Elemis Biotec Facial Review in the Aqua Vitae Spa at Matfen Hall

The word on everyones lips when it comes to spa treatments is undoubtedly Elemis.

A leader in luxury British spa experiences and skincare, Elemis have successfully combined natural active ingredients with cutting edge technology to create some of the most influential anti-ageing products and professional spa-therapies the world has seen.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream at Matfen Hall Spa

Using skincare that is ‘defined by nature, led by science,’ Elemis have over 20 years experience in treating both male and female skin within professional spas all over the world and currently treat over 6.5million people every year!  I am one of them.

Look how gorgeous my skin looks after my treatment!  If you want to know which facial I had, keep on reading…!

This spring, I headed to Matfen Hall in Northumberland for a truly unique experience with a tailor made Elemis Biotec Taster Facial accompanied by relaxation time in the hotels spa facilities.

I am very familiar with Matfen Hall and the spa in particular having enjoyed treatments there since around 2011, however this was my first time trying out the Biotec line from Elemis.

Elemis at the Matfen Hall Spa

The Elemis Biotec Facial combines high potency active skincare products with the hands on skin lifting touch of a therapist and the science of 5 in 1 advanced bio-electric technologies to work in synergy with the skin to produce targeted results.

Each treatment is tailored to the individual and will use the technologies needed to achieve the outcome on the clients skin whether that be to focus on fine lines, radiance renewal, firm and lift, reduce pigment and brighten, resurface, control blemishes or to soothe sensitive skin.  There’s even one specifically for the eye area, another for the neck and a separate treatment for mens skin.

Elemis Life Elixir Range at Matfen Hall Spa

Generally, the treatments last for 60 or 90 minutes depending on which of the facial treatments you go for and the number of different bio-electric technologies that are needed to achieve the finished result.  There’s also a taster facial available as a 30 minute treatment to try out one of the facials over a reduced amount of time which can also serve as a quick skin pick me up.  This is the facial that I had at the Matfen Hall Spa.

Matfen Hall Spa Reception

Upon arrival, you’re usually greeted with a friendly smile at the spa reception.  Here is where you’ll also find plenty of products that are available to buy so that you can use them back home to maintain the effects of your treatment.

Natural Spa Factory Products Available in the Aqua Vitae Spa at Matfen Hall

Often there’ll be deals on where if you buy two or more products you’ll receive a gift with purchase, especially if buying from the Elemis range which is a great way to try more products without committing to the full size in case it doesn’t suit you or work for your skin.

The treatment began with a quick consultation where my therapist asked me about my skin, my current skincare routine and my concerns so as to ascertain which of the Biotec Facials would be best for me.  She decided that the Biotec Radiance Renew Facial would suit my skin the most as it targets sluggish complexions that are in need of brightening, revitalising and hydrating.

The treatment rooms at Matfen Hall are dimly lit with subtle spa music playing softly in the background.  They’re instantly relaxing and once you’ve had your consultation and are left to get undressed and hop under the blanketed treatment bed, it would be hard not to feel at ease.  The ambiance at the spa enables the client to focus less on the stress of everyday life and more on chilling out; its the ultimate in escapism and the perfect treat for the mind, body and soul but especially for the skin.

Elemis Micro Current Treatment

The Elemis Biotec Radiance Renew Facial is a cellular-boosting treatment with an ultrasonic peel that stimulates the removal of impurities and dead skin cells from the skin to leave it looking renewed and brighter and a galvanic rejuvenating current that pushes hydration deep into the skin to restore moisture and leave the skin looking hydrated and revitalised.

Elemis Infusion Treatment

Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm at the Matfen Hall Spa

By starting with a cleanse and to tone to remove surface impurities, you could be lulled into thinking that this was a relaxation based facial.  However when it was time to use the metal Biotec implements, I realised that while it is relaxing, the treatment as a whole is more of a results driven facial.

Elemis Light Therapy Treatment

The cocktail of biotec machine technology and Elemis serum then gets to work on the skin.  First the ultrasonic frequency wand pumps vibrational energy into the skin to exfoliate and deeply cleanse the skin, the a layer of serum was added before being worked further into the skin by the wand that produces a rejuvenating galvanic current.

If that wasn’t hydrating enough, the skins thirst is quenched by a further application of serum and then moisturiser.

Elemis Galvanic Treatment

My skin was left looking radiant and bright without any redness or irritation.  The treatment didn’t hurt at all and the feeling of the wands on my skin was far less intense than I’d imagined which is how I was able to maintain the feeling of being relaxed throughout the treatment.

The machine and wands do make a light sound and the current sort of tickles like pins and needles on some areas of the skin but this is neither uncomfortable nor painful.

I do feel as though a 60 or 90 minute treatment would be needed in order to really see more lasting results but the 30 minute taster facial was a great way to get an insight into how it could benefit the skin, especially with the fortnightly appointments as recommended.

An area of the relaxation room at Matfen Hall

At the end of my facial, I was guided to the relaxation room and given an ice cold glass of water to enjoy while reclining on one of the beds.  This is a great place to chill out pre or post treatment, with complimentary refreshments and plenty of magazines to choose from.

Complimentary refreshments in the relaxation room at Matfen Hall

Elemis Skincare Samples from Matfen Hall Spa

After rehydrating and debrief from the therapist who recommended several Elemis products for me to use at home and gave me some samples that would benefit my skin and prolong the effects of the facial, I picked up my towel and robe from the spa reception and joined my guest by the pool in the Aqua Vitae Spa.

We relaxed around the pool and in the jacuzzi before heading for something to eat.

Matfen Hall Aqua Vitae Spa Food Menu

Matfen Hall Spa Food Allergen Menu

We did purchase lunch at the spa while we were there but in all honesty, it left a lot to be desired.  They do have an intolerances/allergens menu from which I chose the chicken burger, dairy free but ordering was a bit of a hassle which took away from the relaxing spa experience, our meals took an age to arrive and the finished result was incredibly bland with under cooked, still hard sweet potato fries.

Dairy free chicken burger at Matfen Hall

I have dined in the spa before I was diagnosed and could still consume products with cows milk in them and the food was better; while still beautifully presented, perhaps a little imagination, care and attention from the chefs at such a prestigious venue wouldn’t go a miss.

While I couldn’t recommend the food at the spa based on this experience, we made up for it when we headed back to the pool area.

Matfen Hall Aqua Vitae Spa

Matfen Hall boasts a fabulous 16 meter swimming pool with loungers and chairs around to relax on, that is overlooked by my favourite part; the jacuzzi.  I love this area of the spa as it has a glass roof and lets in so much natural light.

However the real spa journey is through a door just next to the jacuzzi, where there are three rooms that would relax even the most restless souls; the aromatherapy room which uses mood lighting, aromatherapy essence and gentle heat to relax the muscles and ease the tired mind, the high humidity steam room infused with aromatic steam to slowly heat and refresh the body and the sauna which is a traditional dry heat room that invigorates the body’s system and relaxes the muscles.

To coincide with the use of the thermal spa journey are three showers and a fountain.  There’s the monsoon shower complete with a choice of water jets and varying temperatures to refresh and cleanse the skin before and after the use of the thermal rooms.

Then theres the ice cold bucket shower plunges a huge drop of water over the body in seconds to cool and invigorate the skin.  It is certainly not for the faint hearted, especially if used as designed, after the thermal cabins!

Finally, theres the ice fountain which is initially a shock to the system but it actually feels really invigorating when the crushed ice is applied directly onto the skin as it cools the body down and forces the skin pores that are open from the heat of the thermal suites, to close.

Matfen Hall Spa Day Review

This Northumberland spa is the ideal place to take your Kindle, grab a juice from the bar and while away an afternoon, where your only decision is whether to read another chapter snuggled in a robe on your lounger or take a dip in the pool.

The Aqua Vitae Spa at Matfen Hall is the perfect place to escape to throughout the year be it for an Elemis Biotec Facial or simply to relax and enjoy the facilities.

You can check out the full details of the Matfen Hall Spa here, check out their spa treatments on this page and book in by calling 01661 886 500.

Matfen Hall Spa Day Review

THE LOWDOWN

Where: Matfen Hall, Matfen, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE20 0RH

Call: 01661 886 500
Website: Matfen Hall Aqua Vitae Spa

Have you visited Matfen Hall before?  What did you think of the Aqua Vitae Spa?  How does the Elemis Biotec Facial sound to you?

*Professional images courtesy of PR for Matfen Hall.  Treatment provided in exchange for an honest review.