Everyone wants to look younger these days and find a cure for those dreaded wrinkles. With every passing birthday, fine lines and crows feet rear their ugly head and remind you of one thing: you’re getting on a bit. While the rich opt to go under the knife, we are pretty wimpy (and broke) here at TOAD and need something far less invasive.
If like us you want to try an easier, more relaxing way to find eternal youth (or at least reduce those lines) then the good news is that So Spa, the newly opened treatment rooms at The Sofitel Corniche Abu Dhabi, is offering bespoke anti-ageing treatments.
The treatment step by step
The session begins with us slipping into comfortable slippers and a fluffy robe and a chat with the spa’s manager Hannah, who tells us she’s recommended a Balinese massage and a Youthfulness Ko Bi Do facial using products from French brand Cinq Mondes. The facial promises to be naturally anti-ageing, using different lotions and Japanese Ko Bi Do masssage which involves a rapid and quite strong upward flicking of the skin in order to increase circulation.
The 60-minute Balinese massage works to relieve tension through stimulation of pressure points and different movements, including stretching. Hannah tells us that the products from Cinq Mondes will lift and tone facial contours while effectively renewing lines on the face and neckline.
We meet our therapist Myriam and are escorted into a beautiful, sleek treatment room with low lighting. We start with the Balinese massage and Myriam asks us if we have any areas of concern. Our back is quite tense between the shoulder blades so we ask her to give it a once-over. The massage table is heated and is made up with luxury linens which make us feel pampered from the moment we lay down.
Myriam’s touch is quite firm and she warns us of this at the beginning. She explains that Balinese massage techniques aim to make you feel relaxed and calm throughout. The different techniques include skin folding, kneading, stroking and then some limb stretches which are similar to yoga moves. A hydrating aromatherapy oil is used for the massage throughout and it soothes us almost to sleep.
Myriam then moves onto our arms and legs using gentle Thai stretching techniques for deeper relaxation.
She bends our arms back and tells us to breathe out as she pulls on them. This feels a little bit sore during the stretching but very relaxing when she releases us. She’s interested to know if we sit at a desk because she says we have tight muscles around the lower back and that our forearms are tense from leaning on our keyboard. She works hard to get rid of all the pain in these areas and we are surprised at how much our forearms are aching once she brings that to our attention. She then uses a heat pillow to sooth our aching muscles, which is a very welcome treat.
After this blissful experience we move onto the facial, which is a hands-on massaging treatment that promises to brighten the complexion using lymphatic drainage techniques to drain away impurities and reduce puffiness. It also uses products that will help with anti-ageing. ‘Everyone loves skin products that are anti-ageing,’ laughs Myriam. The spa’s therapists will select specific serums and creams to meet your particular skin requirements and to enhance your natural glow.
Our skin is a little dry and dehydrated so we go with the nourishing products.
Myriam cleanses our skin with a creamy, hydrating cleaner that almost feels like a moisturiser because it is so thick and heavy. This is then followed by multiple exfoliators and toners to remove dead cells and to leave the skin smooth. Myriam then performs some extractions, but instead of using steam to open our pores she uses a French technique which consists of gently pinching the skin. She explains this loosens the sebum to help the impurities be extracted. She also warns us not to do it at home because you can easily go overboard and break some of your capillaries. Our face is then thoroughly massaged and Myriam presses down on different points to rebalance our chakras.
A mask is applied to further hydrate our dry skin and then we are left to relax while Myriam performs an amazing head massage. We leave feeling refreshed and younger and our skin in particular feels amazing.
The pros
The products used were of a very high quality and we saw results the next day. Our fine lines definitely appeared less obvious and our face had a nice glow to it. The staff are friendly and very professional. Myriam really knows her stuff and was an expert at her job. The spa is stunning and you’ll be well looked after.
The cons
If we had to pick holes, it’s a bit awkward walking back through reception to the treatment room in your robe and we got a few stares from other guests.
The verdict
The treatments feel personalised and they will change small elements of the massage and facial to suit our skin and problem areas. Myriam helped us realise why areas of our body get sore and she gave us some great advice on our skin.
Youthfulness Ko Bi Do facial Dhs385 for 60 minutes, Balinese massage Dhs385 for 60 minutes. So Spa, open daily from 10am-11pm, Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche (02 813 7777).
