Treatment review: Signature Honey Facial at Hilton London Bankside
The story: Last spring, Hilton London Bankside introduced two new treatment rooms in collaboration with external spa operator Spa To You, creating relaxing therapy spaces next to the hotel’s gym and stylish pool.
Treatments offered in the dedicated Spa To You rooms include Chinese bodywork therapy Tui Na, Lava Shell massages using heated tiger clam shells and facials from French skincare brand Caudalie and British product house Bee Good.
Products by the latter brand have been incorporated into the Signature Honey Facial developed for Spa To You at Hilton London Bankside. Emma Hu, managing director and owner of Spa To You, explains that the decision to use Bee Good products in the facial was inspired by the fact that the hotel has its own beehives on the roof.
Honey from the hives is also used in the cuisine on site. “Delicious honey from the hotel beehives is part of the wellness journey here at Hilton Bankside,” explains Hu.
The experience: The products in the Bee Good range are made from British honey and the ones used in the Signature Honey Facial include the Honey & Wild Water Mint 3-in-1 Cleansing Water, Honey & Propolis 2-in-1 Cream Cleanser and Honey & Camelina Facial Exfoliator – all applied at the cleansing stage.
This thorough cleanse was followed by the application of the anti-ageing Nectar Perfecta Beautifying Mask, and a 20-minute facial massage.
The Nectar Perfecta is an enzyme mask for face and body that not only functions as, well, a mask, but also has an exfoliating effect. During my treatment, the product was applied twice, removed with a hot towel each time.
The first time around, my therapist gently exfoliated my skin, and the second time around she applied the product as a masque. She then left the Nectar Perfecta, which contains honey, propolis, five different alpha hydroxy acids and plant oils such as vitamin E-rich camelina and wheat germ, on for 10 minutes – to nurture the skin.
While the mask was left on the skin to sink in, my therapist massaged my neck and shoulders, before the treatment concluded with a three-step miniaturisation. During this stage of the facial, the Hydrate, Smooth & Prime Serum, Lift & Brighten Eye Cream and Plump & Firm Moisturiser from the Youth Enhancing range were massaged into the skin.
Business boost: The novelty factor of a facial using honey-based products is definitely a selling point. Having your own beehives on site, as the Hilton London Bankside and a growing number of other spas and hotels around the world do, is also a great talking point. Many clients today are aware of the plight of bees: struggling against loss of habitat, pollution and the use of pesticides, and will be pleased to support an initiative that helps safeguard the bee population.
Others will be attracted by the opportunity to have a facial with products that are almost 100% natural. Personally, I also really enjoyed the honey chocolates served at the end – those alone were enough to make me want to go back!
Tried by Frederika Whitehead
The Signature Honey Facial is £120 at Spa to You at Hilton London Bankside
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