Following a busy few weeks, I recently visited City Retreat for a much-needed evening of relaxation. An award-winning beauty & spa therapy service, City Retreat offers customers a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, whilst remaining on their doorsteps.
Owned by beauty therapy expert Lesley Caster, City Retreat has expanded since its opening in 2004, now operating from three luxurious salon & day spa locations. With premises on Osborne Road, Jesmond, and Grey Street, Newcastle, I was delighted to visit City Retreat’s Gosforth site, situated in an easily accessible location on Gosforth High Street.
Upon arrival, I was immediately impressed by the venue’s comfortable and luxurious ambience. With plush seating, gold décor and floral displays, City Retreat exudes both elegance and relaxation. The therapy room itself similarly promoted feelings of comfort and sanctuary, with snug heated beds, ambient lighting and relaxing music adding to the venue’s serene atmosphere. This five-star experience was coupled by excellent service, with the expert therapists on hand to make me feel the most welcome and comfortable during my visit.
City Retreat Gosforth specialises in offering advanced face and body treatments, using scientifically-proven, innovative technologies to energise and hydrate the skin. Spa therapies include both Dermalogica Spa Facials and Elemis BIOTEC treatments, which promote visibly nourished and energised skin. On this occasion, I enjoyed the Red Carpet PureHydro Aqua Deep Cleansing Facial Peel, a 90 minute treatment designed to make the skin feel smoother, fresher and cleaner.
PureHydro facials use bespoke technologies to combat a multitude of skin concerns. The facials can be used on all skin types and offer a range of benefits including hydration, skin tightening, brightening and congestion. The treatments can be tailored to an array of needs, such as anti-ageing, acne or sensitive skin, with 1 hour treatments also available to target specific areas.
Following an in-depth consultation with my therapist, Tina, the treatment comprised of eight steps, which used different technologies from the device to target various skin conditions. One of the first steps was the Hydrodermabrasion, which removed all debris and dead skin cells to cleanse and hydrate the skin. I also enjoyed the Oxygenation step, which created Co2 bubbles on the skin surface to deeply exfoliate.
The Mesotherapy solution was then used to penetrate the product deeply, whilst Radio Frequency technology was used to lift and contour. This is particularly suited to those with anti-ageing concerns, as plumping collagen encourages the skin to appear tighter and firmer. Here, LED Light Therapy was also used to enhance the results, with different lights available for concerns such as defence, ageing and repair.
The standout feature for me, however, was the Fire & Ice technology. Here, a warm wand was used to encourage blood circulation at the beginning of the treatment, whilst the ice element was used at the end to seal in all the product. The experience was topped off by the Oxygen Mist, which left the skin looking and feeling both nourished and hydrated. I have to say this was VIP treatment at its finest.
After a follow-up consultation, in which Tina provided me with a thorough examination of my skin and some tailored product recommendations, I left City Retreat after an extremely relaxing and informative experience. With the PureHydro facial, the skin also continues to glow and reaps the best results a few days later, making it the ideal treat for yourself or a loved one before a special occasion.
All in all, City Retreat was just what I needed to completely unwind and de-stress. If you are looking to leave the city behind and indulge yourself, City Retreat provides the perfect place to relax, refresh and renew. The Red Carpet PureHydro Aqua Deep Cleansing Facial Peel retails at £139.00 for a 90 minute treatment. Customers are entitled to £20 off with the code HF20-2022.