It has been a while since we all stepped foot inside a beautician and skincare clinic.
And at this stage, it's not looking like that is about to change anytime soon.
DIY beauty treatments have been out go-to this past year, and I don't know about you, but I have really made an effort with self care and making time for some me-time these past few months. After all, more so than ever before, I figure I have more than earned it.
One thing I have really missed is going to my facialist for a real salon facial every few months. I love getting a proper resurfacing facial done, and seeing how fresh and glowing and almost brand new my skin looks after.
Dying to recreate this experience at home – and tackling my dull lockdown complexion – I set about testing several different at-home resurfacing products and systems, and out of the many different ones I was lucky enough to get to test, only two seriously blew me away with their effectiveness and how they made my skin both look and feel after.
Ready to get your skin glowing and gorgeous for spring? Then you might want to treat yourself to either one of these:
Charlotte Tilbury Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial
Being a huge fan of Charlotte Tilbury's skincare products, I was so excited to test this one. The brand new Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial is a 2-in-1 acid exfoliator facial that not only resurfaces the skin, but also hydrates deeply and – according to the box – leaves you with an 'instant gleaming glow.'
Another thing I loved is that the Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial comes with a FREE bottle of Magic Serum Crystal Elixir, that you apply after.
Being a sucker for knowing how things work and what is in products, I was delighted to read the ingredient list of the Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial.
Chock-a-block with Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid and Bio Agave Acid, I had no doubt this would be an effective product, but was not prepared for just how big a difference it would make in my skin. Glycolic Acid penetrates the epidermis and provides exfoliation, while Salicylic Acid helps to unclog and purify the look of skin. Bio Agave Acid, then, is an extremely gentle source of polyhydroxy acids (PHA) that helps to brighten the appearance of skin by removing dead skin cells.
As well as the above three, the Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial also contains natural extract of the Prickly Pear cactus that helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and leaves skin looking more radiant over time, as well as Polyglutamic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Resurrection Leaf, Avocado Oil, Glycerin, Aloe Vera and Allantoin.
The product is designed to be used once a week, and so fitted nicely in with my Sunday Selfcare routine. I applied it and left it on, as suggested, for about 15 minutes (the maximum time is 20 minutes, but if you are new to using acids in your skincare, start by leaving the Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial on your skin for just 5 minutes for your first application, increasing the time by 5 minutes week-by-week until you reach the recommended full 20 minutes).
My skin did not feel itchy or irritated when I had the product on, which can be the case with some acid products, but instead just felt cooling and fresh. When I washed the product off with a damp cloth after 15 minutes, I applied the Magic Serum Crystal Elixir, and when I tell you my skin glowed – Holy COW, it really GLOWED.
The smooth, non-abrasive and bead-free formula has exfoliated my skin, and at the same time boosted radiance, made my pores look smaller, refined the small lines around my eyes and mouth, and honestly, it is hard to believe all this happened in the space of just 15 minutes.
Having now used it for three Sundays in a row, my skin feels and looks smoother, more even, super-glowy and I simply cannot get over that this is all from an at-home product, and not the result of some very expensive in-salon treatments!
Literally worth every cent!
€65, CharlotteTilbury.com
Eminence Arctic Berry Peel & Peptide Illuminating System
Another product I was super excited to try, as I have used other products from Eminence, and love not only how effective and good the products are, but also how they are a truly clean beauty brand, with only good-for-you ingredients and no hidden 'nasties.'
The new Arctic Berry Peel & Peptide Illuminating System is a three-step system, where you use an exfoliant treatment first, then add the peel activator second, before finishing off with a soothing face cream to maximise results and radiance.
Step 1 is the Arctic Berry Enzyme Exfoliant. This prepares the skin to receive further treatments, and increases the benefits of these. It also improves skin clarity and texture, and made my skin look completely revitalized, even luminous, My mum, seeing me only over FaceTime, even commented I looked like I had just come home from holidays, as my skin looked all dewy and glowy!
All you do is apply a tiny amount of the Arctic Berry Enzyme Exfoliant to cleansed face with fingertips, starting with the forehead, then cheeks, then jaw and finally upper lip and surrounding areas to treat the entire face. Avoiding the eye area and active areas, you just continually keep massaging with fingertips in a circular motion for three minutes.
Here is something important to know though: You do NOT remove this first product, but leave the Enzyme Exfoliant on your face and continue with step two of the system.
Step 2 is the Arctic Berry Advanced Peel Activator MA10. What this does, it refines and smoothes the skin, tackling those areas of uneven skin tone, and making your entire complexion seem even and radiant. I also sometimes struggle with some redness and irritation, and even this was soothed and appeared far less visible.
Layering over the Enzyme Exfoliant already applied to the face, you simply begin the application with 1½ full droppers of the Step 2 Arctic Berry Advanced Peel Activator MA10. Apply product to face starting with the forehead then cheeks, then jaw, and finally upper lip and surrounding area until the entire face is treated, avoiding the eye area and active acne lesions. You then use fingertips to mix the Activator with the Enzyme Exfoliant on your face.
Leave for five minutes – and now, you simply remove all product with a warm, damp towel.
My favourite thing though? Just how much plumper and younger my skin looked after this treatment! It honestly was hard to believe – if I hadn't just seen it with my own eyes!
Step 3 consists of the Arctic Berry Peptide Radiance Cream – to finish off the three-step system. Massage the cream gently into the skin until it is completely absorbed.
This amazing cream will add maximum luminosity, soothe your skin post-treatment, and can be used daily for deep lasting hydration and absolute radiance.
And when I say my skin was radiant, I am not joking. It really, really was. I have not worn a drop of foundation since testing this treatment, instead I have just been enjoying seeing my skin look so utterly healthy and fresh and dewy – even early in the morning! I really could not fault this product, and while it costs a bit, it is no doubt well worth the investment.
€130, Eminence.ie
