@facetimeskinclinic
Now that I’m venturing into my 30’s I no longer want to indulge in those relaxing, pampering facials that I once loved. Instead I crave deeper results, and I don’t mind sacrificing relaxation and comfort to get them. In saying that I’m not ready to venture into any super-invasive skincare treatments or injectables just yet, I think I will leave those until my fourties – gotta have something to look forward to right! I do however want the very best in anti-aging skincare that I can find, which is what led me to this beautiful Beauty Clinic in Mairangi Bay, Auckland.
What instantly drew me in was their impressive Facial menu! So many treatments on offer, ranging from 30 minute express lunch-break treatments to light therapy sessions and an extensive range of peels, this Clinic has got your skin concerns covered!
After chatting with the lovely and very informative Clinic Manager over the phone I decided to book in for an Osmosis Medi Facial. A treatment I actually used to regularly indulge in pre Alba days, around 7 years ago now! I had always been impressed by the results, so was very intrigued to see how much this brand and its treatments had developed over the years since I last tried it.
I arrive for my appointment at the gorgeous little Clinic in Mairangi Bay and are instantly greeted by the lovely team. It’s such a beautiful and bright space with lots of natural light and so many gorgeous products on display. I’m offered a selection of yummy teas before being whisked off to the treatment room by my lovely Facialist Mellissa.
Mellissa begins my treatment by chatting with me about my overall skin condition whilst giving my skin a deep cleanse using ‘Purify’ cleanser from Osmosis. I’m told this is a really good cleanser as not only does it remove all of your makeup and sunscreen from the day, but it’s also very safe to use around the delicate eye area. Upon closer inspection, Mellissa concludes that my skin needs more hydration, some gentle exfoliation to get rid of congestion around my chin, and a step up in the anti-aging battle in the form of a little miracle product called ‘Vitamin A’.
After expressing to Mellissa that my biggest area of concern is my under-eyes she also suggests we add on the ‘Medik8 EyePeel’ treatment. This peel contains no Salicylic acid so its perfect to hydrate and brighten the eye area but also has great results when used over the entire face. The three main ingredients in this peel are L-Lactic Acid – which evenly exfoliates and hydrates the skin, L-Mandelic Acid – which is an AHA that increases cell renewal and Lactobionic Acid – which helps to increase the amount of anti-oxidants in the skin, helps fight the free radicals which cause our skin to age and also helps to hold moisture into the skin, keeping it hydrated and plump.
After the peel had been left on for around 10 minutes, it was time to remove and begin the Osmosis Medi Facial. One of the reasons this facial is so highly recommended, is that it’s tailored to your skin’s condition and concerns at the time of your treatment. Your Facialist will whip up bespoke blends using Osmosis’s range of powerful serums and active powders to target the different areas of your skin that need help.
The first blend Mellissa made for me was a mix of ‘Correct Vitamin A Serum’, ‘Replenish Antioxidant Serum’ and a little ‘Willow herb’ powder active, which is used as an antibacterial, calming and anti-inflammatory agent. Mellissa used a combination of hot fluffy towels and an amazing rolling massage technique to really infuse the products into my skin.
The second step was a treatment mask for my T-Zone. This was another bespoke blend comprising of the ‘Cucumber Mint Mask’ mixed with ‘Beta Glucan’ another powder active which helps to remove debris and scar tissue from the skin and to stimulate immune repair and remodel DNA damage. Whilst that mask was busy working away she treated the rest of my face with the ‘Tropical Mango’ mask, which smells like absolute heaven! This mask is super rich in vitamins A, E and C, as well as vitamins B1 and B2, basically superfood for your skin!
To finish Mellissa mixed a combination of ‘Immerse’ and ‘Quench’ two of Osmosis’s most hard working moisturisers together. These two work wonders on their own but when combined, Mellissa likes to call them her ‘dynamic duo’! Surprisingly even with all the active ingredients used i still found the facial rather relaxing and was so impressed with the instant results. My skin was plumper and more hydrated and was left feeling very soft after a good exfoliant. I loved the fact that the products didn’t feel like they were sitting on top of my skin like they usually do after facials.
I really cannot wait until my next treatment which will be early October. I’m told that with regular treatments and up-keep at home I will notice a massive improvement in my skin after just a few weeks, so I will definitely be keeping all of you updated!
These are the products I was recommended for my at-home skin regime:
Calm Vitamin A Serum 30ml $141
A level 2 Vitamin A serum which helps increase skin nutrients, collagen production and skin elasticity.
Clear+ Skin Conditioner 100ml $68
An activating Hydration Mist which aids in product absorption, with added active ingredients to assist the skin to firm, hydrate, soothe and nourish.
Medik8 Pore Refining Scrub 75ml $75
A dual action scrub with both L-mandelic acid and salicylic acid. Works to gently slough-off and polish away dead skin cells.
Meet my Facialist
Mellissa @facetimeskinclinic
The minute I met beautiful Mellissa from @facetimeskinclinic we immediately hit it off! With the most gorgeous, flawless skin out of any Facialist I’ve ever had, I knew my skin was in the right hands. Highly skilled, with over 8 years of experience as a Beauty Therapist both working here in NZ and overseas. Mellissa joined the Team at FaceTime Clinic as Clinic Manager early last year. She works with alot of high profile clients, which she cant name! But each of them have rave reviews about Mellissa and her amazing work and transformation with their skin. I sat down with Mellissa to find out what she uses on her gorgeous skin and her best kept beauty secrets!
I’m in love with the Osmosis Facial treatment I had done today Melissa, was truly such a treat! Tell me what is your favourite beauty treatment to indulge in?
My all time favourite facial to have is the Osmosis Medi Facial with the LED Healite Therapy, it gets you the results you want with the relaxation and pamper you need. Because this facial is an active skin changing treatment that works at the dermal level, you see the results directly after your facial and they are long lasting.
And how does your daily skincare regime look? Does it differ alot from Morning to night?
At the moment my routine in the morning and evening are very different. My morning always starts with a form of antioxidant protection,then eye cream, moisturiser and SPF and depending on my work schedule I do tend to mix it up. Currently in the morning I am using Osmosis Replenish antioxidant serum with the Clear Plus Activating Mist, follow with the Thalgo Silicium eye cream, and 24hour cream and finish up with the Osmosis Protect physical SPF. The one thing that doesn’t change is my make-up, I always use Osmosis mineral make-up as it is so light weight, lasts all day and is 100% breathable so is working with my skin rather than just covering it up.
At night time I use an AHA based cleanser, a descent Vitamin A and a DNA repair serum followed by either my night cream or a mask. Currently my routine looks like: double cleanse with Pore Cleanse Gel from Medik8, Osmosis Renew Vitamin A and Catalyst AC-11 mixed with Clear Plus then Medik8 Retinol eye TR, and then last is my Thalgo 24hour cream. Twice a week I will use the Deeply Hydrating mask by Thalgo over night for an added boost.
What is the one skincare product you believe every women needs to have in her routine?
A good Vitamin A serum is totally essential for optimum skin health, we have Vitamin A within our skin from birth and it depletes with age when the skin is lacking vitamin A we see conditions such as fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation and poor wound healing.Vitamin A helps slow all of this down! We have two top sellers in the clinic, Medik8 Retinol 3 TR which is $79.95 and then we also have the Osmosis Correct serum which contain Retinaldehyde, the price for this is $141.
What are your top 3 cant-live-without beauty products and why?
My top three can’t live with out products would have to be(this is such a hard one, I have so many favourites) Antioxidant protection in the morning,it boosts daily free radical protection So So So much, and they complement SPF really well. I think of the two products like a complete protection factor. Secondly, my Osmosis mineral make-up it treats the skin and tends to last all day, and works with my skin care. Lastly, I think it is my Hydrating mask by Thalgo, I can use it over night when I need that increase of hydration or even better when I am tired and want to get my routine done fast.
And lastly can you please let us in on your best kept beauty secret?
To be honest, it would be consistency. I always do my morning and night routine,never sleep in my make-up. I always have my monthly facial, and thinking about it I have always done a course of Collagen Induction through winter each year. I think of my skin care routine at home as my healthy eating, my monthly facials as my personal training sessions and my course of treatments as a bootcamp before summer to get my skin in tip top shape. Its so important to do something for your skin regularly as your skin is constantly changing. This industry is always evolving so it is good to keep up to date on treatments and new products that will benefit our clients.
