We are thrilled to welcome holistic practitioner Jo Blaydes of Spell Holistic to the Glasshouse treatment room for an exclusive residency. Known for her intuitive, high-touch approach to skin health and somatic wellbeing, Jo brings a deeply restorative energy to our Mare Street sanctuary.

Jo’s practice sits at the intersection of advanced facial bodywork and energetic alignment. Rooted in traditional techniques—including deep lymphatic drainage, facial sculpting massage, and Reiki energy healing—her treatments are bespoke rituals tailored to support your skin’s barrier while calming an overworked nervous system.

By combining active, plant-derived formulations with deliberate, rhythmic touch, Jo works to clear stagnation, relieve facial tension, and restore natural skin radiance from within. Whether you are seeking relief from everyday stress, looking to de-puff and sculpt, or simply needing a quiet space to reset, Jo’s bespoke treatments offer a complete mind-body experience.

We sat down with Jo to talk about her journey, the rhythm of seaside living, and what she’s bringing to her guest days at Mare Street.

Spell Holistic is where advanced skincare, minimalist beauty, and intuitive touch entwine for facial rituals that nourish both skin and spirit. Each ritual is carefully woven to awaken the skin, soothe the body, quieten the mind, and brighten the aura. Here, skin science and the sensorial arts come together in rituals that honour nature's raw intelligence.

Background, Philosophy & Craft

The Path to Spell: Can you share a bit about your journey into holistic skincare? What drew you to this path, and how has your background and training shaped the facial rituals you perform today?

If we go right back then it would be when I experienced infertility. I found Western Medicine to lacking in terms of solutions, so I began exploring TCM, acupuncture, herbalism, nutrition, naturopathy - by working holistically I became pregnant naturally. A big part of that journey was examining what the things - I was putting in and on my body and face - were really made of and taking a much more minimalist approach. I have always been obsessed with skincare. A chance meeting at a mother and baby retreat led me to Shelly Murphy - a therapist, hypnotherapist, facialist, healer & formalator - who has been my mentor on my path as a Holistic Facialist. 

The Philosophy: Your brand, Spell Holistic, centers around the idea of skincare as a ritual rather than just a routine. What does "holistic skin health" mean to you on a deeper level?

Its looking whole-listically. If there is an issue with the skin then its your body trying to tell you something. If its acne, what changes to diet and lifestyle could help. If its rosacea, do we know triggers and how can we adapt skincare so are not feeding a flare up. Then also looking at the mental state of the person, using touch and massage to release tension, getting the body and brain working in better harmony and using sound, energy and ritual to create an immersive experience for the mind to pause. Then how we can bring elements of the facial into the client's home with new products and tools. 

The Technique: Your treatments are so much more than a standard facial. For someone who hasn't experienced your work yet, how would you describe the physical and energetic shifts that happen during one of your sessions?

It's an immersive experience with a lot of different elements. Its a deep level of female intimacy that is uncommon - its a form of mothering. Sensorial and sacred. I use scents, smoke, steam, sound, vibrations, light, breath, crystals and apply firm pressure when I am massaging. I use reiki healing throughout but more specifically around scalp and back of the head (craniosacral), with a goal to shift mood where anything is stuck and create lightness where there is heaviness.

Life in St Leonard's & The City Connection

Coastal Living: You’re based in St Leonard’s-on-Sea, which has such a vibrant, creative
community. How does living by the sea influence your day-to-day rhythm and the way you approach wellness?

The area has a deep connection to the seasons, and the Pagan rituals that welcome each new one in are a big deal here. The beach is the main hang out, its where we gather for full moons or sunsets. The sky is clearer so following the moon's cycles feels instinctive, which ladders up to astrological-thinking. There is a certain grounding from being closer to nature for which I am very grateful. My approach to wellness is just very simple - movement, nourishment, nature, community, fun, inspiration, purpose, stillness, rest - there aren't rules or restrictions, only an understanding that balance is what we seek - sometimes we wax, sometimes we wane, sometimes we start over. 

City to Coast: What is your relationship with London these days? 

I lived in London for 16 years so there are lots and lots of amazing memories. It's nice to return now and again and immerse in some city energy. I love to see what all the cool kids are wearing and to eat really good food. After a day or two, I am ready to go home to a slower, simpler pace.

Slow Living & Family: Between running Spell and family life, how do you integrate holistic
practices into your own home? What do simple, low-intervention family rituals look like for you?

My morning routine is usually a pretty early start - cuddling my kids who I co sleep with. Ginger & seaweed tea, meditation and red light first thing is non-negotiable. Then I do some Qi Gong or do a card pull if there's time. Teeth, shower, a couple of supplements and breakfast is something quick (ideally overnight oats prepped night before).

With my kids, a breakfast with some protein and getting outdoors is the imperative! Anything else is a bonus. My 4 year old daughter does kids yoga at Lior in St Leonards-on-sea, both do swimming and gymnastics - building a strong body feels like the best start we can give them.

We just got a sauna so I try to do that most nights after the kids in bed. Magnesium and a herbal tea to wind down is my nightly go-to. I am also learning acupuncture so I will put some needles in most nights, even just Yin Tang to relieve stress. I don't watch a lot of TV these days and prefer to read. Usually by 10am I am ready for lights out. 

The Glasshouse Residency & What to Expect 

The Glasshouse Synergy: What made Glasshouse feel like the natural home for your London guest days? How do our shared values around clean chemistry and intentional care align?

I think Olivia and I share very similar ideas around what good looks like in terms of wellness experiences. This is a heart-led practice and I know I give everything to every client. It just feels lovely coming to a space that is so considered - its rare. They also stock the best products, and there are lots of new ones I haven't tried yet so I am excited about that.

The Rituals: What specific techniques or treatments will you be bringing to the Therapy Room at Mare Street?

Three signature treatments, each one focused on a specific skin goal. I view them each as a mini odyssey into whatever your skin and spirit is calling for. If you are stressed out, have tightness and tension, feel puffy or just really need to lay down for 100 mins without having to think, then The Enchantment is the one for you, featuring intra-oral, gua sha, cups and facial sculpting. If you have combination skin that is congested or bumpy, then its The Purification which includes scrub, steam, clay, hydradermabrasion, micro-currents and detoxifying oils. If you are seeking a glow - as well as plumpness, lifting and smoothing - its The Transmutation you need which includes hydradermabrasion, micro-needling and radio-frequency, as well as premium actives infused with oxygen.

At-Home Integration: If our community could adopt just one holistic skin practice at home between professional facial sessions, what would you recommend? 

Hydrosol! Misting is really beneficial for skin. A couple of times a day is a game changer especially directly after an application of hyaluronic. I love rose or geranium for hydration, chamomile & lavender for calming, and juniperberry for any congestion.

Raw wild honey is also an amazing face mask!

Quick-Fire

Morning Ritual: The first thing you do for your skin when you wake up?

Red light, wash with Nini Organics Oatopia, use hemp and cacao scrub mask if I have time, leave face to dry, apply hyaluronic to dry skin, mist with hydrosol, leave to dry, apply face oil, massage in - good to go

The Hero Botanical: One botanical ingredient or oil you couldn't live without?

Rose - a heart opener. It's so feminine and just magic.

Sound & Scent: What scent or soundscape instantly drops you into a state of deep relaxation?

Sweet orange - it just smells like good times!

In the Travel Bag: Which Glasshouse Shop staple is permanently living in your bag for your London travel days?

Olixa Centella Asiatica Mask (now 'Sleep on it' Mask by Relax) is my go to, I apply a layer before bed and wake up with soft, calm skin. Incredibly good for skin barrier.

Jo's Treatment Menu at Glasshoused

The Transmutation | SPELL Facial (1 hr 40 mins)

SPELL's most advanced facial ritual. Begins with Kobido double cleansing, a chest, neck, and shoulder welcome massage, and a brightening enzyme infusion. Skin is refined using fruit acids, hydradermabrasion before targeted micro-needling and radio-frequency sculpt and tighten the deeper dermis layers. Scalp massage, red light, crystals, chakra work, and sound immersion settle the nervous system, finishing with an oxygen-infused actives.

Best For: Deep cellular rejuvenation, advanced sculpting, firming, and skin transformation. Book Here>

The Purification | SPELL Facial (1 hr 40 mins)

A detoxifying ritual designed to return the skin to total clarity. Weaves advanced skin tech with intuitive touch - incorporating a grounding welcome massage, steam, and decongesting botanicals. Clay, hydradermabrasion, and ultrasonic tools deeply purify the pores, while raw honey, LED light, sound therapy, and a restorative lymphatic oil massage nourish and heal.

Best For: Congested, dull, or imbalanced skin needing deep pore purification and fluid movement. Book Here>

The Enchantment | SPELL Facial (1 hr 40 mins)

An entirely machine-free ceremony of aromatherapy, touch, and energy alignment. Begins with warm aromatic towels, gentle fruit acids, and a bespoke mask. Facial brushing, gua sha, facial cupping, rollers, mushrooms, and intra-oral buccal massage work in unison to release deep jaw and fascia tension. Concludes with red light, crystals, sound immersion, and energy work to harmonise your deeper rhythms.

Best For: Releasing chronic facial and jaw tension, deep nervous system relaxation, and holistic aura restoration. Book Here>