I’m a big fan of gold. Gold jewellery, gold eye shadow, golden highlights in my hair, you name it. So when I was invited to sample a 24k gold facial at the new Mardan Palace spa in Turkey, I whipped out my gold card and booked myself onto the next flight to Antalya. I’d already heard a lot of buzz about these hi-tech new facials that originate from Japan (www.umouniverse.com), and according to the beauty twitterati, gold has many beneficial properties. It helps reduce inflammation, wrinkles and lines, lightens, brightens and hydrates the skin and leaves it firmer. This delightful facial also promised a golden tone that lasts for 28 days. Well, I certainly had a few flakes of gold sparkling around my hairline and lips for about 28 minutes afterwards, but as for a 28-day glow, I’m not so sure.

As far as ‘it’ treatments go, the 24k gold facial is for those who are time (and money) rich. It’s a delicious hour and a half of decadent pampering but don’t expect any dramatic results.

The facial begins with a generous slathering of Gamma PGA, a super-potent hydrating compound that allows the skin to better absorb the gold. Next comes a layer of the precious metal applied in slim, wafer-fine strips all over the face and neck. The strips are light as a feather and tickle like mad when they are being carefully positioned, but it’s important to keep still. This period of intense stillness forced me into a deep state of relaxation. I honestly can’t remember the last time I spent a full hour absorbed in my own thoughts. Bliss.

At the end of the treatment, a gentle nano mist combined with an ionic charge is sprayed all over your newly gilded features to ensure all the beneficial properties of the gold fully penetrate through the pores. This is followed up with a gentle face massage.

Historians say that Cleopatra slept in a gold mask every night in order to keep her looking young and beautiful, and after having my face delicately garnished in gold I certainly felt like an Egyptian goddess. Although, if I’m completely honest, my skin didn’t look any different to how it did before the treatment.

24k Gold Facial (350 euros) at the Mardan Palace spa, Turkey: www.mardanpalace.com

Also available at 122 Beauty Clinic in Knightsbridge, London www.122knightsbridge.co.uk