The best perk of my job was having free treatments…almost daily. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had the Synaesthesia or Validation Facial. It’s a lot. So I pride myself on knowing the treatments pretty damn well. Scrolling through Twitter the other day, my friend Amy tweeted “Which is the best Lush Spa treatment? I’d really like to try one!”. I had a huge lightbulb moment and thought “WHY HAVEN’T I TALKED ABOUT THIS?” and I couldn’t answer her question in 140 characters. So, better late than never, let me enlighten you on a full, indepth, completely honest review of the Lush Spa Treatments.
Let’s start with what I call the ‘signature’ treatment, Synesthesia (which means: the production of a sense impression relating to one sense or part of the body by stimulation of another sense or part of the body). This one is magical. I’d go as far as one of my favourites. It ticks all the boxes, a full body, full immersive experience. You start by selecting a few words from the wall, anything from Perspective to Peace, whatever stands out most to you. Lush call them ‘behaviours’ to set the tone of the treatment. Whatever you pick, will tailor the experience, meaning that each Synesthesia I’ve ever had has been slightly different. The music has been choreographed by acres of coastline, birdsong and the power of words. This is perfect if you’re new to the Lush Spa, and would make an incredible gift for someone young or old. (Note: treatments are usually 16+ with parental permission, best to check with the spa directly).
…pssssttt…here’s the soundtrack if you wanted a sneaky listen. The music is absolutely incredible in all the treatments, but this is one of my favourite soundtracks.
The Good Hour
I’ve got a really bad back, so I often enjoyed a Good Hour to help release knots, aches and pains. The Good Hour is a deep-tissue, full body massage to help wring out tension in time to the music, stretching and straightening you. The music is close to home with this one, I love the sound of the sea rolling in as they ripple tension out of your body. During your consultation, you can also explain any areas of pain for them to work on. They use trigger point techniques and jelly disks, a mix of hot and cold techniques. It’s a medium to hard pressure, but you can tailor it however you like. I really enjoy this one, but only when I feel a need a ‘proper’ massage, rather than a relaxing, immersive one. The experience is still incredible.
Price: £85.00
Duration: 70 minutes + 15 mins consultation time
Rating: ****
Duration: 70 minutes + 15 mins consultation time
Rating: ***
Hard Days Night Treatment
This was a new treatment being developed when I first arrived at Lush. I will never forget the buzz and excitement around it, EVERYONE wanted to try it. But in my personal experience and opinion, it’s one of my least favourite. The music is a take on Beatles classics, so you may recognise a song or two. Unlike the others, you wear a pair of old-school pyjamas, which is slightly weird to me but makes total sense, as half way through, they use a technique with ribbons to roll your legs left and right. Lush call it ‘exercise without the exertion’. It is designed to air relaxation and make you feel rested, as if awaking from a good night’s sleep. A full body massage, with gentle, passive stretching and pressure pointing. This one isn’t for me but it’s a unique experience for sure!
Price: £95.00
Duration: 75 minutes + 15 mins consultation time
Rating: **
Wow. Now THIS one is really special. My second favourite, for sure. BUT only in the winter! You are snuggled under a duvet, so it’s a bit too warm for summer in my opinion. However, if you’re off on a holiday, it’s a full body hot chocolate scrub, so leaves your skin feeling super smooth. I love the product they use, it’s not too harsh and smells incredible. They even use a nourishing rose serum after. The child in me loves this one, it really plays with your imagination. The music bounces with tunes from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, and the room is lit up PINK with stars. It’ll honestly leave you so happy, and reminds you not to take life too seriously. Plus at the end, you get an amazing candy-floss drink! A full body, exfoliating treatment. 100% recommend.
Price: £85.00
Duration: 60 minutes + 15 mins consultation time
Rating: *****
The Sound Bath
I’m not a fan of this one. I found I could never fully relax. I liked the concept as it’s designed to help deeply rebalance. It’s meditative and refreshing for the senses, but personally isn’t for me. It helps drain the lymph and stimulate your circulation. They use subterranean music and tuning forks, where the therapist actually starts playing them as they walk around your body. The only part I did really love, is the hot and cold stones. They place one big one on your belly which feels really nice. Overall, you can expect a clarifying face and head massage, ear candles and tuning forks. I’d much prefer to have The Spell..
Price: £70.00
Duration: 60 minutes + 20 mins consultation time
Rating: **
Watch the video here.
The Spell
Another favourite of mine. This one is SO underrated. I remember my best friend Megan having this and telling me how much she surprisingly enjoyed it. The nice part is, you don’t need to get very undressed, as it focuses on your head and feet. It’s reflexology-inspired, the help you ‘move forward with purpose’. They use gentle pressure on your shoulders, and hot stones warming the temples (amazing!). At the beginning, you’re treated to a foot bath and scrub, which I absolutely love. Although it focuses on your feet, it honestly feels like your whole body has been treated, and is great for anyone who hasn’t had a Lush Spa treatment before. Now I really want one!
Price: £70.00
Duration: 60 minutes + 15 mins consultation time
Rating: *****
The Planets
This treatment was developed during my time at Lush, but I was kindly invited back a few months later to the Poole store to fully enjoy it. After all, I had bits of it for therapists to learn/practice on me, but I never tried the full experience until later. For me, The Planets really is special, but the price is too high for my budget. It takes a certain type of person to fully appreciate the work behind this, hence the price tag. It is a full body massage performed in three phases. 90 mins of tension-alleviation; the music at this point is incredible, and really sets the barrier high for the rest of the treatment. Then you have half an hour of hand and arm massage, and a Lush palm reading. I really like this part. You wear a big fluffy dressing gown and enjoy a nice drink. The final hour is a lifted facial. It goes so quickly. I was so sad when it was over! Like I said, it’s special, but it’s expensive. I liked it, but I would prefer a Synesthesia.
Price: £285.00
Duration: 180 minutes + 20 mins consultation time
Rating: *****
Tales Of Bath
I don’t know about this one yet, but it’s coming soon! I’d love to try it, sounds like they might start incorporating the actual baths they have in some of the spas.
There we go! I feel extremely lucky that I have had the opportunity to not only try every Lush treatment so far, but to have worked with the people who develop the treatments and train the therapists. I could bang on all day about the music too, Simon Emmerson is an incredible composer, working closely with Mark (see the video below!). I fully appreciate how much time and effort is involved, including sourcing the all the equipment like little pots, mitts, towels, gowns, candles, instruments, baskets, bowls…you name it.
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