Personalised face and body treatments, and some ultravoluminous lash extensions come under the spotlight this month

Novalash London Volume

London Volume is Novalash’s most extreme lash look to date. The treatment, which takes around two hours to perform, allows lash techs to create large, bold fans by using thinner, lighter lashes. The look is achieved by using the brand’s Starlite forceps – a precision tool made with a custom inner textured tip for enhanced grip on the fine lashes involved. Techs apply London Volume .03mm lashes in a variety of lengths and curl styles using Royal Platinum Bond, an adhesive available only to London Volume-trained stylists, which is NovaLash’s thinnest and fastest drying.

Training launches in September and is open only to lash artists who are already trained in NovaLash American volume or equivalent. Training is done via an online module and the price includes a London Volume product kit. Costs vary depending on whether the tech is already Novalash certified. Training booked at PB North has a special price of £695 (saving £120).

Novalash recommends that techs charge 20% more than they would for American Volume. Call the brand on 01273 041966

This month we tried… Lynton Onda

The lowdown: Onda is a body-shaping machine manufactured by Italian laser company Deka and distributed in the UK by Lynton. It uses Coolwaves microwaves at 2.45 GHz – a frequency Deka says is effectively absorbed by fat molecules deep in the subcutaneous cells, which also prevents heating in the dermis and epidermis for a more comfortable treatment. The machine’s handpieces have a builtin contact skin-cooling system to counterbalance the heat from the microwaves. Onda can be used for localised fat, cellulite and skin tightening.

The experience: I had my treatment at Harley Street Clinic with therapist Sajila Dhaubhadel, who treated my inner and outer thighs for localised fat. After she had measured the circumference of each thigh and taken pictures, I lay on the couch and Dhaubhadel started with my right inner thigh, wiping the skin with liquid paraffin to cleanse the area. She spent around 10 minutes on each area, applying firm pressure and moving the handpiece around in a pattern.

At first, I could just feel gentle warmth, but after a few minutes this built up into a fairly intense heat and I asked Dhaubhadel to pause, at which point she switched to a cooling setting which quickly look the heat away.

Before we got started, she explained that treatment duration depends on each client’s comfort levels and how often the therapist needs to pause to cool the skin. Dhaubhadel spent the same amount of time on my left inner and left and right outer thighs, and my skin grew more tolerant to the heat as we continued. The whole process including consultation took just under an hour.

The verdict: Immediately after the treatment, any residual heat dissipated and I felt completely comfortable. Dhaubhadel told me results would be visible after eight days, and the silhouette of my outer thighs did look smoother and more toned at this point. If I were to have the recommended course of four treatments, I’m confident I’d see great results.

Business benefits: Onda would be ideal for clients who have concerns about problem areas but don’t want to go down the surgical route, or who just want to tackle stubborn cellulite. Although the procedure might be uncomfortable for clients with a sensitivity to heat, the cooling function on the handpiece works so quickly that any discomfort is soon forgotten. It also offers a big profit margin, with the only consumable a sanitising liquid to wipe the area with beforehand.

Tried by Georgia Seago Lynton Lasers recommends charging £250–£350 per area, per session. Call the brand on 01477 536977

Hive Introduction to Waxing

Waxing product manufacturer Hive has partnered with The Beauty Team, the training school run by well-known nail tech and educator Gemma Lambert, to launch its Introduction to Waxing course.

This entry-level course is aimed at people looking to move into the world of waxing, which might include those changing career, or qualified therapists looking to expand their repertoire or refresh their knowledge.

It covers a combination of both theory and practical learning in areas including bikini, leg and arm waxing procedures and techniques; health and safety; client care; sterilisation, disinfection and sanitation; and contraindications.

The course comprises a one-day practical assessment followed by assessed case studies. Once completed, students will achieve an ABT (Associated Beauty Therapists) accredited certificate, enabling them to gain insurance and perform treatments. Hive charges £120 per student for the course. Call the company on 0845 450 4802

This month we tried… QMS Medicosmetics Bespoke Facial

The lowdown: With personalisation still on trend in the beauty world, German brand QMS has developed an 80-minute facial that can be tailored to any skin type, involving everything from extractions and oxygen to algae masks to deliver immediate results.

The experience: My treatment took place at premium store Liberty London, with QMS head facialist Rowan Hall-Farrise. Noting that I was suffering with breakouts and pigmentation on my chin and some dryness on my forehead, Hall-Farrise told me she would be rebalancing my skin and stimulating the regeneration of cells for a clearer complexion.

Her first step was extractions to remove excess sebum, followed by application of oxygen to stimulate the metabolism of the skin. Next came the SKL Alpha Mask, which draws nutrients to the surface of the skin, helping to increase antiinflammatory effects after extractions.

The mask, which gradually warms up but not to an uncomfortable heat, is left on for 20 minutes, for five of which a piece of foil is placed on top to increase stimulation. Once it was removed, Hall- Farrise handed me a mirror to show me how red my skin was (which only lasted for 10 minutes) – a sign that the blood flow had been greatly increased.

Then came the cooling part of the treatment – the Algae Mask. This was placed over my entire face, including eyes and mouth, helping to soothe inflammation and hydrate, and it felt incredible. The treatment finished with application of the Day Collagen Sensitive Serum, Lip Liner Corrector Serum and Advanced Cellular Marine Day.

The verdict: My skin immediately looked brighter post-treatment and three weeks on my breakouts are still fully under control. Hall-Farrise knew exactly what my skin needed and delivered on her promise. Business benefits: This treatment is ideal for clients who have overdone it with their skincare regime and need to get their complexion back to a happy base. From there, you can continue to tailor the protocol every time to match their skin needs, providing a service that feels truly VIP.

QMS Medicosmetics recommends charging £160 for the 80-minute treatment. Call the brand on 020 3971 2590