1 THE A-LIST FACIAL
If your skin needs a glamorous pampering, try Vaishaly Patel’s Signature Facial.
A must-visit destination for those-in-the-know, even if you do have to wait six months for an appointment. It is Vaishaly’s ‘magic’ touch, facial massage skills and skin insights that keep many devoted clients returning for more.At a glance – and a touch – Vaishaly was able to tell a great deal about my skin’s needs. Her sought-after, hour-long signature facial is a powerful combination of extraction, microdermabrasion (a mini appliance blasts the face with aluminium-oxide crystals, then removes dead skin). This was followed by a blissful lymphatic stimulation massage, followed by a clay mask and soothing moisturiser.
2 THE RICH GIRLS FACIAL
If your skin needs ‘crème’ of the crop style luxury that promises eternal youth,try the Crème de la Mer facial.
This spa experience converges the healing energies of the sea, light, sound and touch to impart a profound sense of wellbeing. I lay down on a relaxing treatment bed in view of a gently lit aquarium with water quietly flowing over slate. All stress floated away as my feet were smoothed and massaged in Crème de la Mer’s sensorial waters. This was followed by a face massage using sea quartz and pure diamond dust to refine the skin and prepare it for a concentration of the original Miracle Broth™(a priceless extract sealed with the legendary Crème de la Mer, infusing skin with vital nutrients and energies). After 90 minutes of pure skin indulgence, my hands were then treated to a therapeutic pressure point massage.
3 THE DRY SKIN FACIAL
If your skin needs an SOS hydration fix, the E’SPA Rehydrator Facial is the one for you.
This is the ultimate rescue for dry, stressed-out and tired complexions and skin that needs a little help. My face, neck and décolleté was treated to a deep cleanse, followed by exfoliation and a nourishing, hydrating facial massage incorporating acupressure and lymph drainage using the latest E’SPA wonder product – Botanical Rescue. A firming mineral mask was then applied and left to absorb while I was given a heavenly, mind clearing scalp massage. The treatment was topped off by a nourishing moisturiser.
4 THE ANTI-BOTOX FACIAL
If your skin needs a natural lift, the Jurlique Fingertip Facelift Facial will work wonders for you.
My therapist called it the ‘natural alternative to cosmetic surgery’. The DeLuxe Rejuvanessence Jurlique facial comprised of a unique and very precise massage technique, using facial reflexology on the 91 muscles of the face, neck, skull and shoulders, whilst working on the connective tissue to make it more elastic and flexible. The massage was carried out using specially selected anti-ageing and rejuvenating products taken from the holistic, natural and organic Jurlique range. The aim of this facial approach is to help melt away lines and wrinkles, and revitalises the skin, leading to a younger, silkier and healthier appearance.
5 THE SKIN-KNOW HOW FACIAL
If you need some skin education, book yourself in for the Dermalogica facial.
After a full consultation and a beverage prescribed to suit your needs – relax, energise or detoxify. I lay back and relaxed whilst the therapist gave me a double cleanse under steam. This was followed by a thorough and unique Face Mapping skin analysis procedure (where my face was divided into 14 zones and the therapist pointed out areas of concern – from dehydrated areas to areas which were over-sensitive). After this, the treatment was tailored according to my skin’s concerns. Mine followed with an exfoliation, massage and finished with a helping of an addictive nourishing moisturiser.
6 THE HEALING FACIAL
If your skin needs a bespoke and personalised fix, the Gem Stone Facial will suit you just fine.
The Gem Stone facial was the first completely bespoke, personalised ayurvedic facial I have tried. My treatment started with a facial and pulse diagnosis, Iridology and Tongue Analysis to identify your skin’s needs. This diagnosis identified my ayurvedic elements or doshas, which control particular organs or bodily functions. You could be a vata (air), pitta (fire) or kapha (water) – or a combination. According to the findings in the diagnosis, fresh ingredients are blended specifically for your dosha (personality type) and your skin’s needs – all handmade with organic ingredients and infused with crushed gem stones (such as bloodstone, jasper, quartz, tiger’s eye), mineral extracts, homeopathic remedies, ayurvedic herbs and therapeutic oils (such as lavender, lotus, neroli, bergamot, rose geranium, rose oil, ylang ylang). What impressed me most about this facial was the attention to your specific needs. The products include not just herbal remedies but also homeopathic and ayurvedic ones that are individualised and specially added to the mix during your treatment. My neck pains were also treated with some reflexology and acupuncture. At the end of the facial, I got to take home all the products that were used in little bottles, to continue the good work!
7 THE YOUTH BOOSTING FACIAL
Elemis Visible Brilliance presents the Elemis Facial for those whose skin needs a youthful boost.
Before I started, my facialist informed me that my skins elasticity would increase by up to 28% and moisturisation levels by up to 38% after just one of these facials. The anti-ageing face and eye treatment instantly firms, decongests and plumps up the skin whilst reducing dark circles from around the eye contour. Specialised micro-circulatory massage techniques combined with the powerful proven formulations of Liquid Radiance, Cellular Recovery and the two-phase Amino Active Mask to help smooth, sculpt and restore skin radiance and plumpness. The superior treatment was further enhanced by a luxurious hand and arm massage and de-stress scalp treatment. Papaya Enzyme Peel, a gentle steam gives an even coverage by targeting any congested areas. After 75 minutes of pampering, I was woken by the gentle chime of tingsha bells, symbolising the ‘awakening’ and the end of the treatment.
8 THE PAMPERING FACIAL
If you’re looking for a treatment that is more than ‘just a facial’, opt for the Dr Hauschka Facial Treatment.
The treatment began with my feet being bathed in an aromatic sage filled bath. The foot and leg massage, hand and arm massage and head relaxation prepared me for the rest of the facial. The five step treatment started with a cleanse – including warm aromatic compresses, followed by a facial sauna and a clay-based mask mixed up to suit my skin. After two hours of pure bliss – which included the use of brushes with rhythmical sweeping movements to stimulate the lymph system, application of homeopathic ampoules to balance the skin and the use of the most gorgeous smelling products – I woke up to a thoroughly energised.
9 THE THERAPEUTIC FACIAL
If your skin needs a therapeutic boost Japanese style, try SK II Gen Ki Facial.
Steeped in ancient healing techniques incorporating tsubo energy pressure points and traditional Japanese facial massage, the SK-II Gen-Ki Energy facial left my skin visibly energised and firmer. The luxurious facial massage treatment uses four Japanese techniques of cleansing, steaming, energising and moisturising. The facial began with a tension releasing neck massage and a hot towel facial wrap to improve the circulation of blood, oxygen and nutrients to the face. My skin was then purified with SK-II’s Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil and toned with the Treatment Clear Lotion. This followed by an application of SK-II’s signature product Facial Treatment Essence loaded with Pitera, applied to the face, neck and decolletage to help combat dehydration. Next is an application of SK-II’s Facial Treatment Massage Cream, using massage movements that help to lift and firm the skin. Specially targeted facial pressure points were then stimulated. SK-II’s Signs Uplifter is then applied to target areas, where loss of elasticity can be seen. This is followed by the application of a Facial Treatment Mask to further tackle elasticity issues
10 THE CHOCOHOLICS FACIAL
If your skin needs a naughty treat, try the Co-co2 facial - the ultimate experience of feeling uplifted and looking radiant.
Co-co2 is a unique combination of Herzog’s unparalleled oxygen skin care products and the beneficial properties contained in chocolate. The treatment begins with a deep cleanse and skin preparation and moves on to include a heavenly deep drainage massage using exotic Monoi oil that has been infused in cocoa beans. As the aromas of the beans begin to infuse the air, my skin was lavished with a deeply penetrating oxygen rich mask. In a layering action, this is a Karin Herzog exclusive vitamin rich chocolate cream, blended with the purest Swiss cocoa powder, delivering a multitude of essential anti-oxidants, potassium, lipids, and vitamins to instantly lift and brighten the skin. Finally a delicious layer of freshly melted real Swiss chocolate was used to gently warm and insulate my skin, allowing for all the beneficial ingredients to penetrate deep into the skin. To top it off, I was spoilt with a warm cup of hot chocolate, and a tasty chocolate gift.