A bespoke treatment from this skin whisperer, and you can expect your face to look glowing for days. Editor Trudi Brewer revisits Ashleigh Scott, The Facialist.
The relax room at The Facialist, City Works Auckland
In my line of work I have become an expert spa-goer, and over the years I have had some brilliant facials. While I tend to gravitate toward a massage or any body-centric service on the menu, a bespoke facial with Ashleigh Scott owner of The Facialist is one hell of a skin experience. I first met Scott about four years ago freshly home from London where she was a resident therapist tending to A-listers at the White Room in Knightsbridge. Her facial style is unique, her hands, combined with the best skin products equals skin utopia. Rather than dozens of services on offer, you can choose a facial or massage, a light lounge or collagen induction therapy, or leave it to the team to decide. The menu is small but perfectly formed customised to your skin's needs that day. With this therapist it's her hands you're buying into first and foremost. Her spa uses only the best, including Osmosis and Janesce the combination she chose for my facial. "Everything we do is bespoke, customised to each client's skin needs. We recognise that every skin is unique and has different concerns, so we combine active ingredients to suit the skin we're treating. Skin changes seasonally and with what's going on in the body. No one facial is the same, so you get exactly what your skin needs on the day."
I asked Scott why facial massage is what she is famous for? "The power of making people feel good is incredible. I have such a passion for treating skin disorders holistically. When someone is suffering from a skin issue, it can seriously affect their confidence and how they live their life. To be able to guide someone to achieve healthy-looking skin in a natural, holistic way, and then make them feel happy and confident, is incredible." Scott says the last decade has seen a less personal facial trend emerging, of which she is not a fan. "Facials have shifted to become less about massage and personal touch, and more about machines and fast ‘results driven’ treatments. There is a need for personal touch, people often don’t even realise they crave it. Also, people are searching for a more natural approach to skincare, and if we can achieve great results while giving someone time out, its a win win."
So what's so great about this skin whisperer? Well once you're under a snug duvet, on a comfy bed, the treatment starts with a double cleanse and a series of hot towels. It's at this point; I am reminded this is not your everyday facial. The cleansing process involves massage, a series of pressing, sweeping and kneading movements that remove makeup and exfoliate my skin. Then, the series of steaming hot towels are designed to push the ingredients deep into the skin. While I try to keep track of the heavenly scented masks and serums Scott layers on my face, it's the massage and heated compresses that put me to sleep. The hour slipped away from me, and the facial sadly comes to an end. My skin feels incredible, and while I thought I would emerge from the room looking red and blotchy, I was sporting the look of someone that has had a workout, slightly flushed, yet rosy and firm. Drifting back into the waiting area to finish my herbal infusion it dawns on me that this experience is life changing - I look rested and revitalised, I feel like a new woman. I asked Scott why massage features at every step of this skin treatment? "Massage is the most underrated tool for the skin. Everything we do revolves around massage, from helping with product penetrate to stimulating the muscles. When you massage the face, you’re stimulating blood circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the surface of the skin, resulting in a youthful glow, while detoxifying. This lifts and tones the facial muscles - it's the equivalent of gym workout but for your face."
No makeup for me for the rest of that day, I wanted to savour that look of glowy, fit-looking skin - and for a beauty editor that says it all.
The Facialist City Works Dept, Auckland. A bespoke facial with Ashleigh Scott costs $210 for 60 minutes, $290 for 90 minutes.