Berkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2100" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0007.jpg" alt="newbury dermaplaning near me" class="wp-image-79061" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0007.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0007-571x800.jpg 571w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0007-714x1000.jpg 714w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0007-286x400.jpg 286w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0007-768x1075.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0007-1097x1536.jpg 1097w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0007-1463x2048.jpg 1463w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Into the woods you go! Look hard enough and you might just find&nbsp;<a href="https://thehiddenretreat.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hidden Retreat</a>&nbsp;in the woodland of Cold Ash near Newbury. For owner Katy, aesthetics isn’t just the day job, but a lifelong passion. And with plenty of experience under her belt in the aesthetics realm, her mission is simple: undetectable injectables. No injecting for injecting&#8217;s sake here. It&#8217;s all about creating natural and subtle enhancements through her range of non-surgical treatments including microneedling, dermaplaning, HydraFacials, wrinkle reduction, skin boosters, wellness injections, and dermal fillers. </p>



<p>Fancy a lash lift or a mani? You can grab that while you’re at it too. In fact, Katy is such a hardcore believer in the natural look, she won’t hesitate to turn you down for a treatment you do not need.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1071" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0009.jpg" alt="newbury microneedling near me" class="wp-image-79062" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0009.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0009-800x571.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0009-1000x714.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0009-400x286.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0009-768x548.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>What sets The Hidden Retreat apart from the rest is the fact only premium products are used for obvious reasons (longer lasting, effectiveness, and quality). She&#8217;s also bang up to date in all the modern techniques as well as fully qualified, insured, and trained by the industry’s best. If you&#8217;re still on the fence, firstly, don&#8217;t be. But Katy does offer a free consultation to kick start your skincare journey, helping tailor treatments to create a long-term, personalised plan that actually delivers on results.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-IMG_6430-copy.jpg" alt="hidden retreat beauty clinic newbury" class="wp-image-79058" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-IMG_6430-copy.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-IMG_6430-copy-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-IMG_6430-copy-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-IMG_6430-copy-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-IMG_6430-copy-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-IMG_6430-copy-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s so hidden away, no chance of nosy neighbours spying your latest tweakment. The studio is tucked away in a quiet corner of the countryside and is like arriving in a slice of Eden. Situated in a space shared with her photographer mum, the place has a cool vibe, being both light, bright and welcoming. None of that scary clinical malarky here. There&#8217;s free parking too which is always one less thing to fret about.</p>



<p>Taking those first steps into the aesthetics realm can be pretty daunting, but there&#8217;s no chance of feeling nervous. Katy is just so lovely, and if there&#8217;s anyone that can instantly put your mind at ease it&#8217;s her. She&#8217;s warm, friendly, and will go out of her way to make sure you&#8217;re comfortable and happy with what you&#8217;re doing. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-treatment">THE TREATMENT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2100" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0020.jpg" alt="microneedling near newbury hidden retreat" class="wp-image-79065" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0020.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0020-571x800.jpg 571w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0020-714x1000.jpg 714w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0020-286x400.jpg 286w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0020-768x1075.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0020-1097x1536.jpg 1097w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-Muddy-Stilleto20250522_0020-1463x2048.jpg 1463w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The Hollywood elite are totally nuts for the miracle makeover that is dermaplaning. Eva Mendes, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jessica Alba have all sang the praises of this minimally invasive beauty treatment that sees the removal of peach fuzz (aka fine vellus hair) from the face, as well as dead skin cells using a sterile surgical scalpel. But that wasn&#8217;t the only first for me today. Microneedling too has garnered its fair share of a cult following these past few years &#8211; the process of creating micro punctures in the skin with tiny, sterile needles to stimulate a wound-healing response.</p>



<p>Sorry to be a buzzkill, but we&#8217;re all getting older. And as the years pass our skin sees a decrease in collagen and elastin that cause frown lines and crow’s feet to make haste.&nbsp;That&#8217;s without mentioning other factors like UV exposure, lifestyle choices, and air pollution. This ain&#8217;t no losing battle though. Microneedling has the healing powers of the Hulk, helping stimulate collagen production, reduce fine lines, improve skin tone and combat acne scarring just to name a few. A benefit I love is that alongside dermaplaning, it also helps boost the skin&#8217;s ability to absorb skincare products. Aka, the effect of those expensive serums are maxed OUT.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2250" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/microneedling-facial-free-hydra-pexels-alexander-mass-748453803-29648626.jpg" alt="dermaplaning near newbury" class="wp-image-74312" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/microneedling-facial-free-hydra-pexels-alexander-mass-748453803-29648626.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/microneedling-facial-free-hydra-pexels-alexander-mass-748453803-29648626-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/microneedling-facial-free-hydra-pexels-alexander-mass-748453803-29648626-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/microneedling-facial-free-hydra-pexels-alexander-mass-748453803-29648626-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/microneedling-facial-free-hydra-pexels-alexander-mass-748453803-29648626-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/microneedling-facial-free-hydra-pexels-alexander-mass-748453803-29648626-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/microneedling-facial-free-hydra-pexels-alexander-mass-748453803-29648626-1365x2048.jpg 1365w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>After a very warm welcome, Katy began with a quick consultation to get to know my health background and skin, confirming to me I was in a very safe and professional pair of hands. I lay down and had a quick cleanse before Katy whipped out the scalpel and got to work. Honestly, nowhere near as scary as it looks or sounds. The motion is super gentle, so much so, you could too easily drift off. Slowly, she made her way around my face, clearing all the peach fuzz and giving my skin the exfoliation it was crying out for. If there&#8217;s particular areas of your face you don&#8217;t want dehaired, don&#8217;t worry, Katy will always ask permission.</p>



<p>Suitably relaxed, microneedling was next. And quite frankly, I didn&#8217;t have a scooby what to expect. Thoughts of inch long needles puncturing my face whirled through my mind. However, it couldn&#8217;t have been further from reality. Alongside a serum which was dripped onto my face, Katy methodically worked the device around to target everything from my forehead, cheeks, chin, and nose. The upwards motion is fantastic for lymphatic drainage too &#8211; especially fab before a big event. It didn&#8217;t hurt in the slightest and was probably the most zen part of the treatment. Finally, we finished with a hydrating mask for about 10 minutes or so (your chance to snore or chat).</p>



<p>Afterwards, the downtime was basically non-existent. I looked slightly red for all of an hour and then it was glow time. I wasn&#8217;t allowed to wear acids, retinol or make up that night, and was strongly advised to wear SPF due to how sensitive my skin would be (something I do anyway). The biggest problem I had was fighting the urge to stroke my new baby soft skin. Bacteria, girl, bacteria!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-verdict">THE VERDICT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-ellie-ball-journalist-FullSizeRender_VSCO-2.jpg" alt="ellie ball muddy stilettos editor" class="wp-image-79492" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-ellie-ball-journalist-FullSizeRender_VSCO-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-ellie-ball-journalist-FullSizeRender_VSCO-2-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-ellie-ball-journalist-FullSizeRender_VSCO-2-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-ellie-ball-journalist-FullSizeRender_VSCO-2-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-ellie-ball-journalist-FullSizeRender_VSCO-2-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/hidden-retreat-ellie-ball-journalist-FullSizeRender_VSCO-2-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Skin is SNATCHED! We had our Muddy Awards winners party the following day and I honestly felt like I was glowing. I can&#8217;t tell you how amazing I felt (and still feel now). My skin looks so much brighter, more youthful, and ridiculously soft. And I mean like baby smooth. Make up literally glides on like butter too. I don&#8217;t think I was prepared for how much of a difference it made, not just physically but mentally too. Thanks Katy, I think you&#8217;ve just given me a new addiction.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-damage">THE DAMAGE</h2>



<p>The Dermaplaning&nbsp;facial costs £45 for 45 minutes. Microneedling is £65 for a one-hour session. Very, very reasonable. To maximise results for both, it&#8217;s recommended to space treatments 4 &#8211; 6 weeks apart.</p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://thehiddenretreat.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hidden Retreat</a>, Bungalow Kites, Abbey Fishers Lane, Cold Ash, RG18 9NF.</em></strong></p>



<p><em>Words by Ellie Ball</em></p>


A skincare revelation! Microneedling and dermaplaning reviewed

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