You know that feeling when you walk out of a salon, look in the mirror, and just think, “Wow, that’s me?” That’s what we’re looking at here: beauty treatments that genuinely make a difference. I’ve been down the rabbit hole of beauty treatments, and I’ve tried everything from the bizarre to the brilliant. Here are the top 10 beauty treatments worth your time and money,
Microblading
Remember when thin brows were all the rage? I overplucked, and they never fully grew back. Enter microblading. This semi-permanent treatment fills in sparse brows with tiny hair-like strokes. It’s not like the old-school tattooed brows; these look more natural, like you are blessed with perfect brows. After two hours of a specialist meticulously etching my brows in a microblading salon in London, I was hooked. You wake up with perfect brows every morning. It can be a bit painful and costs a pretty penny, but the results last up to 18 months. Worth it? Absolutely.
Lash Extensions
If I had to choose one beauty treatment to do for the rest of my life, lash extensions might just be the one. There’s nothing quite like the flutter of long, thick lashes. With Russian lash extensions, you can skip mascara, eyeliner, and even eye shadow and still look put together. The process involves gluing individual lashes to your natural ones, so it takes some time (think a solid two hours for a full set). Just be prepared for some maintenance—refills every 2-3 weeks and avoiding oil-based products are part of the deal.
Dermaplaning
If you haven’t heard of dermaplaning yet, it’s basically shaving your face, but with a scalpel and in the hands of a professional. This treatment removes dead skin cells and that pesky peach fuzz. The result is smooth bright skin that makeup glides on like a dream. The best part is that it doesn’t hurt at all. It’s oddly satisfying to watch all that dead skin and hair being scraped away. Once you try it, you’ll be hooked.
HydraFacial
HydraFacial is like a a car wash for your face. It uses a machine to cleanse and hydrate your skin. The process feels like a tiny vacuum is sucking all the gunk out of your pores . I walked out of the salon looking like I’d just had 10 hours of sleep and drank my weight in water. It’s a bit expensive, but the results speak for themselves.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels use acids to exfoliate and peel off the top layers of your skin. A peel helps with everything from acne scars to fine lines. The first time I tried it, I was afraid of ending up with a red, peeling face, but it’s really not that bad. However, there is some downtime depending on the strength of the peel.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal zapps hair follicles with a laser. It’s not completely painless but the results are life-changing. No more shaving, waxing, or dealing with razor bumps. Plus, it’s practically permanent after a few sessions. A major win for anyone tired of the hair removal grind.
LED Light Therapy
LED light therapy involves sitting under a panel of lights that radiate different wavelengths to target many skin issues—red for anti-ageing, blue for acne. It’s completely painless and is quite relaxing. You just lie there, eyes closed, while the light does its thing. After a few sessions, I noticed my skin was less oily, and breakouts were fewer and far between. It’s a great add-on to other treatments like facials.
CoolSculpting
If you’ve got stubborn areas of fat that just won’t budge CoolSculpting might be your answer. This treatment freezes fat cells, which your body then naturally eliminates over time. It’s not a quick fix—you’ll need a few sessions, and results take a couple of months to show. But if you’re patient, it’s a non-invasive way to sculpt your body.
Microneedling
Microneedling involves using a device with tiny needles that create micro-injuries on your skin. This prompts your body to produce more collagen and elastin, which helps with many issues from fine lines to acne scars. It’s a bit uncomfortable, but the results are impressive. It’s a treatment where you need to do a few sessions to see the best results, but it’s worth the commitment.
Cryotherapy Facial
A cryotherapy facial involves blasting your face with subzero temperatures. It sounds intense, and it is, but the results are a reduction in inflammation and a firmer, tighter complexion. It’s like an instant pick-me-up for your skin. I tried it on a whim, and while it was a bit shocking at first, my skin felt incredibly fresh and toned afterwards. It’s great before a big event or whenever you need a quick skin boost.