Looks can be definitely be deceptive as I discovered when I walked into Kevin Kahan's hairdressing salon in Bangor.

From the outside this modern salon doesn't dramatically stand out from the crowd. But to dismiss it and its recently added beauty treatment rooms as just another hair and beauty place would be a big mistake.

The deceptive outside hides a fantastic, large split level salon, which has a sophisticated New York attitude and feel thanks to its exposed brick and massive roof skylight, which pours in that all too infrequent sunshine.

I'm not a woman who usually has too much time on her hands for pampering and usually find the necessary grooming as just something else on the ever-growing list that needs done.

But stepping into a salon of this calibre I now understood how you could enjoy a relaxing and overall ‘experience' of going to the hairdressers or beauty therapist.

And I was soon to learn that the ‘look' of high quality was one which was equally matched by Kevin and his team.

The Co Down man has set the bar with making the final of the Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the year.

I visited the salon on a rare day off and so decided a relaxing body treatment was in order to refresh the mind and body.

Leaving the noises of the busy salon behind I was left in the capable hands of Allison Hawthorn — just how capable I was to find out in just a few minutes after my arrival.

After a quick change into more appropriate attire and a consultation it was decided the best treatment for my tired out skin was a hydra memory facial.

This was designed to be deeply hydrating for my face, neck and chest and promote renewed moisture and silkiness.

I began to relax on the treatment table as I inhaled scented, soothing oils and the peaceful room started to become my little oasis of calm — a world away from life outside and below in the salon.

With 13 years under her belt and as a teacher of beauty therapy it soon became clear that Allison knew what she was talking about.

My aim for my tired, lifeless looking skin was for it to feel and look revitalised again — quite a tall order.

But using the award winning Comfort Zone products Allison was soon working her magic.

She had a tough job because of my lack, or rather non-existence, of a skin care regime. Dead particles of skin were lying thick on my face and body because I don't exfoliate.

Allison told me the treatments should allow my new skin to shine through.

She started off with a nutritionist body wrap. Made-up of the pumpkin, tomato, artichoke and beet extracts, the wrap promised to improve tone and elasticity.

In addition it was to restore some much needed moisture and silkiness by using the luxurious Comfort Zone products, which have fast become a firm favourite of top spas around the world.

As I lay in my cocoon of a cellophane wrap as the vegetable extracts ‘ate' up my 'dead' skin I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable my the experience was, although I was convinced I looked a bit like a human sandwich.

My face received a similar treatment during the facial as the products were massaged in.

I can truly say that the effects of the facial and wrap lasted for days. My skin was, as promised, fresher, more lively and silky to the touch.

I wanted to remain in this little slice of pampering heaven for a while longer.

However, real life awaited and as I left the salon I couldn't help but do something I never do...I bought a Comfort Zone facial scrub. Now if that doesn't prove this sceptic is now a convert nothing else will.

lContact Kevin Kahan’s hairdressing salon on 9145 5431