Meet The Founder

Glow Like Gwyneth with Sonya Dakar’s Signature Facial

Gwyneth Paltrow Sonya Dakar

Facialist to many of the biggest names in Hollywood – the never-ageing Gwyneth Paltrow, and THE current darling of the film-industry (and world) whose name we cannot mention but, let us just say she’s renowned for falling over, photo-bombing, wearing Dior and being ridiculously good at acting – Sonya Dakar’s skin care is the secret to the stars’ red carpet ‘glow’. Stacia, our fabulous International Buying Director was fortunate enough to get the A-list treatment, and was staggered by Sonya’s face-changing skills…

“Let me start by saying {Sonya Dakar} is a force to be reckoned with.

She is a font of knowledge, a pioneer in natural skin care… and a bossy boots. I fell in love with her on sight – her passion for her products, for ingredients, for problem-solving and for life in general, is nothing short of awe-inspiring. She scrutinises your face from the minute she meets you. You think she’s listening attentively, but she’s not… she’s analysing your complexion.

On my last visit to the clinic, I was lucky enough to experience the Sonya Dakar facial first-hand. Remember, her clinic is the nearest thing to skin care mecca – a glow-bestowing drop-in centre for the world’s most celebrated beauties.

I began by filling out a very detailed skin analysis chart, and then my treatment started.

First, my face was thoroughly cleansed with the heavenly-scented {Buriti Oil Cleanser}, then deep cleansed with the {Detox Micro Scrub}. This two-step process helps ensure that the canvas is spotlessly polished and perfectly prepped.

Next up, my personal favourite – {Flash Facial} – which exfoliates the skin incredibly gently (but effectively), eliminating dead cells and promoting plumpness to dispel that ‘crêpey’ look. The main ingredient – hylasome – hydrates skin 35% more effectively than hyaluronic acid, which is why your face looks ‘cushiony’ and luminous immediately after application.

After this, a layer of the {Nano Mask} was applied, and then the skin was steamed for a few minutes.

A relatively quick and painless extraction phase followed, then the {Nano Peel} was used to lighten, brighten and promote skin softness. The ‘Nano’ products are enriched with rare Swiss apple stem cells, which promote tissue’s regenerative processes for maximum, age-defying effect.

I then underwent a series of specialist treatments (a little trickier to ‘DIY’, unless you’ve access to a multitude of diamond wands). Sonya indulged me with a diamond peel (to resurface and soften visibility of fine lines), LED red light treatment – to promote deeper penetration of a {Nano Mask}, {Stem Cell Transformer} and {Omega Booster} mixture – and then ‘Total Lift’ (which relies on magnetic frequencies to lift and sculpt your visage).

The facial is completed with light layers of Sonya Dakar’s treatment serums – to target specific skin concerns – all ‘sealed in’ with the {Organic Omega Booster} and topped off with a layer of the {Daily Face Shield SPF 30}.

The result after one treatment was quite astonishing. And you can sustain the benefits with Sonya’s simple skin-scription. “It’s less about the number of steps and more about identifying your skin’s needs”, says Sonya. “You can condense the ritual to four or five stages – cleanse, serum, hydrator, eye cream and always, always, sunscreen”.”

So, want to glow just like Lennifer Jawrence (*huge hint*)? Discover Sonya Dakar and bring her highly-prized skin brilliance to the comfort of your very own home.

DISCOVER SONYA DAKAR >>



Verity Douglas

Verity Douglas

Content Editor

Verity is our Content Editor and a Cult Beauty veteran. Currently on maternity leave, raising Cult Beauty’s honorary ‘word nerd’, Tabitha, she speaks fluent ‘beauty’ and loves nothing more than the marriage of language and lip balm (and cleanser and candles… ad infinitum). Nothing can stop her from quoting Nancy Mitford, treating herself to yet another Bella Freud candle for her desk or buying that pilgrim-esque collared or heavily fringed outfit she’s been eyeing. You can trust her to debunk widespread beauty myths and dispense invaluable advice with ease…