March 30th, 2020
Nadira V Persaud is a makeup artist and beauty expert known for her distinctive signature style. She has worked with clients in beauty, fashion and advertising as well as the arts, music, film and TV for over 20 years. More recently her career has evolved to include teaching, presenting and consulting in the UK and abroad, acting as Brand Ambassador for a number of global cosmetics brands as well as working as Make Up Advisor for a UK charity that supports and empowers burns and scars survivors.
Nadira’s philosophy is about enhancing natural beauty whilst focusing on lifestyle, striking a balance between feeling and looking good. Her latest venture, her book Press Here! Face Workouts For Beginners has just been published. We caught up with her to find out more about it.
Tell us about the background to Face Workouts for Beginners. How did you become interested in the concept?
Press Here! Face Workouts for Beginners is a collection of practical face exercises, consciously nurtured and carefully encapsulated into easy to follow workouts. The aim is to guide beginners into becoming mindful about tension in their face which can lead to deeper liners, puffiness and a focus on concerns such as frowning, in addition to learning pressure techniques to improve tone and definition in the face.
As a teen my Mum taught me some movements to promote toning for the face and over times these have evolved. I’ve also developed my own practical techniques and routines with a good sense approach to self-care.
How has your practice developed over time?
These techniques are very much second nature to me now. Since learning the power of face exercises from a young age these have maintained a part of my everyday routine. In my late teens I was known for tapping under my eyes in class when I could feel tension or tiredness. These mindful moments then became little rituals I needed to perform to keep stress levels down and tend to tension in my face.
Eventually, as a Make-up Artist, I would integrate these methods whilst prepping skin and without giving much thought to mentioning my approach unless someone asked, though it soon become apparent how effective these small practices were as they would offer instant results which also meant very happy clients.
Which is your personal favourite exercise or sequence?
The Jawline Definer, from the Fundamental Face Workout is an exercise I’ve actively performed since my teens and is a firm favourite of mine. The results are incredible for the jaw line as the network of jaw and neck muscles are activated by a simple movement, which helps to strengthen this area, plus over time can address a double chin to reveal a well-defined jawline is gained.
If someone is short on time, which would you recommend?
For those who are time poor I have curated Express Workouts which focuses on to key concerns; Speedy Glow and Lift instantly revives skin by revving up circulation using techniques such as ‘pinch and hold’ and uplifting motions. The Speedy De-Stress exercises together encourages a state of calm and relief from tension instantly when limited for time with no equipment, that can be executed anywhere.
Which products do you recommend using with the workouts?
In my book I mention where it might be ideal to use an oil, cream or serum to give some slip on the skin. I personally like to accomplish my face workouts whilst cleansing, to save time which is when I would use a face wash such as Elequra, Pure Balancing Cleanser or when using an oil-based product, Jane Scrivner, Nourishing Balm. If a face lotion is preferable it’s about choosing something creamy which is why I love using Cosmetics a la Carte, Creamy Deep Cleanser which leaves skin purified and silky smooth.
When moisturising at night I might use an oil like Kyushi, Jasmine, Lavender & Cedarwood Face Oil then incorporate some de-stressing exercises to help me wind down.
For under eyes exercises, I highly recommend eye creams such as Elequra, Eye Architecture Cream for a firmer appearance or Sofia Latif, Eye Oil for more slip under eyes and hydration.
When ‘out and about’ I like face mists for an immediate lift and boost of hydration; leave at your desk or in your handbag then spritz Mal & Mod, Active Hydration Tonic directly over the face or into palms then inhale the scent to reenergise, pat onto skin before executing an Express Workout or my Preparatory Exercises to rebalance.
How did the book come about?
I’ve spent many years sharing my beauty tips, with a holistic approach, rather than ‘quick fix’ solutions, which have resonated with clients and colleagues. I’m often asked if I would allow further access to my personal methods that centre around skincare and healthy skin which I’ve happily done so on social media and from there designers and publishers became interested in me structuring my routines into book format.
Where is it available from?
Press Here! Face Workouts for Beginners (£11.99) is available in the UK, Europe, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and can be purchased online from Amazon, Waterstones, Foyles and WHSmith as well as other leading bookstores.
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