Vaishaly Patel
VAISHALY BELIEVES GREAT SKIN IS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS…
There are facialists. And then there is Vaishaly. Though most often celebrated in the media as London’s ‘eyebrow queen’ – tending the brows of the famous (and the just-wannabe-well-groomed), at her stylish Marylebone Village clinic – it is Vaishaly’s ‘magic’ touch, facial massage skills and skin insights that keep many devoted clients returning to her, time after time. (When Sophie Dahl, Elle Macpherson and Nigella Lawson want to polish their porcelain complexions, they call Vaishaly…)
At a glance – and a touch – Vaishaly is able to tell a great deal about each client, and their skin’s needs. "But my best advice is always: ‘keep it simple’," explains Vaishaly. "You don’t need a lot of different products, to get great results." Her no-nonsense opinions might be hearsay, to some of the billion dollar beauty names: "I don’t believe in high-tech, advanced creams. So many women, today, suffer from sensitive skin – and with highly potent creams, you’ve a greater risk of a reaction. I honestly believe that 99% of women are using the wrong products for their skin. Anxious about ageing, they’re seduced by the jargon - believing that if a cream’s more expensive, it must be better. But there’s so much more that you can do for skin that will make a real, visible difference…"
Vaishaly’s sought after, hour-long signature facial is a powerful combination of extraction, microdermabrasion, lymphatic stimulation, and traditional massage tailored to each individual client. In fact, faces are her life-long passion: inspired by an aunt who was a beauty therapist, Vaishaly – who was born in Zambia and moved to England as a child – went on to qualify in beauty therapy, at the London College of Fashion. For seven years, Vaishaly worked with holistic therapist Bharti Vyas, evolving her own philosophy about what it takes to achieve great skin while working hands-on, before setting up a practice in Martyn Maxey’s Mayfair salon. (There, Vaishaly pioneered the use of microdermabrasion in facials long before it became the beauty ‘buzz’ it is today.) At the age of just thirty, Vaishaly opened her own immaculate clinic - now a must-visit destination for those-in-the-know, in their quest for great skin. The emphasis is on sublime service and absolute privacy. And in this sense-cocooning, restful environment just off Marylebone High Street, Vaishaly has now assembled a highly-experienced team of therapists to work alongside her.
For her clients’ ‘take-home programme’ - Vaishaly places great emphasis on the two most basic elements of daily skin care: cleansing and nourishing. "I know, first-hand, that what really transforms skin and makes it glow is facial massage, so I incorporate that in every facial – and teach it to all my clients. The younger you start with facial massage, the more effective it will be – although it can make a real, almost instant difference, at every age, by boosting circulation and blood flow and delivering oxygen to the skin." For night-time treatment, meanwhile, Vaishaly often prescribes complexion-matched facial oils – which, surprisingly, can help rebalance even oily and problem skins.
Ideally, Vaishaly believes we should all take a two-way, holistic approach to beauty: "it’s been said so many times – but how your body is on the inside really does reflect on the outside." So her personal beauty philosophy includes seeking out organic, healthy food whenever possible – and staying as stress-free as an in-demand facialist possibly can. Vaishaly is wise enough to understand that for her jet-setting, too-much-to-do-in-too-little-time clients, that approach isn’t always possible. But taking time out to give skin a few minutes of daily TLC – and enjoy the occasional luxury of a Vaishaly facial, or a holistic treatment from one of her team – not only helps her clients achieve skin perfection. It can provide an oasis of calm, in even the most frantic schedule.
The bottom line? "Achieving fabulous, glowing, healthy skin isn’t nearly as complicated as some in the beauty industry would have women believe," insists Vaishaly. "What I want to teach people is that great skin is - literally – at everyone’s fingertips…"
VAISHALY’S PHILOSOPY AND WISDOM…
Vaishaly is available to offer her insights to beauty editors, giving a true insider’s opinion on all aspects of facial care, treatments and the ‘inside-out’ approach to glowing skin. But here is the advice she shares with her gorgeous clientele…
“I teach everyone how to incorporate facial massage into their beauty ritual. Whenever you cleanse, you should always apply your cleanser with really firm, even pressure – not light stroking, which just skims over the surface. Massage into skin for at least a minute – preferably two. It gets rid of puffiness, fluid build-up and that grey, sluggish look – and if you have tiny breakouts, facial massage will help break those down and eliminate them faster. It’s also very relaxing – many people hold a lot of tension in their face, without realising it.”
“Oils – especially essential oils – are the key to skin healing. They are easy for the skin to absorb, because they resemble its own natural lubrication – sebum – and have natural antioxidant properties. Because they’re so powerful, essential oils can give dramatic results, over a short space of time; they’re purer than creams – and don’t contain irritating synthetic chemicals. Again, facial oils are ideal for massaging skin: use circular movements to massage the oil into the face, starting at the jaw-line and moving upwards.”
“Exfoliate your face – and neck – once a week, using a very gentle facial scrub or ‘peeling’ cream, if your skin is dry or sensitive. Be especially gentle when working around the eye and on the lips, where skin is more fragile. Then apply a face mask suited to your skin type, after exfoliating, when skin is at its most receptive.”
“For an instant skin boost, in the morning, splash cold water on to your face. This is instantly firming, freshening – and brings all the senses (as well as the skin) alive. Follow with moisturiser.”
“To put the sparkle back into tired, puffy eyes, use your fingers and a light facial oil or moisturiser to massage gently around the eye zone. In one continuous, smooth stroke, follow the brow-bone, moving outwards and around, underneath the eye, towards the nose, following this ‘orbital bone’. Repeat several times, to boost blood and oxygen flow, and drain away fluid build-up.”