4 struggles of having tattoo regret

1 in 6 people who get inked, totally and completely regret doing it! Maybe mum was right that getting Robbie Williams’ signature tattooed on your arm wouldn’t be the pride & joy it once was when you were 18! These may seem all too familiar to you, if you too have tattoo regret:

1. Summer heat + long sleeves = a hot mess

It’s so not attractive when it’s 30 degrees outside, everyone’s in dresses, shorts and t-shirts but you’re at the BBQ in long sleeves, to cover up the dodgy artwork! A recipe for heatstroke & a seriously limited wardrobe!

2. Everyone will ask about it

We all love a conversation starter, but when that conversation starter is your ‘Girl Power’ Spice Girls tattoo, we would rather skip that totally cringe chat about how you got the tattoo when you were drunk on a girls’ holiday, thank you very much!

3. One tat, fits all

As they say, there are plenty of fish in the sea, but how many fish are named Tim?!

4. Using bucket loads of foundation

There are no amounts of foundation and concealer that can cover up the dolphin tattoo for your job interview, but you think it’s a good idea and worth a shot, until you leave an orange streak across the desk as a nervous sweat breaks out!

HOWEVER, you don’t have to feel these struggles for much longer! Our tattoo laser remover treatment can remove any cringe-worthy tatt over a course of sessions, from just £39 per session!

Here’s how it works…

We use a laser called Q-switched ND YAG to remove the unwanted tattoo & you’ll usually be able to see a significant fading in 3 to 4 sessions, and a complete removal in 6-10 sessions. However, everyone and every tattoo are different, so we will advice you accordingly at your consultation.

If you’re interested please call our salon and our team will be happy to discuss your requirements > 020 8301 0040

What is your skin type?

A common question people ask – what skin type are you? You may think you know, but many people have no idea if they have normal skin, dry, oily, combination, acne-prone or sensitive. It is important to know what skin type you are, so you can use the right products for your skin & so we can recommend you products & treatments, such a facials according to what your skin needs.

1. Normal skin type

Normal skin is exactly what you think – not too dry and not too oily, just normal!  It has:

•                Few imperfections

•                No severe sensitivity

•                Barely visible pores

2. Oily skin type

However, some people are prone to have oily skin, which can produce:

·      Enlarged pores

·      Shiny, thick complexion

·      Blackheads, pimples & other blemishes

If you tend to have oily skin, you may want to stay away from rich moisturizers. A great recommendation is Dermalogica’s Active Moist as it is made for skin with excess oil production, so is oil-free and very lightweight on the skin. Pick you’re one up next time you visit us at Gems!

Finding foundations for oily skin can also be tricky, as you may find that liquid foundations make your skin look shinier and enlarge your pores. A great foundation recommendation is the Bare Minerals Original Foundation, which is a weight-less, mineral powered foundation, which reduces, skin oil & pore size.

3. Combination skin type

If you have combination skin, your skin can be dry/normal in certain areas and oily in others, such as your T-zone (nose, forehead & chin).

Combination skin can create:

•                Large visible pores

•                Blackheads

•                Shiny skin

4. Dry skin type

If you have dry skin, your pores will be almost invisible, and you may suffer from red patches. As your skin has less moisture, it may be less elastic which makes the lines on your face more visible.

Skin can crack, peel or feel slightly itchy which may be worse in certain weather conditions like being in the sun or the cold.

Our Guinot Hydramerdie facial is great for people with dry skin, as the facial is designed to instantly make your skin feel more hydrated and comfortable. Your skin will have regained its radiance, which sometimes lacks in dry skin types.

6 tips to protect your skin during summer

Summer is coming, can you feel it?! The days are getting longer, dinner has been consumed al fresco & everyone is getting their (spray) tan on! Who doesn’t love summer, eh? However, with all the ice-creams, sunshine & outdoor movie nights, its easy to neglect our skin during the summer months. Summer calls for special attention to your skin, to keep it looking glowing, fresh & healthy. Here are 6 tips:

Apply sun-cream religiously

An obvious tip, but many people forget to apply sun-cream throughout the day. Make sure you still apply it on cloudy days too, as there are still UV rays in the atmosphere, even if the sun is nowhere to be seen. The Dermalogica Solar Defence Booster (SPF 50) & Guinot Crème Solaire Hydratante (SPF 20) are our favourites so pick them up when you next come and see us.

…and moisturiser

Your skin goes through a lot in the summer sun – heat, humidity, air conditioning, so make sure you protect it with a light moisturiser, that doesn’t make your skin feel heavy and oily but still keeps it healthy. A great summer product is the Dermalogica Active Moist as its lightweight and oil-free but still hydrates the skin without making it greasy.

Skip the sun-bed & have a spray tan with us

It’s no secret that sun-beds are harmful and dangerous as they give out UV rays that damage your skin, make it look wrinkled, leathery and older and also cause skin cancer. Instead, why not have a St Tropez spray tan with us, to give you that gorgeous summer glow but also protect your skin!

Don’t forget to protect your eyes & lips

Harmful sun-rays affects your delicate skin the most, so make sure to protect your lips with an SPF lib balm and use the Dermalogica Intensive Eye Repair around your eyes.

Drink water

Keep hydrated throughout the day and try to take a bottle of water with so you can take small sips to prevent dehydration and heat stroke.

Exfoliate

Exfoliate at least once or twice a week to help shed dead skin build up and slough off previous sun damage. Exfoliating helps to rejuvenate your skin and leaves it soft and brighter. 

3 ways to make your manicure last longer

We all know the feeling; you go to the salon (Gems, obviously!) to get a lovely, fresh Jessica nails manicure which you need to make last for your up coming events: maybe a wedding, a friend’s BBQ or a birthday party, so you sit at the salon and pray for a long lasting manicure? You could do that, or you could try these 3 things, until you come and see us again for another mani:

1. Keep the hand sanitizer at bay

Hand sanitizer is great for avoiding spreading germs during flu and cold season, but while it kills bacteria, it also kills your mani. The alcohol in these gels eats away the topcoat of your polish and causes your colour to fade and go dull, as it has super drying effects.

It’s best to use mild hand soap that is gentle on your hands and nails and try to avoid any lotion that contains alcohol too. Usually if the lotion has a fragrance, it contains alcohol, which also leads to drying of the nails and cuticles.

2. Don’t forget to glove-up!

Rubber gloves when doing the dishes, or cleaning the bathroom is a given but another helpful tip is to apply a thin coat of alcohol free hand cream or lotion over the entire nail bed after washing your hands. This will act as a protective coat to prevent the polish chipping.

3. Prevent dehydration before bed

We often apply moisturiser to our face before bed, so why not our cuticles? Dehydrated nails are more likely to break and split when cuticles become ragged and look like dead pieces of skin. Gross and not good for the manicure! Keep a tube of cuticle oil beside your bed, so you don’t forget to apply some each night. Get Phenomen oil from Gems, the next time you’re in to see us!

P.S. Don’t forget to book our excusive May offer, all on Jessica nails:

Receive a free pack of Jessica nail files when you book:

-       A deluxe Jessica manicure (£28)

-       A deluxe pedicure with our new Zen Spa products (£34)

-       OR BOTH & receive a free Phenomen oil (worth £9.25)