LSP90iJVl2
The IMAGE staff share their go-to spots for facials in Dublin, whether they’re looking for hydration, extraction, advice or a smoother texture.
I thought I had escaped teenagehood unscathed by acne but, at 26, they (the pore-clogging demons) realised their lapse and came at me with a sustained attack of breakouts around my chin. A year of faffing around with skin routines, diets and copious water consumption and I eventually booked an appointment with Peggy Stringer at the Monkstown Laser Skin Clinic. A new skin step and one glycolic peel later and I haven’t had a single breakout. Added bonuses are that my skin feels smoother, more uniform and with less redness. Peggy is my derma goddess and I worship at her soft hands. – Lauren Heskin Deputy Editor, Image Interiors & Living
When my favourite facialist Ruth Burke set up her own salon in Drogheda, I was delighted for her – but crestfallen for me, as she had done such a great job lavishing my skin in Howth over many years. I reluctantly set on a mission to find someone as good – or a brand as reliable as Yonka – and am most impressed by the IMAGE facial (no relation to our publishing company, a pure coincidence!) at Buff Day Salon in Dublin 2. I’d had an IMAGE facial at Howth’s Renaissance Clinic and got great results – less visible pores, smoother, radiant and clearer skin – but wanted a longer, more relaxing treatment than a clinical quick-fix. Buff’s 55-minute IMAGE facial is as mind-soothing as it is complexion enhancing, and I make sure to add on at least half an hour with my Kindle in the relaxation room afterwards for optimum self-indulgence. For weeks after a treatment, my skin is in better condition, making make-up application quicker and easier. What more can you want from a facial? – Lucy White, Editor, Cara Magazine
READ MORE: Is Ultherapy worth the pain?
Julie from Beacon Face and Dermatology recommended the HydraFacial MD to me and the treatment really lived up to the name. From the minute you step foot in the clinic you know you are in the hand of true skincare professionals and they made me feel so relaxed. I was being looked after by my nurse Ali – she is a god in my opinion. The secret of the HydraFacial MD is its one of a kind serum delivery system. The process cleanses, exfoliates, brightens, hydrates and extracts impurities in the skin. There were noticeable results in my skin with no downtime or irritation. What Ali really made me realise is that you have to invest in quality skincare if you want your skin to look its best. Skin is an organ at the end of the day and you need to provide it with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. My skin felt so hydrated and refreshed afterwards and I had a glow that people really noticed. It felt that my skin felt lighter and so much cleaner than normal. The extraction was my favourite part as it makes you realise how clogged up the pores in your skin can become. – Alec Ward, Account Manager, IMAGE Magazine
READ MORE: Four of the best tried and tested facials to amp up your summer glow
My skin was prone to regular breakouts and more so in recent months. My New Client Facial €100 from Nuala Woulfe helped to remove buildup on my skin, as well as decongest any pores to prevent them growing anymore. I was given tips to prevent future build-ups, from the right way to apply and remove my make-up, and I since have been using the SkinCeuticals Gel Cleanser which has helped reduce my breakouts. – Melanie Mullan, Assistant Editor, Cara Magazine
I’ve probably tested most facials in Dublin at this point, or at least it certainly feels like it, but my current favourite is The Wicklow Street Clinic. Previously The Anne McDevitt Clinic this peaceful little haven is tucked away above Wicklow Street. It is so quiet and dimly lit that you would never know it is right in the centre of town, but the fact that it is a two-minute walk from Grafton Street means you never have to go too out of your way to get there. I see facials as having a dual purpose; firstly I like them to be relaxing, secondly they should help any skin issues and leave you glowing. The personalised facial at The Wicklow Street Clinic did both these things for me. The combination of Eminence natural skincare, expert facial therapists and a calming environment means your skin and your soul will feel lighter on the way out. – Dominique McMullan, Digital Editor, IMAGE Publications
Backstage photography by Jason Lloyd Evans.
For more beauty features, check out the July/August issue of IMAGE Magazine, on shelves nationwide.