QuickBliss Spa, Debenhams, Oxford Street

I was delighted with the results of my facial at the big Bliss Spa in South Kensington and so was excited to be visiting the younger QuickBliss area in Debenhams. This new addition to the Bliss family is pampering shoppers in need of a quick pick me up. The treatments are done in two reclining chairs on the shop floor, just behind the counter.

After you get accustomed to the blaring Christmas soundtrack and chatter of frantic shoppers around you these Quickbliss mini services are really relaxing and nourishing. Sometimes the faff of getting changed and ready for a beauty treatment can be frustrating and as a busy girl I like to get straight to it – Quickbliss is the perfect solution for impatient clients like me. My therapist for the treatment was Shen, a lovely and experienced beautician who is passionate and informative about the service they provide.

Taking inspiration from the extensive full spa menu, Quickbliss in Debenhams has compiled a shorter more precise list of facials, eye treatments, foot treatments, and special services all lasting less than an hour and costing £18 upwards. Here they are about efficiency – getting the best results in as little time as possible. I tried the Oxygen Blast, a shorter version of the spa’s most famous and popular complexion reviver facial. It lasts fifty minutes, and includes an intensive cleansing, exfoliating fruit acid wash, hydrating enzyme pack and vitaminized oxygen spray. It really is a breath of fresh air for your face.

I am wary of loading my face with product after product, but at Bliss you can feel the different lotions working on your skin… the exfoliator tingles, the oxygen spray tickles, they feel like active working products. I loved the machines Shen used during my facial, the porefecter gadget that finely vibrates to deep cleanse the skin and elimate blackheads, and a strangely surreal oxygen machine that blows cold fresh oxygen into your skin and leaves you feeling bright and beautiful. The best thing is – all the pampering products are available to buy.

As a parting gift Shen gave me a little pouch of goodies: Clog dissolving cleansing milk, lid & lash wash makeup remover and triple oxygen+c energizing cream, all to help me on my way with a more effective beauty routine.

Next time you’re having a stressful time shopping on Oxford Street pop into Debenhams for a blast of beautification - it is heavenly.

Bliss Spa, South Kensington

Many girls have recommended Bliss Spa to me… and when I mentioned I was visiting this Luxury London spa to the girls at work a variety of oohs and ahhs followed, “what are you getting?” they cried.

Working in a new office in South Kensington, Bliss Spa is just a 5 minute walk from the tube station, sitting amongst the gorgeously smart shops like Paul Smith. I was glad to go inside away from the dark cold streets, and into the glowing winter wonderland inside, smiling faces greeted me at the door. I was accompanied downstairs to the lavish changing area where I wrapped up in the softest white gown. Through another series of doors and I found myself in a room with fruit and chocolate brownie treats, a quick complimentary snack before the pampering begins.

I tried the Post-Party Perk Up (30 mins £60.00) intended as a revitalizing quick facial to perk up tired, party pooped skin. The treatment includes a hydrating, skin-reviving facial and eye treatment. After a brief consultation with my informative beautician, she began rubbing various different lotions and potions into my appreciative face. Everything smelt and felt delicious with the addition of feeling beneficial to my weary skin and eyes. The mask was the most exciting: gel pads were placed underneath my eyes, and a thick gloopy mud mask slathered all over my face, neck and even my eyes, I felt like I was being mummified. When the mask was gently peeled away my skin felt like it had a new lease of life, and has remained silky soft even days later. I pleaded in my head for the facial not to end, but after a heavenly 30 minutes I had to face the world, luckily with a glossy new face.

Oprah Winfrey called Bliss the best facial she’s ever had, and now I know why. Your skin will thank you for a blissful treatment from this spa. I left debating how I could raise the money to go back and treat myself to the full blown Bliss facial, perhaps a Christmas present to myself?

Visit the Bliss website here, or call 0207 590 6146 to book an appointment.

Environ Facial at Gielly Green Boutique Salon

Gielly Green is a gorgeous boutique hair and beauty salon in Central London offering lovely treatments to pamper, refresh and beautify. I was invited along to experience a bespoke ENVIRON facial with Holly, to wash away all weary winter blues and teach me a little bit more about what my skin requires.

I was welcomed into the smart salon, and taken downstairs to a sweet smelling treatment room. Holly was personable and kind, talking me through the process, making me feel instantly relaxed and at ease. The light was dimmed and I lay down on an ultra comfortable padded warm bed, wrapped in white towels like an Epyptian mummy. As Holly examined my skin under the specialist lighting, we spoke about how to make the treatment work best for me, catering to my needs.

Aside from being a luxurious ninety minutes of heavenly pampering, Holly was informative and educational... alerting me of my skin’s dehydration and offering solutions as to how I can improve and maintain healthy skin for the future. Apparently my Clinique moisturiser (that I have been using for as long as I can remember) is not ideal for my skin as their products are made with alcohol. I felt a little guilty that I have paid my skin too little attention in the past, Holly went some way to make up for that. After gentle cleansing, steaming and careful extraction, my skin was treated to some refreshing exfoliating and the most amazing cool and heavy mask. She even used a clever Environ machine to massage my face further. Holly is a miracle worker... even while the face mask was drying, she was busy massaging my feet and lower legs, ensuring I felt soothed from head to toe.

I didn’t want it to end, but after an incredible hour and a half, I was handed a glass of chilled water and elevated in my plush bed. Holly chatted to me again about how I should look after my skin in the future, saying she would send me the main Environ products necessary for my skin and to establish the most effective daily routine. Holly herself is proof of the magic in these products, absolutely glowing and beaming she was the picture of health, so much so that I would completely trust any Environ product. I have used the Environ range of products over the last few days and already the difference in appearance is noticeable in my skin, I have even had a few comments! I particularly love the nourishing c-quence eye gel that comforts and soothes tired eyes.

The Environ experience felt rejuvenating and health-giving, I have definitely been converted. I cannot recommend the Gielly Green facials highly enough - not only do you have a very luxurious and thorough treatment but you also learn how to understand and look after your skin... for me it was life changing.

Visit the Gielly Green website here and book in your life changing facial today!