As we settle into the new year, our focus at Glasshouse is on intentionality. The start of January often brings a desire for a "reset," but we prefer to think of it as a return to ritual. To help you lean into this season of self-care, we are thrilled to introduce three new specialised tool-led services to our East London holistic facial menu: Gua Sha, Facial Cupping, and Ice-Globe Therapy (Cryo Spoons).

To celebrate the launch of these new offerings, these 20-minute treatments are currently complimentary with any facial booking until the end of February.

More Than a Trend: The History of Gua Sha

While Gua Sha has recently become a staple of modern natural skin care, its roots lie in the profound wisdom of Ancient Chinese Medicine. Derived from the words Gua (to scrape) and Sha (the redness that signals healing), it began as a folk remedy used to release "stagnant energy" or Qi from the body.

In the treatment room, we use our own Black Obsidian tools. Unlike other stones, Obsidian is a volcanic glass that naturally retains warmth, helping to melt away jaw tension and soften the fascia (the connective tissue under the skin). It is a stone of protection and grounding—perfect for the fast-paced London lifestyle. When used with rhythmic, intentional strokes, it doesn't just "beautify" the surface; it moves the lymph and encourages the body’s own healing flow to return.

The Power of the Lymphatic Flush

The lymphatic system is often the unsung hero of a glowing complexion. Unlike the circulatory system, it doesn’t have a pump; it relies on movement and massage to transport toxins away from the skin’s surface. When the lymph is sluggish, we notice puffiness, dullness, and congestion.

By integrating Facial Cupping (which uses gentle suction to lift and decompress tissue) or Gua Sha, we are manually "pumping" the lymph. This "flush" is a vital component of a truly holistic facial, resulting in reduced puffiness, a clearer jawline, and a bright, oxygenated complexion that looks rested from the inside out.

The Foundation: Our Facial Offerings

These new add-ons are designed to deepen the results of our core menu. If you haven't yet experienced our Therapy Room, our services are built on the principles of energy medicine and natural skin care using high-performance botanical products:

• Energy Medicine Facial: An immersive inner pilgrimage using bespoke touch, sound, and scent. This facial focuses on both the physical and etheric bodies, using a lifting lymphatic massage to leave you feeling bright and balanced. Book here >

• Palm Of Feronia Crystal Infused Facial: A meditative journey harnessing aromatherapy and crystal healing. Tailored to your chosen ritual (Soothe, Ground, or Release), this facial is the perfect partner for our Black Obsidian Gua Sha add-on. Book here >

Start Your Year With a Ritual

We believe that beauty should feel like a grounding practice rather than a chore. Whether it’s the cooling "shock" of our Cryo Spoons to wake up a tired complexion or the warming, meditative weight of the Black Obsidian Gua Sha, these new additions allow us to customise your results more than ever before.

How to Claim Your Complimentary Add-On

Until the end of February, you can experience these new modalities for free when you book any facial through our online booking system.

Head to our Fresha Booking Page and select your preferred Facial, and you will then be prompted to select which 20-minute service you would like to add complimentary.

Choose between Gua Sha, Facial Cupping, Ice-Globe therapy (Cryo Spoons) or LED

Take the Ritual Home

We also stock our own Black Obsidian Gua Sha stones in the salon and online. If you’d like to learn how to maintain your results between appointments, just ask your therapist during your treatment—they’ll be happy to show you the specific strokes to help you master the art of the ritual at home.

A Note on Our Maternal Rituals Please note that our new tool-led add-ons (Gua Sha, Facial Cupping, and Cryo Spoons) are not currently available for our Pregnancy Facial due to specific insurance and safety guidelines. However, Olivia is now offering a specialized Pregnancy Facial | Maternal Ritual—a 75-minute treatment purposefully designed to hold and support the mother during this time of profound transformation. To learn more about our approach to this life stage, you can read The Motherhood Edit: A Specialist Guide to Pregnancy & Postpartum Ritual.