Give your skin a boost with a Hydrating Facial

The cold weather can play havoc with your skin, and with the current cold snap set to last until the end of February or into March, what better way to look after your skin than with an Acadamie Hydrating Facial at Beauty Haven. Proprietor of Beauty Haven on O'Connell Street, Caitriona O'Gorman explained that it is vitally important to look after your skin at this time of year, and particularly with the cold weather we are experiencing at the moment, and said as well as your usual skincare routine at home a facial is needed to give your skin a boost. And that's exactly what the Hydrating Facial did for my skin last week, leaving it soft, smooth and with a really clean feeling. Arriving at Beauty Haven, which celebrated its second birthday last week, amid snow and ice I was more than happy to hop onto a nice warm bed, have myself wrapped up in a blanket and leave my skincare in Caitriona's capable hands. Using Acadamie products, Caitriona began the relaxing facial by fully cleansing and toning my skin and then applying a peel, gently massaging it into my skin. She explained that the peel would rid my face of all dead skin cells. The next step was a facial massage, before Caitriona then used a steamer to gently steam my face. Now I'm sure we've all experienced the intense steaming when you use a bowl of hot water and a towel in a bid to steam your face, but this was all together different. For starters it didn't involve putting my head into a bowl, but it also wasn't closed over my face so it just gently steamed my face as I lay back relaxing. Next it was time for the extraction. While it's not the most pleasant part of any facial, and optional with this particular facial, it is of course hugely beneficial for your skin to get rid of any blackheads, particularly in my case after much excess over the festive season. Caitriona also advised that you shouldn't ever try to extract blackheads without first steaming your skin as it can leave marks on your face. The next part of the facial was far more enjoyable, as Caitriona used the Acadamie Hydrating Kit to get my skin back in good shape and prepare it for the cold spell ahead. The Hydrating Kit consists of a Hydrating Modelling Cream, a Super Hydrating Mask and an Activation Gel. Caitriona first applied the Hydrating Modelling Cream, gently massaging it deep into my skin and then the Super Hydrating Mask. She then applied the activation gel, which Caitriona explained would help all of the products penetrate my pores. As she left the products to work their magic she took the time to shape and tint my eyebrows, an added bonus, ensuring not only was my skin glowing after the facial, but my eyebrows were looking good too! Explaining the benefits of a hydrating facial, particularly at this time of year, Caitriona said that most Irish people have combination skin, meaning they have an oily T-zone and dry skin elsewhere, so when people see dry skin around their noses at this time of year they often tend to over-moisturise. She said that a good skincare routine, involving cleansing, toning and moisturising, was essential and also advised the use of a night cream during the cold weather to help your skin rejuvenate. Caitriona also said it is important to drink lots of water, particularly at this time of year, as the constant use of heaters and air conditioning in cars, can really dry out your skin. And while she realises that it can be difficult to drink more water in the cold weather, she said you will see the benefits, but advised that if you find it really difficult to drink water in the winter you could opt for herbal teas instead, which are full of antioxidants and will do wonders for your skin. In a further effort to keep your skin from drying out in the winter months, Caitriona advised that for those of us who work in an office environment with heaters on the go all day, we should leave a small bowl of water in front of the heater to take the moisture out of the air and help our skin. Recommended for dry or dehydrated skin, the hydrating facial promises to leave the skin moisturised with a healthy glow. It certainly does just that and more! Leaving Beauty Haven, my skin felt extremely soft and really really clean. It was completely moisturised and, as the girls in the office can attest to, it was indeed glowing. And while my skin was in great condition that day, the benefits of the hydrating facial were much more long lasting, with my skin in good condition days later and prepared for the cold weeks ahead! To find out more about the Hydrating Facial you can contact Caitriona at Beauty Haven on 090 6490340.