In the quest for fresh skin and a summer glow, we head to Coco Nailbar to lift our complexions with a CACI microdermabrasion facial
Words Sabrina Nunez
The heat of the city makes the idea of wearing full-coverage foundation unbearable. The draw to lighter bases that offer glowy finishes sound amazing, but they often do little to hide imperfections. Luckily, Portobello Road’s Coco Nailbar has a beauty treatment menu designed to target a range of issues, from wrinkles and fine lines to acne and scarring. I go for a microdermabrasion treatment to shed my skin of the dryness it picked up over the colder months.
Combining LED light therapy with the CACI Hydro Mask, the Orbital Microdermabrasion Treatment is a gentle way of smoothing the skin and injecting hydration. The CACI website says LED light therapy “calms the skin, neutralises bacteria and helps tackle acne, blemishes and scar tissue.” This treatment exfoliates and cleanses the skin, allowing the effects of the light therapy and Hydro Mask to provide the best results. Mari will be performing my treatment and assures me that the procedure will be gentle enough for my sensitive skin while providing results. She talks me through the process, telling me there are three different heads to suit a range of skin types: fine, medium and thick. After asking me about my skin concerns and history, she decides on the the fine head for my sensitive skin.
My treatment begins with Mari removing my base makeup before starting with the 15 minutes of exfoliation. Although strange, the feeling of the treatment is completely painless and immensely soothing. As Mari moves down towards my jawline and onto my neck, the sensation becomes a bit ticklish, but manageable. Mari then changes the head to one used for massaging the mask into my skin. Each half of the mask is pressed into my face and Mari meticulously works the product in. She only uses the calming effects of the blue light for these final 15 minutes. Mari then removes the mask and smoothes the remaining product over my face, massaging the area around my temples and parts of my neck before finishing off with a layer of sunscreen.My skin feels as though it’s had a drink of water and feels new. Mari warns redness and sensitivity may follow treatment and recommends I skip makeup and harsh skincare for 24 hours. I have redness for two hours, along with slight itchiness, but the overall appearance gets better over time. After a few hours, my skin looks smooth and radiant, perfect for a light base in the heat. Mari recommends getting the facial every two months, which I will happily do to ensure I maintain a clear base.CACI Orbital Microdermabrasion Treatment, £60
Coco Nailbar, 267 Portobello Road, W11; coconailbar.com
