Clear skin is like a canvas...

facials

Makeup may enhance and complement your features but it’s the texture of your skin which really makes the difference. You can look beautiful 24-hours a day, with or without makeup, if you own a flawless skin. Hence, it only makes sense to look after your skin and treat it with care. Taking care of your skin is just as important as eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. No doubt, a clear skin is like a canvas where you can paint in sync with your mood.

Regular facial treatments every month are the best way to keep your skin looking young and fresh. Many people think that facials are just a luxury but they are so much more than treating yourself and getting pampered. Facials are important. It’s a long term investment as your skin is always on show.

Treating yourself to a facial once every 4 to 6 weeks can benefit your skin in many ways. Facials exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells, improve skin elasticity and leave your skin with a healthy glow. One of the intangible benefits of facials is feeling relaxed and peaceful. Your aesthetician gently massages your face to relieve tension, and soothing essential oils can be used as well. What more, regular facials also help slowing down the aging process by promoting new cell turnover, diminishing the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots, and it greatly boosts collagen production.

When it comes to facials, Guinot facials/products seem to reign. The credit goes to Peng Qureshi for bringing these fine products to Pakistan. Guinot is the top beauty institute of Paris and is established worldwide. It is the leading professional beauty brand, renowned for its skincare products and treatments the world over with extensive range of products and treatments available for distribution to salons. It was formally launched in Pakistan in 1998 by KPI and Peng is Guinot’s sole trainer and distributor in Pakistan.

A reputed beautician, Peng has been in this field for more than 35 years now. Becoming a beautician was but natural for Peng for her entire family was into beauty business. Originally from Malaysia, Peng had her formal training in the art of make-up and styling from London. She came to Karachi in 1979 after getting married to Khalid Qureshi, a Pakistani businessman. She started her salon in Defence, Phase 1, Karachi, in early ’80s. Initially she started off with haircuts and bridal makeup, but then slowly and gradually she switched to skin care. In 1995 she went to Paris and had her training at Guinot Headquarters in Paris. So impressed she was by their high quality and standards that she decided to bring those fine products to Pakistan. Luckily she was able to get their agency for Pakistan.

Being one of the pioneers in Pakistan’s beauty industry, Peng has formed a deep understanding of its dynamics and continues to contribute to its growth and development. She has trained numerous beauticians across the country over the last three decades and still travels regularly and frequently to conduct train- ings. She is also the Brand Ambassador for the L’Oreal Paris (skincare range) and Iabel.m in Pakistan.

“Only approved salons are allowed to use these fine products and every cosmetic professional is especially trained. A Guinot beauty therapist is also a skin specialist who immediately recognises your skin’s problem area and thereby treats it accordingly. When a client comes to us, we first analyse her skin and then after a precise diagnosis, we use the required treatment. Our facials work on different layers of the skin that is what makes it so effective. We start working from the top layer moving onto the deeper layers,” explains Peng.

Her level of professionalism and commitment can be gauged from the fact that she takes refresher classes every week to share her expertise with other beauticians. According to Peng beauty is all about healthy radiant skin. “There are different facials and treatments. Hydradermie - a deep cleansing facial, is our most popular and effective treatment which is done by exclusive ball and roller electrodes while our aromatherapy range of facials, using 18 plant extracts and essential oils, give an instant glow to the skin,” illustrates Peng.

To keep herself updated, Peng goes to Paris every year for refresher courses and brings back with her latest innovations and techniques in skin care.

Talking about some of the facials treatments, that her salon and other franchises offer, Peng shares, “We have introduced a remarkable lifting and firming treatment in Karachi by the name of ‘Lift Summum’. It is a 4-phase lifting treatment that restores firmness to the face, neck and decollete (a low neckline). It is an exclusive skin care treatment designed to alleviate the signs of ageing and fatigue. It offers immediate results whereas ‘Hydradermie facial’ is a highly specialised facial treatment which uses galvanism and high frequency to regenerate, deep cleanse and re-oxygenate. This treatment is designed to restore skin's natural beauty and is customised to meet individual needs. This treatment can be used for dry, oily, sensitive or anti-ageing. On the other hand, Detoxygene Facial reawakens the skin, making it appear radiant, fresh, smooth and supple.”

So, for a new you this winter head for a refreshing facial and feel the difference.