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My glorious skin response facial at Ark began with a skincare consultation where I had to answer a simple questionnaire on my daily skincare routine. I was ready to lie.

I was ready to explain how I had never seen a cigarette in my life, I'd never drunk a skinfull of red wine and as a result i'd never ever fallen asleep with a full face of glittery make-up on. I was quite prepared to be told that at the age of 29 I had a face like Brigitte Bardot (as she is today, not the young sex kitten variety).

I was then taken through to have my facial, the beginning of what would be the most relaxing 75 minutes of my life. My pores were scrutinised under a bright light (which was terrifying) and I was told, despite a little skin damage (thanks to the factor 6 suntan lotion I swear by) and some redness caused by capillary damage (that will be the red wine then), that I have very good skin. The likeness to Ms. Bardot ends here.

The treatment and the products used were tailored to my skin type and the philosophy behind Ark's skincare range is a simple one, products are not categorised by skin type but divided into three age-related categories: age prepare (Teens to mid 30s), age maintain (Mid 30s to 50) and age repair (50s and beyond)

My face was gently steamed, scrubbed, massaged and masqued. This is exactly what you would expect from a fantastic standard facial but what really strikes me about the Ark treatments are all the wonderful little extras that you wouldn't expect. Whilst my face was steaming my feet were massaged, the face massage extended into a neck, chest and shoulder treatment and whilst I was absorbing my masque I was treated to a lovely long head massage.

The treatment costs £70 for 1 hour 15 minutes, and is worth every single penny. The experience was amazing and my skin was deliciously soft and positively glowed for days afterwards. I treated myself to a skin vitality moisturiser and de-stress skin response serum in order to combat those damaged capillaries. Well, it was either that or give up the red wine.

- Ark treatment menu

- Age aware skincare