Liz Earle ‘Signature Facial’, Duke of York Square, SW3

As much as I like to take care of my skin, I’ve never been one to go for facials.  Perhaps it’s the price that stops me; but I find it hard to justify spending such a large amount when there’s no guarantee that the results will be worth it.

A special occasion is a good time to make an exception however, and with a major event on the horizon I felt ready to take the plunge.  The choice of facial was easy, with friends almost unanimously recommending the 90 minute Liz Earle Signature facial.  It had also been voted 9 ½ out of 10 by Vogue magazine – so a pretty reliable bet.

Since being introduced to Liz Earle’s products, I’ve been impressed by their effectiveness, lack of fussiness and emphasis on natural botanicals.  Their famous Cleanse and Polish cleanser is second to none, and combined with a muslin cloth, keeps your face fresh and deeply clean.

The Liz Earle store is located just off the bustling Sloane Square end of Kings Road (in Duke of York Square), and on entering you are transported to a tranquil haven below ground.  I sipped a delicious cup of calming herbal tea as I filled in a skin analysis questionnaire.  My therapist Joanna then showed me to my suite, named after a bay on the Isle of Wight, Liz Earle’s home.

This is a facial in name only, in actual fact it is a complete sensory experience.  I was tucked into warm and comfortable bed and treated to one of the most relaxing experiences of my life.  Having arrived particularly stressed, as Joanna cleansed and massaged my face with intoxicatingly relaxing essential oil blends, I could feel the anxiety leave me.

The treatment is a mixture of more traditional hands-on application of masks and cleansers, and combined with vacuum suction and steaming.  First up was a deep cleanse using the famous Cleanse and Polish face wash, exfoliation, lymphatic drainage and face masks. Whenever a mask was applied, I was treated to an arm, neck or head massage.  I felt on the verge of sleep on numerous occasions.  I have never felt so spoilt!   Joanna is a particular fan of manual extraction, so took great pleasure in squeezing my blackheads out (at least somebody enjoys it!).

The results were phenomenal – I looked airbrushed!  My skin was plump and bright, and I felt red carpet ready.  It was then that I realised why an occasional facial really it worth it – in addition to having a regular skin care regime at home, it’s the attention to detail by an expert that makes a difference.  In the same way as brushing your teeth is a daily essential, a polish by the dentist ensures everything looks its best long term.

I left the salon feeling completely rejuvenated, not just in terms of my skin, but in terms of my philosophy.  I wanted to take care of myself, be gentle, and made a promise that I would attend more major events for which a facial would be necessary!

To book one of these amazing facials (£90 for 90 minutes), call: 020 7730 9191 or visit the store at 38-39 Duke of York Square, King’s Road, London, SW3 4LY

Visit the Liz Earle website for further details: http://uk.lizearle.com/treatment-rooms-facials