Back in New York, there are many things about this city that bring me joy. Latkes from Katz’s Deli (what can I say, I’m a cliché). How smartly the men dress, with their tweed wool blazers and the shiniest shoes known to humankind. And last but not least, New Yorkers’ devotion to their beauty regimes.
Facials are commonplace here, as routine as getting your haircut, as opposed to the once-a-year “treat” they are in the UK. Indeed, when it comes to looking after our skin, most of us Brits tend to do the bare minimum until it’s too late. And then what happens? Like a good friend of mine now in her mid-40s (who has beautiful skin), we decide to jump straight to Botox whereas investing in good products and treatments could have been similarly beneficial – without the danger of looking waxy or frozen in time.
Of course some people love Botox (and if that’s you, then go for it!) but it should be in addition to – not instead of – a great skincare regime, including regular facials. It’s not about looking 21, it’s about looking fantastic for your age – you only get one face after all.
A decent facial should include a skin MOT under bright lights where the therapist assesses your skin, advising on what it needs more (or less) of. Sometimes a detoxing facial massage is required, maybe some hi-tech equipment such as LED lights, ultrasound and heat frequency.
If you want a facial with a side-serving of such technical wizardry, a CACI facial is a good place to start. Relied upon for 30 years`, this non-invasive treatment has been dubbed “the non-surgical facelift”, popular with the likes of JLo and the late Princess Diana in her day. It involves a micro current facial toning device that transmits tiny electrical signals to the muscles to lift and tone them. This is combined with LED light therapy to help regenerate collagen and repair tissue. (£135 lisafranklin.london).
Another good option is acupuncture facials - beloved by my friend British Beauty Council CEO Millie Kendall. Following the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (which have been practised for millennia) the idea is that needles are placed in certain pressure points to promote flow of energy and release any blockages, relieving stress and tension and improving circulation. Practitioner Ka Hang Leoungk who I’ve been seeing for years is a miracle worker in this regard, and very good company too. (pointspace.co.uk).
And if you can’t get to a salon, several virtual skincare services have popped up post-pandemic, where you can consult with a specialist and get a personalised prescription of products that you actually need, as opposed to cluttering up your bathroom shelf. GetHarley.com and Lion/ne are two such skincare start-ups worth checking out.
And lastly, the one product no skincare lover should be without? The jade roller (£24 tuttilondon.com). If you do nothing else, just give your mush the once-over with this every night. It will boost lymphatic drainage, relieve tension and make a world of difference to your skin’s tone and texture. You can thank me in the morning.