Poll posted by BR Natalie
A few years ago I was pretty dismissive about facials. For some reason I thought of them as glorified facial massages, maybe with a bit of serum slapped on for good measure. I don't know why I was so suspicious - it's not a quality I apply to other intensive treatments, like say an in-salon hair treatment. I'll happily pay more for them and believe in the benefits; but facials just didn't appeal to me. I was picturing a fifties salon with a green facemask and cucumbers on the eyes. And well, I could do that at home right?
Well, no, it turns out. After my usual waxing appointment, I confessed my opinion of facials to my Beauty Therapist. She had a free appointment after me, and before I knew it, I was being cleansed, exfoliated, massaged, moisturised. This was applied to areas of redness, that was applied to my oily prone areas. I was tackling dark spots, evening my skin tone and minimising fine lines - all by laying on a bed and being pampered. And it wasn't just a case of 'oh this product is great for...', there was actual science behind it. There was technology. Facials are a 21st century treatment.
Now when I'd finished, I looked like I'd been to the gym, you know that healthy, if very shiny look. But I felt amazing. I was relaxed and my skin was tingling. I was hooked.
I chatted with my Beauty Therapist over the weekend and asked for her top 5 reasons why a monthly facial is a must. Here's what she said:
- A facial alone won't save your skin, but it provides a fresh starting point for tackling ongoing issues. Regular facials will keep your skin healthy and prevent your skin problems slipping further back.
- A facial will give you a deep cleanse that you can't achieve at home. Bye bye clogged pores, excess sebum and blackheads.
- A facial will exfoliate your skin far more effectively than at-home treatments. Behold - fresh skin.
- A facial will arm you with knowledge. Your beauty therapist will be able to recommend products that are perfect for your specific skin issues, telling you ingredients to look out for and what to avoid.
- A facial gives you an hour of relaxation. While your skin is being saved, your mind is on a tropical island, with no kids, no work, no stress.
So - are you a regular for facials? Do you stick to the same treatment, or do you mix it up depending on your skin's current condition? Do you notice a difference if you skip a treatment? Or are you just not convinced by the power of 1 hour of intensive skin treatment?
Get chatting below!
We're looking for 6 ladies based in Auckland to take part in a very special beauty clinic trial. If selected you agree to attend a world reknowned beauty clinic and undergo a facial treatment. (Which we're not revealing yet). You'll then need to complete a survey and provide a brief write-up about your experience. If you'd like to put your hand up to be considered for this trial, comment below and start your comment with 'I live in Auckland....' and tell us about your skin!
I live in Auckland and love facials - but haven't had one for a couple of years. The best ones improve your skin beyond belief. The mediocre ones are a pleasant experience but don't give longer lasting benefits. It depends where you go, who does the therapy and which products they use.