We all want to know what magic goes behind a radiant red carpet complexion. Sourcing the secret back to skincare HELLO! Online speak to Nichola Joss, the celebrity go-to facialist, about why she's been on speed-dial to the A-list beauties this awards season.Her transformative facials aim to lift, tone, firm and nourish the skin and are loved by fashionista Louise Roe and rising Les Miserables star Samantha Barks who both looked stunning at the Oscars on Sunday night.
Like many women, Nichola reflects that the celebrities she has worked with "all want radiant, youthful, luminous skin with lots of tone and firmness" particularly around awards season when her therapeutic hands "tend to get booked 2-3 days before a big awards ceremony". The key to achieving these three vital results Nichola explains, is a good lymphatic drainage massage. Putting pressure on key points along the face helps to relieve areas of stress in addition to clearing out clogged up pores for clear, photo-ready skin. Topped off with an intensive lifting treatment to enhance the contours of the face and boost circulation to promote skin's cell turnover for that radiant and dewy look. It's no wonder that some clients opt for facials "three times over the week leading up to a big event like the Oscars".And Nichola's secret weapon? It's got to be Sanctuary Spa Therapist's Secret Facial Oil. A product that has become one of the worst kept secrets in Hollywood it has been reported that as much as 21,000ml of the facial oil was flown especially from the UK to LA for Oscars week.
"It literally tones and improve the texture of skin instantly” says Nichola.
Here is Nichola's signature massage routine for achieving that red-carpet-ready glow:CleanseTo relax the muscles and the mind I massage all products into my clients skin from the beginning. Starting by cleansing the skin twice to remove daily dirt and surface grime, spending time massaging the cleansers into the skin during each stage. First using an oil cleanser as this will grab all the grime of the day that is on the surface of the skin then using a cream cleanser for a deeper result.MassageLavishly massage 30 Day Thermal Transformation Mask (£27.50) into skin. The warming two-step mask contains a special peptide and hyaluronic acid that are shown to strengthen the collagen network to plump and repair skin's structures, as well as giving a tauter surface to reduce any 'crepey' skin.
ToneWash away the mask and spritz Pore Refining Toner (£8.99) onto a cotton pad and sweep over the surface of the skin to refine, minimise pores and smooth skin.TreatNow for the most important step in my facials, the lifting massage using Sanctuary Therapist's Secret Facial Oil (£17.35). When massaged into the skin the oil penetrates deep into the skin, nourishing deeper layers of the skin and plumping for a dewy effect. I work the skin from the centre of the face outwards, then massaging upwards along the jaw line, up and under the cheek bone area and along the upper lip line. This helps to tone and firm the muscle tissue, enhancing definition in the face. I massage the face for about 10 minutes, working on the key areas which need attention. The process can be quite uncomfortable as it's a deep and intensive massage but it instantly lifts and firms the skin so it's worth the slight pain.
The lymphatic drainage process completes the massage. Starting with small circular motions using the fingertips, working from the centre of the face outwards and upwards, and drawing the thumbs down the sides of the neck and under the ears to stimulate the lymphatic system. Then using deeper massage movements for drainage and also to de-puff, de-stress and relax the muscles. Nichola Joss takes bookings at the Sanctura Spa on select dates. To book an appointment for the red carpet Active Reverse Facial which costs £175 call 0845 521 4567