Lush Synaesthesia Spa Treatment review: A luxury massage like no other that revolves around all senses

My favourite way to unwind and relax is to book a spa treatment.

So, when I was invited by Lush to enjoy one of theirs I was thrilled. Lush is one of my favourite beauty brands, and they are known for creating gorgeous handmade bath and body products which have wonderful distinct fragrances and bright colours and patterns.

So, I was sure a Lush spa treatement would be unique, and I was not wrong. So, if you're bored of the usual massage-and-go experience, head to one of the Lush spa’s across the country as they can provide something a little more imaginative.

There’s a range of treatments available that focus on all areas of the body, but I decided to go for the brand’s Synaesthesia spa treatment as I was intrigued by it. The experience is named after the neurological condition of the same name, which one of Lush’s founding members have, in which stimulating one sense automatically triggers an experience in another.

For example, someone might associate particular sounds with colours, see letters as having specific colours, or experience certain words as having particular tastes.

To reflect this, Lush's Synaesthesia spa treatment is designed to engage all five senses, bringing together massage, fragrance, colour, music and taste to create a more immersive experience. Rather than simply lying down for a back rub, you're invited to choose an intention for your treatment, with the experience tailored around how you'd like to feel afterwards.

At £160 for an 80-minute massage, it's certainly a luxury purchase, but the promise of a personalised experience that goes beyond the usual spa menu makes it an interesting option for anyone who loves a little escapism.

So, what exactly do you get for your money, and could this be the ultimate treat for anyone who needs some time to unwind?

What I like about the Lush's Synaesthesia massage

The first thing to say is that Lush's Synaesthesia spa treatment is much more than a standard massage. The biggest selling point of is that it aims to create a complete sensory experience rather than focusing on massage alone.

The treatment includes an 80-minute full-body massage using medium-pressure techniques, enjoyed alongside a bespoke soundtrack, carefully selected fragrances and a customised blend of essential oils.

The experience begins when your therapist asks you to read a paragraph of text, with several words highlighted in bold, and choose the one that stands out most to you. The word you choose is your intention, and this shapes your treatment. I love that you get to personalise it.

I won’t reveal the full paragraph in this review to keep some of the intrigue there if you decide to book your own Synaesthesia treatment, but I will say the intention I chose was peace. There are 11 intentions to choose from in total.

My therapist explained to me that because of the intention I had chosen, my treatment would include hot stones. This thrilled me as I love hot stones. There are also intentions which involve the use of cold stones.

It is worth noting, however, that if your therapist describes something that you’re not too keen on once you have chosen your intention they will be happy to talk you through other options. You’re treatment isn’t definitively set just because you’ve picked a certain word, but it does add a certain level of mystery and excitement to it.

Each intention also relates to a specially-created Lush massage bar, all made with Fair Trade organic cocoa butter and organic shea butter and the brand’s finest absolutes.

You'll also then select a tonic bottle, with its scent becoming part of your sensory journey. The little bottles to choose from have words that inspire and relax, such as kindness, harmony and awakening.

You do get to smell each of the bottles before making your choice, so this one isn’t as much of a surprise as the overall intention, but it does get you in a calm state of mind. I chose dreaming because it seemed to fit well with peace, and I enjoyed the lavender scents coming from the litle tonic bottle.

Music is a particularly important part of the experience. Lush's Fresh Handmade Sound combines orchestral music with birdsong and natural soundscapes, including recordings from Corfe Castle in Dorset. The idea is to help you mentally step away from everyday distractions and become more immersed in the treatment.

One thing to note is that the music is played louder than in traditional spa treatments, because of the condition it reflects. I did find this took some getting used to, but it was all part of what made the experience unique.

These are all thoughtful touches that set Synaesthesia apart from a conventional massage, and whether you're hoping to feel calmer, find a little inspiration or give yourself permission to slow down, the experience is designed around the feeling you're looking for, and the one you choose.

The way the full body massage is also performed according to the intention you have chosen, both in terms of the order the back, arms and legs are massaged (and stomach if you wish), and also the pace and rhythm of the Synaesthesia treatment.

As I chose peace, the pace of mine was quite slow to make the experience more tranqul and calming, but my therapist told me afterwards that some of the other intentions lend themselves to a more invigorating experience.

The impressive thing is that the treatment is not timed in a traditional way, instead the therapists have all been trained to listen to the music and use that as their guide. Each intention leads to a slightly unique experience, so Synaesthesia can actually be at least 11 different treatments.

If you are keen to have a particular type of experience, you can discuss this with your therapist during your pre-treatment consultation and they will ensure you have the treatment you desire.

Lush is known for its distinctive fragrances, so it's hardly surprising that scent plays a starring role here. The Synaesthesia spa treatment incorporates a customised blend of essential oils, selected as part of your personalised experience.

Rather than having one fixed fragrance throughout, the scent is intended to complement your chosen sensory journey. The scent combinations which match the intentions have all been created especially for the spas too, so these aren’t scents you’ll find on the shop floor generally.

The exception, by chance, is the peace scent I chose. There is a both bomb called Peace, which uses the same blend of lavendar, tonka and vanilla as it in the Peace massage bar used in the Synaesthesia treatment, is available to buy for £7.

For Lush lovers, such as myself, it may feel a little bit disappointing that you can’t in any way take the products home with you, but it does in turn make the Synaesthesia experience feel all the more special.

Another thing I love about Synaesthesia is the generous amount of pampering time Although £160 is a considerable amount to spend on a single spa treatment, the massage itself lasts 80 minutes. Although, having experienced it, I can say that the treatment time does still feel to be over too quickly because it’s so enjoyable.

Lush recommends allowing up to two hours for the full experience, including your consultation and time to relax afterwards as after the treatment you will be offered a cup of Dorset black tea.

As well as being a wonderful treat for yourself, Synaesthesia could also make a memorable present for a loved one, especially now Christmas is upon us. Everyone deserves the gift of a little me time and true relaxation, which is exactly what this provides.

You can purchase a spa voucher online now and include a gift message, making it easy to give as a birthday, Christmas or special-occasion present.

What I don't like about the Lush's Synaesthesia massage

The big thing that can’t be ignored about the Synaesthesia spa treatment is the £160 price tag. There's no getting around the fact that is a lot of money to spend on an experience, especially one that lasts 80 minutes.

While the treatment includes several sensory elements and a personalised consultation that means I think it is worth the money, it remains a premium purchase that won't suit every budget. I will say though that I have been a regular spa user for 10 years, and this price does mirror the cost of treatments of a similar length by other providers. So, it could be viewed that Synaesthesia is actually better value for money because its completely unique and you can tailor it to your tastes.

You may prefer to compare other treatments, however, as Lush do offer a number of other spa treatments, with prices starting at £55 for a 25 minute fresh facial.

It's also worth noting that Lush states this treatment is not suitable during pregnancy. Anyone with concerns about massage, essential oils or particular skin sensitivities should discuss their needs with the Lush team before buying a voucher.

My Verdict

Lush’s Synaesthesia spa treatment is a great choice anyone who wants their next massage to feel a little more special, and different to anything they’ve ever had before.

The combination of an 80-minute full-body massage, personalised intentions, essential oils and an atmospheric soundtrack stands it apart from a conventional spa appointment. I particularly like the thought behind choosing how you want to feel afterwards, as it makes the experience feel personal and thoughtful rather than the traditional one-size-fits-all.

However, at £160, it's definitely a treat to plan, save and budget for. But if you love Lush, enjoy sensory experiences and want to set aside time for a more immersive form of pampering, Synaesthesia could be for you.

I'd put it on the shortlist for a special birthday present, an anniversary treat or a well-deserved self-care splurge. Lush’s Synaesthesia spa treatment is a premium option for anyone seeking more than a traditional massage. Whether it's worth £160 ultimately comes down to how much you value the full experience, but for me the answer is yes.

• Book your Synaesthesia spa treatment voucher on the Lush website now. Please be aware that you'll need to arrange your appointment separately.