Serums, rollers, masks and more: My quest to find the secret to anti-ageing – Hayley Matthews

A few years back when dermaplaning (shaving your face) started getting a lot of attention, I decided to try it.
Hayley Matthews is always on the lookout for the next big beauty treatment craze (Picture: Juan Mabromata/AFP via Getty Images)Hayley Matthews is always on the lookout for the next big beauty treatment craze (Picture: Juan Mabromata/AFP via Getty Images)
Hayley Matthews is always on the lookout for the next big beauty treatment craze (Picture: Juan Mabromata/AFP via Getty Images)

It's massive in Korean beauty and is not only good for getting rid of your peach fuzz (we all have that so don't lie to yourself) as well as helping all your serums and lotions soak in to your freshly exposed skin layers. I've been doing it at home – with careful hands and patience – and I've been liking the results.

So I began wondering, "who started the face-shaving buzz over here?" I was curious who the skin genius was and so after some digging I discovered Scottish beauty wonder Nicola Russell, aka The Skin Geek.

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She's a top celebrity facialist with just short of 20 years’ experience and, from what I’ve read, is a true pioneer in skin treatments. So after investigating some more about her, I discovered she has her own product line, a popular clinic and a training academy in Scotland. We should be celebrating Scottish talent and entrepreneurship like this, it's wonderful to see.

After reading that she's worked with the likes of Amy McDonald, Gemma Collins, Gail Porter, Frankie Essex, Natasha Hamilton and many Scottish Wags, I decided to try out some of her bestsellers, including a Microneedling Roller and Cryoroller (think of a cold roller that you put in the freezer and swoosh it all over your face). Excellent for puffiness and I've used it on headaches and the hangover head too – works wonders!

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I’ve been giving Microneedling a go too. Sounds sore but it's not really. Lots of tiny needles in a roller that boost your collagen making you look younger which after this lockdown I can do with all the help I can get.

So if, like me, you like to support a bit of Scottish talent and home-grown beauty businesses like Skin Geek then my suggested products to start with would be the at-home treatments, until the salons open up again. The Cryoroller, Microneedling Roller along with the Hydra Gel Eye Masks have been my favourite so far.

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It's so great to see more Scottish grown beauty products and lines out there. I've gone through so many different brands recently – and it's even more special when it's from a home bird. Being a huge beauty product fan, skincare geek and cruelty-free cosmetic lover, I'm always trying new things and I’ve gotten even more into my new hobby since turning 40, hoping I'll look 30 again soon.

If you'd said to me a year ago I'be obsessed with shaving my face and rollering my forehead and cheeks with tiny needles, I'd have said you were bonkers but, seriously, I can see a difference.

It just makes me wonder what the next beauty craze is going to be? There's everything out there from serums to acid peels to masks to rollers and more. Too much to choose from? It can be a bit overwhelming at times.

I've promised myself no more beauty tools or products for the meantime because my obsession is getting a bit much. However, I am always, always, always on the lookout for new recommendations of moisturisers. You know where to contact me if you discover the secret to anti-ageing!

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