The Art Of At-Home Beauty

A Note From Fiona

“There are times one just can’t get out of the house, for whatever reason. But rather than raging at the frustrations of being far from my favourite facialists and beauty therapists, I’ve learned to make the most of my situation with the help of at-home products. Far from a mere indulgence, precious moments of pampering offer care for mind and body alike, and these are a few of my favourites…

The Light Fantastic

I am experiencing stress, and when that happens a series of angry red bumps arrives on my face. Hello rosacea! I have spent years trying to tame the beast and one of the best investments I ever made has been a Dermalux Flex MD LED Light Therapy Device. It’s not cheap at £1,999.99, but it is worth it. This machine - which I use whilst lying on my bed listening to my favourite podcast, The Rest is History, can be attached to a base which creates a dome which I place over my face or it can lie flat on my stomach or under my back. It is one of the most powerful light machines on the market, designed to be used in a clinic or at home.

Here is the science, its light therapy uses the three most clinically proven wavelengths: Red 633nm, good for skin surface issues like wrinkles, acne, and improving skin tone and circulation; Blue 415nm, used for acne as it targets surface bacteria but doesn't penetrate as deeply as red; and NIR, meaning Near-infrared 830nm, where the rays are invisible to the eye but their light penetrates deeper into the body, promoting muscle recovery, reducing joint pain, aiding bone repair and reducing inflammation in deeper tissues. NM stands for nanometers, which measure the wavelength of light, determining its colour and how deeply it penetrates tissues.

If you want the same quality but in the form of an easy-to-wear mask, then look no further than the brilliant silicone LED light mask by Nooance. Considered by experts to be one of the best new products on the market, its as powerful as the Dermalux but comes at a more affordable price.

Marvelous Masks, Serums & Shavers

You can use a red-light treatment at least twice a week and I always use a sheet mask or a good serum on my face as the lights help skin absorb the ingredients. Here are a few that I have tried and found to be hydrating and healing:

I am a huge fan of Boots No7, and the No7 Future Renew™ Damage Reversal Serum is considered one of the best affordable, high-performance serums in the range.

I have used BioEffect’s Imprinting Hydrogel Mask for years. My wonderful facialist Joanne Evans at Skinmatters uses it when I visit her, too. It is rich in hyaluronic acid and glycerin, and very hydrating.

I am trying out a new discovery - a brand called Chito Care, which is getting a lot of attention for wound and skin healing, and I am impressed by the serum. Its main ingredient is marine chitosan which is derived from shellfish. It forms a protective barrier on the skin and locks in moisture, supporting natural repair, which is good for my aggravated sensitive skin.

Another excellent sheet mask is Augustinus Bader’s Hydrogel Face Mask. A pack of six is well worth the investment. The brand is known for its signature TFC8 technology (Trigger Factor Complex) which means it acts as a cellular communicator, telling the skin to activate its own innate regeneration processes, reducing signs of aging, redness, and damage.

ReVive’s Intensive Anti-Gravity serum, is full of lovely skin rejuvenating peptides that leave my skin plumped and glowing. You don’t need a red-light machine in conjunction with any of these masks and serums for them to do their work, but it’s a nice add-on.

Finally, I do love a good shave! Estrid’s precision razor, is a great single-blade dermaplaning tool designed for facial use. I hold it at a 45degree angle and glide it in downward strokes after thoroughly cleansing my face. It gets rid of fine peachy fuzz and pesky chin hairs, and is a natural exfoliator. It leaves my skin very smooth and doesn’t cause the hair to grow back thicker.

Bathing Beauty

I need very little excuse to get into a bath and have always found a good soak to be the most stress relieving indulgence of them all. I tend to combine a generous scoop of Epsom salts with enriching aromatherapy oils, without which I could not survive.

I discovered Dee Stanford many years ago and have used her incredible all-natural aromatherapy oils faithfully throughout my life. She hand-blends her oils and I not only soak in them, but I add her Lavender and Happiness burning oils to an aromatherapy burning stone in my sitting room. There is a wide selection but my preferred ones are as follows:

Lavender (£42), is generally calming, relieving tension in the mind and body.

Rosemary (£48), is a good oil to help muscle fatigue, tiredness, aches and pains, stimulating blood circulation. It also helps to support the immune system, aiding in the recovery from colds and unblocking nasal passages. A great uplifter.

Exotic (£60), is a mixture of ylang-ylang, rose geranium, bitter orange, rosewood, Moroccan chamomile and patchouli. It is indulgent and uplifting, an excellent for stress-reliever, and helps stimulate the circulation.

Unwinder (£54), is a blend of lavender, geranium, cedarwood, patchouli and bitter orange. It relaxes the mind, soothes anxiety, and balances the body.

My preferred bath salts - and I’ve tried most of them over the years - are currently Better You Mineral Bath Flakes (£8.99). They come in a 1kg bag and I use the suggested 20 minutes of absorption to light a few candles, pop on a sheet mask and return phone calls. There’s nothing better than a chat in the bath with my big toe glued to the hot tap. If I want to get fancy I add a spoonful of Ilapothecary Magnesuim & Amethyst relaxing bath soak.

Heavenly Hydrators

I have been hearing about the health benefits of hydrogen, acting as a "smart" antioxidant. It is often consumed through hydrogen-rich water (HRW) or inhaled gas to combat oxidative stress. I have been chugging down Echo Water, which comes in a chargeable flask, and uses regular tap water infused with molecular hydrogen. The flask has a stylish, James Bond-style state-of-the-art appeal. A blue light comes on inside the glass bottle as water is infused with bubbling hydrogen, which is very pleasing to watch. It makes gulping down water – something I have never found easy to do – a real pleasure.

Home Help

Sometimes, I want to import some energy from outside the house. For this I turn to the Lucie App, a brilliantly curated wellness, fitness and medical app that has an excellent edit of the best high-end practitioners for at-home treatments. Its focus is on ‘insider’ professionals who typically work within the worlds of fashion, showbiz and high-end spas. Think NET-A-PORTER for at-home wellness. I spent a glorious hour having reflexology with Zara Parness (£100). She brought her special chair and covered me with a blanket whilst working through my stressed body via my feet. I have rarely felt so relaxed or slept so well.