AVEDA INSTITUTE
174 High Holborn, Covent Garden, London, WC1V 7AA
www.aveda.co.uk
Place:
The splashes of brown, green and cream give the Aveda Institute a homely and naturalistic feel.
Though the entire ground floor bustles with the activity of a busy hair salon and an in-house café, there’s something relaxing about the place.
Downstairs, the treatment rooms are quite a contrast — soothing music replaces the drone of hairdryers, candles replace electric lights.
Treatments:
A brief oil massage during the hair treatment, which promises to moisturise the hair and build up its resistance, unwinds me in an instant.
My hair is given a good steam treatment while I relax and enjoy the aroma of steaming oils from a small bottle on my left.
The Fusion Stone Massage afterwards — with hot- and cold-stone therapy — revitalises me, leaving me feeling lighter and entirely energised.
Prices:
Women’s haircuts range from £53 (Dh388) to £85 (Dh621), while men’s start at £33 (Dh241).
The hair treatment is for £60 (Dh439) and full-head highlights start at £118 (Dh863).
The Fusion Stone Massage costs £90 (Dh658) for 90 minutes, an hour’s facial £80 (Dh585), and manicures and pedicures start at £22 (Dh161).
BLOWW
4 Regent Pace, London, W1B 5EA
Place:
Large wallpapers, leather furniture and flamboyant decor make Bloww a stylish and sexy salon, with exclusive body treatments apart from the usual therapies.
So you can walk straight out of a relaxing massage and get a manicure and a haircut — all under one roof. Downstairs, away from the activity of the salon, are the treatment rooms — a peaceful retreat.
Treatments:
I don’t know what to expect as I am taken in for the Terra Sigillata Mud Therapy in the Rasul therapy room.
My therapist gives me a plate of scooped Austrian mud — yellow, grey, dark grey, blue — for different parts of the body.
With an empty chair opposite me and a ceiling studded with tiny lights, I realise this definitely is a treat meant for couples.
The entire room fills with relaxing steam as I let the mud soak into my skin.
Prices:
For women, a haircut starts at £60 (Dh438) and for men, at £40 (Dh292). The Terra Sigillata Mud Therapy is priced at £100 (Dh731) for two.
Massages start from £30 (Dh219) for a half-hour express and £70 (Dh511) for an hour’s relaxation massage.
Manicures and pedicures range from £30 (Dh219) to £65 (Dh475), and waxing starts at £15 (Dh110).
BLISS
60 Sloane Avenue, Chelsea, London, SW3 3DD
Place:
The distinct whiteness of this spa lends it a contemporary look, which perfectly suits the posh, trendy area it’s based in — Kensington.
It’s buzzing even on a Tuesday morning, with a row of ongoing manicures and two benches of women kick-starting their day with blissful smoothies while numerous treatment rooms with warm beds remain tucked away downstairs.
Everything is uniformly white, save the huge grass-print wallpaper. Watch out for the new Bliss salon opening in Doha, Qatar.
Treatments:
The highly popular triple-oxygen facial is quite an experience.
Not only is there the usual cleansing, exfoliation, extraction and masks, but during the 85 minutes of the facial, I am treated to a gentle shoulder massage and right at the end, a long blast of pure oxygen on my skin.
My therapist also gives me a prescription of products I should start using — the Bliss Steep Clean range of cleansing milk and moisture lotion, which contain salicylic acid to treat problem areas.
Prices:
The triple-oxygen facial, an all-round complexion reviver, costs £145 (Dh1,060).
A 75-minute body massage, which combines Swedish and shiatsu techniques, costs £100 (Dh731).
Manicures and pedicures range from £30 (Dh219) to £80 (Dh585).
SPA ILLUMINATA
63 South Audley Street, London, W1K 2QS
Place:
In the heart of stylish Mayfair, this spa, set up with timeless Greek-inspired architecture, has a classical elegance.
The cream columns, trickling water and soft music envelop you in tranquility so peaceful it’s almost sleepy. This day spa is a true haven of calm.
Treatments:
I sit back in the romantic jasmine steam chamber and let my skin soak in the oils and earth salts I’ve scrubbed on.
After a shower, with my skin feeling silky, I am led upstairs to a quiet room, where I fall asleep during the Aromassage.
The pure Decleor Aromessences used are so soothing that I’m convinced that I will buy the Aromessence Rose d’Orient specially made for sensitive skin.
Prices:
The Jasmine Steam Treatment costs £45 (Dh329) for 45 minutes.
Facials start at £55 (Dh402) for 30 minutes and the Aromassage costs £85 (Dh621) for an hour.
There is a range of express treatments, starting at £25 (Dh183) for an eyebrow shape.
HYDROHEALING
216a Kensington Park Rd, London, W11 1NR.
Place:
Though the spa is built in a limited space, its cosy treatment rooms are well-designed. The bright whites and blues give the spa a unique, sleek look. It’s the perfect place to detox.
Treatments:
Sleeping on a flotation bed with water-filled cushions is as relaxing as it gets.
A canopy then covers my body, serving as an effective steam bath, while my therapist gives me a soothing massage — I could easily fall asleep.
Then, I am led upstairs for the anticellulite Hydroblitz, which combines gentle suction with water jets.
Prices:
An hour’s Hydroblitz is £65 (Dh475) and if you want to combine this with a detoxifying wrap and a colonic, this hydrodetox package costs £215 (Dh1,571).
An individual colonic will cost you £80 (Dh585). They also have specialised massages called Hydromum for pregnant women — £75 (Dh548) for an hour’s massage.
SANCTUARY
12 Floral Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DH
Place:
This women-only day spa is aesthetically appealing. Its use of dark wood and the colour white, dim lighting and candles allow you to feel at peace.
Its pools, steam- and sauna rooms and in-house restaurant, and its location with shopping opportunities outside make it the perfect venue for a girls’ day out.
Treatments:
The evening treatment sees the spa a little busier. But the Atrium Pool and the lounge have a relaxing atmosphere.
After a mud wrap, which leaves my skin feeling smooth and revived, I find it difficult to keep awake during the Hot Stone massage. I leave the spa feeling pampered.
Prices:
The mud wrap and Hot Stone Massage are both priced at £65 (Dh475) each for 50 minutes.
Facials start at £35 (Dh256), and manicures and pedicures range from £30 (Dh219) to £45 (Dh329).
The Day Spa voucher, includes all spa facilities and costs £67 (Dh490).
