Before Christmas, I took a little trip to London for a day of pampering.
First up was a facial at the Elemis Day Spa in Mayfair. Everytime I’ve been here it has been such a relaxing and pleasant experience. I was there to try out the Pro-Intense Lift Effect Facial*, which is 50 minutes of powerful lifting techniques to target sagging jowls, checks, chin and neck for the ultimate lift. Now I know what you are thinking, what does a 24-year-old girl need a lifting facial for? Well I’m totally renaming this ‘The Tension Facial’. I didn’t realise how much angst and stress I held in my jaw line. After a quick 15 minute Skin Lab to assess my current skincare condition (more work on pores needed, but relatively low sun damage – whoop!) it was up to the sumptuous treatment room with my lovely therapist.
If you’ve never had a facial, start with an Elemis one, they are the least frightening. Every Elemis facial starts with a hot foot compress to refresh the feet, which is so relaxing. The Pro-Intense Lift Effect Facial (lets just call it PILEF from now on!) uses the Pro-Intense line of products, beginning with a cleanse using my absolute favourite Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm. This is removed using a warm scented mitts, followed by the Rehydrating Ginseng Toner.
That’s when the tension tackling, puffiness reducing and fluid retention releasing begins in the form of a jowl, jawline and chin massage using the facial oil Rose Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsule. This is firmer than other facial massages I’ve had, but so worth it. Your jaw holds a bucket load of tension, with me particularly in a diagonal from my ear to the corner of my lip. On top of the oil comes the Gentle Rose Exfoliator, again removed with the warm washcloth and then a spritz of toner. Once this was over, my therapist hooked a collagen mask from ear to ear under my chin to really maximise that lifted and firmed shape. The massage wasn’t over though. While this was on, it was time for an eye massage, then an eye mask and while my eyes were closed a deliciously indulgent scalp massage. Unhooking the jaw-lifting mask, I was then treated to a Hydra Soothing Gel Sheet mask, then relaxed just a tad more with this on thanks to the neck, chest and shoulder massage. Final touches included more toner, neck and bust cream, eye and lip contour cream and a finishing layer of the Pro Intense Lift Effect Daily Lotion. Utter stress relieving bliss.
After hopping off my floating cloud and out of the Day Spa, I made my way to Knightsbridge to have my barnet attended to, by the lovely Despina at Neville’s Hair and Beauty. I was in much need of being blonder again, but didn’t want there to be a clear line of where I’d had my highlights. Despina understood exactly what I wanted just like last time, and we opted for a half head of highlights* using am ombre technique nearer the scalp so it looked more natural as it grew.
All the staff at Neville are so lovely, but Despina is my favourite. She is the We laughed about boys, talked about family and I feel a genuine bond with her, and not just because of my hair! She’s so easy to talk to, and I feel she really cares about the final result for me. After a luxe blowdry, I had the final reveal and absolutely love it! Even nearly two months later with it growing out, it looks super natural and is still in great condition. I can never be blonde enough it seems, a bit like Goldilocks I suppose and Despina gets it ‘just right’.
Here I am post facial and post blow-dry. Clear skin and clean hair.
After writing about this, I’m craving another pampering day out. I’ve got my notepad at the ready for your favourite beauty haunts. Hit me up!
Levanah
xoxo
*Complimentary press treatments
