The spa
A tasteful spot next to the Mövenpick Jumeirah Beach’s gym, Body Talk is ideally suited to express pampering. There’s no relaxation area, but if you’re looking for comfortable convenience, it’s one of JBR’s best options.

The promise
As the name of the facial suggests, it’s all about getting rid of toxins, unblocking pores and replenishing your complexion. The reflexology session, meanwhile, aims to relieve stress and tension.

Step by step
We begin with the reflexology session, which focuses on my legs and feet. It’s surprisingly painful at certain moments, and I give out a few involuntary yelps before asking if we can reduce the pressure. My therapist concedes, but only a little. I get the impression that this is what it’s supposed to feel like, and internally berate myself for not choosing a more relaxing Balinese-style massage. The facial is another story altogether, and with the application and removal of each layer, steaming, and extraction, I can almost hear my long-suffering skin breathing a sigh of relief. While we wait for the mask to do its work, I’m given an incredibly relaxing head massage and promptly fall asleep. I wake just as the final moisturiser is being applied.

The results
The skin on my face is noticeably clearer, and the treatment has worked wonders on my puffy, morning-after eyes. Despite the extraction, I’m not at all blotchy. For the next few days, my skin continues to glow. Sadly, despite the pain, the reflexology doesn’t seem to have done much.

Pros
• Body Talk has a convenient location, and opens earlier than some of the beauty salons nearby, which means you can get your pampering done before the rest of the city has even had breakfast.
• It’s a small spa, but staff don’t overbook it, so you won’t be left feeling like you’re on a conveyor belt of clients.

Cons
• There’s no relaxation area, so if you want to spend an entire day lounging around after your treatment, this isn’t the spot for you.

Reflexology: 3/5
Deep-cleansing facial: 4/5
Dhs325 for 60-minute reflexology, Dhs400 for 75-minute essential deep-cleansing facial. Body Talk Spa, Mövenpick Jumeirah Beach, JBR (04 449 8888).

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