EXCLUSIVEI tried Queen Camilla's bee sting facial and now my skin has a youthful glow - her beauty therapist reveals the royal's favourite skincare products after receiving a Royal Warrant, writes REBEKAH ABSALOM
Deborah Mitchell's rise from a teenage entrepreneur to a celebrated beauty therapist is nothing short of extraordinary.
Starting her business, Heaven, at the age of 18, Deborah introduced the world to her revolutionary bee venom facials, a treatment so unique it soon caught the eye of Queen Camilla.
Now, with her Royal Warrant award, Deborah's innovative skincare has been officially recognised for its excellence, solidifying her place as a pioneer in the beauty industry.
'It's the most incredible feeling,' she says, guiding me through her impressive collection of products. 'It gives me goosebumps.'
I meet Deborah at The Langham, nestled in the vibrant West End, where she's visiting for appointments from her Shropshire headquarters.
When Deborah launched Heaven, she was studying at Telford College and couldn't afford to buy beauty products, leading her to create her own.
It's astounding to see how her company has evolved from her kitchen table into a multi-million-pound global brand.
One might expect someone who owns such an empire to behave in a certain way, but Deborah defies those expectations. She is warm and inviting.
Deborah Mitchell's rise from a teenage entrepreneur to a celebrated beauty therapist is nothing short of extraordinary
Known for her public speaking and candid sharing of personal struggles, the founder has turned past challenges, such as bullying for having severe acne and dyslexia, into driving forces behind her successful business, which she continues to lead with passion.
Deborah exudes glamour in a striking tiger-print ensemble by Rixo, expertly paired with a scarlet Chanel Classic Flap bag. It's easy to see why she was crowned Miss Shropshire in 1986 and named runner-up in Miss Great Britain the following year.
I am thrilled to be experiencing the royally-approved Bee Sting Facial, available for £100 with Deborah or £45 with a member of her team. It will be my first-ever facial.
The hour-long treatment features a selection of organic Heaven by Deborah Mitchell products, including the celebrated Bee Venom Mask, available in various potencies.
The facial is a deeply relaxing and lavish experience. Deborah's expert massage effortlessly smooths out tension and minimises fine lines. My skin feels incredibly soft, supple and hydrated, with a youthful glow.
So, how does it work? Bee venom contains naturally occurring toxins that mimic the effect of a sting, boosting blood flow to the area to stimulate rejuvenation and enhance collagen and elastin production.
The process is painless and serves as a catalyst for skin to better absorb oxygen and nutrients.
The Bee Sting Facial has the royal approval of Queen Camilla.
MailOnline's Senior Features Writer Rebekah Absalom experiences Deborah's renowned Bee Sting Facial, available for £100 or £45 with one of her team members
The hour-long treatment features a selection of organic Heaven by Deborah Mitchell products, including the celebrated Bee Venom Mask, available in various potencies
Rebekah says: 'The facial is a deeply relaxing and lavish experience. Deborah's expert facial massage effortlessly smooths out tension and minimises fine lines. My skin feels incredibly soft, supple and hydrated, with a youthful glow'
The entrepreneur describes Camilla as 'the most incredible woman who cares so much,' recalling a time she arrived for an appointment with Her Majesty in Scotland without a coat.
'Straight away Camilla sent someone out for this beautiful jumper,' Deborah says with a smile. 'I joked that I would do it again to get a coat and she laughed.'
Deborah first began treating Camilla in 2006, a year after her marriage to King Charles. She has visited Clarence House numerous times.
'It's just like going to a friend's house who looks after you really well,' she says, in a surprisingly laid-back manner.
While she remains 'fiercely protective' of her clients' skincare routines, the beauty therapist reveals that Camilla is a fan of the Gold Bee Venom Mask, which retails for £370.
This mask, often hailed as a natural alternative to Botox, contains rare bee venom known as Abeetoxin®, with only 500 jars produced annually.
Deborah fondly remembers the creation of this iconic product and how the idea came to her in a dream.
'When I first treated Her Royal Highness, I did a facial called Lia Therapy, which is a beautiful skin healing facial,' she recollects. 'That night I went to bed and dreamed of my bee venom mask.
'The next morning I made it. I tested it on several clients and later, the Queen, who was so absolutely lovely about it.
'She was interested in the skin's response and its instant transformation.'
Queen Camilla is a fan of Deborah Mitchell's renowned Bee Sting Facial
The bee venom masks come in three strengths: Silver, made from worker bees, is for beginners; the Black version features potent African black venom; and Camilla's favoured Gold mask contains venom from Queen bees
Coincidentally, Camilla is a beekeeper herself and last year partnered with Fortnum & Mason to sell honey produced by bees from her private garden in Wiltshire.
All proceeds were donated to Mirabel, a charity supporting survivors of sexual violence in Nigeria.
Deborah was sworn to secrecy about her treatments, but Camilla's radiant appearance sparked public curiosity.
'I didn't even tell my mum I was treating Camilla, but people started to see how beautiful she looked and were phoning the Palace to ask if she was having bee sting facials,' Deborah explains. 'It was them who actually told the press.'
Bee venom, extracted through a harmless process of 'milking' the bees - where they sting a vibrating object - is renowned for its anti-aging benefits.
It also helps with eczema, rosacea and acne, contributing to the mask's impressive sales, with a jar sold every minute.
'This is so beautiful on the skin,' Deborah demonstrates, gently applying a dollop to my visage. 'My bee venom isn't like anything else. It makes your face look like it's been Facetuned.
'People have tried to copy my product, but they can't get the same results.
'This mask makes it possible for someone aged 45+ to have skin that looks 20 years younger.'
The mask comes in three strengths: Silver, made from worker bees, is for beginners; the Black version features potent African black venom; and Camilla's favoured Gold mask contains venom from Queen bees.
Now, with her Royal Warrant award, Deborah's innovative skincare has been officially recognised for its excellence, solidifying her place as a pioneer in the beauty industry
Queen Camilla also uses the award-winning Heaven by Deborah Mitchell Collagen Drops (£74 for a month's supply), a natural marine supplement enriched with hyaluronic acid, suitable for both men and women
I learn that Camilla also uses the award-winning Collagen Drops (£74 for a month's supply), a natural marine supplement enriched with hyaluronic acid, suitable for both men and women.
I sample a dose of the orange-flavoured liquid and I'm pleasantly surprised by its sweet taste.
The drops are intended for daily use, either orally or applied topically, to enhance hair, nails and skin.
'Collagen is an amazing product. I bought out collagen drops to work on the inside as the bee venom works on the outside,' Deborah explains.
'They assist hair growth and help the skin appear smooth and youthful. The drops do not enter the stomach.'
Clinically proven to show results within a week, they can also boost energy levels and help alleviate joint pain.
'The Queen is a natural beauty and would not use aesthetics, so my skincare is perfect for her,' the therapist adds.
While admitting to having other royal clients, Deborah declines to reveal who else uses her products.
'I have treated other members of the family and you can see my skincare is working beautifully on them. The collagen is assisting in their hair growth, too.'
Rebekah is delighted with the results of Deborah's signature Bee Sting Facial
Deborah is accompanied to London by her husband, Chris, with whom she has been married for 28 years, and her friend, Jill.
That evening, they have a dinner reservation at the upscale French restaurant Bob Bob Ricard in Soho.
Chris, who has had the privilege of meeting King Charles and Queen Camilla, describes them as 'lovely, down-to-earth people,' and mentions Charles' 'great sense of humour'.
In fact, Deborah recently had the chance to trim the King's eyebrows after an appointment with his wife.
The beauty therapist's dedication to her brand and clients is evident. 'I love helping people,' she says.
When asked to share her best advice, she responds: 'Look after your skin with a good routine because your skin is precious.
'You get what you pay for - don't go cheap, but don't overspend either. Big companies set high prices thinking customers will buy into the cost, but we are not fooled!'
In addition to the Bee Venom products, Heaven offers a vegan-friendly Nettle Venom collection, which works in the same way using plant-based ingredients, a Collagen collection, and skincare for men, all produced in one factory.
Deborah continues to work at her flagship salon in Shifnal, Shropshire, which she has transformed into a serene haven since its opening in 1995.
The salon features her range of natural skincare products and an elite team of beauticians, offering clients a truly luxurious experience.
