TREATMENT

FACIAL, BACK MASSAGE AND
EYEBROW SHAPE

IT'S A FACT of life that as we get older things start to wear out. Knees creek, backs ache, sight dims, hair thins - and everything seems to head south. Therefore, isn't it ironic that one of the few things that seem to thrive as we head towards our dotage is facial hair, particularly in the eyebrow department, with the nostrils and ears co conspirators in this cruel joke.

In an attempt to slow down the remorseless march of time, I took myself along to The Retreat, situated on the third floor of the Lifestyle Academy at Newcastle College to enlist their assistance in this war on unwanted hair - and to steady my nerve I thought I would indulge in a little R&R at the same time.

So before tackling my eyebrows head on, I settled down in the very capable hands of second-year student Heather Collings, to enjoy a facial and back massage.

It's difficult to emphasise the level of competence and professionalism of the staff in this state-of-the-art facility, as Heather began to work her magic on my ailing complexion.

Using Dermalogica products she began with a special cleansing gel, followed by hydration toner, then a scrub to polish away dead skin. Deep dermal clay cleanser was then applied to improve the texture of the skin and finally a lightweight moisturiser was applied which was absorbed without trace creating an invisible barrier to lock in moisture. All this for the princely sum of £11.75, I don't like to think what I've paid for the same treatment elsewhere.

My back, shoulder and arms were afforded the same careful attention - it's so easy to forget that this salon is within a training college catering for the needs of hundreds of students - The Retreat certainly lives up to its name as I relaxed to the point of unconsciousness.

But judgement day was upon us as Heather readied herself with tweezers in hand.

Actually I needn't have worried, again her skill and dexterity came through and I guess I was thinned, trimmed and shaped in around ten minutes. Once or twice I winced, but it's hardly child birth and I left with a spring in my step, ready to take the world head on, minus the rug across the top of my eyes.

Dermalogica Facial £11.75 (Cleanse, scrub, massage, hydrate, moisturise).
Pit Stop Back Massage £6.85. Eyebrow Tweeze £3.50

The Retreat, Lifestyle Academy, Newcastle College. Tel (0191) 200 4611. www.newcastlecollege.co.uk