Less is more

After a quick drive along Emirates Road, just past International City and the infamous Dragon Mart, I found myself at the Per Aquum Desert Palm resort. After entering the peaceful lobby, I was directed downstairs to the Lime Spa where I was greeted by Yogy, the helpful front desk attendant.

I was there to experience the Eve Lom Signature Facial, a 90-minute treatment using the coveted products that have won dozens of accolades and have been featured in magazines around the world — I was eager to find out why.

While I sipped an ice-cold shot of green apple juice, I filled out the usual obligatory questionnaire about my health. Something caught my eye — I was asked to choose the "colour" of my mood. Each colour option corresponds to a style of music that is played during your treatment. I was feeling green that day — relaxation is what I needed. Yogy recommended that I enjoy the sauna while I waited for the facial.

After my sauna, my therapist Lulu guided me to my treatment room where "green" relaxation music was playing. The windows are large and bright, which is unusual for spa treatment rooms, which are usually dark and moody. But it was a welcome change. And the natural light felt energising on my face.

The treatment started with a gentle cleanse followed by a massage. I felt at ease already.

The principle behind Eve Lom's treatments and products support a minimalist approach to skincare. The emphasis is on simple cleansing and exfoliation.

The cleanser (for all skin types) is packed with clove oil — an antiseptic that clears the skin, eucalyptus oil to remove toxins, hops oil, Egyptian chamomile and cocoa butter to tone and moisturise. It removes make-up, oil and dirt, exfoliates, clears pores and tones the skin — all in one!

The days of three or four bottles cluttering your bathroom sink are over. Even better, after a late night out you no longer have an excuse not to wash the make-up off your face. Your entire cleansing regime is just one step — quick and easy before your head hits the pillow.

After the cleanse, Lulu applied a paraffin-wax mask which was warm and smooth. This, she said, helped open the pores and ease the extraction process.

The paraffin, indeed, did its job and the extraction was quick and painless.

Eve Lom is certainly on to something with her "less is more" mantra. My skin looked radiant and I felt so alive. I was ready to go back to the city and face the day.

Details

Lime Spa at the Desert Palm offers the Eve Signature facial (90 minutes for Dh620) and the Ultimate Cleanse (60 minutes for Dh495).

For more information call 04 323 8888 or visit www.limespas.com