Having visited the Aromatherapy Associates Boutique in Knightsbridge for the Birchbox Autumn Evening of Discovery back in October, I was really excited to be invited again for my first ever massage. A massage is always something I've wanted to try, and I know how beneficial they can be for people from my time working in salons. But I was always worried that 'being a big girl' meant massages were off limits for me. How very wrong I was! The Aromatherapy Associates Boutique is like an Aladdin's cave for beauty lovers, filled with beautiful products covering every aspect of body care, skincare and hair care, not forgetting the dedicated section for male Aromatherapy Associates fans and home treatments and gifts. The beautiful boutique is decorated with walls of glass, clever lighting, golds, white and rich creams. It's a stunning boutique and a calm, serene world away from the hustle and bustle of Harrod's and Harvey Nichol's which are just a minute walk away. 

Aromatherapy Associates is one of my favourite brands, and with so many wonderful reasons why. A cruelty free brand who has never tested any of it's ingredients nor finished products on animals, Aromatherapy Associates can also proudly say their products do not contain mineral or sulphonated oils, GM ingredients, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), petrolatum, propylene glycol, parabens, animal derivatives (except for silk and beeswax which are animal by-products) or synthetic colours or fragrances. Aromatherapy Associates use the purest natural ingredients to create their products, actively sourcing every essential oil and plant extract needed for their stunning products, with some of the raw materials which go into their blends coming from some of the wildest and most remote places in the world. They also work direct with the farmers who produce some of these native, raw materials to ensure the Aromatherapy Associates ingredients are always of the highest quality, purity and ethical standards. Only the finest of the finest makes it into Aromatherapy Associates products, which shows with the amazing quality of their products. Aromatherapy Associates also support fair trade, organic and traditional agriculture, do not agree with chemicals being added to plants and believe that creating the best ingredients possible, will be more beneficial to the body, skin and mind. A brand whose passion for quality and astounding ingredients is clear for all to see. 

You can be pampered to your hearts content with a stunning variety of treatments available at the boutique and you can find a full list of treatments on the Aromatherapy Associates Spa Treatments page. I was kindly treated to the wonderful 60 minute body massage, aptly named The Ultimate Aromatherapy Experience* (Aromatherapy Associates*, £90) and still now, two weeks on, I cannot get over how utterly relaxing, pampering and calming the massage was; an experience. Aromatherapy Associates very own hero treatment, The Ultimate Aromatherapy Experience is the perfect way to experience a treatment at the boutique. A treatment which works to release tension from every part of your body, using carefully applied pressure to stimulate the nervous system, Swedish and neuromuscular techniques which work wonderfully to relieve muscular tension and lymphatic drainage which works to promote healthy circulation. 

Every treatment begins with a consultation and for my treatment, I was led down to the treatment rooms and offered a choice of tea whilst I filled out my consultation form. The consultation form is like no other consultation form I have completed and works on the basis that Aromatherapy Associates carry out their treatments. All treatments are based on how you feel at that specific moment on that specific day. Believing that it is more beneficial for the body, mind and skin to target your current needs, oils are selected to suit your needs at that time, opposed to oils being used at random. On the day I was exceptionally tired; being a Uni day I have been up since 3am to travel to London for lectures and after my massage I had plans all over central London. My aromatherapy experience was tailored to both calm and relax me, whilst giving me a boost to get through the rest of the day. Once I had completed my consultation form my lovely Aromatherapy Associates therapist talked me through the massage step by step. As it was my first ever massage, I found this such a lovely step and it really put me at ease. No longer was I worried about 'What if she sees my tummy?' or 'What if I'm too big for a massage?' and instead, I was excited for my treatment, eager to get started.