HAUTE so FABULOUS

Beauty Brands

Conscious Beauty; Seabody

WellbeingRebecca O'ByrneComment

You’ve most likely encountered SEABODY, the luxury Irish beauty + wellness brand on a mission to evolve the market's approach to wellness without harming the planet? Fear not though, for if you haven’t, this is where your next wellness/beauty-love-story can begin. Over the past year or so the brand has been making its way into my world personally, from my supplement routine + my preferred hero skincare products to the brand’s newest launch at a spa level. And quite honestly, I’m most definitely here the entire SEABODY experience.

From a beauty gel cleanser + elixir style serum to supplements that support movement, bone + joint health along with beauty + skin health, the SEABODY product range works to bring the healing powers of the Atlantic waters right into your daily world. Co-founded by powerhouse Dr. Helena McMahon who possesses a BSc in Biomedical Science along with an MSc in Molecular Medicine, SEABODY is primarily a biotech company creating products in the wellness + beauty space that not only sound amazing + look chic (AF) but actually truly work. The realisation of Dr. McMahon + her team of passionate biochemists who, in unison, believe strongly in the power of a variety of native Irish seaweeds + sea plants, the formulation process follows the harvesting of the chosen plants from the waters of the Wild Atlantic Way, followed by their refinement + the extraction of their many wonderful molecules, all of which solidifies the foundation of the SEABODY product range.

Having very much ticked the box of quality for the consumer, SEABODY goes on to care very deeply for what their manufacturing does to our planet. You will find the brand far beyond the sometimes surface-level idea of sustainability that brands now have to, at the very least be seen to conform to, be it just for perception purposes or you hope at a more genuine level. At SEABODY, they not only got the sustainability memo but they implement it like it’s a religion. Their emphasis on the abundance of natural + effective resources so nature generously affords us along with their long-term approach to the utilisation, management + protection of each + every component of a SEABODY product is almost unparalleled in the industry.

As part of their growth, the brand most recently partnered with one of the most notable Irish institutions of luxury, the exquisitely elegant + desirable Dromoland Castle where they have created bespoke treatments for as part of the newly renovated The Castle Spa at the magnificent destination. I was honoured to visit recently where I was treated to the SEABODY Touch Facial. A divine encounter with luxury where every single moment + each detail was thought through thoroughly + taken care of in a very distinct + defined way. The effective nature of the products married with the tranquil + calming atmosphere of the spa which is like nothing I’ve encountered, it was something of an escape for the mind, body + soul. Dromoland Castle is definitely on my list of places to return as any experience, from this special treat to our friends wedding, has simply been exceptional, leaving you wanting more yet equally fulfilled.

And so, despite being someone who most definitely can often be drawn into new beauty or wellness products based on first impressions of the aesthetic, I can most definitely say that I stay with SEABODY for it’s quality + their considering of every element + each minute detail. The SEABODY philosophy may be science led with an approach that notably works + I just can’t help but loving it for how it all makes me feel: great from the inside out.


SHOP MY FAVOURITE SEABODY PRODUCTS

 

Clean Beauty; Ground Wellbeing

WellbeingRebecca O'ByrneComment

G R O U N D  is a newly launched luxury wellness brand I was recently introduced to + am truly loving. Focusing on artisan aromatherapy for your entire family, each product is created to awaken your senses through the beauty of + healing properties found in essential oils. Hand-crafted in small, quality-controlled batches in Cork, Ireland by Peigín Crowley, a globally celebrated curator of luxury spas, GROUND is neutral by design with each product created to encourage a sense of relaxation + grounding.

Peigín, has established a highly respected career in the wellness space as the originator + designer of high-end luxury spas in Ireland’s most indulgent properties including Cliff House Hotel, Old Head of Kinsale + Adore Manor. Her love of constructing beautiful experiences has been brought to life in her latest venture + is something you can see, smell + touch in each drop; a treasured treat in the every day rituals of self-care.

I was gifted some of the beautiful products from the range by Peigín when she first launched - the Recovery Hair Oil + Sleep Face Oil + I have been using them ever since. The Recovery Hair Oil quickly became a favourite; each time I wash my hair I gently massage the product into my scalp before getting into the shower, then after towel drying it, post shower, I put about 5 drops into the ends of my hair - again gently massaging it in. I’m particular about what I use on my hair + skin as I get older + I just love how natural GROUND products are - no gross pesticides or herbicides + each ingredient is organic (where possible) + completely sourced naturally.

One of the other products I love is the Sleep Face Oil. On the nights when I Gua Sha this is amazing, as with it’s beautiful texture, it means my Gua Sha stone glides so smoothly over my skin instead of pulling on it. Also with chamomile as one of it’s main ingredients, it means it’s a great way to de-stress your mind + body before bed. Peigín advises to rub the oils between your palms + inhale deeply before applying to the skin for an added boost to the senses - something that is applicable for the entire collection.

Since falling in love with G R O U N D products, I’ve ordered several others myself including the Uplifting Body Oil which is so divine after a lovely hot shower or bath. Our bodies skin needs that extra TLC in Winter + I‘ve found this (along with my unfailing love of Jojoba Oil) to be such a treat for dry skin + it smells so divine too.

You can find the full range, including Bath Salt, Body Oils, Face Balms, Face Oils, Face & Body Masks, Beard Oils + Mother + Baby products on BrownThomas.ie or directly on GROUNDWELLBEING.com

What Is.. The Ricari Method

Style 02Rebecca O'ByrneComment
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Born in Beverly Hill, Los Angeles the Ricari Method is something of a modern day take on a classic tradition. Created by wellness connoisseur Anna Zahn, the cult L.A lymphatic drainage treatment is a cellular approach to great skincare and the fundamental first step in bring your body to the next level. Ricari - which is an Italian word, derived from the word “ricaria” which translates directly to “reharge” is a wellness spa that aims to rejuvenate and restore our bodies to their best through the stimulation of the lymphatic system. 

Incorporating varying procedures - within the overall treatment - from deep dry-brushing and time in an infrared sauna to drainage massage with the use of a hi-powered medical vacuum style machine, the Ricari Method works to purify the inner workings of our bodies, boosting blood flow and circulation - all of which naturally plays an immensely important part of any extraordinary skincare routine. Ricari sessions mean you’re getting a clear foundation to a more comprehensively healthy body, leaving room for more effective aesthetic results.

Responsible for so many aspects of our overall health, the lymphatic system is in charge of the elimination of waste from the bloodstream, production of lymphocytes to take-down dangerous the absorption of fat and specific vitamins from food which have a knock-on effect on cellulite, bloating, moods, skin and your overall immunity. So taking care of it means taking care of endless other facets of the body. 

Zahn recently opened a pop-up on Mercer Street in NYC’s SoHo neighbourhood and in her successful launch on the East Coast, it seems the favourable outcome of her venture is that she’s been convinced to open a permanent location in the city by Spring 2020. And let’s face it, if celebrities and models like Camille Rowe, Romee Strijd, Amanda Chantal Bacon and Dree Hemingway have Ricardi Studio on speed dial, then I guess, treating your body like you treat your face has just become that bit more fabulous and alluring than ever before.

Book a session in Los Angeles // New York // London

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What Is.. FaceGym

Style, TravelRebecca O'ByrneComment
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Maybe you’re a spin enthusiast or a resistance-goddess, perhaps you love your morning run or sweating it out at Bikram? Whatever your chosen method of movement you understand and agree with the benefits in time spent working the body and a dedicated commitment to strengthening the muscles of our body; simply put it pays off to workout, right? Why then have we never connected such dedication to the face? Step forth FaceGym, the world’s first ever gym session for the face.

FaceGym was founded in 2016, by ex-beauty journalist Inge Theron who as a contributor for the Financial Times, documented her search for the next big thing in beauty in her column ‘Chronicles of a Spa Junkie”. Over a 3 year period she visited 57 spas, tried 25 anti-ageing treatments, tolerated 15 detoxes and sweated her way through 32 different types of movement classes. In her extreme search she underwent a face-lift procedure that left her house-bound due to complications and with a new outlook on skincare and the search for what works, she wondered if perhaps there was a less invasive was of ageing gracefully?

FaceGym is her resulting creation, the fruits of a two-year study that saw her travel the world to work with fitness experts, doctors, gurus and facialists. It’s a non-invasive facial workout requiring no knives, needles or recovery time; just 45 - 60 minutes in the hands of one of the company’s expert trainers. Exercising the face works to increase the blood circulation (allowing oxygen and nourishment to reach skin cells) and develop the 43 muscles in the face, making the shape of the face more full and defined. The ‘training’ part of the workout varies depending on the outcome you desire, so whether it’s a lifted look, tightening, detox, de-puffing or sculpting there is a varying custom-created workout. However the overall aim of a session at FaceGym is to stimulate the muscles, bringing back the skin’s natural elasticity and promoting collagen production. 

With similar steps to a body workout, the trainer will take you through the warm up, cardio, sculpting, and cool down stages of the workout. Using high energy kneading movements, a carefully selected selection of high-quality products from around the globe alongside optional vitamin boosters, a jade gua sha tool, a yoga ball and an electrical muscle stimulator (EMS), a session at FaceGym leaves your skin looks instantly tighter and brighter with your face visibly more sculpted. Fresh skin, the natural way, what’s not to love?

Available in London, Manchester, New York & coming soon to Los Angeles // Book your workout here // Workouts cost bewteen £50 and £225 or $70 and $270


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