When your brain is grappling with vows, table-plans and floral arrangements, planning your pre-wedding skincare schedule can feel quite overwhelming. There are so many choices, all promising results but will they deliver in a single one hour-long treatment? I went to Dr Joney De Souza’s clinic in Blandford Street, London W1 to try the Brazilian Zero Downtime Facial.
Blandford Street in London’s Marylebone is a great spot, surrounded by buzzy bars, swanky restaurants and plenty of gorgeous independent boutiques. Dr Joney has created a very zen space in his lower-ground floor premises where the glorious chaos recedes, and a sense of calm and serenity pervades.
My treatment was with the inestimable Roma. Her firm handshake immediately assured me that I was in very safe and very practiced hands. Before I describe the process, a little on the wonder of Brazil nuts when it comes to skincare. Brazil nuts are rapidly gaining popularity in the beauty industry as their active ingredient, selenium, is a powerhouse of an antioxidant which supports the immune system and helps skin maintain elasticity and brightness. This facial uses products from Zo Skin Health to thoroughly cleanse before a double exfoliation process (using product and also a diamond-head device to thoroughly hoover up grungy debris lurking on the skin’s surface). This is all designed to reveal the brighter layer beneath before the serum is massaged in.
Roma’s experience shone through during the massage which, though rigorous, was also supremely relaxing. This was followed by a burst of red-light therapy to lessen inflammation and boost the skin’s natural self-repair. Once I had been duly luminated Roma applied a sheet mask and left it to work into the skin. In all, the appointment lasted around an hour and was finished off with a pressing of serum, and the application of SPF day cream.
I was warned that I could expect a little redness for a few days afterwards and that my skin may feel drier than usual, and so was cautioned to up my game with moisturiser, serum and vigilant use of SPF skincare. In fact, I experienced no adverse reaction and from the minute I emerged from the clinic my skin was noticeably improved. My jawline was tightened, cheekbones defined, and that elusive glow had been reinstated. Light bounced from my face and the effects continued, I’d say, for at least a week. Put it this way, five days later I met up with a friend for drinks and she asked me what I’d had done. I’ll take that!
The Brazilian Facial costs from £250 drjoneydesouza.com
Facial at home? Try these:
Start off with a gentle cleanser. We love SuperFacialist’s effective range which includes the new refreshing Vegan Collagen Gel cleanser.
For superlative exfoliation, look no further than Zo Skin Health. The Exfoliating Polish contains magnesium crystals to polish your face and restore super smooth texture and glow.
From around £50 zo-skinhealth.co.uk
If you prefer a chemical exfoliant, which use gentle acids to slough away dirt and dead skin cells, Lacura’s 2% BHA Toner is back in store and promises a luminous complexion.
£4.99 Aldi stores (while stocks last)
Combining healing ingredients with SPF, in a formulation rooted in ayurvedic principles, indē wild’s SPF Glow Drops are a multi-tasker serum I’d advise you to get into the habit of using year-round. Brightening and protecting, they also sooth inflammation and make a great primer for makeup.
uk.indewild.com £32
To drench thirsty skin, finish off with a moisturiser packed with hydrators like e.l.f’s Gel-Yeah Moisturiser. Your face will drink this right up and be left all lovely, soft and bouncy.
