Smartbox Zen & Spa Gift Box

The lovely people at Smartbox invited me to try out one of the gorgeous treatments available in their 'Zen and Spa Gift Box' last week. Sadly, I was indisposed but luckily, big sister BMB jumped at the opportunity to escape work and her toddler for the afternoon for some pampering at the Casa Spa, just off London’s bustling Edgeware Road.

The gorgeous Casa Spa

So over to Katie, to hear about how she got on...

The Casa Spa is a North African themed haven run by the lovely (but authoritative!) Helen. Although small on the outside, it hides a gorgeous Turkish Bath and Arabian Hammam where you can experience a traditional Turkish massage cleansing and exfoliation treatment using Moroccan ‘black soap’.

I started with a facial, given by Helen using lovely dermalogica products. The derma-clay in particular left my skin feeling deliciously tingly and clean. After the usual remonstrations about dehydration and lack of general care for my skin, Helen decided that my face needed ‘lifting’, particularly around the eye area – probably as a result of a bad night sharing my bed with my toddler son! Slightly apprehensively, I followed Helen into another treatment room where I was introduced to the LPG Endermologie machine.

This rather scary looking machine used a non-invasive probe to provide lift stimulation to the needy areas of my skin. There were no needles or chemicals, and the therapist was able to use a special small probe to get right into my eye area to provide the stimulation. The idea with this treatment is that the lifting stimulation activates the production of collagen and elastin, producing sags and bags. The treatment can also be used on the body to smooth cellulite and to sculpt and smooth those saggy areas.

I was a bit sceptical, but went ahead with the treatment. I was surprised at how painless it was, even in the sensitive area around my eyes. Once one side of my face had been treated, you could see a difference and after the treatment was complete my skin was definitely lighter and tighter in a good way.

With the left side only treated

Both sides treated

I’m not sure it is something I would do every month, as was recommended, but it could definitely be a good idea in the build up to a big day or special holiday where you want to look your best.

The Casa Spa is one of over 200 options included in the Time Out ‘Zen and Spa Gift Box’ which would be a lovely thing for anyone to find under the Christmas tree this year.

The Smartbox Zen & Spa Gift Box is £59.95 and can be redeemed at the handpicked locations across the UK where you can indulge yourself in one of over 200 treatments.