October 6th, 2021
Last month Warpaint was invited for a facial with Chelseé Lewis. With over 25 years of experience within the beauty industry, and named as one of Tatler’s best London facialists, we were not going to turn down the opportunity for a very special pampering treatment. After starting her own company in 2014, she won the Lux Award for best facial in London in 2017, and continues to win awards and take part in expert industry panels.
Chelseé knows good skin and how to achieve it, inviting her clients to embark on a journey that combines holistic and state-of-the-art techniques covering all aspects of a client’s lifestyle – diet, mental health, wellbeing, mindfulness and exercise. This means not only will clients leave their treatment with rejuvenated and radiant looking skin, but also with the sought-after The Chelseé Prescription – a bespoke programme completely customised to each client’s concerns and needs. With this, Chelseé aims to inspire and guide her clients to be the best version of themselves, providing them with a sense of wellbeing and knowledge of the connection between the mind and the body.
Bolton Street, Mayfair
On a late summer’s day I went to Bolton Street, to Chelseé’s tranquil practice in Mayfair. It was my first facial treatment since before lockdown, so Chelseé would have her work cut out with me! Her practice is close to Green Park, housed within a tall Georgian building, and hidden behind an unassuming door.
After completing the standard pre-treatment forms I went into the room. It was an inviting, softly-lit space, with hi-tech equipment sitting comfortably with the original iron fireplace. We had a quick chat and Chelseé left me to get settled on the treatment bed.
On her return we had a fairly in depth conversation about my skin concerns (mainly ageing and rosacea) and about my digestive system regularity. It’s the first treatment I’ve had where we’ve discussed how frequently I use the toilet! But it makes sense – Chelsee takes a holistic approach and doesn’t just treat the face in isolation – after all, the skin is the biggest organ in our bodies and it works in harmony with everything else. Any digestive problems are going to show themselves somewhere on our skin. We spoke for a while about diet and the foodstuffs that can cause rosacea to flare up, not necessarily to cut them out, but to be watchful in case of reactions. Chelseé also recommended drinking fresh celery juice each morning and a probiotic dietary supplement which can be really supportive of gut health and far easier to digest than commercial probiotic drinks.
TerraNova Microflora probiotic supplement
We then moved on to the treatment. Chelseé tailors every treatment to her client’s needs so, as my skin was fairly dull after 18 months of lockdown, she started with a deep cleansing treatment (Yon-Ka Lait Nettoyant and Toner Treatment Mist} and followed with a micropeel (Gommage Yon-Ka), a botanical, non-abrasive polish which soothes and purifies. As well as hydrating and balancing my skin, it also helps speed up skin renewal. It smelt lovely which was a bonus. She also removed a few stubborn milia that had been hanging around for a while.
Once the peel had been removed, a Purifying-Clarifying masque was applied (Yon-Ka Masque 105). The detoxifying mask contains three types of clay and helps to soothe, detox, tighten pores as well as leaving skin bright and glowing. It sounded exactly what I needed. Chelseé left this on to work its magic, while I tried hard to not fall asleep on the treatment bed. It was a real struggle!
The treatment room
The next step was a facial massage. I love this part of a facial treatment as it’s vital for detoxifiying and bringing oxygen and nutrients to the skin. It is also so relaxing! Chelseé definitely has magic fingers, and she aimed her massage at the pressure points and drainage points for the best results.
She finished with a moisturiser and lip and eye treatment, and showed me my freshly smoothed and brightened face. I could see a definite improvement and felt so much better for it. She gave me my Chelseé Prescription of the products she recommended I use, and also the probiotic supplement we had discussed.
I left, heading back into the sunshine, feeling relaxed, revitalised and ready for whatever the rest of the day would bring. Several days later I was still feeling the benefits – my skin was glowing and congestion had definitely reduced, and I’ve made some of the dietary changes Chelsee recommended. Her holistic approach and fabulous treatment definitely combine to give a zen experience that I’d recommend to anyone.
Follow Chelseé on Instagram.
About Yon-Ka
Pioneers in aromatherapy, Laboratoires Multaler created Yon-Ka® Paris phyto-aromatic skincare products in 1954. Yon-Ka is a family-owned, 100% French brand whose products give skin the most vital elements from plants: their revitalising essential oils filled with energy from the sun and complementary active ingredients (vitamins, fruit acids, polyphenols, peptides, and trace elements). At the heart of Yon-Ka is their exclusive formula of five essential oils – lavender, geranium, rosemary, cypress and thyme – that reinforces the effectiveness of the natural ingredients. Available to both consumers and professionals and used in spas and salons worldwide.
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