The best facial in Glasgow

The importance of self care

Taking time out for yourself is important, and I am also a huge advocate of making memories. These are actually two of my 8 P’s of conscious time management - P for Pause (making time for rest + sleep), and P for Pleasure (the importance of making memories)! When we can combine these two, it feels magical!

One of my preferred ways to unwind, or take time out for self care, is to treat myself to a facial, and there are a couple of favourite spots in Glasgow city centre that I wanted to share with you here.

There are some unique ways that different therapists or beauty salons elevate their customer experience, and I think this can really make a huge difference. I know that I seek out the treatments that are more experiential. This is also something that I try to bring into my own business; how can I learn from other industries to really elevate my customer experience, and in the words of Jen Carrington ‘surprise and delight’ my customers and/or subscribers. Anyway, the focus of this post is the best facial in Glasgow… but if you are a business owner, you might want to also see if this prompts new ideas for your customer service.

For instance, I’ve been at some salons for a facial where they start out by doing a little foot cleansing ritual which was unexpected, but also very lovely. I’ve also really enjoyed being able to pick the scent that gets diffused in the room, or when we’ve started with some breathwork to relax. And I’ve been in other places where there’s a lovely ritual at the end of the facial, that involves a beautiful herbal tea or infused water. These little touches really do make an impact.

Facespace

Nicole Campbell-Watson is the owner of Facespace, which brings together a collective of non-brand affiliated facialists under the one roof. I’ve visited Facespace at the Urban Office on Portman Street, Glasgow twice, once with Nicole and the other with Cal. From a logistical perspective, Urban Office is in the Southside of Glasgow, outside the LEZ, and there is free car parking available. I normally travel by car, well - my campervan to be precise. That said, I’m sure there are buses that service the nearby area, and the closest subway station is Kinning Park which is an 8 minute walk.

Both facials were amazing. Firstly, the studio has very clearly been lovingly curated; it’s beautiful and very stylish - and yet it feels homely too. My shoulders relax the moment I cross the threshold. The treatment bed is the most comfortable I have ever been on. Sometimes I have been asked in salons elsewhere if I’d like a pillow under my knees, or I get tucked in with an extra blanket… or if I’m very lucky the bed is heated… but there’s just something about this bed that is different. The attention to detail, including the beautiful linen, does not go unnoticed.

Then there’s the facial itself. There is a real focus on breathwork and facial massage, alongside the products. It’s very much a holistic experience that can only be described as magical.

“Not one single brand can suit all skin types, personal preferences or skincare ethics, and this is why we are proud to be a non-brand affiliated space.”

It can be tricky to get a booking, but it’s worth making the effort. Follow Facespace on Instagram here.

Blythswood Square Hotel Spa

At Blythswood Square Hotel Spa, Glasgow

Another super stylish venue in the heart of the city centre is Blythswood Square Hotel Spa.

The hotel is within the Glasgow city LEZ boundary, and my campervan is too old to get into the city centre, so I tend to travel by train into Glasgow Central and then walk up the hill to Blythswood Square. 

I had booked myself in for a ishga Sound Therapy treatment, which comprised exfoliation, hot stone massage, facial and a hot oil head massage. What elevated the experience, aside from the beautiful surroundings, was a special musical composition playing in the background, which made it that little bit more wonderful. 

I also had full use of the thermal suites and swimming pool for 2 hours before my treatment, so I was well and truly spoiled - it truly is a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

Fletcher’s Cottage

My last recommendation is a little bit of a wild card, because it’s not actually in Glasgow - it’s on the East Coast near North Berwick at Archerfield House (manageable as a day trip from Glasgow). I was very kindly treated to a day here with two of my good friends for my 40th birthday, and it was glorious. It comes as no surprise that Fletcher’s Cottage has been named as Scotland’s best spa by The Telegraph.

On arrival, we were welcomed with a lemon & ginger tea and a hot cloth after removing our jackets and shoes and putting on our spa slippers! I immediately felt special. You’re set up in your own private changing room which has a toilet and shower, along with all the other toiletries, hair dryer etc that you might need during your visit. It was at this point we changed into our swimming costume and robe, and then returned to the communal space to relax. There are log burner stoves (my birthday is in January, and so they were on when we visited - I love a real fire!), and you can enjoy an infused water whilst soaking up the atmosphere. There are a few different rooms that you can visit - the lavender sauna or the marine steam room - and the walled garden is beautiful too. Worthwhile noting that unlike Blythswood Square Hotel Spa where there is a swimming pool, there isn’t a pool at Fletcher’s Cottage.

I had a massage, and it was perfect. Then on return to the communal space I was brought a delicious fruit smoothie to enjoy. I was truly pampered, and would love to go back!!

Conclusion

The Facespace studio

Glasgow offers some truly exceptional facial experiences that cater to both your skin's needs and your overall wellbeing. These experiences not only provide skin benefits but also incorporate elements of relaxation and a personal touch that elevate the treatments beyond the ordinary. The attention to detail makes each visit unique and memorable.

Taking the time for self-care is crucial, and these facial spots in and around Glasgow offer perfect opportunities to pause, find pleasure, and create lasting memories. Treat yourself, and enjoy the magic that these facials can bring to your self care routine.

Wondering how you might carve out more time in your schedule for self-care?

If you’d like more time for self-care, then my self paced online course might be for you… find out more details about Get More Time here.