Ideal for de-ageing, de-stressing and de-puffing without a needle in sight, make a beeline for this royalty-endorsed treatment, says editor Sophie Ritchie when she tries the famous Bee Sting Facial courtesy of beauty guru Deborah Mitchell of Heaven Skincare
Ageing is a funny thing. You simply assume it will never happen to you, until one day you’re looking in the mirror and ‘wham’, another forehead wrinkle. The fine lines around the eyes become just that little bit more visible. The post-dessert bloating sticks around just a little longer. Friends suddenly start to comment on their finding of grey hairs. And those once frequent baby-faced-based compliments are becoming rarer by the day.
Maybe it’s vapid to care and obsess about such things – but so be it. I’m in my early thirties and I’ve definitely already joined the ranks of those searching for the Elixir of Youth. So when the opportunity arose to try Deborah Mitchell’s famously effective Bee Sting Facial, worshipped by A-listers and Royalty alike, I bid adieu to the critical Mirror On The Wall and headed straight for Central London instead.
The Treatment
Taking place at The Langham, the swanky five-star hotel located just a five-minute walk from Oxford Circus, this treatment is far from the impersonal experience I was expecting. The wellness experience begins – not on a towel-draped treatment table – but instead as an impromptu meeting at the hotel’s Club Lounge – an area reserved for only its most prestigious guests. One bubbly glass of Champagne later and I find myself chatting away with the chicly-dressed Deborah, who welcomes me as if we’ve known each for years.
She’s friendly and warm, entirely at ease in The Langham’s ultra exquisite surroundings. I’ve definitely lucked out from being first on the ‘call list’ of clients for the day – not just from the glass of bubbles in hand but also getting the chance to learn more about Deborah’s self-made career so far. “I started as a mobile beautician and couldn’t afford high end skincare,” she tells me across the table. “So I started making my own.”
Three decades later, Deborah’s very own beauty empire, Heaven Skincare has become renowned for its high quality products – and led to a host of accolades under Mitchell’s (Gucci) belt – the most recent being a highly-coveted Royal Warrant courtesy of Queen Camilla herself.
A business built with recyclable packaging, fragrance-free formulas and of course, its famously effective bee venom range, Deborah owns her own Harley Street clinic as well as a flagship salon based in Shropshire – and regularly rejuvenates the faces of A-listers and royalty. But when we’re chatting away at the hotel, her open and kind nature would leave me none the wiser to her incredible entrepreneurial success.
The lavishness transitions seamlessly from setting to treatment as we make our way to the grand hotel suite hosting the experience, where a massage table awaits in the master bedroom. One swift setup later and we’re ready to go, with my camera propped up to capture the experience.
“It’s like lymphatic, for the face.” She tells me as her expert hands begin to knead out the tension in my face, neck and shoulders – using different signature products to remove my makeup and smooth those dreaded fine lines (which seem to pop up on my face like whack-a-mole more and more).
An entirely non-evasive treatment, Heaven’s Bee Sting Facial is a natural facelift which can help to reverse the signs of ageing and tiredness by cleverly manipulating the body’s natural response to healing.
The Bee Venom Mask works its patented magic by ‘tricking’ the body into believing it’s been stung – thus going into overdrive and sending a wave of collagen, blood and elastin to the face. There’s no gory wound to fix of course – this natural reaction is instead used to tighten, firm and create a rejuvenated, younger look. Think Botox, without the needles.
Despite the intricate processes going on beneath the skin, there’s never a feeling of uncomfortableness or pain during the facial, which is aided by the addition of soothing ingredients within the mask such as Manuka Honey, Shea Butter, Rose & Lavender. Instead, the facial feels highly pampering from start to finish – with a little bit of shoulder and foot massage thrown in too.
It’s also worth noting for the animal lovers that no bees are harmed in the process of extracting the all-important venom. A humane pane of glass with an electric charge running through it is used to collect the venom, which leaves the bees alive with their stings intact.
The Wordrobe Verdict
The Bee Sting Facial is well-worth the buzz. Following the wellness treatment, my skin feels softer, dewier and considerably de-puffed. As well as being ideal for those with acne or dry skin looking to achieve their summer glow, this facial is also perfect for anyone with water retention issues. Post-session, I immediately see a difference in my jawline and cheekbones with Deborah herself exclaiming “Look at that!” and leading me to a nearby mirror.
Need-to-know: The Bee Sting Facial is just one small component to the Heaven Skincare collection. There’s a diverse range of beauty goodies that many swear by, including soothing moisturisers, collagen-based serum oils, haircare and toners – to name just a few. Each comes in the brand’s elegant branding, with feminine colours and beautifully-sleek packaging.
Make it happen
How: Find out more and make a booking via widget.treatwell.co.uk
Wallet: £130 for a Bee Sting Facial with Deborah.
Words by Sophie Ritchie, editor
