I had a fractional ablative laser treatment a few days ago. One of the spiciest in-clinic treatments you can get, as it essentially vaporises microscopic columns of skin. Nice.
We were training on a brand-new machine that the clinic is considering bringing in - first to market and doesn’t officially launch until next summer, so naturally, we were mad to give it a go on ourselves.
Originally, I was going to blast my face, neck and chest (although the neck was my main focus), but when the training team chatted through the downtime I changed my mind.
We were told to expect three days of redness, tightness and sensitivity before things settled into the sandpaper-to-the-touch stage, along with more tenderness and superficial scabbing for up to seven days. I usually wouldn’t mind this, but as I was heading on a family trip the following day I decided to just blast my neck.
Overall, it was a pretty comfortable treatment - the sensation was a little like someone sprinkling hot oil on your skin - although I was numbed to the max.
In the end, we also did a gentle rejuv setting on my face, no downtime, bar a little flushing immediately afterwards (skin looks great now I must say - super glowy).
Anyway, here I am on the left, mid-treatment.
And right, 24 hours later. Red hot, quite stingy, tender and very sensitive. At this point, I was slathering on barrier repair cream like my life depended on it. No other skincare.
And below is where we’re at five days later. I swear my neck looks better already.
The sandpaper feeling is still there - although nowhere near as much - and there are still a couple of little areas that feel slightly tender. I’m expecting everything to be back to normal by around the seven-day mark.
What I’m really hoping to get from this treatment is tightening. That’s what this type of laser is particularly brilliant for, but I’m also hoping to see improvements in tone, texture and some of the finer lines creeping in around the neck.
Will keep you posted.
We spent a couple of days in Yorkshire this week - my old stomping ground - specifically Leeds, a city I absolutely love.
We had a lovely dinner here with the pups. Canal-side, dog-friendly, great wine list. And we also ate here. Hugo Spritzes, fantastic food, great views over Aire Valley.
Stopped here for the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had in my life. They do coffee and matcha but specialise in chocolate drinks - hot and cold, white, dark and extra dark - with homemade marshmallows. Divine on a level I simply cannot put into words.
Had a rather excellent blow-dry in this neighbourhood favourite. A very aesthetically pleasing salon. They do nails also - planning to book in next time we’re here.
Our favourite coffee spot in Leeds is Archive. Sensational brews, lovely team, outdoor seating, dog-friendly. Parking is a bit of bitch, but other than that 10/10.
Product-wise, whilst I had to be careful with my neck while I was away, I was completely gung-ho with my face, so it was a full beat every day, as the young ones say.
I took Poco Beauty Skintuition with me - such a bloody good foundation. Buttery smooth, super light, and somehow manages to feel like a skin tint whilst giving far more coverage than you’d expect. Full face of it below (I wear shade Pebble, FYI).
Another couple of products I’ve been reaching for daily:
Dior Forever Nude Bronzer. I just love the tone of it. Cool, reddish-tone, so flattering. It’s incredibly easy to apply, never goes muddy and somehow always looks expensive on the skin. I also use it with this brush, which Anna put me on to. So good.
And after interviewing Gucci Westman a few weeks ago, I’m firmly back in my Face Trace Contour Stick era. She uses it to sculpt the face, so naturally, I came home and immediately started using mine every single day again. Cheeks, forehead, nose, etc.
Merit Flush Balm in the shade Le Bon Bon. Instantly complexion lifting. Quick and easy to use, and great on the lips to for a cohesive finish.
This time of year, I basically live in white t-shirts worn with linen trousers or my all-time favourite Citizens of Humanity cargo trousers (10/10, best ever, so comfortable).
But, specifically, I want to mention the white T-shirt I buy on repeat (the one I’m wearing below) because despite washing them 700 million times, they never lose their quality or shape. 100/10.
If you like a little structure and a bit of weight to your T-shirts, they are honestly just the best. I also think they’re particularly flattering if, like me, you’re slightly fuller in the chest. The sleeves are perfect, too! Just above the elbow.
OTHER BEAUTY BITS TO KNOW ABOUT
I’ve been using Tria’s new facial laser for a little while now and I’m so impressed that I’ve agreed to partner with them on an in-depth guide here at some point over the next few months. It’s one of the best at-home rejuv lasers I’ve used.
If you’ve ever used Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Contour Stylus, you’ll love the new Blush Stylus. Same clever pen format, only now in blush form, with five creamy shades to choose from. The packaging is beautiful (and weighty - which, if you’ve been reading Glow Notes for any length of time, you’ll know is something I bang on about rather a lot).
My favourite shade so far is Rossa - a classic rose.
Chanel announced Gracie Abrams as the face of Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu Eau De Parfum.
The queen of skin herself - and someone I was lucky enough to interview - Dr Sam Bunting is finally bringing out a book.
She’s one of those people who has an extraordinary ability to explain skin in an evidence-based way without ever feeling intimidating, and I suspect the book will be much the same. I’ve already pre-ordered.
Merit has launched a new tubing mascara called Clean Volume, and the team very kindly sent me both the black and brown shades to try out. It is not for me.
I am unbelievably fussy when it comes to mascara. I want BIG volume. I want length. I want lift. I want drama (I want my lashes to look like they’ve had a transplant, basically).
This mascara doesn’t really deliver on any of those fronts. It does give nicely separated, fluttery, natural-looking lashes, though. Think pretty and fresh as opposed to violent volume (which is what I want).
Hair Extensions
I’ve decided to take the plunge and get hair extensions again. I say “again”, but the last (and only) time I had them was ten years ago.
I looked back through old pics recently, and I think I liked them. Although, if I’m completely honest, I can’t remember.
My brilliant hairdresser Kate has been encouraging me to give them another go for quite a while, more for bulk/volume as opposed to length, and so here we are.
She ordered them from Great Lengths, and I’m having them put in next weekend. I’ve been told they’ll last somewhere around five months before needing to be replaced.
I’m genuinely SO excited - but also a bit scared. Have you had them? Please tell me everything I need to know.
I get asked fairly regularly about the codes I have for different brands and, while I try to keep them up to date in places like my Linktree and occasionally on Instagram, I realised it’s probably much easier to whack them at the bottom here instead.
I’ll update them whenever anything changes, so if you’re ever looking for a code, you’ll know where to find it.
FYI - Some of the links and codes shared on Glow Notes are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them.
Current Body - CBSIMONES for 10% off all LED Devices
Look Fantastic - SIMONELF for 21% off everything here
ID Formulas - SIMONEG10 for 10% off
Tria Laser - SIMONE for 10% off
U Beauty - SIMONEG20 for 20% off
ZIIP Halo - SIMONES for 10% off
And that, my friends, is all for now.
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