Here we go again. With our favourite nail bars and salons to remain closed for the foreseeable future, we’re once again re-evaluating our home beauty regime. From face masks that activate during our workouts to LED masks, home waxing and pedicure kits, here are the best at home beauty treatments to see us through lockdown…
A FACE MASK THAT WORKS AS YOU SWEAT
Hop on your Peloton or start streaming those online workouts and get a facial whilst you’re at it. FaceGym’s innovative Training Sticks are the first motion-activated skincare™, which means the harder you workout, the better the formula penetrates your skin. Simply swipe on your skin at the start of class and let the moisture and heat activate the ingredients. Expect to see an improvement in your complexion for up to 6 hours after exercising. Choose from a Brazilian Pink Clay, Spirulina, Activated Charcoal or a Multivitamin stick that combines hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and E to hydrate and plump your skin.
CELLRETURN Platinum LED Mask
A luxurious gadget to use at home, Lily Earle, daughter of Liz Earle MBE, brought the most powerful face mask available globally to the UK from South Korea in 2020. CELLRETURN’s Platinum LED mask is set apart from its competitors in the industry as it penetrates 12 times more deeply into the skin than LED light alone.
The mask uses uniquely powerful NASA technology to treat multiple areas of concern including acne, wrinkles, scarring, pigmentation and skin redness. For that at home spa experience, the mask offers a relaxing break from the day to day. Placed on top of clean skin with a small drop of the Hyaluronic Acid Ampoule to help reinforce the rejuvenating effects of the LEDs, it takes 20 minutes of downtime to experience the benefits of the technology. To enhance the effects, using a regular moisturiser or a hydrating sheet mask followed by SPF sets you up for the day.
CELLRETURN’s Hair Alpha Ray Mask
One of the areas which is harder to master yourself from home is hair – on average, women visit the hairdressers 4 times a year. As this isn’t possible for the foreseeable future, to rejuvenate hair, CELLRETURN has launched the ultimate solution with the new Hair Alpha Ray. The hair mask focuses on providing a solution to natural hair growth by applying red light to stimulate the collagen production in your scalp, allowing hair follicles to start growing again.
It uses 720 LED lights to safely and effectively create an optimal professional hair and scalp health device for use at home in your own ‘spa’! With three different modes available, all you need is 5-20 spare minutes to place the mask on your head to stimulate hair growth.
REMOVE HAIR WITH LASER AND IPL
The beauty market is brimming with at-home light-based hair removal devices. But how do we decide between laser and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)? According to the experts at Braun. “The key difference between laser and IPL is the type of light. IPL is a broadband pulsed light source, whereas laser is a monochromatic coherent light source. Both methods target the melanin in the hair follicle and permanent results can be expected from both. Professional laser treatment is working more selective and therefore the very high energy will focus on the hair follicle rather than surrounding skin. Therefore Professional laser will lead to fast results as well as being suitable to darker skin tones. Energy, frequency and hair colour are all determining factors in the efficacy of the treatment, while the light source, whether it is a laser or an intense pulsed flash light plays a minor role”.
For IPL, choose Braun Silk Expert Pro and get 55% off in the January sale (usually £599.99 now £270). Expect to see results within 4 weeks. Another IPL option is Philips Lumea Advanced IPL Hair Remover – a John Lewis best seller. For laser, check out Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X – a clinically-proven laser available for home use that uses the same diode laser technology preferred by dermatologists to target and permanently disable the hair follicle to stop hair growth for permanent results.
TRY A HOME HOT WAX
Missing your salon for that monthly Brazilian? Wax is the ultimate method for hair removal from your body. When you shave, you are simply cutting the hair at skin level, not from the follicle which means your hair root is still under your skin. When you get into the routine of waxing, your hair grows evenly and you achieve a much smoother look and finish. Get the same results at home with Bliss Poetic Waxing straight-from-the-spa hair removal kit. This spa formula makes hair removal, from eyebrow arches to ankles, a breeze. No strips, no appointment needed. Another option is Lifestance – an Amazon best-seller that uses hard wax beans. There’s also Mylee’s Complete Professional Waxing Kit with Coconut and Arnica.
HOME SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR MELANIN-RICH SKIN
Another way to give your skin the attention it deserves is to focus on the correct skincare routine for you. 4.5.6 Skin is the first skincare brand offering customisable products for melanin rich skin – this means people with darker skin tones.
To give yourself the self care you deserve, the 6 step routine is entirely personalised to your skin goals and concerns. It offers clean and biodynamic formulas that help with dryness, excess sebum production, acne, hyperpigmentation, and dullness, giving the tools needed to stay hydrated, balanced, acne-free, radiant, calm and healthy.
Darker skin tones have differing needs to caucasian skin, and the specifically customised products including the Cleansing Oil, Cleansing Gel, Exfoliator, Treatment Lotion, Brightening Serum and Mattifying & Moisturising Cream offer a solution for melanin rich skin which seeks a boost during these winter months which are so harsh on our skin.
STAY GROOMED WITH A HOME PEDICURE
When was the last time you had a proper pedicure? If you are cringing at the sight of those cracked heels, it’s time to don a 20-minute foot mask and buff away that dead skin. Scholl, the foot care specialists have a range of products to leave your tootsies pampered to perfection.
GET A NATURAL LOOKING TAN AT HOME
Yes the sun is shining but for how long is the question. To keep you glowing all summer, invest in some good quality fake tan. St Tropez has launched a new Purity Vitamins Bronzing Water Body Mist that is lightweight and easy-to-use. Simply spritz onto skin for a supercharged sun-kissed glow. It’s infused with 95% natural skincare ingredients, hydrating hyaluronic acid, refreshing green mandarin water and Vitamin C and D boosters to mimic the effects of the sun, without the damage. The vegan-friendly formulas are contained in a recyclable bottle, made from recycled plastic.
Thanks to Kayla Itsines, we’re also a fan of Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam by Coco & Eve. It has a tropical mango and guava fragrance, so no biscuit-y smell!
For the face, try Tri Phase Self Tanning Drops from Oskia – infused with super nutrients, anti-oxidants and a natural melanin complex to provide a healthy glow within hours that gently deepens over time. It smells great too, think jasmine and mint.
HOME FACIAL STEAMER
Give yourself a good old fashioned facial with the Panasonic Facial Steamer. The only facial steamer in the UK that generates nano-size steam for effortless absorption in to the skin. By making the a facial steam part of your daily routine, moisture levels in your skin can increase. It also visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen production. Follow with a purifying face mask. You can’t beat the Umbrian Clay mask from Fresh – a mineral-rich clay mask that minimises pores and shine, without over-drying or clogging pores.
SALON MANICURE
If you’re looking for serious salon style results at home then invest in the Mylee Complete Professional Gel Nail Polish kit. It comes with an LED lamp, four gel colours, top and base coat, prep and wipe, gel remover and more! If you’re an amateur at gel nails, this Amazon best-seller is worth every penny, but be quick, it’s selling out fast. For a more natural, traditional manicure, Jessica offers an at-home kit with a raspberry colour, moisturising oil, gloss, cuticle formula, file and hand emulsion.
FACIAL HAIR REMOVAL
Unsightly facial hair getting you down? Veet Sensitive Precision Dermaplaning Face Kit removes fine facial hair, aka “peach fuzz” leaving a visibly brighter, smoother and glowing complexion. If you suffer from a touch of the tash or a monthly mono, whip it off with a Veet Easy-Gelwax strip. If you’re feeling brave, use these bad boys to wax your brows too. Otherwise stick to the old reliable Mr Tweezerman.
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Main image – Philips Lumea Advanced IPL Hair Remover
Hettie is the editor and co-founder of DOSE. A keen runner, she’s also partial to a blast of high-intensity and hot yoga. A country girl at heart, she divides her time between London and the lush rolling hills of North Devon. When she’s not jetting off on her next adventure, Hettie can be found in a candle-lit alcove with a laptop, a spaniel and a full bodied Malbec.
- Hettie Holmeshttps://whateveryourdose.com/author/hettie/
- Hettie Holmeshttps://whateveryourdose.com/author/hettie/
- Hettie Holmeshttps://whateveryourdose.com/author/hettie/
- Hettie Holmeshttps://whateveryourdose.com/author/hettie/