HSF - Dawn, as you’ve taught me, skin + skincare are such individualised experiences for each person. My own understanding + patience with myself has depended since working with you; thank you for that. Explain though in your own words what your philosophy with skin is…

DH - My Philosophy with skin has always been about education. Educating my clients on their skin, on products + what truly works is key for me. A fast sell has never been the aim, because I’ve been there.  I’ve left salons with a bag full of expensive products without a clue why I actually handed over all that cash. Starting small is important. When you’re educated about your skin, why it behaves how it does + how to care for it properly, you become the master of it + learn to love it more. 

HSF - As you say here, your work is about the long haul, about investing in our skin + not falling for the often BS promises the beauty industry “guarantees” us. How do you manage people’s desire for instant results + the reality that good things take time - especially now in a world full of immediate gratification..

DH - To be honest I’m straight up from the get-go. New clients can often be taken aback by my honesty + openness about the industry. I’ve worked in beauty from so many angles - from blogging back in the day, to becoming a beauty journalist, to working in beauty PR + being a brand manager for some of the most well-know brands in Ireland. I know what goes into selling a product, how to market it to the masses + most of it is BS. The beauty industry can promise the world, but rarely does it deliver. It’s all about sales at the end of the day. I tell clients all the time to manage expectation of what skincare can actually do. Although the skincare industry is booming + is always evolving, there is a limit to what it can do. I’m real about that. There are so many factors that contribute to healthy skin, skincare is a small part of it. 

HSF - I certainly don’t need persuading (fully addicted since starting on a consistent routine with the brand last year) but explain, if you will, the reasons for your love of Biologique Recherche as a strong foundational range of products for anyone’s routine + why you chose to work with them over any other brand at that high-end level..

DH - I couldn’t have started my facial studio with anything else. Genuinely. BR works, there are no two ways about it. They don’t follow trends, they set them.  They don’t include ingredients ‘on trend’, they work with ingredients that work in-sync with your skin. They also don’t put money into clever marketing + PR strategies, instead they invest in research + development. I’ve seen BR change my clients skin into healthy, stronger skin. The main thing about BR is how bespoke it is. Every serum concoction, mask mixture is done so with YOUR skin in mind. So the finish is bespoke to you, always. 

HSF - What are your favourite products from BR?

DH - Where to begin!! I can’t be without Serum 3R, Masque Biofixine, Masque Vernix, P50V, the finishing serums, creme acides de fruites, Lait VIP02, mask vivant. There are a lot!!

HSF - Good things come to those who wait (+ work consistently toward what they want) I’ve found. How long does it take most people to find balance with their skin so that you can actually step up the routine to begin to see results?

DH - I always tell clients to give it about 4-6 months. That may sound like a ling time, but absolutely nothing works overnight. Usually to be honest, it’s a year after clients first start on their skincare journey with me that we see the most spectacular results. And by then, they’re so educated about their skin + know it so well, they barely need me anymore!! 

HSF - Your clinic, Florasion, is the physical manifestation of your expertise + passion for helping people achieve their best. How is it running your own business? And how have you had to pivot during these times? (You’re a true inspiration)

DH - Running a business, especially during a pandemic has been + is a rollercoaster. It can be exhausting trying to keep it going + continuously think outside the box + adapt. But I have + always have had a vision for Floraison + slowly but surely it’s coming into fruition. I just want to create something a little different. It can be hard staying in your own lane too, your own bubble when there’s so much going on in the industry. You can start to question yourself + your abilities but I think if your vision is strong enough, it can keep you going. 

HSF - Where does the name Florasion come from? 

DH - Floraison is actually French for bloom. I absolutely love florals + the whole process of blooming + have done since I was a little girl. It was the perfect name for the business I wanted to create. A space for women to bloom, skin coming into bloom, helping skin bloom + to be its best. 

HSF - How often do you think people should be getting luxury-grade facials?

DH - It genuinely depends on the condition of the skin, what we need to treat + most importantly, budget! Some clients come in on the button every six to seven weeks, the likes of brides-to-be will come in every eight weeks + others every three months. But it’s a very individual choice.

HSF - With lock-down life in full swing again, you’re obviously not working with clients in person at the moment, how can people  get started on a personalised routine under your guidance?

DH - A virtual consultation is best! It’s pretty much like it would be in the studio, although obviously I dont get to work on the skin. But it’s quite in-depth + based around educating the client on their skin, talking through their current routine + changing it up as we see fit. 

HSF - Outside the obvious nature of products + a health focused lifestyle, what tips or techniques do you swear by in the search for better skin?

DH - It may sound boring + it’s not an over-night thing, but lifestyle. Lifestyle is huge. By lifestyle I mean stress levels, healthy sleep habits, exercise + diet (to a certain extent. I’m not into cutting things from your diet). When I’m less stressed, I sleep better, my mood is lighter, I feed myself better + my skin shows it. But of course, it takes time. I like to think of it like this; if you eat broccoli for dinner once, it doesn’t mean all those vitamins + minerals are going to benefit you straight away with a couple of fork fulls. Its a process, it takes time + commitment to see the positive changes. I swear by green smoothies too, they make a huge difference to the skin when kept up. 

HSF - Are there any skincare devices you would recommend for at-home use?

DH - Yes there a re a few!! I’m going to keep them under my hat for now, but LED + some facial muscle trainers can be amazing. Again they all take time + consistent commitment, but more on that coming soon!

HSF - What products do you think are really important to invest in + which ones are totally ok to spend less on?

DH - Treatment products - so the likes of P50 + serums. These are long contact products with small molecular weight meaning they’re able to penetrate that little bit deeper into the skin and work harder. They’re usually the most active ingredients wise. Moisturisers do just that - they moisturise + keep the skin supple. Obviously there a some that are a little more targeted + therefore will be more expensive. 

HSF - How important in someone’s daily routine is SPF? Does SPF in foundation suffice? And is there one you can’t live without?

DH - Extremely important but its important to use common sense here. There is definitely a lot of misinformation about SPFs. If you’re indoors all day + only leave the house when its dark for a walk - no SPF needed. Also - use an SPF from a brand whose game is SPF, brands that put a lot of research into their formulations. SPF in foundation most certainly will not suffice. Think of it - usually they only have an SPF of 15 in them which isn’t enough, but also think about the amount of foundation you apply - its just a few drops realistically. For SPF to truly protect, you need to apply half a teaspoon amount - who would apply that much foundation? Some SPFs are superior in their finish + protection of the skin. Heliocare is my go-to + I absolutely love their Water Gel version. I usually go for un-tinted because as previously mentioned, you need to use a lot to get the desired protection. 

HSF - What are your thoughts on cult products + skincare trends? Any you can’t stand or ones you do tend to stand by?

DH - Cult products I can get on board with but not all of them are truly cult - a lot of the time it’s noise + clever marketing + you buy the product + are left disappointed. But they do exist. Skincare trends - no. Despise them + more so when they’re plastered all over Instagram + brands jump on board. Trend ingredients are here today, then gone tomorrow. Same for treatments. For example, micro-dermabrasisson - huge a few years ago, but now you never hear of it because it can be so disruptive to the skin barrier. Dermaplanning is the same. Also trend for clean beauty (so much scaremongering + the term ‘clean’ + ‘non-toxic’ is damaging in my opinion) + the go-hard -or -go -home approach to skin is big but is just not healthy for any skin.  

HSF - In your opinion, what is the most under-appreciated piece of advice ignored by us about skin?

DH - Skin has pores, skin can be uneven, patchy + a bit all over the shop at times + that is NORMAL. Skin can change daily, even from morning to night - thats the nature of skin. Perfection doesn’t exist and when you stop searching for it, you grow to love your skin more. 

HSF - And lastly, Dawn what is next for you at Florasion?

DH - I have so many plans. But it all comes back to the same thing - to truly help people become more educated about skin + to actually love their skin. To help women become more confident in their skin really + to build a blooming empire that people love to visit, be it online or in studio.

Book your consultation with Dawn at F L O R A S I O N . I E // Follow on IG @florasion_ie