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Spa NK Notting Hill - 4 bubbles
These treatment rooms within the SpaceNK shop in west London offer effective, professional treatments to keep you looking good. No pool or spa facilities here other than a relaxation area, but you can have a little relax (and a shop) after your treatment.
Was it easy to book?
First impressions?
How did they welcome you?
What happens next?
Which treatments did you have?
What were the treatments like?
How did you feel afterwards?
What happens afterwards?
Long-term effects
Was it worth it?
What else could you have?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
Was it easy to book?
Yes. The receptionist gave me good advice on treatments and really "sold" me the Eve Lom facial, extolling its benefits and waxing lyrical about the Eve Lom range.
First impressions?
The spa is housed within a huge brightly lit SpaceNK shop on Westbourne Grove.
How did they welcome you?
I made my way over to the spa desk, via rows of bottles of lotions and potions, all beautifully displayed and crying out to be purchased, or at least sampled. Like the beauty equivalent of a sweet shop. I checked in with the receptionist, who invited me to follow her through to the treatment area. There is no pool nor any wider facilities at Spa NK but there are eight treatment rooms and a relaxation area.
The relaxation area, on the ground floor, has a few comfy chairs, but no loungers. With its coffee table books, the area felt more suited to having a relaxing read than full-on lounging. The room was surprisingly quiet given its proximity to the busy road outside.
The receptionist led me down another floor to the changing area: this is quite a spacious room with lockers and a couple of showers complete with Bumble and bumble products. I was impressed by the shower products, but less so by the shower cubicle, which was looking a little shabby, in contrast to the rest of the shop/treatment rooms. The receptionist gave me a locker key and instructed me to change into my gown, make my way back upstairs to the relaxation area, complete a consultation form, and await my therapist, Danuta.
What happens next?
I completed my form, downed a couple of glasses of the refreshing lemon-infused water, and waited a few minutes for Danuta's arrival.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the Eve Lom facial (£120, 90 minutes). I'd heard a lot about guru facialist Eve's signature treatment but had not yet experienced her magic for myself. Not being a facial junkie, and being sceptical of anything hyped, I wondered whether I would be disappointed. I wasn't.
What were the treatments like?
Very impressive and relaxing.
I had deliberately avoided reading up on this treatment so as not to have too high expectations regarding the exact nature of my Eve Lom facial.
Once I was settled on the supremely comfortable couch, Danuta swaddled me in towels and talked me through the Eve Lom facial. She had a straightforward approach and authoritative manner -- I could already tell that she knew exactly what she was doing.
Danuta placed an eye mask over my closed eyes and began to examine my skin under a light. She asked me a couple of questions about my skin and told me that my face was a little dehydrated and that I should avoid putting moisturiser on my T-zone or chin. Following this scrutiny and consultation, Danuta began the treatment.
Danuta cleansed my face and décolletage with Eve Lom's famous cleanser, which she removed with warm moist cloths -- presumably signature muslin. Her touch was slow but purposeful and seemingly in time with the soft background piano music.
Next, Danuta carefully applied a thickish layer of paraffin wax over my face, with what felt like a small spatula. The warm wax was designed to open the pores before the "extraction" process. Once the paraffin wax had had time to work, Danuta gently peeled it off to re-expose my skin for the blackhead removal. Danuta then set to work removing any blackheads by squeezing them with a cloth, presumably to soften the blow. She was quick and efficient and would clearly be able do this in her sleep. I'd had extraction once before and Danuta seemed to have a gentler touch, but I'd be lying to say that it didn't hurt a bit.
Once this was over, I could enjoy the supreme comfort of the towel-clad couch. Danuta massaged my chest and arms, and I really enjoyed the massage elements of the treatment. Danuta applied a "rescue mask" which she left to penetrate my skin while she left the room for a few minutes, as she had told me she would.
Finally, Danuta placed camomile-infused pads over my eyes and pressed a calming cold compress onto my skin to close my pores. A dab of lip balm and the treatment was complete.
How did you feel afterwards?
My skin felt truly soft -- almost unrecognisable as my own -- and had a healthy glow, but appeared surprisingly undisturbed by the extraction process.
The treatment was obviously results-focused but I found it very relaxing with all the massage elements – much more so that I had expected. I didn't anticipate describing a treatment that includes extractions as "pampering", but it really was.
What happens afterwards?
Danuta gave me a couple of minutes to get up, re-robe and make my way to the door, where she was waiting to guide me back to the relaxation room and bring me a cup of herbal tea. A nice touch, but would have been ever better had the authentic mini iron teapot and cup not been so good at conducting heat.
Long-term effects
I scrutinised my skin in my brightly lit mirror when I got home and my pores were visibly clearer and there were no post-facial breakouts of any description. Three weeks later, my skin was still looking good – to the extent that I was even skimping on foundation. Impressive stuff.
Was it worth it?
At what price a clearer complexion? At £120 for 90 minutes, no-one can claim that this facial is a bargain, but for me it delivered both relaxation and a better complexion so I do consider it worth it.
What else could you have?
Spa NK Notting Hill offers a good range of specialist facials from Eve Lom to Aroma Therapy Associates, Natura Bisse and Dr Sebagh.
Body treatments include pregnancy massage, back, neck and shoulder massage, and various packages combining facial and body treatments (from £160). There are no specific male-oriented treatments, but most treatments are suitable for male clients, too.
Who do you think would like it?
The treatment rooms at Spa NK Notting Hill have quite a broad appeal, from execs to shoppers, yummy mummies to ladies who lunch. Spa NK offers a quiet escape from the bustle of Notting Hill and keeps the fashionable local population looking as groomed as is required.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
The treatment rooms and the treatment itself were great, my therapist very slick and professional, and there was a good atmosphere.
The relaxation area wasn't as quite relaxing as it could have been with its low-backed chairs and absence of loungers, and the shabby shower cubicles were not as well polished as the rest of the shop and spa. So 4 bubbles for Spa NK Notting Hill.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
I would certainly go to Spa NK again if I was in the area.
We visited Spa NK Notting Hill in November 2009
See also:
* Contact details for Spa NK Notting Hill
* More about the Eve Lom facial
* The Spa Spies review Eve Lom products
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