Where better to relax than at home?

Having a wardrobe crisis about what to wear for a spa treatment just isn’t normal, but then neither is Blossom and Jasmine. Blossom and Jasmine doesn’t do your average treatments, it doesn’t have your average premises and it certainly doesn’t have the average USP.

That’s because Blossom and Jasmine does home spas, or, if you’re really short of time, office spas; and they operate across the UK. Now, while this does mean missing out on all the exciting extras – relaxing rooms, saunas and the chance to flounce around in fluffy dressing gowns and slippers – it does mean you can go straight from the treatment table to bed and better still, means you don’t have to show a post-facial unmade-up face to the world. There’s just one small hitch: what on earth do you wear to spa at home?

Having dismissed a dressing gown as being just too Hugh Hefner, I turn instead, to a t-shirt and jeans. Boring I know. Claire, the Blossom and Jasmine therapist, who turned up apologising profusely for being 10 minutes early, thinks my mini-wardrobe crisis is hilarious.

“We get lots of people wondering whether or not to wear a dressing gown,” she smiles. “It doesn’t matter what you wear really.” Sartorial terrors dealt with, she asked me to pick a room to work in. I chose the garden room with its good light and pretty view. Having set up the table and laid out her products at warp speed, Claire was ready to start and I finally had my dressing gown on.

A combination of the Glow Facial and Aromatherapy Massage, Claire began by working out the gnarled knots festooning my shoulders and upper back. Face down, with delicious herbal smells wafting around and shoulders becoming more relaxed by the second, I was having trouble staying awake. Next up was a foot and leg massage, which being slightly more invigorating, woke me up nicely, just in time to turn over.

Using Dermalogica products chosen with my skin type in mind, Claire started the facial with a soothing cleanse. Next came exfoliation which she did twice – once with a scrub and second with a mild peel that tingled ever so slightly. Once a spritz of rose water had gotten rid of the tingles, it was time for the facial massage. Having endured facial massages which have ranged from the peremptory to the postively painful in the past, I was a little nervous as Claire got to work.

Skin in need of some serious TLC?

Happily, this one was neither. Using slow, assured strokes, Claire worked her fingers around my face, leaving the muscles relaxed and comfortable, so much so, I was in danger of waking up with a reverse botox effect. The thick, cold mask put paid to any concerns about droopiness, and while it did its work, Claire finished off the massage, leaving my hands and arms feeling utterly relaxed.

While I found having a massage and facial at home slightly disconcerting to begin with, it has some serious upsides. In my drowsy post-massage state – never good for going anywhere – I was able to take off upstairs for a lie down rather than having to head straight out. I also didn’t have to go anywhere for the treatment which meant no spending 10 minutes on make-up only to have it removed.

But best of all, the combination of having 40 winks and the Glow Facial – which definitely lives up to its billing – meant my skin looked amazing: fresh, smooth and blemish-free. Yes, I could have done with a sauna and maybe some ginger tea, but with skin that looks wonderful and a knot free back, who cares about the little extras?

You can find out more on the Blossom and Jasmine website, or for appointments, telephone +44 (0) 203 137 7170, or email bookings@blossomandjasmine.com. You can also follow on Twitter @BLOSSOMNJASMINE.