Tweak of the Week is Citizen Femme’s in-depth beauty treatment and tweakment review series, featuring the CF team’s tried-and-tested recommendations for facials, massages and injectables.
This week, content & partnerships director, Lucy Halfhead, tried the Aman Advanced Facial – marketed as the latest hot ticket for rest and relaxation. It is available at the Aman Spa at The Connaught hotel in London’s Mayfair.
What is the Aman Advanced Facial?
Available as both a 60 and 90-minute treatment, this results-driven facial integrates ancient healing with the best of modern science. It makes use of the brand’s newest skincare line, Aman Essential Skin, which is infused with powerful herbal extracts from Japan including purple rice bran and indigo, both proven to have antioxidant properties that promote healthier skin. Other ingredients include skin actives like vitamin C, vitamin E, peptides and hyaluronic acid.
Combining products from the Essentials Skin line with exfoliation and manual lifting techniques, the Aman Advanced Facial stimulates face muscles to improve the skin’s overall texture.
What does the treatment actually involve?
The treatment starts with an ultrasonic scrubbing device that helps loosen and remove oil, dirt and cellular debris from pores. A combination of electronic muscle stimulation (EMS) and massage then firms the skin, while cryotherapy bulbs are used to eliminate puffiness and promote a gentle glow. Next, the application of a mineral mask supplies concentrated marine minerals into the skin to deeply hydrate, followed by the application of an Aman x 111 Skin Nourishing Gold Algae hydrogel sheet mask – our beauty editor’s favourite – to brighten the complexion. The 90-minute version also includes 15 minutes under a medical grade LED lamp followed by a lifting scalp massage.
Why should you be excited?
The Aman Spa at The Connaught is the first of its kind to be built outside the renowned Aman resorts worldwide. It is hidden at the heart of one of London’s most cherished hotels, where you’ll be welcomed into an elegant lobby adorned with incredible fresh flowers and directed to the lift by friendly and knowledgeable staff. Although it’s only a couple of floors to the spa below, it feels like descending into an entirely different world, away from the hustle and bustle of Mayfair, with its fashionable shops and buzzing cafés. There’s a tranquil 60-metre swimming pool to unwind by prior to your treatment, where you can help yourself to herbal teas and dried fruits, plus a crystal steam room infused with essential oils for deeper relaxation.
Tried and tested: what is having the treatment like?
From the moment you step into one of the five treatment rooms, every sensation invites you to unwind. The lights are dimmed and there is soothing music as you slip under a towel on the bed, which is perfectly heated to keep you warm and cosy throughout. The experienced Aman therapist puts you immediately at ease and begins the treatment with a deep cleanse; as the ultrasonic device passes over the skin you can feel a gentle scrubbing sensation and hear a high-pitched noise but it isn’t at all painful.
Then the EMS follows, a soft vibration that tingles rather than anything sharp, and an incredible facial massage which irons out any tension in the jaw and cheeks with soothing, rhythmic movements. After this, your face might feel quite warm but then comes the perfectly timed application of the cryotherapy bulbs which are a pair of icy globes that are rolled across the skin’s surface and feel amazing.
The best part might be when the mineral mask is smoothed over the skin and then the LED lamp goes on top, working its magic as the mask hardens and you receive a blissful arm and foot massage. Finally, the cooling Aman x 111 Skin sheet mask is applied – with separate patches for extra moisture under the eye area – and left to work as the therapist performs a wonderful scalp massage – at this point it’s hard not to fall asleep!
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What results can you expect?
Post-session, you can expect to feel like you’re walking on air and you’ll see a rejuvenated reflection staring back at you from the mirror. The surface of the skin appears brighter, with a radiant glow that looks like you’ve either been on a super relaxing holiday or on a detox for a week. It also feels noticeably tighter and may prompt friends and family to ask why you’re looking younger all of a sudden…
What is the aftercare advice?
Aman urges its clients to keep up the regime at home, beyond the four walls of the spa. It’s an ethos explained by the CEO of Aman Essentials, Kristina Romanova: “Our products have all been about wellness and a holistic lifestyle. It’s about beauty from within. If your lifestyle choices are not consistent or not healthy, no amount of cream would help you. It’s about taking care of your body, mind and soul.”
Who is the Aman Advanced Facial suitable for?
As with most tweakments, you should speak to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How many treatments do you need?
You will see a difference after just one treatment, but maximum results with regular appointments.
Why is the Aman Advanced Facial ‘Tweak of the Week’ worthy?
We love this non-invasive treatment for its immediately visible results that last. In addition, the treatment has been cleverly curated to achieve maximum relaxation so as well as your skin looking its best you will feel much calmer and more balanced when you return to the real world afterwards.
Any Questions or Tips to add?