Please note – no bees died in the making of this facial…

It’s lauded as the beauty secret Kate Middleton swears by, and now the Bee Venom facial is available on these shores too.

The face mask, which contains bee sting venom, is loved not only by K Middy, but also by the Minogue sisters, Victoria Beckham and Camilla Parker Bowles. It is the ultimate beauty buzz of late, and Her.ie was invited to try it out in the only Irish salon who have been granted permission to use the products. 

The line is called Heaven, named after a London salon belonging to beauty therapist Deborah Mitchell. Mitchell is a low-key beautician to the stars, who visited Clarence House to give Kate a treatment shortly before her wedding.

Liza at Hyde Grooming, Dublin, is the only beautician in Ireland who can offer the facial, and indeed the products. The salon was hand-chosen by Mitchell, who is very particular and protective about where her products and facials can be sold, and anyone who administers the facial undergoes a serious amount of training first! With that ethos, it’s little wonder that Mitchell has previously been named International Businesswoman of the Year. 

But would the facial work its magic on our Her.ie representative?

 

They say:

Nature's Botox.

A natural alternative to Botox and the first product of its kind. This unique treatment has been specially created using natural and organic ingredients, combined to work in synergy for an instant anti-aging effect, leaving you looking and feeling instantly younger.

 

Michelle says: 

I’m no fan of bees. I’m terrified of getting stung. This didn’t immediately feel like the ideal treatment for me, especially as I usually head for a salon to relax. But I wommaned up, and said: “Yes, please.” I’m glad I did. 

After a long day in the office I headed over to Hyde Grooming to be greeted by Liza and led to a relaxing treatment room with tranquil music playing and a cosy spot on the bed awaiting me. First step was a cleanse, with all the surface traces of the day removed with a relaxing massage of cleansing product.

The next step in the process was an exfoliating gel, which was actually the most ‘sting-like’ experience in the whole facial. It wasn’t unpleasant in the slightest, but gave my skin a serious tingle and that ‘something is happening’ feeling I crave from treatments. Liza told me that the more my skin needed the product the more I’d feel it… I clearly needed it! 

It was only when this gel was removed that the face mask was applied to my skin, with the all-important bee vemon set to do its thing. I lay back and relaxed for fifteen minutes with no tingly sensation at all (in fact there’s every chance I drifted off for a few minutes…) and came back to earth when Liza returned to remove the product.

 

Verdict:

On the downside, I didn’t turn into a K Middy lookalike. On the upside, my skin instantly felt fresher, brighter and more toned. The facial made a marked difference to skin that was in need of some TLC, and I can see why the celebs are such fans. I’ve recommended it to friends and family as a special treat as spring looks like it’s finally in the air – and I’d hurry back for a repeat.

 

Something to note: 

If you are allergic to bees, this treatment is not for you. If you’re worried about the bees and how the venom is collected, don’t be. No bees are harmed in the process. A pane of glass is set with an electric charge running through it, the bees sting this glass, so the venom is collected and the bees survive with their stings intact.

 

The Heaven Bee Sting Facial and Heaven products are exclusive in Ireland to Hyde Grooming, 11 Johsons Court, Dublin 2, between Grafton Street and Clarendon Street. For more see www.hydegrooming.com or call 0851307591/0857878339