With a philosophy of simplicity and quality treatments, Scin offers clients jargon-free pampering. Peggy Nuttall found out what that means
Arriving on Friday evening, haggard after a hard day's work and experiencing the tail end of mild panic that I'll never find the place, I'm warmly greeted by Nicky Noble, one half of the pair of sisters that run Scin spa for men and women.
This boutique spa, tucked away in trendy residential Notting Hill, offers an uncomplicated but expert service, Nicky explains. And it's my kind of place. There's nothing worse than a spa so precious looking you daren't touch anything for fear of leaving an embarrassingly greasy finger print on a meticulously polished glass surface. But here the decor is refreshingly unpretentious, minimalist and clean.
I'm a spa novice, easily intimidated by spa culture and embarrassed by my ignorance when it comes to lotions, potions and beauty-lingo. Stupid I know, but when Nicky talks me through the treatment options I'm pleasantly reassured by the uncomplicated-sounding items on the menu, such as 'Pregnancy Leg and Foot Treatment' and 'Quick Fix Toenails'.
I start with a 15-minute session in the hydrotherapy bath. This is a two-person-sized pool with various jets and pressure settings. The ambience created with candle light and calming stone tones is perfect. But I must admit to having become a little bit bored about seven minutes into the session. The jets were a little weak and so didn't really feel as though they were doing much to loosen any tight spots in my back or legs; and the water wasn't quite warm enough to feel like an indulgent soak in the bath either.
An aromatherapy facial
So, after amusing myself with the various buttons, I am a little relieved when I'm collected from the pool and taken to a treatment room for the next stage. I have opted for the 60-minute organic aromatherapy facial which involves a double cleanse, exfoliate, warm compresses, face and shoulder massage, mask, scalp massage and moisturise.
The treatment bed is ingeniously heated from beneath and I'm already more relaxed than I have been in a long time. Quiet classical music and candle light sets the mood, and I can feel myself veering dangerously close to alpha wave sleep already.
The various exfoliators and creams are applied expertly, and the warm compresses feel deeply cleansing. But the ultimate clincher for me is the scalp massage: utterly heavenly and administered with perfect pressure and pace, all the nagging and unimportant thoughts of the day melt away.
Nodding off
I'm afraid to admit that I did nod off, despite my best efforts, and after being out for the count for an undefined period of time I woke myself up with one of those embarrassing jerks. The therapist told me that nine out of ten clients do find themselves nodding off at some point during the facial, which is reassuring, and also makes me think that the poor highly strung ten per cent who don't fall asleep could probably do with a longer session.
For me, this experience was precisely what a spa should be: simple, unintimidating, indulgent and luxurious. The prices are what you'd expect of an inner London boutique (£15 for 15 mins in the hydrotherapy bath, £70 for the facial) but it's good value for what you get.
Be warned that this is a small place so do not expect shower rooms and complimentary Molton Brown products to pamper yourself with before leaving. I found myself leaning over a hand held mirror resting on a treatment bed with less than sufficient lighting to put on some Friday night slap.
In hindsight, I should have given up the idea of going out to a crowded bar afterwards, it would have been nice to indulge in the lovely serene feeling a little longer before snapping back into the real world.
27 Kensington Park Road
Notting Hill
London
W11 2EU
020 3220 0121