Familiar with Swissline treatments from a previous visit to The Shelbourne, I recently decided to return to try one of their new additions: the Swiss Oxygen Facial (from €230). The treatment description is what hooked me in: a “75-minute invigorating facial that stimulates, strengthens, and purifies the skin ... the ultimate antidote to tired, lifeless-looking skin”. While I wasn’t entirely convinced about the “lifeless” part, I was definitely in need of some invigoration.
Upon arrival at the spa, I was handed a consultation form. As I scanned the questions, I was surprised to find one asking how much pressure I preferred during the massage – light, medium, or firm. I had booked a facial, so I wasn’t sure if this was an error, but I eagerly ticked the “firm” box and hoped for the best.
As the therapist led me down the dimly lit hallway to the treatment room, I found myself wondering about the massage element. My shoulders were, for lack of a better description, up around my ears from stress, muscle tension and long periods of sitting hunched over my desk. I became increasingly hopeful that there would indeed be a massage included. Once we arrived at the treatment room, I couldn’t hold back any longer and asked the therapist: “Is there a massage as well?” She confirmed, “Yes, neck and shoulders.” I thought I might pass out from happiness.
The treatment began with a deep cleanse and a facial massage. There was an aspect that I can only describe as “smushing” – it felt like my face was being pressed down to make contact with the back of my head. It wasn’t unpleasant, just uniquely intense. After this, a cool mask was applied to my skin. Almost immediately, I felt the heat and puffiness in my face evaporate. Swissline are renowned for their use of powerful natural actives and skin-identical ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and marine hydrolysed collagen, and this mask, the Cell Shock Hydraholic Mask (€135 from The Spa at The Shelbourne), contained several of them. I made a note to ask post-treatment whether it was available to purchase (it was).
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While the mask worked its magic, the therapist focused on releasing tension from my feet, forearms and hands. Once the mask was removed, it was replaced by something else. I refer to it as “something else” because what followed erased much of my memory of the treatment from this point onward.
For a lengthy period, the therapist expertly pummeled my neck and shoulders, working out the giant knots. It was one of the most wonderful tension-releasing massages I’ve ever experienced. Thanks to my choice of firm pressure, the massage was rather full-on at times – occasionally on the verge of painful, but never quite crossing that line. I’d love to tell you exactly how long this part of the treatment lasted, but I fell asleep and lost track – a 10/10 experience in my book.
When the treatment concluded, I retreated to the relaxation room – a beautiful spot at the front of The Shelbourne with views of St Stephen’s Green. On the way, I posted a quick story on Instagram about the experience, mentioning that I could no longer feel my shoulders. Always mindful of tension and tightness, I found that it was simply absent after the massage.
Happily ensconced in the relaxation room with a fruit-infused water in hand, I turned on the camera on my phone to take a quick peek at my skin. I was amazed not only by how radiant and smooth it looked (and felt) but also by the complete absence of redness, puffiness and essentially any signs of the fatigue I had shown just 75 minutes earlier.
In the end, the experience exceeded my expectations, unique face smushing aside. I had booked a facial, but what I received was a mind-and-body experience that left me feeling brand new. If that isn’t a testament to the power of a well-executed spa treatment, I don’t know what is.
