Marie Claire Health

Tuesday 7 October

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Marie Claire Health: Facial Massage Rex Features

Can a new facial-mapping treatment really determine your overall well-being in a mere 50-minute consultation?

What’s the theory behind it?

The idea is that the state of your body’s health is written, quite literally, all over your face. I’m sceptical at first, but my ‘mapper’ Rima at Neal’s Yard Remedies, explains that she will work on the different facial ‘zones’ that, according to ancient Chinese mapping wisdom, correspond to various areas of my body. The eye area, for example, denotes the kidneys, and uneven or flaky or inflamed skin can all suggest problems inside the body.

What happens during the treatment?

Clients first receive a lifestyle consultation on everything from stress levels to alcohol consumption. The mapping involves tender pinches and prodding around the eyes, cheeks, nose and forehead zones. Although this is used as a diagnostic tool, the fact it is done with the use of various Neal’s Yard unguents, selected from the Neal’s Yard range to suit the individual’s skin, makes this as much as a luxurious treatment as a well-being MOT. Rima identifies ‘congestion’ in my chin area, probably caused by fluctuating hormones. My dry forehead also leads her to correctly diagnose a sluggish digestive system (I’m recovering from a tummy bug). Rima offers sensible lifestyle tips and a ‘prescription’ of products to help boost my health. I should try to relax before bed with a few drops of Neal’s Yard Unwind Flower Essence Blend, for example, and After Dinner herbal tea containing angelica root is recommended to ease my troublesome intestine. She also suggests facial massage for the affected areas, giving me diagrams to follow.

Did it work?

Two weeks on, I have to say I’m feeling perkier. Whether that’s down to the flower ‘juice’ or the antispasmodic digestive tea, who can say? But my stomach problems have cleared up and I’ve been sleeping soundly. There might be something in this mapping business after all.


A facial mapping session/holistic facial at Neal’s Yard cost £45 for 50 minutes. www.nealsyardremedies.com

Words by Marine Summerfield-Smith, Tuesday 24 June 2008


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