Restore and repair body treatments Aldo Coppola salon London

What is it?

A reviving hair, face and body treatment designed to restore and repair. Offered exclusively at London’s swish Aldo Coppola salon in Kensington, the home of the iconic hairdresser who rose to fame in the ‘80s working alongside designers Versace, Valentino and Armani. Each part of this treatment is also available separately though there is a considerable saving to be made by combining them in one package.

What does it do?

Body: Starting with the Swiss Body Gommage treatment, this is an all-over body exfoliation which is nicely relaxing rather than painfully bracing – no pan-scrubbing here. It’s ideal if your skin has had a bit of sun this year (lucky you!), as it strips away dead cells and reveals skin that is smooth and glowing. After an-all over application, I make my way to the shower to wash it all off, after which a rich body cream is applied.

Face: Next it’s a Fusion Mesotherapy for my eyes and face, a really popular treatment at Aldo Coppola with a long list of regular clients. After cleansing, my face is treated with a machine that transmits anti-ageing lotion through radio frequency waves to the layer of skin around my eyes. I feel a slight heat in the area as the machine does its work, the raised temperature stimulates collagen production and skin tightening, and also feeds the lotion deeper into my skin.
After working on one side of my face, the therapist lets me have a look at the results. The lines around my eye definitely appear less obvious on the side she’s been working on, though I do have to peer to see it. However with a treatment like this, a course of sessions is recommended for best results and if this is the result after only one session, I can definitely see how it would have very good long term effects.

Hair: Finally, I go back upstairs to the hair salon and after assessing my hair – it’s very dry! – I have a hydration and repair treatment that is matched to what I need. This involves using some henna which really gives my hair a rich glossy shine and brings up the colour tones nicely. I finish with a blow-dry which gives my hair lots of movement without any frizz - less 'salon done', more 'natural goddess', well a girl can dream ... it looks very sleek anyway.

Why will I like it?

Apart from the obvious benefits of having eye lines smoothed and a full body exfoliation, it’s great to leave a spa with swishy bouncy shiny hair, rather with hair stuck to my head with body cream and massage oil like I normally do. It’s still shiny and bouncy the next morning - that was a very good blow dry - and the henna keeps it shiny through the next few washes.

Anything I won’t like?

It won’t suit anyone looking for a quick ‘in and out’ treatment – my session lasted two hours and fifteen minutes. Then again, it’s a spa treatment – what’s the rush?

Tips to take home?

Take care of the skin around your eyes; it’s delicate and one of the first places that will show the signs of ageing. Think about investing in eye cream which is light enough for this sensitive area.

What’s the place like?

All plush expanses of sleek reflective surfaces and beautifully lit mirrors in the salon; cosy softly-lit rooms with handle-less smooth sliding doors in the spa downstairs. My camomile tea is served in a teapot on a little silver tray on a stand. I watch Aldo work his magic at a fashion show on film as I sit at the basin waiting for the henna to absorb. The basins are framed by brightly lit semi-circular pods; mine switches its light off when it’s time to wash out my henna treatment - but maybe that’s just a coincidence.

Where is it?

Aldo Coppola, 70 Sloane Avenue, South Kensington, London SW3 3DD

How much is it and how do I book?

The Restore and Repair Spa Therapy treatment package costs £195, for more information phone 020 7052 0709 or visit www.aldocoppola.co.uk.
Treatments can also be taken individually: Swiss Body Gommage £50, Fusion Mesotherapy for face and eyes £95, hair spa therapy £30, blowdry and style from £55