If you’ve read this blog for a while, you’ll know it takes something exceptional to get me to a facial. Many facials are little more than piling product onto your face and vaguely rubbing it about – I feel I can do this at home. I’ve also got a bit of a fear of being left ‘to relax’ – that’s about the least relaxing thing that can happen to me and makes me want to leap for my clothes and leg it.
What attracted me to the Face Place facial is that it’s a ‘proper’ facial with extractions. It’s a mystery to me how you can enter a salon for a facial with blackheads, and leave with those same blackheads still in tact because so few places still do extractions. Extractions aren’t easy – chances are you will get redness and maybe some temporary bumps and it takes skill to do it properly. I wonder if it’s just that training for consistently good extractions is something that’s too unreliable which is why many facial places just won’t do them.
I just couldn’t wait to get home and write the Face Place facial up – I feel thrilled that I’ve found such an amazing treatment, and the results! Oh my! So, to explain a little – Face Place first popped up in the US in the 70’s and nothing has changed about the treatment since then (although products may vary). I think in the UK we tend to think of facials as relaxation, and sure enough, if someone rubbing warm oils and creams on your face to the sound of birds tweeting is relaxing, then all’s great. But, over in the US, attitudes are often different – they want a functional facial, even if that means entering a production line of other women all at varying stages of the facial. It’s speed, efficiency and results that matter, not a little hand rubbing.
Similar to this
I had the Signature Express Treatment of 45 minutes and that included a cleanse, hot compresses (no steam), extractions (seriously, it’s so long I had any of those done that I was really hoping to ooze – in the event it wasn’t that dramatic!) which are done by rolling the skin, not compressing it. It’s not comfortable but it certainly does the job. Then comes the galvanic current – a bizarre thing that gives you a tingly back and a metallic taste in your mouth, but this low electrical current that’s supposed to help the transportation of ingredients into the skin and some plumping and firming action. All I can tell you is that my skin kept on drinking and drinking. Currently, the Face Place facial uses SkinCeuticals (they have their own product range arriving next year) which I like anyway.
The results were quite honestly stupendous. Without wishing to overshare, I haven’t been terribly well recently and it has shown on my skin – I was starting to look a little dried up with not much in the way of bounce – which will account for how much product my skin slurped up during the treatment. There was a dramatic improvement in fine lines around my mouth – they’d all but disappeared, followed by noticably more skin clarity and overall plumpness.
It’s one of the very few facials I’ve had where I’ve felt there’s a point (other than being pampered). Although you do get a nice hand massage (very nice for someone like me whose hands are always in knots from typing 24/7), the Face Place facial feels that it’s all about your skin and very little about listening to wind chimes in a fug of lavender infusion.
If I had time, I’d make this a regular stop-off – 45 minutes for those results is absolutely do-able, although there are longer versions available. It’s £85 which I felt was very fair for the level of expertise I felt I was getting (in the able hands of Rowan), and if you do book in, make sure you leave time for a coffee at the Rosewood Dining Room outdoor terrace (nicely shaded) afterwards. Incidentally, I had a thirst like no other when I left – I’m on (small) bottle of water 3 as I write!
You can give them a call on 020 3747 8830, or book via email at [email protected] or just browse the options HERE. this is a massive recommend from me. I loved it. I wouldn’t advise that you have this on the actual day of a special event, but a day or two before to give your skin time to calm down from the extractions.
Transparency Disclosure
All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
10 comments
Well it certainly sounds incredible, never mind how amazingly calm and relaxing it looks from the decor !
Hi jane, delighted you brought up the subject of wanting hard working facials. I stopped going to my local beauticians for facials as it really felt like it was a cleanse, cream face mask, relax and go. That’s fine if you have the money to treat yourself and beautiful smooth skin with it, but unfortunately I don’t. I really want the therapist to use their skills and expertiseto improve my skin (blackheads, bags, circles, bumps and lumps …. Lol)
Another gripe is therapy rooms that are almost dark as they are lit by sets of strategically placed candles. Please turn on the lights and look my skin before you start the facial or threading.. I really don’t mind it being bright!!
Thanks.. Feel better after that rant! Xx
She did the extractions under full light… no chance of missing one!
sounds a lot like the guinot hydradermie facial which is also fantastic. If I could afford it, I would have one every month!
Sounds fantastic and results-driven with no messing about! I’d love to try it based on your experience Jane.
Definitely – a proper facial with no faffing… other than the hand massage which was actually more of a sports massage – the therapist is very experienced and really targeted where my hands and arms were inflamed.
It’s on my list now!
Hi Jane, I totally agree with you about wanting a proper facial with extractions but I live in the north and have found it hard to find decent places outside London. Do you have any information about possible places near Leeds/Manchester or Sheffield? I would really appreciate any advice. Thank you. X
I really don’t .. sorry.. I haven’t tried any facials in those areas. x
Thank you for replying anyway!