Get more than you wish for with an Aveda facial

A regular facial is something that a lot of women like to get, but what about when you've had a busy, stressful week and sometimes you need something a little extra? That's where the Circle of Life's Aveda facial comes to the fore... especially when included in the package is a thorough skin consultation, a relaxing foot bath and a decadant hand, neck and shoulder massage. After settling back into work after a week's holiday, I found this treat a perfect way to gently ease my skin (and mind) back into a healthier, calmer routine. The 90 minute facial treatment was pure decadence and the perfect way to treat my blemishes after too much indulgence! My therapist for the morning was Angelina Treglia, who was full of chat and had lots of sound advice about skincare in general. As well as the facial, you get a 15 minute foot bath and a skin consultation, so you really are treated like a princess for almost two hours! And all for the price of a top-quality facial. I got to pick the fragrance for the foot wash and once my feet were moisturised, I already was well on the way to feeling relaxed. Aveda products are botanically-based and believe in using organic ingredients. They are also based on the beliefs of ayurveda (the science of life and traditional medicine). Aveda believes that we are all made up of five elements; Infinity, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. To find out what my elemental nature on that particular day, Angelina asked me a couple of questions about how my skin felt that day and then deducted that my elemental nature was Infinity. Angelina explained that when these are out of sync you then begin to have skin inbalances such as blemishes and breakouts and therefore you need to treat your skin to get that balance back. So once I was comfortably lying on the treatment table, with cotton pads on my eyes, Angelina took me on a sensory journey. She let me smell three different scents and told me to pick my favourite. She said that this means you select the scent based on what nutrients your skin needs. Funnily enough, I found the citrus one far too harsh and ended up picking the vanilla, even though if asked which one to choose I probably would have gone the other way! This vanilla aroma was then used to customise my cleanser, mask and exfoliation. Vanilla is not only relaxing, but also has anti-oxidant properties. Angelina said that with the Aveda facial, all masks, exfoliants (refinements) and massages are customised for each client and skin type, so depending on how your skin is behaving, you could end up with a different, customised facial every time. The cornerstone of the 90 minute facial really is all about the client's relaxation. To start off, Angelina did a foot and scalp connect and a "hand-walk" over the body so that I was relaxed to the therapist's touch. She then rocked my body which really helped all my muscles to relax. Angelina explained that when you are relaxed, your body is more receptive to the treatment. Then she got down to business and carried out a deep-clean! She pre-cleansed the skin using an Aveda composition for my specific skin type, which on the day was dehydrated and tired. She then cleansed with Aveda Purifying creame cleanser, toned and hydrated. By now I was really enjoying the treatment and my skin was starting to breathe. Angelina then shined a super-bright light over my face and carried out a skin analysis. She said I had good elasticity (so I don't need plumping injections yet I guess) but I had a lot of congested areas, especially on my chin and nose. She made up a customised facial exfoliant which was a mix of botanical kinetics liquid exfoliant, the vanilla aroma and a deep cleansing herbal clay masque. While the exfoliant did its work, Angelina then treated me to a wonderfully relaxing scalp massage. My favourite part of the facial was when Angelina removed the mask with hot aroma towels - my skin felt so alive and awake for the first time in days. She then used the Aveda Infusion for blemish control, which is an intense treatment for specific skin types and then carried out a pressure point massage suitable for your skin type and which didn't upset or spread any blemishes. But it wasn't over yet! Next was a customised mask, which was a mix of two separate masks; one for the oily/blemished T-zone area and an intensive hydrating masque for dehydrated cheeks. Apparently, Kylie Minogue is a fan of this mask product. As this mask worked its magic, Angelina did a hand/arm and decollete massage, which again was sublime. After removing the mask, she again toned and hydrated the skin, and then applied the Aveda Tourmaline radiance fluid, which is a type of skin primer. She also applied blemish relief lotion and hydrating lotion to rest of my face. And she dabbed some tourmaline-charged eye cream was applied to my under-eye area. To finish off, Angelina got me to inhale in some Aveda blue oil which helped kick-start me back into reality! And reality it was, as I headed back to the office but unlike that same morning, this time my skin was radiantly glowing, it looked healthy and hydrated and my blemishes had all but disappeared. A few days later, I was still enjoying the healthy glow and my spots have really calmed down. I may not have heard of Aveda before, but it certainly made a lasting impression. Circle of Life offers a choice of three Aveda facials at 30, 60 or 90 minutes. There's free skincare advice available and products for retail are also available, along with all other beauty treatments.Contact Circle of Life, Roscommon Road, on 090 6498339.