As Amida Spa Farnham attests with their A-List Facial, Rodial’s products are made with the red carpet and silver screen in mind.  While the ingredients have some seriously impressive effects however, the brand retains a humorous edge with its tongue-in-cheek product names … think Dragon’s Blood Sculpting Gel and Snake Serum …

What exactly is the A-List Facial?

It’s a 55-minute facial, starting with a double cleanse using Rodial’s Glamtox cleanser, which is a beautiful product using Jojoba oil and containing amino acids – it is really more like a balm, and just melts make-up away.  We then tone using a rose toner, and do an exfoliation which solidifies, a bit like a mask, so we can then rub it away with our finger tips to add the exfoliating element.  We then apply a brightening mask which contains fruit acids, and do a 20-minute massage over the décolleté and face areas – it’s quite different to normal massages in that it’s vigorous to lift and plump the skin.  We want to see reddening of the skin at this point to show that the blood is rushing to the surface to immediately brighten.  We then apply finishing products: a Snake Serum, which acts almost like venom, this is the ‘Botox in a bottle’ part that Rodial is known for, and finally finishing with an SPF 15, and potentially an eye cream depending on the client’s needs.

Where does it come from?

It is a treatment from Rodial, which is known as the alternative to surgery.  The brand’s key ingredient is pomegranate, which is an antioxidant, hence the name, ‘rodi’, which means pomegranate in Portuguese.  The founder of the brand models the products on celebrity culture (it also has a big celebrity following), so the idea is to replicate surgical treatments that are popular among the A-List, and the names of treatments hint at that.

What is it supposed to do?

It’s lifting, hydrating, plumping and tightening, and is a great radiance booster as well.  After the facial, clients should feel hydrated and be able to see instant results.

Is there anything you do to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment?

We do inhalations at the start of the treatment to incorporate a relaxation/holistic element.  After the treatment we also always offer aftercare – we are looking at the skin throughout the treatment to see how it reacts, and then recommend products so that they can continue the effects at home.  Our Liquid Face Lift is a particularly popular set of products for guests to purchase because it’s for all skin types.

Is there anything you recommend clients to do pre or post-treatment to get the most out of it?

It’s quite a self-contained treatment, but if you are using the spa, try to do so beforehand.  Don’t go straight into the wet facilities afterwards, you will remove all the products!

Is there anyone you particularly recommend the treatment for?

Anyone with ageing concerns.  It’s a great preventative as well as a cure, so we would recommend it for anyone who is in their mid 20’s onwards.  It is also great for dry skin as it’s rich and indulgent.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t have this treatment and why?

The only people who wouldn’t enjoy it is anyone with acne or problematic skin, and oily skin because of the rich products that we use.