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The Beauty Insider

We don't keep our beauty secrets...

Hemp Seed Oil by O Cosmedics

The New Favourite Skin Saviour

There’s no feeling like massaging a luxurious oil into your skin, but while most natural oils are super nourishing for our face and body, they aren’t all equal when it comes to skin improvement – especially for those of us with oily or combination skin. This is exactly why we love Hemp Seed Oil, referred to by some skin specialists as “liquid gold”! It’s been gaining recent popularity on the skincare scene for its ability to hydrate, plump, protect and nurture the skin, but unlike other oils, it can also reduce inflammation and won’t cause congestion. Sound too good to be true? Read on to find out why we can’t get enough of this skin saviour. Firstly, what is Hemp Seed Oil? Hemp Seed Oil (not to be confused with CBD or Hemp Oil) is made from the seeds of the hemp plant, which doesn’t contain cannabinoids, but instead is full of nourishing omega fatty acids. It works wonders for a host of skin concerns and is an easy one-step addition to your current skincare routine. Just apply it as you would any other skin oil, using a few drops depending on how much nourishment your skin needs. We’re loving the new O Cosmedics Vitamin C Hemp Seed Oil, which combines two oil-soluble actives (including the only oil-soluble form of Vitamin C) to offer a host of skin benefits. Hemp Seed Oil works to reduce signs of ageing Because Hemp Seed Oil contains rich omega fatty acids and is a

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Celebrities in face masks

How to combat Maskne

Face masks are now a ubiquitous part of our daily lives, worn to prevent the spread of Covid-19. But as we near summer and the humidity rises, the design that protects us from airborne threats also stops skin from getting the breathing room it needs.  Enter a whole new skin concern: mask acne, aka maskne.  With the same air being breathed in and out with no opportunity to escape, masks create a humid environment that causes the skin to produce more oils, which in turn causes breakouts, irritations and redness. What causes maskne? In most cases, maskne is the result of clogged pores. You already have oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells on your skin. But when you wear a mask, these substances can build up more and block your pores. A mask also traps humidity due to your breathing and sweating, which may increase the risk of acne. Who is prone to maskne? You may think that only those with acne-prone skin or sensitive skin would be prone to maskne. Unfortunately, anyone can experience skin irritations from wearing a mask. So, even if you’ve never suffered from acne but are now noticing pimples appearing, don’t despair. This condition will eventually be a thing of the past. But, until it’s safe to go out without a face covering, we’re here to help you prevent and treat! How do we prevent maskne? 1. Cleanse your face regularly During the pandemic, continue following your regular skin care routine to keep your skin

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New Brand Alert!

Introducing Sodashi. Beauty for ultimate skin health and radiance. We are thrilled to introduce our body range Sodashi. Founded in 2000 by Megan Larsen, Sodashi has championed true natural skincare from the very beginning. The brand’s namesake is the Sanskrit word meaning wholeness, purity and radiance; qualities demonstrated in their holistic approach to beauty, pure natural ingredients and radiant skin results. Sodashi Body Brilliance Cream  Chaniele Erasmuson, our gorgeous Managing Owner here at Nicola Quinn Beauty & Day Spa, handpicked the Sodashi range. She says “The level of detail and care that goes into producing each product is second to none. Ingredients are hand-selected from the best sources across the globe. Clays from Western Australia, Madagascan Ylang Ylang and Moroccan Jasmine. Sodashi takes you on a sensory experience to feed the skin and nurture the mind.” Sodashi’s aim is to nurture and celebrate each individual’s unique beauty with luxury products that treat both the skin and the mind. Used in the world’s most luxurious spas in over 25 countries, this therapeutic range with true skin-rejuvenating power is now available at Nicola Quinn Beauty and Day Spa in all our massage and body treatments. The best bit?  You can also purchase products for home use.   “I am personally very excited to welcome Sodashi and know you will fall madly in love with the incredible products and treatments, just as the team have.” Sodashi Body Balance Salt Therapy Exfoliant  Sodashi brings an elevated approach to beauty that echoes the gentleness of untouched

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The nest tree house

Your Tree House Escape Awaits

To celebrate the launch of our new body range Sodashi, we are giving two lucky customers the chance to win a nights stay at Nest Tree House.  Get yourself to Nest, a luxe treetop hideaway by spending $250 on a Sodashi treatment or Sodashi products at Nicola Quinn between 15th September – 15th October.  We have two getaways to give away, so run – don’t a walk! Then snuggle in style under the stars in your very own tree house perched high amongst the branches overlooking the dramatic contours of the majestic Hakataramea Valley. Winners will be drawn on Friday 15th October and notified by email.   At Nest, guests will be cloaked in nature in their very own private tree house perched high among the radiata pine canopy. A short walk through the trees from your retreat, you will discover another swing bridge leading to the Nest luxury stand-alone cedar sauna which boasts a panoramic view across the surrounding forest… soak in the steam, lie back and relax knowing the healing and health benefits a sauna brings.  This architecturally designed and engineered retreat provides a stylish and modern escape with a twist. A perfect place to hide away from the world with a loved one or friend. A place to relax, taking time to talk, make memories to switch off and just be.   Previous Next Shop in-clinic or online to be into win.  SHOP SODASHI Continue Reading… Invest in your skin Get Glowing Memberships Did you know you

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Dermapen results before and after

This is Skin Confidence

Our lovely client Georgia has agreed to share her “skin health” journey. She has been visiting Nicola Quinn for the past 12 months, having regular Dermapen treatments and following an active skincare home routine. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing all the ins and outs of her treatments, and her incredible results. We are over the moon to share her final outcomes and announce that these amazing results have landed Bernice with NZ Dermapen High Performance Practitioner of the Year – meaning Nicola Quinn Beauty & Day Spa is officially the #1 Dermapen Skin Clinic in New Zealand! We chat with Georgia and Bernice… So, Georgia, you’ve completed six Dermapen treatments now – the results are pretty amazing! You must be over the moon? I’ve never been the girl with amazing skin or that radiant glow, and since a young age, I’ve always been very self-conscious of my freckles. Dermapen has dramatically improved my skin texture, acne, scarring, hydration, pore size, fine lines (the list goes on!), and I’ve finally achieved that healthy glow I’ve always wanted. So much so that I’ve actually stopped wearing foundation, without even making a conscious decision to do so! I’m no longer hiding my skin, and I think the biggest result for me is that I now have the confidence to let my natural complexion be on display. I am definitely “over the moon” with my results, my only regret is not finding out about and starting Dermapen sooner! 2021 NZ Dermapen High-Performance

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Amazing results from Dermapen microneedling

Why Consistency is Everything

Today we chat to Skin Therapist Bernice about Georgia’s treatment plan, Dermapen, and why consistency is everything! Our lovely client Georgia has agreed to share her “skin health” journey. She has been having regular Dermapen treatments and following an active skincare home routine.  Why should you commit to a membership rather than a one-off treatment?  Because results won’t happen instantly! In the same way you wouldn’t visit one fitness class and do one day of healthy eating and expect a transformation, great results take dedication and commitment. When you commit to a skin membership, we can adjust your treatment plan by analysing the skin as we progress. It’s important to tailor your treatments if you want to achieve the ultimate skin outcomes. The second reason is that a membership will give you the best results within the shortest time frame. This is because you’re spaced with optimum time between treatments to encourage skin rejuvenation. If you’re just popping in for occasional treatments, the results won’t quite measure up. In this way it works out more cost effective, PLUS you get a discount on home-care products too. It amazes me how so many women have designer handbags or shoes, the most expensive makeup and the latest phones, but they buy their skincare from the supermarket! Girl, we need to talk. Your skin is on show all the time, and it’s going to be with you for your entire life – treat it well! Can you be consistent with any skincare product

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Woman describes what a Dermapen treatment feels like

My First Dermapen Microneedling Treatment

Our lovely client Georgia has agreed to share her “skin health” journey. She has been visiting Nicola Quinn for the past 12 months, having regular Dermapen treatments and following an active skincare home routine. Over the coming weeks, we are going to share all the ins and outs of her treatments and her amazing results. Today she shares her experience trying Dermapen microneedling for the first time. After my consultation and introduction to my DP Dermaceuticals skincare routine a couple of weeks ago, I finally jumped into my first Dermapen treatment. I had already seen some improvement in my skin after using my new active products, and as soon as I could see these changes, my morning and evening skincare ritual became something I actually got excited about! Clear skin here I come. Nicola Quinn Beauty and Day Spa is a “Gold Authorised Treatment Provider” for Dermapen, which means they only use the protocol DP Dermaceuticals products, the most advanced device (the Dermapen4) and follow all treatment and safety protocols. I booked in my first treatment for a Tuesday evening as I thought I’d need to go straight home, although I’ll know for next time that I can actually go straight back to work. This is because the tinted “Cover Recover” healing and cooling sunscreen product used right after my treatment covered any pinkness in my skin afterwards. Left: Straight after a Dermapen treatment. Right: After the CoverRecover was applied The Dermapen treatment started with a relaxing mini-facial, using a

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Choosing skincare at Nicola Quinn

Starting My Journey to Skin Health

Our lovely Client, Georgia, has agreed to share her “skin health” journey with you. She has been visiting NQ for the past 12 months, having regular Dermapen treatments. Over the coming weeks, we are going to share all the ins and outs of her treatments and her amazing results. Hi! I’m Georgia, I’m 27 and have always been interested in improving my skin, but I’ve never really known where to start. With so many products on the market it can all be a bit overwhelming – especially when you throw in all the skincare advertising, we see each day!  It was only when my friend recommended, I visit Nicola Quinn Beauty and Day Spa (after I complained to her about my acne) that I started to learn about the power of modern skin treatments and active skincare. Prior to this I had no idea what either of these things were, and assumed spas were just for massages, face masks and manicures! My first appointment was a consultation with the lovely Bernice, who made me feel so comfortable and was incredibly knowledgeable about skin.  She talked me through some possible causes of my skin breakouts, and went over a home care routine that would get me on track quickly, as well as a treatment plan to drive the ultimate results.  Starting a new skincare routine can seem overwhelming, and Bernice said I could just start with the basics – a good cleanser, hydrator and an SPF.  I decided to invest in

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Woman with glowing skin

How to achieve immortal skin

How to achieve immortal skin We all know results happen with consistency. Immortal, glowing skin is no exception. Taking good care of your skin daily will also save you money in the long run. Skin concerns like deep wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and acne scarring can be prevented with a daily skin care routine. But when it comes to skincare and what to use, it can be incredibly overwhelming. Luckily for you our favourite skincare brand O Cosmedics has put together their must-have daily products into the Immortal kit. We love that this kit goes back to basics, and includes the four products essential for skin health and that immortal glow. 1. CLEANSER First off, you need the right cleanser to wash off all the oil, dirt and makeup that has been sitting on your face all day. Please do your skin a favour and don’t use a bar of soap or body wash as these products will be way too harsh for the delicate skin on your face. A tight squeaky clean feeling right after cleansing is a red flag and this means that you have stripped away your skin’s natural protective barrier and have left your skin dry and vulnerable to the environment. Instead, look for a gentle cleanser like the Gentle Antioxidant Cleanser to leave your skin clean without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. This cleanser can be used morning and night. 2. EXFOLIANT To help get rid of skin buildup and improve the skin’s texture and appearance, we recommend using an exfoliant once or twice a week.

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woman touching her face concerned with dry winter skin

Hydrate Winter Skin with 5 Hero Products

The change of seasons is hard enough on its own without having to worry about the change in our skin condition. None of us like the feeling of adjusting to the colder conditions, so just imagine how your skin is feeling!  The combination of cold weather, low humidity, and heating dries out the air, leaving your skin deprived of moisture and feeling a little lacklustre. This winter, we are all about hydrating winter skin to prevent it from feeling dry, flaky and rough. We sat down with our Spa Manager Kim Poumos and spoke about her top 5 hydrating winter skin products that she just couldn’t live without. THE ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS TO HYDRATE, RESTORE AND ENHANCE YOUR WINTER SKIN 1. O Cosmedics O-Biotics 3D Hyaluronic Serum. I truly love this amazing serum! It has transformed my skin from feeling tight, flaking and dry to feeling smooth, plump, and hydrated. Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring substance in the skin that maintains moisture levels. It works in cells by binding to water to help retain hydration to the skin. It has the amazing ability to hold onto one thousand times its weight in moisture. It is a fine, water-like serum that is applied after cleansing over the face, neck and can be used around the eye area. A must-have for dry skin during the winter months. 2. O Cosmedics Retinoic Oil Another of my hero products! This along with Hyaluronic Serum are 2 products I can not be without! Retinoic oil is

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Header image of model in LED light photography

LED Light Therapy to restore your radiance

You might have heard of LED Light Therapy before, but not entirely sure what it’s all about and if it is right for you? We are here to help! LED light treatments are a completely hand-free, convenient and rewarding treatment that can assist with acne symptoms, scarring, hyperpigmentation, reduce inflammation, signs of aging and even reduce inflammation caused by eczema and psoriasis. WHAT IS LED THERAPY? What is LED Light Therapy and how does it work? LED Light Therapy, otherwise known as Light Emitting Diode treatments, uses varying LED wavelengths of visible light to increase collagen and regenerate damaged skin cells. As a result of ageing, skin disorders or trauma, healthy skin cells are compromised and struggle to renew normally. The skin uses the energy produced from the light to repair and rejuvenate damaged cells, killing acne bacteria and stimulating the production of collagen and elastin for anti-ageing benefits. How does LED Therapy work to treat Acne? Blue light therapy is commonly used to treat acne symptoms, as it has an antimicrobial effect on the skin meaning that it can kill several types of bacteria that tends to collect in pores and oil glands, causing breakouts. Used in combination with red light, this will treat acne, decrease scarring and promote anti-inflammatory effects.In one study, people with acne who were treated for 5 weeks with a blue light therapy saw improvement in 77 percent of cases. How does LED Therapy work to treat Ageing? Red light therapy is most commonly used

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Your Ultimate Hand Care Guide

When we think of anti-ageing skincare our first thoughts are usually for wrinkles and age spots around our face and neck, yet our hands are one of the first areas to reveal our age. Not to mention our hands are always on display (like our face!), and the skin on our hands is thinner than our faces, yet we don’t always give them the TLC they deserve (after all, they do so much work for us all day). Here are some of our top tips for keeping your hands smooth, gorgeous and youthful, especially during the drying winter months. You’ll thank us in a few years! Slough away dead skin cells In the same way you exfoliate your face, sloughing away the layers of dead skin cells on the hands is a great way to get them looking and feeling lush and smooth. We love the Ginger&Me Sugar Body Scrub, which is infused with luxurious botanical oils and natural essences. If you want something more delicate, try using your face exfoliator on your hands too. Our favourite is the delicious cranberry scented O Cosmedics Exfoliating Cleanser, which contains four natural exfoliating bead types, plus peptides for anti-aging benefits. Start treating your hands with care Frequently washing your hands with drying soaps or using detergents can dry out your hands, which leads to rough, peeling or itchy skin. Try using gloves if you are doing dishes, and swap your soaps from harsh sanitising ones to a natural and moisturising hand wash

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Reducing Sun Spots Using IPL

It’s pretty difficult to avoid the sun entirely, and if you’re like us you’ve probably spent countless enjoyable summers on beaches and at parks without diligently re-applying your SPF every couple of hours.  The harsh New Zealand sun means we’re even more susceptible to skin damage, whether it’s the dangerous kind or just benign and superficial damage such as freckles, sun spots and patches of pigmentation. Why do I have sun spots? Pigmentation from sun damage is often common on the face, neck, chest, arms and shoulders or other areas exposed to the sun, due to the skin producing extra melanin (dark pigment) to protect the skin.  This could be in the form of sun spots, dark patches of skin, or areas of freckles – which will all likely darken and expand with more sun exposure. Another common form of pigmentation is melasma, which usually shows up as large patches of slightly darkened skin and is caused by hormonal changes such as pregnancy.   How can I reduce sun spots using IPL? If you’re trying to clear your complexion and reduce pigmentation, IPL is likely the perfect treatment to help. The treatment works by using Intense Pulsed Light to target areas of pigment, breaking it down into particles, which then rise to the surface of the skin. This then flakes away with the skin’s natural healing process within a few days, meaning the downtime is minimal. As well as reducing age spots and pigmentation patches, IPL also works to improve

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