The latest pre-party facials are for the skin what boot camps are for the body: you might not love every minute of them, but the results are fantastic, and as they say, no pain no gain.
But the big question is, is it safe to have a facial on the big day, or should you be having it the day before to avoid a red and blotchy face at the Christmas party? ‘After most facials, you should come out glowing’, explains facialist, Sarah Chapman, ‘but beware of microdermabrasion or derma rollers as they can leave the skin slightly red, rather like sunburn, for a few hours, so I would recommend having them done the day before’.
Fusion 3D Lift
This is what is known in the industry as non-invasive facial rejuvenation, in other words, an instant face lift without the needles, scalpels or pain. The treatment takes less than an hour, but because of its instant results, it is perfect as a one-off before a party.
A highly sophisticated machine combines microdermabrasion, acoustic wave therapy and infrared laser in one treatment, in an aim to target all three layers of the skin (the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue). The one hour treatment begins with an exfoliation with a diamond tip, to whizz away dead skin. Acoustic wave technology then sends vibrating pulses to the skin cells, allowing hyaluronic acid (a potent wrinkle-fighting and skin plumping ingredient) to reach the deeper layers of the skin. The next phase involves an infra-red laser, which triggers production of skin firming collagen and elastin.
£125 for 60 minutes
Darphine Divine 8-Flower Lifting Facial
A quick-fix facial that uses two exfoliating peels, two anti-ageing masks, and three different kinds of deep tissue facial massage to soften the facial muscles. The massage drains away any puffiness, and tightens and tones the skin, which in turn wipes out frown lines and contours cheek bones. The fact that the skin really is bright, clear and glowing at the end of the treatment is testament to how good this facial is.
£120 for 90 minutes (0870 034 2566 for your nearest salon)
CACI Ultimate
Dubbed the ’60-minute facelift’, if you want to be asked who your cosmetic surgeon is, and feel smug when you say that you don’t have one, this anti-ageing facial definitely delivers.
After 20 years of research, CACI describes this as its ‘greatest facial ever’, and is designed to leave you with toned and lifted skin. Firstly, a microcurrent wand is used to send ultra low frequencies to the facial muscles to tighten slack muscles and provide an instant firming effect. Dead skin cells are exfoliated away with a disposable microdermabrasion tool, and blue and red LED light therapy is used to boost the skin’s production of collagen and elastin as well as an electrical current through two hand held probes to tighten slack muscles. CACI call this treatment a ‘needle-free alternative to facial fillers’.
From £40
Skinesis High Definition Facial
Created by Sarah Chapman, this brand new facial combines a lactic acid peel with potent masks and serums containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, peptides, antioxidants and vitamins, as well as LED light therapy, making it the perfect pre-event facial.
£130 for 60 minutes
