By Melanie Morris
18th Dec 2018
18th Dec 2018
Under pressure? Not quite “festive fit”? It’s okay, we’ve got your back with a hit list of satisfaction-guaranteed beauty treatments to get you set to sparkle by the time the clock strikes cocktail hour. MELANIE MORRIS opens her little black book of experts and tricks of the trade to get you sorted.
The face freshener
WHAT We all love the treat, and the effects of getting professional make-up done before a big night, but what about going one step further, and availing of a super-speedy face- lifting facial too? Elizabeth Arden’s Lifting Facial, part of their Speed Services menu, uses a handheld microcurrent device to energise and lift muscles of the face, forehead and neck whilst working one of their magic Advanced Ceramide capsules into the skin for added firmness and hydration. Couple with an oxygen blast treatment, where oxygen, infused with minerals and antioxidants, is administered by an air gun to really revitalise and energise the skin. Either or both treatments will truly up your face game all night long.
RESULTS A far smoother, more youthful appearance, thanks to the electro current lifting, while the oxygen blast gives added glow, both creating the perfect canvas for make-up.
TIME OF TREATMENT 15 minutes each.
COST €20 each.
DETAILS Available at Arnotts, and flagship Elizabeth Arden counters.
The body shrinker
WHAT The Shrinking Violet Inch Loss Body Wrap is a gift of a treatment that, if followed properly, keeps giving, taking away unwanted inches from your physique. The treatment is a pleasant one, which involves being covered in an active solution (not messy mud!) to trigger lipolysis (fat cell depletion) before being wrapped – head to toe – in cling film and then in foil and heated blankets as the body is left to detoxify, and the treatment begins to work. Before and after measurements are taken and the results speak for themselves.
RESULTS Instant inch loss that will continue for up to 48 hours. This isn’t a dehydrating treatment – you can drink water and eat healthily without impacting on results. The good news is that clothes will slip on more easily. For maximum benefits, consider a course if time allows.
TIME OF TREATMENT 75 to 90 minutes.
COST €75 for one treatment, €375 for a course of six.
DETAILS Aqua Beauty, 6 The Hill, Stillorgan, Dublin 18, 01 278 1616.
The blow-dry booster
WHAT This is a sort of “temporary 12-week blow-dry” designed to strengthen and smooth hair, making it far more manageable with instant effect. Liquid Hair is applied at the basin and blasted with a drier to activate, filling in, smoothing and sealing the hair’s cuticle for sleek, strong-looking results.
RESULTS Tamed, healthy-looking tresses in a flash with zero downtime. The treatment lasts up to five washes so will see you through the most hectic of party weekends, and beyond. A true wonder treatment.
TIME OF TREATMENT 10 minutes.
COST €25 in addition to blow-dry (from €35).
DETAILS From The Hive, 1 Dame Lane, 3 Dublin 2, 01 475 8649.
The long-lasting tan
WHAT Spray tans are absolutely like men – different types suit different women, but there are also the universal winners, and when it comes to festive bronzing, Black Magic Tan is one to seek out. In addition to containing all sorts of skincare benefits, the tried-and-tested USP for this one is its long-lasting effects (we’re talking at least a week) and its natural fade and wear-off – no scaling or lizard skin.
RESULTS Black Magic Tan, a new Aussie brand in Ireland, develops in two, four, or six hours for a light, medium, or deep result (no advantage to leave any longer). Shower off, 5 lightly pat dry, and you’re good to glow.
TIME OF TREATMENT 20 minutes. COST €25.
DETAILS At various salons nationwide, including Zinc Hair & Beauty, 637 South Circular 4 Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, 01 454 4225. 
This article originally appeared in the December issue of IMAGE Magazine, on sale nationwide now.
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