Clarins Spa Rebalancing Massage Review (AD: Gifted)

Hello! So I was kindly invited this week to try out the Clarins Debenhams Spa in Aberdeen, in return for a blog review of my experience - I have to say I was very overdue a massage so the timing could not have been better!

I have always been curious about the Clarins spa treatments, being a fan of many of their skincare products, but had never visited before. It is situated conveniently near the Clarins counter inside Debenhams. 

Behind the glass doors, you walk into a spa like environment immediately, with a reception counter and comfortable waiting area. Your Clarins therapist greets you with a friendly offer of kiwi strawberry water and a short questionnaire of any health or physical concerns they might need to know about. 

Clarins was begun as a beauty institute in Paris in 1954 by Jacques Courtin-Clarins, and has maintained a focus on choosing natural and plant based ingredients wherever possible if they deliver the same result as a chemical one. This isn’t mere lip service, Clarins uses over 250 natural plant extracts in their formulas, a statistic that impressed me. 

Their products speak for themselves in my experience, I have never had an adverse reaction to any Clarins product I have tried, which is saying something with my sensitive, breakout prone skin.

Once you are in the spa treatment room you are completely transported, with pleasingly dim lighting, the perfect warm but not too warm temperature, with aromatherapy oils gently permeating the air and soothing music in the background. Everything about this experience was comforting and relaxing from the start.

I had the Rebalancing Massage, which is described by Clarins as “a deeply relaxing full body massage which uses a bespoke sequence of slower movements and pressure point techniques to release even long standing knots and tension within the deeper muscle layers. The effect is intensified with an essential oil blend in either soothing basil, camomile and petit grain or invigorating rosemary, mint and geranium.”

And truly, it does everything described above and more. This was my first time having a full body massage. I have had back massages before and enjoyed them, but I admit I might have shied away from the idea of a full body massage simply out of modesty or not knowing what to expect. I have to say after this rebalancing massage that I am a complete convert!

My therapist Erin put me completely at ease, the parts of your body that aren’t being massaged are covered with a warm towel, and truly you have not lived until you have had someone massage the knots in your calf muscles! 

Your hands and feet are gently massaged to begin with, with any tension in the feet worked on, and then the leg massage begins, which is slow and rhythmic and feels like your muscles are being lifted up gently, as knots and tights spots are worked on intermittently. It really is heavenly and you feel all of your aches and pains float up and out of your body with a pleasingly releasing, not painful at all sensation.

It is a technique that is somehow gentle yet also very effective at releasing any tightness at the same time. You start on your stomach on a very comfortable cushioned massage table and then turn over onto your back eventually – this massage treatment lasts for just under an hour and a half, but it honestly flies by. I was feeling a bit chatty on the day but you could also quite easily zone out if you wished. 

I felt so deeply relaxed and a bit floaty after my massage was finished. The aromatherapy oils were scented subtly and my skin felt as soft as a baby’s. The knots in my shoulders and neck were so expertly worked out by my therapist that two days later I am still appreciating just how much looser and less sore they are. 

It’s amazing how much tension we walk around with and get used to. I think maybe my gym activities have resulted in some extra shoulder tightness, plus I think I carry tension in my shoulders generally, and to be  without that tightness now feels ah-ma-zing.

The Clarins Spa at Debenhams Aberdeen has a wide range of treatments; from a variety of facials and massages to tanning and contouring treatments. I am keen to try one of their facials now that I know how pampering and soothing an experience their spa treatments are. 

The Rebalancing Massage is absolutely a treat that everyone should try if they enjoy a good quality and relaxing head to toe massage experience.

The Clarins Spa customer service is so attentive and friendly, and they set up a profile for you with your treatments and their recommendations for you, so once you are in their system they know your preferences and history. 

I would highly recommend the spa and especially the treatment I had to anyone. 

If you live in Aberdeen and would like to try the spa out for yourself I have a 10% discount code for anyone interested, you can use it at the Clarins Debenhams Spa as well as on any other products you might need at the Debenhams Clarins counter, bonus!

The discount code for my readers is STEFF10, do check out their services if you are in need of a spa treatment, you will not regret it!

Thanks again to Erin and the Clarins Debenhams Spa team for the wonderful treatment and experience, I will definitely be back!

...I received the rebalancing massage and a gift from the Clarins Spa in return for this review, but all opinions are my own.