Choose your Desert Island Product they said…How big can my Desert Island be???? After 18 years working with this amazing brand, choosing just 1 product is, quite frankly impossible, there’s so many incredible products that I just could not live without!
How long have you been working with Gatineau?
I’ve been working with Gatineau for 18 years after 8 years’ experience with a very large, well known French skincare brand on the high street. As a therapist, I have always been passionate about products that deliver consistency, not only within the professional treatments, but products that the consumer can take home and use easily to quickly transform their skin. My long history of working directly with clients as well as our salon owners and therapists has given me an understanding of the skin and how it works; we can’t treat a skin concern unless we understand what’s causing that concern. This is where Gatineau shows itself as being leaps and bounds ahead of the rest…. We have 85 years’ experience, that’s 85 years of treating women’s skin, 85 years of understanding what works! Products that are easy to use and that really work…. Simple!
Do you have any top tips you have learnt over the years?
Now back to the desert island……..Mmmm, how do I choose?
There are definitely some secrets to great skin. In my 24 + years in the industry, I’ve seen all skin types. I often ask people in-depth questions about their habits. I’ve learned that women with beautiful skin generally follow the good basic, fundamental steps of looking after the skin. Some simple things that they do every day/ week that keeps the skin in its best condition.
First things first… Wash your face twice a day – AND – especially before bed! This removes the day’s oil, dead cell buildup, and stale products. As a therapist this is the golden rule and one of the first things we are taught. Good skin comes from clean skin!
Now we do know that we live in an ever increasing polluted environment, nano particles that we cannot see but we know are there are floating in the air, they attach themselves on the surface of our skin and this pollution bounces around the skin, damaging the skins fibers. These nano particles ‘poke holes’ in the skins collagen, weakening it over time.
Modern make up is also a major culprit of toxins in the skin. Make up now is so steadfast, it’s made to be longwearing, long lasting, smudge proof, bulletproof, water resistant...which is great news for an all-day perfect make up, however we need to make sure it being removed correctly. All the daily pollution particles and remnants of old makeup finds themselves lodged in all the skin’s ‘nooks and crannies’ where they can cause severe problems. This ‘gunk’ will pollute and clog the pores, can be a major cause of acne, puffiness, dull dry skin due to the poor circulation, and pollution can cause age spots too! Toxic particles sit on the surface of the skin and can increase the melanin in that area which can lead to dark spots. All of this over and above the fact that it accelerates the aging process by damaging the collagen and elastin.
With all this in mind, it’s now glaringly obvious is that a decent beauty routine can no longer be whittled down to a good cleanser and an SPF moisturizer! Your skin needs a scrub down ….You need to exfoliate!
This brings me to my (or one of..) ‘Cannot live without’, ‘Must have’ ‘Desert Island’ product…. The Peeling Expert Pro-radiance Anti-aging Gommage!
Why have you chosen this as Product of the Month?
This is undoubtedly THE ‘quick fix’ trick from the Gatineau range for softening the appearance of wrinkles almost immediately. My hero product, the one that transforms my skin and gives me instant and visible results. Removing dead cells to brighten the skin, reflecting more light, and creating the look of fewer wrinkles. It buffs, smooths, softens crepey skin to a youthful smooth texture.
How does it work?
The Peeling Expert Pro-radiance Anti-aging Gommage is our salon formulated, professional exfoliator. Originally created for exclusive use of the Gatineau therapists, this product was eventually was brought into the retail line up by sheer client demand. Without any harmful granules, it’s a unique blend of essential oils all chosen for their effects on the skin and suspended in a ‘gum’ like texture which really adheres onto the dead skin and lifts it away revealing an even, and perfect canvas underneath.
Created to exfoliate correctly, so you get awesome results pronto: soft, smooth, healthy, youthful skin that looks great. An airbrushed finish to the skin… in 10 mins! Resurfacing your skin is essential for maintaining your skin's overall tone and texture.
The essential oils in the product have a really important job to do too. Apart from making it smell utterly delicious, the blend of essential oils delivers a whole list of benefits:
How do you use the gommage?
I love the fact that I can change how I use this depending on the time I have …. If I’m time poor (which with two young kids is highly likely!), I will apply a finer layer, massage it until it turns from that gluelike/gum texture to a slightly slippy texture, then using gentle strokes to buff it off…. I love seeing the dead skin just fall off and wash away….for me there’s something extremely satisfying in that!
If I have more time, and want to give myself almost like a deep peel facial, I apply a thicker, even layer all over the face and neck (but not near the eyes) then lie back and relax for 20 minutes...the mask changes from white to clear and it can be peeled off, lifting with it all the old, dull skin cells and leaving a new skin underneath.
I’m a self-tan lover, and generally on the evenings that I exfoliate I would apply self-tan for the perfect application. If I’m not applying my tan, then I would be using the Méletogénine Futur Plus Mask, all over the face and eyes and allow it to penetrate before going to bed and letting the ‘facial fairies ‘to work their magic whilst I sleep…..
Why is exfoliation important?
No doubt moisturizing is of the utmost importance, but applying moisturizer to un-exfoliated skin is about as effective as trying to drink a bottle of water without taking the lid off. You need to take the lid Off. Your. Skin. (AKA: you need to exfoliate away the dead, dull skin cells so the moisturizer you apply can actually get down to your dermis.)
When you exfoliate regularly EVERYTHING else you use in your routine is supercharged, it works harder, deeper and quicker with more visible results.
Nic xxxx
How long have you been working with Gatineau?
I’ve been working with Gatineau for 18 years after 8 years’ experience with a very large, well known French skincare brand on the high street. As a therapist, I have always been passionate about products that deliver consistency, not only within the professional treatments, but products that the consumer can take home and use easily to quickly transform their skin. My long history of working directly with clients as well as our salon owners and therapists has given me an understanding of the skin and how it works; we can’t treat a skin concern unless we understand what’s causing that concern. This is where Gatineau shows itself as being leaps and bounds ahead of the rest…. We have 85 years’ experience, that’s 85 years of treating women’s skin, 85 years of understanding what works! Products that are easy to use and that really work…. Simple!
Do you have any top tips you have learnt over the years?
Now back to the desert island……..Mmmm, how do I choose?
There are definitely some secrets to great skin. In my 24 + years in the industry, I’ve seen all skin types. I often ask people in-depth questions about their habits. I’ve learned that women with beautiful skin generally follow the good basic, fundamental steps of looking after the skin. Some simple things that they do every day/ week that keeps the skin in its best condition.
First things first… Wash your face twice a day – AND – especially before bed! This removes the day’s oil, dead cell buildup, and stale products. As a therapist this is the golden rule and one of the first things we are taught. Good skin comes from clean skin!
Now we do know that we live in an ever increasing polluted environment, nano particles that we cannot see but we know are there are floating in the air, they attach themselves on the surface of our skin and this pollution bounces around the skin, damaging the skins fibers. These nano particles ‘poke holes’ in the skins collagen, weakening it over time.
Modern make up is also a major culprit of toxins in the skin. Make up now is so steadfast, it’s made to be longwearing, long lasting, smudge proof, bulletproof, water resistant...which is great news for an all-day perfect make up, however we need to make sure it being removed correctly. All the daily pollution particles and remnants of old makeup finds themselves lodged in all the skin’s ‘nooks and crannies’ where they can cause severe problems. This ‘gunk’ will pollute and clog the pores, can be a major cause of acne, puffiness, dull dry skin due to the poor circulation, and pollution can cause age spots too! Toxic particles sit on the surface of the skin and can increase the melanin in that area which can lead to dark spots. All of this over and above the fact that it accelerates the aging process by damaging the collagen and elastin.
With all this in mind, it’s now glaringly obvious is that a decent beauty routine can no longer be whittled down to a good cleanser and an SPF moisturizer! Your skin needs a scrub down ….You need to exfoliate!
This brings me to my (or one of..) ‘Cannot live without’, ‘Must have’ ‘Desert Island’ product…. The Peeling Expert Pro-radiance Anti-aging Gommage!
Why have you chosen this as Product of the Month?
This is undoubtedly THE ‘quick fix’ trick from the Gatineau range for softening the appearance of wrinkles almost immediately. My hero product, the one that transforms my skin and gives me instant and visible results. Removing dead cells to brighten the skin, reflecting more light, and creating the look of fewer wrinkles. It buffs, smooths, softens crepey skin to a youthful smooth texture.
How does it work?
The Peeling Expert Pro-radiance Anti-aging Gommage is our salon formulated, professional exfoliator. Originally created for exclusive use of the Gatineau therapists, this product was eventually was brought into the retail line up by sheer client demand. Without any harmful granules, it’s a unique blend of essential oils all chosen for their effects on the skin and suspended in a ‘gum’ like texture which really adheres onto the dead skin and lifts it away revealing an even, and perfect canvas underneath.
Created to exfoliate correctly, so you get awesome results pronto: soft, smooth, healthy, youthful skin that looks great. An airbrushed finish to the skin… in 10 mins! Resurfacing your skin is essential for maintaining your skin's overall tone and texture.
The essential oils in the product have a really important job to do too. Apart from making it smell utterly delicious, the blend of essential oils delivers a whole list of benefits:
- Yellow Mandarin: Rich in Vitamin C which helps build collagen and protect skin from more damage. Vitamin C present in Mandarin is very good for skin both when consumed internally and applied topically on the skin. Madarin Oil makes the skin glow and improves the skin tone to a great extent. The antioxidants present in Mandarin protect the skin from harsh UVA rays and help the skin to resist the damage caused by the sun and free radicals. It also reduces the signs of ageing like wrinkles & fine lines.
- Lavender: The health benefits of Lavender Oil for the skin can be attributed to its antiseptic and antifungal properties. It is used to treat various skin disorders such as acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, and other inflammatory conditions.
- Mint Extract: To refresh and transform a dull complexion. By cooling the skin, it increases the micro circulation, so you get a lovely fresh pinkness to the cheeks…This always reminds me of my skin after a long walk on a fresh day…
- Soothing botanicals of Cranberry, Sunflower, Sweet Almond and Jojoba - the skin is super soft, smooth, soothed and hydrated after exfoliation.
How do you use the gommage?
I love the fact that I can change how I use this depending on the time I have …. If I’m time poor (which with two young kids is highly likely!), I will apply a finer layer, massage it until it turns from that gluelike/gum texture to a slightly slippy texture, then using gentle strokes to buff it off…. I love seeing the dead skin just fall off and wash away….for me there’s something extremely satisfying in that!
If I have more time, and want to give myself almost like a deep peel facial, I apply a thicker, even layer all over the face and neck (but not near the eyes) then lie back and relax for 20 minutes...the mask changes from white to clear and it can be peeled off, lifting with it all the old, dull skin cells and leaving a new skin underneath.
I’m a self-tan lover, and generally on the evenings that I exfoliate I would apply self-tan for the perfect application. If I’m not applying my tan, then I would be using the Méletogénine Futur Plus Mask, all over the face and eyes and allow it to penetrate before going to bed and letting the ‘facial fairies ‘to work their magic whilst I sleep…..
Why is exfoliation important?
No doubt moisturizing is of the utmost importance, but applying moisturizer to un-exfoliated skin is about as effective as trying to drink a bottle of water without taking the lid off. You need to take the lid Off. Your. Skin. (AKA: you need to exfoliate away the dead, dull skin cells so the moisturizer you apply can actually get down to your dermis.)
When you exfoliate regularly EVERYTHING else you use in your routine is supercharged, it works harder, deeper and quicker with more visible results.
Nic xxxx