Amazing Face It is not just charming your way through interviews to land your dream job and maintaining satisfying relationships that come down to good communication. It is a skill that your skin needs too. Emma is a firm believer that a healthy complexion requires skin cells that are communicating well. Sadly, when the different components of your skin are out of sink (as is often the case in skin that is stressed or has been subjected to the needle or knife), there’s no dermal ‘Relate’ to turn to. What there is, however, is a brand new skincare regime that gently urges the different facets of the skin to listen and respond to each other’s needs better. This is the idea behind Emma’s new ‘Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt’ skincare range, a compact system of products designed to work on the underlying structures of the skin, as well as its surface, to keep the face naturally plumped and lifted. The products’ primary aims are to help the tissue of the face to relax and retain moisture as these are the key to the good communication that in turn leads to a host of other skincare benefits. “When the tissue is relaxed and hydrated the brain can pass messages to the cells more easily to let them know the functions they need to be performing. Then, when they are doing their job properly, all of the vitamins and nutrients in the creams can get in to work more efficiently,” explains Emma. The products work to reconnect the skin cells in two ways – through both their textures and ingredients. Both the oil-based Moringa Cleansing Balm and the AM/PM Hydrating and Firming Treatment Moisturiser (a kind of support stocking for skin) are extremely malleable and lend themselves to being massaged into the skin using Emma’s trademark moves. “When you apply the balm using massage it starts to soften the connective tissue immediately,” confirms Emma. Yet, the ingredients are equally important. The buttery cleansing balm gets its superb emollient properties from a cocktail of natural oils such as naturally detoxifying moringa seed oil (which has traditionally been used to purify contaminated water in Africa), softening sweet almond oil and skin-brightening rose essential oil. The moisturiser, meanwhile, contains a Sahalian algae extract know as ‘the origin of life’ due to the fact that it was one of the first living organisms found on the planet. “It is like light therapy for the skin,” says Emma of the algae that survived arid desert conditions for thousands of years, soaking up and harnessing the sun’s natural energy. “It is amazing for energizing the cells and stimulating the skin.” Dexterous fingertips are the main tool you need for effective application but, combined with the double-sided Dual Action Buff and Polish Cleansing Cloths, your daily cleansing routine becomes more of a mini facial. After using the muslin side to grab hold of grease and remove cleanser residue, massaging the skin in circular motions with the micro fibre side infuses the skin with a rosy freshness usually only seen in children. “It has an ultra high absorbency so it really sucks out deep-locked congestion, removing dead skin cells and lifting out blackheads,” says Emma. Perhaps most enticing at a time when we are all seeking extra value, is the versatility of the range’s hero product, the cleansing balm. “It is a one stop shop,” agrees Emma who proceeds to list an almost infinite number of uses. Not only can it be used to remove make-up and cleanse the skin, as the name suggests, but she recommends using it to intensively hydrate skin as an overnight mask, calm an itchy scalp, assuage eczema, massage the face, add lustre to bare shoulders and even bestow a come-hither sheen to lips when mixed with lipstick. Now that is surely the sort of desert island beauty classic worth investing in.
Facial tip of the month – Cheeks
Cheek traction - Keeping your fingers close together, place the fingertips of both hands in a line on one cheek together. Apply pressure for five seconds, then slowly (to a count of ten), move your fingers apart until you can feel a good stretch, hold for a further five seconds. Repeat this action 2-3 times, working across the cheeks from the apples up and out to the temples.
Spreading the word “Now that summer is over, use your weekends wisely,” says Emma. “Try to take long weekends in the British countryside and soak up as much of the remaining good weather as you can before the dark nights draw in.” Cornwall’s new ayurvedic eco spa at The Scarlet Hotel is causing a buzz in beauty circles and is perfect for an idyllic long weekend by the sea.
Latest news update
At last you can buy Emma’s skincare online at
www.emmahardie.com and at Space NK stores nationwide.
