Just like the weather, your skin will change with the seasons, becoming oilier in the sizzling summer months and drier during the chilly winter months. 

Luckily, there is a mask for every season, and skin type.

Clay and Mud Masks

Ideal for oily skin types, clay and mud masks are a fantastic pick-me-up for the skin, as they absorb excess oil and impurities before they can cause blemishes.

They’re an ideal way to tighten pores, reduce shine and clear troublesome blemishes giving your skin a smoother appearance.

Once applied, they dry on your skin over a period of 5-15 minutes.

To remove the mask simply add luke-warm water to re-activate the mask, then wash away dead skin cells, dirt and grime at the same time. 

Best results use once or twice a week maximum.

Establish a healthy future by incorporating these 6 anti-ageing foundational strategies into your life.

Strategy #1 Care for your skin

In order to have great skin at any age, it is important to nurture it.

When it comes to ageing gracefully a good skin care range is your  best friend .

You might be starting to notice a few lines around your eyes because the skin around the eyes is under a millimetre thick, less than half the thickness of the skin on the rest of your face. 

Eyes are also surrounded by muscles which are constantly on the move, squinting and blinking, making expression lines more prevalent, so start reaching for an eye cream morning and night.

In your 30s, your skin becomes a little less supple, due to the loss of collagen and elastic fibres and a litter drier due to a decline in oil production.

The contraceptive pill and pregnancy can also cause hyper-pigmentation around the cheeks, forehead and upper lip. 

This pregnancy ‘mask’ is the result of an increase in oestrogen and your skin not being protected when directly exposed to the sun. To avoid this ensure you use SPF50+ when you are going outside.

Strategy #2 Exercise

Even though you may have a young family, and/or a busy career, leaving you less time to exercise it is important for your overall health.

Surprisingly only 46% of woman work out regular in their 30s. So, if getting to the gym is impossible try exercising at home – aim for 30 minutes three times a week.

You don’t need an expensive gym membership to get fit if you allocate time to go for a walk or run. 

You can even turn your loungeroom into an exercise studio and try subscribing to a YouTube channel for some regular weight training sessions to help maintain bone density and muscle tone.

Besides strength training, include some flexibility exercise in your regime like Pilates or Yoga to keep your muscles flexible.

Strategy #3 Diet

Reviewing your diet regularly is also an important part of self-care. Making sure it includes plenty of fibre and anti-oxidant rich fruits and vegetables is a priority.

Although convenient, keep fast, high fat foods to a minimum. Replace fatty meats with oily fish, such as sardines or salmon, and try eating vegetarian proteins, such as soy patties or tofu.

Cutting down on high glycaemic index carbohydrates, such as white bread and pasta, may also give you more energy and help you lose body fat.

Drinking plenty of water will help keep your joints, muscles and brain lubricated, maintain good kidney health and flush toxins from your body.

Strategy #4. Breast Cancer

Sadly  1 in 12 women are at risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 75.

While the role of diet in breast cancer is still the subject of debate, reducing intake of saturated fats and increasing fibre, especially cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts and bok choy) all contain a group of chemicals called indoles, all thought to have a protective effect.

Reducing alcohol intake is also a good idea. A new study published by the National Breast Cancer Centre found that a daily intake of 3 drinks a day by women was associated with a 35% increase in the risk of breast cancer and 4 or more drinks with a 67% increase.

Including plant oestrogens in your diet may also have a protective effect against breast cancer although more research is needed to be absolutely sure of the benefits.

If you are looking for some added protection, try adding omega fatty acids found in oily fish, walnuts and avocados to your diet.

Strategy #5 Avoid excess sun exposure 

The sun is your skins biggest enemy as UV radiation from the sun cause premature ageing of your skin. 

You don’t have to be a beach babe to look old before your time – incidental damage occurs whenever you drive the car, walk the dog or hang out some washing… and its cumulative.

Sun injures skin cells in many ways because the UV radiation damages the DNA in individual cells so that, when they reproduce, they pass on a jumbled message resulting in problems such as hyper-pigmentation.

UV rays can also trick the body’s immune system into damaging its own collagen and elastin tissue.

And UV radiation destroys the protective lipid layer on your skin, causing dryness and increasing the number of free radicals. 

Free radicals are destructive molecules missing an electron.

They wreak havoc on healthy cells, tearing them apart as they try to pinch an electron to make up for their missing one.

Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C & E are necessary to restrict free radical action.

Your best defence against premature ageing is a good skin care routine, reducing sun exposure and using an SPF50+ sunscreen daily. 

When applying sunscreen don’t forget to apply it on your neck, décolletage and the backs of your hands.

Strategy #6 Important medical checks

Even though 30 isn’t ‘old’ you should start having regular medical checks, so you have a baseline from which to start monitoring:

It is important for your longevity that by the time you hit the big 3-0 you have crossed these medical checks off your to-do-list

· Smears

· STD

· Rubella

· Monthly breast self-check

· Annual breast and pelvic examination

· Six monthly and annual dental check

· Yearly skin checks for skin cancer

· Regular eye checks

· Regular blood pressure checks

Your eyes are the first thing people notice and they are also the first place you will notice subtle signs of ageing. 

These tips will help slow down the ageing process.

Tip #1. Cleanse

If you wear makeup daily, it is extremely important to remove it before going to sleep.

Falling asleep with your makeup on reduces your skin’s chance to rejuvenate itself overnight, not to mention potential skin irritation and eyelash breakage.

Your skin is something that people notice, so be sure to invest in a good cleanser, one that suits your skin type and removes all traces of makeup. 

No matter which type of cleanser you decide to use, oil-based, foaming, Micellar water or cleansing wipes to remove your makeup, be sure it doesn’t contain any alcohol as it is extremely damaging to the skin.

Tip #2. Firming

As you age, your skin’s collagen production starts to slow down before eventually stopping altogether.

The slowing down process starts in your early 20’s but isn’t noticed until your late 40’s or early 50’s.

To help give your skin a boost in the elasticity department, look for eye creams that contain collagen-encouraging ingredients like antioxidant vitamins C & E, peptides, amino acids and co-enzyme Q10. 

Whilst you should use an eye cream morning and night, night time is when your skin will benefit the most, as this is when your skin goes into ‘repair mode’ and produces more collagen than any other time of the day.

Tip #3. Brightening

If you are cursed with dark circles under your eyes they don’t have to be noticeable.

The use of a good firming eye cream can help increase your skin’s collagen supply and help counteract the dark circles. 

Many under-eye concealers contain light-diffusing pigments that reflect the light in such a way that they blur the look of fine lines and lighten up dark shadows. 

You can also try using yellow-toned concealers, as the yellow pigment can help neutralise the purply-blue undertone and help minimise the appearance of dark circles.

Always use concealers sparingly and ensure you blend them properly so they don’t look ‘caked on’.

Tip #4. Smoothing

When awake, you use your eyes every second of the day (no wonder they can look tired).

When you’re young, your skin is supple and elastic enough to spring back after you’ve made an expression.

However, as you get older and your skin loses its elasticity, repetitive crinkling eventually becomes character of your face.

To help thicken up the skin around your eye area, or your face in general, look out for skincare products that make use of Retinol. 

If you have sensitive skin – milder Retinol derivatives like Retinyl Palmitate.

Retinol has been around for years and is still one of the most proven anti-wrinkle ingredients you’ll find on the shelf. 

Aside from stimulating collagen and elastin production, Retinol also helps to speed up cell renewal, which exfoliates your face to reveal brighter, fresher looking skin.

Above all, Retinol is an antioxidant, which is beneficial in helping to offset the ageing effects free radicals have on your skin.

Tip #5. Stimulate

As we age, we all need to reach out for help in the stimulation depart so we can age gracefully. Jade rollers are one option that will help to keep you looking younger by improving your skins elasticity. 

Why use a Jade Roller?

The gentle pressure of a jade roller helps to stimulate circulation leaving your facial muscles more relaxed. Daily use encourages lymphatic drainage, which boosts the skin’s natural detoxification process.

By removing your skins toxins, you are allowing your skin to rejuvenate itself which in turn you will visibly notice a more toned and lifted face.

How to use a Jade Roller

For best results, start at the chin by rolling the jade roller, working in a gentle upward rolling motion. Gently roll in all directions (up, down and sidewards directions), being extremely gentle around the delicate under-eye area. 

Most effective on cleansed skin, use to massage in skincare products such as facial oils, serums, or moisturiser. 

Can also be used on an uncleansed face at the end of a busy day for reducing facial tension.

Great for relieving sinus pressure and headaches. 

For a more cooling experience, store your jade roller the fridge. The naturally cooling sensation helps to calm the skin, reduce puffiness and soothe inflammation.

As your hands are another indication of your age, you can help to disguise the signs of ageing by nurturing your hands with a weekly hand care ritual.

With your hands constantly on show, they are another subtle sign of the ageing process, slow down the ageing process by following these 7 steps for ageless hands.

Step 1: Manicure 

It’s important to take care of your cuticle, hands and nails on a regular basis.

Nails need to be trimmed and shaped, cuticles need to be pushed back and hands need to be exfoliated. 

If you don’t have the time to Manicure them yourself, consider having one of our Signature Manicures and let us take care of them for you.

Step 2: Tidy

Your cuticles will always look neat and tidy with simple daily maintenance.

If you let your cuticles grow onto your nail beds they will stifle your natural nail growth. 

Each day after your shower when they are soft is the best time to gently push back your cuticles with a cuticle stick. 

This process will make your nails appear longer while simultaneously keeping your cuticles tidy and healthy.

Step 3: Nurture 

To avoid split, dry cuticles, nurture them on a nightly basis by applying Solar Oil before you go to sleep. 

Solar Oil is a cuticle oil containing oils of Jojoba and vitamin E, which is a perfect mixture to create stronger, healthier nails.

Great for conditioning your cuticles and nourishing your nails. 

Step 4: Exfoliate

Your hands will improve dramatically if you exfoliate them once a week.

Using a regular exfoliant will help to remove dry skin leaving them feeling soft and supple. 

Exfoliating helps to achieve a healthy glowing skin by increasing blood circulation plus your hand cream will be able to penetrate your skin if there isn’t a layer of dry skin in the way.

Step 5: Hydrate

To avoid dry skin, moisturise your hands and nails by applying hand cream after every second hand wash.

That’s right every second-hand wash.

Why so often, you ask… chemicals from hand soap and hand sanitiser strip moisture from your skin and nails, making your hands dry and your nails brittle. 

Each time you use hand cream you are replacing lost moisture so your hands will always remain hydrated. 

Step 6: Rejuvenate

For intense hydration consider having a Paraffin Hand Treatment every few months.

This treatment is a lovely way to rejuvenate your hands and feet. 

Warm paraffin wax infuses Collagen cream into your skin’s layers revealing silky smooth skin.

Step 7: Protect

Not into painting your own nails… consider applying a nail strengthener or clear nail polish to protect your nails against everyday wear and tear. 

If you are craving a high gloss semi-permanent solution to painting your own nails consider booking in for a Shellac Manicure.  

If you love painting your nails yourself make sure you always apply a base coat (which anchors the nail polish to your nails).

Then apply  2 coats of colour followed by top coat (which helps double the length of time required between manicures) which adds shine and helps to prevent your polish chipping.

Don’t have time to take care of your hands and nails properly, consider booking in for regularly monthly Manicures. 

By making a few simple tweaks to your cosmetic bag you might be able to hold onto your youthful looks for a while longer. 

Follow these 10 tips and notice the difference!

 Tip #1 Use Primer

If you usually moisturise and then apply foundation…..try adding a layer of primer in between your moisturiser and base. 

Using a primer makes your skin look smoother instantly.

Tip #2 Switch to liquid

If you usually dust on a mineral or powder foundation…. try switching to liquid formula. Powder can be too drying, enhancing dullness and wrinkles.

A luminous-finish liquid foundation will give your skin a fresh look.

Tip #3 Blush is best

If you normally use bronzer as your blush….  try dusting your cheeks with a soft shade of warm pink. We actually lose colour in our skin as we mature and a subtle pop of colour on the apples of your cheeks will give your skin a youthful glow.

Tip #4 Its all about the Brows

If you have bare there eyebrows and normally pencil them in….try feathering colour lightly from outer edge to inner corner and back again. Most women make the mistake of applying a solid block of colour at the outer edge which looks too harsh and overdone.

Use a taupe or brown eyeshadow to colour the hair and then if you need to use your pencil to fill in the arch area first, followed by the tail.

Don’t forget to look at yourself in the mirror from the distance a person would stand in front of you. They wouldn’t be up in your grill… so stand back from the mirror and get a clear perspective!

If you can’t be bothered filling in your Brows each day consider Tinting your eyebrows or for something more semi-permanent consider trying Brow Henna.

Tip #5 Ease into eyeliner

If you usually line your upper and lower lashes in black…. try lining the bottom lashes in a softer shade and blend thoroughly. 

A thin black liquid line, buried into the upper lashes, can make lids look more open but thick bold black liner on the lower lash line can have the opposite effect, making eyes look smaller. 

By applying a softer shade along the bottom lashline it will add a subtle definition and enhance your eye shape. Experiment with a soft shade of brown, grey, or even a light blue!

Tip #6 Eyeshadow application

If you normally apply multiple shadow shades on your eyelid… try swiping a single shade of soft taupe shadow. You don’t need to do heavy contouring on sagging lids to make them appear more lifted. An all-over application of taupe with a luminous finish makes a statement, while creating the appearance of depth.

Tip #7 Conceale it

If you usually cover lines with concealer….try concealing just the dark shadows only and leave those wrinkles alone. 

Applying concealer to crow’s feet will only highlight them, which defeats the purpose. 

Apply a cover-up that’s the same shade as your skin tone along the inner corners of your eyes and blend it three-quarters of the way out, stopping before your fine lines begin.

Tip #8 Lip Service

If you usually wear lip gloss….try swapping your gloss for a lippie with a satin finish. 

Lips look soft and supple when your lipstick is balmy and creamy – not wet and glittery. Plus, gloss tends to slip and slide and settle into the fine lines around your lips, which isn’t a very attractive look!

Tip #9 Nude lips aren’t for everyone

If you usually apply the same “barely-there” shade of lipstick….try experimenting with colour! As we age, it gets harder to pull off a nude lip. 

A gorgeous pink or coral lip will brighten up your complexion instantly, but if you’re colour shy, dab (don’t swipe) it on your lips straight from the tube and blend with your fingertips or brush for a sheerer application and don’t forget to blot in between coats!

Tip #10 Luscious Lashes

If you usually apply mascara in the bathroom mirror….try using a magnifying mirror instead. 

It can be a little depressing looking at your eye area that close up, but since lashes tend to thin out with age, a magnifying mirror can help you see and coat each and every last one. 

But if you can’t be bothered putting on mascara each day consider tinting your lashes and brows or having a lash lift for gorgeous dark lashes that can up to 12 weeks.

Here is the low down on each type of facemask and which skin type they benefit.

In addition to your normal skincare routine, one of the best ways to pamper your skin is to use regular face masks.

But like any other skincare product, you should choose the right one for your skin type. 

Here’s the all the basi information about facemasks

Purifying masks

Purifying masks are designed to deeply cleanse the skin, draw out toxins and impurities. 

The masks are usually made from clay or mud and are great for absorbing excess oil and deep cleaning the pores. They are an ideal way to “shrink” open pores, reduce shine and clear troublesome blemishes.

These masks can be drying on most skin types so make sure you follow up with a good moisturiser. 

Recommended for Oily or Combination skin. 

Hydrating masks

Hydrating masks are designed to hydrate, soften and boost moisture levels to dry, mature and dehydrated skin. 

They are usually made from nurturing ingredients like aloe, avocado, she butter or jojoba. 

Hydrating masks are great to use the day before a special occasion because your make-up will go on smoothly, and will plump up the skin giving a more youthful appearance. 

They are a soothing treat, particularly after too much fun in the sun or when your skin feels “tight”.

Yes, you can slow down the signs of ageing by regularly using a good hydrating facial mask. 

Recommended for Mature, Dehydrated or Dry skin.

Exfoliating masks 

Exfoliating masks are designed to brighten, tighten and smooth the skin.

They help to effectively remove lifeless cells with their tiny abrasive particles to reveal satin-smooth skin. They often contain natural exfoliants such as walnut shells, agra shells, pumpkin extract, papaya extract, apricot seed powder etc.

Skin exfoliation is an important part of your beauty routine but must be done gently so as to aid and not stress the skin.

Suitable for most skin types

People with Sensitive skin should patch test first.

Peel off Masks

Peel off masks are ideal for brightening and refreshing the skin. It is easy to use, simply apply the gel, wait till it feel “tight” and then peel it off.

The light formulation refresh oily areas, clears clogged pores and nourishes drier skins, leaving a beautiful healthy glow.

Suitable for most skin types.

Your skin and its needs will change with the seasons. 

So remember to take your skins quirky behaviour into account when choosing your masks.

Always cleanse your face before applying your chosen mask. Afterwards, always rinse with warm water, then follow with your regular toner and moisturiser.

If you have combination skin, use two masks – one suitable for oily skin and one for dry skin. Just apply each mask only to the areas that need it.