held
Held – Ritual Skin Therapies is a holistic treatment space founded by me, Sasha, an experienced beauty therapist with over 17 years in the industry.
Located in Easton, Bristol, Held was created as a welcoming, and non-judgemental space where clients can fully relax and feel truly cared for. I offer considered, sustainable beauty treatments using natural, vegan, and cruelty-free products, chosen for their efficacy, integrity, and kindness to both your skin and the planet.
Facials • Sugaring • Shop • Gift Vouchers
An inclusive and welcoming beauty space in Bristol
It’s important to me that my clients know that at Held there are no beauty standards to adhere to, no judgement about how you arrive, and no pressure to have beauty treatments done a certain way – this is your time, and I want you to feel really relaxed and looked after, whether you’re having hair removal, a 90 minute facial, or something in between.
As someone who experiences anxiety myself, I make sure my approach is gentle, inclusive, and intentionally slow, with a real focus on my client’s needs. I want you to feel held.
I started working in beauty because I love looking after people and making them feel good – that’s what beauty therapy should be about, not making people feel like they’re not good enough and have all these problems to “fix”.
Come however you are – I won’t be phased by hair, lack of, sensory issues, or specific requests and requirements. This has been my job for almost 2 decades, and I’ve quite literally seen it all. There is no “correct” way to have a beauty treatment at Held, and you can always email me beforehand to ask any questions.
Repairing your skin barrier with corneotherapy
I combine my years of experience in the beauty therapy industry with a growing focus on skin health, corneotherapy and skin barrier repair – bringing together the clinical and the holistic to create treatments that feel good and do good things for your skin.
The core principle of corneotherapy is the repair and maintenance of your skin’s natural barrier defence systems, but you can learn loads more about it on the International Association for Applied Corneotherapy (IAC) website.
Rather than throwing loads of products at a skin issue, I take a slower approach: understanding what your skin needs, reducing unnecessary irritation, and giving it the time and support it needs to become happy and healthy.
I’m now a member of the IAC, and work with Prologic products as part of my skin-focussed treatments, such as The Handcrafted Ritual.
After a full consultation, these Prologic products are also available to buy from my treatment room, so that you can continue your new skincare routine at home.
Nurturing facials with intention
For me, a facial is much more than applying lovely products and making your skin glow.
Your face is an incredibly vulnerable and intimate part of your body, and being cared for in this way can be surprisingly powerful. You may not have had somebody else take care of your face in this way since you were a child, so having a facial can be a really nurturing experience.
Each facial treatment is approached as a ritual rather than a routine. I work with intention, creating a sensory experience around the treatment – touch, sound, scent, with carefully chosen ingredients and little details to make the treatment room feel safe and cosy.
You don’t need to be spiritual to enjoy these things. The intention here at Held is simply to create a space for you to slow down and be looked after.
Eco-friendly hair removal in Bristol
Alongside facials, I offer sugaring – a natural form of hair removal using a sugar paste, made from sugar, water and lemon juice. Think of it as a more eco-friendly alternative to waxing. The waste is minimal, the products are all biodegradable, and it’s kinder to the skin too, with less irritation and breakage, and a lower likelihood of ingrown hairs.
A cosy, private beauty treatment room
I know that walking into a beauty salon can feel intimidating – there can be lots of people, noise, and a feeling of judgement.
My treatment room is in my own home, so you’ll be the only client, and I’ll be the only other person there. It's a cosy and comfortable environment where you can ask questions, tell me what you need, and we can take things at your pace.
I want you to feel safe enough to say, “actually, I don’t want that,” or “can we do this instead?” Your body and your skin are yours, so you get to decide what’s right for you.
Thoughtfully chosen skincare & beauty products
I’m not particularly interested in the idea of “anti-ageing” skincare and procedures. Our skin changes as we get older – that’s normal. I’m much more interested in supporting your skin as it changes, keeping it healthy and feeling good.
And because I believe that natural beauty products deserve a little more thought than just putting natural on the label, I’m really careful about the products I use in my treatment room.
Natural doesn’t always mean gentle or good for your skin, and even gorgeous botanical ingredients can be potent skin irritants. I’m especially cautious about using essential oils on the skin, and only use products that I’ve tried and thoroughly tested over the years in my beauty treatments.
Shop my favourite skincare & beauty products
I now have a little shop where you can buy some of the beauty products that I love to use during my treatments.
Life & Soul Liquid is our most potent fish oil, delivering ultra-strength cellular support for a sharper brain, stronger heart, and clearer vision to those who need it most. One teaspoon provides 4,000 mg of clinical-grade omega-3, sustainably sourced from small, wild-caught fish. This is your every day health insurance policy for long-life living.
1 teaspoon = 4,000 mg of ultra-strength omega-3
2,600 mg of EPA, 1,180 mg of DPA
A natural, multi-use treatment balm to be used anywhere and everywhere, on everyone. Lightweight and highly absorbent, All-Rounder Balm gently and deeply moisturises all skin types, without being greasy or clogging pores. The rich, whipped-butter-like blend offers intensive hydration, quickly melting into the skin for a satisfyingly soft and silky finish.
Organic, vegan-friendly, 100% natural ingredients. Free from parabens, synthetic chemicals and alcohol.
Shea butter
Mango butter
Cupuacu butter
Rosehip oil
Geranium flower oil
Vetiver oil
Lemon peel oil
Lavender flower oil
Hazelnut seed oil
Ylang ylang flower oil
Raspberry seed oil
Palo Santo wood oil
Olive fruit oil
Sunflower seed oil
Castor seed oil
Styrax Benzoin
Mandarin orange peel oil
A natural oil to be used anywhere and everywhere, on everyone. All-Over Oil is expertly formulated to deeply nourish the whole body, while also being lightweight and gentle enough for your face. The noncomedogenic blend is suitable for all skin types from sensitive or dry to oily, combination and acne-prone.
Organic, hardworking, 100% natural ingredients:
Argan
Calendula
Clary Sage
Geranium
Jojoba
Lavender
Lemon Peel
Palmarosa
Palo Santo
Plum Kernel
Rosehip Seed
Rosemary
Safflower
Sea Buckthorn
Sesame Seed
Sunflower Seed
Vetivert Root
Ylang Ylang
You may only purchase Prologic products instore at Held, after a full consultation. This is so that a skincare plan can be set up for you to achieve maximum results!
To book in for a consultation please click here.