Every body

Some new organic therapies launch into the spa market and we try some impressive face and body treatments

Evolve Wellbeing treatments

Organic brand Evolve has launched a suite of spa therapies comprising six facials and 10 body treatments. All begin with the Evolve Foot Ritual – with herbal tea and a foot soak, cleanse and massage. Facials range from the 50-minute Age Defying Lifting Facial with lymphatic drainage and facial contouring with a rose quartz gua sha, to the 60-minute Custom Blend Facial with its deep cleansing, exfoliation, treatment mask and face and neck massage. Other facials include the Multi Peptide Rejuvenating, Brightening Miracle Vitamin C, Instant Detox Clarifying, and Soothing Hyaluronic. Meanwhile body treatments range from 30 minutes to two hours in length and include Rebalance Ritual with advanced energy work, reflexology, holistic massage and facial contouring, Detox Massage with organic rosemary and purifying lemon essential oils, a Pregnancy Ritual, as well as Custom Blend Massage, Calm Massage, Energise Massage, Nurture Massage, Detox Body Wrap and Organic Sugar Body Scrub.

Evolve Organic Beauty recommends charging £50 for 30 minutes, £90 for one hour, £130 for 90 minutes and £160 for two-hour treatments. 0333 987 5153 / evolvebeauty.co.uk

Tried and tested… Environ Advanced Vitamin Facial

The lowdown: Environ Advanced Vitamin Facials can be adapted to suit any skin type and use intensive concentrations of vitamins A and C and antioxidants that are driven deep into the lower layers of the skin using soundwaves and small electrical pulses, helping to plump fine lines and boost hydration.

The experience: Tatiana Travnikova, the senior skin expert at Skin Matters Holland Park, examined my skin meticulously during the consultation before giving it a thorough cleanse. I could feel the experience in Tatiana’s hands as soon as she started massaging my skin.

She then got out her magnifying glass to take an even closer look. She noticed I had some redness and broken capillaries on my cheeks, which I have started to think is rosacea. For this reason, she didn’t use steam on me, instead using Environ’s micro-exfoliating gel, which opens the pores and cleanses skin deeply.

While we were waiting for the gel to work its magic, Travnikova gave me a wonderful shoulder massage, allowing me to relax. With my pores unclogged, she then carried out extractions, noticing a potential milia that had come up.

Next, another treatment gel was painted on – this one containing vitamin A and beta keratin – and absorption was boosted with sonophoresis (soundwaves) to separate the lipid bi-layers of the skin and create micro-channels for the chosen active ingredients to “fall into”.

Travnikova then applied another solution containing lactic acid to help make my skin supple, reduce redness, and accelerate exfoliation and cell renewal, before using sonophoresis again to drive the solution into the skin.

The next step was by far my favourite – the Peel-off Alginate Mask. It felt so cooling and soothing going on my skin, and while it worked, Travnikova gave me a head massage.

This mask is best used right at the end of treatment to normalise pH levels and create an ultra soft, smooth appearance. The feeling of it being peeled off was so satisfying. I was given Colostrum Gel to go away with, which is antibacterial and supports skin health and thickening due to growth factors, as well as calming the skin.

The verdict: This was a truly relaxing experience and so gentle while achieving results. My skin felt plump, hydrated and nourished. Travnikova’s expertise was outstanding and reminded me why I love seeing beauty therapists over medics for skin treatments – they have such passion for skin and their clients.

Business benefits: Results from this treatment can be seen instantly and there is no downtime. It is also completely customisable for all clients as well as being highly Instagrammable thanks to the peel-off mask finalé.

TriedbyKeziaParkins

IIAA recommends prices should vary by location. Skin Matters charges £198 for the 60-minute facial. 020 8450 2020 / iiaa.co.uk

Tried and tested… Guinot Hydradermie Youth Treatment

The lowdown: Marketed as an alternative to aesthetic procedures, the Hydradermie Youth Treatment rejuvenates skin by boosting cellular activity to promote radiance. The facial is tailored for the client, with eight options including purifying, moisturising, anti-ageing, nourishing, anti-wrinkle, brightening, soothing and sun preparation/repair.

The experience: I visited the Guinot salon in Earlsfield for a treatment with franchisee Justyna Rostek. Rostek has worked with Guinot for 15 years, so she was the perfect person to perform my first ever Guinot facial. During a very thorough consultation, she ascertained I had been over exfoliating and stripping my skin barrier, leading to excessive oil production – although my skin is generally clear, it tends to get shiny very quickly. This led to Rostek choosing the nourishing facial, to start repairing my skin barrier.

After cleansing, Rostek applied Eye Anti-Wrinkle Gel Serum and Nutrition Nourishing Face Gel Serum using the dynamic ionisation setting on Guinot’s Hydraderm device, which transmits energy to skin cells for quick distribution of active ingredients. She moved the electrodes in set patterns across my neck, chest, chin, mouth, cheeks, eye contours and forehead, repeating each movement twice.

After removing surplus serum, she applied Oxygenating Face Emulsion, using thermal electrodes to stimulate cellular activity. Next came Modelage Cream Serum, applied with a relaxing massage to further boost microcirculation. This was followed by Essentiel Nutri Confort Mask, containing oils including jojoba, evening primrose and avocado to restore the skin’s hydrolipidic film. She left this on for 10 minutes, then removed it and applied Eye Fresh Cream, Hydra Beauté Cream and Youth Perfect Finish Cream – a tinted SPF 50 which has a lovely, subtle makeup-like finish and is my absolute favourite Guinot product. Rostek ended with aftercare advice and would usually prescribe products, but in my case her recommendation was to use less, to restore my skin barrier.

The verdict: I appreciated how thorough the consultation was; I’ve had many great facials with skilled therapists, but I’ve never been told over-exfoliation was the root of my skin issues before. The treatment was a synergy of luxurious yet effective skincare and clever technology, and I left the salon well on my way to healthier (and less shiny!) skin.

Business benefits: The treatment has many personalisation options, so it can be tailored to suit almost all clients. The inclusion of a personalised product prescription in the protocol is also a great way to boost retail sales.

Tried by Ellen Cummings

Guinot recommends charging from £85 for the 50–60-minute treatment. guinot.co.uk

Tried and tested… Image Skincare O2 Lift Facial

The lowdown: The O2 Lift Facial uses a foaming mask to deliver oxygen to add brightness, clean clogged pores and clarify skin. In combination, it uses an enzyme peel, stem cells and peptides to boost skin health.

The experience: I visited Glass House Retreat in Upminster for the facial. After a chat with my therapist, Amy Gilbert, about my concerns, we decided the O2 Lift would be best for my dehydrated skin. Under a cosy heated blanket, my treatment began with a crystal press. All treatments at Glass House start with this step to help guests unwind. Gilbert pressed two parcels of warm crystals around the perimeter of my body as pressure therapy and to relax my muscles.

To prep, she used Hydrating Facial Cleanser, removing my makeup and the day’s pollution. Next, she used the enzymatic facial peel to gently exfoliate, and massaged away the dead skin cells with a thorough facial massage.

Then it was time for oxygenation. The O2 Lift oxygenating mask bubbles up on application, with a foam that uses patented Fiflow technology to deliver oxygen to skin.

While the mask bubbled away on my face, Gilbert turned her attention to my shoulders and head with a massage. This was a great distraction from the tingling sensation on my face and added value to the treatment, rather than just waiting for the mask to work.

After the massage, she wiped off the remaining product from my face and fed my skin with the O2 Lift stem cell enhancer. I was then given a bit of the lip-enhancing complex and topped off with SPF.

The verdict: The experience was truly luxurious.

Alongside the beautiful setup, the incorporation of massage added a spa-feel to this results-focused facial. The results were visible from the get-go, with friends and family commenting that I looked refreshed straight after the treatment. My skin has remained bouncy, with a lasting hydration and glow.

Business benefits: With oxygen facials being well-known by consumers as a red-carpet treatment, the O2 Lift is a great option for clients who want to get that quick glow with lasting results. The facial uses high-performance ingredients such as plant-derived stem cells and peptides, as Image Skincare asserts that it’s the skincare that stays on your skin that makes a visible difference.

Tried by Erin Leybourne

Image Skincare recommends charging up to £120. 0345 504 0461 / imageskincare.co.uk

Tried and tested… Pevonia Plantomer Facial

The lowdown: Pevonia uses responsibly sourced phytoorganic and natural ingredients to moisturise, repair and revitalise skin. The Plantomer Facial is designed to alleviate irritated or sensitive skin and incorporates propolis, a material made by bees that is thought to boost barrier function, speed wound healing and help prevent breakouts through its antimicrobial properties.

The experience: I visited Himalayan Springs Spa & Massage Centre in Chiswick, London, where owner Kalpana Gurung began with a thorough consultation to assess my skin concerns and condition. She chose the Plantomer facial, because my skin is in good condition but I suffer from dehydration and occasional breakouts.

The treatment began with the Pevonia Welcome Wellness Ritual, using kneading, pressing and stretching massage, before Gurung cleansed and toned my skin with Pevonia’s Eye Make-Up Remover, lovely citrussmelling Phyto-Gel Cleanser and Sensitive Skin Lotion.

She then applied Enzymes Powder Mask, which targets superficial skin impurities, sebum, seborrheic residues, and dead cells, helping to brighten. While the mask was working, she steamed my face to further open pores.

After removing the mask and doing extractions, Gurung neutralised the enzymes using the cleanser and lotion. She applied Propolis Concentrate, massaging it in with a red LED device to improve absorption, although my skin was so dehydrated it sucked it up. Gurung then covered my eyes and applied Plantomer mask, covering my entire face including my mouth (after checking I wasn’t claustrophobic!). She did a 10-minute arm massage before removing the mask in one movement. She applied remaining product from the ampoule before eye cream and moisturiser. After a hot towel neck roll to release tension, she finished with Phyto-Aromatic Mist.

The verdict: I’ve been working on repairing my skin barrier and this facial definitely helped. It felt soothing, and I loved the honey scent of the propolis ampoule. Gurung was so knowledgeable and her passion for the brand was obvious.

Business benefits: This gentle yet effective facial is great for clients whose skin is sensitive but who still want noticeable results. It is also a good way to appeal to environmentally minded clients, due to Pevonia’s eco credentials.

Tried by Ellen Cummings

Pevonia UK recommends charging £75-85 for the 60-minute facial. 01684 843384 / pevonia.co.uk

Tried and tested… Green Peel at Yemaya London

The lowdown: Green Peel is a herbal peeling treatment. The all-natural plant cocktail is made up of pansy, which contains carotenoids, and salicylic acid. It also has soothing aloe vera and amino acids, enzymes and oligosaccharides.

The experience: I’ve seen some incredible results from the Green Peel and been wanting to try it for some time, so when I came across Yemaya London on Instagram and saw it was a black-owned beauty space, I knew that this was the place for me. Yemaya’s feed is full of amazing process videos of the treatment.

It looks a little aggressive – but the before-and-after results look worth it.

A week before treatment, I had a patch test and met Yemaya owner Mariam Ajibola who went through a thorough consultation before applying a small dab of the peel behind my ear. I had no issues so was fine to return for the treatment.

We started with a thorough double cleanse before Ajibola mixed the herbal ingredients and applied them to my face with a brush. Normally, the peel is scrubbed in for around seven minutes but I told Ajibola my skin might be a bit sensitive so she reduced the time to five minutes.

The peel was quite granular and scratchy so it wasn’t a pleasant five minutes but was nowhere near as bad as I expected – some videos show the client shouting out in pain. This scrubbing starts the process of cell regeneration, which would usually take about 28 days, but the Green Peel claims to reduce that to about five days. We focused on my lower cheeks where I have the most hyperpigmentation and texture.

After the five minutes, my skin felt raw and tingly and I was wrapped in muslin bandages before a solution was applied to neutralise and the product was gently removed. I wasn’t allowed to wash or put anything on my face for five days, apart from the products I was given.

The verdict: While it’s not a relaxing treatment, I got great results. The team are very supportive, with a Whatsapp number active 24 hours to address any concerns. I didn’t peel much but did where it mattered to me – around my nose and on my lower cheeks – although I’ve seen some people peel like snakes with this treatment. The challenging part was not washing or using my regular creams.

Business benefits: Peels are becoming increasingly popular with many clients choosing them over invasive treatments. One of the biggest benefits is the use of all-natural ingredients, as certain clients can be put off by the thought of chemical peels.

Tried by Kezia Parkins

Yemaya London charges £150 to £300 for a 40-minute peel, depending on the strength. yemayalondonbeauty.com