What Is.. Buccal

Buccal massage has roots that date back several centuries, with origins in traditional Eastern + Western healing practices. It is thought to have been used in ancient cultures, including in practices like Ayurvedic medicine + traditional Chinese medicine, where facial massage was used for health, relaxation, + beauty purposes. What is Buccal Massage though? Well the simplicity yet powerful technique of Buccal massage is a unique facial therapy that involves massaging the inside of the mouth to target the muscles of the cheeks, jawline, + deeper areas of the face. This technique combines both external + internal massage, focusing on muscles that are often overlooked in traditional facial treatments. Offering a holistic approach to relaxation + facial rejuvenation, one of the key benefits of buccal massage is its ability to relieve tension + stress.. Many of us unknowingly hold stress in our faces, resulting in discomfort + stiffness, especially around the jawline. By targeting these areas, buccal massage helps release this built-up tension, leaving the face feeling more relaxed + at ease.

In addition to stress relief, other benefits of this age old tradition are that it stimulates circulation beneath the skin, improving blood flow + promoting a healthy, radiant complexion. This boost in circulation helps deliver oxygen + nutrients to the skin, resulting in a natural glow + a more youthful appearance. The technique also has a secondary toning effect, helping to contour the face by working the muscles, helping reduce any puffiness + enhancing the definition of the facial structure, giving a more sculpted look.

On a more medical level, for those who suffer from Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) issues or teeth grinding, buccal massage can provide much-needed relief. By targeting the muscles inside the mouth that contribute to such jaw tension, this technique helps ease discomfort associated with TMJ, reducing the frequency of headaches + jaw stiffness. Regular sessions can lead to long-term improvement in managing these issues.

Another advantage of buccal massage is its ability to encourage lymphatic drainage, which helps detoxify the skin + reduce facial puffiness. This natural detox process, which is well documented these days, leads to a more refined, less bloated appearance, leaving the face looking fresh + rejuvenated.

Buccal massage offers a non-invasive, natural way to rejuvenate your face, relieve stress, + improve the health of your skin. Whether you're seeking to enhance your facial contours, soothe tension, or promote a radiant complexion, this simple yet effective technique could be the perfect addition to your wellness routine. It can be life-changing for those finding themselves with immense tension, offering release + flow back into the energy system.

I receive + recommend the technique with PEMBROKE AESTHETICS in Dublin or with KATIE ENGLAND SKIN in London

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Conscious Beauty; Seabody

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.

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SHOP MY FAVOURITE SEABODY PRODUCTS

What Is.. An LVL Lash Lift

Tired of the hassle and expenses of maintaining your false lashes or perhaps you’ve never desired to embark down that road, cause let’s face it, once you start it’s hard to return.. amirite ladies?

Well it’s been a hot minute since my days with false lashes and of late I’ve been getting LVL’s, known more technically speaking as Length, Volume, Lift. Created and exclusive to Nouveau Lashes, the revolutionary treatment is all about enhancing what you already have and works to construct a look of longer, more voluminous lashes, leaving you looking less tired, more youthful and well, just feeling fabulous AF!

After finding a certified LVL Lash artist (you can find your nearest one here) and completing a patch test at least 48 hours prior to your treatment, it’s a seamlessly smooth and painless process. Lying back for the entire treatment it begins with your eyes being protected with a specifically-sized shape shield which is placed on your eyelid and lower lashes against which your lashes will be pressed with a bonding gel. After these first preparations it’s all about the lift; this includes the application of a lifting balm which works to reshape the structure and shape of your lashes so as they now lift out and up from the root in a beautiful curved direction. Step two is to volumise - after removing the lifting balm the therapist applies a volumising fix which seals the lashes into their newly found shape. Next comes the lash tint which once left on for a few minutes leaves the lashes looking darker and fuller. The last and final stage in the process is one in which a moisturising serum is added to nourish and promote longevity in the lashes new shape and also ease them off the shield. And voila, you are done. 

Basically it’s like a perm for the lashes and as well as saving time in your daily routine, it’s something so none invasive and leaves you looking and feeling like you’ve done something done to them but just what, nobody can tell.. just that they look WOW!

The treatment takes about 45 minutes to an hour with instant results. No part of the process should hurt, however if it stings a little, just let your therapist know. Costing on average about £45 per treatment, I warn it’s absolutely as addictive as getting your extensions done but in my opinion much healthier, less maintenance and there is absolutely no in between time of feeling like you’re only half-lashed!

Find your nearest certified artist here

Gifts That Keep On Giving, Long After the Holidays

This holiday season why not give a gift that keeps on giving. From subscriptions to vouchers, in beauty, healthy, exercise and escapism, here is my list of the perfect presents that will live long beyond the immediacy of Christmas morning..

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S U P E R N O V A L I V I N G

Clean, beautiful, healthy and nourishing, a monthly subscription to this beautiful UK based protein, created by husband and wife duo Laura and Jermaine Beckford, is something that will love the one you love the whole year through. Created as an alternative to all the industry mass produced proteins that are full of unhealthy additives, Supernova is the ultimate way to start 2020 and journey to a healthier, more energetic you.

Read all about the company on HSF’s interview with founder Laura Beckford here // Purchase a subscription at supernova living.com

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M E L I S S A W O O D H E A L T H

Having just relaunched with a whole new rebranding, not to mention the perfect app to keep all your beautiful workouts in one places, Melissa Wood-Tepperberg is a Mom, wellness coach, avid meditator, certified yoga and pilates teacher and plant-based eater, working to shift the way we live and help her fans thrive from the inside out. The former model’s goal is to help you find your best self through movement methods, intuitive eating and mindful meditation. A year subscription with Melissa costs just $109.99 and is worth every cent.

Read more about Melissa’s workouts here // Purchase a subscription at melissawoodhealth.com

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F A C E G Y M

For any and all of the beauty fanatics in your life, a voucher for Facegym is a heaven sent once the gloom of January sets in and there’s all the time in the world to ‘self-care’ our way to summer. This non-invasive facial treatment works like a natural facelift and works in exercising the muscles to increase the areas blood circulation (allowing oxygen and nourishment to reach skin cells) and develops the 43 muscles in the face, making the shape of the face more full and defined. It’s like a workout for the face and becomes an addictive dedicated practice for those who fall in love with it.

Read more about Facegym here.. // Purchase a voucher at FaceGym.com

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R I C A R I

Something of a modern day take on a classic tradition, Ricari was created by wellness connoisseur Anna Zahn and is the cult L.A lymphatic drainage treatment based on a cellular-level approach to great skincare and the is a fundamental first step in bringing your body to the next level. This one is one of those things that, seemingly luxurious becomes all too much an essential necessity from that first experience and something that once gifted will forever remain you in your loved ones good books. Only available in NYC or LA.

Read more about The Ricari Method here.. // Purchase a voucher at Ricaristudios.com

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R E V I V I V T H E R A P Y

Tried and tested, IV Therapy is one of the only ways in which we get immediate results, instantly allowing the body to fully reap the benefits of 100% absorption when it comes to vitamins and supplements. Whether it’s to nurse and reserve a hangover or just simply get your body through the winter blues, nothing screams a boost of energy like a hit of Reviv IV Therapy. It’s the ultimate pick-me-up post all the festive partying.

Read more about Reviv IV Therapy here // Purchase a voucher at revivme.com

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M A G A Z I N E S U B S C R I P T I O N S

Like a good book, magazines bring hours of escape, learning, browsing and or dreaming, so why not give the gift of all with one of your loved ones favourite glossy! It’s another one that lasts long beyond Christmas morning..

Find all the best at isubscribe.co.uk

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What Is.. Gua Sha

WARNING: you might want to avoid Google-ing ‘gua sha’ without the word facial, for the practice of Gua Sha is an ancient Chinese medicine in existence since before the age-old methods of acupuncture + more scarily perhaps, it translates directly to “scraping” - not something you might consider helpful when you’re looking for your next facial try-out. The therapy originates as a body massage + the results leave beetroot red marks on your back or the specific area worked on. However teleporting ourselves from Gua Sha’s ancient Chinese roots to 2019 + the era of self-care enthusiasts who know the importance of personal attention, not to mention a love of anything that’s truly anti-ageing + a general boost to our wellness - we come to the ‘Gua Sha’ (pronounced gwa sha) in a whole new category, the Gua Sha Facial. 

Conducted very differently when used on the face, Gua Sha can be worked into your daily skincare routine at home. Simply apply facial oil all over the face + use a flat stone of your choice (not the infamous rollers seen all over IG right now, the Gua Sha tool is much more powerful than rollers), in upward motions, very gently gliding in minute strokes. It’s a massage technique that was originally designed to relieve any tension in the muscles of the face + works very well to promote the body’s natural lymphatic drainage system while also boosting blood circulation, resulting in something we all love: the banishment of bloat. Taking stock of the day-to-day stresses of modern day life that inevitably take their toll via our facial expressions + consequently the fine lines that find themselves making their permanent mark, the stimulation that occurs as a result of the Gua Sha practice, either in your daily skincare routine or as part of a professional facial with a qualified therapist, you can be sure it works to reduce all stresses life in 2019 can play on our skin. 

Also known as coining, spooning or scraping, benefits include stimulation of the immune system, reduction of pain like headaches + jaw discomfort, it’s anti-inflammatory, it decreases puffiness under the eyes + works to plump the skin as a result of collagen rejuvenation. Unlike the more traditional Gua Sha massage, it does not leave any markings when done as a facial - unless, in choosing to do a DIY job at home + you go too intensely. It is highly recommended you watch tutorials (the best ones are linked below) to see how best to practice the method by yourself.

So although it may be only just taking over IG in recent years ( wrote this piece in 2019 so it’s even more prominent now), this practice has been around for thousands of years + if you’re willing to put in the research + wish to add Gua Sha into your at home skin-care routine, I suggest following Rachel of Relax with Rach - the treatment designer + trainer at one of my favourite skincare brands GROUND. Rachel has a quick but brilliant tutorial on her IG. Find the video here.

Another amazing follow is Britta Plug @britta_beauty, one of NYC’s top Gua Sha experts, Queen of holistic self-care + the founder of Studio Britta.

Oh + another of my go-to oils for self Gua Sha is Organic Cold pressed Jojoba Oil by Irish brand The Nature of Things which you can find here..

Shop all the best oils + tools below..

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Shop the Best Gua Sha Products

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Hello, World!

What Is.. Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy has been around for decades as an, albeit quite controversial, source of mental and physical stress relief. Benefits are said to include reduction in arthritic pain and migraine symptoms, depletion of atopic dermatitis and other skin conditions, the numbing of nerve irritation, alleviation of low mood disorders and it is said to aid weight loss and the reduction of disease-causing inflammation. That’s a hell of a lot of benefits in one treatment right? As popular as the treatment has become in the past two years though there is yet to be any formal scientific proof of all the possible advantages. Yet, despite it’s lack of FDA approval just yet, it has undoubtedly joined the ranks of high-tech skincare with many high-profile doctors and dermatologists, medical aestheticians and facialists getting behind it as a major player in anti-ageing skincare and overall health. The therapy style treatment for your skin comes in a facial form or as a whole body remedy . 

A shortcut to brighter, tighter skin, the treatment has amassed a serious cult following, boosting cell rejuvenation and collagen while also stimulating the immune system; so there’s something good for the inside and the out and what’s not to love about that! Using it as a whole body treatment is often practiced by top athletes to rehab muscles and increase circulation. In the full-body treatment, users strip nude and are encased in a cryogenic chamber (similar to a tanning booth) where you are exposed to extremely cold temperatures - like say negative-225-degrees-Fahrenheit kinda cold - created by liquid nitrogen for a period of 3-5 minutes. Perhaps more popular in the beauty world though is the cryotherapy facial which has gained immense popularity in recent times among the beauty world’s elite and celebrities alike.  

A cryogenic facial is similar to that of a full body treatment and can be either an in-and-out treatment with just the cryogenic element or can consist of a myriad of steps, only one of which is the cryotherapy itself. Options around the main event include thorough cleansing, microdermabrasion to give a deep exfoliation after which the freezing, ice-cold air is blown across each area of the face, neck and chin, followed by LED light therapy. Avid followers of the trend claim to see benefits of glowing skin and anti-ageing elements bringing them back for more. 

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What Is.. The Ricari Method

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

Images Ricari Studios