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What if there was a spa treatment that not only left your skin soft and plump but also worked on your psyche to give your confidence a major boost?
Enter Lush, the British cosmetics giant behind the iconic bath bomb, which promises just that with its self-love-boosting “validation facial.”
Part spa treatment, part positive affirmation session, the unique experience was crafted with the help of mental health experts and skincare pros to leave you glowing — inside and out.
On a chilly winter afternoon, I headed over to Lush’s first and only US spa, nestled above its Lexington Avenue storefront on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, to try out the much-buzzed-about “validation facial.”
“By the time you come out, we want you to feel like you’ve really been held and supported by the therapist, and that you feel inspired and ready to take on new things,” Ruby West, the niece of a Lush founder who provides the company with research and development support, told The Post.
The “validation facial” isn’t just about skincare; it’s designed to help clients cultivate a healthier, more positive self-image.
The treatment was inspired by one of Lush’s founders, who, after going through a tough breakup, realized that true healing didn’t come from finding a new partner — it came from learning to love herself first.
I was a bit skeptical about the soundtrack, worried I’d cringe at a stranger dishing out unsolicited compliments.McKenzie Beard
“That was of the utmost importance for her to be able to progress in life,” West said. “She had to start by recognizing how beautiful she was from within.”
To aid in this journey for Lush clients, the “validation facial” is paired with a soundtrack curated by Lush Fresh Handmade Sound, featuring uplifting words from the company’s founders. Recorded on the English seaside, it features the soothing sounds of rolling waves and gentle birdsong in the background.
I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical about the soundtrack at first. I worried I’d either get distracted by the affirmations or cringe at a stranger dishing out unsolicited compliments.
But I couldn’t have been more wrong.
The soundtrack is available for free online.
Instead of feeling like a cheesy self-help session, the validations felt more like a positive inner monologue. The words were chosen with the help of a cognitive behavioral therapist, who carefully selected phrases designed to elevate the spirit and foster a sense of peace.
“The soundtrack is absolutely fundamental to the treatment,” West said. “We want those messages to seep through the skin and take you to another place.”
In one track, a gentle voice says: “Just relax and enjoy what’s there, your life, as it is.”
Another track offers the reminder: “It all comes down to self-confidence. Going and achieving what it is you set out to do. Loving yourself so that other people are able to love you.”
The words are interwoven with Irish sea shanties and folk songs, and even these had a surprisingly empowering effect.
“What would you do when your troubles are over? What would you do when the sun shines again?” one song asks. “What would you do if the kettle boiled over? What would you do but fill it again?”
As these words washed over me, licensed esthetician Solange Jacques worked her magic on my face. There were about a dozen steps using Lush products, including the lavender and chamomile-scented Dream Time balm, their Argan facial oil, and a Catastrophe Cosmetic fresh face mask.
But what you wouldn’t expect from the name is that this facial also includes an upper body and leg massage, hot and cold stones, a foot cleanser, and lip and under-eye masks.
Before I knew it, the soundtrack came to an end, and Jacques brought me back to reality with a calming rub of Lush’s Whoosh Temple balm. Infused with grapefruit and rosemary oils, it’s designed to clear your head and give you a refreshing boost.
Looking in the mirror, my skin was glowing, supple, and refreshed. Unlike other facials I’ve tried, there was no painful exfoliation that left my face inflamed. Even better, I didn’t experience any breakouts in the days that followed.
But the biggest transformation wasn’t just in my skin. The stress of the day evaporated, and I felt deeply relaxed, revitalized and genuinely cared for. I even felt confident enough to skip reapplying my makeup before leaving the spa.
Afterward, Jacques greeted me in the lobby, where we revisited the goals I had set for both my skin and overall well-being before the treatment. She also sent me off with a few product samples to take home.
At $160, the 60-minute treatment wasn’t cheap, but it far surpassed any facial I’ve had. It wasn’t just about skincare — it was a full-body, personalized experience that also prioritized my mental well-being.
So, did I walk out of the Lush spa radiating confidence and glowing from within? You’d have to ask the strangers I passed on my way to the subway.
What I can say is that the winter blues melted away, and for the rest of the afternoon, I felt a rare sense of calm, peace and inner beauty. And let’s be honest, that’s no small feat these days.
