Treatments that strengthen the skin’s barrier and add body definition are hot this month, plus HD Brows makes its move into microblading

Voya Intense Defence Facial for Men

Organic seaweed brand Voya is launching a 55-minute treatment designed specifically for men’s skincare needs. The Intense Defence Facial for Men claims to leave skin “hydrated, fresh and mattified” and there’s lots of opportunity for clients to continue the benefits at home post-treatment with the complementary skincare range.

Treatment highlights include exfoliation with bamboo spines to detoxify and give a deep cleanse, a face and scalp massage using the brand’s seaweed leaves, and the Mermaid’s Purse mask to soothe sensitive skin, including irritations caused by shaving, razor burns or ingrown hairs.

Voya recommends charging from £69 to £100 for the treatment (depending on location). Call the brand on +353 719 161872

This month we tried… Skin Regimen Urban Longevity Facial

The lowdown: Launching this month, the Urban Longevity Facial claims to tackle the effects of stress and pollution on the skin. It uses products from Comfort Zone’s standalone, unisex skincare collection Skin Regimen. The protocol includes massage techniques inspired by Qigong and modern physiotherapy and the facial is available as a 60-minute or express 30-minute treatment.

The experience: I had my treatment with Kirsty Eaton, field trainer for Comfort Zone, at the South Kensington Club in London. After a consultation to address my skin needs, which included hydration and getting a healthy glow back, Eaton warmed two drops of Skin Regimen Blend in her hands and asked me to inhale deeply, before moving her hands up along the base of my neck and into my hair.

Unlike a traditional facial, the massage element came first, which included a scapula-chest stretch and vibrational movements on my outer and inner arms. My face was then cleansed before Microalgae

Essence was applied, to recharge and hydrate, followed by rolling roullage to stimulate microcirculation and detox. I’d never experienced this type of massage before and although firm, it felt like my muscles were being lifted. Next came the peel to target dehydration. It was left on for 10 minutes and only mildly tingled while Eaton performed rocking movements on my trapezius. Once removed, the Skin Regimen neutralizer was applied followed by a hyaluronic acid

HA Booster and another application of Microalgae Essence, before finishing with Tripeptide Cream. The verdict: This is one of the best facials I’ve ever had. The increased massage elements left me feeing de-stressed while the peel and superfood -rich products left my skin decongested and dewy. Business benefit: Offering this treatment, especially as an express version, allows you to tap into a market of time-poor clients who are looking for a quick but targeted solution.

Comfort Zone recommends charging £60 for the 60-minute treatment. Call the brand on 020 3301 0496 Tried by Amanda Pauley

Espa Strength and Resilience Massage

This signature massage aims to revive tired muscles and takes inspiration from the Painted Lady Butterfly’s life cycle – “emerging from the cocoon and stretching into her new wings ready to continue her journey” – to bring a sense of wellbeing to mind and body.

The 80-minute treatment begins with a body cocoon in warm towels to aid relaxation, before advanced techniques such as yogic stretches are performed to awaken the body. Next comes a reflex zone foot massage, stimulating major organs such as the lungs, colon, diaphragm and sinuses, which the brand says have a direct link to the body’s resilience.

A 40-minute back massage follows with techniques used ranging from gentle strokes to swift movements, “signifying a butterfly taking flight”. The rapid pressure used throughout is said to increase circulation and aid muscle tension. Tapotement to the thymus gland – a primary lymphoid organ of the immune system – is performed to boost immunity, before concluding with a scalp massage and pressure point sinus relief. Espa recommends charging from £80 for the treatment. Call the brand on 01606 336349

This month we tried… Venus Freeze Body Contouring Treatment

The lowdown: The Venus Freeze device combines multi-polar radiofrequency and pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) to heat skin, causing a thermal reaction in the tissue and stimulating the body’s natural healing response.

This produces collagen, which helps tighten skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and breaks down the volume of fat cells, giving the body a slimmer, more contoured shape.

The experience: Over the past eight months I’ve been on a bit of a body transformation journey. Having lost two and a half stone and working with nutritionist Kim Pearson, I’m in the best shape I’ve been in for more than a decade. Despite this, I’ve found it hard to get rid of that last bit of stubborn belly fat. So, I undertook a course of Venus Freeze body contouring treatments (one per week for 10 weeks) with skincare expert Lorraine Scrivener at the Eden Skin Clinic in Kensington.

The first half of multi-polar radiofrequency is thermal, using a complex algorithm to deliver homogenous heating to multiple tissue depths. The radiofrequency effect is enhanced by PEMF.

The radiofrequency stimulates fibroblasts to increase the collagen synthesis, while PEMF induces fibroblast proliferation and produces new collagen through the release of the growth factor FGF-2.

The Venus Freeze DiamondPolar is for the treatment of facial wrinkles, while the OctiPolar applicator is for skin tightening, temporary circumferential reduction, cellulite reduction and wrinkle reduction.

The treatments were comfortable, much like a warm massage, and I didn’t experience any side effects. I continued to exercise, which is recommended after treatment, but didn’t make any other dramatic lifestyle changes.

The verdict: I was really impressed with the results. The fat on my stomach had reduced and I’ve maintained the results since. It was a great treatment to have as a compliment to my other lifestyle changes and to help tackle that excess fat that was resistant to diet and exercise. Business benefits: The treatment is pain-free, safe and effective for all skin types, as it uses radiofrequency technology, which is colour blind.

Venus Concept recommends charging £150 per treatment or £1,200 for a course of 10. Call the brand on 020 8748 2221 Tried by Vicky Eldridge

HD Brows Microblading

Exciting news for HD Brows accounts – the brand has made its move into the semi-permanent make-up market with the launch of its microblading treatment.

Clients will have the choice of two options – an infill, where fine strokes of pigment are added to areas that have little or no hair growth, or the full brow treatment, where fuller coverage is given with shading and hair strokes. Clients also receive a “top up” appointment post-treatment, where additional colour is added if needed.

The training will be powered by HD Brows owner Karen Betts’s other company KB Pro, which teaches some of the most comprehensive permanent cosmetic programmes in the business, including microblading.

Accounts must attend the existing HD Brows two-day brow training to get a full understanding of the brand’s style, shape and method for brow shaping, before progressing to become a microblading artist with KB Pro’s educators.

This also encompasses online learning and recovery case studies, taking students to a Level 4 qualification. It takes approximately six months to qualify, from the HD Brows course to full microblader. HD Brows is charging £2,995 for the training. Call the brand on 0113 224 7902

This month we tried… Pevonia RS2 facial

The lowdown: The 90-minute RS2 facial and accompanying Ligne Rose skincare line are designed for rosacea-prone skin, with key ingredients including rose, liquorice, chamomile and green tea to cool, strengthen capillaries and reduce redness. Having recently been told by an aesthetic doctor that the pinkness in my cheeks is probably mild rosacea, I was keen to give the RS2 a try.

The experience: I met Pevonia’s trainer Emily Shelley at the peaceful Ayanna Spa in Holland Park, London. Following consultation, she began with a cleanse. While most Pevonia facials use warmed towels to cleanse, the RS2 uses cool ones as they are less aggravating.

Shelley then analysed my skin using a mag lamp, noting broken capillaries and some pigmentation, before applying an ampoule of RS2 concentrate using Pevonia’s Wellness Fusion PevoPressure massage technique, with light pressure so as not to aggravate the skin.

Shelley then mixed and painted a green seaweed powder on to my face, layered a gauze mask on top then added the thick pink RS2 mask. She asked me to indicate how tingly it felt by holding up between one and five fingers so as not to dislodge it by talking. It started as a three but quickly cooled.

While it took effect, Shelley massaged my feet and lower legs then told me to help the mask detach by pouting then smiling. When she lifted the dried mask away, it stayed in the shape of my face, which made me laugh.

Shelley applied lotion, eye gel and RS2 Care Cream then finished with Phyto Aromatic Mist Spritz. The verdict: My skin felt incredible hydrated, plumped and cooled after this relaxing facial and looked very even in colour. Pevonia recommends a course of six, followed by regular maintenance treatments for the best results.

Business benefits: Offering targeted treatments like this is a great way to broaden your client base as people looking for rosacea facials will seek you out if you promote the service well online. The ability to significantly improve a specific skin concern is also a great way to build trust – the key to repeat business and increased retail sales.

Pevonia UK recommends charging between £65 and £75 for the treatment. Call the brand on 01449 727000 Tried by Eve Oxberry