Mumsnet Talk

I am on maternity leave so money is tight. I have a £100 gift voucher for a very smart salon and wonder whether I should use it on practical stuff like waxing over the summer or treat myself to a facial. Does your skin look and feel significantly better after one or are they just nice and relaxing with no lasting effects.

Also, i tHought it might be nice to have it on my birthday as a bit of a treat but would that mean blotchy / red skin that evening?

I've only ever had one, and found it a bit meh. Think you need one every few weeks to see the benefit.
I'd use the voucher on a massage or shellac mani/pedi.
Enjoy

I don't really rate facials, sorry! I have had quite a few and have always been underwhelmed despite the therapists excitement at my glowing skin!

I think you can do just as good if not better job yourself if you buy the right products; I recently bought a liz Earle salon experience set from QVC and it is fantastic! £45 and I can have facials for months!

If I were you I would spend the money on a massage, waxing or manicures!

Am very jealous!!

I've never had a facial that was worth the money. Another vote here for manicures / pedicures.

Thank you. I will save it for the summer and have some nice manicures and pedicures instead.

I use facials to 'reset' my skin if it's particularly stressed/sore, etc. If you don't have any concerns with yours, I'd put the voucher towards a different treat.

I think they are worthwhile but only if you do them regularly - and agree that you can do a simliar job yourself at home if you're canny about it. I've had microdermabrasion in the past and felt it was worth it - if I had the time and pots of money to commit to a programme of microdermabrasion I'd probably do so!

But in your position, would spend it on waxes and a lash tint.

I've never had one that I thought was worth it. I'd rather sit in the bath at home with a facemask on, tbh. I love massages though. I'm not keen on manis - all that digging away at my cuticiles just makes me feel a bit nauseous!

I was always a bit sceptical about facials but then had an amazing one that included a head/shoulder massage and a hand massage. Was somewhere quite posh but honestly made me feel like a different person; I was sleep deprived and feeling very grey everywhere. It relaxed me beyond belief and left my face feeling healthier and looking 'glowy'. The actual facial effect lasted a short while but the massage stuff really had a longer term effect. I go to a cheapish place for Shellac manicures and waxes but think a decent facial 'experience' is best done somewhere where you know it's going to be good. Lucky you with vouchers...