Once cancer treatment started taking a toll on my skin, I started thinking about treating myself to a lovely facial. The question was though, where could I go that used natural, organic skincare products?
During my cancer treatment I started to become really conscious of every product I put on my skin. I ended up throwing out most of my cosmetics and skincare and stripping back to some bare essentials – face wash, toner and moisturiser – and then purchasing natural, organic alternatives to my old favourites.
I’d heard of Virginie Claire’s Beauty Centre through Alison Canavan’s Full 360 Wellness Events and I knew they sold PHYT’S Active Organic Skincare, which formed the basis of my new skincare kit. I hopped onto their website and found that they do a full range of treatments, from hair removal and skincare treatments to manicures and pedicures, make-up, tanning and massage.
Virginie Claire’s Beauty Centre specialises in facial treatments which are tailor-made to their clients skin requirements. If you are experiencing skin problems or looking for anti-aging or resurfacing treatments to regenerate and erase fine lines, their therapists will give expert advice and effective results. Other treatments they are renowned for include tints, brows, waxing, diathermy and IPL to name a few.
I got in touch with the team at Virginie Claire’s and they invited me to come and talk to them at their Beauty Centre and also to try one of their personalised facial treatments. I was delighted and grateful – my skin desperately needed some attention.
From the moment you walk in to Virginie Claire’s Beauty Centre, you feel welcome and at home. The cosy surroundings of the waiting area are relaxed and calming. My therapist, Natalia, was warm, friendly and so kind. She brought me through to a treatment room and gave me time to get comfortable. She then examined my skin and quickly devised a tailored treatment routine for the needs of my skin at that time.
The treatment I had was the Soin Luminescence Facial, lasting 75 minutes and priced at €80. It’s a PHYT’S Signature Treatment combining exfoliation to erase impurities; a cream mask with pressure points to relieve all tensions; an Active Revitalising Massage to tone, oxygenate and stimulate circulation; relaxing and nourishing massage, finished with a Peel Off Mask to firm and tone the skin: all targeted to slow the ageing process.
Here are some of the details of the products that were used, all of which are available to buy online for home use from the PHYT’S website…
Lait Nettoyant, €25
Creamy cleanser and makeup remover
For normal/dry or mature skins. A must for skins that don’t like contact with water. Lait Nettoyant is nourishing, thoroughly emulsifies and removes all makeup colourings. Leaves skin, clean, supple and soft.
*Lemon – Softens, tones, brightens
*Beeswax – Protects, conserves skins moisture
*Verbena – Refreshes, brightens
*Hazelnut – Nourishes, softens
Tonic treatment for all skins, particularly dry, sensitive or mature skins
Anti-inflammatory, softening and induces circulation (without ethanol or chemical glycerine). Perfect for cleansing , removing excess cleanser or makeup. Refreshes, rehydrates and relaxes the skin; balances the skins pH.
*Bitter Orange – Calming
*Vervain – Refreshes
*Lotus, Alfalfa – Soothes
*Horsetail – Heals, remineralises
*Mallow – Calms skin inflammations
Gommage Contact+, €28.50
Gently eliminates dead surface cells without damaging the skin’s protective barrier
Facilitates expulsion of skin toxins. Encourages cellular renewal, oxygenation and complexion glow. Gentle enough for the most sensitive of skins, including hypersensitivity and acne rosacea.
*Ylang Ylang – Anti-inflammatory
*Sunflower – Conserve skin moisture
*Plants cells (cellulose) – Absorbent, gentle exfoliant
Serum Anti-Rides, €69
Nourishing and regenerating ultra anti-wrinkle serum
Highly nutritive complex rich in stimulating essential oils, Serum Antirides gives freshness, tone and glow back to the skin. Nourishing, anti-radical, anti-wrinkle, with a rejuvenating effect.
*Sunflower – Conserves skins moisture
*Rosemary, Thyme, Cypress – Tones and regenerates, excellent for capillary action and strength
*Vitamin E – Free anti-radicals, slows down ageing
*Wheatgerm – Reinforces elasticity, anti-wrinkle action
*Hazelnut, Castor Oil – Nourishing
Phyt’ssima Zones Rebelles (Salon use only) but
Phyt’ssima Soin Visage is the retail version, available here for €54
Repairing, lipid restoring, dry to very dry skins, or dry skin conditions
Skin protecting and repairing, soothes very dry, irritated skins, nourishes and relieves itching and rashes linked to skin dryness, suppresses in the long term feelings of skin pulling and discomfort, even in very cold weather.
*Argan Oil – Moisturising, revitalising, softening and protecting action on skin (high content of Omega 6)
*Hemp Oil – Skin’s elasticity, regenerating, anti-inflammatory and anti-free radical action (balanced content of Omega 3 and 6)
Shea Butter – Repairs, softens, protects against wind, cold and sun
Mask Aqua Peel Off (Salon use only)
Firming, plumping, stimulating and cooling
An alginate mask that activates when mixed with water and firms to a rubber consistency on the face and neck.
*Algin – Algae extract and mineral rich
*Aloe Extract – Anti-ageing
*Maltodextrin, Rosemary – Stimulating for circulation
Natalia also performed PHYT’S Pressure Point Technique and PHYT’S Revitalising Massage on my skin through the treatment as well as her own massage.
It was a luxurious, relaxing facial that left me feeling refreshed and calm. My skin felt like it had just been given a complete and thorough overhaul and was soft to the touch and glowing. I really, thoroughly enjoyed the experience and best of all, I was confident I had not compromised my new skincare habits with any harsh or toxic chemicals.
I asked Natalia whether many people going through cancer attended their centre for skincare and beauty treatments and wasn’t surprised to hear that they do – Virginie Claire’s has built an esteemed reputation in the natural beauty world and the word is out. If you’re in need of a little TLC, Virginie Claire’s is the place to go. We know you won’t be disappointed.
To find out more about Virginie Claire’s, visit their website here or their Facebook page here.
