Elemis facial at the Harbour Club

Lydia Williams treats her parched winter skin at the Harbour Club

Above: As I snuggled down under a warmed blanket i got a swift and thorough skin analysis

On trial this month was the Elemis skin specific facial at the Harbour Club, Notting Hill. Rather than a treatment designed for a specific skin type (oily, dry, ageing), the facial is tailored to your skin’s particular needs, to ensure your skin is nourished, repaired or hydrated in all the right places.

As I snuggled down under a warmed blanket, Lisa Butterworth, beauty manager at the club, gave me a swift and thorough skin analysis – the driving wind and central heating had left my skin parched and dehydrated, with a few stubborn outbreaks. That translated to a prescription of rose petal cleanser (a double dose) followed by a good exfoliation to slough away the dry, flaky top layer of skin. This was removed with heated mitts, infused with lavender oil, again Lisa’s verdict on my skin meant she picked out a specific oil to put it right, as well as inducing total calm away from the storm that was brewing outside.

With a fruit-enzyme mask applied, Lisa let it get to work whilst, with a good few drops of rose oil, began working away the tension in my neck, shoulders and arms. The most generous and heavenly scented massage I’d had with a facial in a long while. The mask was removed with more hot mitts and a final slathering of moisturiser and eye cream left me peachy skinned and ready to face the day.

Harbour Club, 1 Alfred Road, W2 5EU; 020 7266 9300; www.harbourclub.co.uk