Words Liz French, Images Brydie Thompson
A session at Tranquillo Beauty Clinic was enough to convince Liz French that she needs to have more respect for her skin.
My morning skin routine is a splash of cold water to wake me up and a dash of moisturiser in the general direction of my face. As I am always heading outside, I do apply a tinted foundation with a sun protection factor.
I didn’t think my skin was too bad apart from being a bit dry, until Sue Dewes at Tranquillo showed me my face as photographed with their Observ Skin Scanner, a device Sue may have not imagined when she started in the beauty and health business 30 years ago. The ravages of seven decades of outdoor life were clear to see. The scanner can show surface things like freckles (lots) and deeper damage like the keratosis on my forehead … something to watch. It also picks up more wrinkles than the naked eye – not a pretty sight!
Sue is not one to judge. She makes sure she understands your lifestyle and your attitude to skincare before making recommendations. Sue is an outdoor girl herself and recently represented New Zealand in the World Masters Hockey Tournament in Auckland.
Instead of berating me for neglecting my skin, she set about pampering me with the Ultimate Tranquillo Facial, the perfect short-term solution for tired, dry skin lacking in radiance … me to a T. Had I been younger, had a different lifestyle, or had Sue seen a different picture on her scanner, my facial may have followed a different pattern. Taking the time to understand her clients, their way of life and reading the story their skin tells means every treatment is tailored to the recipient.
First, she moved me to one of the rear rooms which are perfectly peaceful, settled me on the bed, lowered the lights and started with a soothing scalp and shoulder massage. She then removed the dry scales of the outer epidermis of my face with a pleasantly, slightly abrasive treatment, followed by a regenerative infusion which was gently massaged in until I was so relaxed I almost drifted off to sleep. All this took around an hour, but I lost all concept of time.
Sue then left me at leisure to return to the real world, which did not take long as slow is not in my repertoire! I appreciated the cool glass of water and refreshing slices of citrus before I joined Sue and her partner (in life and business), John Dewes-Hodgson, out in the light, bright and inviting showroom.
Tranquillo’s range of skincare products must be one of the best in the Bay of Plenty. Totally confusing to me, so I was guided by Sue – and by my budget. She recommended two from the Eco by Sonya Driver range, natural skincare made in Queensland. Well, they should know about sun damage!
I have been using the omega abundant Glory Oil regularly and can feel the benefits. Sue also suggested their sunscreen, which will be put to the test over the summer. It is water repellent, which means I can go in the sea here, and it’s reef friendly, which means it’s environmentally friendly. I also had my eye on a pack of mineral powder with a spritz for that dewy look.
Of course I could have had a raft of treatments at Tranquillo and, thanks to the skill of Sue and her team of consultants, come out with perfect nails, tinted eyebrows and lashes, a swimsuit ready waxed and spray-tanned body. They even do special occasion make-up. And massages you have, just for the luxury of it.
The best thing for me was how comfortable and respected I felt throughout the process and how rejuvenated I felt after it.
Tranquillo Beauty Clinic
76 Grey Street, Tauranga
tranquillobeauty.co.nz
