Beauty

A relaxing facial is a special treat after so many months with salons shut

A facial at PURE Spa’s new Edinburgh salon

The treatment

PURE Spa Facial, £80 for 60 minutes, at their new PURE Rose Street salon, upstairs from their PURE Beauty Zone shop in Edinburgh.

Why go?

At the time of writing, some spas were offering facials and others weren’t. The covid regulations seemed a little open to interpretation. Still, I wanted to check out the new space from PURE, and I was reassured that Becky Woodhouse, the owner of these salons, with outlets in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh, knows her stuff. For more information on their covid protocol, see www.purespauk. com/covid-19-information/

I’m contacted before my treatment to check that I don’t have any symptoms.

Our spy says

The new upstairs area is a pretty good space when it comes to social distancing.

It used to be an office, and is open plan, with PURE’S signature purple shade on some of the walls, and pedicure, manicure and brow stations. The treatment rooms are through the back.

My therapist, wearing the prerequisite visor and apron, takes me through into one of the rooms.

I think everyone is a bit sick of their own face, post lockdown. I have never despaired at my own wrinkles more than in the last couple of months. I’ve thought about covering all the mirrors in my house, but I don’t want people to think I’m a vampire.

Despite this, I’m not going to go for the anti-ageing facials, as I feel like something more therapeutic.

Thus, we’re going to go with their signature facial, which features their own products (on sale downstairs), aromatherapy and lots of massage.

The therapist leaves the room. As instructed, I put my clothes in a plastic bag, and remove my mask.

She will keep the visor on, and asks me if I want her to wear a mask too.

I suppose yes would be the best answer – belt and braces and all that.

She’ll also be sitting behind me, rather than working from above, so won’t be exhaling near my face.

Anyway, achieving relaxation is harder than it used to be, but I do when I’m told to breathe deeply, and my skin is slathered in the neroli scented cleansing oil, before it’s towelled off.

I undergo a double cleanse, then a spritz with some Regulate & Clear Face Oil – chosen since my pores have been looking a bit clogged – with ylang ylang and kukui. I’m massaged, down to my shoulders and décolleté, and there are smoothing moves along my jawline and circling around my eyes, as if honing those ill defined edges.

There’s a manual scrub, then cotton pads go over my eyes and a balmy textured mask goes on, which soaks in as my scalp is rubbed.

This comes off with more warm towels and a Regenerate & Boost Eye Serum and moisturiser are patted on.

The results

My skin feels as plump as my post lockdown belly. Maybe I won’t have to cover those mirrors after all. ■

134 Rose Street, Edinburgh, 0343 507 1888, www.purespauk.com