THE LUXE factor ladiesfirst • beauty
The LF team road-test the very latest in pampering treatments
The treatment: Kérastase Chronologiste, £17.45 In-salon treatment. At home treatment gift box: £99.00 – gives 10 at-home treatments. Hair Essentials, Cardiff Tester: Hilary Ferda, Editor What is it? A luxury caviar hair and scalp treatment for dry, weakened, colour-treated and highlighted hair. Who is it for? Anyone who loves a beautiful head massage and wants soft, shiny hair. What does it involve? This summer my hair had taken a real bashing with an overdose of sun, sand and chlorine. It felt thick, dry and whatever I tried, I just couldn’t get any shape to it. I’ve tried virtually everything on my hair over the years and it takes a lot to get me excited with so many products promising miracles. Well - I am happy to report that this is one potion that most definitely lives up to its promise! I’m going to skip the clever science bit – the salon can give you all the info on that - but suffice to say the product is bursting with vitamins and nutrients. The treatment began with an ultra-nourishing and fabulously velvety cream (mixed with concentrated Mimetic Caviar pearls immersed in Pacific seawater) being applied to my damp hair.. This followed with the best head massage I’ve ever experienced – (thanks Natalie). The fragrance was sublime and I could feel the product working right through to my scalp. A lovely hot towel was then placed on my head for about 10 minutes to let the Kérastase magic do its work. Like any hair conditioner the real proof of how well it works is how your feels and behaves in the days that follow. Verdict: Totally lush! My hair felt ultra soft and looked shiny for days and it’s now so much easier to style. For more info: www.hair-essentials.com
The treatment: ESPA De-lux Facial with Firming Eye Treatment, £55, Fusion Spa & Wellness at Bryn Meadows Tester: Ros Sleeman, Senior Sales Consultant What is it? An 80-minute moisturising, anti-aging facial with firming eye treatment Who is it for? Perfect for anyone with dry, mature skin in need of a little pick-me-up What does it involve? The treatment starts with a choice of the essential oils and creams to be used. You’re asked to smell them all, and select the ones you prefer or are drawn to. Then, after my skin was gently cleansed, a Herbal Spa spray was spritzed over my face, arms and shoulders to uplift my senses, freshen the skin and hydrate a tired or dull complexion. My skin was then exfoliated with a gentle polish to refine and renew before a firming facemask, enriched with lovely minerals, was applied. Once the mask had done its magic, a protective serum was smoothed into my skin to lock in moisture and boost 00
cell regeneration. The firming eye treatment involved a relaxing eye massage using a gentle cleanser enriched with moisturising jojoba. This was followed with calming eye pads, which were applied to reduce puffiness and help minimise dark circles. As a special treat the treatment also includes a tension-relieving head massage using a mineral rich pink ‘mud’ to replenish damaged hair. I was advised to leave the hair mud in overnight, which made for an interesting journey home, but it was certainly worth it the next morning. Verdict: I felt totally pampered and relaxed after the treatment. My skin was recharged and glowing, while my hair looked and felt incredibly soft and shiny too. For more info: www.brynmeadows.co.uk
ladiesfirst • beauty
Take five Our round-up of 5 more gorgeous pampering treatments for you to indulge in this autumn
Holistic Well-being Full Body Massage
The treatment: Indocéane Experience, £55, Vale Hotel and Spa Resort Tester: Natalie Perrett, Office Manager What is it? A 55-minute whole body exfoliation and rehydration treatment Who is it for? Anyone who needs to give dry skin a luxurious boost, especially after a sun-soaked holiday. What does it involve? This exotic treatment experience is broken into three stages, and first up is a Mediterranean influenced full-body exfoliation. The scrub smelled absolutely divine and I could feel it working deep into my skin. Then, once scrubbed and softened, it was time to enjoy stage two - a luxurious soak in the bubbling Hydro bath. As I blissfully relaxed among the bubbles, Egyptian Precious Milk was poured into the water to soothe and moisturise my skin. The steam and aroma from the milk also worked its magic on my face and I could almost feel my pores unclogging. After a quick dry off, it was then back onto the bed for the final part. To leave my skin fully hydrated, a Chinese inspired body cream was massaged (very generously) over my whole body. It was the ultimate in top-to-toe pampering. I could feel the skin-soothing effects immediately, and was completely relaxed by the whole process. Moisturising massage done, I was left to relax before cuddling into the fluffy white robe and receiving my Chinese green tea - very cute teapot! Verdict: My dry post-holiday skin was left feeling extremely soft and silky smooth. Not only did the treatment illuminate my skin, but it also smelt gorgeous, and the softness even remained after I showered the next morning. For more info: www.vale-hotel.com
The Spa at Celtic Haven, Tenby. 55 mins, £55 A customised Celtic Haven massage using a choice of blended oils. The massage boosts circulation and lymphatic drainage, warming the muscles and tissues. www.celtichavenspa.co.uk
Full Relaxing Traditional Thai Massage Thai Touch, Canton, Cardiff. 90 mins, £60 To help harmonise the body and mind and to relieve the pressures of our busy lifestyles. www.thaitouchcardiff.com
Comfort Zone Ocean Mist Treatment St Brides Spa, Saundersfoot. 40 mins, £55 A purifying foot cleansing ritual combined with an eye awakening treatment, designed to rebalance and rejuvenate. www.stbridesspahotel.com
Carribbean Sea Scrub Captiva Spa, Caerphilly 60 mins, £35 Coconut essential oils with a pure sugar cane scrub buffs away dead skin and cleanses pores. The body is then massaged with kukai coconut lotion to leave it balanced and revitalized. www.captivaspa.com
Elemis Exotic Moisture Dew Facial St Mellons Hotel Spa, Cardiff. 60 mins, £40 A moisture boosting specialist facial massage. The skin is fed with thirst quenching actives to bring back that healthy, dewy look. www.oxfordhotelsandinns.com 00