Seven Secrets of Beauty & Wellbeing - Sarah Chapman
We truly can’t remember when we first met the super-talented – and very nice – Sarah Chapman. Probably some two decades back, at the beginning of her stratospheric career, when she worked from a teeny Chelsea studio. Now, she’s one of the world’s most famous facialists with her own gleaming Skinesis Clinic off Sloane Square in London and a register of mega-celebrity clients.
As well as having what clients have called ‘dancing hands’ when she performs her signature facial massage, Sarah undertook advanced training in cosmetic science and is passionate about inspiring people to look after their skin. She launched her own skincare brand, also called Skinesis, in 2008 fusing high tech and powerful natural ingredients. Her own luminous skin is testament to the effectiveness of her range.
Now for a bit of insider info: Sarah has just launched a very special Limited Edition. The Skinesis Summer Release set offers three skincare must – Skin Insurance SPF50 Invisible, Eye Insurance SPF30 Protecting Eye Tint and two 3D Moisture Infusion Bio-Cellulose Hydrating Masks – all in a free Flight Mode Dual-Sided Bag. Sold separately, the skincare would total £146, but the Summer Release set is on offer for £125 – a saving of £21, plus your complimentary bag. A fab treat for your skin, whether you’re getting away or staycationing. So get your fingers tapping through to sarahchapman.com.
Meanwhile, here are Sarah’s ‘secrets’.
1. PMA – a positive mental attitude. Your mindset can help to create the world around you, so I try to stay positive as much as possible. If I start my day thinking ‘believe and achieve’, I find I can be more productive and enjoy the day more. So I try to push aside negative thoughts and keep calmly positive. I like to surround myself with people who give out a ‘can do’ vibe, as that’s infectious.
2. Don't forget your neck and earlobes. The best beauty tip I was given is always to apply skin creams, serums and sun protection around the front and back of the neck and on your ear lobes. It’s easy to forget these vulnerable areas but they're almost constantly exposed to the elements so they often suffer from sun damage and can look stretched, wrinkled and dehydrated.
3. Switch off and wind down. When I want to relax, my first step is always to put away my digital devices – iPhone, tablet, laptop and anything else electronic. This is especially key before bed, as blue light from screens can prevent the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. I leave my devices downstairs so I’m not tempted to check them in bed at night or first thing in the morning. I might also take a long bath and do some breathing exercises or meditation.
4. My own hero product is Skinesis Overnight Facial. I love all my Skinesis products - I developed and nurtured each one, from dreaming up the initial concept to approving the final version and seeing it bottled. My much-loved Overnight Facial captures the Skinesis philosophy. It’s full of powerful cosmeceutical actives including vitamin A to make skin look younger, essential fatty acids, firming peptides, skin-brighteners and more. It has a lovely silky texture and is beautifully scented with essential oils so it’s really luxurious to apply.
5. My make up bag musts…. At the moment, Skinesis Skin Insurance SPF 50+ Perfecting Tint, in case I get caught out by a sudden change in the weather. It also gives my complexion some colour and a little bit of coverage. Next up is my CHANEL Rouge Coco lipstick for when I take off my mask, and a brow pencil from Blink to give my brows some definition.
6. Good supplements are important to me. I’m a huge advocate of nurturing both skin and body from inside. More than 20 years of treating clients has shown me that our diet can have a huge impact on our mood, wellbeing and skin condition. I take my Overnight Facial Supplement every night to counteract the complexion-stressing effects of UV, pollution and fatigue, and my Omega+ Booster Supplement each morning. Omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9 are my secret ingredients for healthy skin, as they help to support the skin’s natural barrier. I also take Wild Nutrition Food-Grown Magnesium, which helps me sleep well and feel rested. Magnesium is also good for muscle recovery and important for overall health, as it’s involved in so many body processes including regulating blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
7. I’m always on the lookout for inspiration for new techniques and products. I find inspiration both online and when I’m out and about; from Pinterest and Google to roaming around shops, strolling the King’s Road and visits to the Saatchi Gallery, which is near my London clinic. I also get inspired by talking with people, attending virtual conferences and listening to podcasts. One of my favourites is ‘How I Built This’ by Guy Raz. It’s a fascinating insight into how today’s leading entrepreneurs built their businesses, the challenges they faced and how they overcame them.
