EMBRACE THE ART OF FACIAL SCULPTING

Spring is in the air, and as flowers burst into bloom, birdsong returns to London’s parks, and the days start to brighten, with it comes the urge to treat ourselves to a similar reawakening. Find out how a revolutionary facial sculpting treatment at Claridge’s Spa can help you look and feel invigorated as the world comes to life again.

Much like the shifting seasons, the beauty industry has trends that come and go. Some are fleeting, some are cyclical, while others last a few years before being replaced. But there are certain treatments that go the distance, shaking off the term ‘trend’ to become a permanent fixture on the wellness landscape. One such treatment, FaceGym, first took London by storm and has since spread around the world. And with a pedigree that goes back to 2015, it’s certainly staying the course.

When describing a facial, the language you normally hear tends towards the serene. ‘Relaxing’. ‘Soothing’. ‘Gentle’. ‘Calming’. FaceGym however, has its own vernacular, promising ‘knuckling’, ‘pinching’ and ‘hooks’– a clear hint that this is not your average beauty experience.

In fact, FaceGym don’t refer to their treatment as a facial at all. In their own words, “It’s not a facial, it’s a workout”. And here lies the central concept: that while we regularly work out the rest of our bodies, our faces often go un-exercised – to the detriment of our appearance.

FaceGym ‘workouts’ are designed to fill this fitness gap. A combination of facial sculpting movements help train the muscles that make up our expressions, looking beyond the skin to what’s going on beneath the surface. With targeted attention, those facial muscles are conditioned, strengthened and stimulated so that the skin that sits on top becomes tightened and supported. It’s a holistic approach giving instant, non-invasive results.

The face is made up of over 40 muscles and just like we work out our body in the gym, we can train the muscles in our faces too. 

The origins of FaceGym London

The face behind FaceGym belongs to Inge Theron. Entrepreneur, journalist and seasoned traveller, Inge is a self-confessed lover of beauty treatments. She once penned a regular column for the Financial Times titled ‘Confessions of a Spa Junkie’, testing the latest trends in fitness, wellness, and aesthetics. It was during her pursuit of the perfect procedure that one treatment went awry, leaving her temporarily housebound. Understandably shaken, this served as the catalyst for a new chapter in her life.

She set out with a new mission: to find a better way to approach skincare. After a three-year journey of discovery, learning from doctors and scientists, technologists and therapists, FaceGym was born. A product of combined knowledge from around the world, it blends ancient facial sculpting and manipulation techniques drawn from Asia, with cutting-edge technology and tools developed specifically for the brand.

Work out while sitting down

There are too few exercise regimes that involve a reclining chair. But fortunately a FaceGym workout entails sitting comfortably for the duration, in the safe hands of a personal trainer. There are a number of workouts to choose from, but the overall approach is the same.

Echoing the process of a full-body workout, FaceGym exercises start gently with a warm-up (a cleanse to drain the lymphatic system and kickstart the detox process). Next, cardio. Expect high energy, and firm movements – this is where things may feel a little bit strange, but never painful. Your trainer will be vigorous. But, after all, what’s a workout without some exertion? After cardio comes sculpting and contouring, where the goal is definition of the cheekbones and jawline using traditional kit like a gua sha, or one of FaceGym’s signature tools. Finally, the cool down and finish, which involves a customised skincare treatment to leave you with a dewy glow.

These techniques encourage collagen production and stimulate blood circulation, a crucial combination for healthy-looking skin. Facial sculpting wakes up the lymphatic system which helps reduce puffiness and tiredness, while the deep muscle stimulation releases tension in the face, particularly in the jaw and neck. Together, the effects tighten and lift the face, and transform the skin.

Another benefit, one that converts to FaceGym often cite, is the immediacy of the results. No wonder then, that a slew of famous faces now schedule in a workout before hitting the red carpet. Whether the Met Gala or the Oscars, the BAFTAs or a fashion show, FaceGym has become a secret weapon for A-listers in the lead up to a big event. But for Inge, the confidence boosting effect is one she believes everyone can benefit from:

“You’re already great. All you need to do is take that great version of you and amplify it, making you the absolute best version of yourself.”

FaceGym at Claridge’s

Cocooned three stories beneath the streets of Mayfair, Claridge’s Spa is a softly-lit retreat inspired by traditional Japanese temples and gardens. And ground-breaking, in every sense. Inge played a pivotal role in the spa’s conception, and co-developed its treatment programme. Within that programme, both traditional and tech-driven practices have a role to play, which made FaceGym a perfect fit.  

After all, within the spa, workouts take place in private treatment rooms – including special extended sessions. And while FaceGym promises a high-octane experience, the spa’s calming atmosphere is the ideal tonic following a session. Treatments come with access to the hotel’s serene, subterranean pool, for a post-workout cool down – where you tend to find guests relaxing in a private, heated cabana, crystal-infused water in hand. Many choose to combine a session with another luxury treatment, or book in for a Josh Wood blow dry afterwards – the ultimate treat, after the ultimate workout.