Grooming Opinion
Tried & Tested - MTherapy Beauty System
The MTherapy Beauty system is said to combat the signs of aging by rejuvenating and regenerating the skin through the use of non-invasive nourishing technology. Breaking the indoctrination of beauty treatments requiring 2-hour pre-booked salon sessions to receive results, MTherapy can be used at home.
Inspired by Mesotherapy, the simple 2 minute treatment feeds multi-skin care ingredients into the skin through the use of controlled vapour. The process, following six years of research and clinical trials in Paris has proven to dramatically reduce the signs of aging after only a few sessions. This is a major advantage compared to most creams and serums because the steam enhances the penetration of the ingredients.
Aimed at people - 30 years upwards, the MTherapy anti-aging technology aims to refine enlarged pores, decrease lines and wrinkles and bring a new radiance to the face whilst naturally ‘plumping’ it up. With visable changes even after the first use, to gain the best results, users are encouraged to use podlets twice a week for four weeks, reducing to once a week for around another ten weeks. To maintain results the pod should then be used intermittently with frequency varying according to the individual.
Simon Luel, Chairman of the MTherapy Group, says “We’re extremely excited about the launch of MTherapy. The treatment suggests the beauty industry is moving in a new direction. It's a spa like treatment that can be used repeatedly at home to achieve great results. Our research and clinical trials have been so positive that we have decided to fully guarantee the results after four weeks of use.”
How it works - The MTherapy Beauty Pod’s programmed cycle first releases natural ingredients designed to prepare the skin, cleansing it and temporarily opening pores. This is a mixture containing active organic antiseptic properties, which includes lavender, camphor and tea tree oils renowned for their cleansing and repairing qualities. Added are extracts of helichrysum, useful in the fight against aging and also copper and zinc, known for their renewing and healing effects.
- With the skin prepared; the Beauty Pod and Podlet then deliver the key elements of the treatment. This is a compound rich in anti-ageing ingredients which include multivitamins, minerals, plants essential oils, spirulina, arnica calendula and lilium candidum alongside hyaluronic acid.
Two minutes after the start, the pleasant soft vapour clears, the machine starts to clean itself and you are free to go about your day.
Research carried out by Laboratories Lysedia, Paris, independently verified and published showed 71% of people noticed an excellent result in skin brightness and 57% noticed a good to excellent result in skin's hydration, tensor effect, wrinkle size, pore size, skin texture amd sebum.
TheChicGeek says "This machine is really simple to use. Plug-in, fix the clear funnel on to the front and then place one of the pods into the bottom of the machine. The machine pierces the holes in the pods. The light turns from red to blue as it is heating up. You place your face near the end of the funnel and receive the two treatments of steam. The whole thing is really quick and lasts about 2 mins.
"The first burst of steam cleans the face and opens the pores, while the second delivers the treatment. This form of treatment makes sense and it definitely feels like it works. Your skin feels healthier from the inside, if that makes sense? It feels fresh and cleansed. The steam smells of essential oils and isn't an unpleasant experience. The only negative I have is the cost. I can understand the price of the machine, but 4 pods for £60, makes that 2 min. treatment cost £15. Which for a home treatment is fairly steep. I think for this to work, you have to compare it with spa prices and also the convenience it offers by doing it in your own home."
The Pod steamer is sold with a pack of 4 podlet treatments for £269.
Each box of 4 podlets will be sold for £60. With a buy three get the fourth free, launch offer.
Tried & Tested - Illuminum Fragrance Lounge
Just down a narrow alleyway, off Mayfair's fashionable Dover Street is the Illuminum Fragrance Lounge. This quiet, minimal interior is home to Illuminum's range of 32 original fragrances. On your Illuminum fragrance experience you will be presented with a selection of glasses, each of which are infused with different Illuminum fragrance.
Left - Inside the lounge
This is a fantastic way to discover a scent as the amount of molecules is not as high as on freshly scented blotters which could easily overpower your very delicate sense of smell. The base note of a fragrance emerges on our skin after a few hours and is a note of the scent which lasts the longest.
The fragrances are split in 4 groups; Citrus, Oud, Musk and Floral. If you let the sales person know what type you prefer, they will bring over a selection for you to try. You can walk in, but it's best to book. Give yourself an hour for something you will wear, hopefully, forever.
Right - The fragrance are sprayed on to blotters inside brandy glasses and then you smell the heart and base notes inside the glass
TheChicGeek says "There is something to be said about being away from the noise and rush of the department store or perfume shop when choosing a fragrance. You need to concentrate without distraction. When I first heard about the Illuminum Lounge I thought it was somewhere where you created your own fragrance. This can be an extremely overwhelming task and you can end with something of a dog's dinner of a scent. So, it makes sense that all the scents here are full formed by experts and you are given the time and space to select. Made in Walthamstow, Illuminum's scents use quality ingredients and for the sizes, the prices aren't ridiculous.
The Beethoven is playing, you're in a minimal, Kelly Hoppen-type interior, so it has something the Clockwork Oranges about it all. But, this is part of the fun, enjoy it. It can seem daunting at first and you may feel you're under pressure to be clever, but go on gut instinct, and just choose what you like.
The Vaporizer collection contains 15% perfume and the Haute range contains 30%, the fragrance will change over time, so it's good not to rush. When you start to narrow the selection down, you then spray on your skin. Then hopefully, after that, you'll know what you like and that's your selection. I went for the Black Oud, which changed to a dry down smelling to me like rosewater. It was interesting because I wouldn't usually wear an Oud fragrance. But, like everything, we should always be openminded."
Left - What would Anthony Burgess pick? More Illuminum scents on display
Illuminum - Vaporizer Collection - 50ml - £70, Haute Perfume - 100ml - £150, Limited - 100ml - £400
Men's Grooming - Tried & Tested - Elemis Deep Cleanse Facial Wash
Elemis' Deep Cleanse Facial Wash contains a potent blend of oak bark, spearmint and peppermint in a unique milk protein base to loosen and remove dirt and grime leaving your skin squeaky clean and thoroughly refreshed. Pour a small amount into the palms and mix with warm water to create a rich lather, gently massage into damp skin using circular motions and rinse well. This fast-acting gel formulation is to be used morning and evening and also helps to prevent in-growing hairs.
TheChicGeek says "This gel has a sticky, solid texture that is easy to apply and wash off. Smooth and non-abrasive, it comes out in an amber coloured gel and leaves your skin prepped for shaving. The only negative, which isn't really a negative, 200ml is a lot of face wash, so will last you a long time."
Left - Elemis - Deep Cleanse Facial Wash - £18.50
Tried & Tested - Ole Henriksen Power Peel
This is a potent, 3-step spa grade facial treatment that emulates both a microdermabrasion and peel service. Treat and reduce wrinkles, smooth skin texture, reverse hyperpigmentation and sun damage, revealing brighter, more even skin tone for a radiantly youthful complexion after just one use.
The 3 steps are - Almond Polish – exfoliates almond paste, oat kernel flour, bamboo stem powder, honey, Lemon Strip – peels and refines lactic, glycolic and fruit acids + licorice and algae extract and Chamomile Comfort – soothes and calms chamomile, evening primrose oil, and jojoba seed oil
TheChicGeek says “Each of the 3 steps has its own sachet. The first sachet, Almond Polish, smells like you’re putting marzipan on your face, that’s the almonds! The consistency is coarse, so gives you a nice, deep exfoliation. Leave on for 1-2 minutes, then wash off.
The Lemon Strip is clear, goes on easily and feels natural and not at all astringent. You leave this on for 2 minutes then apply the Chamomile Comfort on top and leave for 15 minutes. Then wash both off.
Each of these steps makes sense. The first cleans and preps the skin, the second is the treatment and the third soothes and calms.
There was no chemically, tingly feeling in any of the 3 steps. I like sachets because they are cleaner and always make sure you have the correct amount. The steps were easy to do and when washed off, it felt like you'd had a gentle treatment leaving my skin feeling smooth and clean. This is probably something I would recommend using one-a-month."
Ole Henriksen - Power Peel X 6 Satchets - £30