Earlier this week, I ventured east to Edinburgh for a pampering solo staycation. I had lots of beauty treatments, sweet treats and some much needed ‘me time’.
I checked into the chic Radisson Blu hotel* on The Royal Mile. This is a perfectly located hotel to stay in when visiting Edinburgh – it’s in the famous historic part of the city; is a short walk from the main train station, Edinburgh Waverly, and it has lots of great dining options around it.
I stayed in a Standard Double room and it was huge, light and spacious. The hotel gave me a lovely Scottish welcome with Irn Bru, tablet, shortbread and a Tunnock’s Teacake. The bed looked so comfortable and I immediately threw myself on it and managed to get an hour of rest before heading out for my first beauty treatment. I wanted to be comfortable travelling on the train and going around Edinburgh, so I opted to wear my new embroidered and flower badge jeans from Simply Be (£35). I love the ripped, casual look of these and the bright flowers and stars are completely my style.
I then headed out to get a CND Shellac gel manicure* and a Murad facial* at the Zen Lifestyle Spa, but I’m going to do a seperate post on this, so look out for that. I really enjoyed the 15 minute walk as I had the time, without any distractions, to be able to appreciate the architecture in Edinburgh. Some of the old winding streets are stunning.
Straight after coming out of Zen, it was time to head back to the hotel and visit their spa for a massage. The Radisson Blu Edinburgh’s Melrose Spa (which is operated by Sleeping Beauty Salon) relaxes you immediately as soon as you walk in. I was booked in for their Signature Rose & Jasmine Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage* (£50). The treatment began with a foot soak and exfoliation while my therapist explained the massage that I would be getting. I only had to undress my top half and I was asked to lay face down on the extremely cosy, heated bed. My back was dry-brushed before having warm rose and jasmine oils rubbed onto it. These oils were really nourishing for my skin as well as having a relaxing scent. My therapist then worked out the areas of tension (at a pressure level that suited me – I like quite light massages). I enjoyed this 50 minute treatment so much and as it finished at 7pm, I could just climb into bed afterwards and enjoy the scent from all of the oils.
When I got back to my room, I went through my night-time skincare routine and then got into bed with some magazines and had an early night. I’m loving my current night-time skincare routine as i’ve recently introduced some new products. I’ve just discovered a new balm cleanser from Charlotte Tilbury that’s great at removing makeup and really makes my skin feel incredible. Their Multi Miracle Glow (£45 from Charlotte Tilbury) can also be used as a mask and a soothing moisturising balm for the body. I use it as a cleanser and it cleanses deeply and has anti-wrinkle benefits too. This cream-to-oil balm contains the moisturising anti-oxidents Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil and Cranberry Seed Oi; soothing and purifying frangipani flower; anti-ageing rose hip and camellia oils; and vitamins A, C and E to tackle wrinkles and smoothe and nourish the skin.
I’ve also just discovered the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Night Cream (£100). I’ve been a fan of her cult Magic Cream for ages now, so I was super-excited to try out the night-time version. The Magic cream is a thick, white cream; whereas the Magic Night Cream is lighter (but rich) and more of a yellow balm. I love this as it really firms and plumps the skin as well as moisturising and nourishing it. It has 8 great anti-ageing ingredients in it; including Retinol and Winter Daphne Stem Cell Extract (which firms the skin and makes it feel soft and smooth). It has the same scent as the Magic Cream and it feels so luxurious and such a treat to use.
I had a brilliant night’s sleep – the bed is so comfy and if the firmness doesn’t suit you, you can even choose other bedding options and they’ll change it for you. In the morning, I had a shower with the hotel’s lovely, awakening This Works toiletries. I didn’t want to wash off all the oils from my massage, but I was appearing on STV 2’s Live at Five TV show that night so I needed to. I had arranged to have an in-room breakfast – salmon and scrambled eggs – and the tray that was delivered was so well presented and had fruit, pastries and freshly-squeezed orange juice too.
I left Edinburgh feeling refreshed and renewed. My solo staycation mission was successful. Do you enjoy trips away by yourself? Have you been to Edinburgh before?
This was a complimentary press trip with Radisson Blu and Zen Lifestyle Spa; but all opinions are my own.
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