I tried a new ‘queen of skincare’ experience at this five-star luxury St Andrews hotel spa
This facial is new to this gorgeous destination
It’s hard to beat a prematurely summery day at five-star hotel, Fairmont St Andrews.
The sea looks cerulean blue, the golfing green is busy, and the swallows are dipping under the eaves. It’s scorchio.
I almost feel guilty about going indoors and checking into the basement spa.
Not THAT guilty though, especially as I’m here to try the newly launched The Fairmont x Skin Rocks Signature Facial, which marks the first time that Skin Rocks has teamed with a Scottish luxury spa destination. If you’re not au fait, this beauty brand is owned by aesthetician and writer Caroline Hirons, who has been dubbed the “queen of skincare”. You can find her products in the spa reception - all cheerful in their Skittles-coloured chunky packaging.
I meet her at the resort’s launch, and she regales us with stories of hanging out with Rod Stewart and Elaine Page at a wedding the day before.
Anyway, the facial is a showcase of her starry products, which may or may not be used by the 81-year-old pop star himself. Well, something must keep him looking so youthful.
We start, once therapist Chantelle has taken me through into a treatment room, with a deep cleanse, using the best-selling and bright orange The Cleansing Balm, which smells sweetly of oils including jojoba, sunflower and carrot. Then, a light and zingy The Gel Cleanser goes on, to get rid of any remaining cosmetic detritus.
Chantelle looks at my skin under an ultraviolet lamp and decides what to deploy next. I have already complained about dryness and generally crepe-y skin.
She decides to go for The Amplifier, which is clinically proven to enhance the effects of other skincare products, as well as The Hyperpigmentation Serum with various antioxidants and peptides to help with my dappling. Apparently, this potion is sometimes nicknamed HP Sauce by skincare aficionados. I want to be slathered in it, like a barbecued sausage. Chantelle will also use The Strong Acid, which contains AHAs, BHA and PHA to restore radiance and help with fine lines and wrinkles, among other things.
According to Hirons, she uses actives in her products at the highest possible permitted levels, before they have to be classified as medicines. She does not scrimp.
Anyway, this acid stuff is, as she says, “spicy”. However, its application is the only vaguely uncomfortable moment in these blissful 50 minutes.
The experience is counterbalanced by lots of very relaxing yet stimulating massage, from my scalp to decolette, using tiny stretching movements, and pressing along the jawline. When a hydrating mask is painted on, I get a hand and arm rub that’s well overdue for this keyboard warrior.
Finally, here’s an application of The Eye Cream, squalane-based The Support Oil and The Moisturiser, with its recipe of ceramides and pro-vitamin D3.
My skin feels super bouncy, with all the spring of a new sofa.
If you’re going to be inside on a rare sunny day, I can’t think of many better places to be.
The Fairmont x Skin Rocks Signature Facial is now available at Fairmont St Andrews with the 50-minute treatment priced at £115, www.fairmont.com
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