Health & Wellbeing at R/A – Skincare with Pure Opulence Beauty

With over 20 years experience in the Beauty Industry, founder of Pure Opulence Beauty, Natasha Howland, found some time out of her busy diary to talk to our students about skincare. It was great for RA students to hear some myth busting truths and receive specialist advice to learn how to keep their skin protected, and in tip top shape, amidst a high energy, hectic schedule.

Here’s small selection of the key things we learnt about skincare:

  • On an evening, wash skin twice, once to remove make-up and again to clean the skin
  • Only use specific eye creams or gels around the eye area. Using general moisturisers can cause puffiness.
  • An SPF isn’t only to protect from sun burn, during winter skin is at risk of wind burn too!
  • When exfoliating, try and stick to once a week to prevent overstimulising oil glands
  • Thinnest – Thickest: use this guide to apply your products e.g. wash face, eye cream, serum, moisturiser, spf

Spot anything you could try or do differently from today?

We asked a couple of our students what they’d do differently as a result of Natasha’s advice: Third year Musical Theatre student Connah Walsh didn’t realise there was so much required to protect his skin; not only using an spf to protect against sunburn but also through the colder months to prevent windburn. Although Connah currently uses a daily moisturiser, Natasha reccomended Connah use products containing rose, to further benefit his skin type. And first year Olivia May Topping is eager to adopt a ‘cleanse twice’ routine, firstly removing make up and then washing the skin underneath. Natasha reccomended this as a part of the daily nightime skincare routine, ensuring make up is removed by 11pm, when the skin begins to actively repair itself.

There were so many useful tips we could go on for pages but instead, have a read through some of our student’s questions for Natasha below, and see whether any of the advice could work for you too! You can book treatments or seek advice directly from Natasha by visiting her website www.pureopulencebeauty.com or via social media @pure_opulence_beauty @the_apothecary_skincare_clinic

Q: I have some marks on my skin and I’m not sure whether I can heal them?

A: If they’re red, they’re still in the process of healing, so something can be done to aid this process. Use a Vitamin C Moisturiser to help regenerate, The Body Shop do a good one.

Q: You reccomended getting a facial once every 6-8 weeks, but there are so many options out there. Which do you suggest?

A: Go with someone who can offer you a consultation first. They’ll ask you what your skin concerns are and be able to pick the right products for your skin type.

Q: If you’re using a Gel cleanser, how do you apply and remove it?

A: Gel will foam to break away dead skin cells and grime. Mix with a tiny bit of water to really foam it up and rub vigorously into the skin, then rinse with warm water (not too hot as this only dehydrates the skin) and don’t forget to wash behind your ears! TIP – Cream cleansers are better for aging skin, and Oil cleansers amazing for really breaking down the dirt.

Q: What’s exfoliator?

A: A gritty product to remove dead skin cells. Use once a week.

Q: How do I get rid of or prevent ingrowing hairs?

A: Exfoliate and moisturise regularly.

Q: How do I reduce redness in my skin?

A: Use Lavendar or Rose Oil or products containing these ingredients.

If you’re interested in hearing more about our excellent industry lead training, or want to #jointherenaissance, come along to our Open Day on Sunday 12th january 2020. Register here http://renaissancearts.co.uk/open-day-2/

NB: None of the skincare brands used or reccomended during this lecture were affiliated.

Health & Wellbeing at R/A – Performance Science

R/A Faculty Tim Jarrett has been leading the University of Leeds Strength and Conditioning department for the last 4 years, having previously worked for Sheffield Hallam University and in roles at 3 professional football clubs. ‘My experience ranges from working with Olympic and World-level athletes to those preparing for regional level competitions around the UK. Having worked across a multitude of different sports and seeing how different athletes prepare, I now enjoy the challenge of applying best practise to a group of talented performing artists at Renaissance Arts.’

Two years ago, directors struck up a partnership with The Edge gym at Leeds University, introducing strength and conditioning coaching in to the course timetable. Students attend weekly sessions with Tim and colleague Ben Warman in small groups to work through a bespoke training program.

Last week, alongside their physical gym training sessions, we invited Tim Jarrett in to present a lecture to Renaissance Arts students on performance science. As 3rd year R/A student Sebastian Binns so elequantly put it …’when you become the athlete, you become the artist.’ But training with Tim and Ben hasn’t only been about physical strength, students are also taught about channelling mindfulness in regards to their training highs and lows. We asked first year student Charlotte Marsh what she’d taken away from Tim’s lecture and she felt inspired by key statements such as ‘a positive outlook on things encourages growth and improvement’, further explaining that she now understands she should be using setbacks as an opportunity to learn.

It’s rewarding for the Directors to see that during the short time investing in this area for the students, their mindset has become much more focussed on not only mastering their performance technique, but also their understanding of how althleticism is a key contributing factor to their future career as professional performers. Good training equals consistency!

‘Through all the challenges young people face, we believe in maintaining this training practice so that they can remain focussed on their personal goals and ambitions and management of expectations. Even when having a bad day, they can still achieve so much. ‘ Martin Howland, RA Director of Ballet

#thriveonchallenge #technicallyexcellent #leedsgryphons #trainwiththebest #professionaltraining #mindfullness #becometheathlete #becometheartist #encouraginggrowth #positivity #focus #managingexpectations

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