Beauty Treatment Consultations - A Must!

Image via http://www.balanceholistics.co.uk 

Facials are very relaxing and a lovely treat but they are actually meant to TREAT your skin not just your soul - not just a deep clean and a nice massage. It is lovely compliment when someone falls asleep on the bed as they are so relaxed, but that’s a tiny part of my job – the main part it’s about getting results for my customers. To get maximum results a consultation is a MUST!

Image via Crystal Clear Skincare

It drives me mad when I go into a salon and they don’t take the time to do a proper consultation. This applies to any beauty treatment from a simple eyebrow wax, spray tan, pedicure and right through to full body aromatherapy massage or facial.

Consultations are an important ongoing record and are there for a very good reason. Every single therapist should ask you to complete one tailored to the individual treatment. They should include any medical problems, recent medical treatment, allergies and give a picture of your lifestyle. Also any changes to these should be highlighted at future appointments.

There are certain conditions which may mean your treatment needs to be adapted or could actually prevent treatment (contraindicate) or you may need a doctor's note to give your therapist the go ahead. So it’s really important that your therapist is aware of these conditions.

Image via Tiffany Rose

For instance if you were booked in for a massage and you were trying to conceive, could be or were pregnant; I would avoid using products that contain essential oils which can stimulate the womb or regulate periods including Clary Sage and Peppermint. I would choose products which contain what we call the ‘safe oils’. I would also avoid certain trigger points that stimulate the uterus.

Image via The Peanut Institute

If you have a nut allergy – we would need to avoid products that contain nuts. If you are a diabetic, firstly I would need a note from your doctor and as your skin could be thinner than normal, I would ensure I used a lighter pressure in any massage, including manicure and pedicures.

I always ask my clients when they book, if they have any medical conditions or are on any medication – it saves disappointment and allows me to research conditions I am not familiar with in advance.

If you are on certain medications such as Acutane (for acne), you would need to be off the medication for at least a year before any waxing could be done, as your skin could be more prone to sensitivity and lifting.

Image via http://www.babybellies.ca

Your lifestyle gives me a picture on your fluid intake, diet, exercise and job. This helps me in treatments such as facials – if you only drink a couple of glasses of water a day and your skin is flaky and tight, then you need to increase your water intake as your skin is suffering from dehydration.

This is a brief picture of what Beauty Therapists can pick up from a thorough consultation – it doesn’t have to be formal, but provides us with an ongoing picture of you and helps us treat you much more effectively, professionally and gives our clients confidence that they have chosen a therapist who is professional, thorough and cares about the well being of her/his client.

Image via http://www.spas.ie

So next time you visit a salon – remember no matter how small your treatment, you should be ALWAYS asked to complete a consultation form. x

Hero Product – Eve Taylor’s Ultra Soothing Cleanser - Much More Than Just a Cleanser

Suffer from very dehydrated, extremely sensitive skin, Eczema, Psoriasis or Rosacea? Then this wonder product is perfect for you. And if you don't suffer from any of these, read on as it has lots of 1st aid uses too. Image via http://gtbnatural.co.uk

Now I know I use Eve Taylor for my face and body treatments and sell home care products in my salon, I don't want you to think I will be constantly harping on about them... BUT I've had so many people recently asking me for advice for their ultra sensitive skin that the timing was just too good.

Eve Taylor's Ultra Soothing Cleanser really is amazing, a real de-stresser for the skin. I can’t rave about it enough! It’s a big hit in my salon and with my family and friends.

This gorgeous creamy gel formula contains anti inflammatory and soothing Organic Colloidal Oatmeal and ultra hydrating and healing Camellia. It gently cleans away debris and impurities and doesn't dry, strip or irritate the skin. As it is ultra hydrating it's also perfect for mature skins to cleanse and nourish.

Image via http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com

It can be used daily to cleanse the skin and also as a 'flash masque' first aider for any skin irritations anywhere on the body including the scalp! A little goes a long way.

I use in facials on for ultra sensitive clients or if anyone’s skin has an unwanted reaction to a product. I had a lady in for gel nails whose eczema was irritating her finger – needless to say she ordered a bottle after literally experiencing this product first hand!

Times when Ultra Soothing Cleanser has come to the rescue:

• I had very sore, red and chaffed skin after using hair removal cream - ouch! It was soothed and the pain and redness cleared after applying as 5 minute flash masque.  I put it on few more times over the next few days and my skin was healed, no scarring and smooth as a baby’s bot!
• I used it on my little boys mysterious itchy legs and hey presto – a full night’s sleep!
• Colds – soothes and heals sore noses from the constant blowing!
• I often reach for this to put on my face and hands when I’ve mistakenly used an anti bacterial hand wash in a shop or restaurant – my skin hates these products and breaks out in dermatitis. As many of my clients do too.
• Calms and soothes redness after shaving.
• Soothes and heals sore cracked lips.
• Soothes minor burns.

The list is endless. Even if you don't have sensitive skin it's definitely worth keeping a bottle in your First Aid Kit. Why not try some and see for yourself? At only £18.49 for a large 200ml bottle, it won't break the bank either.

To order any product from Rituals Beauty, call 0789 4120073 or email hello@ritualsbeauty.co.uk. If you aren't local, I offer a postal service for a little extra cost. Now taking Paypal.

I will be delving deeper into Eczema, Psoriasis, Rosacea and Colloidal Oatmeal in future blogs.

My Pamper Time is Over :o(

Well I'm back and what a lovely afternoon I've had, I feel like a new woman! And this picture shows exactly how I am feeling about Jessica GELeration!

My GELeration nails look amazing. After what probably felt that an hour to the poor therapist, I eventually decided to have the Sexy Siren colour and its soooooo pretty!

So is it a Polish or is it a Gel? Well it paints like polish, but performs like gel - a perfect combination. Jessica's philosophy is to develop the long term health of your natural nails and this has been carried on with GELeration hurray! The whole process is kind to your nails. Weak, broken or bitten nails can be revived and refreshed. Great as an ongoing maintenance treatment, for an occasion, or to help grow your nails.

Like all the Jessica range this product is amazing, it has really blown me away. GELeration is a new generation in soak-off nail system. It is a "hybrid" between a gel and a polish, it doesn't chip, fade or peel and it's super shiny with no need to use a top coat. It is much thinner than I expected so looks super natural. It dries in seconds so you leave the salon with dry nails - don't tell your man though - we still need a good excuse not to do the washing up!! Your nails look like new every day and super shiny. It's removed in minutes with a special soak off solution.

For fellow therapists who haven't tried GELeration yet, the product literally does paint on like a varnish, I was a bit sceptical but it really does, it's not thick like the older systems in the pots. It is much quicker to do than and a lot easier, plus as the bottle is getting low you don't get those awful stringy, claggy bits you get with varnishes  - so no waste, a definite plus. You can cure them under a UV lamp or LED lamp.

Jessica recommend you use their intensive conditioning Phenomen Oil at home to keep your cuticles and nails in tip top condition. Lucky I have lots of that in my home salon! I'll report back with how they last over the next few weeks. In the meantime I'm going to be flashing my pretty hands to the world!

I will cover my  Aveda Chocolate Sensation facial in another post - off to relax now, then friends for a curry - yum yum!

Have a fabulous weekend x

Pamper Time Soon

Off for my long awaited pamper very soon. Just been on Jessica Nail's website to have a nosy at the colour selection for their GELeration soak off gel polish - hmm think a big chunk of my appointment is going to be spent choosing one of these gorgeous colours! So much to choose from hurray!

Here's a before picture - crickey I've got my mums veiny hands lol! Will let report back on the new nails later and the new face after my Aveda Chocolate Sensation facial - sorry guys no pic of my face without makeup! Enjoy your Saturday! x

My Pampering Weekend Coming Up

I'm really looking forward to a nice long pampering this weekend - a perfect Christmas present from my lovely hubby and gorgeous little boy. 

I have been treated to an Aveda Chocolate Sensation Facial with Revitalising Eye Treatment - this is a luxury facial using the super anti-oxidant and moisturising properties of chocolate to leave the skin, soothed, hydrated and glowing. Perfect - just what I need to get my skin ready for spring, and repair the winter damage from the cold weather and central heating.

I will let you know how it goes - I'm extremely excited; I've never had one of their facials but have heard great things about them. No doubt I'll pick up some great ideas too - if I don't fall asleep that is!

I think is incredibly important to keep up-to-date with new trends and experience other brands when you work in any industry - I must say research in this business is bloomin marvellous! 

So... I'm also getting to try out Jessica's GELeration gels!! I'm off to visit their website now to choose a colour! I may even get them in the salon - watch this space...