This October’s Juliette Armand’s Therapist of the month goes to the lovely Helen Connolly, who has been in the beauty industry for over 20 years and has a lovely little clinic in the heart of Galway City, Aromatherapy Health & Beauty Clinic

 What made you want to set up your own business?

 I had just qualified as a therapist and was working in my current Clinic when the owner announced she was selling the business. I knew this was a great opportunity that may not arise again so even though at some levels I felt ill prepared I decided to go for it and looking back it definitely was the right decision. The business grew from strength to strength and I also enjoyed the challenge.

What sets Aromatherapy Clinic out over its competitors?

To be honest from the beginning I decided not to worry about what other salons were doing. I just focused on offering every client the best treatment and experience i could offer and it seems to work judging by the amount of repeat clients we have.

Please tell me about your most rewarding or satisfying experience, your proudest moment, since you set up Aromatherapy Clinic?

I find every day rewarding. I get great results with massage and foot and facial reflexology. When a client tells me their life has improved so much after a treatment I find that very rewarding.

What do you enjoy most about being a Therapist?

 Being able to make people feel better in themselves and also look better. I also love doing courses and learning about the latest treatments and products available on the market.

What is your favorite Juliette Armand treatment?

My favorite treatment to give and receive is the Chronos Facial. The results are amazing. The Chronos facial leaves my skin plumped and glowing and is also very relaxing.

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

I think Juliette Armand offers fantastic instant results and this is because they have the latest high tech ingredients while still being kind to your skin. There is a product for every skin type. The service I have experienced since i took on the range is second to none training and promotion is excellent.

What is your favorite Juliette Armand product and why?

I love the Chronos cream. I have sensitive dry skin and I find this is a lovely comfort cream.

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

Oh my god I look 10 years younger.

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

I would highly recommend it they won’t regret it.

What is your motto or personal mantra?

Live in the moment life is short

What book did you read last?

I don’t read books as such I love to read the newspaper and health & Beauty magazines.

What did you want to be when growing up?

My friends have told me I always wanted to be a beauty therapist. But to be honest I don’t remember.

What do you like to do on your days off?

I love to be there for my family and friends. Simply things like picking up from school and having the dinner ready. And i love my morning yoga class. And going for a walk and sometimes I get a treatment.

What does a typical day look like for you?

On a working day I get up at 7.30 get ready have breakfast. Drop my daughter to school. I drive to work which takes an hour. It’s usually very busy at work. I check my e-mails. messages and call back any clients. Then i do a lot of treatments. Which can be electrolysis, massage, facials, tinting or waxing. I love the variety as I never get bored or tired.

I finish at 6 and arrive home at 7. I prepare dinner catch up on some house work. I try to do some exercise on my bike while watching tv. Read the newspaper. I am usually in bed by 12.

You’re happiest when?

I am happiest when I get the work family life balance right and have time for myself and get my exercise and yoga.

Thank you Helen for taking the time to talk to us. and check out her salon here

Acne breakouts don’t just stop after your teenage years. Many women and men experience spots on different areas of the face at different times in their lives. There are so many reasons why we get spots but generally it is from a clogged pores and a certain bacteria called Propionibacterium.  These 2 along with hormones, diet, stress and hygiene are to blame.

But what about the cluster in between your eyebrows? How come you are cursed with the big popper right in the centre of your eyes?  There may be other underlining reasons why you have acne in between your eyebrows: Late night wine and dine is one of the main reasons.  Alcohol and processed foods cause havoc on the skin and contribute to excess oil called sebum, dehydration and a grey look to the skin. This area seems to get particularly congested when one has a bad diet.  Acne between the eyebrows can also be caused from tweezing or threading, the eyebrows are prone to bacteria entering the pores.  Touching the skin will definitely not help the situation and layering concealer is just a vicious circle!

Best ways to treat acne between eyebrows: Overall good health is a must- Sleep 8-10 hours, avoid sun exposure, drink plenty of water, avoid using skincare products with excess perfume, oil and paraffin , book a facial every month and use products containing Canadian willowherb, this amazing ingredient will inhibit the action of Propionibacterium Acnes, responsible for 99% of acne cases. Avoid snacking late at night, avoid alcohol and smoking.  Also whenever you tweeze the hairs from the area, make sure to wipe over with an antiseptic lotion which insures the open hair follicle can stay clean so it cannot become a spot or blackhead.  Exfoliate the area using Salicylic Acid and Retinol products for any scarring. The Chinese believe that any skin problem between the brows indicate an overloaded liver(lets blame the heavy nights again!!).   People with pimples between the brows experience chest tightness, heart irregularity, but that is in very minor cases.  Hair fringes are also a culprit as filth and bacteria accumulation from dirty/oily hair which rubs off the skin so you might need to cut down the time between shampoos. Visit your Skincare Therapist today for the best products to use and put a stop to acne between the eyebrows!

We all know that body massage is a real treat when one needs to relax, destress and reduce tension to sore muscles, but did you know that massage of the face is as important as massaging our body and needs regular attention too? Usually as part of a facial or Indian head massage, facial massage is carried out. Massaging the face brings fresh blood to the surface which carries nutrients and increases collagen production, this may cause temporary redness to the skin but instantly invigorates it. Deep pressure can iron out wrinkle and help them appear smoother, softer and less obvious, massaging your products into your skin everyday will give you better results than just applying the cream. Just like on out back and shoulders, we also have ‘knots’ on our cheekbones and when these knots are broken down the face looks less stressed and younger.

Pressure points can be beneficial to the face when one suffers from sinuses, puffiness and allergies because the therapist uses her force to push down pressure on certain points of the face and around the eyes and then drains the toxins to the nearest lymph node that empties the toxins. Pressure points is a good massage replacement when one has acne so as not to spread the infection around the skin like traditional massage. This will also allow one to breathe better and relieve headaches or blocked nose.

Massaging the skin is one of the most anti-aging thing one can do themselves as it also helps the elastin of the skin and allows the products to penetrate deeper into the skin resulting in younger more beautiful skin. Massage can be carried out in upward strokes and deep circular movements all over the face and around the eyes especially if an active serum or moisturiser is used instead of an oil. Make sure you add this step into your everyday regime, you will be surprised how much better the skin looks!