoy the Autumn but I love the idea of shutting the cold outside and spending some time pampering myself. I am aware that Central Heating can have a drying effect on my skin so spend a little extra time moisturising.

Don’t forget it’s not just moisturisers, why not change your whole skincare routine and use nourishing cleansers, toners and moisturisers will help your skin cope with the Autumn weather.

I have found my current favourite range of moisturisers (in fact I love them so much I also sell them on-line, use them in some of the treatments I give and sell them in the treatment room). Now my only decision is whether to go for Hydrating Rose range or the Regenerating Frankincense, hmm decisions, decisions. Which one do you think I should use?