Melanie Grant - Modern Guide to Skin Health

THE M ODERN GUIDE TO SKIN H EALTH THE MODERN GUIDE TO SK IN HEALTH MELA NIE GR ANT Fore word Hello CHA PTER 1: The biolog y of skin CHA PTER 2: Glossar y of common ing redients CHA PTER 3: Whats your skin ty pe? CHA PTER 4: Skin concerns and conditions CHA PTER 5: Skincare products CHA PTER 6: Building a skincare regime CHA PTER 7: DIY skincare CHA PTER 8: Skincare by age CHA PTER 9: A guide to sunscreen CHA PTER 10 : Professional treatments CHA PTER 11: Caring for the skin on your body CHA PTER 12: Skin and lifestyle CHA PTER 13: 10 big skincare myths CHA PTER 14: Moments in t ime In the end Thank you Index CONTE NTS I was first introduced to Melanie by Vo gue Australia s Fashion Director, Christine Centenera, whilst on a trip to Sydney, and we immediately became friends. She is an incredibly talented and knowledgeable facialist, who really is an expert on all things skin. Her product recommendations are second to none, and she was the person who first introduced me to Augustinus Bader a brand I went on to partner with for my own line, Victor ia Beckham Beauty. Its not a secret that my personal skincare journey has been a long and sometimes difficult one. Its no exaggeration to say that Melanie has been a catalyst for change for me. At this point Ive recommended her to pretty much everybody I know.

She is so generou s with her time and I trust her implicitly. She even supported me through lockdown with bespoke at-home skincare boxes. Melanies professional credentials really do speak for themsel ves. With t wo decades of experience in the industry and state-of-the-art boutique studios in Sydney, Melbourne, Los Angeles and London, a s well as seasonal residencies in Paris, Melanie has established her self as one of worlds leading author ities on skincare. And I can honestly say her facials are the most amazing I have ever had! When Melanie told me she was working on a book, I was, of course, thr illed for her; the more people who can have access to her wisdom and insight, the better! It really is a must-read for anyone who wants to take the next step in the jour ne y to improve their skin health. Victoria Beckha m Fo reword Foreword 7 Hello The face we present to the world says so much about us.

Our lines show our wisdom and exper ience; they are reminders of every time weve laughed with friends and family. Skin tells a story of our past and present how were feeling and how weve lived. For me, taking care of peoples skin is much more than a job. Its always been about people: connecting with them and helping them find happiness with their skin. Quite literally, my job is about guiding them to a place where they feel comfortable in their skin. This is a journey Ive been on in one way or another since I was a baby.

For many people, an interest in skincare starts with their own skin condition. In my case, it was severe burns caused by a house fire. These burns covered my body as a child and stretched and grew with me. Spur red on by nast y comments and bullying throughout my school years, I developed an early interest almost an obsession with skincare. If anything, this gave me a passion to chase and an ambition to guide my adult choices. I went on to study and learn about every element of skincare I could, eventually opening my first studio in my hometown of Sydney and starting my business the onl y way I knew how: with grit, hard work and dedication.

Since then, my love of and over whelming interest in skincare have taken me all over the world. Im so lucky to collaborate with incredible people and treat clients from all walks of life. Its something I dont take for granted, and I feel extremely lucky every day. Ive learned one key thing through all of this: trends will come and go, but glowing, healthy skin never goes Introduc tion 9 out of style. A s long as our skin is healthy, it remains beautiful no matter our age. For me, skincare that works is about highlighting what we already have, not adding something that doesnt exist.

A true and successful result, in my eyes, is when a client leaves my studio feeling more confident, beautiful or comfortable in their skin and believes theyve received a return on their investment whatever that return may be to them. Its the ultimate gift when a woman can go make-up free, feeling confident with her natural skin, allowing her beauty to shine through. I wear very little make-up myself, and it empowers me. Healthy skin doesnt need make-up; it glows on its own. For many, the ability to skip on make-up is the ultimate goal, and investing in our skin health provides the perfect base for facing the world completel y naturally. Sharing my knowledge about skincare in the form of realistic advice is the backbone of what I do.

When a client walks into my studio, my focus isnt solely on treating their skin that day it extends to other aspects of their life because skin health ties in with so many other things. For example, I am a firm believer that our diet influences the health of our skin, just as it does every other organ. The products we put on our skin, the way we spend our time and the things we put into our body all play a role in how our skin looks and feels. This holistic approach to skincare is the conversation I explore in this book. I have two sons, Bass and Adam, and an amazing husband, Jason, who are all too aware of the role skin health has in my life. My sons will likely tell you Im a little too obsessed with sun protection, and my husband still doesnt know an IPL from an LED, but Im incredibly fortunate to have had their support throughout my career.

It hasnt always been eas y. I travel a lot for work, and theres no such thing as work/life balance, especially when you have kids. 10 The modern guide to skin health The myth of having it all is precisely that a myth but over time, Ive figured out how I can do both at different times and in ways that are sustainable to me. Its a massive juggle, its stressful, and it certainly didnt happen overnight. The friends Ive made along the way constantly encourage me. Victoria, who wrote the foreword to this book, is one of the most inspiring women I know.

And at home in Sydney, Im surrounded by a group of women who champion each other to be our very best. And Ive always been motivated by my clients through every stage of my career and business. They are busy people who want to feel better and let go of their vulnerabilities to embrace their skin. Im just one piece of that puzzle, but seeing a client with a smile is what keeps me going; its why Ive stayed in this industry for so long. Now, two decades after launching my business, Im excited to share everything Ive learned with you. The reality is that not everyone can have perfect skin.