#phformula

POTENT POTS OF SCIENTIFIC MAGIC REVERSE SIGNS OF AGEING, BOOST RESULTS OF CLINICAL TREATMENTS AND MAKE YOU LOOK FABULOUS.

Our clients and devoted social followers always ask us for skincare advice. We understand that getting to Northern Ireland, Westminster or another clinic to ask in person is sometimes impossible, but you still want to know which brands to trust and what's worth an investment.

Our solution: Create a skincare page. Consider it more of a tutorial at this stage, but expect it to grow into a full archive and then an online shop over the coming months.*

Every beauty editor and blogger, along with every retailer, claim to have discovered the newest and best skincare brand that they're sharing exclusively with their followers, clients and beauty devotees. Like them, we never stop searching. But unlike them, they don't test the products on clients over many years and see the positive results first-hand.

We've scoured the universe and focused on four brands that we love because they work. CHECK OUT WHY WE LOVE OBAGI, IS CLINICAL, PHFORMULA AND HELIOCARE.

SKIN BY CATHY DOES SKINCARE

FIVE SIMPLE STEPS FOR PARTY PERFECTION

Sometime after the post-August holiday lull jolted us into mid-September and the leaves changing, then suddenly into cooler air and clocks changing, the first invitation arrived. Another jolt. Party season is upon us. Don’t panic. Put down the doughnut, book your trainer, speed dial Cathy, pick up some miracles in a pot (we’ll share a few) and start preparing for your holiday party best and youngest welcome-to-2017 face.

BIG HITTERS TO SCHEDULE TODAY

These are the treatments that erase decades and sins from sun damage, but they need a little time to work, so starting now is best. Please consider that like every treatment that’s worth doing, to do it right means several appointments.

Sculptra: Sculptra works by stimulating collagen production, erasing years from your face. While the best results happen after 3-4 treatments, you will see noticeable differences in skin texture immediately. It remains Cathy’s favourite and most popular anti-ageing treatment. Learn more about Sculptra in this blog series.

PRP (aka Vampire): It works by using your own blood cells to promote collagen production, resulting in a natural-looking, more youthful appearance.

Chemical peels: These powerhouse treatments can correct pigmentation, age spots, sun damage, rosacea, acne scars and even dark eye areas. They are also safe on all skin types, including black and Asian. Depending on your goals, 1-6 treatments may be needed.

Dermapen: Good for anti-ageing, lifting, pigmentation, scarring, stretch marks (think dress revealing arms and chest), and even alopecia. Learn more about Dermapen in this blog.

Beauty isn’t always convenient, but she’s an investment that you’ll never regret. Cathy will advise you during your consultation and provide regular updates and progress reports throughout your entire treatment plan. We warn you now, beauty is addicting and once Cathy touches your face, you’ll never trust anyone else—just look at her testimonials for proof.

ONE MONTH PRE-PARTY

Anti-wrinkle injections: Botox is a must to erase frown lines and lift facial expressions, revealing your youngest, happiest-looking, party-going self.

Lip fillers: A full pout is a sign of youth and beauty and nothing better shows off this season’s deep-hued lip colours.

Cheek fillers: As we age, our cheeks lose volume. Fillers expertly placed shape your face, lift jowls and restore vitality.

Mesotherapy: Despite losing the popularity race, delivering potent vitamins, minerals and amino acids directly into the skin resulting in smoother, more hydrated, evenly toned and glowing skin keeps this treatment a firm favourite of our beauty tricks.

ONE WEEK PRE-PARTY

Don’t be too adventurous before the party. A botox top-up, light chemical peel, mesotherapy and at-home facial masks are all you need to make yourself look and feel better. Don’t forget good sleep, healthy food and no alcohol or smoking. If a few heads turn at the party and friends enviously ask where you’ve been on holiday, that’s just another boost.

SKINCARE

Amplify the power of aesthetic treatments with the right skincare—it's equally as important.

Just as you change your wardrobe with every season, so should you change your beauty routine. We won’t let you hide from daily SPF (damage from UV rays happens regardless of temperature), but we will advise you to boost your moisture. Cold air outside mixed with dry, heated air inside dehydrates your skin.

Some of our skincare heroes to erase wrinkles, even skin tone, brighten and even reverse environmental damage are listed below. Start today, you’ll thank us when the entire party turns to notice, not your dress, but your flawless, glowing skin. You’ll continue thanking us as 2017 starts with a younger, more fabulous looking you.   

·       OBAGI

Obagi is our first stop for all serious skincare because it works—that’s not just according to us, but to our clients, every beauty guru and millions of users (read THE PRICE OF PREVENTION AND CORRECTION to learn more about Obagi). It’s medical grade skincare, which means only a dermatologist or aesthetic nurse can prescribe this precious liquid. It’s not just good genes and a fanatical approach to nutrition that keeps Cathy without a single wrinkle and looking 20 years younger, it’s Obagi.

·       LATEST TRICK IN OUR SKINCARE ARSENAL

Every beauty editor and blogger, along with every retailer, claims to have discovered the newest and absolute best skincare brand that they’re sharing exclusively with their followers, clients and beauty devotees. Like them, we never stop searching. It’s rare when a new brand catches our attention enough to take notice, try and then sell to our clients. pHformula is that brand. While it’s not technically a new brand—boasting a start in Spain in the late 19th century and fourth generation family pharmacist heritage—it’s been the last five years that they started earning major attention with their focus on skin resurfacing. This pharmaceutical medical grade brand is packed with the most potent anti-ageing, skin perfecting and brightening ingredients available (think of your ABC’s…as in vitamins) and offers both in clinic and at-home treatments. We’re in love so much with pHforumula that we’re putting our name next to it (a rarity).

·       CULT CLASSICS WE LOVE

We understand Obagi is not cheap and not everyone has a dermatologist or Cathy-like aesthetic nurse (although there is only one Cathy) on speed dial, so we’ll forgive you for heading straight to Boots or Feel Unique in search for hidden beauty gems. We remain true to hydrating cult classics like Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate and Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream plus many others we'll share if you ask.

·       INGREDIENT BEST FRIENDS

Depending on your skin needs, look for products that include high concentrations of hyaluronic acid for dry and dehydrated skin, vitamin A for anti-ageing and skin brightening, and vitamin C for skin firming and toning. If acne is your issue, we strongly recommend you see us (or another professional) because it’s easy to make the problem worse by using the wrong skincare. Hyaluronic acid should be your new best-friend because this hydrating superhorse can hold up to 1000 times in weight in water (that means only one gram can hold up to six litres of water—wow).  Retinol (the potent form of vitamin A) is not new to any beauty-seeker’s vocabulary because it’s been around for ages and it works. Decades of research prove retinol’s power to increase skin firmness, diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles, significantly improve skin tone, and smooth skin surface to reveal glowing skin. Go slowly when beginning any retinol treatment and always follow product instructions. Vitamin C, especially L-ascorbic acid, erases uneven skin tone and damage from environmental stresses while also boosting skin’s firmness. Most forms of vitamin C are unstable and if you use too high of a concentration, it can damage skin, so read labels.

After sharing our skincare secrets, we’ll scream Obagi and pHformula one last time. Think of it as a wise investment in visibly delaying ageing. Using medical grade skincare now saves you a small fortune in the long-run (think laser treatments and facelifts).

INSIDE COUNTS TOO

You already know it, but we’ll remind you that what you put inside your body shows on the outside. Smoking, poor nutrition and bad food age your skin decades—more than even the best skincare can keep pace correcting. Save yourself a fortune and start eating well. Read Summer Bodies Are Made in Winter for some of Cathy’s top tips to get started. 

NO EXCUSES FOR DELAY

Even if party invitations haven't started pouring in, treat yourself this holiday season. Erase wrinkles, boost your self esteem, banish insecurities and start looking in the mirror, thinking 'Darn, I look good'. 

Barcelona, March 2014.