Skincare Treatment Review
If you’re considering a facial and want to truly invest in yourself, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Iris Maglanoc.
You know how Michelin restaurants are rated from one to three stars? Well, I’d put Iris firmly in the three-star category. Other facials I’ve experienced would generally fall into the three- or four-star range by comparison. I say this because I can honestly say I have never experienced a facial like this in my entire life.
From the moment I arrived, Iris was warm, friendly and had such a calm, reassuring aura about her. She sat me down and seemed to understand exactly what my skin needed, almost without me having to explain anything. It felt less like a conventional facial and more like an MOT for myself.
She immediately noticed the significant tension around my neck, shoulders and back, which was also affecting the way I was holding my neck. It took time, patience and a lot of work to release that tension, but we gradually got there. The experience was surprisingly emotional, too. I found myself holding back tears and sitting quietly, and I had a feeling Iris could sense that as well.
For me, the tension around my neck also felt connected to something deeper emotionally and spiritually: the difficulty of expressing and holding things in and struggling to let go of what no longer serves me. Iris's advice? I needed to tell people to f**k off more often. 😂 Sometimes, you just need someone to remind you!
What really amazed me was the work she did on my skin. Iris used a variety of tools and techniques that left my face looking noticeably smoother, lifted and more sculpted. It genuinely felt as though someone had taken an iron to my skin! The lifting effect was incredible, and I left feeling as though I’d had a mini facelift. Think of gua sha, but on steroids! Every skin is unique, which is why I believe in a bespoke approach to skin care. Whether it’s a personalised facial or a clinical skin treatment, every procedure should be carefully tailored to the individual’s skin type, concerns, and long-term goals, rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach. There is also a meaningful difference between simply performing a treatment and having a genuine passion for skin health. When you truly enjoy what you do, it goes beyond the treatment itself. It means taking the time to understand the skin, paying attention to the smallest details, and being genuinely invested in helping each client achieve the best possible results. Skin transformation is a process, not an instant fix. While an hour can be valuable for relaxation, skin assessment, and targeted treatment, achieving visible and lasting improvements often requires a more considered approach, consistency, and a treatment plan tailored to the individual's needs.
It’s not simply about performing a facial; it’s about understanding the skin, treating it with intention, and creating a personalised journey towards healthier skin.
I love that this offers an alternative to Botox, especially as you can still enjoy the sauna afterwards Rather than simply focusing on temporarily softening the appearance of lines, the aim is to address the underlying causes of your skin concerns and support longer-term skin health and improvement. It’s about treating the skin at its source, with a personalised approach and results that can last with the right treatment plan and maintenance.
Beyond the visible results, I felt so relaxed that I could genuinely have fallen asleep. It was a completely different experience from a buccal massage, which involves working inside the mouth with gloved fingers. As Iris explained, addressing the tension in the neck and shoulders is an important part of the bigger picture, rather than focusing solely on the face.
Would I recommend saving up for this facial? Absolutely. Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? In my opinion, absolutely.
There is also an exclusivity to the experience, as appointments are by invitation only, so it isn’t necessarily something you can simply book on a whim.
When I think about the cost, I consider the bigger picture. If you were to spend £350 on five microdermabrasion sessions, for example, I would personally see this as an investment in a different kind of treatment that combines facial sculpting, tension release and deep relaxation in one session. It’s almost like bulk-buying benefits for your skin, face and overall wellbeing. My only wish is that it was closer to home, as travelling back meant exposing my freshly treated skin to all the London underground pollution along the way.
For me, this wasn’t just another facial. It was an experience that left me feeling relaxed, emotionally lighter and genuinely impressed by the results.
If you have the opportunity to experience a treatment with Iris Maglanoc, I would highly recommend it. She has completely changed my expectations of what a facial can be.