Emer O'Callaghan: It’s time for your September reset

Hello, September! I love this month, and not just because it’s my birthday month.

It’s just a lovely month of transition, the end of a scorcher of a summer and into a new autumnal season - and it’s also the most harsh season on the skin, you know. This makes it an important time to get a facial.

Already, my summer migrants, as I call them - the clients that head off for the summer months - are back in with lots of noticeable pigmentation and sun-damaged skin.

The schools are back, and that’s a huge relief for so many parents who had the summer juggle, and let’s not forget the amazing single parents, male and female, who do it solo - some people are just incredible.

September, I always feel, is like another January, and while it’s the start of the school year, it’s a fantastic opportunity for everyone to turn over a new leaf and start a beauty regimen, be it having facials, getting regular massages, or taking up a new class or hobby.

We still have a few more months left this year, so now is as good a time as any to get on it.

Already, my 2027 appointments are booking in fast, and I love how my organised clients are in early.

DON’T PUT AWAY THE SPF

SPF is now needed 365 days a year for everyone. Harmful UV rays are out every day in daylight, but many will put away their SPF now till next summer. Opened SPFs will go off after 12 months too.

I am big on education, and I have all my clients told about how the SPF is a non-negotiable for winter also.

I can see by their skin the ones who listen and the ones who don’t. Please use SPF daily, and don’t be sparing with it.

CONSISTENCY IS THE KEY

The power of consistency will never be lost in my life. I’m big into consistency it’s such a great habit to have in every aspect of life.

By being consistent with good daily and weekly routines, you build on improvements; it’s like stacking, I call it. I just love the clients who are equally of this mindset.

I’ve seen the results firsthand in my clinic in the clients who are consistent in their monthly facials, as opposed to the clients who are sporadic and spontaneous.

WHERE ARE YOU ON THE LIST?

I love lists; I have daily lists, weekly lists, and you get to see very clearly who prioritises themselves on their own to-do list.

Far too many put everything and everyone ahead of them. There is no prize for who can age the fastest or who has the most wrinkles by 65.

This is why I always refer in my beauty videos to the high-value woman, and you can watch these on our Emerald Beauty Clinic Facebook, Instagram and TikTok pages.

A high-value woman knows the true value and importance of putting herself and her needs on her list. In fact, she makes her needs top of her list. She knows the importance of investing in herself, her skin, her nails, her hair, because there is no denying it, when we look good, we feel good.

We all like a compliment, but the best one you can give yourself is to put yourself on your own list.

So pick up the phone, stop procrastinating, and book the facial, get the massage, go to the class, book the hair, start investing in you.

FIRSTLY, DE-STRESS

What do you do to de-stress? I ask my stressed-out clients this all the time. For me, I dive into the sea, I go to the driving range and whack a few balls as hard as I can, I go for big walks, I get a massage, I meditate a lot - I get out of my own head and I make sure I do one of these daily to keep stress from building up in my body and mind.

We all have the ability to manage our stress, we just need to do it.

A facial massage is amazing to release all that tension in your face, neck, and head. I see frown lines all day long and it’s stress that has formed them.

FACIALS WORK

It has been scientifically proven that the correct, non-invasive facials like the ones I do every day in my clinic with the two best skincare brands in the world, Dermalogica and Guinot, get results.

Whether it’s clearing up skin conditions, from acne, to rosacea, pigmentation, or premature ageing, you can and do take years off your face.

I always say the face doesn’t lie, you can see when someone puts time and care into their skin.

AM AND PM

So many were just once a day with their skincare over summer, the routine went out the window and the skin is showing it now.

The same as the kids getting back into bed earlier again for school after the summer lie-ins, so too do we all need to get back into basic skincare of double cleans, tone and moisturiser every morning and evening.

Remember, optimal skin time at night is having your skincare done by 8pm to allow full absorption of products. Once a day is not OK.

I see people all the time who say they only manage it once a day, but then they wonder why they have noticeable blackheads and dirt on their skin. We all have to take responsibility for our own skin and health.

STOP SELF-DIAGNOSING YOUR OWN SKIN

This is an Irish ladies’ favourite pastime.

All my skin plans are for 6-8 weeks and you need to keep using the good products I use and recommend, and stay on the right path.

We aim to slow down ageing, clear acne, and remove pigmentation damage, and the educated client knows this and puts her trust in us - the experts.

Those who ignore the advice and go down the cheap route will not get the same results.

Equally, I see first-hand how kind people are, not just to themselves and in taking good care of themselves, they are also kind to others.

They are kind in how they speak and interact in life.

We all choose how we wish to be in this life, and I will always choose kindness because the alternatives are just low value.

I hope you find this September a good catalyst for you to put yourself first on your own list.

Invest some time, care and energy back into you this year.

Emer O’Callaghan is a beauty doctor, skin specialist, and winner of Irish Beauty Therapist of the Year and works at Emerald Organic Beauty Products Ltd, trading as Emerald Beauty Clinic, 021 4365949. A multi award winning Guinot Crown Elite Clinic and Dermalogica Centre of Skin Excellence, 2008-2026, www.emeraldbeautyclinic.ie - follow us on Facebook/instagram/TikTok now.

SIX WEEK SKIN KICKSTART

Age has no limit and everyone’s skin needs a kick-start. September is a fabulous time of the year to do this.

I launched the 6-Week Kickstart plan in my clinic back in Easter and the uptake and results have been phenomenal.

Whether you are 30 or 80, your skin will transform. There is no joining fee, you simply pay for each facial, and we do three different professional facials over the course of six weeks.

You will be given a personalised skincare plan to follow and the correct products prescribed for you.

By the end of the six weeks, we will have removed dead skin and by following the routine at home, the skin becomes youthful, radiant, and glowing.

To book, simply call Emerald Beauty Clinic on 021 4365949. Appointments only. Free parking for clients.