Passionate about skin health

Fiona Weston is a Jersey girl at heart. Having lived and worked in Canada, she has settled back home to bring her years of experience in skincare to the island.

Fiona shared her story with Sarah Jane Holt y parents were originally living in Jersey with my sister Tara, then my fathers’ work moved them to the Bahamas where I was born. After a fairly short time their relationship broke down, so my sister, Mother and myself moved back to Jersey. I loved growing up on the island; I get emotional when I remember endless days of fun with my sister on the beach at St Ouen, which is still my favourite place in the island. The smell of cut grass still takes me right back to end-of-term time at JCG! Eventually though, my mother remarried a Brit when I was about 14 so I ended up having to move to the UK for two years. At age sixteen I went to Toronto, Canada to live with my father and his wife.

What did you do in Canada?

I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I had always been interested in beauty, so I started working for Lancôme, Estée Lauder and other well-established beauty houses. After a time the makeup side no longer challenged me and I knew I wanted to get more into skincare, so I went back to school to learn beauty therapy.

I worked initially as a therapist for a salon, but then I started out on my own whilst working alongside a beauty therapist who offered electrolysis and laser hair removal treatments and it worked well, really well. In fact, that’s probably where I’d still be if I hadn’t met my husband, Adrian.

MHow did you meet Adrian?

We went to school together in the UK, we were both 15 at the time, but we were just friends. Suddenly he popped up on Facebook and we started chatting quite regularly. He came out to visit me in Canada and from there we began a long-distance relationship until I made the decision to move back to England.

Did you carry on working in the beauty industry when you got to the UK?

Yes, I actually set up a business called ‘Treat’. I was offering facials, waxing, tanning and nails. It was great because my clients would come to me for everything. When I first started the business, my older sister, Tara, asked if I had heard of Environ – I hadn’t, so I was interested to find out more. Once I started researching suddenly there were articles everywhere about it, very positive articles. I particularly researched the man behind the brand, Dr Des Fernandes.

Who is Dr Des Fernandes?

He is rated among the top five plastic surgeons in the world. Des was a pioneer in the 80s and through intensive research he discovered the essential role vitamin A plays in skin health. He was determined to create a skin care range that would maintain healthy, beautiful looking skin for life, and Environ is the result. I think he’s wonderful; a truly remarkable man. I really liked the company ethos and its impressive links with the International Institute for anti-aging, so I brought Environ into the salon and started using it myself – I was my first test subject! 

Are there a lot of products that clients would need to use?

No, Environ offer a wide range of products which I would highly recommend, but I am happy to work with client’s current regime and introduce Environ gradually. The most important thing is getting the vitamin A on your skin. Along with products for home use, I would always recommend a course of salon treatments (usually 6) using the Environ technology for the best results. The Environ facial machine uses sound waves to push product into the skin rather than a facial massage which can’t penetrate as far.

Can you buy Environ anywhere?

No, your skin needs to be correctly assessed in the salon to discover which products are best suited to you as Environ has a step-up system. This is in order for your skin to adapt to the product to counter any sensitivity issues.

Environ has remained my product of choice because it’s completely results driven. It’s cosmeceutical, as opposed to cosmetic. The average person going into a store is faced by hundreds of products all making similar claimsbut most of those products don’t have the ability to change the structure skin.

Can you explain further?

Cosmeceutical means it has the ability to change the structure of the skin as opposed to cosmetic products. Environ uses vitamin A, retinol and peptide combinations which are known to be really the only thing which can change the structure. Back in January there was a BBC programme called ‘The Truth About Looking Good’ where they explain that the only thing that tackles wrinkles and ageing is retinol and sunscreen. And yes, Environ has a superior suncare product range as well!

With Treat being such a success, why did you leave?

I loved my business and I had really great clients, but I didn’t feel 100% settled in the UK. Deciding to make the move back to the island was not a difficult one to make. On Adrian’s first visit to Jersey it rained nearly every day and he still loved it! Decision made.

You have now set up ‘Fiona Weston Skin Health’, are you offering the same services?

When I first arrived in Jersey I was working with Environ as well as offering massage treatments, however, I knew I wanted to specialise in skin health as that has always been my passion.

As my skin started to age I also wanted to look at non surgical treatments for myself and my clients, knowing the great reputation CACI technology has I wanted to incorporate that into my treatments. The original CACI technology was designed for people with cerebral palsy to create memory in the muscle. The technology has been copied but CACI is the original and the best, with CACI known as the non-surgical facelift. Being able to offer Environ Skincare plus CACI treatments is a fantastic combination.

Would you recommend any other products?

I am aligned with the IIAA (International Institute of AntiAgeing) which has a philosophy of Feed, Fortify and FinishFeed with the Advanced Nutrition programme; Fortify with Environ Skincare; Finish with Jane Iredale makeup.

The Advanced Nutrition Programme is a cutting-edge range of supplements that supports skincare regimes. One of the most popular products is the Accumax, a natural product for hormonal issues and adult acne. It really is true that to achieve beautiful skin on the outside, you need to feed it from the inside with the right nutrients.

Environ Skincare treatments are beautifully complemented with Jane Iredale makeup. Jane Iredale’sbeliefisthat‘themostbeautifulcosmetic you can wear is a healthy skin’. Her range of products are free from synthetic oils, dyes and preservatives yet with beautiful colours across foundation, eye shadows, lip colours and make-up kits. It's so effective that it is recommended by dermatologists and skin care professionals around the world. You now no longer need to worry about running into your friends straight after your treatment as I offer Jane Iredale mineral makeup at the client’s discretion.

You have an impressive loyal client base already, what’s the secret?

It’s no secret, it’s just about caring. I work with my clients and to see their skin improving is very satisfying, that’s what matters to me. I don’t want to just give them a facial and see them to the door, they are investing their time into me and vice versa. 

You can contact Fiona on 07700 875777 or visit www.fionawestonskinhealth.co.uk Fiona Weston Skin Health is located at 3 Charing Cross (3rd floor).