The popular saying for great skin has always been cleanse, tone and moisturise. To clean and hydrate the skin seems to be a given but there is another under estimated step to youthful, glowing skin and that is the removal of dead skin cells though exfoliation. Every day we shed tiny skin cells on the surface of our skin, this keeps our existing skin new and fresh. When skin dies, little holes appears on it and this lets out our natural oil and water thus making us dry and wrinkles form. Unfortunately as we get older, our skin naturally exfoliates lesser and lesser so by the time we reach the 25 year mark the process has doubled and 30 days drags out to 60 days for the exfoliation process to take place.

This is where exfoliations come into play, there are different types of exfoliations you can use to help your skin regain its soft look. The most well known exfoliants are called ‘scrubs’, these have tiny granules that mechanically remove the dead skin cells. Although this choice is popular, it’s not for everyone as the granules can be quite harsh on older, sagging skin and make broken capillaries appear more red and irritated. Scrubs would be more suitable for teens, men and women in their twenties and early thirties because scrubs are recommended mostly for oily, thicker skins.

Everyone over the age of 30 should be using an acid or peel on their skin. These are also known as glycolic acid, lactic acid or AHAs (a combination of them both) because these are amazing for a deeper exfoliation of pigmentations, wrinkles, scars and older skins these AHAs will give a better result to older skins then scrubs will. Scrubs may be preferred for some of you because you like to feel that you are scrubbing the skin clean and that’s fine but if you want to see better results and bright, smoothed skin they are better off using AHAs. For best results a professional treatment is recommended as the strength of these AHA can be higher in the salon for the professional facials but there is also products that can be used more frequently at home with a lower percentage of AHAs.

June’s Juliette Armand’s Therapist of the month is Jennifer Mclaughlin, who qualified 10 years ago from Limavady Regional College and now owns Beauty House in Donegal.  We asked Jennifer a few questions:

When and where did you qualify as a Beauty Therapist?

I qualified as a beauty therapist from Limavady Regional College in June 2006.

What made you want to set up your own business?

I was always driven to set up my own business one day.  I was manager of Heaven Spa at the 5 Star Hilton Hotel Manchester for several years. Here I gained a wealth of experience and confidence to start my business journey – Beauty House.

What sets Beauty House out over its competitors?

At Beauty House we offer a wide range of advanced services & products.  We continuously attend & invest heavily in training to ensure we are offering the best services to our clients which includes travelling to places like Dublin & the UK several times a year to train and attend trade shows and seminars.  We were shortlisted earlier this year in the Irish Hair & Beauty Awards and were among the top 8 finalists in our category.  Next year we aim to be winners!!  We have a beautiful spacious salon and conduct all our services in a professional and confidential manner.

Please tell me about your most rewarding or satisfying experience, your proudest moment, since you set up Beauty House Salon?

This is a hard one… I suppose the initial start-up which was just myself in a one treatment room in a hair salon.  That was a proud moment for me to have my own business started. One and half year later I needed to expand into a larger premise which was exciting but also scary.  Once I had opened the doors of my new salon and seen the expression and hear the positive comments of my clients I knew then I had made the correct decision, one of the best decisions I have ever made. It does require a lot of time and effort but I do have those rewarding moments that makes it all worth will.  A simple compliment from a client can be very rewarding or a smile when they see themselves in the mirror after a treatment and change your whole day also in a positive way.

What do you enjoy most about being a Therapist?

I love facials and skincare.  I find it so rewarding when I hand that mirror to my clients and the look of amazement on their face with the results.

What’s the most important thing about working as a Therapist to you?

Your client is the most important person.  They have come to me for my expert advice and help and it is up to me to give them that.  I think listening to your client is key when you are a therapist, listening to what they want and not what you think they need.  Remain professional at all times, the client is paying for your services and not to listen to your problems.

What is your favourite Juliette Armand treatment to give?

At the moment, it is the Thavma or Chronos facial.

Which Juliette Armand treatment do you wish that you would receive and why? 

Thavma Facial.  After just one of these facials I can see the difference. My skin feels and looks amazing and I love the glow it gives my skin.

What do you think makes Juliette Armand Skincare range stand out from other skincare ranges?

Juliette Armand works… Simple as… it does what it says on the tin.

What is your favourite Juliette Armand product and why?

AHA 6%, use this product before bed at night and your skin will look bright, hydrated, refreshed and you feel super-duper smooth and soft.

What is the best comment that you have heard a customer exclaim after a Juliette Armand treatment?

“I’ll take the package of 10 please” Honestly, they look in the mirror after one treatment and that’s them sold… no words needed just the results they can see for themselves in the mirror.

What would you say to anyone thinking about using this range?

Go for it definitely, it works.

What is your motto or personal mantra?

I have always said it is “better to regret trying something than regret not!!”

What book did you read last?

Currently reading “Girl on the train”.

What did you want to be when growing up?

A nurse originally (not a fan of blood though).

What do you like to do on your days off?

Honestly just relax. If the sun is shining I’ll spend it in my garden.  In the winter a big open fire and a good movie, although this is not always the case on my day off.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Work, eat, sleep, repeat…

You’re happiest when?

I am checking in at the airport to get on a plane to go on holidays.

What skin care treatments are particularly popular with men?

Facials are the most popular skincare treatment with men, as men’s’ skin is naturally oily, blackheads and pimples are prone and facials consist of extractions and pore refining masks. Men are becoming more and more aware of facial machines and microdermabrasion with some therapist recommendations, men are very good at following advice.

Are there specific ingredients or products which are more suitable to male skin?

Men will benefit from an exfoliating cleanser because their skin is thicker than women’s, as men’s skin is naturally oily, oil free moisturisers give a nice light weight feel to the skin and prevents shine. Men like products that can be used in the shower and the gym.

What makes male skin different from female skin? 

Men’s skin contains more collagen meaning they age slower than women. Their skin is also thicker so they can use all types of exfoliations including daily scrubs where some women tend to be dry/sensitive. Men also may shave their face regularly and suffer from ingrown hairs to sensitised and irritated skin.

This month we talk to Emma Murphy from the Beauty Sanctuary, who qualified in 2006 in Kilkenny and is now based just outside Enniscorthy in Co Wexford.

What made you want to set up your own business?

To challenge myself to making a better life

What sets The Beauty Sanctuary out over its competitors?

I can offer a wide range of treatments and I also give more to people then they come in for due to my experience in reiki and reflexology I add these to treatments to give the client as much as I can.  I have a great knowledge on how to work with people and I have a great interest in people’s skin and making it healthy. We also offer a friendly atmosphere, free parking, local service and I open late nights.

What do you enjoy most about being a Therapist?

I enjoy being a therapist because I help people feel better and I make them smile

What’s the most important thing about working as a Therapist to you?

Making people happy

What is your favourite Juliette Armand treatment to give?

Opsis Eye Treatment

Which Juliette Armand treatment do you wish that you would receive and why? 

Opsis eye because my eyes are my biggest issues along with my forehead and I notice a difference after one treatment.

What do you think makes Juliette Armand Skincare range stand out from other skincare ranges?

Their results are visible to be seen after just one treatment

What is your favourite Juliette Armand product and why?

My favourite product is AHA 6% exfoliator

What is the best comment that you have heard a customer exclaim after a Juliette Armand treatment?

Brightening and softening and firming her skin all in an exfoliation, she’s extremely happy with the product

What would you say to anyone thinking about using this range?

Amazing results reasonable prices.

What is your motto or personal mantra?

Skin is my speciality, I will fix it for u if u give me your skin I guarantee you I will mend it for u if u trust me. AND the people who want healthy skin, do trust me and are willing to spend money on it

What book did you read last? ps I love u ????I don’t read much

What did you want to be when growing up? A mechanic

What do you like to do on your days off?

Get a massage and be out in the fresh air, whether it be kayaking on the river , walking my dog or lien off on the grass.

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us.