Beauty at 25A, Belgravia

A couple of weeks ago I spent a morning of pure luxury in Belgravia at Beauty at 25A to experience two treatments - 'Vela Shape II' and an amazing facial.

I'll start by talking about the Vela Shape II - this is one of those treatments that's more of an essential than a pamper. Although it's not *really* an essential. Vela Shape II is a treatment that deals with cellulite and helps with slimming/contouring. I would liken it to being attached by a giant sucking catfish that also heats up to borderline burning the skin. That's slightly dramatic - it doesn't actually burn, but it does get to around 40+ degrees. Which feels basically at the borderline of hot/discomfort. This isn't exactly a pleasant treatment, but overtime it can give your weightloss/cellulite treatment a boost. For one treatment I can't exactly vouch for the long term results though after one treatment I was measured as having lost 1 inch from both thighs and half an inch from my stomach.

My other treatment was on the whole other end of the scale - so relaxing that I'm pretty sure I nodded off at one point. This treatment was the most insanely indulgent facial I have ever had - I arrived at 10am and the facial lasted until 12.30...yep, over two hours of facial pampering. 

The facial was a Guinot Hydrodermie Facial that included all the usual cleansing/massage/mask etc - but with the added benefits of a red light hydration treatment plus a session with a micro current/ionisation device that's meant to help the products absorb whilst deep cleansing the bad stuff out - leaving it super hydrated and plumped, but also deeply cleansed. That's hardly the most scientific description of what it was, but it felt amazing - and my skin felt fantastic post-facial. I spent the rest of the day make-up free and didn't feel as conscious as I normally would do. It's amazing how skin feeling clean and well moisturised can almost be as good as a decent foundation.

The service at Beauty at 25A was fantastic - the treatment rooms are all downstairs, below street level so really peaceful and quiet. It doesn't hurt that the salon is in a gorgeous area, just across the road from a gorgeous Louboutin store...not that I shop there, but it's nice to look!

For more info on Regis Salons check the website. You can contact Beauty at 25A on 02072353154.

The Chelsea Day Spa: Hydro Peptide Facial

I recently went along to The Chelsea Day Spa to experience their Hydro Peptide Facial. I was a bit of the naive side when I went along, thinking hydropeptide was just the name of the facial rather than the name of the products being used - if that makes any sense. You know how some facials are described in a way that kinda illustrates the results but could be using any products? Might just be me...




But anyway, hydropeptide is the name of the product range used during the facial, before I get into the review below are a few details about the hydropeptide. Now I may have done a whole A level in Biology, but I'm no scientist so below is a bit of information from the hydropeptide website about peptides & why they use them in the range:

Peptides are basically tiny protein fragments (or small chains of amino acids) that increase cellular communication within the skin. Various types of peptides exist with various functions. Peptides help promote natural elements of healthy skin including collagen production (which helps plump the skin), and neuropeptides helps relax repetitive facial muscle contractions (which softens wrinkles).

Which I basically translate into: peptides help keep skin moisturised and thus help reduce signs of ageing. Sign me up!

I do tend to have quite dehydrated skin, which can emphasise the fine lines I have developing around my eyes and make me quite conscious of them. So I am constantly working to keep my skin as hydrated as possible and I'm always interested in hearing about products and treatments that can help me out with this.

The Chelsea Day Spa is located just off of the swanky King's Road and on first impressions it seems quite small it actually extends over a couple of floors. Whilst the reception area is compact, the treatment rooms are nice and spacious and lovely and quiet.

The facial was an hour long and I was genuinely disappointed when it was all over. It was so relaxing, the treatment room was so quiet and peaceful and the therapist was lovely & friendlyso I felt extremely comfortable.

Starting with a thorough cleanse followed by lovely facial massage with various moisturising lotions and potions. It felt so nice to include the pressure point massage in the massage - something so simply as applying pressure to the temples is so tension relieving!

At the end of the facial my skin felt really fantastic - completely moisturised and I actually felt happy to leave without wearing any make-up. This is really unusual as my skin can be sensitive and tends to go quite red after facial treatments. But this one just left my skin wonderfully soft, smooth and plumped up.

The best thing about this facial? Partly the whole process being so relaxing and with lovely immediate results but also the fact that the results lasted. I had the facial a few days before a long-haul flight, which normally leaves my skin dryer than a crusty leaf but not this time - my skin remained soft, not tight and with no dryness at all. Honestly, one of the best facials I have had.

I definitely feel that this facial is well worth the £80 cost for the treatment when the results aren't just a one-day thing. There is also a 30 min version of the treatment available for £50 if you are pushed for time.

The Chelsea Day Spa
2nd & 3rd floor
69a King’s Road,
London
SW3 4NX
020 7351 0911

Facial provided for PR review.