The Blurb:
Newly opened last October, the Boutique is the smaller, chicer sister to the King’s Road The Chelsea Day Spa.
Located next to the infamous Brinkley’s on Hollywood Road, and offering everything from manicures and pedicures to facials, waxing, eyelash extensions and massages, the small salon is discreet and tastefully decorated.
The Process:
The spa is very cosy, but kitted out in neutral tones with plenty of natural light. I was here to sample the Darphin Prescriptive Facial, and the salon’s trademark New York Manicure. The lovely facialist began with a ‘welcome ritual’; hot damp flannels squeezing my shoulders and feet and a brief chest and shoulder massage. I’m familiar with the Darphin range and particularly like their Arovita-C products, so she gave me the First Signs of Ageing facial. Consisting of long, sweeping strokes from the chest, and plenty of facial rejuvenation massage, it was definitely a relaxation treatment. The products smell amazing and feel luxurious to the touch. Time disappeared as the therapist layered and swept and patted and pressed serums, creams and masks deep into my skin.
Despite being shouted at by an astonishingly stroppy nail technician, I left with a relatively chic manicure. The spa only uses Jessica polishes, and didn’t have quite the range of contemporary colours I’m used to, but the therapist’s attention to detail was fantastic and the colour I left with was vibrant and fresh.
The Result:
The salon feels fresh and is still fairly spotless. I’d arrived wearing no make-up in a frazzled, flustered sort of way, but left make-up-free in the fresh-faced, dewy sense. The New York manicure was surprisingly comprehensive for a 30-minute treatment; my nails were left neat and well shaped with no trace of cuticle.
The New York Manicure is currently on promotion at £15 for 30 minutes; The Darphin Prescriptive Facial ranges from £45 for 30 minutes to £125 for 105 minutes, depending on the facial.
The Chelsea Day Spa Boutique, 53 Hollywood Road, London, SW10; thechelseadayspa.co.uk; 020 7351 4555
