Change Challenges

Spring is in the air in Sydney. Time to slough off winter dullness. If you follow my blog you’ll know I like a bargain. I took advantage of two special offers: a Microdermabrasion (eek!) Facial and a Body Revive treatment. These were both new to me and a change from my previous skin treatments.

For years I enjoyed regular facials at Chez Lucille Salon which was decorated in time warp pastel pink and grey. The owner and sole beautician, Betty, was immaculately groomed and truly of another generation. It was like going to my grandmother for a facial.  The products Betty used were an unfamiliar French brand which she sold but never pushed. Her hands were deft and gentle. She scrubbed, massaged, plucked and I glowed. One day I went there to make an appointment and the salon was locked up. The phone remained unanswered and I sadly concluded that Betty had died.

Since then, deterred by the tentative hands of young therapists intent on selling products, I’ve only had a few facials. I read a review of microdermabrasion facials and, buoyed by the hope of Spring, off I went. The therapist, Lana, was pleasant and gentle. She cleansed my face, scrubbed it with a little vacuum cleaner like device (which hurt slightly), applied an AHA mixture to remove surface cells (which stung a bit), and finally, a soothing mask.

For the body…..I’ve previously enjoyed Korean scrubs in Sydney and Seoul.  Koreans believe that skin cleansing is an essential part of personal care and have regular skin scrubs. These are very functional procedures – you lie, starkers, on a plastic covered table and are scrubbed top to toe by a hefty woman wearing sensible undies then rinsed off with buckets of water.  It’s surprisingly pleasant with the reward of baby soft skin. This time, instead of the Full Monty Korean scrub, I went to QBeauty for a Body Revive treatment which combined gentle exfoliation with a moisturising massage.

“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come” Joseph Campbell

Verdict

After both treatments my skin was squeeky clean. The Microdermabrasion left me with some dry flakey patches on my face for a few days but, all up, I’d say it was a good treatment though not as relaxing as a traditional facial. I’ll certainly give it another go. My body treatment was so soothing I went to sleep and felt very refreshed afterwards. Bring on summer!

‘Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.’ Gwyneth Paltrow

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