Katie Lee writes...
The Sen stores are becoming ever-more visable round London, with more stores opening up all the time. They offer a more upmarket feel to traditional Chinese remedy stores, enticing you in with the promise of lovely skincare products, tea tasting, and Chinese massage. And while I'm not big on alternative remedies, I do love a good massage, who was I to resist the lure of a pre-wedding facial treatment that promised to make me feel more relaxed and ready for my "big day"?
I had my treatment at the Sen Store in Spitalfields. The store was fairly compact, and it was strange to be led to a room that was right at the front of the shop, leaving me feeling a little more exposed than I'd like. But as soon as the massage began, shutting off the outside world was easy as I sank into a blissful 45 minutes of relaxation. The massage was firm but fair, and felt far more effective at getting to the root of the problem than many more namby-pamby pampering sessions I've lain through. It also lasted a good proportion of the facial, and thanks to the lovely Chinese music (much better than annoying pan pipes!) I soon felt truly relaxed.
The facial was entirely different to any I've had before. I've had similarly expensive treatments from The Spa Illuminata (Decleor store), The Cowshed, the Karin Herzog Chocolate Facial and Elemis, but this treatment felt no where near as indulgent. I have to admit to feeling a little disappointed initially. I'm used to a highly stylised experience where it feels as though the therapist is going through all kinds of elaborate rituals to perform what is ultimately a very thorough cleanse, mask, tone and moisturise. But this treatment involved a tepid sponge, delicate rotating movements and very little of the promised accupressure poking. In fact, I did briefly wonder if the therapist hadn't been shown how this new treatment worked - after all, it wasn't yet added to the treatment list when I looked. But after the initial surprise had worn off, I found it strangely calming to have someone treating me with such gentle and focused care. I spent the next half an hour drifting in an out of sleep, feeling very chilled indeed.
All in all, I loved this treatment, and would certainly go back. The massage was easily the best I've ever experienced in a facial and my skin felt beautifully refreshed afterwards. But there are provisos: I'd like a more secluded treatment room at the back of the store, I'd like a warm blanket (I was freezing by the end especially because there was so much tepid water involved and because you get left with a cold mask on for about 15 minutes), and I'd like a little bit more fuss made over the facial (it may have been relaxing, but for that price I want a bit more showmanship). It's not as luxurious as the treatments you get at some treatment rooms, but I came out feeling like the weight of the world had been lifted from my once very knotted shoulders. Just the thing for a tense bride!
£100 for 90 minutes
SEN in the City, Unit 4, Market Street, Spitafields, London E1 6DT, Tel: 020 7392 8899
Related: Treatment Review: Blueberry Smoothie Facial Peel at Renew Medica