6 facials that’ll have your skin ready for summer
Road-tested by the Beauty Crew team
It’s no secret the weather can wreak havoc on your skin. From the cold, rain, and wind in winter that can leave your skin dry, flaky and dull, to the temperature highs and lows of spring that confuse your complexion enough to leave it in a less-than-stellar state, the toll on your skin is probably greater than you think.
Which is why we’re huge advocates for a beginning-of-the-season facial; some time in a spa or salon can really help rejuvenate and invigorate your skin. The Beauty Crew team has been working hard road-testing some of the best facials around, and here are a few of our picks for what to try for a summer refresh.
The facial: Rationale EpiNova Photosonic Facial
The review: “After a stressful year and mild post-baby pigmentation, my skin has needed some serious TLC. This high-tech anti-ageing Rationale facial incorporates LED and ultrasound technology and highly active skin care (not to mention a good dose of relaxing massage, too). After a course of six treatments my skin is clearer, brighter and less congested – the exact result I wanted to feel confident to go makeup free these summer holidays.” – Alex Noonan, Content Director
The price: $270
The facial: Signature DMK Enzyme Therapy Facial
The review: “While I knew to expect a serious mask session at the DMK facial, I wasn’t quite prepared for the unique experience of the Enzyme Therapy. In a nutshell, my skin was exfoliated before the treatment, and then the thick mask was applied to my face, neck, and décolletage (basically from armpit to armpit), and I lay there for 45 minutes while the formulation worked its magic. The facial was finished off with some skin-loving products suited to my concerns. I’ll admit towards the end, the hardened mask felt quite uncomfortable, and if you’re claustrophobic it’s probably best to discuss beforehand, but my skin was so plump and positively glowing afterwards. The Enzyme Therapy works to dissolve dead skin cells, release trapped impurities, and improve circulation, and has left my skin looking and feeling amazing.” – Carli Alman, Editor
The price: From $175
DMK: Skin Clinic, Brisbane
The facial: La Prairie Ultimate Caviar Luxury
The review: “If you’re looking to splurge big-time this festive season on something nice for yourself, then add this face and body treatment to the top of your wish list. The La Prairie Ultimate Caviar Luxury treatment began with an hour-long leg, back and shoulder massage using La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Souffle Body Cream, which was absolutely heavenly (but what did you expect?), followed by another hour of pure bliss in the form of a La Prairie Caviar Lift Facial. Embarrassingly, I fell asleep just minutes into the facial (which I’ve been told is the ultimate compliment to the facialist), but I did notice that the skin on my face looked refreshed and my body felt softer than ever. Top tip: If you’re heading to the Darling Spa in Sydney like I did, make a day out of this treatment by heading to the spa hours beforehand to take advantage of the sunny pool upstairs, the steam room and the Jacuzzi.” – Iantha Yu, Beauty Editor
The price: $500
The facial: Clear + Brilliant Perméa
The review: “The thought of having a laser cause a controlled injury on my skin’s surface scared me at first (it’s supposed to trigger the body’s natural repair function and collagen production), but Clear + Brilliant is still considered non-abrasive and promised an improvement in my skin’s tone, radiance and softness so I was happy to give it a go. After having numbing cream applied to my face, a device that uses gentle fractional laser technology was directed over every corner of my face (except around the eyes). While the cream dulls the pain you will still feel it, and afterwards my face was red, as if I’d been sunburnt, for the next 24 hours. My skin felt rough the following few days but after that I saw the payoff. My complexion felt more even, brighter and I have been having a lot of makeup-free days since!” – Chelsea Tromans, Contributor
The price: $395
Clear + Brilliant: Clear Complexions Clinic, Mosman
The facial: Endota Spa New Age Light Therapy Facial
The review: “Endota Spa’s newest treatment is a relaxing facial that promises to hydrate, boost collagen and elastin production and reduce fine lines and wrinkles in the long run. Within the hour, my skin was cleansed, massaged and prepped with a hydrogel sheet mask, before a LED mask called Lightfusion (produced by the people behind Omnilux), was placed over my face. Thankfully, the entire treatment was pain-free, with my face only heating up slightly due to the increased blood flow from the massaging. The end result? After a few days, my skin looked plump and smooth, and complete with a lit-from-within glow; and whilst the results can’t compare to a normal Omnilux treatment, it’s a great alternative for those that find LED treatments uncomfortable or claustrophobic.” - Iantha Yu, Beauty Editor
The price: From $160
endota spa: Endota Spa, The Rocks
The facial: Guinot Hydradermie Youth Treatment
The review: “Guinot has a long history of facials that work, and its latest one lived up to the expectations. The Youth Treatment was divided into three parts – one with cool rollers to massage and deliver the product ingredients deep into my skin, one with warm rollers, which felt heavenly and so relaxing, and the last part involved a relaxing massage. And while this whole experience felt blissful, the combination of massage, galvanic currents and the products left my complexion looking so radiant. I was also really happy to discover that it wasn’t just an immediate after-effect, my skin reaped the benefits for a couple of weeks after the treatment, too.” – Carli Alman, Editor
The price: From $190
Want some at-home solutions to amazing summer skin? These are the best products according to your top skin concern.
Image credits: Supplied
