SPRING update

Aleksandrowicz System Face Cure

Part of the Aleksandrowicz System, Beata Aleksandrowicz’s latest offering is a course of treatment sessions to help clients reconnect with their own face, leaving them rejuvenated and restored.

Each treatment begins with Himalayan singing bowls to release muscle tension and balance the energy centres in the body. The facial combines emotional awareness and self-appreciation through coaching, facial massage with Eastern and Western techniques, and mindfulness, breath and bodywork.

During a recommended course of six treatments, clients will address physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of how their face appears, down to what they eat, what they feel and how developing a good relationship with their face can positively impact their appearance.

Aleksandrowicz will be offering this new therapy as part of her exclusive series of visiting practitioner engagements at spas around the world. This new facial technique can be included in spa training as part of the Aleksandrowicz System.

Beata Aleksandrowicz recommends charging £185 for 60 minutes, or £260 for 90 minutes. Contact the brand via beata.website

This month we tried… Aqua Natural Strip Sugaring

The lowdown: Aqua Natural’s sugaring wax is made of just sugar and water, making it 100% natural, vegan certified and cruelty-free. It can be used on both the face and body and, thanks to its composition, it’s a sustainable and biodegradable waxing alternative that is fully water-soluble.

The experience: Aqua Natural co-founder Rosie Khandwala began the treatment by applying Aqua Natural Pure Fine Talc to both of my lower legs. The skin should be free from any moisturisers, and this crucial step absorbs any moisture that can prevent the sugar solution from sticking to hairs. Once the wax was heated, a thin layer was applied with a wooden waxing stick before a strip was applied on top, smoothed down and quickly pulled back.

The process was akin to other waxes and caught the majority of the hairs on each strip. I had both of my lower legs waxed and the entire process took 30 minutes. The treatment was finished with Soothing Mist to help calm any redness.

The verdict: Even after years of shaving and having sensitive skin, I experienced very minimal pain during the treatment and the sugar solution was effective at removing stubborn hairs.

My hair has since grown back much finer and I liked that any residue wax on the skin could easily be washed away with warm water.

Business benefits: Thanks to the water-soluble formula, any spillages are easily cleaned away from clothing, equipment or surfaces. The technique is the same as traditional waxing, so no training or new equipment is needed. Strips of fabric may also be used with the sugar as a sustainable alternative, as they can be washed afterwards.

Additionally, with Aqua Natural’s new “Refill, Reduce, Reuse” rewards scheme, if you send six empty tubs back, you will receive a 15% discount on your next order as a sustainability incentive.

Tried by Eleanor Vousden Aqua Natural recommends charging the same as your standard wax offering. Call the brand on 01933 441818

AestheticsSource Peel2Glow

Adding to its portfolio of peel treatments, AestheticsSource has launched two new 10-minute peels, each with a two-step system. New Beauty & Boost Peel2Glow uses lactic acid combined with an antioxidant complex to gently exfoliate the skin and treat signs of photoageing. This enhances the permeability of step two, which offers four anti-ageing peptides to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Similarly, New Sleep & Repair Peel2Glow begins with the same first step to prepare the skin, before an ampoule of hyaluronic acid, probiotics and antioxidant enzymes is applied to the skin to help aid repair overnight from UV and pollution.

Designed for use in clinic and at home, the ingredients are housed in two 1.5ml ampoules and have a specially designed nozzle for application.

AestheticsSource recommends charging £15-20 per treatment. The product can also be retailed for a RRP of £10 (trade price £4.79). Call the brand on 01234 313130

This month we tried … Lash Perfect British

The lowdown: Lash Perfect introduced its latest lash look in September last year, developed to meet demand for more natural, elegant and everyday extensions.

Compared to the brand’s Classic and Russian extension styles, which offer varying degrees of fuller, more voluminous looks, British introduces brown-toned lashes and mixes, softer, shorter styles to complement fairer skin tones and provide a more delicate look.

The experience: I’ve tried Lash Perfect’s Russian Varia lashes before, and while they looked amazing and the look was expertly tailored for me, I prefer a more low-key, softer look for everyday. British sounded perfect for me, and senior international trainer Emma Apps made sure the finished looked would be exactly what I wanted. During consultation, she explained that there isn’t one set finished look for British - the treatment uses a mix of shorter lengths applied in a way to give less of a thick look, and can blend techniques and use lighter coloured lashes if needs be. We decided to blend British, Russian and Classic lashes in C curl 0.7 and 15, in 8, 9, 10 and 11mm. The British lashes are flat and have a split tip for a feathered look, while Classics are straight and Russians are ultra-fine and designed to be used in a multi-lash technique.

Apps gently cleansed my lashes and applied the Soothing Gentle Under Eye Gel Patches to protect my lower lashes and skin. The process took about an hour and a half and was completely comfortable throughout thanks to Apps’s delicate touch. I usually have some slight stinging from the adhesive or under-eye pads used during lash extension treatments, but I didn’t experience any irritation at all this time.

The verdict: This was the first time I’ve continued to pay for infills after a lash treatment. The British look is ideal for someone like me who doesn’t wear much make-up and is fairly low maintenance with their appearance.

It was five weeks before I went back to the Lash Bar for infills and my lashes were still looking great with no glaringly-obvious gaps despite the expected fall out.

Business benefits: Offering the British look will allow lash techs to offer something to clients who wouldn’t normally opt for extensions for fear of the result being too dramatic. The dark brown lashes make the treatment accessible to those with fairer skin and/or red hair, and being able to mix techniques and styles to create a bespoke, natural look gives techs the chance to show off their expertise.

Tried by Georgia Seago Lash Perfect recommends charging from £50 for British lashes, depending on the type of set. A typical treatment takes approximately 75 minutes. Call the brand on 020 8500 9028