2013-10-11

Anne Hathaway's facialist has some surprising skin care advice @vogue


Anne Hathaway’s facialist has some surprising skin care advice
ANNE HATHAWAY’S FACIALIST HAS SOME SURPRISING SKIN CARE ADVICE
We speak to facialist-to-the-A-list Su-Man Hsu.
Working her magic on the likes of Freida Pinto, Juliette Binoche and Anne Hathaway and developing her technique for the last ten years, has left facialist to the A-list, Su-Man Hsu with the skin care knowledge of a true master. Her signature technique, inspired by shiatsu and pilates, has been dubbed the ‘five star facial’ by Tatler magazine and is often referred to as the one hour face lift, as Hsu combines muscle massage, with a holistic approach to the traditional facial. She shared with Vogue her unique approach to skin care and what she thinks you should be doing with your skin care regime. Her answers might surprise you.

How did your interest in skin care and facials begin?

I have a passion for the body, I was deeply connected to it when I lived on a farm as a child, I would use massage to improve the wellbeing of my sisters – farm girls want to look beautiful as well! For me facialism is a craft. I'm not a beautician. I've spent ten years learning and improving my skills.

In your opinion, what can a facial do for your skin?

It starts with purifying, energising and finally nourishing the face. I don’t just work on the skin but on the muscles that support the skin. So the treatment is deeper and requires greater strength and accuracy. Our faces are a beautiful structure of bone, muscle and skin and if the muscles are activated and toned then the skin reflects this and looks lifted and sculpted.  

How do you help you clients prepare for a red carpet event?

On awards day the star will usually be feeling nervous and excited, they are constantly in the spotlight, they will need to talk to and meet a lot of people so they need to be relaxed, energised and looking their best. Each day before they sleep I give them a shiatsu massage to release tension allowing them to sleep deeply. In the morning I give them half an hour of exercise depending on their individual needs. This allows them to glide through the day without looking stiff.  Exercise is followed by my signature facial to lift and tone their face muscles. 

What are your quick fixes to getting perfect skin?

If there was a wonder product or remedy for emergencies I would be selling it and competing with Bill Gates as the richest person in the world. In my opinion you put most of your effort into prevention than prescription. This is a Chinese attitude to good health. However, horrors can happen, which affect confidence more than appearance. In this case use tea tree oil or a mild application of pure Sea Buckthorn fruit oil before moisturiser. 

What should people do to improve skin prone to blemishes?

My advice would be don’t over wash your face. This can stimulate more sebum production. Avoid over exposure to sun. Reduce dairy and sugar intake. They may not cause spots but they certainly make them worse.  

How often do you recommend people visit their facialist?

If you pass 40 I recommend once a week, but once a month is necessary.

Do you have any skin care golden rules? 

There is no one single answer. Making your skin feel and look good is an emotional, psychological and physical process, after all your face tells the world your story and who you are. So it’s a combination of facials, great skincare, exercise, eating the right food and feeling good about yourself and having a positive outlook on life. This includes laughing a lot. Its sounds like a lot to do but in my experience this is not about big changes but small shifts in your lifestyle and committing to your decisions.

Is there a way to avoid or minimise post-facial redness, inflammation and breakouts?

From my experience post facial breakouts and redness often appear when there is stagnation of energy or blood flow and also when people have dry or sensitive skin. The best way to avoid or minimise this is to continue to have regular facials to ensure your skin stays healthy and well conditioned. Clients of mine who initially suffered from this have seen it disappear after a few sessions.

Apart from the usual suspects (alcohol, cigarettes) what should people avoid if they want great skin?

Quite simply putting too many unnecessary products on your face. Some are over rich and often people assess the symptoms rather than the cause of their skin type. People chase quick fixes and waste a lot of money doing it. I truly believe a simple regime stuck to diligently and with patience will make a world of difference. 
Want one of Su-Man’s highly sought after facials? From the 5- 11 October, the W Hotel in Bali play host to the Su-Man Facial Pop up at Away Spa (pictured). For details click here.



Facial
Source: ThinkStock
We speak to facialist-to-the-A-list Su-Man Hsu.
Working her magic on the likes of Freida Pinto, Juliette Binoche and Anne Hathaway and developing her technique for the last ten years, has left facialist to the A-list, Su-Man Hsu with the skin care knowledge of a true master. Her signature technique, inspired by shiatsu and pilates, has been dubbed the ‘five star facial’ by Tatler magazine and is often referred to as the one hour face lift, as Hsu combines muscle massage, with a holistic approach to the traditional facial. She shared with Vogue her unique approach to skin care and what she thinks you should be doing with your skin care regime. Her answers might surprise you.

How did your interest in skin care and facials begin?
I have a passion for the body, I was deeply connected to it when I lived on a farm as a child, I would use massage to improve the wellbeing of my sisters – farm girls want to look beautiful as well! For me facialism is a craft. I'm not a beautician. I've spent ten years learning and improving my skills.

In your opinion, what can a facial do for your skin?
It starts with purifying, energising and finally nourishing the face. I don’t just work on the skin but on the muscles that support the skin. So the treatment is deeper and requires greater strength and accuracy. Our faces are a beautiful structure of bone, muscle and skin and if the muscles are activated and toned then the skin reflects this and looks lifted and sculpted.

How do you help you clients prepare for a red carpet event?
On awards day the star will usually be feeling nervous and excited, they are constantly in the spotlight, they will need to talk to and meet a lot of people so they need to be relaxed, energised and looking their best. Each day before they sleep I give them a shiatsu massage to release tension allowing them to sleep deeply. In the morning I give them half an hour of exercise depending on their individual needs. This allows them to glide through the day without looking stiff.  Exercise is followed by my signature facial to lift and tone their face muscles.

What are your quick fixes to getting perfect skin?
If there was a wonder product or remedy for emergencies I would be selling it and competing with Bill Gates as the richest person in the world. In my opinion you put most of your effort into prevention than prescription. This is a Chinese attitude to good health. However, horrors can happen, which affect confidence more than appearance. In this case use tea tree oil or a mild application of pure Sea Buckthorn fruit oil before moisturiser.

What should people do to improve skin prone to blemishes?
My advice would be don’t over wash your face. This can stimulate more sebum production. Avoid over exposure to sun. Reduce dairy and sugar intake. They may not cause spots but they certainly make them worse.

How often do you recommend people visit their facialist?
If you pass 40 I recommend once a week, but once a month is necessary.

Do you have any skin care golden rules? 
There is no one single answer. Making your skin feel and look good is an emotional, psychological and physical process, after all your face tells the world your story and who you are. So it’s a combination of facials, great skincare, exercise, eating the right food and feeling good about yourself and having a positive outlook on life. This includes laughing a lot. Its sounds like a lot to do but in my experience this is not about big changes but small shifts in your lifestyle and committing to your decisions.

Is there a way to avoid or minimise post-facial redness, inflammation and breakouts?
From my experience post facial breakouts and redness often appear when there is stagnation of energy or blood flow and also when people have dry or sensitive skin. The best way to avoid or minimise this is to continue to have regular facials to ensure your skin stays healthy and well conditioned. Clients of mine who initially suffered from this have seen it disappear after a few sessions.

Apart from the usual suspects (alcohol, cigarettes) what should people avoid if they want great skin?
Quite simply putting too many unnecessary products on your face. Some are over rich and often people assess the symptoms rather than the cause of their skin type. People chase quick fixes and waste a lot of money doing it. I truly believe a simple regime stuck to diligently and with patience will make a world of difference.


Originally published on vogue.com.au.
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