A signature treatment designed to evoke every sense, Sophie Ritchie visits LUSH’s Oxford Street spa to try their classic Synaesthesia massage and discover a secret world of calm beneath London’s busiest street
When visiting the crowded, loud, spatially-unaware chaos of Oxford Street, the last thing you expect to find is a haven of calm respite. I am usually more inclined to be prepared for battle, rolling eyes at the ready for the slow walkers, phone tucked so far into my pocket it needs a hoist to be pulled back out. But on the lower ground floor of the LUSH store awaits exactly that – a petite spa offering nothing but tranquility, high quality wellness experiences and open arms.
Located within the massive three-tiered shop, this LUSH spa is one of many – the brand has a total of nine locations across the UK, with additional sites in Covent Garden, Bath, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool and Poole. Unsurprisingly, this is one of the largest – providing 12 different spa treatments as well as tailored sit down consultations to help weary visitors restore and rejuvenate.
If I’m being honest, finding out LUSH offered spa treatments was a slight (bath)bombshell – I’ve always thought of it as being the go-to destination for gorgeous-smelling gifts and goodies, so finding out it offered such a wide variety of treatments felt like stumbling upon a hidden secret.
I visit on a Friday afternoon, a little run down from the working week and some sad family news. Despite the store’s high footfall, someone approaches me within seconds of me stepping over the lower ground threshold – greeting me with a smile and ushering me into one of two waiting chairs once I give my name. One short iPad consultation form later and I’m good to go, greeted by my lovely therapist Farrah whose friendly nature and welcoming attitude immediately puts me and my train-induced jitters at ease.
The Experience
The 80-minute treatment begins with a short informal consultation inside the cute spa “kitchen”, a separate cozy space decked out with sofas, wall art and shabby chic furnishings.
Here, the experience begins with me picking one of eleven ‘intentions’ for the personalised treatment. This is done by reading a short paragraph of chalkboard text, where certain words have been highlighted. Unsurprisingly, as I’m quite burnt out from months of project work and hauling my dessert-inhaling self to the gym before it’s even an acceptable time for coffee let alone cardio, my eyes are led towards the abstract noun “Energy”.
I also select an aroma from a tray of bottles, which looks a little like an array of different-coloured potions. It’s the small size and bright red colour that catches my eye rather than its name (‘kindess’), but who doesn’t need a little more of that.
This will therefore be the chosen intention and aroma of my personalised experience, and thus the basis for all things scent-wise too. I love how friendly the experience already feels thanks to this brief chat, which is already much more personalised than the typical “bra off, lie down there” introduction to most massages.
The Treatment
Onto the fun part. The massage begins with some theatrical magic in the rustic-styled lowly-lit treatment room – my Energy intention is “activated” with a dose of dry ice that cascades across the floor like mystical fog. It’s atmospherically enchanting, amped up by my chosen aroma being added to a second beaker of dry ice, which erupts as if I’m in the middle of a pampering witching hour.
It’s worth noting that LUSH co-founder Mark Constantine had a huge amount of involvement in the creation of this treatment – Mark himself has been diagnosed with synaesthesia, which means he sees shapes and colours when he smells things. The massage aims to let others experience what 4% of the population do, giving them get a brief glimpse inside this vibrant world of internal magic.
Adding to this individual feel of the treatment, I’m also given the choice of an additional light stomach massage or a hot stone treatment, a further rejuvenating element. It’s worth noting that LUSH also goes against the grain when it comes to its treatment products too – there are no oils in this treatment, but instead a massage bar (a solid moisturiser containing essential oils and shea butter). In the warm, cozy room, its coolness feels wonderfully calming upon even the most anxious of bodies.
Designed to target all six senses, the massage also incorporates a soundtrack that gently flows through different sections from orchestra and crickets to English bird song. Drifting into a state of ease as the massage begins, I soon hear the flutterings of birds and animals accompanying the buttery-soft movements applied to my muscles, strangely reminding me of childhood evenings spent in nature reserves.
It’s peaceful and tranquil – juxtaposed wonderfully with the relieving massage bar that Farrah expertly swirls across my skin like waves breaking upon a beach and the hot stones pressed upon different parts of my body.
Deeply relaxed, I gladly accept my new stress-free state of being and debate whether I could spend the rest of my evening (or weekend) upon the heated table. Before I know it however, my groggy self becomes all too aware that the tranquility is over for now – but not before I’m given an extra special parting gift.
I’m bestowed a sweet ‘Energy’ bath bomb to take home and carry on the restoration, reminding me that it’s important to take time for yourself regardless of whether parading around Oxford Street or simply shutting down the laptop for the night.
The Wordrobe Verdict
Get ready to swoon over Synaesthesia. When visiting the crowded, loud, spatially-unaware chaos of Oxford Street, the last thing you expect to find is a haven of calm respite. But on the lower ground floor of LUSH awaits exactly that – a petite spa offering nothing but tranquility, high quality wellness experiences and open arms. A massage with a mystical edge, spoil all six of your senses and indulge in a treatment that truly transcends.
Make it happen
Wallet: £160.00
Where: This treatment is available at the following Lush Spas: London (Oxford Street), London Covent Garden Bath, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Poole.
How: Find out more and make a booking via lush.com
Words by Sophie Ritchie, editor
