When someone invites me to pop in for a facial after work on a Thursday, I don’t need any extra encouragement, and the surroundings of The Gulf Spa at the Gulf Hotel are the ideal space to wind down after a busy week.
The ground floor is all about water – a Jacuzzi, pool, steam room with different scents, sauna and an experience shower (yes, you will think you’re in an Amazonian rain forest complete with sound effects) – but my journey quickly headed upstairs to the treatment rooms where lovely therapist Thiangi gave me a quick explanation of the Life Infusion Ritual.
Described as an “Unprecedented ‘youth elixir’ that provides unparalleled skin rejuvenating effects focused on the science of skin age biomarkers and specific massage techniques” – I couldn’t wait to get started. After all, my skin is somewhat mature and, frankly, needs all the help it can get!
First off, I should say that this is not just a facial; it’s a whole experience using a range of products from Spanish brand Natura Bissé, which is the Forbes Travel Guide Official Skincare Brand 2018.
Thiangi started off by spraying the room with a relaxing lavender fragrance and then performed “palm-work” body touch with lavender scented hands to relax me and render me ready to receive the treatment – I already felt as if I had died and gone to heaven.
She analysed my skin through a brightly lit magnifying glass – an essential step as she immediately spotted that I am very sensitive and would need a patch test before the peel that was to come.
My face was covered with Diamond luxury cleanser and I could feel my dry skin luxuriating in the unaccustomed richness. This was followed by a gentle toner and lavender-infused oil, ensuring my skin was sparkly clean but at the same time hydrated.
The next step of the procedure would usually be the triple exfoliate salicylic acid treatment with carboxy powder activator – a peel that works to leave the skin looking more youthful.
However, thanks to that patch test, Thiangi realised my skin would not cope with this and instead administered a very gentle enzyme peel. This is left to sit briefly on the skin before the Diamond Life Infusion Serum is applied. This concoction uses biomagnetic nanosomes to work with your skin’s own bio markers, such as those with address stem cell preservation and cellular ageing.
This serum includes an exclusive release system through diamond micro-sponges, that fosters penetration of the formula into the skin, achieving spectacular rejuvenating results.
After the serum came magnetic vibration with wands passed across the face to improve elasticity and help restore the natural contours of areas such as the chin and jaw line. This felt a little weird but certainly not uncomfortable and, after a while, actually very relaxing.
The next step had me laughing out loud. By this stage, I had been lying down for quite some time and, despite Thiangi providing bolsters for my lower back and knees, I was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable. Fortunately, I was able to sit up for the application of an LED chromo therapy mask, which helps the products penetrate the skin.
This mask is like a light-up rubber face glove and the laughing out loud came when I caught sight of myself in the mirror. But, amusement aside, it didn’t feel unpleasant and, undoubtedly, did its job.
The treatment finishes with another oddity – the Youth Infusion Rejuvenating Mask is slathered all over the face, including covering the mouth and eyes. It has a type of plastic content and, when set, is peeled off showing a clear imprint of every line and wrinkle – which is slightly disheartening when you have as many as me!
While waiting for the mask to set, Thiangi treated my hands and feet to a gentle massage with Diamond body cream and, at the end of the session, she applied Diamond Extreme cream to my face before handing me a mirror.
I can honestly say I was shocked. My skin really did look super-plumped and hydrated and there was a noticeable improvement in both lines and texture. The results last around two weeks and, though this treatment is by no means cheap, it’s certainly something I would consider investing in for a big night out.
