Glasgow Reviewed: ILA Rainforest Renewal Facial

Last week I filled you all in on my amazing experience at the Blythswood Square Hotel Spa’s thermal experience which you can catch here if you missed it. I was so hooked I was back within two weeks, this time taking my other half along for the experience and a couple of treatments. Is it possible to be a spa addict?

The absolutely stunning treatment room

I wanted to share with you  the latest facial on offer in the Spa that I was lucky enough to try out. The ILA Rainforest Facial promises to give an instant boost that will lift, tighten and brighten my winter skin using their new skincare range Rainforest Restore. With promises like that, I couldn’t wait to give it a go! ILA, meaning 'Earth' in Sanskrit is a company and range of products that focuses on the using the finest natural plant and mineral ingredients, harvested in wild untainted regions. Their aim is to promote pure, clear healthy skin and well being, whilst supporting sustainable practices in how the products are made. The Founder of ILA Denise Leicester says:

“ila’s vocation is to bring purity, energy and balance into everyday life by creating luxurious skincare products that work to improve natural beauty through the health and vitality of our skin, to increase well-being through the transforming effects of energy healing, and to connect to a greater sense of inner serenity.”





This new range, used in the one hour facial are stacked full of raw ingredients from the Amazonian Rainforest that are packed with collagen boosting ingredients that combined with the lymphatic massage used in the treatment helped clear the toxins from the skin while leaving it looking incredibly bright. What I loved about this treatment is thank to the low oil content of the product it is perfect for acne prone skin like mine, the serums she used had wonderful textures and aromas which made the facial so unique. Thanks to the restorative qualities of the plant extracts this make the Rainforest Facial fantastic for anti- ageing and sensitive skin and the low oil content also means the treatment is suitable for anyone in the first trimester of pregnancy.

After the treatment I felt completely revived, not sluggish or tired which I have experienced after some treatments in the past. My skin felt superb not only for the rest of the day but well beyond that. The serums that the therapist left on my skin meant my make-up went on like silk and just look so polished and glowing, I couldn’t stop staring at it in the mirror. I can’t say I have ever described myself as ‘radiant’ before but that is exactly how my skin looked- like it had been nourished really deeply and just felt much healthier. The combination of the warm herbal compress, the lymphatic draining massage and the mud mask felt simply divine, as facials go I thought his one was incredibly unique and a wonderful experience to have. I would highly recommend trying this out or even if you want to treat someone this would make the most amazing gift to give.

The ILA Rainforest facial costs £80 for one hour and you can book at the Blythswood House Hotel on 0141 240 1622 or email spa@blythswoodsquare.com.

Glasgow Reviewed: Blythswood Square Hotel Spa Thermal Experience

Ladies... I have found heaven, well the closest thing to it. And it is located right in the heart of the city, situated in one of the most glamorous and stunning looking hotels I have ever walked in to.

Since I was little I have been obsessed with being in hotels, I don't know if it was because in my younger years, holidays were spent in a caravan. Don't get me wrong I loved it I love it, but when you have 5 people in a small space where you have to turn pretty much any surface into a bed at night time, the idea of a big fancy hotel used to be complete fantasy!  I was captivated by the idea of the sweeping reception halls, the trolleys that the immaculately dressed bell boy would pop luggage on, and the grand dining rooms that the films showed me. Getting older, I have not lost this passion and love having a nosey in any hotel I can, of course my lifestyle currently affords me stays in your average Travel Inn or Holiday Inn but even staying in these is wildly exciting to me!

So you can imagine my amazement at getting the chance to visit the Spa located within the 5 star Blythswood Square Hotel, I have never been to a proper spa before and this was quite the way to break me in! The moment I stepped out the lift I knew  I was in for an incredible time, your senses are instantly met with gorgeous soft lighting and a delicate blend of relaxing scents, visually everything just looked so luxurious and inviting. The reception staff were a delight, welcoming us in and explaining the whole experience to myself and my mum who was coming along for the ride. They made us feel incredibly VIP which was such a treat,and something that really added to the over all experience.

We were led down to the changing rooms and I was blown away with the attention to detail. There was a  perfectly sized area for beautifying yourself post treatment, hairdryers, cotton buds and pads, and huge mirrors with great lighting and lots of counter space so no one is cramped in. The set up is fantastic- you get a locker pre prepared with a bottle of water, towel, flip flops and gown for your visit, you literally don't need to bring anything bar your swimming costume which I loved, it made it all feel so effortless, which is exactly what you want at a pampering experience. You set your own code on your lockers ( total peace of mind!), pop on your flip flops, grab your towel and head on through to the thermal experience, something I will never forget!

As you go through you are met by what feels like a luxurious underground bunker, it felt sumptuous and private and utterly decadent to have different relaxation rooms to try out. What I loved about it, is the choices that are on offer, my mum is not a fan of extreme heat and so doesn't love a sauna or steam room- but here that didn't mean she was restricted to just a pool! The Laconium was perfect for her as it was a warm but by no means sweltering hot room, we could sit in here for some time and it wasn't too much for her at all, just incredibly relaxing, while gently warming your body up. I then went off and explored the Crystal steam room which was glorious, I have previously been put off by steam rooms finding them too uncomfortable and actually a little scary but this one was really different, the air was manageable as it was coming from a centre point in the room, which felt like it created more space to breathe properly which helped me to just sit back and let the steam do its magic on the skin. I felt amazing as I came out of here and into the pools area to join my mum who was very happily sitting beside a body jet getting a pretty impressive shot of massage to her achy joints, getting in the warmth of the pool was lovely against the skin and It was blissful to alternate swimming the length of the pool with just floating and letting the various jets just help wash all the stresses away.

The last stop we took and something I think is a fantastic addition to the journey is the Tepidarium, which is just a dry tepid room really close to the body's own temperature where you can lie back and let your body get back to normal after such a soothing experience I needed this room to wake myself back up!  This got us ready for putting our robes on and heading back up to the couch area and enjoying a delicious pot of Green Tea ( they also offer a delightful looking afternoon tea of various sizes) before Mum headed off for a treatment and I went off for a really unique experience- a seaweed bath! So many products now have the healing addition of seaweed in them the chance to have a bath of it seemed like a wonderful idea. I was left in a the BIGGEST tub you have ever seen, with a nice warm bath ready for me with seaweed fresh from the Hebridean Islands submerged in it. The therapist explained all the benefit and then left me to soak and just take in all the nutrients. With candles lit and some peace and quiet I sat back with a magazine and just took it all in, I pretty much had to be dragged out of it afterwards.

All in all I cannot recommend heading to the Blythswood Spa enough- it is one of the nicest experiences I have ever had and I was reaping the benefits afterwards. The alternation between hot and cool areas is amazing for opening up the pores and absorbing product used afterwards, I was glowing for days and that seaweed back left my skin like pure silk! Since my visit showering just isn't enough, I have never felt so good!

Thanks to the whole team at Blythswood for giving my Mum and I an experience to remember. I loved it so much I am heading back shortly so keep your eyes out for a review of my next adventure.

 

Day paid for by the lovely mothership along with some vouchers given at an event. All opinions are one hundred percent my own and totally honest.