A month ago, I had the pleasure of having a microdermabrasion facial, a back massage and my brows done by one of the leading experts in brow therapy, Allison Browning. Incidentally, she’s also the beauty consultant for Adore Beauty.

I’ve actually never tried microdermabrasion before even though I’ve heard a lot about it. So when Allison contacted me and asked me if I was interested, can I hear a HELL YEAH?

Here’s a little information about microdermabrasion:

• It’s a technique used to clean, resurface and smooth the skin.
• It’s firstly a cleansing device using the principle no different to a vacuum cleaner to clean the skin and empty out the blocked pores with a gentle vacuuming action. This is reasonably comfortable and can be done without any anesthesia.
• A hand piece about the size of a pinkie (a wand) is used, which is open at one end. This is connected to the suction of the ‘vacuum cleaner’. The open end is moved over the skin, sometimes slowly in a brushing motion, sometimes rapidly in a rubbing action.
• Inside the open end, there’s a small disc which has small diamonds in the surface, making it like very fine sandpaper.
• As the wand is moved over the skin, the diamonds gently remove the dead skin cells from the skin surface.
• When the treatment is completed, the skin has a red but healthy glow due to the increased circulation in the skin. The increased circulation brings with it oxygen and nutrients to refresh and regenerate the skin.
• Side effects: redness, swelling on the skin, mild flaking.
• Do not go for microdermabrasion if you have viral lesions, active herpes simplex, eczema or dermatitis, broken skin, vascular lesions, have had recent sunburn or have recently used Roaccutane.

The treatment was short and painless. I likened it to getting my face vacuumed, because that was what the suction felt like. My skin was slightly red and swollen after the treatment, but both subsided after a couple of hours. My skin was GLOWING the next day. It was bloody brilliant.

Excuse the poor quality of the pictures. I forgot to bring my camera that day, and could only rely on my phone.

My “vacuumed” dead skin 😛

What I enjoyed about the microdermabrasion treatment was that Allison included a relaxing massage and facial. Many salons do microdermabrasions alone. I know that many of us are often strapped for time, but I think it’s vital that we take some time out for ourselves to relax and recharge. Allison’s home-based salon is quiet, and has an atmosphere that is comforting and relaxing.

Prior to the treatment, she also fixed my brows. Do you know that Allison is one of the leading brow experts in Victoria? This is a woman who knows her stuff when it comes to your brows. I had mine waxed, plucked and shaped nicely just in time for the ABBW.

Here’s the funny thing. When it comes to beauty treatments, I like mine to be quiet. For some reason, I was such a chatterbug with Allison and bombarded her with heaps of questions while she was doing my brows. We talked a lot about beauty blogging as well.

Allison gave me some tips, which I think is very useful to us, especially beauty bloggers.

• Beauty bloggers receive products to review. I believe that there should be some non-negotiables pertaining to the type of products you review. For example, if you have a couple of serums that work very well for you, then only play around and review cleansers and moisturisers. Your skin will thank you.
• Know your skin before you accept anything to review. If you have combination skin, try not to request for products that are meant for dry and matured skin. You’re not doing your skin any favours, and the review will not help your target audience.

She did such a good job on my brows that I have already booked my next brow appointment with her early November (yes, I shall be paying for my services from now on. Glad to do so).

Allison has amazing skin!

If you’re in Brunswick, I highly recommend you check her services out. Unfortunately, as her salon is also based in her home (she has a very handsome cat, by the way. The cat lady will approve.), her address will only be given out to clients who are booking appointments with her. Still, do check out her website and Facebook page as her contact information is there.

Two very enthusiastic thumbs up from me!

Note: The service was provided courtesy of Allison Browning Therapies.