Walking to Mina Lee’s clinic in South Kensington on a drizzly Tuesday morning, I passed an array of shiny salons offering every treatment under the sun and wondered to myself how the beauty space had become quite so overcrowded – but with a six-month waiting list, I was eager to meet Mina and the whispers about her famed bespoke healing treatment had certainly intrigued me.
With a busy household and two daughters, there’s always a to-do list longer than my arm and 90 minutes of relaxation and rejuvenation is worth its weight in gold. Unlike some of the ostentatious clinics out there, Lee’s clinic is so discreet that you could easily walk past it. Conveniently located just around the corner from Chanel, it’s perfectly placed for a spot of window shopping.
Lee’s treatment room is known among beauty insiders for good reason. There’s no fancy grand entrance or elaborately crafted space, which fits her emphasis on genuine care. You’re welcomed by burning sage and Mina herself, and you immediately know you’re in the presence of someone truly special and knowledgeable. The thorough consultation begins by discussing your lifestyle habits and current skincare routine whilst sipping on a carton of water in the shape of a retro milk carton.
Each healing treatment is bespoke, tailored to your individual needs, depending on your energy and skincare situation. Some of Lee’s patients have been coming to her for years and have never experienced the exact same treatment twice. Whether it’s a niggling knee injury that Mina treats with acupuncture or enlarged pores like mine from too many extraction treatments (why did I ever put myself through so much torture after suffering from severe blackheads and breakouts as a teen?) Mina has the solution. She suffered from severe acne when she was younger too, not that you would notice the scars one bit. She recommended salicylic acid to close the pores. Though I felt a slight burning sensation at first, the difference was remarkable. My pores had shrunk, not drastically, but noticeably over time.
Lee’s healing approach to women’s health is so refreshing. You might not realise quite how much you need to see her until you’re running on empty. Mina works on the root of the problem and even figured out that I suffered from asthma as a child. I’m usually a guarded person until I get to know someone, but the reviews were spot on – she has a magic touch that can make you break down in tears from relief.
It was hard to let go at first, but once I did, I felt a huge weight lift from my shoulders. She is right; to achieve success and positivity in your life, it’s essential to heal the energy blocks in your body that are holding you back from reaching your full potential. These blockages, often resulting from emotional stress or self-doubt, and sometimes lifestyle factors, can hinder your inner fire and prevent you from attaining the success and positivity you desire.
Every small detail is thoughtfully considered, from the heated bed to the healing oils tailored to each client – my oil was infused with holy basil oil – and heated crystals on your stomach to restore energy flow. The session also includes the application of ear seeds to help with internal imbalances. Lee combines her hands-on techniques with only the best equipment in the business.
The lifting effect on my skin from Mina’s incredible massage technique was clear. Lee starts on one side of the face, and the results are evident when she hands you the mirror for a quick peek—it looked like one side had been sculpted into a high cheekbone structure, like a tight high ponytail effect. My 90 minutes with Lee also included a bespoke mask application and LED light therapy, and she performed reflexology as I slowly drifted off.
I had events afterward and usually hide under makeup, but the lifting and inner glow I had post-facial were so apparent, I embraced bare-faced chic. Even my eyes appeared whiter. It is so rare to meet someone this special and feel a connection you didn’t think possible with a therapist. Lee’s magic touch has the potential for deep healing and highlighting energy blockages.
But the session doesn’t end there. Mina recommended a new at-home simplified skincare routine with her range of powerful and results-driven Korean brands, available to buy online via her website. I was overdoing it on my beloved retinol, and Lee advised me to take a break for at least two months, so my natural skin colour was able to return.
Every detail is well thought out at Lee’s clinic, from reusable bags to carry your skincare products in to ending the session with the House of Bothania The Alchemist luxe fragrance set – an alternative way to choose a fragrance based on selecting a tarot card first. I shuffled the cards, a little sceptical, and picked a tarot card at random. This matched me with my fragrance sign of the day, which highlighted the exact blockage Lee had identified in my energy flow. If this wasn’t a sign, I don’t know what is! I photographed the card, saved it as my screensaver, and with a spritz of the fragrance, I floated off to Daylesford Organic around the corner for a flat white and soup to reflect on my experience and admire the glow up on my face (and in my soul).
From £550 for 90 minutes
Mina Lee, 106A Draycott Ave, London, SW3 3AE
