As a part of Boyfriend's birthday celebrations in March, I booked us both in for a treatment at the Lush Spa in Liverpool. I love going to the Lush spa. It is such an ultimate treat, and every time I've been there, I've left floating on a cloud! (My blog is full of reviews of other treatments I've tried if you fancy a read.)
The one treatment that I hadn't tried but that I'd really wanted to was the Validation Facial. I have never had any kind of facial in my life, and from reading the description of Validation on the Lush website, I knew I was in for a treat.
The treatment started in the comfort of the spa's cosy country kitchen reception. I was greeted by my massage therapist - Kora - who sat me down and explained a little about what the treatment would entail. Displayed in front of us was a slate palette - almost like one an artist would have - and a vast array of Lush products. Kora went through each type of product individually, talking over their key properties and ingredients, and helping me select the ones that I thought would work best for my skin. Now I have no other facial to compare this one to, but being able to touch, smell, and feel the products before they were applied immediately made the treatment feel incredibly personal. There were a few that Kora disregarded immediately - in line with my sensitivity to tea tree oil, but there were still loads I could choose from.
Kora also asked me to pick out some key words about how I wanted to feel after the treatment, and how I wanted my skin to feel. Knowing that she understood my needs and what I wanted to get out of the facial really added to the personalisation and made me feel really looked after. Even though Kora had probably done the Validation Facial loads, it really felt like she cared about my experience.
Heading in to the therapy room, I felt a wash of excitement and relaxation wash over me. The room was very atmospheric/ Glowing tea lights twinkled in a dimly let room that really evoked a sense of tranquillity. Kora began by "cleansing" the room ready for the treatment, which filled the room with billows of dry ice, and kick-started the enchantment. After time to get ready, and with a little ring of a bell next to the bed, I was ready to begin.
The Validation Facial is beautifully choreographed to the musical soundtrack. If you're thinking any of the Lush treatments come with a bog-standard, run-of-the-mill spa CD background, you'd be very wrong. Each treatment comes with it's own musical score, with the treatment choreographed to each track. It takes away any sense of anxiety you might have, and takes you to a really special, unique place. The whole concept of the facial is to help you feel uplifted, evoking positivity and helping you regain a sense of self. And the music really underpins that in a way that is really personal.
The techniques of the facial ebbed and flowed over my face like a ballet. I lost all sense of time and space and floated away on a sea of peace and tranquillity. Kora was incredibly patient with me and understanding of my needs. I am a fidget when I'm getting a massage. When my left side relaxes, it moves so much more, and I know this might put people off, but I didn't feel foolish at all, and anywhere I needed to move, Kora worked with me.
All the products that I had chosen for the facial kissed my skin, making it feel soft, supple and incredibly loved. My face zinged with vigour and I just felt so relaxed/ From the top of my head to the tips of my toes I lay in ultimate peace. A feeling I never thought you'd get from a facial.
But Validation isn't just a facial. It's so much more! It's a journey. It allows you to really let go and relax, letting any tension, any stress and any anxiety leave you. By the end of the treatment I felt very emotional. Like a great weight had been lifted and I was finally free. It's a feeling I can't really describe, but it's one I won't ever forget.
At the end of the treatment, Kora poured me a glass of a fabulously fruity punch. I was allowed ample time to collect my thoughts and get ready. My legs had turned to jelly with relaxation, and I wobbled out the room holding in my tears of happiness.
I left Lush floating on a cloud. Boyfriend - who had had The Spell - felt just the same. We spent ages just walking around, digesting everything that had happened, and feeling amazing.
The Validation Facial is just amazing. It's not just a spa treatment, it's a full-on experience that really makes you feel uplifted. It is definitely a treatment that I would go for again, and know that each time I would get something different out of it.
