Beauty Haven Belfast Online

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Author Archives: Hilary Lowry

  1. Christmas Presents for her

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    Its hard to believe Christmas is just around the corner, it can be a manic time of year trying to fit in social events, shopping for  presents and fit in a hectic work schedule. We’ve out together a few gift ideas for the girls.

    At Beauty Haven we have gifts from as little as £3.99 for stocking fillers to £188 for skin gift sets,  gift vouchers are a great idea and  can be bought in salon or phone to purchase and we will post directly to you or the recipient.

    Stocking fillers under £10

    Round Robin Lip Balm £3.99

    Compact mirrors       £3.99

    Pk 6 Keltic Candles Breakaway melts £4.50

    Tweezers             £4.99

    Bubble bath Light             £5.99

    Box 6 Bath Bombs             £7.99

    Gifts for under £20

    Candles are lovely to light any time of the year, however Christmas is the time to fill your home with the gorgeous smells of Patchouli & Cedar or Irish Winter an indulgent blend of cinnamon with a subtle undertone of clove.  Our Kelticandles range of luxury home fragrances are produced and manufactured in Belfast, Northern Ireland. All the candles that we order from Kelticandles are hand poured to order which means they are fresh when delivered to our door. Kelticandles are made of 100% soy wax that are clean burning, they do not contain paraffin wax, making the range of candles and home fragrances suitable for asthmatics and they are environmentally friendly. The signature candles in a box are £11.99 and the Essential oil boxed candles are £19.99

    Our favourites

    • Noel – Top notes of Sicilian bergamot & liquorice with middle notes of violet and cashmere with base notes of vetiver and ethereal musk.
    • Christingle – A refreshing blend of sweet cranberries with notes of orange and lily on a base of cedar, musk, vanilla and sugar.
    • Festive Fig & Snowberry – A light fruity accord opening with nuances of fig while the heart is a captivating fusion of bayberry and snowberry.
    • Lavender & Orange – Is an essential oil candle used for massage. Simply lite the candle 30 mins before application. As the candle burns the massage oil will melt forming a pool of warm massage oil.

    Gifts 0ver £20

    Dermalogica Clear Start Set £26.50 A wonderful facial set utilising medicated ingredients and soothing botanicals to deliver real results. perfect for teenage skin.

    Dermalogica Body Gift Set £74.50.This unique set includes conditioning body wash and phyto replenish body oil.

    Environ Festive gift set AVST 1-5 £181 – £188 This gorgeous gift includes a cleanser, toner, moisturiser, eye gel, hydrating oil capsules and travel size suer moisturiser and avance moisturiser

    Gift Voucher Ideas

    Should you opt for a gift voucher from Beauty Haven our list of treatments are extensive. A facial or massage  treatment is always a good place to start as not everyone would treat themselves to this pure indulgence.

    Our favourite facials include the Dermalogica Prescriptive Facial which it is customised by your skin therapist every step of the way based on the face mapping analysis of your skin.

    The Environ Advanced Active Vitamin facial is packed with anti-ageing ingredients to leave your skin nourished, glowing and radiant or choose one of our Pamper Packages.The Pure Indulgence package includes a luxurious facial, hot stone massage, and reflexology. Two and a half hours of pure bliss.

    Please feel free to call us and we will help you choose the perfect gift.

     

  2. What are my options for Pigmentation Removal?

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    What is pigmentation?

    Have you noticed uneven skin tone, or dark brown spots on your face. The main reason for this is due to over exposure to the sun. The melanin that gives skin its colour gets stimulated by UVA causing the skin to react with dark patches, sun spots or pigmentation as its better known. Other factors play a part such as acne or hormonal skin.

    Prevention is better than cure, avoid the heat of the sun between 11am – 3pm and always wear a UVA/UVB broad spectrum sun screen, even during winter months. You should also cover up with light clothing during the hotter months.

    Pigmentation can occur anywhere on the body that the sun can reach, however the main areas are the face, décolletage, shoulders, arms and hands.

    What are my options for pigmentation removal?

    There are a few options to consider for pigmentation removal, the top choice being laser, or there are advanced treatment facials such as professional peels, microdermabrasion or Environ treatments which can reduce pigmentation. A Photo Rejuvenation Facial (laser) will target the pigmentation and lighten the dark spot or remove it completely, depending on the level of pigmentation and how long its been there. We do recommend a treatment of three sessions, however you should notice a change in skin tone after one session. These facials are very popular during the winter months and cost from £95 for full face or individual areas start at £60.

    Mesopeel is a range from Mesoestetic and is an advanced chemical peel. Each peel is bespoke and will target the concerns you have about your skin imperfections. Whether that be pigmentation, skin ageing, acne, stretch marks or any other concerns. In the case of pigmentation the Mesopeel will lighten dark spots. A course of 6 is recommended to receive the best results. Cost at £65

    Microdermabrasion is a facial treatment using tiny crystals to remove the top layer of skin. Leaving the skin looking younger, brighter and smoother. There is no downtime to this treatment which takes 50 mins and means you could go back to work after a lunch time treat. We recommend 3 – 5 treatments at fortnightly intervals at a cost of £60

    Environ Advanced Active Vitamin treatment is suitable for all skin types and in particular for sun-damage and pigmentation. Packed with nourishing Vitamins A, C and antioxidants that are driven deep into the lower layers of the skin using sound waves and small electrical pulses.

     What should I use to protect my skin?

    The most important thing to remember if you decide on a facial Peel, Microdermabrasion or Advanced Active Vitamin, in fact any facial which includes a deep exfoliation either chemical or physical is to always use a SPF30 to protect the skin from any further damage. Following a laser facial although no skin layers are being removed we recommend using a sunscreen for 30 days post treatment, as the treatment can cause photosensitivity.

    Our favourite sunscreens include, Mesoestetic moisturising sun protection with an SPF50+ VUA + UVB  and Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF50 broad spectrum

    Are there products I can use to enhance my skin?

    There are many products on the market to brighten and lighten the skin, our best seller at the min ute is Environ Mela Prep Lotion, specially formulated to supply the skin with ingredients that control the production of melanin and reduce pigmentation issues.

    Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Beauty Haven on 028 90 666628

     

     

     

     

     

  3. My Night Time Beauty Regime

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    Everyone has busy lives these days, what with work, children, family, friends and looking after a home, not forgetting about walking the dog. There are never enough hours in the day, however a simple night time beauty regime has many benefits for the skin, hair and teeth. We all want to look our best and have a healthy, glowing vibrant look. Getting your skin prepped and looking and feeling its best will help when applying makeup the following morning. Not only is makeup easier and quicker to apply on smooth hydrated skin it should stay put all day, meaning you don’t have to reapply throughout the day.

    My simple night time routine for my face is cleanse, tone and moisturise and if you start with these three basic steps then adding a masque or exfoliant on a weekly basis will not take too much longer.

    The right routine starts with knowing your skin type and using the correct products for your skin type.

    • Dry Skin is usually flaky, scaly or rough. It often feels uncomfortable. Use a gentle cleanser that is alcohol free and exfoliate once a week. Usually a cream cleanser feels best on this skin type.
    • Normal Skin is clear, balanced and not sensitive. You will have more choice with this skin type as to what product to use but if in doubt a gel or cream cleanser is a good option.
    • Oily Skin is greasy, shiny and may have more visible pores. Use an oil-free foaming cleanser.
    • Combination Skin is oily on the T-Zone (forehead, nose and chin) and dry on cheeks. This can be a difficult skin type to treat but usually a gel cleanser will address all issues for this skin type.
    • Sensitive Skin is hyper-reactive to any stimulus, either creams, sun, UV light or weather conditions such as dry or cold environment. Avoid products with alcohol, soap, acid or fragrances. Use products with calming ingredients like aloe, chamomile, green tea and oats.

    * Do remember to protect your skin as much as possible from sun, wind, snow, air conditioning and central heating.

    It is good practise to double cleanse the skin. Using a clean soft cloth helps get rid of dirt and grime after a day of being exposed to pollution. For a deep cleanse remove make-up using a pre-cleanse oil or balm, the oil breaks down the make-up and melts away impurities from the skin allowing it to be easily wiped away with cotton pads or rinsed with water. Then second cleanse. Smooth away the day by adding an exfoliant to help with detoxifying the pores, however if your skin is dry once a week is sufficient. There are lots of moisturisers out there making the choice extremely difficult. Environ have made this very simple with the Step-Up system for all skin types. Vita-Antioxidant AVST Moisturiser 1 is the first Vitamin A moisturiser in the range. It contains a low concentration of Vitamin A. Created to help skin become more comfortable with increased levels of vitamins and antioxidants. We recommend after the second bottle of level 1 and when the skin is ready, to move up to the next level. Environ’s motto is start low and go slow with the Environ Vitamin Set-up System. ( A consultation is always recommended prior to using any products containing Vitamin A). Once a week if you have time, add a face mask to your routine. Environ Revival Masque can be used as a 10 – 20 mins mask or left overnight for a more advanced treatment. This mask is nick named ‘facelift in a jar’ and  leaves the skin feeling smoother and younger looking with a healthy radiance.

    After caring for your face its nice to soak in a bath with essential oils, your favourite candle and some soothing relaxing music in the background to unwind after a hectic day and prepare yourself for bedtime.

    There are some amazing mediations available for free and are a great way to calm the mind and prepare for sleep.

    Your bedtime routine doesn’t have to take more than 10 minutes, apparently if you do something consistently for 3 weeks it becomes routine, so lets get started 🙂

     

     

  4. Banish Thread Veins

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    Thread veins, broken veins, broken capillaries, spider veins or as they are medically known as telangiectasia is a very common condition and are not harmful in any way. Thread veins can make you self conscious and cause constant worry about your appearance and covering up with make-up is an endless battle.

    These are tiny twisted red blood vessels that run close to the surface of the skin making them visible. The most common areas of the body to experience thread veins is on the face and legs.

    While both men and women can be affected by thread veins they are far more prevalent in women.  By their 40s nearly half of all women will be affected, and they become increasingly more common as we age. Genetics play a major role which means if anyone in your family has Thread Veins chances are you will also get them.

    Prevention is better than cure,therefore the first place to start is to recognise the trigger points that exacerbate the condition.

    • Avoid or minimise alcohol intake as this increases blood pressure which in turn enlarges the blood vessels and eventually lead to Thread Veins.
    • Smoking damages the circulatory system causing the narrowing of blood vessels that constrict forcing the heart rate up and increasing your blood pressure
    • Certain Processed foods are full of sodium nitrites some of which are bad for you.
    • Harsh weather can have an adverse effect on the skin. Protection against over exposure to sun, sun-beds, wind, snow, any of the extreme hot to cold temperatures will affect the skin. Bear in mind to wear sunscreen or barrier cream if outside.

    What options are available to remove or minimise thread veins?

    Laser treatment with a 90% clearance rate is the number 1 option. Most facial veins are small and fine and are easily treated. The thicker veins can be more difficult to treat. However after consultation the laser therapist will be able to advise a realistic end result including a time frame and costings. We recommend 3 to 4 treatments at intervals of every 4 weeks. Treatment time for the face is usually 10 to 20 minutes per session at a cost of £60 up to £125 per each treatment.

    The first appointment will be a consultation and patch test, a treatment plan will be discussed with the therapist and procedures explained. Any questions you may have will be answered.

    Our best selling products for clients suffering with thread veins:

    1. Dermalogica Barrier Repair is a creamy moisturiser to help fortify sensitised skin with a damaged barrier. This unique anhydrous (waterless) moisturiser helps shield against environmental and internal triggers that cause skin stress. Our exclusive UltraCalming Complex contains oat and botanical actives that work below the surface to interrupt inflammatory triggers that lead to sensitisation, whilst helping to minimise discomfort, burning and itching. Restores a healthy barrier function with Oil of Evening Primrose, Borage Seed Oil and silicones as vitamins C and E help combat free radicals that can lead to inflamed and irritated skin.
    2. Environ Colostrum Gel is a serum which contains a high concentration of bovine colostrums that is enriched with vitamins and antioxidants including green tea, vitamins C & E. The benefits of this product include the immune boosting serum that helps to protect the skin from external and internal stressors. Giving an improved appearance of skin that feels soft, soothed and protected. To optimise efficiency, you can use Colostrum Gel in conjunction with Environ’s Electro-Sonic DF Mobile Skin care device to assist with delivering more essential nutrients to the skin.
    3. RAD SPF sunscreen is a must to prevent any further development of Thread Veins. Followed by Jane Iredale mineral makeup which contains zinc oxide a natural SPF. The products are free of perfume, chemical additives, alcohol and artificial dyes.

    Whatever your concern about Thread Veins are please know that Beauty Haven have a wealth of knowledge on this condition, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly.

     

     

     

     

  5. Laser Hair removal for men … what you need to know!

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    Experts report that more and more men are opting for the same grooming regimes as women, laser hair removal being on of them. Men have traditionally coarser hair than women and a little bit of a lower pain threshold, however the technology has advanced so much over the past few years that many clients report little or no pain.

    Many sports people prefer to remove body hair as this can trap the sweat in the hair making the skin uncomfortable, red and painful. Cyclists, swimmers and runners will get a more aerodynamic performance because less body hair creates as little disturbance as possible. Many body builders like the defined look of the muscles minus the body hair.

    It is also easier to get in and out of wet suits and tops that have zips on the back. Nothing worse than getting back hair caught in a zipper.

    What are the benefits of  Laser hair removal?

    • This is this is a permanent hair reduction system, laser does  reduce ingrown hairs and the daily maintenance of shaving and is a very effective hair removal method for sensitive skin.
    • If needed, between laser sessions the hair can be shaved off as opposed to waxing where the hair needs to be a certain length before the next wax appointment
    • Laser minimises ingrown hairs
    • Laser can give anywhere between a 60-95 % reduction after just 6 sessions, providing the client follows the recommended treatment plan designated for them.
    • Time saving. The majority of men we speak with, say their biggest bugbear is to shave everyday for work. Not only is shaving a time consuming act but the chance of nicked and cut skin, ingrown hairs and the shavers rash – red bumpy skin can be a thing of the past.
    • Cost.The initial outlay of laser may seem expensive, however this does work out much cheaper in the long run as it is a permanent reduction which delivers much quicker results than any other hair removal method. The cost of all the years spent waxing every 4 to 6 weeks soon mounts up. Most clinics nowadays offer a payment plan which makes it easier and more affordable to manage.

    What areas are treated?

    • The most common areas we treat for men are the legs, back, chest and beard.

    How does the treatment work?

    Our unique Ellipse Sirius system uses short, safe bursts of light emitted from a flash lamp to remove unwanted hair from all body areas in minutes. The pigment in the hair (melanin), absorbs the light converting it to heat and destroying the hair follicle making it unable to produce new hair. Facial Hair can be treated every four weeks and body hair every 6 weeks. By the end of the recommended course of treatments (6 -8 sessions) you may require top up sessions in the future to maintain results.

    Choosing the right clinic

    Doing your research before you begin is paramount to the success of your treatment. There are many lasers on the market, some better than others. Choose a reputable clinic that is registered with the RQIA ( in Ireland) or if in UK is registered with local council. You can view online publications on inspections carried out at these clinics to ensure training, safety and hygiene procedures are up to scratch. You should see operator certificates displayed in the clinic. A patch test consultation should always be carried out prior to your first treatment, this rules out any contraindications to treatment and a small skin test is carried out to test reaction of your skin to the treatment before you begin. You should avoid, hot showers, saunas, exercise for at least a day following your treatments. The entire laser hair removal system has improved over the last 10 years so hopefully with the idea of less pain and greater results, we’ve given you guys a bit of encouragement to get started,

     

     

  6. Beauty Products for Sensitive Skin

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    What is sensitive skin?

    Sensitive skin is a common skin condition where the skin reacts to products that are applied to the skin. This could be in the form of face creams, body lotions, shower gels, perfumes, or aftershave. There are lots of products that could cause a reaction. A survey taken in the UK and USA found over 50% of women and 38% of men reported having sensitive skin.

    What are the signs of sensitive skin?

    Sensitive skin can be dry, flakey, red, prone to bumps and rashes, stinging or burning sensation.

    What are the best beauty products for sensitive skin?

    A few of our best selling products for sensitive skin:

    • UltraCalming Cleanser is a pH-balanced, non-foaming gel/cream cleanser for sensitive skin. Helping to calm and cool the redness and heat associated with reactive, sensitised or over processed skin. Delicately fortifies the skins protective barrier without leaving any irritating residue, and easily rinses away or can be wiped off, making it ideal for sensitive skin. Formulated without artificial fragrances and colours.
    • Barrier Defence Booster a concentrated oil booster soothes, nourishes and moisturises to restore balance to sensitive skin. Triple defence complex nourishes the skin, relieves dryness and reinforces barrier integrity against future irritation. Squalane locks in moisture while soothing Oat Oil helps combat sensitivity and support healthy-looking skin. Can be used prior to, or mix with your moisturiser for UltraCalming benefits.
    • UltraCalming Serum Concentrate the solution for skin sensitivity. This super concentrated serum helps calm, restore and defend sensitised skin. Peptides help ease discomfort stemming from damage and skin stress. The exclusive UltraCalming Complex contains Oat and botanicals to ease sensitisation, as oil of Evening Primrose, Sunflower Seed and Avocado extracts help defend against future assaults.
    • UltraCalming Eye Serum helps minimise sensitivity. A firming eye serum to help smooth fine lines on even the most sensitive of skin. This powerful treatment fluid contains an advanced peptide known to encourage collagen producing activities to help smooth fine lines and target the signs of ageing around the delicate eye area. A fortifying blend of Brown and Red Algae and Golden Chamomile helps minimise puffiness, as oat kernal extract helps soothe fragile skin. Cross linked Hyaluronic Acid optimises hydration.
    • Environ Mild Cleansing Lotion a gentle cleansing lotion that is effective in removing oils, make-up and other impurities without stripping the natural oils from the skin. Leaves the skin cleansed and refreshed. The key ingredients are Jojoba Seed Oil and Olive Oil Esters which binds moisture.
    • Environ Colostrum Serum is a highly concentrated, revitalising serum to provide essential nutrition to the skin. Suitable for first time Environ users and all skin types especially for sensitivity. Supports the immune system as it calms and soothes, containing antioxidants such as Vitamin C and E to protect and Lavender Oil as a preservative
    • Environ AVST Gel is a unique gel that is efficient in helping to calm sensitivity, redness and irritated skin. This is a cool, calming and repairing moisturiser. The low levels of Vitamin A strengthens the langerhans cells which are the dendritic cells of the skin.

    Hopefully if you suffer from sensitive skin we have given you a few product ideas here but don’t hesitate to give us a call if you require further information.

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