The Old Fashioned Facial

“You look tired,” Esther Fieldgrass, owner of Kensington’s EF MediSpa informs me knowingly. Before I can protest she’s reeling off all the things I should be doing to keep my skin looking plump and fresh. Vitamin D and Omega 3, 6 and 9 found in fish oils are vital. Damn, I knew that, why did I stop taking those supplements? Soon I’m lying down ready for my Old Fashioned Facial – an eyelash tint and eyebrow shaping makes this ‘old-fashioned’ – with therapist Mina who’s been instructed to pay particular attention to my tense neck; “Best hands in the business,” Esther tells me.

Cleansing my face with cosmeceutical CosMedix’s Benefit Clean , Mina says my skin has good structure, no sun damage (whoopee!) before tut tutting about blackheads and telling me to make sure I clean properly around my ears – whoops, how old am I? While she deftly massages my face and prepares for the extraction (facial-speak for zit-squeezing) I suddenly become very aware of how seriously Mina takes her job. She gets rid of every last blackhead and despite my wincing I’m really pleased with such a thorough job.

And now for the magic ingredients – eyelash tinting and eyebrow shaping. After delicately applying the black eyelash dye (no stinging, thank God) Mina starts massaging my neck and shoulders, and boy is she good. She gets into my knots in a way many facialists just don’t bother. She also incorporates the massage with Reiki on my head and back of neck – this is truly divine. We decide my eyebrows actually don’t need any attention since years of plucking has given them a super-defined shape.

As well as a replenishing Pure Enzymes exfoliating mask, Mina continues to ply my face with moisture-inducing products – I get particularly attached to the Eye Believe Liquid Crystal Serum and Emulsion Intense Hydrator which makes my skin feel extremely springy and moist. Though these products are pricy Mina swears by them, saying they completely cleared up her acne after years of looking for a fix. The proof is in the pudding I guess – her skin looks amazing. Post-facial I’m glowing and peachy and looking super-pretty with my newly-tinted lashes – hurrah! - julia rebaudo

Old Fashioned Facial – £145 for 90 minutes. Optional extras include hand rejuvenation massage (£25), manicure (£15), pedicure (£18). www.efmedispa.com, 0207 937 5554

Tags: EF MediSpa, facial, Old Fashioned Facial, Reiki

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