As I approach my thirties and the evidence of late nights, city living and frowning at excel spreadsheets is taking a toll on my skin, I have finally decided to listen to my mum’s erstwhile advice and get regular facials. I used to think spa treatments were overindulgent, reserved for the uber wealthy, brides and Groupon addicts but I hoped Beauty & Melody Spa may convert me.

I booked myself an hour-long Heart of the Ocean Facial but arrived early to use the gym and pool at the Shoreditch M by Montcalm Hotel. After a rather laissez-faire tour of the facilities that later resulted in my abrupt entrance into the men’s changing rooms, I was pressing all the buttons on the running machine, ready to sweat out the previous night’s indulgences.

Approximately seven minutes later I was purified and ready for a swim. The pool is too small to do any kind of work-out (it’s challenging to do lengths while dodging fawning couples) and there isn’t much of a lounge area but the steam room and sauna are really spacious and luxurious.

Later, after filling in the obligatory form (how much do you drink a week, how stressed do you feel on a scale of one to ten) and being party to an tense conversation regarding a double-booked appointment (I think that particular client may have claimed a ten on the aforementioned scale) I was ready for my first facial.  As I have dry and sensitive skin my therapist suggested using the cold cream Marine ritual from Thalgo. Since they were founded in 1964, Thalgo has harnessed the benefits of the sea (namely algae) to create beauty products, treatments and nutritional supplements.

For the next hour I was completely ignorant of what exactly was being lathered and massaged onto my face but I was in a state of pure relaxation. Whilst the mask set, I was treated to a hand and foot massage (don’t tell my mum that this was my favourite part) with wonderful smelling oils, as well as a valid attempt at rubbing out the knots in my shoulders. When I emerged my skin felt plump and incredibly soft. My therapist gave me some good skincare advice, recommended the products displayed in her glass cabinet which I’m sorry to say I didn’t invest in (I may be having facials now but I’ve only just upgraded to Liz Earle moisturiser. One step at a time) and showed me out, blinking into the light.

I left Beauty & Melody Spa rejuvenated, my skin reassuringly oily and a feeling just a little more grown up. And from my lofty height I can say this: drink plenty of water and listen to your mums, they’re almost always right.