My Festive Beauty Saviours
BY FIONA FOWLEY, DIRECTOR
I don’t know about you but this time each year I am manically busy. As a working mum, I’m juggling preparing for Christmas, running a business and attending the seemingly endless array of festive events that Edinburgh hosts.
Over the years I’ve curated a list of beauty saviours that help me always look prepared a moment’s notice – those multi-tasking products and must-have treatments that ensure I look my best…with minimal effort or time spent. And so, as I’m all about sharing my beauty secrets, here are my five beauty saviours to help make your life this festive season that little bit easier!
NAILING THE NAILS
Whether I’m holding a wine glass stem or a Rejuvapen pen, my nails must always be chip-free. I don’t have time for the high maintenance of a regular polish so my Shellac sessions are already booked in to ensure my hands are groomed no matter what. Hard wearing and high shine, they are unbeatable. This season I’ve already picked out my go-to colour – Fedora, a gorgeous festive deep burgundy.
THE TRIPLE ACTION FACIAL
This multi-tasking, combination facial treatment (£115) is a trio of advanced, hardworking facials in one session for maximum results in minimum time. Microdermabrasion sloughs away dry skin and stimulate faster skin cell renewal before LED light therapy stimulates the body’s own natural processes to counteract the effects of ageing and to help achieve that youthful glow. And then there’s an anti-ageing Collagen Mask Treatment with DNA Enzyme Repair to plump and smooth fine lines and wrinkles.
MY EYE LIFT
So this one is new to my list as I’ve been experiencing lash envy recently. A number of the therapists at Zen invest in LVL Lashes each month and the results are stunning; I’m loving the wide-awake look this innovative treatment creates. Instead of curling eyelashes, the treatment straightens them to lend a remarkable amount of length, thickness and uplift to the natural eyelash.
RETINOL ME
I have already started using Medik8’s R-Retinoate Youth Activating Cream (£135) and it is one of the best anti-ageing skincare products I’ve ever used. Up to eight times more powerful than retinol, it stimulates collagen production and skin cell turnover, neutralises free radicals and boosts moisture levels. Skin is left supple and there’s much less irritation than retinol. My skin is literally glowing right now.
AND SO TO BED
I need to maximise my sleep time so have become addicted to Neom’s new Scent to Sleep range which helps improve the quality of my sleep. Containing nearly 20 pure essential oils including English lavender, sweet basil and jasmine, I’m currently using Perfect Night’s Sleep Bath Foam (£22) combined with Perfect Night’s Sleep Bath & Shower Drops (£40). And in my bedroom as I get ready their Tranquility Candle (from £16) burns its gorgeous scent.
Fiona Fowley – Founder and Director of Zen Lifestyle
Fiona Fowley is the beauty expert and entrepreneur behind the Zen Lifestyle salons. Originally a beauty therapist, Fiona realised there was a gap in the market to create a unique kind of customer experience in the UK beauty and spa industry. She created Zen Lifestyle to provide discerning clients with an exceptionally high standard of therapies in luxurious, beautifully designed surroundings. she has led the business to 18 national beauty awards, as well as being voted UK Salon of the Year 5 times.
