Give the gift of pampering this Christmas

Gift vouchers are becoming an increasingly popular gift due to their flexibility

If, like me, every year you struggle to think of alternative gift ideas, we have the answer to your dilemma. It’s often the case that if someone wants something they simply go out and buy it, making gift selection a real headache. Gift vouchers are the perfect solution and here are some of the reasons why:

Gift vouchers provide an experience

Many of us feel guilty spending money on pampering ourselves and when money is tight, this is often the first thing to go. Vouchers allow us to have a pampering treatment guilt-free. The benefits will last far beyond a visit to the salon. The ‘naughtiness’ of indulging in a bit of ‘me time’ adds to the value of the voucher and the whole experience.

We find that most people save their vouchers for a treat rather than spending them on their usual, everyday treatments.

Lots of gifts will be put away and not used

Let’s face it, we’ve all done it – unwrapped a gift and thought “What on earth am I going to do with this?” The gift is then put away in a cupboard to gather dust until it is ultimately taken to the charity shop! Great for charity shops but in this tight economy we can’t afford to be wasting money on unwanted or unused gifts. And it says to the recipient that maybe we don’t really understand what makes them tick.

At Euphoric we offer a wide range of treatments so whether you fancy a bit of pampering or would rather use it for something more practical, you can select the perfect treatment for you.   

The receiver can get what they want when they want

Gift vouchers are an anytime present. We have no restrictions on when our vouchers can be redeemed and with a year’s validity, there is plenty of time to choose the best day of the week and the time of day.

Vouchers can be saved for a special occasion

To add to the value and whole experience of spending a gift voucher, many people will save them to use for a special occasion. There might be a party coming up or another special occasion for which someone will want to look and feel their best. Using a gift voucher for a treatment will make that occasion extra special.

Gift vouchers can be used in whole or in part to spread the pampering

The total value of the voucher does not have to be redeemed all at once. Any remaining balance will be carried over to be used at a future date. This makes a Euphoric gift voucher the gift that keeps on giving!

Vouchers can be used to beat the January blues

We all know that feeling – Christmas is over and all we have to look forward to are credit card bills and cold, dark evenings. What better way to beat the January blues than with a relaxing treatment?

Many of us will also make a New Year’s resolution to take better care of ourselves, indulge in a little more ‘me time’, decrease our stress levels, get in shape and improve our skin. A Euphoric gift voucher can be used to kick start this ‘new you’ resolution. 

Euphoric gift vouchers can be used against any of our products or treatments. Unlike most other salons, our vouchers are valid for a year from the date of purchase and carry a unique tracking number. They can be used in whole or in part and are available for an amount of for a specific treatment.

Join us Tuesday 2^nd December from 5:30 to 7:30pm for our pre-Christmas shopping event, a Sparkle Evening, and enjoy exclusive offers on our Christmas gifts, including gift vouchers.

We will be featuring sparkling jewellery and unique wall plaques encrusted with Swarovski®Elements from Wayne Slater Designs as well as our own extra special treatments and products.

New Product – The Face Lift in a Bottle

The result of extensive research and trials, the ground breaking formulation of Environs’ Revival Masque is set to take anti-ageing results to a new level.

Revival Masque is the result of four years of research and trials by world renowned plastic surgeon and creator of Environ skincare, Dr Des Fernandes, making it one of the most highly tested cosmetic products on the market.

The formulation, which is a unique combination of Asiatic, Lactic and Mandelic acids, has been proven to trigger growth factors by lowering the pH of the skin. This promotes collagen and hydration, resulting in a fresher, more youthful appearance. The potent formula of this home treatment masque helps to address dry skin, uneven skin tone and the signs of ageing for a revitalised, radiant complexion.

Revival Masque contains a unique blend of powerful anti-ageing ingredients:

·         Lactic acid

Lactic acid promotes the natural hydrating factors in the skin and lightens uneven skin tone, smoothing the skin’s surface

·         Asiatic Acid

Asiatic acid is derived from Centella and has been used for centuries in ancient traditional healing. Research has shown that it stimulates growth factors which are important for skin regeneration.

·         Mandelic acid

Mandelic acid has scientifically proven powerful anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and helps to improve the appearance of uneven skin tone.

Who is it for?

Revival masque is suitable for all skin types and tones. It can be used by first time users of Environ who have not previously used the vitamin A creams within the range as well as existing Environ users as part of their daily routine.  

How to use

Due to the potent anti-ageing ingredients in the Intensive Revival Masque, it should be introduced gradually:

Initially the mask should be applied in a thin layer for 10 minutes twice a week. If the skin is comfortable progress to 20 minutes three times a week.

• Use in the evening
• Pre-cleanse
• Cleanse
• Tone
• Using the spatula, dispense a small amount (about the size of a 20p) of the Revival Masque into the hand and apply a thin layer to the face, neck and décolleté
• Leave on the skin for 10 – 20 minutes and then remove with tepid water
• Follow with your Environ^® regime

If the skin is comfortable the mask can then be left on as an overnight treatment.

• Use in the evening
• Pre-cleanse
• Cleanse
• Tone
• Apply Environ^® boosters and moisturisers
• Leave to absorb for 20 minutes
• Follow with a thin layer of Revival Masque
• Leave on overnight
• Remove with water in the morning

Advanced Environ users can needle with the Cosmetic Roll-CIT for 3 – 5 minutes before application.

If the skin becomes dry or tight, the frequency of use should be reduced until the transient dry or tight stage subsides.

For maximum benefits the mask should be used for 4 – 6 months in conjunction with Environ vitamin A creams. It is recommended that it is used during the autumn and winter months, however it may be used all year round provided a broad spectrum sunscreen is applied daily.

“We are so excited to finally have this product in stock and be able to offer our clients the next step in their skincare journey. We first heard about the Revival Masque at a seminar hosted by Des back in September 2013. It has been a long wait!” said Euphoric owner and Managing Director Zoe Clark. “The results from the trials (which can be seen below) are incredible and we can’t wait to start achieving these results for our clients”.  

After 4 months

After 13 months

After 4 years

Environ skin care achieves outstanding results for people who are serious about skin. Formulated by Dr Des Fernandes, the range contains a unique combination of active ingredients to protect and nourish.

Euphoric beauty and skin clinic specialise in advanced skin treatments and are experts in Environ skin care.

Why not book in for one of our advanced skinconsultations and find out how Environ can benefit you and give you a healthy skin for life.  

Mineral Magic

The benefits of mineral make-up

Mineral make-up can really turn around the health of the skin. It is suitable for all skin types and is particularly beneficial for sensitive skins or those with challenges such as acne and rosacea.

Many products in the beauty industry, including mineral make-up, are defined as ‘natural’. With no industry definition of the word ‘natural’, what most people actually mean when considering if a product is natural is ‘Does it contain ingredients that could be harmful to me?’. 

Mineral make-up was originally formulated with this in mind. Ingredients with the potential to damage the skin or the overall health of the wearer were removed. In addition, ingredients that diluted the pigments were also removed (talc, often called a filler, is the most common dilutor). Among other ingredients eliminated were synthetic preservatives, fragrance and FD&C dyes (colour additives), which can cause acne and sensitivities.

Mineral make-up has become a popular marketing term, however not all mineral make-up is created equal! With so many brands entering the market, the original formula of mineral make-up has been compromised. It is essential to read the ingredients list when selecting products as there are no restrictions, meaning it is possible to call anything a mineral make-up, even a traditional make-up that contains 70 – 90% talc.

Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are two of the most important ingredients in mineral make-up. High quality mineral make-up will list these at the top of the ingredients list together with others such as iron oxides, bismuth oxychloride, mica or boron nitride.

Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are physical sunscreens approved by the FDA (US Food & Drink Administration). They perform well in water resistance tests and titanium dioxide prevents water loss from the outer layers of the skin. Not all mineral make-up provides adequate sun protection. The level of protection depends on even application and the percentage and type of active ingredients used. Therefore it is extremely important to look for the sun protection level on the label. 

Over the years there has been some concern over bismuth oxychloride, which is a metal and can irritate some skins. A reaction will present itself as an itching and burning sensation, which ceases once the product is washed off the skin. These reactions are rare. Bismuth oxychloride is not restricted to mineral make-up and can be found in most traditional make-ups, though in smaller percentages. In order to eliminate the potential for irritation, our Jane Iredale products do not contain this ingredient.

How to apply

Because a good mineral make-up is pure pigment, a little goes a long way and the coverage is more effective than that from traditional make-ups.  When applied, the mineral particles overlap to ensure the make-up stays evenly distributed and requires very little touching up. The best way to apply mineral make-up is to layer the product and build the coverage. The correct brush is also important to ensure the make-up is even and well blended. Applied correctly mineral make-up should look natural, luminescent and youthful.

Mineral make-up allows the skin to breathe and function normally. This extremely important process takes place 24 hours a day and interference in the process can produce negative effects and manifest as skin issues.

Minerals have not only proved an asset to dermatologists, plastic surgeons and beauty therapists, but also to some of the most creative make-up artists around the world. The options are endless and the benefits increase continually as more is learnt about incorporating active ingredients in to the products.

Euphoric stocks Jane Iredale mineral cosmetics as part of their Feed, Fortify, Finish philosophy for skin care.

A professional Jane Iredale make-up artist visits the salon monthly to offer clients one to one consultations. To book, please contact the salon on 01903 206600. 

GLAMGLOW Christmas Gift Boxes in Stock

With only 61 shopping days remaining before Christmas, our Christmas gift selection is starting to arrive at Euphoric.

GIFT SEXY Christmas Boxes from GLAMGLOW

The Euphoric Team were really excited when the latest delivery arrived from GLAMGLOW this week. Their Christmas gift box offers great value for money as it includes a full size THIRSTYMUD together with a mini YOUTHMUD and mini SUPERMUD for just £49.99. Valued at £99.97, this box offers amazing value for money and allows you to try three of the most popular products in the GLAMGLOW range.

THIRSTYMUD is an extreme hydration treatment to rescue thirsty skin. It is powered by four of the most advanced, active, extreme hydration technologies to provide a more youthful, energised and deeply hydrated complexion.

Key ingredients include Ground Olive Leaf, a powerful natural moisturising ingredient with antioxidant properties, Hyaluronic Acid to lock in moisture, Citric Acid for a radiant glow, Coconut Oil, Orange Blossom Honey and Ginger Root, which provides powerful antioxidant properties for healthy, detoxified skin.

How to use THIRSTYMUD:

Use 2 – 3 times a week or as required.

1.   

1. Apply an even layer to clean, dry skin with fingers or a brush. Apply to the face, neck and décolleté
2. 2.    Relax for 10 – 20 minutes, depending on the level of hydration required
3. 3.  Unlike the other muds, THIRSTYMUD does not dry on the skin. Its silky soft texture saturates the skin, delivering deep hydration. Either massage the excess into the skin or remove using a cloth or by rinsing with cool water.

THIRSTYMUD can be applied and left overnight for extreme hydration and intense nourishment.

THIRSTYMUD smells gorgeous and is suitable for both men and women (including pregnancy) and all skin types.  

So if you've decided that this is the year you're going to be be organised with your Christmas shopping, we suggest you grab one of these boxes quickly as we're expecting them to sell out quickly.

Why not join us for our Sparkle Evening pre-Christmas shopping event on Tuesday 2^nd December? Come and browse our selection of Christmas gifts and enjoy discounts and special offers, together with some great offers for the New Year. Check out our Events page for more information. 

Autumn Make-up Trends

Some makeup trends change slowly over time (think thin eyebrows to thick) yet some we see every year (smoky eyes and bold lips), and some trends are unique to each season.

Here we look at the trends for autumn/winter 2014

The place to discover the next season’s beauty trends is backstage at shows like London Fashion Week. Hair and make-up artists create looks that will define the season. It’s often necessary to modify these looks to incorporate them into your everyday make-up routine as some can be pretty bold!

Eyes are the focus for this autumn, and full brows and voluminous lashes are set to be big news.

Four key trends hit the runway:

Metallic Effects

Pat McGrath used liquid latex in green or blue to create graphic shapes across the lids, pressing pigment of the same colour on top for Christian Dior.
Photo: Indigital

Metallic colours can be a bit much for everyday wear, but there are some products which can be used to add touches of metallic to create a look suitable for both day and evening.

24 carat gold dust – This multi-tasking product will allow you to take your metallic look as far as you want. Apply it to cheeks, eyes and lips for a delicately gilded look. Mix it with a moisturiser for the décolletage or into your favourite hair product for luminous locks!

Mystikols – Mystikols are a totally new kind of eyeliner and highlighter. With metallic undertones, they come in a range of colours, including aquamarine and amethyst, making them great for another of this season’s trends, bold colours.  

Eyeliner

An amazing cat eye look for Roksanda Ilincic,

Photo: Stylecaster Pictures 

Eyeliner was a key feature on the runways, showcased on very natural, nude faces. Whether you’re creating a heavy smoky eye, a soft variation or a sleek winged effect, creating definition is important.

The Jane Iredale range we stock at Euphoric includes a number of eyeliner formulations to help you achieve your desired look:  

Mystikols – this eyeliner and highlighter creates definition around the eye, making it ideal for creating a smoky eye effect.

Liquid Eyeliner – liquid eyeliner is great for creating strong, sharp lines. This product has a strong colour and real staying power, and the fine brush is ideal for a sleek winged effect.

Eye Pencils – Jane Iredale eye pencils are so soft they won't pull on delicate skin and are a great option for creating a soft line. Natural pigments give you long-lasting colour that stays put.

Jelly Jar Eyeliner - whether you want to create a precise or smudged line, these inky products let you define your eyes just as you please.

Bold colours

Make-up artist James Kaliardos used metallic bronze shadow from lids to brows with lips coated in either pale pink or brown glitter to create this look for Rodarte.Photo: Indigital

This autumn it’s all about pushing the boundaries with colour and bold colours were used to create statement eyes. To adapt the runway look, use brighter colours to line the eyes rather than over the whole eye area. Mauve is a great shade for autumn and easy purples and greens allow you to keep up with the season’s trends in a more subtle way.

Berry Lips and Bold Brows

Make-up becomes richer in the winter and berry lips always feature. The runways saw them teamed with bold brows for this season; your eyebrows are one of your most important features so pay some extra attention to them!

When creating this look, skin should be flawless and don’t be afraid to add colour to the brow. The Bitty Brow Kit is a take-anywhere must-have with three brushes, transparent botanical brow wax and pigmented brow powder.

To complete your statement eyes, don’t forget your lashes. Lashings of mascara will create definition or why not opt for lash extensions?

Clumpy, clogged mascara, applied by Pat McGrath, was the focus of the Prada make-up, applied generously on both top and bottom lashes.

Lucia Pieroni made eyes the centre of attention at Rochas, adding false lashes on both the top and bottom.

Euphoric Beauty and Skin Clinic stocks Jane Iredale Skin Care Make-up.

Why not join us at our next event and allow our professional make-up artist to create your bespoke autumn/winter make-up look?

Sienna X comes to Euphoric

With our 11^th birthday fast approaching, we decided it was the perfect opportunity to review and update our treatment menu

11 years is a long time, within which any business will witness many developments, none more so than those in the beauty industry, which is extremely diverse and ever-changing.

Sunless tanning is a big part of the beauty industry and is one area that has changed vastly over the last 11 years. As new products and technologies are developed, the results which can be achieved continuously improve.

Having worked with the same tanning products since opening, we decided to review the market and are excited to be re-launching our sunless tanning with Sienna-X. 

We decided on Sienna-X for several reasons:  

Industry leading, high quality professional products

Sienna X has a wide range of products, with something to suit every skin type. The products have been created with quality and luxury in mind and are paraben, alcohol and cruelty free. 

All the solutions contain natural, nourishing ingredients.  From refreshing Aloe Vera to age-defying Q10 and soothing Shea Butter to tan-optimising Erythrulose, the products not only bronze your skin, but help enhance your sunless tan.  

Sienna-X also offers a homecare range to prepare and prolong your tan. These products have also been tailored to achieve a premium, luxurious fake tan.

Education and Raising Standards

Sienna-X offers award-winning training accredited by the Guild of Beauty Therapists. This means our clients can feel confident in the standard and quality of our spray tanning services, with a flawless tan every time.

Training and education are a core part of Euphoric and we strive to stand as experts in our field. The Sienna-X training programme, with its advanced training, supports our philosophy. 

Award-winning

Sienna-X has won countless awards, both consumer and industry, including the Beauty Guild Awards of Excellence for six consecutive years. From Best Tanning Supplier to Best Customer Service, it’s no surprise that their reputation as the market leading professional sunless tanning brand in the UK continues to grow.

Supporting Sun Safety

As a skin clinic, we are highly committed to promoting healthy skin for life and sun safe practices. Every year Sienna X supports the Sun Awareness Campaign, raising awareness of just how harmful the sun’s rays can be, and how burning can cause irreparable damage to the skin. Sienna-X products help you enjoy a natural looking tan with products that moisturise and improve the skin.

We’re looking forward to working with Sienna-X in promoting the Sun Awareness Campaign.

At Euphoric we offer only the very best products and services for our clients. Strong press reviews, vast awards and high-profile event collaboration (such as the Brit Awards and Strictly Come Dancing) have helped Sienna X grow into a strong, reputable fan-favourite amongst tanning fans and professionals alike.

We’re celebrating the launch of Sienna-X with a special Autumn Glow Package, which includes a full body exfoliation followed by a Spray Tan with our fantastic new products. The package also includes a gift pack including trial sizes of some of Sienna-X’s homecare products to prolong your tan.

There are only 25 of these packages available so call us on 01903 206600 to book. 

Post Holiday Skin

The summer can leave the skin feeling dry and flaky. Here we look at how to tackle post holiday dehydration and prepare the skin for the winter months.

Sun exposure affects the skin in a number of ways. Dehydration is caused by stress placed on the natural moisturizing factors (NMF), a collection of water-soluble compounds found in the most superficial layer of the skin. NMF components absorb water from the atmosphere and combine it with their own water content allowing the outermost layers of the skin to stay hydrated despite exposure to the elements.  Dry heat and photodamage affect the NMF. Prolonged exposure to the sun causes water to evaporate from the skin. NMF components are water soluble and therefore easily leached from cells. There is also the added complication of air-conditioning in hot weather. Then, as we move in to the winter there is a natural drop in NMF, the colder it gets the worse it is. All these factors contribute to premature ageing.

One of the biggest consequences of dryness and dehydration is an increase in sensitivity as dryness and dehydration are precursors to sensitized skin. Addressing issues quickly can help stave off issues of sensitization.

It is important to note that even oily skin can suffer from dehydration.

Environ’s Focus Hydrating Serum is the perfect solution to dehydration issues. Formulated with Hyaluronic acid and other skin quenching ingredients it boosts hydration levels, plumps the skin and reduces fine lines. The acid formula derived from plants has the ability to hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water.

Environ’s Hydrating Oil Capsules are also beneficial as a booster for the skin following sun exposure or when extra hydration is needed. The capsules contain low levels of Retinol along with antioxidants like Vitamin C, E, Green Tea Extract and Rosemary Leaf Extract. It helps energise and hydrate the skin whilst strengthening skin cell walls. The capsules can be used for one month as a booster. They can also be used before applying the AVST Hydrating Exfoliating Masque to give a more intense hydrating treatment.  

Euphoric are offering free skin consultations during the month of September. Call on 01903 206600 to book an appointment with one of their experienced skin therapists and prepare your skin for winter.