Get ready to P.A.R.T.Y with these festive beauty tips from our therapist Gemma, from our William Street Edinburgh salon, and step into Christmas looking and feeling your radiant best.
From top to toe let’s get started...
A festive glow
Don’t underestimate the power of a tan to even out skin tone and leave arms, legs and shoulders looking toned and sculpted. It’s the perfect accessory to that fabulous festive frock.
“Our professional St Tropez spray tan treatment is lightweight and natural looking, leaving you with a flattering, body-confident glow,” explains Gemma. “And remember, the better the condition your skin is in prior to tanning the better the results. Your tan will last longer too, so invest time in some prep work before your salon appointment.”
Spray Tanning Tips
Ensure any hair removal is done at least 24 hours before the tanning appointment to avoid irritation advises Gemma. For best results exfoliate the day before to prepare the skin. If you do this yourself at home our Sleeping Beauty Aromatherapy Salt Scrub or St Tropez Body Polish both give good results. Just remember to work a little harder on dry areas such as hands, elbows, knees and feet.
“For a professional full body exfoliation and moisturising treatment why not book our Signature Salt Glow body treatment?” suggests Gemma. “Choose from our two handmade aromatherapy salt scrubs which both smell delicious: Rose & Jasmine or Bergamot, Grapefruit & Lime. The fragranced salt gently buffs away dead skin cells, encouraging the regeneration of new cells. Skin is then hydrated and smoothed with a deeply nourishing body soufflé, the ideal preparation for your professional tan and that little black dress.”
Over the festive season, ensure your tan fades evenly and looks natural by using St.Tropez’s Tan Enhancing Body Polish every 3 days says Gemma. She also suggests patting, rather than rubbing, skin dry after showering or bathing.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
With family descending, food to be cooked and the last minute rush to buy presents and decorate the house, it’s easy to feel stressed and exhausted in the run up to the holidays. Why not treat yourself to a little me-time before or after the festivities? In December and January Sleeping Beauty salons are offering a soothing, distressing Winter Spa Ritual to restore and pamper.
Winter Spa Ritual £49 • 50 MIN
- Brown Sugar & Fig Warm Oil Back
- Massage Warming Foot Treatment
- Pressure Point Scalp Massage
Christmas hands and nails
It’s what every girl needs for Christmas - a chic, modern mani - peeking out from those chunky knits or complementing that slinky dress.
“Nails often peel and crack in the winter,” she explains so wearing polish actually helps protect them from the harsh weather, drying heating and being in water.
‘I wear the pants’ is popular with clients and is one of our most requested winter neutral polishes says Gemma. It’s a rich deep red finish and a good all-rounder to take you right through the holiday. If you’re after a statement look to post on your Instagram then then ‘1 - 2 punch’ with a subtle shimmer may be just what you’re looking for.
Both colours are from the Artistic Colour Gloss Collection and will last for up to three weeks without chipping, dulling, cracking or peeling. Browse our nail treatments here.
“Keep hands looking smooth, youthful and hydrated with Elemis Sea Lavender & Samphire body cream. This gorgeously scented lotion combines extracts of Sea Lavender and Samphire with nourishing Macadamia oil and Oats to deeply condition. And don’t just keep it for hands,” adds Gemma. “Slather your body with it after showering for beautifully soft, smooth skin.”
Makeup and party
If you’re partying the night away, try these festive makeup tips from Hannah to stay picture perfect all night long.
First, wait a few moments after moisturising before applying your primer. If you don’t usually use a primer then do try one. A good primer will blur wrinkles, minimise the appearance of pores or even out skin tone whilst creating a perfect base for makeup and helping it to last longer. Take it over the eyelid and eye socket for a smoother, more even eye shadow application which won’t crease.
To avoid specks of eye shadow and mascara spoiling your flawless facial makeup, do your eye makeup before your face.
Use a sponge or brush to blend your foundation and ensure a good coverage, taking particular care around the jaw line and ears.
For a glitzy party look a red lip will always be one of my go-tos. Try Cassis if you like to rock a Hollywood starlet red, or Fortune a power matte lip sheen liquid for a warmer, burgundy look.
For parties I’d always choose a waterproof mascara to avoid panda-eyes.
Finish with a light spritz of setting spray to keep foundation and eye makeup firmly in place so you can party on through the night and still look your picture perfect best.
To complete your party look add some va va voom to your eyes with longer-looking luscious lashes. Book a Sleeping Beauty Lash Lift & Tint treatment and leave the salon with lifted, lengthened and voluminous natural-looking eyelashes that flutter better. It’s a very popular treatment which lasts 6-10 weeks, so you’ll still be fluttering those lashes for New Year. Learn more in our blog post here.
“Right, you look fabulous and it’s time to step into Christmas. Now, where did I put that little black party dress...?”
Book now at your nearest Sleeping Beauty salon and look fabulous this Christmas. Call 0844 445 7771.