Beauty spot

Vicky Smith quizzes four local experts about their winter beauty secrets

Above: Sally Imber

Emma Arkell

Emma launched her first collection of aromatherapy products in 2003, under the ethos of creating a range that combined delicious fragrances with genuine therapeutic value. The brand has been a huge success to date, expanding from only seven products into a full range which includes bath oils, shampoos, creams and lotions.

What’s your daily beauty regime?
Unusually perhaps, I put less and less on my face as I get older. In the morning, I put cold water on my face and use my frankincense and rose face cream if my skin is feeling dry. I also exfoliate once a week and use a cleanser every other day.

What exercise do you do?
I do quite a bit of walking round and about Wandsworth and I like to swim whenever I can

How often do you ‘treat yourself'?
Very rarely unfortunately as my three young children, plus the business, keep me very busy

Best local shop for buying beauty essentials?
Obviously I have everything I want in my collection of Emma Arkell Aromatherapy products but if I have to go elsewhere, I love the local chemists. The Olde Pharmacy on East Hill is my favourite.

Best local spa?
We’re spoiled for choice in Wandsworth with a Cannons, Virgin and Esporta (my personal favourite).

Favourite make-up brand/products?
I’ve always used Lancome.

Favourite skincare brand/products?
Apart from my own products, I use Lancome.

Favourite haircare brand/products?
None. I don’t put anything in my hair. I use my own shampoo (the Grapefruit & Lime Body Wash & Shampoo)

Top beauty tip?
Both a beauty and a health tip - drink loads of water. It’s amazing how much better you feel after a couple of glasses of water. Your skin also looks noticeably brighter.

Best way to maintain gorgeous hair?
Wash it as little as possible and put as little as possible in it

What products could you not live without?
My Magic Cream. I never go anywhere without it.

What perfume do you wear?
I use a drop of Sandalwood oil in the winter and in the summer, Lancome Aroma Tonic

Any beauty disasters?
Several. My first was as a teenager when I pinched some fake tan from a friend, put on far too much and then tried to deny having taken it the next morning – not very convincing as my face was a bright shade of orange.

You have 5 minutes to get ready for a night out – what do you do?!
This is all too often the case by the time I’ve put all three children to bed. It usually involves a one minute shower while I decide what to wear. The other 4 minutes is getting dressed, putting in my contact lenses and then a very quick make up session!

Tips for winter hair/beauty trends?
I am a big fan of simplicity and subscribe to the less is more theory. Also, take time to find out what suits you. Don’t go for a look just because it happens to be in fashion.

www.eaaonline.co.uk

Sally Imber

Pilates came to Sally’s rescue 10 years ago when she injured her neck at the gym, and she has been in love with it ever since. Spotting a gap in the south London market for an excellent Pilates studio, she set up The Pilates Practice in SW11 presuming there would be a healthy demand for top-class studio instruction – she wasn’t wrong!

What’s your daily beauty regime?
Cleanse, tone, moisturise and dry body brush to detox and boost the immune system

What exercise do you do?
I go to the gym two or three times a week, do Pilates once or twice a week and take the dog walking twice daily.

How often do you ‘treat yourself’?
My biggest treat is a monthly massage and I have a facial when I feel the need

Best local shop for beauty essentials?
Verde, Boots and Space NK

Best Local spa?
Qetesh spa at Cannons Healthclub in Battersea and Me Time on Nightingale Lane

Favourite skincare brand/products?
Anything natural and if possible organic. Dr Haushka and Liz Earle are two of my favourites

Favourite haircare brand/products?
I love Kerastase hair masks as a treat once in a while, otherwise any supermarket shampoo and conditioner

Top beauty tip?
Plenty of sleep and krill oil (all the omegas and an amazing antioxidant)

Best way to maintain gorgeous hair?
Regular haircuts and minimal styling

What products could you not live without?
Mascara and moisturiser. How shallow is woman!

What perfume do you wear?
Jo Malone Vetyver and a dab of neat patchouli oil.

Any beauty disasters?
Yes, eliminating half an eyebrow while using a pore cleansing strip!

You have 5 minutes to get ready for a night out – what do you do?!
Change the venue to a cinema!

Tips for winter hair/beauty trends
A great woollen hat and probably even more scarves than last year. Oh, yes and Ugg boots, sorry guys.

The Pilates Practice, 213 St John’s Hill, SW11; 020 7228 6787; www.thepilatespractice.com

Rebecca Hopkins

In 2002, Rebecca and her sister founded Balance Being, a well-being and lifestyle events business www.balancebeing.com creating aromatherapy gifts to give to clients after events. After being approached by one client to see if they would create what is now their Exfoliating Foot & Body Polish for the launch of a shoe department, they were inspired to found Balance Me in 2005 – a range of luxury yet affordable natural aromatherapy products that optimise health and well-being.

What’s your daily beauty regime?
Dry body brushing before my shower. Massaging our Super Oil into my limbs once dry. A quick five-minute facial massage before applying my moisturiser to help reduce the dark rings from under my eyes (my youngest daughter is teething at the moment and my husband has selective hearing!) A quick blow-dry and a spot of mascara and Stellar Beauty Balm on my cheeks and lips.

What exercise do you do?
Yoga (with Sharon Farrah at Vitality Centre, Wandsworth), walking and running on Clapham Common and cycling as a means of getting about (although I do use my scooter in the colder months).

How often do you ‘treat yourself’?
As often as I can find time to swap with my therapist friends. I give reflexology in return for pedicures, facials and waxing. I also treat myself to osteopathy as often as I can as it works wonders on my back/neck and shoulders where I carry the most tension.

Best local shop for buying beauty essentials?
Fresh & Wild in Clapham Junction as they have the best natural beauty selection in the area.

Favourite make-up brand/products?
My favourite make-up brand is Giorgio Armani Cosmetics. I worked on the launch of this brand in 2000/1 and have remained loyal as the textures and colours are amazing.

Favourite skincare brand/products?
I am currently trying a new brand called Euphia, a 100% natural range of skincare products for babies which is available at www.littleeco.com

Favourite haircare brand/products?
Balance Me is launching a shampoo and conditioner in the new year for which I am currently acting as guinea pig and loving. It smells amazing and leaves my hair really shiny and squeaky-clean.

Top beauty tips?
Drink plenty of water and remember to breathe (deeply, if possible)!

Best way to maintain gorgeous hair?
Plenty of brushing at night with a soft brush. A top tip my Grandmother taught me to maintain shine and prevent split ends.

What products could you not live without?
Balance Me, of course, especially our Stellar Beauty Balm and Super Oil!

What perfume do you wear?
Emporio Armani White – it is really light and fresh

Any beauty disasters?
A spray tan this summer, which wasn’t very subtle – to the extent that my builder told me I was getting darker and darker as we were speaking when I returned home from the salon – he obviously couldn’t help but say something!

You have 5 minutes to get ready for a night out – what do you do?!
I only ever have five minutes to get ready in so I am super speedy and can wash, moisturise and make-up with my elder daughter in tow! I do, however have to ensure I’ve washed my hair in the morning as it would be pushing it to 15 minutes if I needed a blow dry!

Tips for winter hair/beauty trends?
Keep your body sufficiently moisturised (chose a product/routine that works for you) to prevent skin becoming dry. If you are short of time in the morning, find a couple of multi-purpose products that don’t weigh a tonne and carry them around in your handbag, that way when you have a spare five minutes, you can treat yourself to a facial/hand massage and your body as well as your mind will benefit.

www.balanceme.co.uk

Anita Cox

Twice British Colourist of the Year and hair stylist to the stars, Anita Cox launched a brand new salon on Battersea Rise last year and is an authority when it comes to hair colour and care. She also has salons in Loughton and Chelsea.

What’s your daily beauty regime?
I love the dauphin brand and am completely addicted to their day cream, eye and lip cream and night cleanse balm!  I also try and drink as much water as possible to keep my skin hydrated, particulary important in a salon environment with all the hairdryers going!

What exercise do you do?
Twice a week I go running and circuit traning

How often do you ‘treat yourself’?
I have my nails done twice a week as they take a battering in the salon and I try to have a facial once a month or whenever I remember to fit it in!

Best Local shop for beauty essentials?
It’s actually my salon which sells a variety of hair and beauty products at salon standard

Best Local spa?
Again I always go to Jemma, our fabulous in house beauty therapist who offers a wide range of gorgeous treatments.

Favourite make up brand/products?
Mac

Favourite skincare brands/products?
Without a doubt Darphin

Favourite haircare brand/products?
I absolutely love L’Oreal especially the Kerastase Lumiere Nutri-sculpt serum and Mousse Nutri-sculpt

Top beauty tip?
Get a great foundation, I use Clinique superfit foundation, and always remember your mascara that way your skin will look smooth and your eyes bright

Best way to maintain gorgeous hair?
Wash it regularly with great products, eat well, drink lots of water and have a regular trim to get rid of split ends

What perfume do you wear?
Ralph Lauren Safari (it’s very old, I have worn it for years!)

Any beauty disasters?
It’s not really a disaster but for the past 6 years I have been suffering from rosaceca, a very sore and irritable skin condition which can make my skin very inflamed and sensitive to products

You have 5 minutes to get ready for a night out – what do you do?!
Brush my hair, apply some mascara and a bit of lipstick!

Tips for winter hair/beauty trends?
Curls and movement in hair are key trends for the new season – the curlier the better and, for the more adventurous, believe or not, a touch of controlled frizz for a special night out makes  a really cutting edge look!

Anita Cox, 40 Battersea Rise, SW11; 020 7223 8888; www.anitacox.co.uk