USP Once just a shop and nail bar off Carnaby Street, Cowshed has converted the basement offices under its shop into three treatment rooms, which opened last month. The resultant offering is a neat day spa with an attractive product range, and opening hours that are office worker-friendly.

It is the sixth Cowshed Spa to open in the UK and the third in London. The original is at Babington House in Somerset, plus there are others in Cornwall and at Heathrow.

AMBIENCE The ground floor is still the existing shop. There’s a wall of the brand’s conspicuous black and white, cheekily named products, like Horny Cow/Grumpy Cow/Lazy Cow and a big communal table in the centre.

At the back, clients receive manicures and pedicures, discreetly facing away from the shop front and behind a curtain for privacy.

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There’s lots of soft cream walls, distressed wood, and the odd vintage accoutrement, like a milking pail – it’s attractive without being overly cutesy.

The wholesome décor continues downstairs, with a distressed wood panelled wall in each of the treatment rooms and soft cream on the remaining walls. There are occasional touches like an antique mirror, and dark wood shelf stacked with rolled white towels. Otherwise it’s stark, so the basement space doesn’t feel too cluttered.

The lights were dimmed and the background music was a compilation that sounded like Buddha Bar-meets-Café del Mar – soft Asian beats and ethnic percussion. It was inoffensive without being dull.

EXPERIENCE I filled out a simple questionnaire upstairs and was offered a glass of lemon-scented water. The citrus theme continued downstairs – my 60-minute Cowshed Facial started with some deep breathing while the therapist held lime-scented hands above my face.

Already feeling relaxed, the treatment started with a lavender-infused cleanse, then a gentle calendula scrub and steam before some careful extraction to clear congestion on my chin and forehead. The hot, citrus-scented towel that followed was heavenly, and while the mask took effect I had a hand and arm massage and then a face and scalp massage.

The products are rich in essential oils and this treatment is as much an indulgent hour of aromatherapy as it is an effective facial.

My therapist was professional and methodical, using just the right amount of pressure and applying the products in soft sweeping motions.

The only interruption to this otherwise blissful experience was the light. She turned up the brightness on two or three occasions, presumably to get a better look at my pores. I can see this serves a purpose but it would have been nice to have had some warning and a better eye mask to block the light.

My skin felt soft afterwards, and any oil sitting on the surface was soon absorbed. The following day the redness on my chin had settled and my skin looked brighter.

I’d certainly book another facial with Cowshed – the professionalism, central location and competitive pricing make for an attractive package.

FOOD Spa goers are offered a glass of water beforehand and complimentary hot drink afterwards, plus there’s wine (£3.50), champagne (£7), and cookies and brownies (£1.95-£3).

IN-CROWD Cowshed is popular with shoppers seeking respite from Oxford Street and office workers owing to its late opening (until 8pm Mon-Fri). It’s a girlie atmosphere erring on the right side of hen-weekend-overload.

WALLET WATCH The one-hour Cowshed Facial costs £65, or there’s a speedy version for £38 for 30 minutes.

NEED TO KNOW Cowshed, 31 Foubert’s Place, London, W1F 7QG (020 7534 0870; www.cowshedonline.com)

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