A Masterclass in Beauty with Groom Spa's Katherine Simpson

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Posted 2015-06-05 by Bianca N V ⇒ follow

[MOB1209L] Katherine Simpson is the brains and the braun behind the Groom Spa success story. She recently sat down with us and shared some of her best beauty tips and skincare advice for women of all tones, types, age groups, lifestyles and budgets. She also put together an amazing offer just for WeekendNotes readers. Read on for all the details!

1. What are the top three essential skincare items every woman should have?
There are few greater luxuries than having beautiful, glowing skin. It is the ultimate expression of good health. These days we are blessed with so many amazing skincare products. Technology has come a long way and some skincare has the ability to change the structure of skin and repair damage, which previously was unattainable.

However, before we start to get too excited about serums, retinols and AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) we need to understand and get started on the basics, which are what I like to call the 'daily essentials.' These are your must haves, equivalent to your little black dress or white t-shirt, that make up your basic routine.

A good cleanser
The cleanser is there to clean your skin and stabilise your acid mantle.

A good exfoliator
The second is a good exfoliator, it could be a manual one where you massage it into your skin and then wash it off, or a chemical one which you just apply to your skin and let it do it's work.

A good moisturiser
The third is a good moisturiser. This acts as a layer of protection that stops your body's own moisture from evaporating. I have to say at this point, though, that another absolute essential is sunscreen. This is your coat of armour, your workhorse. This is your biggest anti-ager, and if I had to choose between a moisturiser or sunscreen, then sunscreen would win hands down.

Once you have your basics down pat, we can start to work on all the specialised products that will truly transform your skin.

[MOB1213L] 2. How can we choose the right one of each of these daily essentials for our individual needs?
The best way to choose the correct products is to go and see your beauty therapist! We can't really determine our own skin. Your beauty therapist can look through a skin scanner and see what is happening below the top layer of skin that we call the epidermis. No skin needs everything. There are many skin care options out there, but you don't need them all, the trick is to choose the best product that will correct the concerns that you may have. Clear out all the clutter and concentrate on the bare essentials that will actually make a difference. The time that is takes to have a proper skin consultation will save you money in the long run.

3. Is it true that we should change skincare ranges from time to time to get the best out of products, or is this a myth?
There is no need to ever change ranges, unless of course you are not getting the results that you want. Your skin will determine what you need. After a certain age, your skin requires specific ingredients if you want it to function at optimal level. These are Vitamin A, Vitamin C, AHAs and Hylauronic Acid. As long as these are in the correct form and are active enough in the product you are using, you can stay on these for as long as you want without ever changing.

[MOB1211L] 4. What are the biggest skincare and makeup myths you've heard of and would like to dispel?
I think probably the biggest myth is that you don't need to wear sunscreen in winter. UV rays can be just as strong in winter as they are in summer; it is essential to wear sunscreen all year round if you want to slow down the ageing process. The other is that you can sleep in mineral makeup without it doing any harm to the skin. As much as mineral makeup is better than it's chemical counterpart, it still needs to be taken off each and every night to avoid congestion and pore blockage.

[MOB1212R] 5. If there's only one thing you can do for yourself each day in terms of your skincare and beauty regime, what should it be?
The best thing that you can do in terms of your skincare regime is to keep it simple; don't over-complicate things by using too many products. We all know that we need to exercise, drink more water, less alcohol and, of course, get lots of sleep to have healthy skin, but we also need to ensure that we enjoy life. As long as you do the basics and apply sunscreen daily you are on the right track. A tip if you are feeling a little cash strapped is to look for products that have more than one use, for instance a cleanser and exfoliator in one. This will not only save you a few dollars, but you will be multi-tasking as well.

6. You've got 20 minutes for your morning beauty regime, what do you do with that time?
The average time that it takes to do a full skincare routine each morning is around three minutes. If you are lucky enough to have 20 minutes I would relax with a glass of hot water and lemon, it is great for detoxifying the skin and body and really aids in digestion. You could also once or twice a week put on a mask; it will make you feel like a million dollars and your makeup will glide onto your skin.

[MOB1218L] 7. If you can do a day spa treatment only once a year, what kind of treatment would you recommend?
A massage or anything that relaxes your body and mind.

8. If you can make it into the day spa two to three times a year for a treatment, what mix or specific set of treatments would you recommend?
I think that the spa treatment is really about relaxation and allowing your body and mind a little time out. If you can only get in a few times a year, then mix it up between a facial and a massage.

[MOB1219R] Now that you have the know-how, review your skincare and beauty routine with confidence and get the right products that will help you to truly love the skin you were born in. But wait, there's more! Right now, Groom Spa is rolling out the red carpet for WeekendNotes readers with a very special offer put together just for you. For any advanced facial treatment that is booked in the months of June or July 2015, you will receive an incredibly generous $40 off the cost of the treatment. Book now online or by calling your nearest Groom Spa and simply mention WeekendNotes. Enjoy!