I've been quiet on my blog for the past fortnight as I took time off to visit my twin and catch up with a school friends reunion in my old hometown. I grew up in the then-small town of George, living on the outskirts where gravel roads and stretches of open fields surrounded our home. Driving back into the built-up suburbs gave me a twinge of sadness for how rapidly things change and grow. But my weekend was filled with laughter and jabberings, sharing memories of shared chocolate milkshakes and plates of chips, remembering buying our first bras, boy crushes and school antics, transporting us right back to when we were ten- I've known these girls that long! So many years have passed since we last spent time together, yet I felt a connection and a deep sense of belonging. Despite distance, these friendships remain firmly entrenched, to be nurtured and treasured.
Wendy, Carolyn and me
Spending a few extra days with my twin talking and sitting in a comfortable silence was just what I needed to unwind, taking in the clean fresh air, the spectacular mountain range with weather warmer than I can remember in that part of the world! When next visiting the Garden Route, drive into George as it houses some little gems like ceramics at Wonki Ware on York Street or stop in at Outeniqua Farmers Market on a Saturday for local wares, coffee and delish food before taking a drive down to Vic Bay where the water is far warmer than Cape Town.
Victoria Bay
If you love having a pedi, best you try out Milk Solutions heel peel pedicure at the Camelot Day Spa at The Table Bay Hotel and Spa. What makes it a dream pedi is you get to lie down on a spa bed, tucked up in a blanket while a therapist works on your feet (if there's a chance of grabbing forty winks during the day I'll grab it!). The experience is actually far more pleasing and comfortable than sitting in a chair, thanks to Milk Solution's Pedi Pods, ergonomically designed bowls that avoid discomfort. Using the pods prevents water wastage too!
My feet felt and looked like they were ready for summer sandals, but sadly winter is still here. I skipped the nail varnish as I like to keep my feet polish-free during winter to give them a break. But come summer I can paint a variety of colours!
MILK SOLUTIONS Milk & Honey Sole Saviours Fabulous Feet in a Flash Kit plus Foot File
Best lunchtime spoil, however time and money doesn't allow me to go off to a spa for a pedi every month, so good news is Milk Solutions has a huge 'at-home' selection to choose from. Check out their website here. I've been using Milk & Honey Sole Saviour's Fabulous Feet In A Flash Home-Kit (pictured above) plus a dual-sided foot file to help smooth feet beautifully.
But the best gadget I use with my lotions and potions is Scholl Velvet Smooth Electronic Foot File Blue with Diamond Crystals (R195) see image below, for ridding tough skin thanks to a roller head that contains micro-abrasive particles with finely ground diamond crystals. It is battery operated with replaceable heads. CLICKS has a deal on some Scholl products at selected stores until 22 August. Click here
Milk Solutions is available online from www.milksolutionsbeauty.com and at selected spas and salons.
Scholl Velvet Smooth Electronic Foot File Blue with Diamond Crystals
"IN-Motion technology allows us to deliver uniform energy distribution that produces dramatic, yet comfortable deep dermal heating without damage to the epidermis".
CINDERELLA FACIAL
So what exactly is a Cinderella facial? I popped off to The Laser Beautique in Sea Point during my lunch hour where therapist Stephanie explained what the Cinderella Facial entailed, before I lay down and zoned out for a relaxing experience - and walked out with glowing healthy looking skin! I was intrigued by the NIR machine so promptly did a Q & A with Tzvia Hermann, founder and owner of The Laser Beautique franchise; read on....
1.How frequently can one have a Cinderella Facial and can you incorporate it between your 'normal' facials?
One can have a Cinderella facial as often as twice a month (every 10 – 14 days), depending on what the clients aim is for their skin.
For best results we recommend combination treatments that target different layers of the skin. Treatments such as microneedling, peels and dermaplaning are great for the outer layers and Laser treatments such as near infrared or radio frequency facials work the deeper layers. One can have a different facial every two weeks and we recommend at least once a month.
2. Is there downtime on this procedure ie. can working women do this during their lunchtime hour?
There is no down time to this facial , if anything coming in at lunch time and returning to work your colleagues will enquire what you did to your skin,as it will have this stunning radiance from the NIR technology combined with the products we use. There may be a bit of redness which subsides in minutes, one may look like they have had a little sun... and this will be from the stimulation of blood to the surface of the skin as well as the heat of the NIR handpiece. I would reapply foundation once the treatment is complete, you will see for yourself the phenomenal results after just one treatment.
3.Is there a treatment specifically for hands in the "Cinderella" treatment?
Yes, we incorporate the same NIR handpiece to treat the hands too. We call this a near infrared hand lift. I often think that clients forget to treat their hands and are more concerned with facial care. How ever as mentioned above, the hands show age quicker than the face and this is due to harsh chemicals our hands are exposed to when cleaning or doing dishes. Also hands are exposed to the sun a lot more than our face. One should have regular hand treatments
4. Is it considered a 'spa' treatment or more like having a Dermapen procedure ie lie down on the bed and have it done with no frills attached?
This is where the Cinderella is different from other treatments. Its both pampering and result driven. The treatment feeling like a facial hot stone massage. The heat increases gradually. Our policies and procedures are the same throughout our 11 stores, especially when it comes to treatments that are designed specifically by us. So with the Cinderella treatment, you will lay on the bed, in the winter months you will be cocooned with blankets and towels , in summer you will lay in a treatment gown. The treatment is aesthetic like, with the ambience of a spa. There isn’t really much faffing during the treatment, you are cleansed, exfoliated and then the treatment procedure begins, followed with a mask and various serums and moisturisers.
5. What age can you start having Cinderella facials?
These treatments can be performed on anyone who wants to preventive ageing. I would say one should start prevention and seriously looking after their skin from around the age of 20 - 23
6. Do you do age-appropriate Cinderella facials ie 25 vs 45 years old?
We do tailor make the treatment depending on the clients requirmements. The treatment is more or less the same for all client’s, however the serums and moisturisers should differ as no one has the same skin concerns. Also for clients that are older a unique collagen film mask can be offered which has a whole host of benefits on its own. We would also recommend ultrasound and radio frequency for clients who have stubborn facial pockets of fat for example a double Chin or jowls... We add on ultrasound which destroys the fact cell membrane, painlessly and contours the face as well as tightens loose skin
7. Is a Cinderella facial good across all ethnicities?
Yes it is same to perform this treatment on all ethnicities, as the setting used are determined by a clients skin type according to the Fitz Patrick skin chart.
8. Can this be done throughout the year or is it suggested for only winter time - (naturally one would apply SPF anyway)
This treatment can be performed throughout the year. As part of the treatment and SPF will be applied post treatment
9. Would you suggest having a Cinderella facial two weeks or a week before a Bride's big day?
I would recommend the bride comes in for the treatment 2 weeks before and then a couple of days just before the wedding, thus her skin will still have that amazing glow. Alternatively a few treatments will do wanders for the brides skin, it depends on the time she has available in the last few months and the budget available. A course of Cinderella facials every two weeks before her wedding would work wonders.
A short synopsis on NIR:
NIR or near infra-red skin tightening is a new light based solution for tightening sagging skin, without surgery or downtime.
This procedure results in the tightening of the skin utilising safe, infrared light that triggers a biological response.
This response leads to collagen remodelling in the deeper dermal layers and can help smooth out fine wrinkles and sagging skin.
NIR stimulates the infiltration of fibroblast and the formation of new collagen, enhancing the tightening effect and helping to bolster the skin against future ageing.
The presence of healthy collagen in the dermis helps maintain the skins youthful resilience and texture.
NIR is useful in any facial or body area, where there is loose or lax skin.
Positive and long term results can be found in areas such as the neck, jowls and jawline - areas that have traditionally been difficult to treat in any other way than surgery.
It is also useful for improving thin skin or any areas where there is distinct collagen loss.
The treatment itself is warm but comfortable, with the skin appearing pink, tight and healthy post treatment.
NIR can provide these treatments safely, comfortably and effectively, delivering visible results with little to no downtime after the treatment.
The NIR successfully treats a wide range of areas, including:
Skin tightening of body, face, and neck
Laxity of post-pregnancy abdominal skin
Laxity of buttocks and knees
Improving skin quality of décolleté
Hand dorsal rejuvenation
Glycerin is used as the base for the NIR for the following reasons:
- It is an humectant, therefore draws moisture from the air into the skin
- Healing, so great for dry & eczema prone skin
- Also great for oily skin issues, helps remove clogged impurities
- Non-toxic, so safe for sensitive skin
- Gives skin a soft supple feeling
How did I like the facial? In general I find facials very relaxing and this was absolutely heavenly where the NIR machine felt like a warm roller moving over my face. It's a great "non-surgical facelift" with minimal pain, no down time, and at a fraction of the cost of plastic surgery so this is definitely worth doing again!
For more info click here:
Time to make a fresh cup of tea and sign off for the day - happy Sunday and I'm hoping it's a good week up ahead!
Cath