Although many actors might nominate its Red Carpet Facials for the Special Effects category, Natura Bissé is not in line for a BAFTA itself – however, in the run up to Sunday’s ceremony, it’s hosting an exclusive BAFTA suite at The Sanderson Hotel’s Agua Spa to beautify attending celebs and VIPs. Bissé’s Diamond Iced Crystal Facial will be performed from the 99.995% pure air confines of a unique Natura Bissé BUBBLE which serves to maximise the effects of the treatment - not to mention a range of auxiliary actions from hastening physical recovery to improving concentration. Tennis ace Rafael Nadal is such a fan that he actually owns two – one of which he uses to exercise in!

But back to the facial itself which I trialled a couple of weeks ago. It promotes both inner calm and outer radiance: ice cold gem crystals are placed on the chakra points of the face in conjunction with targeted massage and followed by a c. 20% glycolic acid preparation and the application of a masque formulated with diamond dust. Even though the acid is high impact, there’s no risk of dark-glasses-large-hatted downtime as it only remains active for a limited period so you can absolutely go from spa to party. However the effects intensify with time and it was actually over the course of the following few days that I really noticed an increase in radiance. Natura Bissé is a below-the-radar luxury brand with a cult following and a product line and treatment menu that are truly phenomenal.

Unfortunately civilians can’t experience it (yet) from within the BUBBLE - that's off on a world tour - but the Natura Bissé Diamond Experience facial, 90mins, £180, is available at Agua Spa.

SandersonLondon.com

It's little surprise that Cowley Manor has just been awarded 'Best Spa in a UK Hotel' for the C-Side Spa.  The newly refurbished spa has both an indoor and outdoor pool, a gym, mani-pedi area and four treatment rooms: and it's in the treatment rooms that the magic really happens.

C-Side use their own skincare range, Green and Spring, and the products are gentle enough to soothe even the most sensitive skin types.   The main treatments at C-Side are massages, facials and wraps, although for extra indulgence there are also signature treatments, which include a medley of restoring and beneficial therapies.

Upon entering their treatment room you are given a selection of relaxing playlists to choose from, and once you lie down, melting into the warm, soft bed, you know you are completely in their hands for the next hour. The facials are wonderfully catered to each individual skin and by using a combination of deep scrubs and reviving face masks, the therapists expertly send you off into deep relaxation.  Whilst your mask is left for 10 or so minutes an option of a foot or neck massage is offered, letting you drift yet further into a contended slumber.  Afterwards the therapist will use an intense and nourishing moisturizer which sinks into your face, restoring youth and vitality.

The facial is a very gentle, relaxing, detoxifying and cleansing treatment, which doesn't involve any of the uncomfortable extractions or peels that other facials involve.  It seems to concentrate more on your wellbeing and afterwards you feel like you've had 8 hours sleep.  This is an ideal way to completely unwind while at the same time putting some goodness back into your skin.

A perfect way to spend a wintery afternoon in The Cotswolds.

www.cowleymanor.com

Even though he was a man of few words, Paul Newman in his prime would have made a good spokesperson for men's grooming brand Jack Black, whose authentic, effective, and handsomely packaged products for the guy's guy don't need much selling.  The latest addition to their line is a rugged fragrance that evokes the ideal American man - an effortlessly attractive, cool, and deeply masculine bloke whose taste isn't swayed by trends.  "I wanted it to be utterly unique - nothing mass or predictable - and to bring the man of today to life through scent," said perfume savant Jerome Epinette of Robertet, the world-renowned fragrance house with whom JB collaborated on their new creation. The scent builds on Jack Black's credo that a grooming routine should be fuss-free and familiar, with subtly exotic components that excite but don't overwhelm.

"I was inspired by the botanicals from Jack Black's rich grooming heritage," Epinette explained, like crisp Tangerine, Eucalyptus, and spicy Black Pepper.  These notes are layered against more robust and mysterious elements of Smokey Papyrus and Black Amber for a perfect blend of comfort and complexity (think zesty orange peels burning atop a wood-fired furnace.)

Hurry to Murdock's for a bottle, and take a whiff of the Beard Lube from Jack Black's Performance Remedy line while you're at it.

www.getjackblack.com

With Summer on its way, we can throw away those thick winter creams, and say hello to a summer glow. Now I have tried practically every skin cream under the roof to try and get rid of dry facial skin, either the cream is too thick and and makes skin look dull, or it's too light and does not quite do the trick.  Nothing seemed to work until a friend of mine suggested I tried the Lubatti Skincare Collection which is an exclusive and timeless range of luxury skincare products that have stood the test of time. 

The products were inspired and developed using secret recipes, which date back as far as the late 1920s and have been brought to life by Tracey Malone.  These recipes originally belonged to Madame Lubatti, who was a doyenne of her time, a homeopath and a respected skincare expert who hand-mixed skincare products for society ladies and English royalty.  The great thing about the cream is that the ingredients in them are very natural and nourishing for the skin, the lubatti day cream for example, contains all of those really natural ingredients such as aloe vera, and evening primrose oil.  In previous desperate attempts for great skin, I have even tried applying evening primrose oil from a health food shop directly to my skin, but I ended up smelling of raw egg and my face looked so oily that one could practically fry an egg on it! however Lubatti cleverly blends all of the ingredients together to give you the benefits of the oils, with a beautiful spell, and a youthful glow.

www.lubatti.com