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Brighter Sparks

Brighter Sparks website

It is a wonderful thing when a treatment sends you into another stratosphere, miles from conscious thought, so that you’re not sure which way is up or what the hell is going on. This is how I felt during my pampering session at The Treatment Rooms. The light and polished salon in Brighton offers everything from Salt Glows to Body Boosters to Half Day Rituals and was particularly inviting on a chilly afternoon when the rain lashed sideways. I was happy as soon as I stepped through the door and whiffed the essential oils.

I was booked in for a heady two hours and Ashton, my therapist, was great from the off – bathing my feet before setting to work on my Swedish Full Body Massage (£52) and Renew Rose Facial (£49). The massage was longed for, and Ashton thoroughly kneaded my tense back and limbs, with delicious Rose Oil by Aromatherapy Associates. This was 98% pleasure and 2% teeth gritting as my shoulders were crazily knotted, but I felt all the looser afterwards. After the hour-long massage we moved onto the facial, and as she cocooned me in blankets and set to work on my skin, I came over beautifully woozy. Using Aromatherapy Associate creams, lotions and potions she cleaned, massaged, oiled and masked my face in smooth hypnotic motions that felt so good my mind spiralled into free association and I fell asleep – twice. Forcing myself awake for a spine-tingling Indian Head Massage, and with my eyeballs rolling, I wondered if this is what it’s like to be smacked out. Top marks, Treatment Rooms – I’ll be back for more escapism soon.