Why the ￡350 at-home 'skin kit' by Sienna Miller's facialist is worth the investment
Quite apart from the cleansers, creams and serums that deliver good results for the skin, I am always keen to try a new gadget or tool that promises to deliver amazing results. The tricky thing with tools is: a) they tend to be far more expensive than skincare, and therefore immediately off-putting, and b) the ouch factor – particularly when it’s self-inflicted. But then my long-time skin guru Teresa Tarmey (facialist to Sienna Miller too, no less) launched her own micro-needling kit. I had to try.
Micro-needling is a treatment using a dermaroller, which looks like – how should I put it? – a metal pincushion. You roll it over your face in fan-like lines, a couple of times over each area, and the idea is it creates tiny pricks on the skin, which allow any product you apply on top to sink in that much better. You can feel it on the skin, for sure, but it doesn’t hurt (and I’m a wimp). What Teresa doesn’t know about skin gadgets isn’t worth knowing, to be honest – and despite my squeamishness about DIY micro-needling, I think this kit is genius.
Step one is to apply the light exfoliating toner on the skin. Then you use the micro-needling tool with a peptide solution. Also included are ‘shots’ of top-grade, ultra-hydrating hylauronic acid, which you apply via a reusable silicone mask a couple of days after each dermaroller session, when your skin is likely to feel a little dry. The results are nothing short of brilliant – especially if you do this at-home treatment every week or so, and there’s enough product for an intensive 12-week programme (wedding skin, anyone?). Teresa’s kit isn’t cheap, but ￡350 gets you the products, the dermaroller and also a 24ct-gold-plated massage tool. And for the effect it gives the face – plumper, brighter, firmer – it’s a splurge that gives results. Below are some other winning tools you could add to your beauty arsenal.
The best at home tools
Clarisonic Smart Profile Face and Body Uplift, ￡240
An excellent all-round cleansing brush, this is great for the face, neck and chest area.
Nurse Jamie UpLift Facial Massaging Beauty Roller,
Scores of celebrities favour this tool, including Jessica Alba. It’s quick and easy to use.
Teresa Tarmey The Teresa Tarmey Programme, ￡350
A trustworthy at-home micro-needling system for better skin.
Nuface Mini Facial Toner, ￡115.50
This helps to massage and tone the facial muscles with five minutes of use a day.
This three-in-one tool includes a facial epilator, a toning microcurrent attachment and a cleansing brush.