We’ve picked six of the most popular do-it-yourself treatments and looked at the pros and cons of a “saloon at home” experience.
Any home procedures primarily save time and money. In addition, in a familiar home environment, some rather intimate manipulations with one’s own appearance, such as hair removal, are much easier to survive. But is beauty at home as effective as professional services? And what can you save on, and in what cases is it better not to risk it?
1. Peeling
The main principle of procedures for smooth and even skin is the removal of old dead cells. You can get rid of them only with the help of peeling. But this procedure is very delicate, and it is necessary to carry it out at home only when you are firmly convinced of the result. Otherwise, even if you have perfect skin, there may be unpleasant consequences: dryness, irritation or acne.
Pros. The face after the salon procedure sometimes looks like after a burn. And you still have to go outside. At home, you will be spared from such stress and the need to hide.
Минусы. Peeling is often contraindicated for problematic skin, and only hardware cleaning or chemical peeling is recommended, which cannot be done at home.
2. Photoepilation
A person who invents a way to permanently get rid of unwanted body hair will receive the eternal love of millions of women. Beauticians offer several options for hair removal, but photoepilation is considered the best, most effective and least painful procedure. In salons, it is one of the most popular, but not available to everyone. Thanks to Philips and its revolutionary Philips Lumea, photoepilation can now be done at home. The principle of operation of the photoepilator is as follows: a light pulse affects the hair root, which is in the phase of active growth. Hair falls out, and its further growth stops.
Pros. Painless. Lumea has 5 modes that can be adjusted depending on the sensitivity and type of your skin and the treatment area. So, if the skin on some part of the body is more sensitive, make the mode smaller, and, apart from a warm touch, you will not feel anything. There is a wireless model, so the device is convenient for travel. The procedure does not cause skin irritation and the appearance of ingrown hairs. But the main benefit is efficiency. The results are not achieved immediately, but gradually, incrementally, but they cannot be compared with any other method, and you will never again agree to a wax or laser execution. Because body hair tends to be in different growth phases, multiple sessions spaced 2-4 weeks apart are needed for ideal results.
A visible effect will appear after three procedures – the number of hairs will be reduced by 75%. And the skin will remain smooth for up to two months. This is a record among all existing methods of hair removal. This efficiency is not accidental – the device was created and tested for several years in collaboration with the world’s leading engineers, dermatologists and cosmetologists, so there is no doubt about its safety and quality. Another significant advantage of the model is the speed of the procedure. It takes about 15 minutes to process, for example, both legs. And the last argument in favor of the device is that it is enough for 200-250 thousand flashes, that is, for 20 years of use.
Минусы. But this is more difficult. Even the most picky bloggers testing the device could not criticize the novelty. The minus of the device, perhaps, is only one – now you will have to see your beautician less often.
3. Face masks
Cosmetics manufacturers offer thousands of masks – from the usual clay to snail slime or gold. Applying them is simple, and their use does not require special skills. But the effect will be short-lived – for one day or evening. After all, the salon uses special devices and technologies that allow you to deliver nutrients to the deep layers of the skin, where conventional creams have no access. But if your beautician makes you a custom mask or cream that you can apply at home, it’s ideal to keep your skin in good condition between treatments.
Pros. Money (the price of one mask starts from 50 rubles) and time (in a beauty salon, the procedure takes at least an hour).
Минусы. An allergic reaction is possible, so study the composition of the mask and test it on the elbow for 20 minutes.
4. Hair coloring
It is not always possible to get to the master at the right time for you. In addition, for owners of long hair, each coloring costs a round sum and takes 2-3 hours. If you do not need bleaching, then you can tint the roots or refresh the color yourself. First consult with your master, what tone and brand of dye to buy, whether your hair is evenly dyed or not, and what effect you expect from dyeing. You need to mix the paint strictly in the proportion that your hairdresser will indicate.
Pros. Significant savings, especially for those who have already encountered gray hairs and know how quickly these “traitors” appear after dyeing again. By the way, ombre coloring, which is fashionable today, can be refreshed at home – for this it is enough to paint the roots in a darker color.
Минусы. If you are the owner of complex coloring, for example coloring (in several tones), you won’t be able to tint the roots yourself, otherwise you will spoil all the work of your hairdresser, who for sure has been achieving such a natural fashionable shade of hair for more than one month. It is extremely inconvenient to dye long hair on your own. You run the risk of staining not only yourself, but also the bathroom.
5. Manicure
Finding a good nail salon of any price category within walking distance is no longer a problem. Even on one of the most expensive streets in Moscow, in Stoleshnikov Lane, a salon has opened where the shellac procedure will cost only 1000 rubles. However, many still prefer to do the beauty of nails at home. The color of the varnish gets boring too quickly, or after a few days, chips appear on the nails that require reconstruction, and you cannot buy the necessary varnish, as in the salon, in a regular store. There is no reason to spend precious time for the sake of one nail, especially when it comes to a regular manicure.
Pros. Hygienic. Except you, no one used manicure tools for sure.
Минусы. Not everyone has the patience to methodically process each finger and nail. In addition, in salons, manicure is accompanied by a pleasant massage and hand masks, which you lose at home. So, if you do not have sufficient perseverance, it is unlikely that you will be able to master the procedure on your own.
6. Eyebrow correction
It is enough to go to the brow bar once, so that the master gives your eyebrows the desired shape, and then maintain it yourself. To remove excess hairs, Braun and Philips trimmers have special nozzles. You can also color your eyebrows at home. Detailed instructions can be found in the video tutorials of famous beauty bloggers, for example, Elena Krygina. She also gives advice on what paint is better to use. And also buy castor oil for better growth, it is also good for them to lubricate eyelashes at night. The result will exceed all expectations.
Pros. This is not the most expensive procedure, but still, for those who dream of thick fluffy eyebrows (today these are in trend), it is better not to abuse visits to the beautician. In addition, the master will probably begin to persuade you to attend related procedures (“grow eyelashes”, “remove fluff above the lip”, etc.), any beauty salon is network marketing in action.
Минусы. If you do not trust your eye and are afraid of asymmetrical eyebrows (after all, it is the eyebrows that “make” the face), it is better not to risk it and trust a professional.