What should every makeup bag and bathroom shelf contain? What makes the difference between good and great skin?
Sophie joined Waterhouse Young in 2016 as she was highly recommended due to her expertise with clients’ skin. Here Sophie shares the straightforward tips and tricks she’s picked up over a decade in the skincare industry.
Beauty must-have?
My must-have beauty product is a recent discovery – the Artis make-up brush.
You only need a small amount of product to get the most professional result: your skin looks like it’s been airbrushed. I’m completely hooked and am recommending it to all of my friends!
Skincare hero?
My skincare essential is definitely Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel. I can’t live without it – really! – as it never fails to perk up my skin. It’s full of hyaluronic acid and literally feels like you’re giving your skin a drink of water. A must-have for busy London life.
Where do you learn about what’s new in health and beauty?
I subscribe to the British Beauty Blogger and receive regular emails. I find out about the latest products on the market from her and find the blogs and emails really informative and interesting. Likewise the monthly industry magazine, the Aesthetic Journal.
Also, if I have a product or skin query, Dr Saira is a real fountain of knowledge – it’s pretty useful having a top aesthetic doctor to hand!
Personal beauty mantra?
I share my beauty mantra with most skincare professionals and I’m religious about it: I never go to bed with my makeup on – no matter how late I get home, I always cleanse my skin. I rarely suffer with clogged pores and dull skin and truly believe this has a lot to do with it. Also, I never go a day without using SPF! Everyone knows the importance of SPF these days but having a product which feels lovely and treats the skin encourages you to use it. Heliocare is a great range and good base for makeup.
What’s made the most difference to your own skin?
There’s been a lot of talk over the years about the impact drinking water may have on the skin. About a year ago I started to try and drink two litres of water a day, every day. Since I started, I’ve noticed such a difference in my skin – it looks brighter and more youthful – so I’m continuing to drink that amount each day. I also think about the food I eat, following recent research about how certain foods may help anti-age the face.
What advice do you give to clients for healthy-looking skin?
It’s tried and tested advice: I recommend that clients invest in a few key home-care products: a good cleanser, serum, moisturiser and SPF are essential, in my opinion. Also good sleep and a balanced diet play a key role in having healthy, glowing skin.
Favourite aesthetic treatment?
I’ve used lots of treatments over the years – either to treat clients or on my own skin – and my favourite aesthetic treatment is now the HydraFacial, without doubt.
I heard a lot about HydraFacials before I joined Waterhouse Young and was delighted when I found out we offered it here. Since having a HydraFacial myself and performing the treatment too, I wasn’t disappointed as it lives up to the industry talk and media hype about it. I absolutely love the immediate results – it’s the perfect treatment to instantly rejuvenate the skin (thanks to ingredients like hylaronic acid, peptides and antioxidants which leave the skin glowing for days).
What trends have you seen in non-surgical treatments?
I’ve seen a huge rise and demand for non-surgical fat-reducing treatments. There are some really exciting treatments on the market which are completely non-invasive with no downtime. We offer CoolTherapy at WY and I love how straightforward and effective it is.
Most popular treatment clients have and why?
One of the most popular treatments my clients have had is laser hair removal.
It’s no surprise at all to me how popular this is – having had it myself, I can honestly say it’s been life changing. It’s an investment but worth every penny – the time it has saved me in waxing and shaving is priceless. Also if you suffer with ingrown hairs like I did, the improvement in the appearance of your skin afterwards is incredible.
What would your advice be to anyone who is considering aesthetic treatments, but is unsure?
I would say visit a specialist skin clinic – somewhere that has all the latest treatments and where the staff are experts. Get impartial advice from a really experienced and knowledgeable aesthetic doctor like Dr Saira who is going to be honest about what you may or may not need. At WY, we offer an initial consultation with Saira and the fee is deductible against treatments. A good first treatment to try for all-round good skin is the Hydrafacial – suitable for all skin types and nearly everyone can benefit from one.
What’s the best reaction you’ve had from a client
I had a client who used to see me for hair removal for a long time. She had suffered with problem skin and acne on and off for years . When she got engaged she asked me to help get her skin wedding ready. I put her on an at-home skincare plan and we embarked on a course of mild skin peels. It completely changed her skin and she sent me a card to say how much it had improved her confidence and how happy she was. I was so pleased that I’d helped with her confidence and felt a real sense of achievement when I saw how she looked in her wedding photos.
Why do you do your job?
I’ve always had a great interest in anything beauty and aesthetic-related and knew this sort of field was what I wanted to get into. I love how the industry is always growing and the learning never stops. I am so passionate about what I do and feel lucky that I’m in a job that I love. Taking clients through their treatment journey and seeing the results and their satisfaction along the way is so rewarding.
Lastly, why did you choose to work at Waterhouse Young?
I choose to work at WY for a few reasons. Firstly, the clinic is beautiful and the equipment is state of the art. I was really excited about the treatments and products on offer and couldn’t wait to start doing them myself. The clinic is really well run, making the atmosphere pleasant and relaxed, and the staff are all incredibly professional and a joy to work with. It also helps that everyone is an expert at what they do.
Talk to Sophie
If you would like to meet or chat to Sophie, please call us on 020 7486 3849 or email info@waterhouseyoung.com and we’d be delighted to put you in touch or arrange an appointment.
