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As someone who writes about beauty, you might expect me to love facials, given my constant quest for top-notch skincare and my enjoyment of lying down with my eyes closed. But that’s not the case. I’ve had plenty of not-so-great and downright awful facials. Over time, it’s become clear that a facial isn’t always the blissful or effective experience you’d hope for. It’s not always a guarantee that your hard-earned money will give you that perfect, dream-like relaxation, where you’re drifting in and out of sleep, or deliver dramatic skincare results like a completely smoothed-out complexion.
Facials can be a bit of a gamble. Maybe you’ll encounter someone with a magic touch who can work wonders on your face with a little scented oil. Or perhaps you’ll have an advanced, highly skilled facial with steam, lasers, and strong acids, offering a thorough skin transformation. But there’s always a risk you’ll end up with a lackluster experience: an hour of a brand-focused product demo, with various masks and exfoliants applied and then methodically removed after some time.
It’s frustrating to pay for a session where products are applied to your face in the same way you could do at home, especially when there’s nothing happening during the “letting it work” phase except hearing your therapist clean up behind you. Where’s the expert touch, the luxury?
Personally, if I’m wearing a face mask at home, I’d be multitasking—reading, taking a bath, or watching TV. It’s irritating to pay for downtime without being able to enjoy it properly. When you’re in a session, there shouldn’t be any gaps when the clock is ticking. A hand massage or a scalp massage would be nice during this time.
This brings me to what I wanted to share: I had a facial last week with Sharon McGlinchey, the founder of MV Skin Therapy. With Sharon, it’s never a gamble. She’s not called “Sharon Magic Hands” without reason. Her facials are pure bliss that relax both mind and body, transforming my skin into a glowing version of itself.
I’m not suggesting you book a session with Sharon—she’s based in Sydney and keeps busy running MV Skin Therapy. I only manage to see her during her occasional visits to London. But I mention her because all the energy and dedication she puts into her facials also goes into her skincare line.
MV Skin Therapy offers a small, carefully crafted range of products. They feature gentle cream cleansers, high-quality oils, and clay masks suitable for even the most sensitive skin. My top picks are the Rose Soothing & Protective Moisturiser and the Rose Booster. The moisturiser acts like a comfort blanket for stressed, sensitive skin, while the Rose Booster, rich in luxurious oils, offers a soothing glow when mixed with moisturiser or applied directly to damp skin.
For a lighter texture, add Rose Mist to the moisturiser, or add a few drops of the booster for a richer feel. Another favorite of mine is Pure Jojoba Oil, a versatile product that’s moisturizing yet lightweight, perfect for calming dry skin and soothing post-shave irritation.
I’ve currently got a discount code for MV Skin Therapy in the UK—use RUTH20 for 20% off. Also, check out their guided meditations online; while you might not book a session with Sharon, you can still enjoy her calming presence with your Rose Booster massage.
