In need of a kick-start to the new year, I headed to COMO Shambhala at The Metropolitan Hotel on Park Lane to treat my skin to a PURIFY Holistic Facial.
COMO Shambhala is all about holistic wellness – re-balancing your body and mind using potent natural and botanical ingredients.
Most facial treatments involve some degree of stress-busting and relaxation, but I was keen to experience the holistic approach and see how effective it would be.
Steam Room
I arrived around 15 minutes early and was offered use of the steam room before my treatment. The mosaic tiled steam room with tiny colour-changing star lights instantly relaxed my body and opened my pores before my treatment.
My therapist came to collect me when it was time for the facial and after a quick shower, I changed into my fluffy white robe and slippers and began with the medical survey.
Objectives
I was asked what was my main objective for the facial and I opted for radiance and clearing the congested areas of my skin.
Once I was settled on the treatment bed, the therapist placed a long cushion under my knees and an extra towel under my head for extra comfort. To keep my body balanced throughout the treatment, she placed a steamed herbal bolus under each of my hands.
This careful attention to detail make it feel like a full body treatment rather than just a facial, which is central to COMO Shambhala’s holistic philosophy.
The Facial
The facial began with a thorough cleanse and a relaxing PURIFY-infused steam compress. This was followed by a gentle exfoliation and a spritz of cooling toner. A layer of PURIFY Firming Hydrating Mask was then applied with a brush and my therapist gave me an invigorating arm and hand massage while it was working.
One of my favourite parts of the treatment was the hand massage, which involved interlocking hands with my therapist while she used circular movements to release the tension – it felt absolutely divine. My face was then massaged using natural oils and a herbal bolus, which helps detoxify and stimulate the skin using deep acupressure.
In between the two hydrating masks, I had some extraction to clear the congested areas of my skin. It wasn’t painful, but it did take me out of my holistic bubble for a minute or two. My extraction perseverance was rewarded with a long, heavenly shoulder, neck and head massage.
My second mask was then removed using the steamed compresses again and this time the therapist used four compresses in quick succession to really clear my skin. She then patted some light moisturiser onto my skin and that was the end of a blissful holistic spa journey.
Reviving Ginger Tea
I was gently brought round by my therapist, who told me to take my time getting up, while she prepared a hot drink for me. I was offered a cup of fiery ginger tea with manuka honey and lemon, which is made fresh every morning at the spa. It was so potent that I felt revitalised and lifted out of my dreamy daze.
I left feeling rejuvenated, cared for, walking on air and ready to tackle a brand new year – resolutions newly affirmed. The holistic experience really made me feel like my whole body had been revitalised, washing away all of the tension and bringing clarity and flowing energy.
Results
My skin felt instantly plump, smooth and hydrated. The effects lasted for days and my skin did look significantly more radiant.
If you’re celebrating with friends or just want to prolong the relaxation, The Metropolitan Hotel has a number of dining options, including Nobu, but I can personally recommend the scrumptious De-Light Afternoon Tea in The Met Bar.
The COMO Shambhala PURIFY Holistic Facial at The Metropolitan Hotel is priced at £80 for 75 minutes. For information and booking details, visit: www.comohotels.com
Chérie City was a guest of COMO Shambhala.
For more spa ideas, read my reviews of:
You Might Also Like