What I tried: The Extreme 360Global Anti-Age Ritual at Sense spa, Rosewood, Abu Dhabi.
The Treatment: Life as a mum is just brilliant. But it’s also busy, messy andoften focused on meeting the needs of others.So, as it’s Mother’s Day, I wanted a totally self-indulgent pampering experience minus the shrieking and stickyfingers of my two little ones. The Extreme 360Global Anti-Age Ritual sounded a welcome treat. Specifically developed to fight the signs of ageing, this facial treats dehydrated, tired and dull skin. Using luxe products by EviDenS de Beauté (sold in the likes of Harrods in the UK) and a special Japanese massage technique, I am assured it with leave my skin soft, supple and luminous.
What Happened: Soft lighting, beautiful polished floors and marble finish, shiny glass cabinets boasting posh looking lotions and potions…if points could be awarded on looks alone, then Sense spa would score high. The sound of the waterfall feature and the smell of essential oils are intoxicating.
After my welcome drink of herbal tea and dates, I am led through to the changing area and Ladies Lounge; a cosy space with loungers, big cushions, magazines to read plus lemon water and almonds to nibble on. I’m already relaxed in my soft white robe and slippers as I’m taken to my treatment room.
My 90-minute experience begins with a back massage. My Cape Townian therapist Rothea, though small in height assures me that she has super-strong hands ready to give my back, neck and shoulders a thorough work out to relieve any stress and boost circulation. She does, revealing aches and knots in my torso I never knew I had.
Up next is the facial which has many parts to it. Rothea starts with a double cleanse – a milky cleanserto remove daily dirt from my face and the second, a foaming cleansing gel to purify the skin. This facial uses products by EviDenS de Beauté – a brand which has taken Japanese skin expertise and blended it with French ingredients (each product is infused with French spring water originating from the Alps according to the blurb). Boasting a cocktail of collagens and fusion of active ingredients, the formulas promise to give parched and thirsty complexions a regenerating, moisturising and skin-brightening effect without irritating sensitive skin.
After a slick of moisturiser, Rotheaexfoliates my skin with Double Action Exfoliation Cream containing shea butter. Once removed, a cream maskfollows which feels cool and velvety on my face. I lie there enjoying the quiet music and try not to nod off while my arms and hands are given a lovely massage.
Now,it’s time for the highlight of the treatment: the facial massage. Using Japanese massage techniques everything from my jowls to my hairline are honed. As someone who gets headaches when stressed, I also have a lot of jaw tension. Rothea uses a vigorous knuckling movement on my jawline all the way up to my ears. I soon feel relief as if my whole face has taken a deep breath in and gone “ahh!”. She also uses the palms of her hands to smooth my face, rolling and rocking and pushing the skin upwards“to sculpt, recontour, tighten and decongest” says Rothea. For my cheeks, she uses her fingertips in a combination of high energy, quick, whipping strokes to stimulate blood circulation, collagen production and cell renewal.
After all this energy and movement, it’s time to relax again with a Brightening Bio Collagen mask containing liquorice, mulberry root extract and vitamin C. It smells amazing and I’m told has ultra-powerfulanti-ageing ingredients and brightening properties. However, thanks to the head and scalp massage, I’m too sleepy to notice.
The final step of the treatment is the Extreme Serum which is bursting with vitamins and collagen plus, has a beautiful floral scentinspired by the gardens of Grasse.
The Verdict: As Rothea handed me a mirror I can genuinely say my face looked gloriously clear,
This is a wonderful gift to be given for Mother’s Day and one I’ll be coming back for!
More Information:
The Extreme 360Global Anti-Age Ritual, 90 minutes, available at a reduced price of AED1,170 – valid throughout March. Sense spa, Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island,Abu Dhabi, 02 813 5550, abudhabi@rosewoodhotels.com
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