Find out how the A-listers keep their skin looking glowing and blemish free with our guide to the stars' favourite facials.
F
ACING THE FACTS: THE A-LIST WAY
The A-List Facial
By Noa Kessler
THE TREATMENT:
Welcome to the world of Crystal Clear Microdermabrasion and Crystal Clear Oxygen Therapy. It may sound complicated, but it's a simple way to get the complexion of an A-lister. So much so it's become known as the ultimate facial among its many celebrity devotees, which include, Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Moss, Dita Von Teese, Victoria Beckham, Claudia Schiffer, Thandie Newton and Natalie Imbruglia.
WHAT’S INVOLVED:
First the skin is exfoliated using Crystal Clear Microdermabrasion, which aims to smooth, regenerate and perk up dull, tired complexions. So, how does it work? Well, finely ground crystals are pumped through a hand-piece (which is placed directly on to the surface of the skin) and the crystals remove dead skin cells layer by layer.
They're then vacuumed back up along with the exfoliated layers of skin. A cooling mask is applied to the skin and the treatment continues. Up next is Clear Oxygen Therapy which blasts pure oxygen into your skin, going deep into the epidermis.
After this, a serum is lathered on to the face, and goes deep into the skin's layers, thanks to the pressure of the oxygen. All in all giving my skin a massive rejuvenation and plumping session.
THE VERDICT:
My skin did look visibly smooth and clear. And the Microdermabrasion treatment and cooling mask were very pleasant. The Oxygen Therapy was tingly and a little uncomfortable, but definitely worth the immediate results. 8/10
Find out more at www.crystalclear.co.uk or call 08705 934 934.
THE ALTERNATIVE FACIAL: MASSAGE MANIA
The Japanese Lifting Facial
By Kerri-Ann Roper
THE TREATMENT:
Even though it's billed as a facial, this treatment is more of a massage. It's supposed to ease facial muscles and, without using any cosmetic procedures, give your appearance a youthful look that'd make any collagen or botox devotee jealous. Apparently, Daisy Lowe's a huge fan of this treatment, which makes me even more curious.
WHAT’S INVOLVED:
The Hyrdohealing spa in Notting Hill has an air of calm about it before you even walk through the doors. Once inside, the decor of aqua blue and white is refreshing and gives you the sense of being immersed in water.
The words 'magic' and healing come to mind the moment my therapist, Rupert French, starts the treatment. Trained in Spain, he follows suit by massaging my face with some Rose Hip oil - straight from the Andes. The oil is pure, with no other base oil mixed into it, he tells me.
Rupert uses a series of acupressure, reflexology and lymphatic drainage techniques in the treatment, all to aid the process of not only treating my skin, but working on my facial muscles and nerves.
If this is the price of looking younger sans needles, sign me up permanently.
So, it's a rude awakening when it feels like it's over far too soon, with Rupert applying a mask, to cleanse and refresh my face, at the end of the session.
THE VERDICT:
The treatment delivers exactly what it says it will: a healther, more radiant-feel for the skin. It's a great, all-round experience and my skin really felt like it had a lot more elasticity and bounce to it. The only drawback was that it was over far too soon. This is a great treatment if you're looking for a way to perk up your face in a completely natural way. 8/10
THE INFO:
The Japanese Facial massage costs £65 for an hour session. Find out more at www.hydrohealing.com.
REJUVENATE: THE PICK-ME-UP FACIAL
The Elixir Facial
By Helen Russell
THE TREATMENT:
The one hour facial uses products from the Elixir d'Or range to target the face, neck and décolleté and is intended to remineralise cells, restructure tissues and re-sculpt facial contours. It's billed as the perfect monthly treatment for dehydrated skin, so I'm interested to see how will it fair on my partied-out complexion.
WHAT’S INVOLVED:
The Chelsea Day Spa on the Kings Road is nestled between boutiques and ubiquitous mobile phone shops but once you get there it's a welcome haven of tranquility form the bustling shoppers outside. Inside it's all candles, lilies and white drapes and I am immediately set at ease and begin to unwind.
My therapist, Mary, starts by exfoliating my skin followed by a relaxing facial massage. Next, she tells me that she is applying of Perles d’Or – Concentre de Calcium – fine ‘pearls’ rich in pure calcium, to deliver minerals straight to my skin's cells, followed by a rich cream mask to recharge my skin with moisture.
Then comes the fun part. Mary applies a second, calcium-rich self-heating ‘imprint’ mask. Careful to avoid my eyes and mouth, this begins to warm up and solidify and is intended to restructure my skin’s tissues and reshape facial contours.
After 10 minutes or so, this is lifted off my face. It is a perfect cast of my features and I am momentarily fascinated before the final stage of the process gets underway. I am liberally smothered in Elixir d'Or – the bespoke anti-ageing skin crème - and after a few minutes my treatment is pronounced complete.
THE VERDICT:
I felt wonderfully relaxed and zen by the end and my skin felt hydrated and fresh for a good three days afterwards. The treatment promised to remineralise cells, restructure skin and give me a radiant, golden complexion, but although I certainly felt more hydrated, I wouldn't claim to have been transformed into a glowing skinned 15-year-old.
A soothing, relaxing treatment with long-lasting hydration, but for my money, I want a facial to include extractions and be a little more rigorous. 7/10
THE INFO:
The Elixir d’Or One Hour Facial costs approximately £125 for an hour. The facial is available at selected salons but Sky Showbiz visited the Chelsea Day Spa. Find out more at www.screenglam.com
See a host of stars below who glow - naturally...
