Fabulous at 50, The Cosmedic Coach catches up with celebrity facialist Su-Man Hsu
No matter how many years I have worked in the Beauty industry, one thing that never ceases to amaze me are the beauty makers and shakers who can practice what they preach to a perfect art. Take Su-Man Tsu at 50 years of age her skin and body resemble a luscious 20 year old, and her vibrant energy is contagious, She is living proof that 50 is probably the most fabulous age you can be as a woman. Such are the talents of Su-Man Hsu that her facials have been described as the “non-invasive alternative to Botox”. It’s is little wonder therefore that the North London based therapist has an army of dedicated celebrity fans which include Freida Pinto and Juliette Binoche (there are also a number of top well-known beauty editors who have Hsu on speed dial). This beauty maker and business woman has now bottled up her skin-brightening and lifting magic formula’s and created her own skincare line, I’m excited to catch up with Su-Man at The London Anti Ageing Show in Olympia to look at the skincare range in finer detail as well as try out her legendary time defying powers. In the meantime we caught up with ‘Queen of Facials’ for five minutes.
I mainly eat an Asian diet. I eat lots of vegetables, (fresh, stir fried or steamed), rice, noodles, fruit, chicken, pork and fish. Not too many red meats. I don’t eat cheese or other dairy products. I put soya milk in my coffee and one or two glasses of alcohol a week. I love champagne but it’s so expensive for one glass. This all sounds very virtuous but the truth is my body reacts badly to dairy and alcohol. Less to champagne! I prefer cake to chocolate but I do occasionally indulge in some balsamic kettle chips, they are so addictive! I start each day with a warm glass of honey and lemon to flush out my system. I’m a big fan of porridge for breakfast, which I drizzle with Udo’s Choice blended oil. I avoid all the usual baddies that can kill the summer glow – salt, sugar, fried foods, white breads and processed foods.
• Do you exercise?
I was a professional dancer for many years, so there is only one exercise routine in my life and that’s dancing. I take a ballet class almost every day at Pineapple Dance studios. There is nothing better for good posture, strong core, balance, flexibility, coordination, and long lean supple muscles. On top of all these amazing physical benefits, dancing makes you feel free and happy and lifts your spirit. A good class can put you in a good mood all day long, de stress you and relax your mind.
• What products do you use on your skin?
As a facialist I take my skincare routine very seriously. We Asian women think of anti-ageing from 18 and not 35. It’s in our culture to prevent things happening, rather than sort out neglect and mistakes later on in life. I tend to use a layering system for my skincare (very popular in East Asia). This means deep cleansing, exfoliating (twice a week only), toning, serum, facial oil, eye cream and moisturizing. I have tried many different products, however was never really happy, therefore decided to create my own. I wanted to keep the layering system but without the products being too heavy and suffocating.
• What facial sunscreen do you wear underneath make up?
I don’t wear makeup apart from mascara. However I do apply La Roche-Posay SPF 30 melt in cream before I go out in the morning.
• What facial sunscreen do you use for outdoor exercise?
I don’t exercise outdoors.
•Is there any particular sunscreen for the body that you use on holiday?
I use Soltan moisturising Sun care spray SPF 50. I only sunbathe in the morning and late afternoon as the afternoon sun is too intense and harmful. • What body moisturiser do you use? Neutrogena deep moisture comfort balm.
• What summer foundation do you use? I don’t wear any. • What summer serum do you use? I use the same serum throughout the year which is my own velvet skin brightening serum.
• Do you wear any fake tan? I never wear any fake tan. I am lucky enough that my skin tone is already quite brown. I could never imagine making it look artificial and fake.
• Is there any other magical skin product/technique/treatment you can’t live without in the summer?
I can’t live without Udo’s Choice oil blend, as capsules when I’m travelling, or in liquid form when I’m applying it to rye bread as part of my breakfast diet. It’s the perfect internal moisturiser.
*Image with courtesy and credit to Glamour