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G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
54
58 On the cover
96 58 30
Red Carpet Treatments
Sublime Swiss Spas
10 98
What your therapist won’t tell you
Spa Exotica
Editor-at-large
Daphne Metland (Sybaritic Spy)
Features
8 12 16 20 24 28 32 54
Spa Trends
Come Home Relaxed Demystifying Thermal Suites The Science of Your Skin
Skin That Sparkles What to Pack in Your Spa Bag
The Product Bible
Mind Over Matter
12
The Secret Life of a Spa Spy
70 73 76 80 86 88 92 94
Editor
Caitlin Dalton (Summer Spy)
Feed Your Skin
Winter Masks
Spa + Food Choosing the perfect body treatment
Spa School How to Spa with a Bump Recipe: Wild Mushroom Risotto
Deputy Editor
Lucy Etherington (Savant Spy)
Contributors
Rose Ingrams (Scarlet Spy) Anna Hubbard (Supreme Spy)
Publisher
Dean Withey (Suave Spy)
Design
Matt Dettmar
Cover image
Pennyhill Park, an Exclusive Hotel and Spa
Published by
Good Spa Guide Rouen House Rouen Road Norwich NR1 1RB info@goodspaguide.co.uk +44 (0)1603 692296
The Bubble Ratings 4
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W ELL N ES S
What is Wellness? W
ellness is everywhere.
of feeling fabulous. Spas that focus on
Wellness: a breakdown
It’s starting to enter our
wellness often employ a team of experts
If you make a list of wellness attributes
everyday vocabulary the
to help you design your own personal
and rate them one to ten, you may
way detox once did. We’ll soon be
wellness package, from nutritionists to
find that some need attention. That’s
seeing wellness drinks and wellness
look at your diet including allergies, to
normal. Wellness is a state of being, like
foods. Who knows, we might even start
life coaches and therapists to explore
Enlightenment – you’ll only achieve it in
wellnessing our wardrobes.
lifestyle options. Or they may just run
this life if you’re a god, but you’ll benefit
Wellness packages are popping up
yoga and meditation classes as well
from trying. These are the main six.
in spas all over the world, while certain
as being more environmentally and
people have even named their spa
nutritionally aware.
therefore it’s not just about exercise
magazine Wellness! But what exactly is this thing called wellness? Is it a New Age fad? An umbrella term for alternative medicine, health foods and yoga? A pet food? A load of hokum? Or the answer to all our emotional and health issues? The answer is probably yes to all of the above (even the pet food). According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) wellness is “a state of complete physical, mental, and
Physical: Physical wellness is holistic, and eating less, but eating foods that
Wellness can be physical, spiritual, emotional, social, enviromental or intellectual
are good for us and the planet. Ditto whatever we put on our skin. Products such as ila and Bamford are not just organic and natural, but sustainable. Many spa menus carry superfoods, raw foods and smoothies, and more and more offer bespoke nutritional advice from in-house experts. More spa pools are ozone-friendly, with yoga classes and outdoor exercise rising in popularity. Emotional: Recognising the link
social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.” Very
What is really different about the
simply, in order to feel the best we can,
wellness trend, as opposed to detox, is
is something our GPs don’t have the
we need to focus on all aspects of our
the concept that spas aren’t just places
time to cope with, but that spas have
lives: emotional, intellectual, spiritual,
where you escape the stresses and strains
embraced. A good wellness spa will
social and environmental, instead of
of everyday life, but where you can begin
have been designed to feel nurturing
just the physical. Wellness from a spa
to make changes that will help you
and safe, especially the post-treatment
perspective is a more integrated way
manage those stresses beyond your visit.
relax rooms with cocoon pods where
between emotion and physical health
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G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
you can curl up. Aqua Sana spas also
how the mind matters when it comes
educate and inform us in the ways of
have experience rooms for meditation
to health and wellbeing (see page 54).
living a better life, be they nutritionists,
Environmental: In studies carried
dermatologists, therapists, or out-and-
or colour therapy. Many spas such as Bamford Haybarn and Ribby Hall carry
out by mental health charity MIND,
out gurus. Wellness is about being aware,
yoga and meditation classes, both of
our relationship with our environment
informed and empowered to make our
which have been shown to relieve stress,
also has positive consequences for our
own choices about what we eat, what
anxiety and depression. Eastern massage
sense of wellbeing. Spas with beautiful
treatments to have, which products to
techniques claim to find inner balance as
views, outdoor spaces, or that creatively
use, and how we respond to and affect
well as sooth aching massages: whatever
bring the outdoors in (or vice versa)
our environment. If wellness isn’t a
their claims, a great massage (especially
are inspiring as well as calming or
philosophy, what is?
reflexology) can unblock difficult
uplifting. Some spa menus are plucked
emotions. It’s normal to have a little cry.
direct from their own organic gardens,
aspects of our wellbeing is in our
Social: One of the most important
many have non-chlorinated pools, solar
relationships and happiness. Use a spa to
whatever taps into the part of you
heating and sustainable credentials –
enhance your marriage and friendships,
that is inexplicable, beautiful even,
and all this makes us feel extra good,
or join one of the classes on offer and
and somehow makes you feel able to
especially while sipping champagne
meet like-minded spa-istas.
cope with things better. You must have
in an outdoor hot tub.
Spiritual: By spiritual we mean
noticed meditation classes springing
Intellectual: While spa and academia
If you are still with us and haven’t wandered off to pour yourself a large,
up all over the spa world. Hence, we’ve
seem a tad oxymoronic, a wellness
dry Martini, try our Wellness Quiz to see
written a piece in the magazine about
spa will rally a team of experts to
which parts of your life need a boost.
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W ELL N ES S
The WELLNESS Quiz EMOTIONAL
SPIRITUAL
When I am faced with a difficult problem I…
The meaning of life is…
a) Open a bottle of wine.
a) To have a good time while we’re here.
b) Call a friend and discuss about it for an hour, weeping.
b) I don’t know – ask God.
c) Try to solve the problem and get annoyed with anyone who
c) To achieve my absolute potential.
doesn’t see the solution.
d) Whatever we decide it is. Everything is interpretation.
d) Take a moment. Accept that there is no perfect solution
e) “You will never live if you search for the meaning of life” –
and that I can only do my best. Think of other times when
Albert Camus.
a similar problem arose, what helped and what didn’t. Decide which of my friends gives good advice or support
ENVIRONMENTAL
and call them. Listen to what they say and balance it with
Global warming is…
my own thoughts.
a) Increasing the alcohol content in most of the world’s wines.
e) Google it.
b) Not as bad as people make out, otherwise the government would be doing something, surely…
PHYSICAL
c) A problem to be solved.
I discover I’ve put on a few pounds after a holiday. Time to…
d) Something we should all take into consideration,
a) Switch to white – fewer calories.
whatever we do.
b) Call a friend and weep about it for an hour, then console
e) Becoming an industry.
myself with chocolate and/or getting my eyebrows threaded. c) Go on the (insert my perfect diet), eat lots of (latest food fad)
INTELLECTUAL and SOCIAL
and tell everyone else how great it is and how no other diet/
You’ve heard of fantasy dinner party guests? What about
food fad is as good.
fantasy spa partners?
d) Start eating mindfully. Pay attention to making food that I
a) A bottle of Moet. Oh OK, Ryan Gosling..
love and really enjoy each mouthful. Notice when I am full and
b) The cast of TOWIE.
when I am hungry or just thirsty. Dehydration often has the
c) Arianna Huffington.
same physical effects as hunger.
d) Andy Puddicombe (a fomer Buddhist monk, he invented
e) Discussions about diets and foods are pointless: one minute
the Mindfulness app Headspace and is now worth £25 million),
something’s good for you, the next it causes cancer or obesity,
Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Klein and my best friend.
or vice versa.
e) Frederic Nietzsche.
Mostly A You’ve discovered the perfect avoidance tactic, but pretty soon it’s going to impact on your wellbeing, if it hasn’t already. Wine can be very compassionate at night, then bitterly cruel in the morning (usually 3am). A healthy spa break may inspire new ways to wind down and relax, as well as give your physical health a kick-start. Mostly Bs Relying on other people to help you out has become a habit. You may have lost touch with yourself and faith in your own capabilities. Focus on
emotional and spiritual wellness. You might like to try mindfulness or life coaching classes. Mostly Cs You rely too much on yourself and think everyone else is not quite with it. Could you be a bit of a perfectionist? Perhaps spending time with others and asking their opinions, or even reading novels or going to art exhibitions, will help give you a less rigid and more flexible multipleperspective on life. Social spa-ing, meditation and yoga classes may help you feel more balanced.
Mostly Ds You are so on the wellness wagon, you’re practically Gandhi. Maybe focus on pampering and social spa-ing. Mostly Es You approach any lifestyle trends with a raised eyebrow, but behind that sceptical front you’re intelligent enough to separate the wheat from the chaff and know what’s good for you and what’s just hype. Perhaps take a spa break to get in touch with your senses – the effects shouldn’t harm your really very focussed performance on Pointless.
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Spa trends The latest launches in the world of spa. Spa at Ramside
Spa and Leisure at Portavadie
County Durham
Argyll and Bute Newcomer to the Scottish spa scene, the minimalist designed Spa and Leisure at Portavadie has stunning views from Loch Fyne across to the Isle of Arran from every facility. Just under 2,000 square metres of spa facilities include an indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, an outdoor infinity pool on the beach, a hydropool, two Scandinavian saunas, steam room, gym and relaxation area. Product houses include Ishga and Decléor. Try Ishga’s hot poultice massage as a perfect winter pick me up. Extend your spa time with an overnight stay in a range of holiday accommodation, from a studio apartment to an eco-lodge. You can even arrive by yacht: moor up at Portavadie Marina before drifting over to the spa. Spa at Portavadie opened in August. Find out more at: www.portavadie.com/spa-experience.php
One of this year’s most awaited spa openings, Spa at Ramside’s facilities include five pools, herbal sauna, Himalayan salt steam room, aroma steam room, tepidarium, a ‘sunken amphitheatre sauna’ and drench showers. Head to the treatment suite and you’ll find 14 treatment rooms, a sleep retreat, rasul and a beauty snug. We love the relaxation balcony with its own infinity pool and a hammock big enough for two. Treatments use product houses ESPA, Salt of the Earth, nail brand Morgan Taylor, and make up by Mii. Ramside Hall is an AA four star property with a championship golf course and a much-loved steakhouse. More at: www.ramsidespa.co.uk
Mill Wheel Spa Staffordshire Mill Wheel Spa, which opened in March, is part of a new breed of spas that offer unusual or interesting facilities beyond a standard sauna and steam. The Beach Hut is one of the quirkier offerings, where you can lay back on warm sand and experience artificial sunlight from sunrise to sunset in a 25 minute cycle. A brightening treat for the winter blues. Also at the spa, you’ll find a brechtelbath-style sauna, a stonebath, rasul, plunge pool, hydro pool, two relaxation areas and the Mill Wheel Shower. The shower plays on the heritage of the building, with alternate hot and cold water tipping from the ‘shovels’ of the wheel. Product houses in the spa include Heaven by Deborah Mitchell and alpine pioneer Kurland. Find out more at: www.3shoesinn.co.uk/millwheelspa
The Thermal Village at Galgorm Resort and Spa County Antrim While the main Galgorm spa has been open since 2006, the Thermal Village Spa is brand new and launched to great fanfare in September. The latest facilities sit on the edge of the River Main in County Antrim. Get super romantic by booking into the Signature Suite, which has a private outdoor hot tub on the banks of the flowing river. Inside the new facilities you’ll find a pool, spiral showers and water beds. There’s also a snow cabin, caldarium, ‘celtic ritual sauna’, relaxation room and café. Outdoors there’s a riverside steam room and relaxation house, sunset lounge and several hot tubs. Find out more at: www.spa-galgorm.com
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W ELL N ES S
Spa-inspired product launches Simply sublime
Nourish your winter skin
The perfect sleep aid
Comfort Zone’s new Sublime Skin
Dry skin suffers in the colder winter
When winter nights bring you down, try
range includes treatments and home
months, but aromatherapy skincare brand
the Lavender Dreams Body Collection from
care products to support your natural
Decléor has two new products to protect
Kerstin Florian to set you up for a good
radiance and prevent your skin from
and hydrate. The Hydra-Nourishing Duo
night’s sleep. The collection includes best
degenerating with age. The range
Mask is a two-step treatment; a hydrating
sellers Turkish Body Scrub with Eucalyptus,
draws on the properties of dermatology
gel and a rich oil packed full of argan and
Lavender Body Spray and a plush eye
treatments, such as fillers, to boost
cranberry oils. The Luxuriant-Nourishing
pillow. The Turkish Body Scrub will cleanse
skin with hyaluronic acid and brighten
Lip Balm uses marjoram essential oil,
and tone your skin before the Lavender
the complexion with paeonia albiflora
shea butter and macadamia oil to protect
Body Spray calms and moisturises.
extract. One to try before thinking
and restore dry, chapped lips. If you love
about going down the medi-spa
beautifully-scented. natural products,
Overnight beauty
treatment route.
these are the ones to try.
Natural skincare brand Elemental
Banish your oily skin
Simplify your morning routine
Resurfacing Cream to its Vital Glow
Organic brand Voya has launched a new
If you are a firm believer in looking after
range. The cream is rich in plant
oily skincare range designed to help
your skin, but want a simplified skincare
extracts, natural AHAs and essential
clear blemishes and gently rid the skin
routine, Murad may have answer. The
oils, and aims to improve the skin’s
of unwanted shine. The products use
Invisiblur Perfecting Shield, which
texture, appearance and boost its
Himanthalia Elongata seaweed which is
launched in July, is a moisturiser, SPF and
natural radiance. The much loved Vital
high in vitamin A, C and E and essential
primer in one. The product has an SPF of
Glow range targets skin experiencing
amino acids to naturally balance the skin’s
30 and is non comedogenic so great for
environmental damage and the early
moisture levels. We love ‘Porefection’, an
those who have blemish-prone skin. The
signs of aging.
antibacterial gel toner using plum oil and
Spa Spies are queuing up!
Herbology has added the Overnight
Your flawless face base
chamomile to reduce excess sebum and minimise the look of open pores.
Spa-style cosmeceuticals
Part of Temple Spa’s Red Carpet range,
Marine skincare specialist Thalgo has
Velvelutto is a base with a difference.
launched a new skincare brand – MCeutic.
The primer is rich in anti-aging and
The cosmeceutical skincare range supports
anti-inflammatory ingredients, including
The Rénovation Radicale, a facial treatment
pomegranate fruit extract to brighten
which includes a renovating peel and two
the skin, and salicylic acid to reduce
masks, one a “bio-regenerative infusion”
redness and help heal
and the other to regulate and resurface
blemishes. It can be used
the skin. The treatment can be followed
as a makeup base, or a
with the homecare range which has
standalone finish for a
cleansers, serums, a peel
light make up day and is
and a factor 50+ day cream.
perfect when you have
Perfect for protecting your
a post-spa glow. We
skin post-treatment.
can’t wait to try it!
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G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
Confessions of a Spa Spy Savant Spy explains when you have the world’s greatest job, you need a little karma to bring you back to earth. hen I first signed up as a
W
The worst massage I ever had was in
Spa Spy™, I envisaged a
Bali with my husband – a reluctant spa
I couldn’t bring myself to leave him with
working day lounging in a
companion at the best of times. Dual
this dangerous creature. At the same time,
hot-tub sipping champagne, occasionally
massages are supposed to be bonding
her friend was clearly trying to disable
reaching for my pen to write “temperature
and sensual, as I believe I wrote in various
my feet so I couldn’t go anywhere. I felt
perfect”. OK, it’s not quite that easy –
reviews, so we lay on our respective tables
a bit like James Caan in Misery. Later my
there’s more writing and less lounging
and prepared to enter a world of bliss. Our
husband told me he had been trying not
– but it seems churlish to complain when
masseurs then proceeded to attack us.
to scream in pain or burst into tears in
you visit so many fabulous spas for a living.
They stabbed us with their fingers, jumped
case I thought he was being a wuss.
As jobs go, it does occasionally feel like something I made up. There are
on our backs and forced our bodies into inelegant and agonising positions.
As much as I wanted to walk out,
I dread to think what we must have done to deserve that! Hopefully a spot
moments when I wonder if I am lying in
of volunteering at the soup kitchen
a coma somewhere and this is all just a
over Christmas will prevent such things
dream. Occasionally, I like to kid myself that I had a past life working for Medicins Sans Frontier and this is my reward. Clearly I have a karmic frame of mind, which is why when things go wrong, I assume it’s just the universe redressing the balance. If I have too much fun in a steam room somewhere wonderful, the universe will send me a therapist from the underworld the following week, and thus balance will be restored. Once I had a therapist throw up on me.
It’s easy to end up turning into the kind of nit-picky spa customer that is a spa’s worst nightmare
Another time, my masseur slipped on
happening again. Mostly, though, the downsides are relatively mild, albeit the sorts of things that would send a Spa Prima Donna into spasms of rage: a slightly tepid steam room, a small hole in the spa robe, or reclining on a pool lounger only to have an aqua-aerobics class disrupt my calm with tinny disco music and the nails-scrapingacross-blackboard voice of the teacher. However, these are the sorts of things that Spa Spies have to notice, as they can mark the spa down and spoil an
some massage oil and fell on top of me.
They also didn’t seem to understand
I’ve had a fire alarm go off in the middle
the concept of modesty. At one point I
expensive) treat. It’s easy to end up
of a muddy rasul and ended up in the
was lying on my back completely naked
turning into the kind of nit-picky spa
street in my robe looking like an extra in
(as you will see in our feature on body
customer that is a spa’s worst nightmare.
a terribly un-PC 1970s TV show. I’ve had
treatments, therapists never expose body
buckets of hot and cold water thrown at
parts they’re not working on, especially
about the lack of product in the changing
me for an hour, and nearly killed myself
boobs). At another, my husband had his
rooms for example, I make sure I pinch
running through London in a heatwave
foot behind his ear (this is a man who can
myself. Because if I don’t, the universe
trying to catch a train, my oiled feet
barely bend down to pick up his hanky)
might send one of its ninja masseurs
skidding out of my sandals.
and a woman lying across his groin.
to slap me back into the real world.
otherwise luxurious (and usually quite
This is why, when feeling a bit grumbly
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W ELL N ES S
The Spa Spies A Spa Spy™ is a committed, professional journalist or spa expert at The Good Spa Guide who is passionate about all things spa. From Jacuzzis to the gym, massage to mud wraps, there is nothing we won’t try to find the pinnacle of pampering perfection. We’re all different shapes, sizes and ages with our own expertise and interests, but work together to find spa nirvana.
Sybaritic Spy
Savant Spy
Luxury, luxury, luxury. As a founding
A journalist, writer and mother of
member of The Good Spa Guide,
two teenagers, Savant Spy recently retrained as a psychotherapeutic
Sybaritic Spy has had more
counsellor and is loving the spa
spa experiences in the last few years than most people
wellness movement.
have in a lifetime.
“My ideal spa integrates
“Spa to me is synonymous
mind, body and senses
with sensuality. I want to hear,
while being thoroughly
smell, feel and experience
decadent. I like smart and
everything. Fragrances to
ethical therapists, beautiful
intoxicate, warm treatment
design, creative nutrition,
beds and unexpected treats
inspiring outdoor space
make me happy!”
(preferably with a pool or two). Oh, and glass of
Summer Spy
bubbly wouldn’t go amiss!”
Summer is most likely to be found
Suave Spy
dipping her toes into spa water facilities and trying out alternative
Our singular male, Suave Spy
treatments. She’s so laid back
ensures we don’t neglect all things
she’s almost horizontal...
manly. Suave is always on hand to
until it comes to bad
try whatever treatment, product or
customer service!
experience is reserved as “Just for
“I love trying new and
Men” (although his hair colour is
interesting treatments,
all his own, you understand.)
experience rooms and spa
“When it comes to the world
classes. Give me a little bit
of spa, I like truly great
of luxury, good food and
treatments and flawless
helpful, friendly staff and
customer service. To
I’ll be your fan for life.”
top it all off, I like to be greeted well and
Supreme Spy
seen off in style.
With a wealth of spa industry experience,
If I miss out on the
Supreme Spy has high expectations
proper theatrics of
for customer service, treatment
a spa experience,
excellence and a customer
I leave disappointed.”
journey that naturally flows from one stage to the next.
Find out more about the Spa Spies at:
“I love a warm welcome
www.goodspaguide.co.uk/spa-spies
and a tour of the spa, knowledgeable therapists that personalise the treatment, and those little touches that make your experience memorable. I don’t want to feel like I am on a spa conveyor belt!”
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Come Home Relaxed Good spas are dedicated to the art of removing all your stress and worries, creating an oasis of calm in your busy life. If only you could bottle that relaxed feeling and take it home with you‌
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W ELL N ES S
T
he artist Gustav Klimt once said:
‘bad’. Yet a study in 2014 showed that
blood pressure – which is why your
“True relaxation, which would do
relaxing in front of the TV and playing
therapist may get you to inhale some
me the world of good, does not
video games can have a powerful
essential oils before the treatment.
exist for me.” He’s not alone. Unless you are stressed
restorative effect.
Take it home: Although it may prove
The same study suggested that
difficult to persuade your masseuse to
out to breaking point, most of us find it
guilt affected a person’s ability to relax
come home with you, you could buy
hard to permit ourselves a bit of time off,
in front of the TV. So, if you believe
a bottle of massage oil and ask your
and even if we did, we wouldn’t know
(as many people do) that television is
partner nicely. Failing that, you can give
what to do with ourselves.
bad for you, forcing yourself to watch
yourself a gentle hand and foot massage.
it in order to relax is going to have the
One tried and tested way of relaxing your
opposite effect.
body is to slowly tense and release each
Studies show that being able to relax regularly is vital for physical health, improving memory and focus, and
If couch-time makes you instantly
controlling the mood swings that are
twitchy, here are some other ideas to
symptomatic of too much stress. It’s also
help you feel calm.
part, working your way from feet to face, or vice versa.
Thermal facilities
rather good for our looks – you’ve heard of ‘worry lines’ and ‘beauty sleep’ – as well
Take inspiration from a spa
Any alteration in body temperature
as weight loss, since most of us overeat to
Spas are churches of relaxation, places
mutes the sensitivity of the nervous
combat stress or exhaustion.
where we can find guidance on how to
system as the body focuses on dealing
Yet stress and workaholism (one
de-stress. Book a package and absorb
with being too hot or cold. The sustained
a major contributor to ill health, the
everything you can from your treatments,
heat of a sauna or hot tub relaxes
other a pathology) are celebrated in
therapists, and the spa environment.
muscle tension as the blood carries
our culture, while relaxation is seen as
Then come home and carry on practicing
the heat deeper into the tissue. Heat
something of a selfish indulgence, or at
all you’ve learned about R&R in your
and ice slows your heart rate and blood
worst a slippery slope to Benefit Street
daily life.
circulation. Also never underestimate
and the end of civilisation as we know it.
the power of the massage jets, especially
For the sake of our health and wellbeing, however, we really need to learn to chill the heck out.
What is relaxation? The dictionary definition of relaxation is “the state of being free from tension”. It sounds so easy, and yet when are we truly tension-free? This depends on the individual.
from the swan pipes onto the shoulders,
For the sake of our wellbeing we really need to learn to chill the heck out.
You may feel utterly serene when you’re
those harbingers of stress. Take it home: A hot bath with essential oils helps relax tense muscles. Read a book if you need to distract your overactive mind. If you’re lucky enough to have a shower with a massage jet, you’re way ahead of us.
Environment and design It’s not just about scented candles,
lying in a warm bath, or walking along
Treatments
muzak and mood lighting. Spas are
a beach. Or you may be unable to do
You can book relaxing facials, body
getting creative with colours, textures,
either without thoughts of work and
massages, Indian head massages,
sounds and the use of their gardens or
what you should be doing whirring
reflexology, hot stone massages,
grounds. Many spas nowadays focus
in your head. It’s not just about being
aromatherapy – pretty much anything
on being green, from ozone friendly
physically tension-free, but emotionally
as long as it’s not too stimulating
pools to natural or organic products,
and psychologically relaxed too.
or painful.
showing that we can feel virtuous
If you are the sort of person who
In massage, a caring, safe touch
while being utterly indulgent. Good
feels guilty or anxious if you’re not doing
is an invitation to relax, provoking an
news for the guilt-ridden. Think about
something useful or productive, give
involuntary ‘relaxation response’.
how much environmental damage
yourself permission to relax. Tell yourself
Your heart and breathing slow down,
work and productivity has done since
that without regular spaces of calm, you
your blood pressure decreases along
the industrial revolution. Relaxation is
are in danger of burning out. If you want
with stress hormone production, and
good for you and the planet!
to perform at your peak,
your muscles relax. And while the jury is
you need time to recharge.
still out on the physical and neurological
sources of design inspiration. Really look
There’s a hierarchy of relaxation
Take it home: Spas are often great
effects of aromatherapy, if you like a
at the relaxation rooms and spa gardens
techniques that reek of snobbery. Yoga
smell, you breathe in more deeply,
and steal their ideas. Taking in your
and meditation are ‘good’ relaxing, TV
instantly lowering your heart rate and
environment is a great way to ground
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yourself if you are anxious. Be aware of
while some spas offer meditation or NLP
Sleep
smells, touch the soft furnishings and
classes to exercise your grey matter and
Many spas have treatments designed
notice the effects in your body. Why
still those anxious thoughts.
to induce sleep and relaxation. They
not create specific relaxation areas in
Take it home: We all join classes
will probably include chamomile
your home and garden? Big, soft, comfy
and gyms with the best intentions, but
and lavender essential oils, which
chairs facing a window or a painting
the key to long-lasting wellbeing is to
aromatherapists claim are good for sleep,
instead of the telly, or a hammock in
make exercise a regular habit. Even a
as opposed to the more ‘invigorating’ oils
the garden. Organic scented candles or
simple 20-minute walk can clear the
such as mint and citrus. At the very least,
essential oils may also help trigger an
mind and reduce stress.
they will encourage deep inhalation.
instant relaxation response.
A massage with long, deep strokes is
Nutrition
said to slow down your ‘biorhythms’.
Exercise
Food and mood are inextricably linked,
While some say biorhythms are a
It seems counterintuitive, since exercise
and more and more spas are embracing
pseudoscientific term, we have often
triggers adrenalin, yet it also releases
nutritional wellbeing. Trying creative and
had a snooze during a massage!
tension and makes us feel positive and
colourful spa salads will give you ideas
energised. Aerobic exercise reduces levels
on how to spice up your own cooking.
before bed can work. Begin with a warm
of the body’s stress hormones, such as
Avoid a heavy lunch: you want to relax,
bath with your favourite essential oils
adrenalin and cortisol, while stimulating
not fall asleep and miss the spa day.
to calm and relax your muscles. Turn
the production of endorphins,
Ingenious smoothies, healthy snacks and
off your phone: studies show that blue
responsible for feelings of relaxation and
light, high-fibre, high-protein meals will
light emitting from screens prevent
optimism. With its focus on breathing
give you a slow-release of energy. Feeling
the release of melatonin, the hormone
and balance, yoga is great for achieving
satiated and knowing you have enough
associated with a good night’s sleep.
calm and focus, as are Pilates and Tai Chi,
energy to burn reduces stress levels.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine and fatty food,
Take it home: Smoothies are
Take it home: A little spa-like ritual
as all interrupt your sleep cycle. Some
better than processed fruit juices as
sleep experts recommend listening to
they maintain the fibre content, which
an audiobook, relaxation CD or music to
slows down digestion of sugar. Ditto
interrupt those crazy, whirring thoughts
home made soups. Greek yoghurt is a
and let you drift off to the land of nod.
great source of probiotics (good for the immune system, which can be hugely
Get creative and experiment
impacted by stress) and is high in
Everyone is different. What relaxes
potassium, which is linked to elevating
the socks off one person won’t
your mood. Throw in a few berries for
necessarily work for another, so you
an antioxidant and vitamin C boost.
have to find the relaxation techniques
Oatmeal is a complex carb that causes
that work best for you. Be open to trying
your brain to produce serotonin, a feel-
everything, even ideas that make no
good chemical, as do wholegrains such
sense, because you never know until you
as brown rice. There is evidence that dark
try at least once – which is why a good
chocolate lowers blood pressure and
spa is such a great source of inspiration.
reduces levels of cortisol.
Take it home: Psychologists suggest that visualising a calm and beautiful place can help you relax. So next time you feel really stressed, stuck on a rush hour train or about to go into a job interview, simply close your eyes and imagine you’re in your favourite spa. And… relax…
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W ELL N ES S
Competition
Come home relaxed from a spa break at Rockliffe Hall Win a Neom Sleep Treatment and overnight stay at the Five Bubble Luxury rated Rockliffe Hall
F
ive Bubble Luxury spa hotel Rockliffe Hall is celebrating the launch of its new spa garden and offering a selection of fabulous Neom wellbeing spa treatments.
The four Neom treatments are Energise, Happiness, Sleep
and De-Stress, each one designed to provide therapeutic wellbeing benefits. Both 60 and 90 minute treatments are available, and include meditation, shiatsu, Thai massage, trigger-point and reflexology techniques, all with sumptuously scented Neom products. To celebrate the launch of the new Neom Sleep treatment, Rockliffe Hall is delighted to offer one lucky reader and a guest the chance to win a luxury spa break which will include: •• Overnight stay in a New Hall Junior Suite Bedroom •• Three-course dinner in the Brasserie •• Two hour experience in the NEW Spa Garden Room •• A 60 minute Neom Sleep treatment each •• Full use of the spa facilities, wellness classes and gym •• Breakfast in the Orangery each morning. Terms and conditions apply. Please note this prize must be redeemed within 12 months of the winner being drawn, for stays arriving on any Monday and Friday, subject to availability.
Enter now at: www.goodspaguide.co.uk/rockliffe Find out more about Rockliffe Hall on www.rockliffehall.com or call 01325 729963 or download the spa brochure for more about Neom wellbeing spa treatments.
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Demystifying Thermal suites What are the benefits of sauna and steam rooms? How long should you spend in the heat? And what on earth is a tepidarium? The Spa Spies explain all…
A
designed to take your body on
different levels of heat and cold dates
records show “sweat bathing” was popular
a wet and dry, warm and cold
back to the ancient Greeks and Romans,
across Europe in the 1500s. There are also
temperature journey. It might consist
and lots of thermal experience rooms
versions of steam rooms, normally known
of saunas, steam rooms, ice fountains,
take their name from these baths. The
as sweat lodges, used by indigenous
tropical and cold showers, and some
laconia was a very hot Greek steam bath,
people in Central and North America.
heated ceramic loungers where you can
the frigidarium was a cool, unheated
relax at the end of your travels.
room in Roman baths.
thermal suite is a series of rooms
The concept of moving between
Fast forward a few centuries, and
The idea is that you use the several heat experiences to soothe, relax and
Murat Reis Ayvalık D-Spa Sauna
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Aqua Sana Woburn Forest Lava Volcano Sauna
In the UK it’s normal to visit a steam
detoxify your body, sometimes in
a pleasant experience, and you don’t have
advance of any spa treatments you have
to be ill to use them! The heat works deep
or sauna in your swimwear. If you’re a
booked, or just as a restorative therapy on
into the muscles to relax and relieve them.
little body shy it may be worth finding
its own to chill you (literally) out. They can
Heat treatments can:
out beforehand what you’re expected to wear. Some spas offer single-sex facilities
also revitalise you. Heat treatments use wet or dry heat to improve circulation of blood and lymph to the skin, relaxing muscles and soothing
•• cleanse your skin by opening up the pores and drawing out dirt •• stimulate your circulation, boosting
your spirit. At a spa, heat treatments
your immune system and encouraging
usually feature saunas, steam rooms or hot
your body to heal itself of infections
stones – also known as “thermotherapy”.
and scarring
The effect of heat is to cleanse, relax and relieve your body of aches and pains. Heat treatments offer health and relaxation benefits for your whole body.
•• remove calcium deposits from the
will provide towels for you to wear. There are some things worth knowing should avoid heat treatments if you: •• are, or think you might be, pregnant
down scar tissue •• open your airways so you breathe more
best way to think about it is to compare
and sinus problems
•• have a history of heart or respiratory problems •• have problems with your circulation
•• ease back, rheumatic and muscular
your body’s natural tools for healing itself.
pain, as the heat warms and soothes
In many ways, heat treatments recreate
the muscles and encourages better
your body’s own natural state of fever, and
mobility in your joints
course is that steam rooms and saunas are
wear a swimming costume. Some spas
blood vessels and may also break
easily, helping to relieve headaches
offer the same benefits. The difference of
be naked; in others you’ll be expected to
before you visit a thermal suite. You
In saunas and steam rooms, perhaps the it with having a fever. A fever is one of
and you’re encouraged or welcome to
•• relax you, so stress and tension
•• have diabetes or an infection •• have any other medical condition, or are receiving treatment of any kind •• have had any alcohol •• have a fever.
melt away.
Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa Sauna
K Spa at K West Hotel and Spa Sauna and Sanarium
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Young children and older people are advised to avoid very hot treatments such as saunas. But whatever age you are, you can probably find a heat treatment that you will enjoy. Drink plenty of water; you’ll sweat a lot, and at the same time as you’re cleansing your skin you’ll also be losing fluid. Keep topping up with fluids to avoid being dehydrated; this will make sure you really flush your system. Watch the time! Fifteen minutes is the maximum time advised for some steam rooms and saunas. In others (a laconium, for example) you can stay for as long as an hour. If you don’t drink water or listen to your body when it says it wants a bit of cool air, you could end up feeling dizzy or sick. Only stay as long as you are comfortable. To cool off after, or between heat treatments in the thermal suite, you can try an ice fountain – a room where you rub handfuls of ice flakes over your body – or a cold shower. Cooling brings your body temperature back to normal. Perhaps finish off with some mist or tropical rain showers, then relax.
Different types of steam room A steam room is exactly what it sounds like: a room full of steam. But they can vary a great deal, from the suite of grotto-like chambers to steaming pools of a full-size Turkish hammam. In some smaller steam rooms, you will sit down
Royal Mansour Hammam
in a tiled chamber/room and relax while the hot wet steam oozes over you. You’d be wise only to stay for about
There is an almost endless number of
You can usually regulate the
15 minutes as the heat is quite intense.
different kinds of steam room. The most
temperature by pouring water over the
In others, the term refers to suites
common at UK spas are:
hot rocks using a big ladle. Traditionally,
of steam rooms and hydrotherapy
you would complete your sauna
pools where you can stay all day in
•• hammams
experience by running out and rolling in
warehouse-sized baths. Each room
•• rasuls or rhassouls
snow. But there’s really no need for that
offers different temperatures and
•• serails
when there are perfectly good showers
types of water and steam, promising
•• steam baths
and cool pools available in a spa.
different benefits.
•• Balinese multi-steam baths
As with steam rooms, the basic sauna
•• Japanese salt-steam baths.
concept is the same but there are many
Aroma grottos or Tropicariums are mildly-heated tiled steam rooms in
variations on the theme, largely depending
which a scented oil such as eucalyptus
Different types of sauna
or lavender is added to the steam to
A sauna uses dry heat to boost your
help you breathe more easily.
circulation, relax your muscles and
In many steam rooms there is a cold
on where in the world the sauna is. Different types of sauna include:
soothe your mind. Saunas are generally
•• Tyrolean sauna
tap or hose so you can cool things down
associated with mountainous regions.
•• Finnish/Swedish sauna
by running the water. You can usually
They offer a more extreme, dry heat than
•• Rock sauna
sit or lie down in a steam room in tiled
steam rooms, with very hot rocks placed
•• Bio sauna
seats or alcoves.
in the sauna.
•• Laconium.
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Most popular thermal experience rooms AROMA ROOM An aroma room or aroma grotto is a warm tiled,
LACONIUM A laconium gives a gentler heat than most saunas
or rock-lined room filled with aromatic steam from essential oils.
and is designed to gradually raise your body temperature. It can be more soothing than other saunas, and leaves you feeling
BALINESE MULTI-STEAM BATH This is a gentle, sensual and
pleasantly sleepy. But it still makes you sweat! It’s a good one
very relaxing experience. Steam is infused with subtle aromas
to start with as it’s very mild and gets you “into the swing” of
of jasmine oil, which is believed to soothe the spirit.
sauna-ing.
BIO SAUNA A bio sauna is a cross between a regular sauna,
RASUL/SERAIL
a tepidarium and a multi-sensory room. Wet and dry heat
A traditional
distribute herbal aromas to the sauna, and the whole
Arabian body
experience is made even more relaxing by gently-changing
treatment involving
coloured fibreoptic-lights.
steam and mud. Slathered in
CALDARIUM A caldarium would have been one of the hottest
mineral-rich muds
in a Roman baths. Heated by the Romans’ cunning and original
of various colours,
under-floor heating system, the caldarium was a steam room
you sit in a tiled
that featured a hot plunge pool.
steam room for
The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village
around 15 minutes. Afterwards you are either douched by a FINNISH/SWEDISH SAUNA This type of sauna has an
therapist or else shower yourself down in cool water. This is
automatic water spray onto the heated coals. Scandinavians
an unusual, deeply sensual treatment, often followed by an
advise that you follow this hot sauna with a quick plunge
aromatherapy massage with essential oils.
into a pool of cold water, or a roll in the snow if possible. This stimulates your circulation, energises your spirit and brings
ROCK SAUNA A type of Finnish sauna whose walls are rock
your body temperature down all in one go... as you can
rather than wood.
imagine it would. SALT-STEAM ROOM Salty air is pumped into the room by a dry saline diffuser, which keeps the room at a constant temperature and humidity. The Greeks and Romans bathed in warm salt-water for relaxation, rejuvenation and also to heal a variety of skin conditions. Some people who suffer from respiratory and skin diseases say that halotherapy (salt therapy) gives great results and offers a drug-free chance to feel better. SNOW/ICE ROOM Snow and ice rooms come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from a tiled room with an ice fountain in the middle, to a frozen grotto with icy walls and snow on the floor. You may want to keep your slippers or flip flops on in here! Murat Reis Ayvalık D-Spa Hammam
SWEAT LODGE Similar to a steam room, a sweat lodge forms
HAMMAM A hammam can be either one tiled steam room, or
part of an ancient Native American ceremony of purification.
a suite of steam rooms and pools for communal use. In UK spa-
The intense heat cleanses your skin and also brings a clear head.
terms, “hammam” usually describes a single room, with central water taps, and recessed bench-seats, decorated in blue, silver
TEPIDARIUM A tepidarium is a warm seating area where
and gold-tinged tiles in the style of the Turkish Ottoman bath.
you can snooze or relax between treatments. A tepidarium is exactly as it sounds – a dry, tepid room close to the body’s own
ICE FOUNTAIN Either in the centre of the thermal suite, or in its
temperature. You can stay in here for up to 30 minutes, cooling
own room, an ice fountain is a basin full of very small ice chips
down and de-stressing. Many have heated beds to lie on – it’s a
to rub into your skin.
real treat in winter to lay back and just feel the heat radiate.
JAPANESE SALT-STEAM BATH The steam in this treatment
TYROLEAN SAUNA This sauna was established in the Tyrol
comes from gently-heated mineral water which has been
region of Austria. The sauna will be a wood-lined cabin, which
infused with herbs and plants. The gentle heating of this salty
sometimes emits a fir scent for that full alpine experience.
water produces a really bracing, salty, aromatic mist.
Typically the experience is followed with an ice shower. Brr!
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G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
The SCIENCE
of your
SKIN
“ This exfoliator is all you need for youthful looking skin!” “This serum is inspired by ground-breaking research!” “Dermatologists love this cream!”
W
e’ve all seen the claims made in adverts. But with so many companies offering you their version of the Fountain of Youth, how do you find out what truly works? We asked the experts to explain the basics of skin
science, what’s really possible with products and treatments, and how you can get the best out of your skincare routine.
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Skin basics
normal, it is an effective barrier. Some
Dr Nick Lowe is a consultant
over-the-counter creams may allow
as a person ages, and retinol helps to
dermatologist at the Cranley Clinic
a small amount of ingredients to sink
ensure that new collagen continues to
in London. He explains that the skin is
deeper into the skin, but they will have
form,” says Murad. “It has been shown to
formed of three layers: the epidermis,
very little effect. Some ingredients, like
reduce wrinkles and improve the texture
the dermis and the hypodermis. Each
collagen, are just too large in structure
of the skin.”
layer serves a specific purpose.
to penetrate beyond the epidermis.”
“The epidermis is the outside layer
Ultimately, Lowe explains, when you
that we can see,” he says. “It creates
apply a hydrating cream and your skin
a skin barrier, stopping unwanted
becomes more even and plump, the only
elements from getting in and out
layer it’s likely to effect is the epidermis.
of your body. The epidermis can be
“Collagen production may slow down
What about if you’re at a spa? Can treatments do what over-the-counter creams can’t? Lowe says: “A good beauty therapist can really help with advice on elements of skincare. Non-medical spa treatments
damaged by sun exposure and skin
Products and treatments
can be of some benefit to the skin, while
conditions like eczema.”
Two key ingredients used across the
spa-style treatments can be good for
Lowe warns that some things you do
skincare industry are glycolic acid and
hydration. It’s also a good opportunity
at home can also harm this layer, such
retinol. Both can sound intimidating, so
to sit back and relax.”
as using too much soap, hot water, and
we turned to Californian dermatologist
indoor heating in the winter.
Dr Howard Murad for some clarification.
The dermis, the next layer down, can
However, Lowe warns that some products and technologies misused in
Glycolic acid may sound more like
a spa can irritate the skin including over-
also be affected by sun damage, as the
something you should put in a battery.
enthusiastic chemical peels and intense
sun causes collagen to break down at a
In fact, Murad explains, it is derived from
pulsed light (IPL) on the wrong settings.
faster rate than normal.
sugar cane and is a great exfoliator.
He has had clients come to his clinic
The final layer, the hypodermis, is
“Dullness is usually a result of a build-
after their skin has been significantly damaged by the misuse of lasers.
where you’ll find blood vessels, nerve
up of dead skin cells on your face,” he
cells and fat cells which make the skin
says. “Exfoliation lifts the dulling film of
appear plump.
dead skin to give you a fresh and more
Making the most of your routine
youthful looking complexion.”
So what can you do at home to make the
You may hear claims about pushing products deeper into your skin,
Retinol encourages skin cell turnover,
most of your skincare routine? Facialist
penetrating the lower layers to achieve
sending signals to the body to make
Linda Meredith says: “Women have
a greater effect. Replacing the collagen
collagen and new cells. It can become
followed the template of cleanse, tone
you lose as you age, for example. So is
unstable in reaction to oxygen and light,
and moisturise for years and think they
this possible?
which is why some people give retinol
still should follow the same routine, but
a wide berth, especially in daytime.
this isn’t necessarily so.
“That depends on the ingredients and on the skin barrier,” Lowe explains.
But since we lose one per cent of our
“If the stratum corneum [a key layer
collagen every year, it remains a popular
of any skincare regime. The thorough
within in the epidermis] is intact and
anti-aging skincare ingredient.
removal of make-up and dead skin cells
“Cleansing is the most important part
Stratum Corneum Stratum Lucidum Stratum Granulosum
EPIDERMIS
Stratum Sponisum
Stratum Basale
DERMIS
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W ELL N ES S
The five minute skin care routine Linda Meredith says her aim has always been to educate women to think differently about their skincare routine. “What I hear is ‘I don’t have the time,’” she says. But Linda’s own skincare routine takes just five minutes. Step 1: Remove make-up thoroughly with cream cleanser. Step 2: Follow with gel cleanser. “This double-cleanse at night is important to remove topical products like make-up and any lingering SPF.” Step 3: Apply an eye gel. Step 4: Use a moisturising cream and add two drops of serum before applying it to the skin.
allows other products to work at their optimum level. Cleansers today come in many forms: cream, gel, liquid, wipes and heavy waxy balms. I’m less impressed with the last two. Wipes do not do the job properly and waxy balms tend to leave a residue on the surface of the skin, preventing any other products from being properly absorbed.” Toners have become less popular over the past few years. Meredith says: “Toners were initially developed to dissolve excess cleansers using a high alcohol content. If the cleansers are water soluble, there is no need to use a toner.” So what about serums and oils? What’s the difference and when should you use them? “The word serum can be very confusing,” Meredith says, “as it has a different meaning for each skincare company. Some use it to describe thin liquids or gels, others use it to describe an oil. If the serum is a thin gel, then it is normally applied to the skin before the moisturiser. If the serum is an oil, it can either be applied first, or you can add a few drops to your cream”.
Expert advice To sum up, then, what should we ultimately be doing to look after our skin? Dr Lowe says all the product in the world may have little effect if you’re not taking care of yourself generally. He says: “If you are looking to make a change to your skin condition, it’s about stopping smoking and using sun protection, including wearing a hat to keep the sun off your face in the heat of the day.”
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G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
As party season kicks in, we look at skincare products that glisten with precious jewels, silver and gold. Is it mere indulgence, or are diamonds really your new best friend? ou’ve probably seen or heard of
Y
Gold
(a solution which contains tiny particles
blue diamond and Egyptian gold
Cleopatra is said to have worn a
of the element in question).
facials, and perhaps assumed it
mask of gold every night to preserve
was just pampering taken to a new and
her beauty. Skincare companies today
of this is rarer than gold itself. But that
decadent extreme.
claim that gold has powerful anti-aging
doesn’t stop folk in Beverly Hills parting
properties. Twenty four carat gold in
with just under two thousand dollars for
Precious elements have been used
modern face creams is said to increase
a Black Pearl Gold Cleopatra Mask, or
in luxury skincare throughout history,
collagen production, boost elasticity and
London’s super-rich paying £265 a pop
and not for entirely spurious reasons.
reduce the appearance of fine lines and
for a gold flake mask at Oro Gold beauty
The Chinese Chou dynasty used gold
age spots. Some product houses say gold
clinic on the King’s Road.
on their skin, a habit taken up by geishas
flakes merely look pretty, but do nothing
However, passing fad it is not.
The scientific evidence to back up any
True, the properties of gold are not
for 300 years, while the last Empress of
unless broken down small enough to
to be entirely scoffed at – in medicine
China used pearl powder and was
actually penetrate the skin. So if you are
it is given to people with arthritis, and
famed for her youthful appearance.
going for gold, make sure it’s colloidal
currently being researched as a possible
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W ELL N ES S
treatment for cancer. However, this does
for a look of soft splendour.” Generally,
been used as a delivery
not mean it is automatically good for
it’s used in such tiny (nano) amounts in
system for certain cancer
our skin. Some dermatologists consider
beauty products, it’s unlikely to have any
drugs as a way of
gold a serious skin irritant, so those with
visible effects.
shielding the drug
sensitive skins might want to give the 24
Copper peptides, while less luxurious
from the body’s
carat face masks a wide berth. Stick with
sounding, have more positive research
defence system.
the reputable creams that contain other
results to support their collagen-
However, it seems a
ingredients – such as Temple Spa’s Skin
promoting and antioxidant properties
rather big leap from
Truffle (50ml: £85) which contains black
– thus Kiehl’s Powerful Wrinkle Reducing
that to the idea
truffles, grapeseed, champagne, gold and
Cream (50ml: £42) may not actually be
that anti-aging
silk elements, and diamond powder.
overstating its point.
ingredients will
Silver
Diamonds
if sprinkled with
Silver was used by the ancients
Back on earth, albeit in higher echelons,
crushed engagement
to heal wounds and treat ulcers. Today,
some lauded skincare lines are using
rings. Yet it is one that
its antimicrobial and antibacterial
diamonds to achieve visible results;
Yannis Alexandrides, plastic
elements make it a prime candidate
most notably The Natura Bissé Diamond
surgeon and founder of 111Skin,
to treat skin ailments, from acne to
Collection, available in Harrods and
is happy to take.
fine lines and wrinkles. Again more
Liberty, with treatments at Agua Spas in
“We use black diamond microspheres
evidence is needed, but you could try
London, Stanley House and Sequoia Spa
to transport active ingredients including
Kerstin Florian Mineral Wellness Soak
at The Grove.
vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and
penetrate deeper
So, what do diamonds do for us?
arbutin to the deepest layers of the skin,
and salts, as well as hand harvested
Some experts agree that diamonds
where they target cells for regeneration,”
crystals and colloidal silver.
may have light reflective properties that
he says.
(453g: £27.50), which contains minerals
make skin look younger, while diamond-
Melissa Vitalis, the Beverly Wilshire
Platinum
infused products might also work as
spa director has a more realistic view
Colloidal platinum is said to be an
exfoliants. The idea that diamonds have
of the kind of client their Natura Bissé
antioxidant, and researchers in Japan
anti-aging properties or can actually
diamond infused facials attract. “They’ve
found that platinum nanoparticles
penetrate the skin barriers, however,
had a busy year and want a little well-
prolonged the life of worms (make of
does not go down so well in most
deserved pampering and so book the
that what you will). It is also used in
dermatological circles.
best facial that we have on our menu.”
cancer treatments as it has the ability,
Dr Adam Friedman, consultant
Ultimately it seems, until the
in certain chemical forms, to inhibit
dermatologist at the Harley Street
evidence is in, that precious elements
the division of living cells. According to
Dermatology Clinic says, “It sounds
are the rather glamorous icing on the
the blurb on La Prairie’s Platinum Rare
like a good way of spending money
more active, nuts-and-bolts ingredients
(50ml: £724), platinum “helps maintain
for nothing. The reality is that gold and
of products and treatments: something
the skin’s electrical balance”, which
diamonds are completely unreactive.”
to add a little expensive sparkle to the
Many cosmetic chemists point out
festive party season, and hopefully to
apparently “protects the skin’s DNA, and replenishes moisture continuously
that diamonds, gold and platinum have
our skin too.
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Find your dream spa at:
goodspaguide.co.uk
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Find us at: www.goodspaguide.co.uk
SPA DIRECTORY Find the right spa in the right location. Spas with the "GSG recommended" stamp have all been road-tested by the Spa Spies™; our in-depth spa reviews tell you why they’re all thoroughly deserving of that status.
OFFERS We love getting the most out of our spa pound, but we're not willing to compromise on quality. Our offers include spa days and spa breaks at the best spas in Britain, and they're worth every penny.
FEATURES Confused about spa etiquette? Want to know more about Ayurveda? Our articles cover the A-Z of spa.
COMPETITIONS Enter our free prize draws to win luxury spa days and stays, or gorgeous skincare goodies.
AWARDS Our annual Good Spa Awards shine a light on the best spas in Britain. Nominees and winners are selected by our expert panel of Spa Spies, and by our readers.
FIND US ONLINE If you want to find out more about what the Good Spa Spies get up to, you can also read our blog, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook. If you’ve got a question, or you’d like to chat to us about all things spa, get in touch!
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Keep in touch: GOODSPAGUIDE.CO.UK @GOODSPAGUIDE FACEBOOK.COM/GOODSPAGUIDE
15/10/2015 11:33
G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
What to Pack in Your Spa Bag While there are some basics you’re likely to want to take with you to any spa, there are a few things you can check in advance to help you plan your packing list.
F
irstly, your spa may send you through what they provide (and therefore what you don’t need to
pack) with your booking confirmation. Some thoroughly organised spas, such as Ragdale Hall, will send you a joining pack so you will be super informed. It is also worth checking out the
Cath Kidston’s Painted Rose mid-size grab tote £50 www.cathkidston.com
spa’s Bubble Rating. One of the things we at the Good Spa Guide check out is what amenities are offered at the spa and in the changing rooms. Here’s our rule of thumb. If you’re going to a Five Bubble Luxury spa, the only thing you’ll need is a swimsuit, make-up and (maybe) deodorant. These spas should have fabulous products in the changing rooms, including cleansers and moisturisers, deodorants, hair products. Some even have tongs and straighteners. Five Bubble spas too should meet most of your needs with shampoo, conditioner, body wash and a moisturiser. They usually have a decent shop should you forget anything. If it’s Four or Three Bubble, you might want to check whether flipflops, slippers and robes are provided and whether they are paid for. You may also want to throw in your own cleanser, moisturiser (lightweight and
If you’re pregnant, voluptuous or petite,
the thermal experience areas without
travel size) and a hairbrush. After your
you might want to take your own robe
sacrificing your dry and snuggly robe. If
heat experiences, your skin may feel a
as spa robe sizes are pretty uniform.
you’re staying overnight, or want to try
little sensitive and dry. Five Bubble spas
One of our Spa Spy top tips is also to
the hotel’s Michelin starred restaurant,
should have body creams, but Four
take a sarong in your spa bag – it’ll keep
bring some casual eveningwear to
Bubbles might not.
you covered up around the pool and in
change into after your spa day.
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W ELL N ES S
Rock and Ruddle small hairbrush £20 www.rockandruddle.co.uk
Victory Freedom Twist Suit (£77) www.moontide.com
Other things to think about are how
the spa bag itself. Our Spa Spies have
you want to relax after your treatment.
all made the mistake of taking ordinary
Essentials
Do you want to snuggle up with a good
gym bags, or large leather handbags,
• Swimming costume/bikini –
book, listen to some restful music, note
only to place them unwittingly in a pool
down some ideas for your latest novel/
of water in the changing rooms. Bear in
entrepreneurial scheme? Some spas, such
mind that this time of year, everyone will
• Hairbrush
as Agua at the Sanderson, provide TV
be having extra-steamy showers so you
• Make up bag – with travel size
and radio systems, and nearly all spas will
may encounter the odd changing room
cleanser, moisturiser and body oil
have up-to-date magazines – including
puddle. You may also grab your beloved
if you’re at a Four Bubble spa
this one! But before taking your electronic
Mulberry tote from your locker, forgetting
• Deodorant
gadgetry, ask yourself: do you really want
that your hands are smothered in aroma
• Clean undies
to take your tablet in with you and risk
oils. We recommend taking a bag with a
• Purse
getting it wet? Will picking up emails
waterproof bottom – which can, believe it
really help you achieve a state of calm?
or not, be more glamorous than it sounds!
Some spas have great fitness facilities.
The Spa Spies’ Christmas wish lists
maybe both as it’s a good idea to have a dry back-up
Extras • Goggles if you are serious
If you plan to take an exercise or yoga
include Marni’s gorgeous Printed PVC
class, or work out in the gym, take your
tote (£220), perhaps for a visit to Five
gym/yoga kit. If you’re a swimmer and
Bubble Luxury spas such as Pennyhill
there’s a good sized pool at the spa,
or Rockliffe. Cath Kidston is a Spa Spy
take your sporty swimming costume for
favourite: we love the painted rose tote
serious laps, and maybe add a bikini for
£50, which would work just as well in
the heat experiences. It’s a good idea to
down-to-earth luxurious Dormy House
• Book
have two swimsuits anyway, one as a dry
as your local pool. For rocking it at
• Eveningwear for overnight stays
back-up so you don’t have to eat your spa
C-Side or K-West, go for the WAG-tastic
or if you’re planning to visit the
lunch with a damp bottom.
Givenchy Antigona Shopping Bag in
restaurant before leaving
Lots of good country retreat spas
about swimming • Trainers and gym kit, or yoga trousers and top • Outdoor shoes and clothes if you’re staying in a spa with grounds.
printed coated canvas £720. Yoga-istas
have grounds or surrounding parkland to
will love lululemon’s Gym to Win in Ziggy
To check
explore, so pack outdoor trainers or even
Snake Butter (£138 from lululemon.co.uk)
• Flip flops
hiking boots. As the winter draws in, you
which has a locker loop on the bottom to
• Maybe take your own robe if
may need a bigger bag to accommodate
protect from locker room floors.
petite, fuller figured or pregnant.
fleeces, gloves, scarves and hats. Just don’t be surprised if you have to leave this at reception. Some lockers are too small to fit your spa bag, winter coat, boots and a second bag of clothing. Sigh! Which brings us to that most underrated, yet oh-so important item: Kerstin Florian Multi-Vitamin Day Crème £48 www.kerstinflorian.co.uk 29
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G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
Spa Exotica Baby it’s cold outside, and you haven’t booked your winter break? Never mind… head to your nearest spa for a treatment to transport you to exotic climes.
W
hen abroad, are you the kind of person who loves
treatment, you will have a consultation to determine your
to immerse yourself in local rituals? Do you love
‘dosha’ or body type, and this will inform your massage type.
finding something new to shout about? The good
Shiodhara (pictured below) traditionally involves pouring oil,
news is you don’t have to go far to experience the exotic. Plenty
milk and/or different waters onto the ‘third eye’ (forehead), while
of spas in the UK have absorbed treatments, philosophies,
Tri Dosha uses delicious smelling herbal poultices pressed into
food and décor from around the world, leaving you feeling well
ones marma points. In Padaghata, the therapist uses her feet.
travelled, but without the jet-lag. Here is some of our favourite
The Ayush Wellness Spa also has a café that prepares meals
spa escapism:
according to your dosha, while the Antara Spa has a resident ayurvedic doctor.
Ayurvedic Therapy
Discover your dosha at: The Ayush Wellness Spa at the Hotel
Our Spa Spies were first introduced to Ayurvedic massages in
de France in Jersey, Antara Spa at the Chelsea Health Club in
India and Sri Lanka, home of this ancient Hindu and Buddhist
London, Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall in County Durham.
practice. But you can also experience these sumptuously holistic treatments in many and various forms across the UK, most
Lomi Lomi Hawaiian Massage
notably at the Ayush Wellness Spa in Jersey, Antara Spa at the
Also known as ‘loving hands’, lomi lomi translates as ‘rub rub’
Chelsea Harbour Hotel and the Scarlet Spa in Cornwall. It is said
in Hawaiian and reflects the broad, flowing strokes of the
to be good for detoxing, cleansing and boosting the immune
therapists fingers, thumbs, palms, arms and elbows. The idea
system, and involves aligning qis and chakras, but we love the
is to rid the body of old patterns and behaviours, which cause
exotic smells of the natural oils, the deep, slow rhythms of the
stresses and strains in the muscles. A traditional massage
massage, and the Ayurvedic teas. In a traditional Ayurvedic
begins with a prayer. Shiodhara at Ayush Wellness Spa at the Hotel de France in Jersey
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W ELL N ES S
re-balance mind and body, harmonise cells and fine-tune
Say aloha with: Lomi Lomi Hawaiian Massage (90 minutes, £90) at Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Spa, Leicestershire.
Circadian sleep rhythms. There has been no scientific enquiry
Polynesia Spa Ritual (85 minutes, £93) at Donnington Valley
into cell harmonies, let alone their benefits (ditto auras and
Spa, Berkshire. Lomi Lomi Massage (85 minutes, £95) at
chakras). However, if you find the sound soothing rather than
Champneys Tring, Hertfordshire.
annoying, it can be hypnotically relaxing. One for music and meditation lovers out there.
Sunlight therapy
Feel the vibrations with: ila Biorhythm Treatment (105
So, it’s been raining non-stop. You feel like you haven’t seen
minutes, £168) and Kundalini Back Treatment (60 minutes, £99)
the sun for weeks. Each day you head to work in the dark…
at Chewton Glen Spa in Hampshire. Try Tibetan Sound Massage
and it’s dark when you get home! You don’t even remember
(90 minutes, £115) at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham.
what your house looks in the daylight. Check in for some light therapy. In a spa setting, light therapy will take place in
Traditional Thai Massage
a room with a lightbox which emits up to 10,000 lux of light
A Thai massage (pictured above) is definitely an acquired taste,
(20 times brighter than a home lightbulb) encouraging the
for those with a more adventurous spirit who don’t mind being
production of vitamin D and the release of serotonin, the feel
stretched, pummelled and twisted about by a well-meaning
good hormone. Spas normally dress the room to complete
stranger. We absolutely love them, they’re ultimately stretching
the experience, you might find yourself lying on a bed of sand
and will work out all of the crooks in your muscles. Just make
or artificial grass surrounded by a summery scene painted on
sure you have a very well qualified therapist!
the walls. It’s not be quite the same as a far flung beach, but it
The more traditional massages take place on a special
might just lift your spirits.
mattress on the floor, where your therapist will perform a kind
Trip the light fantastic at: The Beach Hut experience at Mill
of intricate choreography of movements, with you as her bendy
Wheel Spa, Staffordshire. The Sun Meadow at K Spa at K West
puppet dance partner. For the massage, you will want to wear
Hotel and Spa, London. Haslauer Reflective Sunlight Therapy at
loose clothing, ideally some Thai pyjamas. Great for those with
Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Wiltshire.
sedentary jobs: you’ll discover parts of your body you didn’t even know existed!
Tibetan Sound Massage
Make like Thai royalty with: Thai Massage (60 minutes, £78)
Also known as singing bowl massage, the therapy involves
at SenSpa at Carey’s Manor, Hampshire. Royal Jade Massage
putting the bowls on, over or all around the body and ringing
(90 minutes, £200) at Thai Square Spa, London. Traditional Thai
them with a felt mallet to make them resonate and vibrate.
Massage (60 minutes, £90) at The Thai Spa at Lough Erne Resort,
This ancient practice inspired by Tibetan medicine is said to
County Fermanagh.
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The Product Bible How would you choose between a Murad facial and an Ishga facial? Should your massage use oils from Tri Dosha or Neom? Are you looking for sustainably British or airlifted straight from the mountains of Tibet? Each product house used in spas will have its own history, ethos and a bias to natural and organic or lab-based science. Our product bible will help you decide what products and treatments work for you.
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WELL N ES S
Afyna
Anne Sémonin
Hero products: Night Serum (30ml, £35), Deep Cleansing Oil
Hero products: Exfoliating Mask (75ml, £42), Botanical Milk
(100ml, £35), Relaxing Body Lotion (100ml, £17) all available
(125ml, £33) Eye Express Radiance Ice Cubes (254ml, £43)
at: www.afyna.co.uk
all available at: www.annesemonin.com
Standout treatments: Afyna Rejuventating Facial (60 minutes,
Standout treatments: Made to Measure Facial (60 minutes,
£65), Ultimate Relaxation Massage (75 minutes, £75), Cornish
£96) at Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Wiltshire. Le Vintage (25
Body Polish (30 minutes, £39) all at St Michaels Hotel and Spa,
minutes, £40) at Spa Verta, London. Anti-Stress Back Therapy
Cornwall.
(55 minutes, £75) at The Langdale Spa, Cumbria.
Afyna means “to beautify” in old Cornish. Afyna products
The French company was founded in 1986 by Madame Anne
will not only feel beautiful on your skin, they’re also certified
Sémonin who developed a series of treatments representing
organic, ethically sourced and produced (no animal
a personal and holistic approach to beauty. In 2003, Parisian
testing), and won’t contain any skincare nasties such as
Aline Marcadet took the helm and has been the driving force
parabens or SLS. So just as good for your conscience as your
of the brand ever since. A Sorbonne graduate with a passion
complexion!
for the arts, Aline formed Anne Sémonin’s image as an
There’s a full range of facial skincare (we adore the Night
“Haute Couture” spa and beauty brand. Aline also maintains
Serum and Deep Cleansing Oil) and body treats including
the original Anne Sémonin ethos of made-to-measure
super nourishing bath and body oils. Every product is
treatments to cater for each woman’s unique beauty needs.
handmade in Cornwall with simple, clean aromas and
The product range is extensive, as you would expect
textures. And they’re easy to use. There’s no YouTube
from a company which uses ‘tailorable’ as a key word.
tutorials here, just honest products at reasonable prices.
The products are developed in collaboration with top
The product company was launched by Sara Young, a
French laboratories and address facial skincare and body
spa manager, in May 2014 so it’s still quite new and niche.
treats. There isn’t a specialist range for men, but particular
So much so that the company says they often make the
products are recommended for masculine skin. There are
products to order. The ingredients will make it out of
also lots of lovely gifts for people who have been especially
their kitchen in Wadebridge straight to your door – not
good this year!
something you’ll find in many places. They say: “At Anne Sémonin, we believe that a woman’s They say: “Inspiration taken from the Cornish coastline –
beauty, just like her experience in life, is unique.”
fresh scents, clean lines and smooth textures.” We say: A high-end, quality brand that delivers great results We say: The products are a joy to use with a lovely scent
across the product lines. The Express Radiance Ice Cubes
and visible results. If you’re a fan of all things natural and
are a miracle worker if you’ve been burning the candle at
organic you will love using Afyna. Try a treatment for a
both ends, and the Exfoliating Mask is effective for oily skin.
Cornish inspired treat.
Claim a piece of Parisian chic in your skincare routine.
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Aromatherapy Associates
Babor
Hero products: Nourishing Facial Oil (15ml, £45), Overnight
Hero products: HY-ÖL (200ml, £22), Enzyme Cleanser (75ml,
Repair Mask (50ml, £59), Relax Deep Bath and Shower Oil
£19), HSR Extra Firming Eye Cream (30ml, £59) all available
(55ml, £45) available from: www.aromatherapyassociates.com
from: uk.babor.com
Standout treatments: The Ultimate Aromatherapy Experience
Standout treatments: Gentle Rebalance Facial (60 minutes,
(60 minutes, £75) at Carbis Bay Hotel and Spa, Cornwall.
£75) at The Mere Golf Resort and Spa, Cheshire. Detoxifying
Rose Prescriptive Facial (55 minutes, £70) at Calcot Spa,
and Clarifying Back Treatment (30 minutes, £33) at Ufford
Gloucestershire.
Park, Suffolk.
Aromatherapy Associates was founded in 1985 by Sue
Babor was founded in 1955 by German biochemist Dr Michael
Beechey and Geraldine Howard, aromatherapists who
Babor. The company started with one product, HY-ÖL, and has
trained and practised at the Micheline Arcier clinic in
dramatically expanded with ranges for facial skincare, body
Knightsbridge. They felt that a professional brand was
care, make up, sun care and a range for men. Babor has an
needed to support aromatherapy treatments in spas, as such
interdisciplinary team, including researchers, dermatologists,
a concept was lacking at the time. Over the past 30 years,
biochemists, physicians and geneticists, to bring new products
the product range has grown to encompass facial skincare,
and treatments to market.
body and bath, home ambience and a men’s range from
Sustainability and ethics play a central part of the
The Refinery. Aromatherapy Associates products are made
company ethos. Babor say they do not (and will not) conduct
in the UK using natural plants and herbs that have been
animal testing. They also ship products in a carbon-neutral
ethically sourced from around the world. They are against
way. Good for your skincare and good for your conscience.
animal testing, screen out chemicals such as parabens and
Babor have won 15 international skincare awards over the
GM crops, and believe every ingredient has a role to play, so
past five years and we can see why. This is skincare supported
use bases such as Damask rose water instead of plain water.
by science, but with green credentials.
They say: “It is our mission to share with people the amazing
They say: “Since the very beginning, we have set our standard
results we have seen and experienced through using essential
by achieving a lasting, healthy skin tone and the satisfaction
oils in our products and treatments over the last 30 years, and
of our customers.”
to practice real aromatherapy.” We say: The packaging is very basic, giving you no clue We say: The Aromatherapy Associates products we’ve tested
about the incredible products on the inside. The HY-ÖL
were as gorgeously scented, as you would hope from a
and Enzyme Cleanser are used in tandem and get the skin
dedicated aromatherapy range! The products work really
seriously clean without stripping your natural oils. One of our
well on sensitive skin, dry skin and those who are lucky
most experienced Spa Spies uses them and is extremely
enough to have normal skin. A unanimous thumbs-up for
impressed with the results, which are instant and will leave
Aromatherapy Associates from The Spa Spies™.
you with clear skin for days.
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Bamford
Carita
Hero products: Geranium Body Cream (200ml, £35), Botanic
Hero products: Fluide de Beauté 14 (100ml, £45.50), Diamond
Sugar Polish (200ml, £35), One Morning Body Splash (245ml,
of Beauty (50ml, £430), Carita Eau de Parfum (50ml, £65), all
£75), all available from: www.bamford.co.uk
available from: www.carita.co.uk
Standout treatments: Jade Hot and Cold Stone Treatment
Standout treatments: CINETIC™ Lift Expert Facial (90
(75 minutes, £110) at Bamford Haybarn, Gloucestershire.
minutes, £146) at Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Wiltshire.
Bamford Body Signature Treatment (120 minutes, £150) at
Supreme Wrinkle Facial (55 minutes, £70) at The Lowry Hotel
Herb House Spa at Lime Wood, Hampshire. Deep Tissue
Spa, Manchester. Lagoon Hydration Facial (60 minutes, £100)
Massage (55 minutes, £110) at The Berkeley, London.
at Sofitel So SPA, London.
The British clothing and beauty brand Bamford was born
Founded more than 60 years ago by two sisters, Maria and
from the founder’s passion for sustainable and holistic living.
Rosy Carita, this French brand began as a hair salon in
Lady Carole Bamford’s family manage organic farms in
Toulouse. The sisters moved to Paris in 1943 and launched
Gloucestershire and Staffordshire, along with several farm-
their first beauty products 13 years later. The brand was
shops and cafes — you may have encountered Daylesford
bought by Shiseido in the 1980s and has gone from strength
Organics in Selfridges Food Hall. Lady Bamford launched
to strength. Treatments are now available in spas across the
the high-end Bamford brand in 2006. The beauty range
UK and abroad, and they have a wide range of face, body
centres around soaps, body washes and bath oils formulated
and hair products.
with high quality, mainly natural ingredients. Bamford
Carita is definitely a luxury brand, with its premium
operates three spas, with products available to buy online
range priced from £260, and it has fully embraced modern
and through several stores and retailers. If you want the true
technology. The CINETIC™ Lift Expert Facial, for example,
Bamford experience, head to Bamford Haybarn; a haven
uses micro-currents, ultrasound and LED technologies to
of holistic living from the food, treatments, products and
lift, tighten and tone skin. The facial is adored by skincare
clothing range.
experts and celebs alike.
They say: “The purest bodycare from organic and botanical
They say: “The anti-aging specialist based on cutting-edge,
ingredients.”
avant-garde technology.”
We say: We love the classy packaging and green credentials.
We say: The classic French pharmacy packaging suggests
The products we have tried had a sumptuously herby aroma
Carita will produce professional results. A lot of research,
that we found quite addictive and uplifting, just like being
expertise and technology has been packed into each jar, and
in a high-end, trendy spa or a Notting Hill yoga studio. The
no animal testing — hence the price. We love the scents and
products felt luxuriously rich and silky on the skin, while
sensation of the creams. Results are noticeable, especially
there’s something straightforward, fresh and honest about
for mature and dry skins. Check first if you have sensitive skin
them too.
or are prone to break-outs.
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Caudalie
Clarins
Hero products: Beauty Elixir (100ml, £32), Vinoperfect
Hero products: Beauty Flash Balm (50ml, £29), Huile Tonic
Radiance Serum (30ml, £45), Premier Cru The Eye Cream
(100ml, £40), Double Serum (30ml, £55), all available from:
(15ml, £49), all available from: www.caudalie.co.uk
www.clarins.co.uk
Standout treatments: Divine Body Massage (50 minutes,
Standout treatments: Clarins Men’s Muscle Ease Body
£60) at Caudalie Boutique Spa, London. Premier Cru Facial
Massage (55 minutes, £60) at Ragdale Hall Health Hydro
(60 minutes, £95) at Manor Grove Spa, Northamptonshire.
and Spa, Leicestershire. Aromatic Facial (50 minutes, £60) at Stapleford Park, Leicestershire. Tri-Active Facial (80 minutes, £89) at Whittlebury Hall, Northamptonshire.
Caudalie was founded in 1995 by husband and wife team Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas, who were inspired by the antioxidant qualities of grapes. Their first ‘Vinothérapie’
Founded by Jacques Courtin-Clarins in France in 1954,
spa was opened in 1999. Today, Caudalie is still a family-
Clarins has since become a global brand. However, it is still
run business focused on harnessing the power of natural
very much a family business, with Jacques’ two sons now
ingredients.
at the helm. Clarins favours plant-based extracts and where
Ethics, or ‘Cosm’ethics’ as Mathilde says, is at the heart
possible sources them locally, or from fair trade growers, but
of the brand. Caudalie is against animal testing, and uses
also manages to combine their natural ethos with innovation
recycled or plant-based materials for containers and
and scientific research. Clarins has its own laboratories,
packaging where possible. The brand shuns parabens,
collaborates with leading ethnobotanists and works with
sodium laureth sulphate, phthalates and other synthetic
several research centres and universities.
ingredients. At least one per cent of sales is donated to
The brand is involved with several charitable endeavours,
environmental organisations, which has led to reforestation
including supporting the construction of schools in Vietnam
projects in the Amazon, Brazil and Indonesia. The range
and Madagascar.
includes a very impressive collection of facial skincare, body
The product range is one of the most extensive in the spa
products and suncare.
world with everything from facial skincare, make up, body treats and men’s ranges,
They say: “I created Caudalie because I believe in beauty products that are not only effective, but also natural and
They say: “Research and development without limits,
luxurious.”
technical expertise and an innovative spirit are the signatures of Clarins formulas.”
We say: Caudalie is an affordable luxury, and our more mature Spa Spies noticed visible results after using the
We say: It’s a failsafe classic – you can’t really go wrong
serums and eye creams. The fragrance is clean and fresh –
with Clarins. Their products are tastefully and comfortingly
must be the grapes – and the creams we tried were light and
reliable rather than “wow!”, like a good friend. And if that
milky, without being oily or tacky. Elegant, ethical and très
good friend happened to buy us some Beauty Flash Balm for
chic, ideal gifts for the discerning Francophiles in your life.
Christmas (Clarins’ cult creation) we would be very happy.
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[ comfort zone ]
Darphin
Hero products: Skin Regimen Juvenate-Pro Booster (30ml,
Hero products: INTRAL Toner (200ml, £27), 8-Flower Nectar
£69), Body Strategist Scrub (200ml, £36), Skin Resonance
(15ml, £95), Aromatic Cleansing Balm (40ml, £32), all available
Cream (50ml, £51), find out more at: www.comfortzone.it
from: www.darphin.co.uk
Massage
Standout treatments: Intense Hydrating Facial (55 minutes,
(60 minutes, £90) at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham. Skin
£75) at The Vineyard, Berkshire. Instant Skin Reviver (30
Resonance Facial (60 minutes, £70) at Armathwaite Hall
minutes, £50) at The Chester Grosvenor, Cheshire. Deep
Country House Hotel and Spa, Cumbria. New Life Pregnancy
Rebalancing Full Body Massage (55 minutes, £82) at Stobo
Massage (55 minutes, £75) at Spa Verta, London.
Castle Health Spa, Scottish Borders.
Comfort Zone was launched in 1996, as a sister company to
In 1958 a Parisian kinesiotherapist named Pierre Darphin
the Italian haircare brand Davines. It is owned by the Bollati
launched his first line of skincare products. Fast forward
family, and current chairman Davide Bollati’s pharmaceutical
more than 50 years and Darphin has become a global brand,
background is evident in the brand’s commitment to
recognised for the quality of its ingredients.
Standout
treatments:
Aromasoul
Elements
technological innovation and research.
Now part of the Estée Lauder Group, Darphin offers a wide
All products are developed and created in Parma, Italy.
range of skincare products, aimed at specific skin concerns,
Comfort Zone believes in using natural ingredients where
from sensitivity to uneven skin tone. However, the brand is
possible and is committed to sustainability – 100 per cent of
probably best known for its essential oil elixirs, which are
the energy used in the laboratory is from renewable sources.
formulated with high quantities of plant extracts. They also
The brand has also invested in reforestation projects to offset
offer body care products, but in a much more limited range
other carbon emissions.
than facial skincare.
The majority of Comfort Zone spas are based in Italy, but
The Darphin Institute in Paris delves into facial massage
the brand has partnered with other spas to offer treatments
techniques including the Deep Massage which claims to be
across the globe, from Australia to South Korea.
a natural facelift. If you don’t have the time to go to Paris, you can try the massage-inspired facials at some of our favourite UK spas.
They say: “We seek to promote a holistic, healthy and sustainable lifestyle, based in science and strengthened by passion.”
They say: “We fuse the finest botanical ingredients, innovative technologies, professional expertise and specialized, sensory techniques.”
We say: A good all-round spa brand used in some top Five Bubble spas, so we expect good results from Comfort Zone as well as impeccably designed packaging (they are Italian
We say: Darphin is a classic French brand that’s often
after all). If you go to a spa that has Comfort Zone products
associated with beauty, not just spa. The products smell
in the changing rooms, make sure you use their shampoos
delicious and feel divine on the skin. They’re slightly harder to
and conditioners as they are fabulous.
find in the UK so if you see them, snap them up!
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G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
Decléor
Elemental Herbology
Hero products: Aromessence Neroli Oil (15ml, £44), Hydra
Hero products: Cell Food Radiance and Vitality Serum (30ml,
Floral Hydrating Light Cream (30ml, £25), Phytopeel Exfoliating
£45), Hand Nutrition Intensive Hand and Nail Repair Cream
Cream (50ml, £27.50), all available from: www.decleor.co.uk
(75ml, £16), Tree Of Life Multi-Purpose Balm (100ml, £22), all available from www.elementalherbology.com
Standout treatments: Divine Nutrition Facial (75 minutes, £64) at The Woodland Spa, Lancashire. Aroma Expert Lift
Standout treatments: The Elemental Massage (60 minutes,
Facial (70 minutes, £80) at Titanic Spa, West Yorkshire.
£95) at The Spa at Pennyhill Park Hotel, Surrey. Bio-
Madagascar Escape Massage (55 minutes, £70) at Lifehouse
Rejuvenating Facial (90 minutes, £85) at The Secret Garden
Spa and Hotel, Essex.
Spa at Congham Hall, Norfolk.
Decléor launched as one of the earliest aromatherapy
Skincare expert Kristy Cimesa founded Elemental Herbology
skincare companies over 40 years ago in Paris. Back then it
in 2008. With a background in Chinese medicine and
was known as “cleor” (the Clé Or being the golden key that
acupuncture, her vision was to create a range that balanced
opens the temple of beauty). Its philosophy was “be more than
the elements which have a significant effect on the skin
skin deep” and each initiative was designed for the wellbeing
– seasonal, lifestyle and hormonal change. Products are
of the body, skin and spirit – a holistic perspective that was
created with patented, bio-active ingredients, along with
cutting edge for 1974! The original team included a beautician,
essential oils, vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. Elemental
doctor, shiatsu teacher, aromatherapist and physiotherapist,
Herbology supports responsible harvesting and production
and their expertise helped them create plant-based energy
of all raw materials, and works with projects that regenerate
treatments for beauty salons. Today, Decléor still use natural
the environment and local communities. They ensure
plant-based ingredients, are cruelty free, vegetarian/vegan,
their products are 100 per cent free of synthetic fragrance,
and environmentally aware. At the heart of their brand and
artificial colour, sulphates, parabens and preservatives, and
philosophy are Aromessence Oil Serums, concentrated elixirs
are not tested on animals.
of essential oils for the face or body. Their extensive range includes face and body and men’s products.
They say: “Elemental Herbology takes a holistic approach and for us lifestyle and nutrition are all part of a good
They say: “When you use Decléor, you are treating yourself to
skincare regime. We are more than just great products: we
the very best that science and nature has to offer.”
believe in looking after your skin both inside and out.”
We say: Decléor offers instant results, quality ingredients
We say: This is a classy and beautiful range that delivers
and products that feel really good to use. The essential oils
impressive results as well as a clean, green conscience. We
smell delicious and the fact that each product is packed full
love the seasonal ranges and anti-aging serums, and have
of them explains the actually quite reasonable price tag. We
had amazing results from their facials. The products also
also find that with most Decléor products a little goes a long
smell gorgeous – if you have a massage with Elemental
way, so it’s good value for money.
Herbology oils, you won’t want to shower afterwards.
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W ELL N ES S
Elemis
ESPA
Hero products: Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm (105g, £39.50),
Hero products: 24 Hour Replenishing Moisturiser (55ml, £42),
Pro Collagen Marine Cream (50ml, £80), Frangipani Monoi
Restorative Body Oil (100ml, £32), Optimal Skin Pro-Serum
Body Oil (100ml, £34) all available at: www.elemis.com
(30ml, £48) all available at: www.espaskincare.com
Standout treatments: Elemis Advanced Anti-Aging Facial
Standout treatments: Back, Face and Scalp Treatment (90
(55 minutes, £75) at Moddershall Oaks, Staffordshire. Cellutox
minutes, £95) at The Spa at Bedford Lodge, Suffolk. Lifestage
Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap (75 minutes, £79) at The Headland
Intensive Lift Facial (90 minutes, £175) at Sequoia Spa at The
Spa, Cornwall. Elemis Face and Body Solution (55 minutes,
Grove, Hertfordshire. Personalised Facial (60 minutes, £115) at
£75) at Norton House Hotel and Spa, Edinburgh.
ESPA Life at the Corinthia, London.
British brand Elemis was founded in 1990 by Séan
Vogue writer Susan Harmsworth created ESPA in a time when
Harrington, Noella Gabriel and Oriele Frank. It clearly set
the industry was beauty, rather than skincare focused. A move
out to be a beauty force to be reckoned with and is now
to Toronto opened her eyes when she met a group of Eastern
ubiquitous worldwide, with a British Airways contract and
European therapists who trained in medicine, leading her to
an ever-expanding product range. You’ll find products for
think holistically about using a scientific approach to harness
facial skincare, body, bath, candles and a range just for men.
natural ingredients. She also understood the need for luxury,
Elemis uses ethically sourced, natural ingredients which
as well as the psychological effects of smell and sensation.
are developed in labs to produce visible results. Creating a
ESPA launched in 1993 and today has over 450 spas in 50
natural aroma is also an important part of the brand ethos.
countries. The product range is extensive, innovative, luxurious
The face that launched the brand was Rachel de Thame, a
and results-driven, the ingredients are a combination of
TV horticulturist and now one of their in-house ‘experts’ (she
aromatherapy, plant and marine extracts. They’re also 99-100
designs the window boxes at House of Elemis day spa in
per cent natural and do not use animal testing. You’ll find a
Mayfair).
full set of spa products including facial and body care, bath treats, candles and men’s products.
They say: “Elemis was born out of the vision to bring together the power of nature, science and aromatics. To
They say: “Using only the very purest extracts, ESPA
harness the dynamism of the highest-grade actives and
biochemists distil active ingredients into products that keep
create a skincare line that would transform the frontline of
their promises. For instant, lasting results every day.”
the beauty industry.” We say: This is a classy, respected beauty product, perfect We say: Elemis is so commercial and huge – it’s worth
for anyone who wants a spa experience every day in their
around £75 million – but there’s no escaping the fact that
bathroom cabinet. The active ingredients produce great
their products are very good. They deliver what they claim to
results while the products themselves feel and smell
do, and that’s the reason they’re so successful with an almost
luxurious. A top tip from our ESPA fan Spa Spy: their hand-
cult-like spa following.
poured candles smell divine.
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G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
Eve Lom
Germaine de Capuccini
Hero products: Eve Lom Cleanser (100ml, £55), TLC Cream
Hero products: Multi Regenerating Rosehip Oil (30ml,
(50ml, £55), Rescue Mask (100ml, £55) all available from:
£36), Illuminating Detox Eye Formula (15ml, £45.95), X.Cel
www.evelom.com
Retinage Filler (50ml, £95) all available at: www.germainede-capuccini.co.uk
Standout treatments: Eve Lom Experience (90 minutes, £140), Eve Lom Cleanse (60 minutes, £100) both at Agua at
Standout treatments: Black Diamond Facial (60 minutes,
Sanderson, London.
£95) Chuan Spa at The Langham, London. Time Expert Age Reverse Facial (90 minutes, £90) at The Garage Spa, County Durham.
Over 25 years ago, Czech-born skincare legend Eve Lom launched her famous fuss-free range with her award-winning cleanser, which remains a cult product. Now in her sixties,
Spanish luxury spa and skincare company Germaine de
Eve is a multi-millionaire and one of the hottest facialists in
Capuccini was formed in 1964 by Carmen Vidal, a beauty
the world. She is also an expert in anatomy, nutrition and
therapist who created her own product range in the tiny
massage, and has developed a unique massage technique
kitchen of her beauty salon. Now 43 years later, her little
designed to be performed by her trained therapists
laboratory has expanded to over 18,000 square feet.
during the facial. Refreshingly, Eve has no truck with the
The company employs a large team of scientists and
pseudoscience that dominates the beauty skincare market.
dermatologists to develop new ingredients, using the
She says the problem today is we put too much on our skin,
latest technology and ethically sourced plants, vitamins
which stops it functioning, so her focus is on simplifying and
and minerals. The philosophy behind the brand is to treat
minimalizing through cleansing and exfoliating, while using
the mind, body and soul to an ‘experience’ rather than a
massage to detox and calm internal organs and mind.
treatment. Their cutting edge approach to skincare means they launch 40 new products and treatments every year and
They say: “We believe that flawlessly clean and gently
specialise in the anti-aging sector. Products cover body, face,
exfoliated skin is the perfect canvas for skincare to perform.”
hair, tanning, cosmetics, supplements and a range for men.
We say: According to Vogue, the Eve Lom cleanser is
They say: “Specialising in anti-aging, all treatments have the
“probably the best in the world.” And like most beauty
‘wow factor’ and always deliver very real visual results.”
editors, having tried it, we are addicted. The cleanser comes with its own ritual, you smooth it over your face and follow
We say: An exclusive product aimed at the top-end of the
very specific facial massage instructions in order to reap
beauty and spa industry. Treatments feel very special and
the full benefits. You then place a soaked muslin cloth over
sometimes involve machines to generate that wow factor.
your face for five seconds to activate the essential oils – and
We’re not the kind of girls to be impressed by the size of
repeat three times. This is followed by circular exfoliation
someone’s lab, but we truly admire Germaine de Capuccini’s
and a cold water cloth to close the pores. Is the effort worth
boundless creativity. The products and treatments make us
it? Absolutely.
look and feel special.
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W ELL N ES S
Guinot
ila
Hero products: Age Logic Yeux (15ml, £69.50), Longue Vie
Hero products: Orange Blossom Candle for Higher Energy
Cellulaire (50ml, £85.50), Masque Essentiel Nutrition Confort
(200g, £40), Face Oil for Glowing Radiance (30ml, £75),
(50ml, £25) all available at: uk.guinot.com
Bath Salts for Inner Peace (500g, £49) all available at: www. ila-spa.com
Standout treatments: Hydradermie2 – The Star Treatment (55 minutes, £60) at Chakra Spa at The Felbridge Hotel, West
Standout treatments: Ananda Face Therapy (60 minutes,
Sussex. Aromatic Facial (50 minutes, £55) at Tre-Ysgawen
£99) at Chewton Glen Spa, Hampshire. Ku Nye Massage (90
Hall, Isle of Anglesey.
minutes, £146) at Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Wiltshire. Shining Jewel Vital Energy Treatment (85 minutes, £85) at Stanley House Hotel and Spa, Lancashire.
This legendary French brand began in 1963, when chemical engineer Rene Guinot designed the first skin care device using galvanic current. This defined the procedure for
Ila is a British brand with international flavour — ila means
cathiodermie, which has now morphed into their famous
‘earth’ in Sanskrit. The products are made in the Cotswolds,
Hydradermie treatment. In 1972, current CEO Jean Daniel
mostly from certified organic ingredients, with the rest
Mondin took over. The son of a plastic surgeon with a
sourced from plants and minerals from the most remote,
scientific background, Mondin offered exclusive Guinot
unpolluted parts of the world. Founder Denise Leicester
treatments in his VIP rooms at the Hotel George V in Paris.
is a nurse, aromatherapist and yoga teacher. Her belief in
Although Guinot believe their treatments are far more
the power of healing energy fills the products which have
effective than creams, their brand Guinot Paris is popular
holistic aims; we love the Bath Salts for Inner Peace, and
around the world. Three specific categories are targeted in
ancient pink rock salt crystals from eastern Pakistan.
the line: face, body and sun. Guinot products are not tested
The product range is a little smaller than some, but this is
on animals, contain no parabens and are eco-friendly.
made up for in the quality. There’s facial and body skincare, bath treats and candles available. We love the essentials
They say: “The effectiveness of a one-hour beauty treatment
range if you’re looking to step up your shampoo, conditioner
is incomparably more effective than merely applying a
and body wash from chemist basics. If you love the sound of ila, you can visit their retreat in
cream or serum.”
Mustique and dive wholeheartedly into the ethos. We say: Guinot is the royal family of beauty products and still going strong, although perhaps more so in Paris and
They say: “ila’s vocation is to bring purity, energy and balance
America. Their Hydradermie facial remains a trusted favourite
into everyday life through the creation of luxury organic
among treatment fans. Rightly, Guinot place importance on
products that are as effective as they are ethical.”
the beauty therapist, who will be able to match product to skin type, rather than marketing and packaging. Products
We say: If organic is your must-have, ila will give you
tend to be rich and rejuvenating, therefore good for mature
effective, eco-friendly products that inspire, smell divine and
and dry or sun damaged skins.
feel beautiful on your skin.
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G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
Ishga
Kerstin Florian
Hero products: Anti-oxidant Marine Face Cream (50ml, £70),
Hero products: Multi-Vitamin Day Crème (50ml, £48),
Regenerating Face Serum (50ml, £60), Invigorating Body
Rehydrating Neroli Water (100ml, £31.50), Turkish Body
Lotion (100ml, £35) all available at www.ishga.co.uk
Scrub With Eucalyptus (237ml, £36.50) all available at: www. kerstinflorian.co.uk
Standout treatments: Ishga Seaweed Bath (30 minutes, £35) at Seaham Hall, County Durham. Ishga Hot Stone Massage
Standout treatments: Kerstin Florian Sensitive Skin Facial
(55 minutes, £85) at The Spa at Blythswood Square, Glasgow.
(60 minutes, £70) at PH20 at Park House, West Sussex. Lavender Field of Dreams Massage (80 minutes, £120) at The
Ishga (derived from the Gaelic name for water) was
Spa at Coworth Park, Berkshire. Caviar Facial (60 minutes,
developed on the Isle of Lewis by Malcolm Macrae, director
£155) at The Dorchester Spa, London.
of Hebridean Spa Ltd, and his wife Joanna, a Clarins beauty therapist. The Hebrides has some of the cleanest waters
Kerstin Florian is an American brand with a Scandinavian
in the world and this is where Ishga hand harvests the
influence. Named after the founder, the company is still run by
seaweed for their skincare range. The seaweed is treated
the family with Kerstin and Charlene Florian at the helm. The
with spring water and a slow heating process to produce
“Outer Beauty, Inner Health” philosophy spills into a lifestyle
the pure seaweed extract. It is said to plump and tone skin,
focus for the brand including effective natural and botanic
and stimulate circulation. Other ingredients include thistle
ingredients in the products that are rich in algae, herbal
oil, which is rich in omega 3 and 6, jojoba and apricot kernel.
extracts and essential oils. The range of products is impressive
The product range is bijou and straightforward – cleansers,
with specialist lotions and potions for each skin type. There
toners, oils, creams, body lotion and scrubs – all with natural
are also body treats, suncare and products for men.
and organic ingredients and essential oils.
The treatments draw on the natural theme: we defy anyone from not getting a good night’s sleep after the
They say: “Harnessing the natural anti-oxidant, healing
Lavender Field of Dreams Massage.
and anti-aging properties provided by the purest organic Scottish seaweed.”
They say: “Kerstin Florian promotes the philosophy of outer beauty, inner health and inspires a sense of wellbeing
We say: Seaweed is increasingly popular in spa therapies
through naturally-sourced spa products, technically-advanced
as it’s so rich in minerals and anti-oxidants. Ishga feels as
ingredients and professionally designed spa services.”
Scottish as Fairisle jumpers and single malts. Products are creamy without being too oily and great for combination
We say: Kerstin Florian is an on-trend mix of Swedish
skin. The ingredients are very active, and some of the more
practicality and Californian holistic wellbeing. The packaging
powerful products may cause redness – don’t panic if this
is extremely elegant – you feel like you’re getting a high
happens. It should quickly calm down, leaving the skin
quality product that is confident about delivering results.
feeling very smooth and creamy, with a robustly healthy
The products are effective and luxurious in feel and subtle
Hebridean glow.
in scent.
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W ELL N ES S
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G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
Linda Meredith
Moroccanoil
Hero products: V-Tox (50ml, £99), Hydrating Mist (40ml, £19),
Hero products: Intense Hydrating Mask (250ml, £24.75),
Q3 (50g, £69) all available at: www.lindameredith.com
Original Hand Cream (75ml, £20), Original Body Soufflé (190ml, £43) find out more at www.moroccanoil.com
Standout treatments: The Haute Couture Facial (£100), Linda Meredith O2 (£100) at Linda Meredith, Knightsbridge.
Standout treatments: Honey and Lavender Massage (55
Men’s Ultimate Deep Cleansing Facial (60 minutes, £99) at
minutes, £69) at Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa, Cheshire.
Chewton Glen Spa, Hampshire.
Black Tie Affair (60 minutes, £125) at Spa Illuminata, London. Exfoliation Ritual (40 minutes, £59) at Fawsley Hall Hotel and Spa, Northamptonshire.
On Linda Meredith’s website is a staggering celebrity clientele list that will make your eyelashes curl, from Gwyneth Paltrow to Madonna by way of Rosamund Pike, Emma Thompson
The concept of Moroccanoil was born when one of the
and Kate Moss, plus a host of male pin-ups. So what makes
founders, Carmen Tal, had a really poor colour service for
her so special? Linda has worked in skincare for 40 years, and
her hair and was rescued by an oil treatment. This treatment
has noticed a dramatic change in how our skin is evolving.
became the kernal of the brand. Moroccanoil took off and is
Thanks to environmental forces – from man-made (air con,
now one of the leading haircare brands loved by Hollywood
heating, pollutants) to natural (sun damage, hormones) –
starlets and stylists alike. The brand has since branched out
we are no longer just oily, dry or combination. Hence some
into ultra-nourishing body products and treatments with
days, we’re dry as cracked paint, the next breaking out in
beautifully inspired scents. The Fleur de Oranger and Fleur
spots! The Linda Meredith skincare range is created with
de Rose ranges are both fantastic.
layering and overlapping in mind, to address a variety of skin
In 2014, Moroccanoil launched a campaign about inspiring
problems rather than uniform types.
women, following the journeys of six women, from an animal rights activist to entrepreneurs and an art therapist. We love the supportive and positive messaging from the brand.
They say: “Each product within the range has been designed with certain attributes, but when overlapped the effectiveness is increased, normalising skin and leaving a
They say: “At Moroccanoil, our passion is empowering
natural, glowing complexion.”
beautiful transformations”.
We say: When having a Linda Meredith Oxygen Facial we
We say: Moroccanoil came to our attention several years
felt in very safe hands – this woman can wield a lancet like
ago when the treatment product started popping up in
no other! It’s pain-free, quick, and she makes it look so easy.
spas around the UK. Apply the treatment before using the
The end result was amazing. With so many celebrity clients,
thermal experiences and hey presto – perfectly hydrated
it’s not surprising Meredith has the answer for coping with
hair. The product range has grown to include body
long haul flights too. Her wonderful Hydrating Mist fits easily
treatments but they are still easy to use, and nourish the
in hand luggage, so you can land ready and glowing for the
hair and skin beautifully.
Paparazzi snappers.
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WELL N ES S
Murad
Natura Bissé
Hero products: Hydro Dynamic Ultimate Moisture (50ml,
Hero products: The Cure Sheer Cream (50ml, £143), Glycoline
£64), Invisiblur Perfecting Shield (30ml, £55), AHA/BHA
Extreme Peel (30ml, £199), Diamond Extreme Eye Cream
Exfoliating Cleanser (200ml, £34) all available at: www.
(25ml, £160) all available at: www.naturabisse.com
murad.co.uk Standout treatments: Citrus Sculpt (55 minutes, £120) Standout treatments: AHA Rapid Exfoliator Facial (60
at Sequoia Spa at The Grove, Hertfordshire. C+C Vitamin
minutes, £57) at Thornton Hall, The Wirral. Resurgence
Facial (60 minutes, £65), at Stanley House Hotel and Spa,
Renewal Facial (50 minutes, £70) at Y Spa at Wyboston
Lancashire. Diamond Experience Facial (80 minutes, £115), at
Lakes, Bedfordshire. Clearly Youthful Facial (60 minutes, £95)
Agua at Sanderson, London.
at The Peak Health Club and Spa, London. Spanish skincare company Natura Bissé was founded in 1979. Murad is the brain child of Californian dermatologist Dr
Ricardo Fisas Mulleras rooted the company firmly in science
Howard Murad, whose vision is to create skincare products
and research, using pharmaceutical grade ingredients for
and supplements to help people look and feel healthy and
targeted results. In the 1990s, the company expanded into the
beautiful. Since it launched in 1989, Murad has been at the
US market, taking its range to Hollywood, which embraced
cutting edge of skincare science and was one of the first to
the results-driven products and treatments. In the UK, you’ll
use glycolic acid.
find Natura Bissé in select high-end spas offering facial and
The Murad range is broad and tailorable. Each product
body treatments. We’ve tried two or three different Natura
range works with a specific skincare concern including
Bissé facials and each time the Spa Spy has come back
age reform, redness therapy for sensitive skin, age-proof
glowing and waxing lyrical about the difference it made. We’re
sunscreen and Murad for men. As part of Murad’s “Inclusive
impressed! The product range is mostly around very effective
Health” philosophy (including topical skincare, internal care
facial skincare, but there are also body treats available.
and your sense of self) there are also supplements and body care products. There’s even a buy-back promise if you’re not
They say: “Natura Bissé is a pioneer in the development of
happy with the product results!
highly effective products based on formulas that use the latest trends and technologies in aesthetic medicine.”
They say: “With Murad it really is possible get great skin at any age.”
We say: Natura Bissé products and treatments are an investment but they are worth it. The Diamond Expert Eye
We say: Summer Spy swears by Murad to help with stressed
Cream will make your eyes look like you’ve had a full 8-hour
out skin. Going beyond the standard dry, combination, oily
sleep, even when you’ve been burning the candle at both
skin ranges, the products allow you to properly tailor your
ends. The Sheer Cure Cream is a god-send when you want
skincare routine, whether you’re looking for blemish prone
beautiful skin without having to wear full make up, and we
and anti-aging, or trying to protect your skin from the
love the professional feel of the Glycoline peel when you
pollutions of city life.
can’t squeeze in a regular trip to a facialist.
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G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
Neom
Nuxe
Hero products: Tranquillity Scented Candle (420g, £45),
Hero products: Huile Prodigeuse® Spray (100ml, £28),
Daily De-stress Face, Body and Hair Oil (100ml, £32),
Crème Fraîche® de Beauté Masque (50ml, £18.50), Rêve de
Great Day™ Body Scrub (332ml, £34) all available at: www.
Miel® Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm (15ml, £9.50) all available at:
neomorganics.com
uk.nuxe.com
Standout treatments: De-Stress Treatment (60 minutes,
Standout treatments: Nuxe Massage (50 minutes, £80),
£70) at Neom Organics Wimbledon, London. Luxury Organic
Radiance Facial (50 minutes, £80), Exceptional Treatment
Massage (55 minutes, £59) at Middlethorpe Hall and Spa,
with Flowers and Precious Plants (80 minutes, £135) all at
York. Energise Treatment (60 minutes, £90) at Rockliffe Hall,
Agua at Sanderson Hotel, London.
County Durham. Entrepreneur
Aliza
Jabès
discovered
Nuxe,
a
small
Journalist Nicola Elliott made her own aromatherapy
formulation laboratory in Paris in the early 1990s, and
oil blends while working at a national magazine to help
decided to make it the springboard for launching a beauty
alleviate stress and boost energy levels. She teamed up
brand which would bring together nature and luxury. Years
with business partner Oliver Mennell, their initials forming
later, she’s scooping up business and consumer awards left,
the name, and launched Neom in 2005.
right and centre, while being compared to Penelope Cruz in Paris Match.
Now, 10 years later, Neom offers a select range of home fragrances and bath and body products. All use natural
The product range targets most skin types, anti-aging
ingredients and essences designed to have a positive effect
(Nuxellence®and
on your mood, whether you choose to light one of their
men, while the philosophy is a balance of natural active
famous candles to relax at the end of a hard day, run a bath
ingredients, performance driven patents (the company
to help you sleep, or lift your mood with a luxurious body
currently has 45 patents and is expanding every year) and
oil. Products are 100 per cent natural, contain high levels of
sensual textures and aromas.
Nirvanesque®),
sun
damage
and
organic essential oils and are cruelty-free. Neom opened its signature store in Wimbledon less than
They say: “When nature’s brilliance meets glamour. Nuxe
a year ago, and offers four wellbeing treatments; Happiness,
thinks that all women are incredible.”
Energise, Sleep and De-stress. We say: One of our Spa Spies is helplessly addicted to the They say: “Scent to make you feel good.”
Huile Prodigeuse®, which she discovered after a Nuxe massage at Agua at the Sanderson, currently the only
We say: Neom is a great British brand, which offers high
Nuxe spa in the UK. This dry oil sprays on, dries quickly and
quality aromatherapy products. The Tranquillity Bath and
smells so good (if you like a musky, warm, nutty fragrance) it
Shower Oil really helps you to unwind after a day in the
inspired Prodigeaux® le Parfum. The Rêve de Miel® lip balm
office, and the candles make gorgeous gifts… if you can bear
is nourishing without being greasy and tastes of honey and
to part with them!
grapefruit. It’s affordable too.
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W ELL N ES S
Oskia
Pevonia
Hero products: Renaissance Cleansing Gel (100ml, £28),
Hero products: Ligne Lavendou (30ml, £58), Power Repair®
Super 16 Pro-Collagen Super Serum (30ml, £80), Renaissance
Age Correction Marine Collagen Cream (50ml, £68), Ligne
Mask (50ml, £48.50) all available at: www.oskiaskincare.com
Spéciale Enzymo-Sphérides Cream (50ml, £35) all available at www.pevonia.co.uk
Standout treatments: Rejuvenating Facial (55 minutes, £105) at The Berkeley, London. Ultimate Radiance Facial (65
Standout treatments: Prescriptive Facial (60 minutes,
minutes, £85) at Grayshott Health Spa, Surrey. Signature Glow
£50) at SK Clinic, Suffolk. Hydrating and Repairing Facial
Facial (75 minutes, £95) at The Orchard Spa at Lakes By Yoo.
(60 minutes, £65) at The Club and Spa Hotel at The Cube, Birmingham. Tropical Saltmousse Scrub (45 minutes, £75) at The Peak Health Club and Spa, London.
Food journalist Georgie Cleeve founded London-based skincare brand Oskia having witnessed the benefits of its main ingredient, MSM (Methyl Sulphonyl Methane) aka
Husband and wife Philippe and Sylvie Hennessy launched
‘The Beauty Mineral’. Her father originally introduced MSM
Pevonia in 1991 and grew the company to corner over 50
as a joint supplement for race horses. But when Georgia
per cent of the professional skincare market in the USA. The
took it to help repair serious damage to her cartilage after
name comes from a mythological flower filled with a magical
a skiing accident, she also noticed its extraordinary effects
essence that can cure all ills, and thus Pevonia products are
on her skin, nails and hair. Thus the concept of the brand
packed with pure, eco-friendly plant-based ingredients, free
was born.
from all nasties.
In addition to MSM and essential cell nutrients, vitamins
Pevonia’s home collection offers over 75 products that
and minerals, Oskia products also contain a host of actives
incorporate the active ingredients found in professional
including Swiss apple stem cells, peptides, prebiotics,
treatments. Each line targets specific concerns and is
hyaluronic and Immortelle Bleue which help combat aging
peppered with trademark symbols.
and environmental damage. Oskia is all about harnessing
As well as the extensive skincare range you’ll also find
natural ingredients from around the world to boost skin
products for men, teens, even spa-inspired diffusers and
cell health — their Super 16 Pro-Collagen Super Serum
accessories.
contains bakuchiol, for example, derived from an Indian seed traditionally used to heal head cuts.
They say: “An extensive product and treatment line of holistic, botanical products containing the latest ingredient
They say: “Oskia products are nutritionally-designed to
discoveries in precise, yet effective formations. Celebrity fans
improve the skin’s condition from both inside and outside.”
of Pevonia Botanica skin care include Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Matthew McConaughey, Cameron Diaz, Eva Mendes and Rachel Weisz.”
We say: Although we take all skincare ‘science’ with a pinch of organic sodium, the lovely effects of Oskia products are hard to argue with. Each product does what it says on its
We say: Anything that’s good enough for Angelina is most
beautifully elegant label.
definitely good enough for us!
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Pinks Boutique
Rodial
Hero products: Sweet Orange and Neroli Body Balm (90g,
Hero products: Dragons Blood Advanced XXL Sculpting
£32.95), Rosehip Face and Body Scrub (60g, £32), Anti-
Serum (30 ml, £125), Stemcell Superfood Facial (30ml, £60)
Ageing Deep Cleanse Melt (60g, £42) all available at: www.
Glamoxy Snake Mask (50ml, £68) all available at: www.
pinksboutique.com
rodial.co.uk
Standout treatments: Full Body Massage (55 minutes, £60)
Standout treatments: Sculpt (60 minutes, £68) at The
at Tempus Spa at The Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire.
Boutique Spa, Kent.
Pinks Boutique has unusually cerebral beginnings for a
Based in London, Rodial wanted to offer a convincing
beauty product. Co-founders and husband and wife team
alternative to plastic surgery, focusing on instant results skin
Luke Sherriff and Kirstie Allen first met at Oxford University
care and make-up. Beauty journalist Maria Hatzistefanis
– he was a human scientist, then a professional rugby
founded the company in 1999, and clearly has an eye for
player, she was studying history. Their shared love of travel,
headline-grabbing
particularly Asia, and organic food and products developed
descriptions – Super Fit Boob Job gel, Bee Venom and
into Pinks Boutique organic skincare range, which in the
Placenta 24 Carat Gold Ultimate Crème (a mere £750 that
early days they used to blend at home.
one) and so on. Rodial have had their knuckles rapped over
sensationalist
product
names
and
the years by the Advertising Standards Industry, although that
Now their ranges for face, hands, body and feet are all
hasn’t stopped them. You kind of have to admire their sass.
made in England using natural ingredients accredited by
The brand has also embraced modern skincare and
the Soil Association. Each range is inspired by research of
beauty channels — there’s a Rodial sculpting app which
traditional Asian spa cultures. Pinks Boutique products are not tested on animals
will teach you to highlight and lowlight your way to make
and are all vegetarian friendly. The company also uses
up perfection. The company is also launching a youtube
enviromentally-friendly packaging.
channel with make up tutorials. Look out for MrsRodial on the video streaming site.
They say: “Every aspect of the Pinks Boutique – from our organic products to our responsible business practices –
They say: “A tightly edited range of luxury products that
are driven by our ethical values and strong belief in beauty,
sculpt and define the face for a flawless finish.”
nature and truth.” We say: The hero products we tried produced pretty We say: Pinks Boutique are a luxury spa brand with a
impressive, albeit short term results. We’d need to take out a
passionately organic heart and Asian-inspired flourishes.
second mortgage to invest in the long term. It clearly takes
Their use of essential oils and herbs makes the products
attitude and cash to be a full time Rodial client, but then if
robustly and sumptuously aromatic, instantly transporting
you do have the guts to do Bee Venom and Placenta, this is
you to an Asian spa. A lovely, gentle, globally-inspired feast
a good step to take before going under the knife. We like the
for mature, dry, combination and easily irritated skins.
humour and the fact the products dare to be different.
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Spiezia Organics
Su-Man
Hero products: Facial Cleanser (50ml, £26.95), Rose and
Hero products: Awakening Eye Uplift (15ml, £55), Exfoliating
Vanilla Face Oil (30ml, £23.95), Restorative Body Balm (100ml,
Facial Polish (125ml, £40), Purifying Cleansing Gel-Oil (125ml,
£37.95) all available at www.spieziaorganics.com
£40) all available at: www.su-man.com
Standout treatments: Head in Heaven (75 minutes, £93) at
Standout treatments:
Rudding Park, Harrogate. Rose Indulgence Body Treatment
Sculpting Facial (60 minutes, £250) at Away Spa, W London
(80 minutes, £100) at Brown’s Hotel, London.
and Su-Man’s Private Studio.
Created in Italy by Dr Mariano Spiezia and his wife Loredana,
Former dancer and Shiatsu master Su-Man decided other
this skincare range was transformed into a major name
skincare products were not giving her the ‘effortless power’
in organic skincare by its English MD Amanda Barlow. All
she was seeking. This prompted her to go back to her roots as
products are now handmade in Truro, Cornwall using local
a farm girl in Taiwan and experiment with natural products.
herbs and flowers wherever possible. Spiezia also helped
She took the results to two leading chemists in Taiwan
pioneer Soil Association Accreditation for beauty products
and France to be refined for a wider market. Her signature
in the UK, and were the first company to achieve 100 per
mixture of Asian and Western skincare that promises non-
cent organic certification across the range in 1999.
surgical results has taken the Hollywood red carpet and
Bespoke
Su-Man
Skin
Reborn
Spiezia products are notable for their bright purple, pink
beauty media by storm. It was described as “pilates for the
and turquoise jars. They cater for women, men, babies, and
face” by Joely Richardson and “life-changing” according to
people with problem skin. Zara Phillips allegedly had the
Anne Hathaway. Key ingredients include Dragon’s Blood,
Relax and Rejuvenate Facial in the run up to her wedding.
a tree resin that has been used by Amazonian tribes as a healing treatment for centuries, and is said to have powerful protective and regenerative properties.
They say: “At Spiezia we believe that nature does it best. We’ve developed a unique process which uses solar and lunar energy to make the most of the air-dried herbs used
They say: “Skincare should be a ritual and not a chore. Have
in our products. Spiezia products are not only great for your
a love affair with your skin and you will transform it beyond
skin, but also for the environment.”
recognition.”
We say: Spiezia products look and smell good enough to
We say: We love the Awakening Eye Uplift Cream which
eat – and they come with a free halo thanks to the brand’s
comes in a cute jar and is applied using a zig-zag movement,
eco and ethical conscience (MD Barlow also founded the
which Su-Man demonstrates on her website, using ‘only a
Made For Life Foundation to support those diagnosed with
rice-sized amount’. The results were impressive, fresh and
and recovering from cancer). Their cool funky jars don’t
light. The products have a lovely velvety texture, feel delightful
exactly scream organic until you open the lid, unleashing
to apply, and are quickly absorbed by the skin. We also love
the essential oils. The products we tried were waxy rather
the packaging and Su-Man philosophy of skincare. Although
than creamy and felt soft and smooth once applied.
not cheap, a little ‘rice-sized’ amount goes a long way.
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Temple Spa
Thalgo
Hero products: Skin Truffle Total Face Rejuvenation (50ml, £85),
Hero products: Thalgo Pure Velvet Cleansing Cream
Repose Aromatherapy Resting Cream (50ml, £39), Be Strong
(150ml, £24.95), Thalgo Hydra-Marine 24h Cream (50ml,
Skin Serum (30ml, £35) all available from www.templespa.com
£39), Thalgo Freshness Exfoliator (50ml, £26) all available at www.thalgo.co.uk
Standout treatments: Repose Aromatherapy Facial (75 minutes, £85) at Weavers’ House Spa at The Swan at Lavenham
Standout treatments: Thalgo Algae Wrap (65 minutes,
Hotel, Suffolk. Skin Investment Facial (60 minutes, £90) at
£100)
Dormy House Hotel and Spa, Worcestershire. Drift Away
Prescriptive Facial (60 minutes, £95) at Chuan Spa at the
Massage (55 minutes, £88) at Bailiffscourt Spa, West Sussex.
Langham, London. Polynesia Spa Ritual (85 minutes, £93)
at
Stoke
Park
Spa,
Buckinghamshire.
Thalgo
at Donnington Valley Spa, Berkshire. An English brand inspired by the Mediterranean healthy lifestyle, developed in laboratories on the lakes of Geneva
As French as Jacques Cousteau, Thalgo Laboratories have
and Italy, and seasoned with herbs from Suffolk. Temple Spa
been creating marine products since 1964 and work closely
is owned by husband and wife team Liz and Mark Warom,
with renowned phycologists (algae experts) conducting
who developed The Body Shop Colourings range and Virgin
marine exploration and research. Their oceanic range
Vie for Richard Branson.
includes wraps, creams, exfoliants, bath products, teas,
The wide range of Temple Spa products are age, sex and
supplements and candles. Each product targets specific
lifestyle appropriate, results-driven, but eco-friendly too,
concerns, including anti-aging, slimming, anti-cellulite,
drawing on botanical actives from Southern Europe. They
sun protection and detoxifying. They also have products
range from the sublime, such as the award winning Skin
specifically for men. We love the gift sets, perfect if you have
Truffle range, to the slightly more reasonable shower gels
a friend in need of pampering.
and shampoos. Ingredients are cruelty free and mostly
They’ve recently launched a cosmeceutical range if you like
vegan. Good for your skin and the environment — what more
your spa treatments with a kick. Try the Mceutic Rénovation
could a girl ask for?
Radicale for “visible effects on the skin with proven and measured results”.
They say: “Your body is a living temple. Honour it, enjoy your life and live it to the full.”
They say: “Each product is a genuine concentrate of marine effectiveness.”
We say: Temple Spa products are used at some of our favourite spas. The products we have tried look sophisticated,
We say: Thalgo products represent really good value in the
smell deeply, but not overpoweringly, of fresh herbs and
high-end spa world. The results are notable especially on
essential oils (it’s tempting to wax lyrical here about sun
mature skins. And it’s ever so chic, something we imagine
drenched meadows). And they feel luxuriant, with visible
Catherine Deneuve would have on her dressing table. The
smoothing and firming effects. Temple Spa gets the Spa
ranges work well across problem skin too — the Hydra Marine
Spies’ unanimous approval.
Cream is perfect even on oily skin.
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Tri Dosha
Voya
Hero products: Calm Face Cream (60ml, £36), Skin Softening
Hero products: Get Glowing Marine Face Mask (50ml, £32),
Wash (250ml, £16.50), Palmarosa and Grapefruit Cleanser
Me Time Facial Moisturiser (50ml, £51), Lazy Days Seaweed
(200ml, £21) all available at: www.tri-dosha.co.uk
Bath (500g, £16) all available at www.voya.ie
Standout treatments: Holistic Glow (60 minutes, £105) at
Standout treatments: Stimulating Seaweed Body Buff
Herb House Spa at Lime Wood, Hampshire. Mukabhayanga
Scrub (60 minutes, £65) at PH20 at Park House, Sussex.
Facial Massage (30 minutes, £45) at The Scarlet Spa, Cornwall.
Marine Radiance Facial (55 minutes, £65) at St Brides Spa
Pinda Sweda massage (55 minutes, £92) at Utopia Spa at
Hotel, Pembrokeshire.
Rowhill Grange. Voya’s big selling point is the use of organic, hand-harvested Tri Dosha specialises in ayurvedic products and treatments.
Irish seaweed and algae in its products and treatments.
Founder Sunita Passi trained in Ayurveda in India and has
Being family owned and proud of its local and green
spent the past 10 years researching meditation and holistic
credentials adds to its charm. It was founded by Irish
health. You and your therapist will tailor or choose your
triathlete Neil Watson, a convert to the healing properties of
treatment around your dosha, or energy type.
seaweed baths. He and his family decided to revive this local
Because Ayurveda is so deeply entwined with the brand,
tradition and in 2000, opened the Voya seaweed bathhouse
if you’re at a spa which uses Tri Dosha you’re likely to find
in their home village Strandhill, County Silgo. The name
holistic programmes, Ayurvedic literature and nutrition
means voyage, as customers likened the treatments to a sea
advice too. The products are natural and organic with many
journey. In 2006, Neil’s brother Mark and sister-in-law Kira
wild crafted and therapeutic herbs.
launched the product range, which covers everything from
The product ranges are tailored by your dosha type.
baths and wraps, to scrubs and facials. Most use seaweed as
including facial essentials, oils, shampoo and conditioners.
well as other organic and non-organic ingredients (enough
We also love the balms; the Miracle Balm is perfect if you
to earn them a Soil Association certificate).
have dry or irritable skin and the Pain Balm is an ayurvedic They say: “Organic beauty from the sea.”
remedy to warm up muscles, soothe aching joints and even clear your airways during a cold.
We say: The Spa Spies have noticed positive results, They say: “Everything has been lovingly created to deliver
particularly from the scrubs and lip balms. The dried
real tangible results with a touch of luxury.”
seaweed bath we tried at home was surprisingly pleasurable, if not for the squeamish – the packaging warns “may contain
We say: The products are fresh, soothing and as good for the
crustaceans”! The oils produced by the algae left our skin
environment as our skin! Because the products are so based
feeling soft and smooth. The fragrance is natural and subtle,
on herbs they can be stronger smelling than others! If you want
and the packaging is smart, so men would like it too. Perfect
to adopt a more holistic change to your skincare routine, Tri
for those with dry or aging skin and a love of organic and
Dosha is the way forward.
sustainable products.
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Products for Men 52
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Y
ou don’t have to be metrosexual
the term ‘manual labour’. Voya recognise
to own a decent grooming
this and suggest men use their reparative
kit. Most of the brands we’ve
hand cream Handy To Have (75ml, £16).
selected here target specific needs –
Other Voya classics for chaps would
shaving, exposure to the elements (think
include Cast Away (125ml, £26), an organic
of all the spas attached to golf courses
face wash, which can be used as a shaving
on blustery coastlines!) and ‘maturing’
gel, and Lazy Days Dried Seaweed and
in a suitably macho fashion. Products
Dead Sea Salt bath (500g, £16).
for men tend to be results-driven and
All available from www.voya.ie
no-nonsense, with minimalist packaging and a more subtle fragrance. Here are some that often find their way
Since Linda Meredith’s male client list includes Colin Firth, Dennis Hopper,
into spa treatments for chaps and make
Alexander McQueen and Jude Law it
a classy alternative to the usual Old Spice
makes sense that she has launched The
Christmas gift set.
Linda Meredith Gentleman’s Collection (£69), which includes Hydrating Mist (40ml), Gel Cleanser (35ml) and Q3 moisturiser (35ml). More at:
Elemis Men is designed to “combat
www.lindameredith.com
the harsh effects of frequent shaving, stresses of life and daily environmental
Thalgo’s marine
pollution.” The products are results
based products
driven, and aimed at four skincare
are packaged
categories – cleansers and face washes
in dark blue for
for younger, acne-prone skin; anti-aging
boys and named
range The Defence; S.O.S Survival Cream
ThalgoMen. Try
for sensitive types; and a shaving range.
the Intensive
Their hero products are Ice Cool Foaming
Hydrating
Shave Gel (200ml, £22), Daily Moisture
Cream (50ml,
Boost (50ml, £30) and the Deep Cleanse
£26) Shaving
Facial Wash (150ml, £20). Available at
Gel (100ml, £12)
www.elemis.com
and Wake-Up Shower Gel
ESPA Men has sleek black packaging and
The Refinery, “London’s one-stop
(£13) all at www.
the products are at a reasonable price
grooming emporium for men” in
thalgo.co.uk.
point. Product categories include Wash
Mayfair, Harrods and Knightsbridge,
The products
and Shave, Hydrate, Body and Age Rebel,
has developed its own range of products
have a very
catering for most skin types and ages
with Aromatherapy Associates
light fragrance
(there’s Youthful, First Signs of Aging,
(www.aromatherapyassociates.com).
and the active
Maturing, and Mature – all suggesting
Twelve luxurious products include their
ingredients –
a healthy attitude to aging that’s
Revitalising Moisturiser (50ml, £43), Post
such as Algue
somewhat lacking in the marketing of
Shave Balm (100ml, £33) and Face Mask (75
Bleue Vitale® –
female products). Hero products are Dual
ml, £30). Packaging is elegantly minimalist
produce visible results, whether you need
Action Shavemud (200ml, £22) a shaving
and the products contain rather manly
rehydrating after all your manly outdoor
cream which doubles as a cleansing
natural essential oils such as bergamont,
stuff, protection or anti-aging.
mask, Age Rebel Eye Hydrator (25ml, £36) and Postshave Rescue (70ml, £26),
aloe, cedarwood and spearmint. Decléor Men should appeal to chaps
available at www.espaskincare.com
The story of Voya began with a man
who respect the science of skincare
and his aching athletic body, and how
but also care about green credentials.
ClarinsMen range is relatively extensive
he found seaweed bathing helped (see
The Aromessence Triple Action Shave
and classically reliable, with creams
the main product guide). Hence Voya’s
Protector (15ml, £41.50) is the male
and balms that claim to do everything
organic and natural products have
addition to their award winning super
from (alleged) ab firming to simple face
unisex appeal – both in their scent and
serum range, and contains clove essential
cleansing. Hero products are ClarinsMen
packaging – even if they don’t advertise
oil, which they say slows hair re-growth.
Super Moisture Balm (50ml, £29), Active
directly to men or women. Unusually,
Also popular is the Face Skin Energiser
Face Wash (125ml, £19.50) and Line-
men’s products tend to ignore the hands,
Fluid (50ml, £39) and Clean Skin Scrub Gel
Control Cream (50ml, £41). More at:
which seems bizarre when you consider
(125ml £21.50). More at: www.decleor.co.uk
www.clarins.co.uk
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G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
Mind over matter Meditation and mindfulness have earned a reputation as an effective way to help reduce or manage anxiety, depression and stress. But what can you expect from a meditation class? The Spa Spies find out‌
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W
hile it used to be the
15th century Indian poet Kabir said,
scientist rather than letting them drag
domain of Buddhists monks
“Wherever you are, that’s the entry point.”
you to hell and back.
meditation classes are springing up
Do I have to stop thinking?
to our minds, emotions, and bodies,
everywhere, from spas to workplaces, and
Most people think meditation is about
the stressful relationship tends to
even in schools. Research has shown that
emptying your mind. But not thinking, or
quiet down,” says clinical psychologist
meditation can be effective at improving
going blank, is usually what happens in
Elisha Goldstein, who writes for Mindful
emotional regulation, focus and memory.
traumatic situations, not relaxation.
magazine (www.mindful.org). “But when
“When we’re able to just be present
and a few earnest hippies,
You’ve heard the term ‘letting our
we try and quiet the mind down, we
What do you have to do?
thoughts run away with us’. Like when
Most classes begin with you sitting up
you decide someone (boss, spouse,
with eyes open, inviting you to close
friend) doesn’t like you and can not only
in how your mind works rather than
them after a while. Some teachers use
find a thousand reasons to back it up,
afraid of, or frustrated by it.
guided visualisation or body scans, others
but also a thousand consequences that
ask you to draw attention to your breath.
will all end badly for you. While you are
Will it help me focus?
Counting breaths – one in-out, two in-out
thinking these things, you cannot do or
People tend to find that if they practise
– makes you more aware of the times
focus on anything else. It’s as though
regularly, their focus and concentration
when your mind wanders. When it does,
your thoughts have plunged you into
increases, which is why business gurus
simply notice it happening, and if you
some nightmare film and your are
such as Ray Dalio and Padmasree Warrior
want to, gently return your attention the
writing the script for the rest of your life
constantly extoll its virtues. Oprah Winfrey
breath. It’s all about showing yourself
– and all you can do is watch in horror!
was introduced to the practise during her
compassion and paying attention.
In mindfulness meditation,
often add fuel to the fire.” Quite quickly, you become interested
work with children in inner city schools.
Simple!
instead of trying to make these
Many creatives, such as David Lynch
If you can’t find a class, there are
thoughts stop – and this is the part
and Lena Dunham, use it for inspiration.
hundreds of CDs or downloads available.
that may be surprising – you have to
However, you don’t have to focus when
Give them a trial run before you invest:
let yourself think. Then you take a step
meditating: in fact, you’ll be aware that
make sure the voices don’t annoy you.
back (usually guided by your meditation
your mind wanders hundreds of times.
teacher) and watch yourself think. You
Simply being aware when it happens is
observe your thought processes like a
being mindful.
As you gain confidence you can practise meditation anywhere. As the
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Will it help me relax?
‘right way’. Some people get angry with
OM meditation, which is used in
As you’ve probably heard through
themselves (or the teacher, or the entire
Hindu traditions. Film director David
recent news reports, studies have
concept of meditation) and quit after
Lynch has always been a proponent
shown that regular meditation can
the first class. But those who carry on say
of Transcendental Meditation™,
reduce depression and anxiety.
they notice a huge change in the way
although this costs a lot as you need
However, relaxation is not the aim of
they cope with everyday life.
a qualified teacher, and gurus don’t come cheap.
mindful meditation. What it does teach you is a greater mental flexibility, so you
Mindfulness or meditation?
may be able to adapt more easily to
Mindfulness is a philosophy based on
Who likes it?
stressful situations.
the Buddhist idea of being awake, and
Yoga-istas love it and can get quite
the Buddhist and existential belief that
competitive about it. Having the right
Is it hard?
the present moment is the only reality.
outfits and best ‘gurus’ may, however,
If you are a neurotic perfectionist, then
Too many of us exist either in the past
defeat the point. People on rehabilitation
the answer would be yes. First you have
(obsessing over past successes, failures,
programmes or with mental health
to contend with sitting still instead of
hurts) or the future (worrying about
issues also benefit: since they have a
distracting your nervous anxiety with
what’s going to happen, even though
more pressing reason for attending,
lots of work, friends and frantic activities.
we can’t control it anyway).
they usually get the most dramatic
Then you have that critical voice in your
Being alert to the present moment
results. School children seem to enjoy
brain telling you that you’re not doing it
and showing self-compassion makes us
meditation clases, and it helps them
right (which is why a lot of meditation
more responsive in our relationships with
control their anxiety from an early age.
teachers will keep stressing that there is
people, our environment, ourselves. It
A number of celebrities have jumped on
no right way of doing it).
helps us become connected to our senses
the meditation bandwagon, including
and at the same time less defensive.
Russell Brand, Jennifer Aniston, Cameron
But actually, once you realise it’s only hard because you think it’s hard, then
Meditation is a practice. As well
Diaz and Jerry Seinfeld, etcetera, while
no. Learning self-compassion is key to
as mindfulness meditation, there’s
supermodel Gisele swears by it. And the
meditation, and indeed future happiness.
Loving Kindness (Metta Meditation)
walking-unwell, the normal-anxious like
which comes from Buddhist traditions,
you or me, who wouldn’t mind feeling
‘practise’. You’re not going to get it right
Vispassana (focused breathing),
calmer and taking control of their lives
first time, or ever. In fact there is no
Zen meditation, and mantra or
can find it a very useful tool.
Also, there’s a reason this is called
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Spotlight on Switzerland Which country is most like a spa? It’s got to be Switzerland. The culture is calm and collected, the air is clean and the scenery is breathtaking. Purity and greenness are buzzwords: power is hydroelectric, water is glacier melt, and even the cows produce ‘biomilch’. A few days here and you’ll feel squeaky clean and very relaxed. We sent Sybaritic Spy to try six of the best Swiss spas…
Dolder Grand Zurich
lakeside manor house built in 1899 and inventive
W
passageway curls round and round until you feel almost lost.
modern architect Lord Foster? Answer: a stunning
Then suddenly you reach the circular relaxation area which is
hotel that has kept the grace of the original building while
lined with mirrors and has a domed roof, so you feel you are
surrounding it with two huge modern wings full of light and
inside a light, bright egg. Relax on the cushions and let the
sinuous curves.
light lift your mood.
What’s on offer
Tell us about the treatments
The huge spa covers 4,000 square metres… yes metres! That’s
I had a La Prairie facial, which was so much more than just a
bigger than some hotels. There are 18 treatment rooms and
facial. It included a foot massage, a lovely back massage, and
two spa suites, plus a spa library, café, gym, pool and three
an arm massage. So a little bit of everything really. Perfect for
heat experience areas.
anyone short of time.
hat do you get when you mix a grand Victorian
The meditation walk is well worth trying. A high, narrow
There are separate ladies and gentlemen heat areas in the
Christina, my therapist, spent some time assessing my skin
changing rooms, plus a communal one in the main spa. Since
and my lifestyle; skin dehydrated and a bit neglected, lifestyle
this is Europe, the single-sex heat areas are ‘clothes optional’,
far too much travelling, and yes apparently I suffer from not
but clearly labelled as such, and very elegant, with hot tubs,
enough fresh air and sunshine!
footbaths, steam rooms, experience showers, and even a
The back massage was detailed and carefully done. Christina
fireplace to relax beside. Out by the pool, in the mixed-sex hot
seemed able to sense where my tension was and worked on
area there are sinuously curved experience showers with sparkly
those areas without the deep and painful massage that you
gold tiles, a steam room, a sanarium and a ‘snow paradise’.
sometimes get. Instead she worked a bit, went to another area
The pool is wedge shaped and 20-metres at the longest
and then came back to the tense spots and worked a little
point. Swim from the narrow point towards a wall of glass
more, until gradually everywhere seemed to relax.
where the light streams in. Outside on the sheltered terrace are
The facial used a foaming cleanser which reached into
two hot pools and one cold plunge pool.
every fine line on my face and left it feeling sparkling clean.
Sunbeds line the terrace area so you can lie back and look
A steaming session opened the pores enough for Christina to
over the valley down to the lake.
extract some of the milia I tend to suffer from. While the face
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Food Facts The Garden restaurant is open all day and offers a wide range of meals with an interesting Swiss twist. The crayfish cooked with melon, dill, coriander and green curry was inventive and light. Local venison was the centrepiece of the menu. The meal package includes a three course dinner and a drink in the bar afterwards – worth a visit for the Harry Potter style ceiling with floating candles. For a grand occasion head for The Restaurant which has two Michelin stars.
Don’t miss An early morning dip in the hot tub on the terrace, watching the clouds clear over the lake and the steam rise around you. The amazing art around the hotel. There are over 100 sculptures and paintings and the list includes originals by Damien Hurst, Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol.
Who would like it? Spa weekenders: Zurich is just over an hour by plane and the mask was on, Christina massaged my hands and arms, and
Dolder Grand is only 20 minutes from the airport, so you can be
then finished with a lifting face massage.
in the spa within a couple of hours of leaving the UK. Medi-spa enthusiasts. The Dolder Grand offers four themed
Certainly the end result was a much fresher skin which looked plumper… those aging, saggy hollows around my cheeks
spa days: Relax, Vitality, Beauty, Detox. All include medical
had largely disappeared and I looked brighter and clearer.
consultations, hormone tests and ultrasound.
The spa offers a wide range of treatments and uses upmarket brands La Prairie, Kerstin Florian, Amala and Horst Kirchberger.
Find out more at: www.thedoldergrand.com
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Getting to Switzerland
Switzerland is very close. Zurich is just over an hour away and Geneva is about 90 minutes by plane. Swiss Air, British Airways and Easyjet all y to cities in Switzerland. The trains run on time and you can admire the snowy scenery from the windows of the Glacier Express train (www.glacierexpress.ch).
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Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva
Geneva is in many ways at the centre of things. This is where the river Rhone starts, where world banks meet, the Red Cross was founded and the European United Nations Headquarters is based. Lake Geneva is huge and edged with vineyards and orchards. The expanse of water is wide, bringing light, air and flocks of swans into the city centre. The Four Seasons Hotel de Bergues is elegant and beautifully restored. It’s also slap bang in the middle of Geneva with views overlooking the lake to Mont Blanc.
What’s on offer Spa Mont Blanc is on the 6th and 7th floors with a good sized
By the end of the hour my skin was smooth and glowing.
lap pool on the top floor and windows looking out over the
Even the bits I didn’t realise had cellulite, such as the back of
city. There is a distinct Art Deco feel to the design and the
my upper arms, looked and felt wonderful. I would certainly
loveliest hammam room with soft grey sculptured marble
have this treatment pre-holiday and then would not have to
walls. Even the showers have sinuous silver handles on the
hide my legs!
front. The relaxation room is dark, quiet and cocoon-like.
Food Facts
There is also a hair salon.
We ate in the Il Lago restaurant sitting outside in the sunshine,
Tell us about the treatments
watching the cosmopolitan world that is Geneva go by. A host
Biologic Recherche is a French brand and I was
of languages and cultures can all be seen and heard here.
down to try the Anti-C Slimming Treatment – something
The food was modern, light and intensively flavoured. We
I had not tried before. It involved using a massage mitt to
had several amuse bouche to tantalise the taste buds. I tried
shift stubborn cellulite. I would have sworn there is not
roasted kid goat which tasted like a very tender beef – much
much you can do about that orange peel dimpling
better than the curried goat I’ve tried in India. My partner
most of us have somewhere. Now I know differently.
had sea bass served in a foam which was light, delicate and
Jesome, my energetic therapist applied an exfoliating
very healthy. As it got dark, we sneaked up to the Japanese
cream and then worked it in using a massage mitt with
restaurant on the rooftop where we could look out over the
some large (but thankfully soft) spikes on it. A booster
lights of the city.
mixture was applied and then she worked the Crème Anti C Lotion into my skin using a massage mitt with smaller
Don’t miss
spikes. She massaged firmly and in specific directions –
An evening swim in the rooftop pool at sunset when you can
stimulating rather than rough – before taking it down a
watch as the mountains are gilded with warm sunlight.
notch to a light massage.
The painted floor-to-ceiling panels in the main dining room which tell the history of Geneva in pale pastels. The chance to dodge into the Jet d’Eau fountain on the bridge over Lake Geneva. We were cowards and just watched as others took it in turns to try to get past without getting wet, and failed amid much hilarity.
Who would like it? Weekend spa goers. Geneva is small enough to explore on foot, buzzy enough to make a memorable trip, and the Four Seasons is central, so makes a great base. Beach babes who want to reveal peach smooth skin on holiday. This treatment works! Sybarites who like luxury, glorious surroundings, good food and a small but perfect spa. Find out more at: www.fourseasons.com/geneva
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Kempinski Grand Hôtel des Bains Saint Moritz
The Kempinski Grand Hôtel des Bains is located right at the
Tell us about the treatments
Mauritius spring, the root of St Moritz, and has direct access to
I was booked in for a seasonal massage and machine-led facial.
the ski and hiking Corviglia region. The legendary Hahnensee
The perfect balance.
ski run ends in front of the hotel and the cross-country ski runs
Tatyana, my therapist, has a longstanding interest in healing,
of the Engadine ski marathon pass it too.
so she spent some time asking about my lifestyle initially. The spa is managed by spa consultancy Resense, and in a similar
What’s on offer
way to Kempinski Spas around the world, the treatment oils
The hotel itself is massive, white as a snowy mountain peak
are named after the seasons, each season reflecting a feeling.
with blue shuttered windows, and two rather grand towers.
We opted for the Spring in Your Step detoxing treatment which
It has ski-in ski-out facilities and extensive training facilities
involves body brushing before an uplifting massage. I usually
for winter sports.
ask for a firm massage, but Tatyana suggested that as my skin is sensitive I should have a gentle massage. It was very detailed and
Kempinski The Spa is large too, with many varieties of thermal rooms on offer – ideal for winter sport enthusiasts to
carefully done and I realised that expertise and careful attention
warm up in. Visit the Finnish sauna, bio sauna, herbal sauna,
to detail can achieve more than a vigorous rub. At one point
stone sauna or steam bath and then cool off in the laconium.
during the massage she held her hands over the scars on my back (from an accident) and said that as they felt hot she would
The 15-metre pool is kept at 29 degrees in summer and 31 in winter. There is a sheltered garden with water feature and
concentrate on them for a while. They didn’t fade but my back
walkway so you can walk over smooth warm slabs of stone,
did feel much looser for a day or so.
rounded pebbles or loose stones: a reflexology walk to stimulate
I then had a HydraFacial MD® treatment, a rejuvenating
the pressure points on your feet.
skin resurfacing treatment that is not yet available in any UK
In warm weather there is a terrace area with seating outside
spas. Having tried it I am sure it will be coming to a spa near
the swimming pool.
you soon!
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The results were visible. The deep lines that have developed between my nose and the edges of my mouth softened, the sun damaged areas were much improved and my skin was
This is a machine-assisted treatment and it involves four
more hydrated.
stages. First, my therapist Liliana deep cleansed and exfoliated to remove debris from the skin, then she applied an acid peel. Extractions were followed by a collagen mask with an LED light.
Don’t miss
The hydra-facial machine pushes the product into the top layer
Taking the waters. Paracelsus, the great early doctor of middle
of the skin. It’s a ‘tornado into your pores’ according to Lilianna.
Europe, brought his patients to drink from the natural spring
The peel was tingly (but not painfully so), especially over my
here, and it still works. The water is soft and clear and not at all
cheeks where I have some sun damage. Liliana worked hard on
like the sulphur waters found in British traditional spas
the wrinkles around my eyes, which she suggested is also due
Trying the variety of saunas – who knew that you could sauna
to sun damage rather than plain old aging.
in a cowshed?
She placed the collagen mask over my face then shone a
Who would like it?
blue LED light on it. My lips have thinned over the years – a real age give-away –
Anyone beginning to notice the signs of aging. The difference
and Liliana took great delight in letting me see in the mirror as
is visible after one treatment.
she ran the hydra-facial machine over them. As she pumped
Men. The spa is quite masculine in greys and reds, so great
the hydrating fluid into them there was an almost immediate
for men who don’t like frilly spas. There are plenty of sports
effect: my lips pinked up and looked plumper than they have
training and gym facilities on site too.
done for years! My skin is sensitive so it was red for a while after the
Find out more at:
treatment, but within the hour had calmed down.
www.kempinski.com/en/st-moritz/grand-hotel-des-bains
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Badrutt’s Palace St Moritz
B
adrutt’s Palace is in the middle of St Moritz and is both a legend and a landmark. It was opened by Herr Badrutt in 1896 and has been going strong ever
since. It still has a sense of Victorian grandeur with a huge central walkway which was once used by Victorian ladies to promenade.
What’s on offer The spa is a delightful surprise. Take the lift six stories below the ground floor of the hotel and you step out into a cave, dimly lit with three small waterfalls running down flat metal sheets. Walk down the very plain corridor and suddenly the space opens out to a bright, modern spa that overlooks the lake. There is light and space everywhere, in contrast to the dim cave. The huge glass-sided room with an oval 25-metre swimming
Tell us about the treatments
pool is the centrepiece of the spa. Recliners all round mean
I had the three hour ‘top to toe treatment’ which took place in
there is ample space to sit beside the pool. Swim through a lift-
one of the two spa suites. The suite feels very private and quite
up screen to the outdoor hot tub, and laze in wonderfully warm
palatial. The treatment was equally palatial, since it involved
water with the sun on your back. Gaze out at snow topped
three therapists often working at the same time!
mountains and passing clouds. There are heat experiences in
The treatment began with a body scrub, a shower and then
each changing room, and shared thermal rooms in the main
a light massage. This was followed by a facial using products
spa area leading to the pool.
from the Swiss product house Amala. There was even a stem
The spa’s theme is ‘wellness’ and they even have their
cell serum for the eye area. I was slightly worried about using
own ‘wellness advisor’ Martha Weideman. Of an Indian family,
something with stem cells in, but have to admit that the end
but having grown up in Australia, she was keen to combine
result was exceptional.
the sense of the outdoor life with the traditions of Ayurvedic
Then came the hair treatment. My hair was washed, a serum
medicine. The aim of the spa is to bring a sense of wellbeing
was pasted onto my damp hair and then each strand was
to guests, so all ingredients are organic and natural.
steamed so the serum was pushed into the fibres.
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I was then told that Marco ‘the famous hairdresser from
a small stairway as you enter, designed so guests can pause
Milano’ would come and do the blow dry.
at the top giving everyone already seated time to turn and
Marco very patiently blow dried my naturally very fine
admire the newcomers. You are then greeted by the maître d’
hair starting at the top. Most hairdressers pin the top layer
and escorted to your table. The food is equally grand. Dishes
up and start at the bottom, Marco explained that by starting
are carved, served or even flambéed at side tables.
at the top, blow drying along the hair shaft and then letting
If you fancy something a little more relaxed, head for the
each strand turn over as it cools, helps to make hair both
Swiss/Italian restaurant a few yards up the hill. The spa café
smooth and shiny as well as giving lift and volume. And it
serves fresh and light salads, snacks and hot meals, and
worked. My hair looked both glossy and full. I looked pretty
wonderful smoothies.
film star-ish at the end of the three hours. My skin was glowing, my hair was voluptuous and shining, and my
Don’t miss
hands and feet polished.
Arriving by train – which takes you through the snowy mountains (two hours from Zurich) and the hotel has three
Food Facts
vintage Rolls Royces to collect guests from the station in style.
The main restaurant at Badrutt’s Palace is called, simply, Le
The events in the village. We missed the Mozart weekend by
Restaurant and offers a little bit of 1920s grandeur. There is
a few days but did enjoy the collection of vintage Italian sport cars that graced the streets. There are festivals and activities galore if you want to time your trip around an event. Booking a hair treatment. Not many spas offer this but it is well worth trying.
Who would like it? Anyone keen on a bit of grandeur and luxury for a special occasion. The peaceful, calm and beautifully designed spa space makes it a real treat. Wellness fans who want to jumpstart a new lifestyle. Find out more at: www.badruttspalace.com
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Alpina Gstaad Gstaad
G
staad itself is quite small and very select. Houses here cost considerably more than houses in London, which may be why it has been home to superstars such as
Julie Andrews and Roger Moore. The Alpina Gstaad is a new hotel, built into the hillside above the town to make the best of the mountain views. The architecture is stunning, the combination of natural woods, stone and leather create warmth and a sense of comfort and security – vital in a world that is covered in snow for eight or nine months of the year.
What’s on offer? You can get lost in the spa. As it is a Six Senses Spa, I half expected an Asian feel. But here it has been adapted to fit in the Alpine environment with stone walls, sheets of running water, soft coloured cushions, and bright flowers. The indoor pool is 25 metres long, so great for a good swim and stretch, or you can just laze in one of the two whirlpools. There are huge blocks of limestone at one end, with waterfalls running down the wall, so it feels like being inside an alpine grotto. There are single sex heat experience areas in each of the changing rooms, plus the indoor pool and whirlpools, and the outdoor pool. There is also a gym and a fitness studio for regular Pilates and yoga sessions. In the ladies’ changing room there is a steam room, a gently warm sanarium, a hot tub with massage jets, a cold plunge pool, an ice shower for the brave, and two experience showers. The mens’ changing room has the same but a hot sauna rather than a sanarium.
Tell us about the treatments
Don’t miss
I had a 60-minute holistic massage. Konstantina, my therapist
Swimming in the outdoor pool early in the morning with
began with warm cloths on my feet, then sounded a bell from
steam rising around you from the warm water, while you
a Tibetan singing bowl which was deep, sonorous and gently
watch the clouds lift from the valley and reveal the beauty
reverberated around the treatment room. Konstantina laid the
of the surrounding mountains
bowl gently on my lower back so the vibrations travelled along
The breakfast honey which is created by busy bees housed
my spine.
in the hotel grounds.
I had requested a gentle massage and it was gentle, but no
A trip to the nearby Glacier 3000. Two cable car rides take
less effective for it. Konstantina did plenty of detailed work on
you up to the glacier, a huge river of ice on the mountain top.
the tense muscles around my shoulders and neck, and some
A metal bridge has been slung between two small peaks so you
lovely sweeping movements along my back which helped
can walk over part of it. Do look down – the views are fantastic!
me relax. The head massage was effective, without involving
We could see the Matterhorn with a sea of cloud around it.
any hair pulling which I hate! So by the time the singing bowl was sounded again to signify the end of the treatment, I was
Who would like it?
completely tension-free.
Luxury lovers. The hotel is beautiful and the service impeccable.
A cup of hot ginger tea with honey in the café area helped
This is a place to rest and relax, see and be seen. It’s a hedonist’s
me wake up enough to explore the spa facilities.
idea of heaven. Anyone needing a break from a busy schedule. The
Food Facts
calmness and serenity of Gstaad itself and the hotel and
The spa juice bar offers hot and cold drinks. MEGU, a modern
spa will let you slow down and enjoy life again. It’s on my
Japanese restaurant offers ultra-fresh sushi made to order. You
bucket list to go again in winter when the snow would
can watch the chef creating tiny parcels of intense flavour. The
make it perfect.
main Sommet restaurant offers modern French cuisine. My sole Find out more at: www.thealpinagstaad.ch
from Brittany was huge and was deftly de-boned at the table.
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Nira Alpina Silvaplana
Silvaplana village nestles in a lovely sheltered valley just a few
Food Facts
miles from Saint Moritz. The mountains here go up to 13,000
Breakfast is great: home-
feet, so the scenery is dramatic. Spend the day on the slopes
made bread from their own
(skiing or walking) then come back to the Nira Spa and warm
bakery, really good coffee
up in the sauna, use the hydrotherapy pool and have a very
and food cooked to order. The rooftop bar serves hot
good massage.
food and snacks, and lovely
What’s on offer
cocktails. The Stars restaurant does
You have to enter the hotel through the garage, a true sign that this is a snow heavy area! Once inside, the building is
international and local
arranged so that large floor-to-ceiling windows give views of the
dishes and uses mostly local
valley and the mountains. Wake up in the morning, open your
produce. My starter of ravioli
curtains and you peer out at streams of clouds snaking their
with lemon and mint was a
way around the snow-clad mountain peaks.
real winner. The veal and fish were both perfectly cooked.
The overall feel here is of an upmarket ski lodge, with much use of stone and wood, and seats covered in cow skin.
Don’t miss
It’s spacious, modern and not short of comforts. Triple-glazing and open fires keep you warm in the winter
Sitting in the warm hydro-
and the spa is a softly-lit haven on the second floor, with
pool and looking out over
a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, foot baths and
the mountains. Just outside
experience showers.
the wet zone is a nursery slope for children learning to ski, so in winter you can watch
Tell us about the treatments
little ones becoming proficient skiers, and maybe pick up a tip
Treatments are not fancy on the surface, but boy are they
or two! Breakfast with the dozen or so locally made jams and the
effective. My Aromatherapy Massage was deeply relaxing. My Moisture Repair Facial – recommended for dry, dehydrated skin
milk from the ‘happy cows’ who graze on the succulent grass
– used jasmine, papaya, jojoba oil and shea butter, and felt like
on the valley floor. An evening in the rooftop bar; excellent service, sociable and
a real skin treat. The lift-off face mask left my skin feeling bright
great fun after a busy day out and about.
and fresh. Treatments are tailored for the energetic. The signature Nira Alpina Journey combines hot stones, wooden bamboo sticks
Who would like it?
and an aromatic balm to create a deep massage – perfect after
Energetic skiers, walkers and mountain bikers. If your best-
a day spent on the mountains. The salt stone massage uses
beloved likes a busy life, but you prefer to relax, you can head
crystal stones to soothe away stress, tension and pollutants.
for a day in the spa while they tackle the mountains.
There’s even a foot and leg ritual, a massage treatment that
Families. The Nira Alpina is well geared up for families with
focuses on the deep leg muscles which need to be in top
fold-out beds in some of the rooms and children are allowed
condition for skiing and walking. It’s all perfectly tailored for
in the spa until 5.30 pm.
keen sports people, or perhaps those who want to rediscover their alpine sports prowess!
Find out more at: www.niraalpina.com
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If you’re heading to Switzerland this ski season, you might also like to try these splendid Swiss spas. Beau Rivage Palace
Clinique la Prairie
Lausanne
Clarens-Montreux
The Cinq Mondes Spa at Beau Rivage Palace is built as a mirror
The famed Clinic La Prairie is rumoured to have been visited by
of the outdoor pool and park area overlooking Lake Geneva.
everyone from Winston Churchill to Marlene Dietrich as an anti-
The 1,500 square metre spa includes an indoor pool, Jacuzzi,
aging retreat. Traditionally guests would have the rejuvenation
steam, sauna, ‘tropical rain promenade’, relaxation room, and
therapy which included injections of live cells extracted from
six treatment rooms. Try the Suite de Félicité à Deux, a couples’
lamb foetuses, but nowadays you can opt for anything from
treatment room with a spectacular Japanese bath, and choose
cardiology to manicures and pedicures. The spa area has a pool,
The Royal Taoist ritual which includes the Japanese bath
sauna, steam, kniepp bath, relaxation area and café.
ceremony, scrub, massage and facial.
Chedi Andermatt
Grand Hotel Kempinski
Andermatt
Geneva
The Chedi Andermatt is a relative newcomer to the Swiss spa
Le Spa by Resense at the Grand Hotel Kempinski has an edgier
scene, opening its doors in December 2013. But the luxurious
design than many others, with heavy metal beams over the
hotel has firmly been put on the map with skiers from Verbier
pool area, but the service and treatments are much more
or St Moritz flocking to Andermatt. The spa is as stunning as
holistic. You’ll find the pool, steam, sauna, relaxation area and
the hotel. Views from the glass-roofed pool overlook traditional
treatment rooms on the 2nd floor of the hotel. The private
Swiss buildings and snowy trees. As well as two pools, there’s
spa suite is a wonderfully indulgent way to spa with its own
also a Finnish sauna, bio-sauna, steam room, sol steam, Jacuzzi,
steam, relaxation area, outdoor terrace and dual hydrobath.
and hot and cold plunge pools.
Grand Resort Bad Ragaz
Tschuggen Grand Hotel
Bad Ragaz
Arosa
The 36.5° Wellbeing and Thermal Spa at the Grand Resort Bad
The spa at Tschuggen Grand Hotel was designed by
Ragaz is designed to help you recuperate from the stresses of
architect Mario Batto and uses shapes and geometry to
modern life. Health is woven in everywhere from the treatments
accent the pale stone and glass structures. The curved
to the food to the thermal-spring pools. Stay in the spa to enjoy
glass spa suites are the perfect place for romance. Explore
a spa-style massage or head to the nearby health clinic where
the indoor and outdoor pools, mountain sauna with snow
you can consult with a wide range of doctors from neurologist
terrace, bio sauna, steam room, ice and shower zone,
to internists and dermatologists.
relaxation rooms and sun terrace.
Le Spa by Resense at the Grand Hotel Kempinski
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Feed Your Skin
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D
ry, flaky skin and chapped lips
and part of the Fitter Stronger team at
“If you are taking water to bed and
are common winter complaints,
Chewton Glen. During his training, he
drinking it in the night, it’s a sign that
and the natural response is to
felt that the crucial role of lifestyle in
you are dehydrated. If you drink enough
reach for trusty moisture-rich lotions,
general health was being overlooked. His
in the day, it should see you through the
serums and lip balms. However, if you’re
approach is not just to tell us to eat more
seven hours of sleep. You want to make
eating unhealthily, smoking and drinking
kale, but to look at psychology, sleep,
drinking water an unthinking habit.”
alcohol, but not protecting your skin
food and exercise.
from the sun or topping up your liquids,
His other slightly more doctorly advice
For practical healthy eating tips, we
is to check your urine colour. He has
you might just as well pour all the money
spoke to nutritionist Maggie Horrigan,
a pantone colour chart if you want to
you’re spending on beauty products
who previously worked as a registered
get really serious about it, but the basic
down the waste disposal unit.
nurse and designed the delicious menu
principal is: if your wee is dark, you’re
for Weaver’s House Spa in Suffolk.
dehydrated. If it’s pale, you’re dandy.
Diet is important for our looks and health, although it’s easy to get
For both, the key advice for
Talking of which, what about all those
overwhelmed with all the conflicting
maintaining a healthy glow, especially
Christmas and New Year parties? Alcohol
information out there. One week
over winter, is to keep drinking water.
is thought to be terribly dehydrating and ageing. In an ideal world, we’d all
chocolate and wine are killers, the next (in moderation) it prevents cancer. Then
Keep hydrated
keep within the government guidelines
the following week it all changes again:
“There are arguments for and against
(“about a bottle of wine a week,” says
wheat gluten is the devil, fats are good,
drinking two litres of water a day,” says
Wadsworth). But if you have friends, or
and sugar causes obesity.
Wadsworth. “But I think until the evidence
indeed over-attentive waiters, topping up
comes in, there is a lot to suggest it is
your drinks, that’s not going to happen.
To add to it all there’s a conflict between the medical profession and nutritionists. Doctors may see people
good for you and nothing to say it’s bad.” If we are dehydrated, one of the first
“If you know you’re going to drink, intersperse the alcohol with lots of water,”
as individual symptoms rather than
places it shows is in our complexion,
says Horrigan. “It’ll help flush out the
holistically interconnected organisms,
which may become scaly and dry. Also
toxins and make you less dehydrated.”
but are at least regulated and
dehydration leads to headaches, lack of
scientifically backed. Nutritionists are
sleep and dark circles under our eyes. Not
hangover cure: a beetroot and apple
popping up everywhere giving us advice
a good look.
smoothie, as beetroot helps stimulate
on health foods (while often selling their
The trouble is that in winter we
For the morning after, try Horrigan’s
the liver’s detoxification process.
own brands), and yet aren’t subject to
don’t get as thirsty because we’re not
professional regulation, while their claims
overheating and losing moisture through
Embrace good fats
about so-called ‘superfoods’ have little or
sweat. Wadsworth advises starting a
While fat used to be the devil’s spawn in
no scientific evidence.
hydrating routine so that it will eventually
diet world, fatty acids such as omega-3
become a habit.
and 6 are now considered superfoods for
Dr Fred Wadsworth bridges that gap. He trained as a senior doctor and is
“One way is to have a small 500ml
the skin, with anti-inflammatory actions
now a nutritionist to athletes, including
bottle of water three times a day –
and overall skin-soothing properties.
the English cricket and rugby teams,
morning, lunch and afternoon,” he says.
These are found in oily fish such as
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salmon, nuts, seeds, linseed and flax
perfect? It’s not normal for every apple to
Eat berries
oils and nut milks. Another bonus: one
look the same. Often the cheaper ‘basic’
Superfood fruits like purple, red and
recent study found omega 3 in fatty
foods in supermarkets are more natural
blue grapes, blueberries and red berries
fish promoted collagen creation, which
and sustainable.
contain antioxidants and vitamin C.
makes skin plump and youthful.
“Even if a food doesn’t carry the
Sprinkle on your porridge and stir in
‘organic’ label, it can still have been
some pre-soaked nuts and seeds for the
Avoid processed food
farmed responsibly and without
perfect skin-friendly comfort breakfast.
It’s easier to avoid white rice, pasta and
chemicals. Make sure your lamb is grass-
bread in the summer. But in winter we
fed as it contains more omega-3. Talk to
Keep your PH balanced
tend to ditch the superfood salads for
your grocer and butcher, don’t be afraid
This is where it gets technical. Basically,
comforting meals – hot, filling and usually
to ask a lot of questions. And check out
Horrigan explains, when we eat anything,
full of naughty carbs, the kind our bodies
the Slow Food movement near you.”
our bodies break it down creating an
quickly revert to sugar instead of energy.
www.slowfood.org.uk
acid or alkaline effect. A good balance leans more towards alkaline, whereas
“We didn’t evolve to eat this much sugar and processed foods,” explains
Cook slow on low
excess acid causes inflammation, which
Wadsworth. “The food industry makes a
Warm, hearty food is still good for you,
means we’re less able to fight infection
fortune out of refined carbohydrates, such
as long as it’s cooked slowly and on a
and more liable to rashes and pimples.
as cereal and sugar. Our body doesn’t like
low heat. That way you don’t destroy
Alkaline foods are fruit and vegetables,
things we absorb quickly and as a result
the vitamins and minerals, especially
especially dark greens. Neutral are brown
we have peaks and slumps of energy.
anti-oxidants found in dark green, russet
rice, quinoa and grains. Acid is sugar,
There has to be a degree of processing
red (sweet potatoes) and bright orange
white carbs, wine, chocolate and meat.
to maintain a constant flow.”
vegetables (pumpkins), beans and fish.
Horrigan agrees, adding that if we
“You can put a casserole on a very low
Don’t panic
eat things our body needs and avoid
heat in the oven when you go to work,
“If you’re stressed your body will struggle,”
things it doesn’t – like pesticides and
and come home to a warm tasty meal full
says Maggie. “It will undermine all the
all the chemical extras you see in the
of nutritional goodness,” says Horrigan. “If
good you’re doing if your immune
ingredients of processed food – we
you’re worried about burning the house
system is under attack.”
have less waste products building up
down, slow cookers are great and only
in our bodies. If we have an overload of
cost around £25-£35.”
toxins, they are eliminated through our
Stress can cause IBS, migraine, sleep disorders, illness and skin eruptions, she warns. If you are suffering with any of
skin. Obviously, leaking waste through
Steam your greens
these symptoms, you may want to look
one’s pores is not going to end well
Boiling the life out of your veg kills
at lifestyle changes too.
complexion-wise.
all the good stuff, so steam everything
“Cook from scratch and use as
“Go ahead and eat well and have your
as lightly as possible. Dark green veg
nourishing, relaxing spa treatments,”
little processed food as possible,”
especially contains anti-aging vitamin C
she says. “But make sure you go easy
Horrigan advises. “Check the ingredients
and antioxidants. These attack the free
on yourself too. Slowly ease in the good
especially in breads and cakes. And you
radicals that cause cell damage and are
stuff before you phase out the bad.”
don’t have to pay through the nose to
linked with cancer and aging. Horrigan
eat well. Have you ever wondered why
recommends eating them drizzled
slip into old habits. This is the holiday
the expensive ‘superior’ ranges look so
with linseed oil.
season after all.
And give yourself a break if you do
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Winter Masks Give your skin the love it deserves as the cold snap hits! Pour a glass of wine, run a bath and pamper your skin. Meet your mask match... 73
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I
n winter, you wrap up every part of
sunshine. But as the nights draw in, the
your body, leaving your poor face
evenings become languorous. There’s
exposed to the brutal elements. Just
more time for long, hot baths and
when you want it looking its best, central
self-indulgent pampering. Those ten or
heating sucks moisture from your skin,
fifteen minutes doing nothing while you
cold winds act like sandpaper and
wait for your mask to dry can also help
lack of sunlight leaves you looking pale
you wind down at the end of a busy day,
and washed out. If you do have the
preparing you for a good night’s sleep.
remnants of a summer tan, rehydration is
Just make sure you choose a mask that
even more crucial. But what can you do
suits your skin type. Our tip for those with combination
to put colour, plumpness and moisture back into your cheeks? Face masks are a great quick fix
skins: apply more stringent and cleansing masks to your T-zone, then add hydrating
solution. You may have dropped them
masks to your cheeks and neck. Here we
from your beauty routine in the summer
try four masks to see how they can light
when you’re too busy out raving in the
up your winter complexion.
Rodial Glamoxy ™ Snake Mask 50ml / £68 Main ingredients: Face-freezing neuro dipeptide sny-ake Skin Type: Urban cougar Not everything has to be au naturel. For the Snow Queen divas among you who want to stay young without sacrificing virgins or going under the knife, this face mask has an aura of wintry black magic about it. While other products smell of lemons or organic herb gardens, this one has the eye-watering fragrance of a stiff vodka martini. Its second ingredient is alcohol. Other notable property: it’s black. It feels like you’re smearing on acrylic paint with the accompanying feeling of childish glee mingled with a terror that it might never come off again. It chills and tightens during the 20 minutes it takes to dry, then peels off rather pleasingly, like a silk stocking. My skin was left feeling as smooth, pink and youthful as a baby’s bottom, and looked flawless.
VOYA Get Glowing Face Mask 50ml / £32 Main ingredients: Fucus serratus extract, rosemary, sunflower, eucalyptus, lavender Skin type: All The powerful aroma of this product hits you before you’ve even opened the lid of the glass jar. Notes of rosemary and eucalyptus are particularly potent, and therefore perfect if you’re bunged up with cold. The mask itself has a rather dull green/grey appearance, which is expected, since the main ingredient is organic Irish seaweed. It glided on smoothly, and as I waited ten minutes, my skin felt tingly as the active ingredients got
perfect for special occasions and I agree: my skin never looked
to work. The potent smell, meanwhile, totally revived my
better, but the results were short-term. By morning I noticed it
senses. It rinsed off easily and I could see a noticeable glow
had dulled a little. Despite such dramatic results, it felt gentle
to my skin – so yes, it does what it says. I was told it would be
and didn’t aggravate my sensitive skin.
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Oskia Renaissance Mask
Aromatherapy Associates Anti-Ageing Overnight Repair Mask
50ml / £48 Main ingredients: MSM, passion fruit, grape, lemon and grapefruit AHAs, papaya enzymes
50ml / £59
Skin type: All
Main Ingredients: Rose, cranberry, aloe, strawberry seed extract,
Oskia’s Renaissance Mask gleams translucent coral pink in its little glass jar and
shea butter, honey, frankincense
smells like a fruit punch with a hint of rose gardens. Resist the temptation to eat
and myrrh
it, and instead massage the pink gloop in firm circular movements. The motion
Skin type: Dry, mature
activates the bio-available nutrients, including the mineral MSM, which is said to promote collagen renewal, brighten the skin and decrease inflammation. There’s also some exfoliation going on too, although it doesn’t feel remotely rough. After a few seconds of this, it turns creamy white to let you know it’s been ‘properly applied’. Give it ten minutes if you have sensitive skin, fifteen if you are used to the product. On the website (not on the box for some reason) they recommend you splash on some water and give the mask another massage for one last bio-active burst before removing it. Removal was easy, possibly because it feels like a moisturiser, so you don’t have the urge to get every last bit off. After, my skin felt satiny smooth and soft with a wholesome peachy glow. Oskia recommend using no more than twice a week for lasting results.
As it says on the tube, this is an overnight mask for an intense rejuvenating treatment. However, you can just use it for two hours to achieve results. It’s a very light creamy texture and easy to apply. When it dries, it becomes almost
Thalgo Melt Away Mask
rubbery, so you can sleep without getting it all over your pillow. You
50ml / £29.75
can feel it settling tightly over your
Main ingredients: Mango and shea butter as well as
skin, but not uncomfortably, and
rose and algomega complex (the marine algae ingredient
it doesn’t crack when completely
and Thalgo’s USP)
dried. The only thing to be aware of
Skin Type: Dry and very dry
rushing out late for work/school run the next morning without removing
This mask from marine based product house Thalgo offers
it (hey, these things happen!). Once
instant comfort if your skin is suffering severe winter chaffing,
rinsed off, even after two hours,
sunburn from the ski slopes, or just a bit of central heating-
I noticed my pores had visibly
related dehydration. In French they call it Masque Fondant, and
reduced, while my moisturiser
it does indeed smell like fondant or butter icing. It comes in a
glided across the glowing, satiny
tube, feels and looks buttery, and spreads smoothly on face and
surface of my skin. I was so pleased
neck. Once applied, it has an almost instant “ahh” effect as you
with the results that I will hoard it
settle down for fifteen minutes to dream about cakes. It didn’t
throughout the winter. If you have
dry or harden, but after a while simply absorbed into my skin
really dry skin, apply over your face
leaving a fine sheen like a wet varnish. It rinsed away easily, and
oil and leave on overnight for a
my skin felt deliciously smooth, soft, supple and moisturised
super-intensified skin treat.
without feeling at all oily or tight. Yummy.
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Spa + food Are you looking for healthy, nutritious, organic or raw food? Or perhaps you want to indulge in culinary riches, Michelin dining or afternoon tea? There are spas that can satisfy your tastebuds! Juices and smoothies Smoothies are on-trend in the spa world. Don’t be surprised if your therapist brings you a mini smoothie post-treatment – the hit of (natural) sugar will help you wake up from your treatment and tickle your taste buds, as well as contribute to your daily vitamin intake. Green smoothies are promoted as being good for the skin... worth a try and an easy way to eat your greens as most contain spinach, kale, bok choy, or avocado, all sweetened with berries or fruits. Some may have coconut water, cucumber juice or almond milk in them. Smoothies made with bananas taste rich and creamy and are useful if you
The Vineyard Spa
are skipping lunch, as they fill you up.
Healthy and nutritious
Calcot Spa in Tetbury offers delcious
and herbs for the hotel. They even have
Healthy foods are a perfect partner for
healthy food including superfood salads,
their own beehives scattered around the
spa-ing. You may be a vegan, vegetarian,
juices and smoothies, while overlooking a
grounds. The spa food is designed to fit
healthy eating fan, or just want to treat
gorgeous lavender-lined courtyard.
with an alkaline diet which is thought to improve digestion, skin tone and help
your body to a day of goodness. Even if you’re not into healthy foods, why not
Go organic
give it a go on your spa day. You may
Organic ingredients are thought to
find it surprisingly delicious as many top
be healthier as they avoid pesticides.
Raw food
chefs are becoming more nutritionally
Research shows organic foods are of a
A ‘raw foodist’ eats 75-100 per cent
aware. Most spas offer healthy snacks too.
higher nutritional quality, have more
live, uncooked and unprocessed food.
Some have ‘help yourself’ bowls of fresh
antioxidants, less calories and have a
Expect to eat lots of salad, fruit and
fruit, others provide dried fruits and nuts,
lower concentration of negative elements
grain based mains. Raw food specialists
and we have even been offered a dish of
which could affect your health. Delicious
make interesting and usual dishes from
frozen grapes after a treatment.
and better for you!
everyday ingredients... a green power
with weight loss.
Agua at Sanderson’s spa packages
Bamford Haybarn’s menu features
salad maybe or ‘rice’ made from raw
include anti-oxidant smoothies, salads
fresh organic ingredients straight from
cauliflower. Don’t knock it until you
and healthy canapés.
the local farm. And you can pop into the
have tried it. We were impressed!
Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall has Asian inspired foods, all intensively favoured and available as small bowls or large bowls.
kitchen shop to stock up with healthy foods to take home. Chewton Glen has its own huge kitchen garden, growing vegetables
For raw food try Weavers’ House Spa or Herb House at Lime Wood, where they offer a healthy and nutritious menu to follow this diet.
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Mad Hatters Tea at The Sanderson Hotel
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Michelin starred food
Mad Hatters Tea at The Sanderson,
The crème de la crème of fine dining and
London. Or a Lake District afternoon tea
exceptional restaurants, Michelin starred
with beautiful views at Armathwaite
food is an experience in itself. The many
Hall. And don’t forget to try afternoon
courses and artistic flair may not be to
tea with Wedgewood at The Langham,
everybody’s tastes, but if you do enjoy
often claimed to be the birthplace
a Michelin-style indulgence, hunt out a
of afternoon tea. Chuan Spa at The
spa with a Michelin starred restaurant at
Langham has a philosophy steeped in
the hotel. After relaxing and enjoying spa
Traditional Chinese Medicine, so try an
facilities and treatments, make the most
Obsidian Chuan Nurturing treatment
of your clean and glowing complexion
followed by a cup of Oolong tea packed
by dressing up to go to dinner, and let
full of anti-oxidants.
your taste buds take over!
Cookery schools
Pennyhill Park, with its impressive 45,000 square feet of spa, has food so
If you’re passionate not only about
impressive that The Laytmer is one of
eating, but also cooking food, adding a
six restaurants in the UK to hold two
cookery course onto a spa break could
Michelin stars and five AA rosettes. At Lucknam Park, which features
make for a pretty perfect weekend. Learn Michael Wignall at The Latymer
a spa with indoor/outdoor pool and
how to recreate your own fine dining at home, impress your friends at dinner
thermal cabins, you can dine in the main
manicure and a madeleine? A facial
parties or refine your culinary skills across
restaurant which earned its Michelin star
and a fondant fancy? If you’re visiting
continental cuisines. If you liked the
for contemporary English food with a
a spa for a day of relaxation and
healthy food you tried on your spa day,
French twist.
spending time with friends, then
you could also find a cookery class to
adding a delicious afternoon tea
show you how to cook similar dishes
starred restaurant make the most
into the day can only enhance your
and continue your nutritional journey.
of the stunning Sussex countryside
enjoyment. Delightful mini sandwiches
with wonderful views and fresh local
and sweet treats, golden-topped scones
organic, eat to be healthy and raw
ingredients.
smothered in clotted cream, a pot of tea
cookery classes. Make the most of their
Ockenden Manor’s spa and Michelin
You can also spa and dine Michelin-
Daylesford Cookery School offers
– and time in the spa. This may be your
Health and Wellness Retreat package
style at The Vineyard in Berkshire, and
dream combination, and many spas
including yoga, a treatment at Bamford
The Club Hotel and Spa, Jersey.
offer afternoon tea packages.
Haybarn Spa and ‘eat healthy’ cookery
We’re partial to The Spa and Bath
classes. Lucknam Park will let you in on
Sweet treats and afternoon tea
House at the Royal Crescent, which
the Michelin star secrets with Michelin
Afternoon tea may not naturally
offers three types of afternoon tea
chef-led classes. The Swan at Lavenham,
be associated with a healthy spa day.
depending on how sweet your tooth
home to Weavers Spa, has inspirational
But we cry foul! Who doesn’t love a
is. You might also like to try the quirky
cookery classes complete with recipes and taste samplings. At Pennyhill Park they hold bakery masterclasses for those who prefer their breads, cakes and pastries. Limewood boasts an extensive on-site cookery school, as does Swinton Park which holds classes of many levels and cuisines, with gourmet weekends available. If you’re partial to wine, The Vineyard teams up with local cookery school Woodspeen and offers spa plus wine packages. Whether fine dining, afternoon tea or healthy dining takes your fancy there’s a spa to fit your taste. And don’t be afraid of missing out on your favourite treats at a spa (we’ve all heard the horror stories of spa visitors stuffing overnight bags full of chocolate): most have enough options
The Bakery at Pennyhill Park
whether you want to lose weight, indulge or discover new foods.
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Lift, sculpt, pamper or plump? Body treatment is a blanket term for a whole gamut of different therapies from wraps and masks, to baths and rasuls. But which one is which?
A
body treatment covers a host
You may have a fairly rigorous
masks, different types of baths, and
of therapies , but if you take
scrub to exfoliate, moisturise and
heated experiences such as a hammam
massage out of the equation,
reduce cellulite. Or you could choose
or rasul. Most body treatments will leave
you’ll find a selection of treatments
to firm up your stomach muscles
you feeling invigorated and relaxed – a
that will leave your skin smooth, soft,
and bottom by having a series
powerful combination.
plumped, detoxified or even slimmer!
of electromagnetic pulses passed
During a body treatment you might be: •• massaged or scrubbed with a particular oil, cream or mineral •• wrapped or enveloped in something – perhaps mud, seaweed or even plastic •• immersed or soaked in a liquid, such as water or algae •• stroked, treated with or exposed to
through your body.
What should I take?
You might decide that you want
This will depend on what kind of
to pay penance for unhealthy eating
treatment you are going for. Your best
by being wrapped in algae for a few
bet is to contact the spa beforehand.
hours to be detoxified. Or you may
They will be able to tell you how soon in
choose to embark on a series of body
advance you should get there, what to
treatments designed to help you change
expect, whether or not you need to take
your lifestyle and your shape. This may
anything.
something external – like brushes,
involve looking at your diet and exercise
magnets, electric current, or lights.
regime, as well as having a therapeutic
Precautions
massage or lymphatic drainage.
Whatever treatment you’re having
Different body treatments are good for different things and they are usually clear about their goals.
Generally, body treatments fall into four categories; scrubs, wraps and
you should always tell the therapist if you are, or think you might be, pregnant.
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Scrubs A scrub or body polish is a treatment which exfoliates the skin leaving it feeling fresh, smooth, moisturised and soft. An abrasive product is rubbed vigorously, and massaged across and into your skin. It is then rinsed away to reveal a moisturised layer of fresh, clean and smooth skin. Scrubs or polishing products usually include an oily base which moisturises and soothes your skin as it is exfoliated. A scrub will not only leave your skin beautifully soft and pampered, it can be really invigorating as well. It can also encourage blood circulation and lymph flow which improves skin tone. Different spas will have their own unique scrub rituals, as well as facilities, equipment and rooms. It is usual to have it lying down, and if you’re lucky on a heated plinth or table to keep you warm while you have your treatment. The table will get wet during the treatment as the product is washed off your body. Somehow, despite the fact that they scrub and wash your whole body, you’ll be almost entirely covered for the whole treatment, as towels are expertly rolled and folded to maintain your dignity. Before the treatment begins, the therapist may ask you what kind of product you prefer, giving you a choice of aromas or asking whether you want to feel relaxed or revitalised by the body scrub. They should also tell you something about the product and procedure so that you know what’s going to happen. The scrub will usually start with one side of your back, and the product will be swept up and down your body simultaneously – this is really invigorating. The therapist will then work across your body, rubbing, scrubbing and massaging one area at a time, and then rinsing you off with warm soft water, covering you with a towel before moving on to the next part. At the end of the treatment you should be left to have a good shower, to wash away any remains of the product. You should also tell them of any medical conditions you have, including
Different types of scrubs
treatments or medications you are
Salt and oil: Finely granulated salt is mixed with an essential,
receiving, as they may affect which
moisturising oil. The salt might be sea or mineral. Sugar is
body treatment is suitable for you.
also used, mixed with oils or creams.
Drink plenty of water before,
Loofah: Some body scrubs use cream and a loofah to slough
during and after to avoid getting
off dead skin cells.
dehydrated, especially if you have
Herbal: A therapist may mix a herbal oil with the exfoliating
a heat treatment or a massage. Avoid
scrub, such as rosemary, lavender or aloe vera, depending on
big meals and alcohol before your
your skin type and whether the scrub is designed to wake
treatments as this could make you feel
you up or relax you.
uncomfortable or even ill.
Fruit: Some body scrubs mix crushed seeds with fruit oils, oatmeal and other edible products to nourish and soothe
Hot tip!
the skin.
Have a sauna or steam bath before your
Body brushing: A thorough and firm (but not hard)
treatment. This will open your pores,
brushing of the skin all over your body. Your therapist will
soothe your muscles and make sure you
use a clean brush with firm natural bristles and brush you
are really relaxed so that you can get full
with sweeping, sometimes circular motions in the direction
benefit from your body treatment.
of your heart.
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Wraps and masks A wrap is a nourishing cocoon designed
inch loss will sadly disappear once you
in bandages soaked in a therapeutic
to hydrate, cleanse or heal your skin, relax
drink some water, the wrap experience
solution instead of a warm blanket.
and soothe your muscles or slim and
might just provide the motivation you
When you’re freed from your cocoon,
tone your body.
need to start a healthier diet or fitness
don’t expect an immediate butterfly-like
programme.
transformation. You might feel quite cold
Body wraps combine therapeutic
Some wraps are designed to relieve
and soggy at first without your thermal
muds or soothing creams — with thermal
tired or heavy legs and aching joints, and
blanket — so the shower afterwards will
coverings. The body mask will contain a
ease inflammation. They may be offered
be welcome. You can scrub away any
mixture of ingredients designed to have
as a treatment for your lower body only.
remaining algae, mud or clay before your
masks — herbal pastes, mineral-rich
a remedial effect on your skin, while the
Before your wrap, you’ll undress
therapist massages moisturiser into your newly baby-soft skin.
coverings will swathe and warm your
or change into your paper knickers
body, promoting muscle relaxation,
in privacy. Spa therapists are great
and sweating to cleanse your pores.
at preserving their clients’ modesty.
Different types of wrap
Next, you might be treated to a gentle
Algae: Your therapist applies warmed
adjectives to describe their body wrap
exfoliation or scrub to slough away any
mineral-rich algae to your body to
treatments: slimming, detoxifying,
dead skin cells.
help nourish and detoxify your skin.
Most spas use a few core
relaxing and hydrating are favourites.
Once your skin has been prepped,
The algae comes in the form of a
your therapist will apply a therapeutic
pungent thick paste.
you might notice:
body mask to your torso, arms and
Cellulite: Designed to boost circulation
•• temporary inch loss
legs. Your therapist will then swaddle
and flush out toxins, this wrap focuses
•• softer, firmer, hydrated or cleansed skin
you in a plastic sheet and towels, or
on bums, tums and/or thighs.
•• relaxed muscles.
a thermal blanket, and leave you to
Clay or mud: A layer of soothing clay or
rest for around 20 to 40 minutes. If
mud is applied to the skin to detoxify,
lose weight, but they may make you
you’re having a detoxifying or slimming
cleanse and firm. The mud is thought
temporarily slimmer. Although any initial
wrap, you may be wrapped tightly
to ease water retention and cleanse
Depending on the wrap you choose,
Weight-loss wraps do not make you
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Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa
Baths Balneotherapy, from the Latin for “bath”, is the term for the therapeutic use of bathing. Spa baths were traditionally filled with water from thermal springs or the sea, but you’ll now find an array of fragrant and restorative ingredients added to warm water to make your bathing experience all the more enjoyable and effective. A spa bath is a treatment that usually takes place in a private treatment room, and will be just for you, or for you and your partner. The bathing experience will certainly feel more luxurious than your one at home. To make the treatment all the more relaxing, your therapist will dim the lights, heat the room to a cosy temperature, and she may light scented candles to create soothing aromas. While just being in warm or hot Kohler Waters Spa at The Old Course Hotel
water cleanses and relaxes you, it is what you add to the water, and the time you take over the ritual which really distinguishes your experience.
Different types of spa baths Aromatherapy and herbal baths: A bath containing essential oils and/or herbs. As you bathe, you breathe in the aromas of whatever has been added, and let the warm water ease your aches and pains. Essential oils or herbs are added to the water or rubbed onto your skin before you get into the bath. You might have eucalyptus added to the bath, which is particularly good if you have a cold or blocked sinuses, or lavender to soothe and relax. the pores by drawing out impurities.
Brine, salt and mineral baths: Minerals – and the salts,
A mud wrap might help with arthritis,
muds, and water containing them – have been renowned
rheumatism and minor skin irritations.
for their health-benefits for centuries. A spa near a natural
Dry floatation wrap: This is any sort of
mineral spring will probably use the spring to supply water
wrap carried out on a mattress filled
to their pools and baths, allowing you to bathe in the fresh,
with warm water. Some people find
mineral-rich waters. At a more conventional spa, a mineral
the sensation of weightlessness deeply
bath is likely to involve a bath to which minerals and salts
relaxing. This treatment offers the benefits
have been added.
of wet floatation without having to get
Flower baths: Flower petals and essences are added to the
into an enclosed tank.
water. There are different versions of these baths, including
Herbal: Herbs, spices, and herbal
Japanese flower bath, and Indian blossom, and each one
essential oils are often used in wraps
promises a slightly different experience. Take your pick!
for their therapeutic qualities. You may
Mud and algae baths: You might have a mineral-style bath
find lavender in a wrap, for example. In
whose ingredients are mud or algae-based. Alternatively,
Ayurvedic treatments, herbs are often
this treatment is as it sounds: you immerse yourself in mud
ground into a thick, gritty paste that also
or algae. Both are actually surprisingly warming and relaxing
exfoliates as it is rubbed onto the skin.
— once you’ve got over the initial oddness of getting into a
Thalasso or seaweed: Your body is
bath full of goo. The aim is to detoxify and deeply relax your
slathered in seaweed before you are
muscles and leave your skin feeling soft and hydrated.
wrapped in a warm covering. This
Seaweed baths: A seaweed bath is most often found at
concentration of seawater and seaweed
coastal spas, as the seaweed is commonly freshly picked
comes as a thick paste. It doesn’t always
and washed for your treatment. Though it may feel slightly
smell great, it must be said, but the
odd with the slippery plant next to your skin, the seaweed is
effects are palpable — it hydrates and
packed with beneficial vitamins and minerals. Your therapist
firms the skin, and leaves it tingly-fresh.
will probably add fragrant essential oils to the water, too.
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Hammams, serails, rasuls You’ve probably heard of or read about
odd perhaps, and is an unusual experience
hammams, rasuls and serails. You may
for sure: but it’s a deeply sensual treatment
generally attended by a therapist. She will
even know they’re associated with mud
that is also good fun. When was the last
take you through to the steam room and
and steam. But which one is which?
time you were “slathered in mineral-rich
will normally start by washing your skin
And what do they do?
muds of various colours”?!
and rinsing you off, either with a shower
First things first: hammams, rasuls
A rasul or serail mud treatment is really
In the UK, a hammam treatment is
or buckets of warm water. Next comes a
(also spelled “rhassoul”) and serails are all
a great way of soothing and warming
fairly rigorous exfoliation. Traditionally this
kinds of steam room. They are tiled, and
your muscles and softening your skin. It’s
would be done with a kessar glove, a very
generally quite dimly lit, and — at a spa
a great treatment for priming your body
grand version of the mitts you may keep
anyway — usually seat up to four people.
for a massage which will then be more
in your bathroom. Your therapist will once
effective, as the therapist can get deep
again rinse off your skin. Depending on
and gold-tinged tiles in the style of
into the warmed muscle more easily. It
your treatment your therapist may also
the Turkish Ottoman baths. They are
also leaves your skin feeling very soft and
massage your body with essential oils or
sometimes referred to as “chambers”
plumped, as you deeply cleanse your
moisturisers for the finishing glow.
(serail mud chamber, for example) but
skin and absorb moisturising minerals. It
This is a full body treatment. The
don’t be alarmed: they are more like
leaves you feeling both very relaxed and
therapist will normally ask you where
exotic, luxurious grottos.
wide awake.
your personal boundaries are: you may
Rasul or serail
Hammam
down a swim suit, or you may want to
A rasul or serail is the venue for a
A hammam can be either one tiled
stay covered up. It’s entirely up to you.
traditional Arabian body treatment
steam room, or a suite of steam rooms
Many are decorated in blue, silver
want to take off your bikini top or roll
Similar to a rasul or serails, this
involving steam and mud. Slathered in
and pools for communal use. In a
treatment warms and relaxes your
mineral-rich muds of various colours,
more traditional Turkish hammam,
muscles, and is a perfect preparation
you sit in a tiled steam room for around
you will find many different rooms
for a massage. Hammams will leave
15 minutes. Afterwards, you are either
and chambers, each offering different
your skin beautifully clean and glowing;
douched by a therapist or else shower
water-based benefits, similar to the
great if you have a holiday or a special
yourself down in cool water. It sounds a bit
Roman baths.
event coming up.
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Competition
Discover treatment heaven with The Spa at Dolphin Square Win a Cleanse, Clay and Tea spa treat for two in posh Pimlico.
T
he Spa at the salubrious Dolphin Square has a sumptuous Moroccan theme that will instantly transport you to warmer climes. Step into a world
of dark velvets, plush silks, glowing lanterns and heady, spicy aromas, and enjoy some really well-delivered and indulgent treatments. One lucky reader will win a hammam and rasul spa day to enjoy with a friend. Your spa day will include complimentary use of the salt infused steam room, tepidarium, hammam and rasul chamber. In the hammam your body is doused with warm water as a Tellak (Morroccan therapist) exfoliates away your impurities with a Kessa glove and Savon Noir, a soap made from olives and eucalyptus. In the rasul, you can paste on lava clay from the Atlas mountains, relax in the steam chamber for 15 minutes, then shower away the clay before applying moisturising body oil. Finally, the salt infused steam room benefits respiratory conditions and soothes weary, aching bodies. The ritual is completed with a lovely Moroccan Cérémonie de Thé as you chill in the relaxation room together, feeling utterly clean, revitalised and tension-free. The ultimate urban spa treat!
Enter now at: www.goodspaguide.co.uk/ dolphin-square Terms and conditions apply. Visit the website for full details. Find out more about The Spa at Dolphin Square at www.dolphinsquare.co.uk on 0207 798 6767 or by email thespa@dolphinsquare.co.uk
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G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
Spa School The Spa Spies give their top tips for how to pass for a seasoned spa-ista
I
f you’re new to high end spa-ing,
of experience rooms. You are usually
you’re in for a treat. Of course, you
advised to arrive 15 or in some case 30
may be a little nervous too. Spas can
minutes before your treatments, so make
appear intimidating, especially when
sure you do: it’ll all make for a more
they look like Downton Abbey.
relaxing spa journey.
Don’t worry. The job of spa staff is to
If you are pregnant, have a medical
make all their guests feel welcome and
condition or any allergies, these should
relaxed. You won’t have the Dowager
be discussed when you book and again
Countess of Grantham glaring at you
during your consultation. Have a read
for not using the correct fork at your
through our website (goodspaguide.
spa lunch. Neither will the local WAG
co.uk) which has advice on all aspects
fraternity have any interest in judging
of spa etiquette as well as in-depth spa
your spa ineptness or attire: they will be
reviews to help you feel utterly prepared.
far too self-absorbed. If you want to play the alluring stranger
Bring the basics
who usually spas in more exotic climes,
See our feature on page 26 on what to
but has graced the your local spa just this
pack in your spa bag. Normal dress code
once; or even if you simply want to know
is robe, swimsuit, slippers or flip-flops in
what to expect from the day, here are
wet areas. The latter are usually provided
some tips on how to spa like a pro.
by the spa, along with fresh towels and a range of lotions, shower and cleansing
Do your research
products. If you require a larger or
You should be sent information when
smaller size robe, you may want to bring
you book, but if not, check the website
your own as spa sizes can be limited.
or back page of the treatment brochure,
Beneath the robe, wear a swimsuit or
which you may need to download. It’s
bikini. If you can see yourself using a lot of
worth familiarising yourself with the
thermal treatments and pools, and don’t
spa etiquette (some have ‘whisper’ or
want to lunch with a wet bottom, bring a
‘hush’ zones), what to bring and what is
back-up cozzie. For most body treatments,
provided, and possibly the layout if it’s
you may want to wear your own pants, or
a huge rambling mansion, or has lots
the disposable pair provided.
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Go bare-faced
If things go wrong during your time
Ideally, you may want to avoid make-
at the spa, or you feel uncomfortable,
up in a spa. However we all have our
talk to someone. It’s all too easy in
insecurities. If you don’t want to spoil a
a spa environment to abstain from
romantic Jacuzzi by transforming into
complaining, but speak up! We’re
The Joker, go for waterproof products
pretty sure the manager will be
or tints. All make-up will be removed
happy to receive the feedback.
for your facial anyway, although you can always reapply it after. Note: foundation
Know your boundaries
may actually be your skin’s enemy while
One of the most frequently asked
spa-ing. Wearing make-up in the steam
questions is: will I have to strip off?
room or sauna will clog up your skin
The golden rule is not if you don’t want
instead of allowing it to get squeaky
to. For a full body massage, you will
clean and fresh.
normally wear nothing but knickers. However, the therapist should always
Check dress codes
preserve your modesty using carefully
In some hotel spas, you’ll be lunching
placed towels, only exposing the areas
with other fully-dressed guests. In
she is working on.
most destination spas, everyone will be
A good idea is to narrow down the
lounging around the spa café in their
areas of your body that concern you
robes and slippers. For supper and
and imagine how you would tell the
evening meals, or if you plan to venture
therapist. Mention your concerns in the
further than the spa café, bring smart
consultation. You absolutely do not have
casual clothes.
to justify yourself or feel embarrassed: the therapist should be sensitive to
Be considerate
personal boundaries and concerned
This day is all about you. But be aware
only with giving you the best experience
that you don’t own the place: you are
she can.
a guest sharing the space with fellow guests. A simple smile and a few p&qs
Tip your therapist
will suffice charm-wise – there’s no need
A suggested rate for a tip is between 10
to be too obsequious or grateful.
and 20 per cent of the treatment cost.
According to a recent Good Spa Guide
However, it’s not practical to carry loose
survey, 88 per cent of spa visitors list noise
change in a spa, so you won’t have to
as the second highest complaint that ruins
tip your therapist directly. You can add
a spa day (next to poor quality customer
a tip to the overall bill, or leave cash in
service). If you must carry your mobile,
one of those little envelopes at the spa
don’t make or receive calls in the spa. Trust
reception desk on your way out.
us, a loud ringtone or conversation when all around you are slumbering in their
Finally and most importantly
relaxation pods is going to make you spa
Enjoy and savour every moment. This is
pariah number one.
your special day after all.
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How to spa with a bump Going to a spa seems like the perfect treat during pregnancy. It can leave you relaxed, refreshed and nicely groomed. But then that constant pregnancy worry ‘is it safe’ pops up. Daphne Metland explains what’s worth worrying about… and what isn’t!
T
he good news is that there are
So you may well have to content
Some beauty treatments may cheer you
plenty of spa treats you can indulge
yourself with some gentle swimming
up and get your ready for those new
in during pregnancy. Some can
and a day of relaxing with a good book
mum and baby pictures. By the last
at a spa in those first few weeks.
couple of weeks you may just not
ease pregnancy aches and pains and even help you prepare for labour. There are a few you need to be careful
By trimester two the baby is pretty
want to bare all in public.
well formed and most mothers-to-be
Treatments to try
about, and you may find that the spa
feel well and energetic. This is a great
will not offer some of their treatments
time to spa as you may well be past the
at some stages of pregnancy.
‘sick at the slightest excuse stage’ and
Massage
feel well and happy to indulge in some
Massage can ease back pain and leg
spa treats.
cramps, improve circulation, help you
The key to choosing suitable treatments is how many weeks pregnant you are. Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters.
relax and sleep, and ease your anxiety. It releases happy, pain-killing endorphins,
•• The first trimester runs until 13 weeks. •• Trimester two runs from week 14 to week 27 •• The third trimester runs from week 28 until the birth at around week 40. During the first trimester your baby is growing very rapidly and all the major body organs and systems are being formed. This is the time when everyone – your doctor, your midwife, your therapist, even your mum wants you to take most care. Drugs, x-rays and even
If you start to get tired and achy a massage or even some gentle swimming may well help
overheating can affect the tiny growing baby. Around 70 per cent of women
so can also help lift your mood. Some studies show that massaging oils and lotions into the skin can help reduce stretch mark (although we wouldn’t get too excited. If there really was a miracle cure for stretch marks we’d be the first to shout about it!). The use of aromatherapy oils during pregnancy is controversial. Some essential oils are dangerous in pregnancy but there is not much agreement on which. We usually go with recommendations from Denise Tiran a midwife who specialises in
Trimester three often starts well,
complementary therapies. Her website
will suffer from pregnancy nausea and
but as your bump grows you may find it
is: www.expectancy.co.uk. She advises
sickness at this stage, so it may not be
difficult to get comfortable. If you start
that grapefruit, bergamot and sweet
the best time to have treatments if they
to get tired and achy a massage or even
orange are safe oils that relax and
involve strong smelling ingredients. And
some gentle swimming may well help.
lift your mood. She also suggests
I speak as someone who could be sick at
A water based exercise class is great as
using lavender, black pepper and
the smell of an apple when pregnant!
the water supports your growing body.
frankincense.
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When to choose massage In your first trimester opt for massage with just a plain carrier oil such as grape oil. Later in pregnancy you can choose an aromatherapy massage if you wish. Hot stone massages are unlikely to heat your whole body to the point of overheating and the stones may well help with aches and pains. Safety tip Remember that the pregnancy hormone progesterone causes your ligaments to become soft and stretch, so make sure your therapist knows you are pregnant and ask for a gentle massage. Avoid sports massage or Thai massage which may involve much pulling and stretching. Look for a spa that offers a massage chair, or a massage bean bag so you don’t have to lie on your expanding stomach.
Facials A facial can be fabulous when you’re pregnant. A lie down, a bit of pampering and a chance to recover your glow will make you look and feel better. However, be aware that your skin may be more sensitive than usual and you may react to products that were fine before. When to use them Most can be used throughout pregnancy. Make sure your therapist isn’t using anything containing retinoid, a type of vitamin A that speeds up skin division. Oral retinoids carry a high risk of foetal malformation and even using it on your skin is not advised. Safety tips Many spas offer pregnancy specific product ranges such as Mama Mio, which are designed to cope with extra sensitive skin. These avoid any problems with strong products that may cause a pregnancy related flare up.
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ur lly o ut.
G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
Treatments to avoid
the pools and cooler treatments. Some
the main vein that brings blood back up
There are concerns about sunbed use
sanariums, which are a far gentler heat.
from your legs and lower body. This can
in pregnancy – it may affect production
Wear loose clothing and slow down if you
make you very faint and dizzy and reduce
of folic acid and cause overheating –
feel your heat rising – and make sure you
the oxygen supply to your baby. Ask to
and until the evidence is in, we would
keep drinking plenty of water throughout
have the head of the bed raised during
recommend giving them a wide berth.
the day.
your facial to take the pressure off your
Spray tans seem to be safe, though you
lower back.
may want to do a test if your skin is
Swimming Pools
playing up. Botox should be avoided.
You may have read that some
Wraps and scrubs
In fact few surgeons will treat you
chemicals used to disinfect pools are
These are generally considered safe as
during pregnancy.
bad for you. The disinfection processes
If you are heavily pregnant, lying flat on your back can compress the vena cava,
spas offer laconiums, tepidariums and
can release volatile compounds such
long as they do not involve any specific
Treat with caution
as trihalomethanes (THMs) into the air.
Opt for gentle scrubs if your skin
Any treatment on a heated mattress may
or reviews that these cause pregnancy
is dry or sensitive.
cause overheating, so ask to have it turned
complications, although there is a
down or off if you get hot and sweaty.
possible link to small-for-gestational-age
When to use them
No problems with electrolysis during
babies. Yet most experts seem to feel
In the second or third trimesters.
pregnancy have ever been documented,
that the health benefits of swimming far
although it is recommended that it
outweigh any potential problems linked
Safety tips
is not carried out on the abdomen or
to the chemicals.
You may overheat during a wrap, so ask
breasts during the last trimester. Dyes
to leave your arms and shoulders free in
and perms are on the whole quite safe,
usual cleansing chemicals such as UV
order to cool down.
as the amount of chemicals absorbed by
filtration and Ozone. Both clean water
the skin or entering the bloodstream is
as it comes into the pool but have to
Manicures and Pedicures
extremely low. If you are worried opt for
be used with low levels of chlorine to
It’s fine to have a basic manicure and
highlights. They minimise the contact
kill any residual bacteria. But they do
pedicure. It’s worth knowing that your
between the dye and the skin of your
reduce any potential chlorine exposure,
nails grow quicker and are stronger
scalp. Your hair may react differently to
as well as reducing the usual swimming
during pregnancy and so does your hair.
colour, so do a strand test first.
pool smell.
products that could cause problems such as some aromatherapy oils.
There is no strong evidence from studies
Some spas offer alternatives to the
You see, there are some advantages! When to use them
Spa facilities
After the first trimester if you want to be
Part of the reason for going to a spa
ultra-safe.
is to try out all those lovely fire and ice experiences and swim a few laps
Safety tips
in a nice warm pool. So is it safe to
Many nail varnishes contain chemicals
use these?
that are harmful in large quantities. in perfumes and deodorants),
Hot baths, saunas and whirlpools
formaldehyde and tolurene.
A warm bath is fine in pregnancy. You
Environmentalists are trying to ban
baby is well protected from waterborne
them, while nail varnish manufacturers
infections by the bag of waters she is
insist they occur in such small
growing inside and the mucous plug
quantities, they have little or no effect.
that stops the cervix during pregnancy.
These are phthalates (also found
You may decide to avoid varnish in your
But a hot bath or a Jacuzzi or sauna
first trimester, and then use products
can cause you to overheat and dehydrate.
that don’t contain phthalates.
It may affect how blood and nutrients
Gel and acrylic nails should be applied
flow around your body and there is
and removed in a well-ventilated room.
some evidence that overheating and
Gel nails use methacrylate monomers
dehydration in early pregnancy can affect
which are mostly perfectly safe to use.
the developing baby. If you feel hot and
Daphne Metland is a medical journalist
The exception is methyl methacrylate
dizzy, there’s an increased danger of
and co-author of Expecting. Everything
monomer (MMA), but this is rarely
falling over or passing out. So avoid spa
you need to know about pregnancy,
used now.
baths, saunas and Jacuzzis, and stick to
labour and birth, published by Virago.
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G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
Wild Mushroom Risotto Mark Walker, executive head chef at The Mere Golf Resort and Spa, reveals how to create a wonderfully warm and wintery wild mushroom risotto.
Serves three 25ml vegetable oil 250g Arborio rice 100g mixed or wild mushrooms (sliced) 2g flat parsley (chopped) 50g parmesan (grated) 30g unsalted butter 5ml olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Heat the oil in a large, heavy based pan. Add the risotto rice and cook on a low heat for two to three minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms and stir for another two to three minutes. Add 300ml of boiling water and cook on a medium heat until the water is fully incorporated. Add another 400ml of boiling water and cook until the rice has a soft bite. Stir in half the parmesan, butter and chopped parsley. Season to taste. Place the risotto into bowls and add the remaining parmesan. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil.
Mark Walker has won two AA Rosettes for The Mere Golf Resort and Spa. Mark is passionate about using the freshest ingredients and supporting local suppliers. He’s also worked with the resort’s green team to create The Mere’s orchard supplying the restaurants with fruits, nuts and berries. Find out more at: www.themereresort.co.uk
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Spa Ratings
G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
Five Bubble Luxury Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa
South West
Dormy House Hotel and Spa
West Midlands
Galgorm Resort and Spa
Northern Ireland
Pennyhill Park, an Exclusive Hotel and Spa
South East
Rockliffe Hall
North East
Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall
North East
The Vineyard Spa
South East
Five Bubble Agua at Mondrian London
London
Antara Spa at the Chelsea Health Club and Spa
London
Aqua Sana Woburn Forest
East of England
Armathwaite Hall Country House Hotel and Spa
North West
Ayush Wellness Spa at the Hotel de France
Channel Islands
Bailiffscourt Hotel and Spa
South East
Bamford Haybarn
West Midlands
Barnsley Spa and Skincare Centre
South West
Calcot Spa at Calcot Manor
South West
C-Side Spa at Cowley Manor
West Midlands
Eden Hall Day Spa
East Midlands
Hale Country Club and Spa
North West
Headland Hotel and Spa
South West
K Spa at K West Hotel and Spa
London
Kohler Waters Spa at the Old Course Hotel
Scotland
Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa
South West
Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat
West Midlands
Norton House Hotel and Spa
Scotland
Ockenden Manor Hotel and Spa
South East
PH2O at Park House Hotel
South East
Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa
East Midlands
Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa
North West
SenSpa at Careys Manor Hotel
South West
Sequoia at The Grove
London
St Brides Spa Hotel
Wales
Stanley House Hotel and Spa
North West
Stobo Castle Health Spa
Scotland
Stoke Park Spa
South East
The Garage Spa
North East
The Mere Golf Resort and Spa
North West
The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel
East of England
The Spa at Ramside Hall Hotel
North East
The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village
North West
The Spa at Dolphin Square
London
The Thai Spa at Lough Erne Resort
Northern Ireland
The Woodland Spa
North West
Weavers’ House Spa at The Swan at Lavenham Hotel
East of England
Y Spa at Wyboston Lakes Hotel
South Midlands
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From jaw-droppingly fabulous VIP treatments and facilities, to good value spas that are perfect for groups, here’s a list of UK spas rated byThe Spa Spies ™. We award Bubbles rather than Stars, with Five Bubble Luxury being extra special, Five Bubble offering the peak of spa perfection, Four Bubble excellent but perhaps with a break in the spa journey, and Three Bubble, perfectly nice with good treatments, just not a den of decadence.
Four Bubble Agua at Sanderson London
London
Aqua Sana Elveden Forest
East of England
Aqua Sana Longleat Forest
South West
Aqua Sana Sherwood Forest
East Midlands
Aqua Sana Whinfell Forest
North West
Chuan Spa at The Langham London
London
Fawsley Hall Hotel and Spa
West Midlands
Grand Jersey Hotel and Spa
Channel Islands
Lion Quays Hotel and Spa
West Midlands
Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel and Spa
North West
Mill Wheel Spa
North West
Spa Sirène at the Royal Yacht Hotel
Channel Islands
Spa Verta
London
The Spread Eagle Hotel and Spa
South East
The Clearing Spa at The Cornwall Hotel
South West
The Club Hotel and Spa
Channel Islands
The Day Spa at Whittlebury Hall
East Midlands
The Peak Health Club and Spa
London
the runnymede-on-thames hotel and spa
South East
The Spa at Cotswold House Hotel and Spa
West Midlands
The Spa at Roe Park Resort
Northern Ireland
Thermae Bath Spa
South West
Thoresby Hall Hotel and Spa
East Midlands
Thornton Hall Hotel and Spa
North West
Utopia Spa at Alexander House Hotel
South East
Utopia Spa at Rowhill Grange Hotel
London
The Well Spa Retreat at Bluestone
Wales
Wildmoor Spa and Health Club
West Midlands
Three Bubble Carden Spa at Carden Park
North West
Lamphey Court Hotel and Spa
Wales
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G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
Where the Stars Spa W
from an EasyJet flight for one too many vodkas after
Champneys Tring
a spa break with her friend Sadie Frost, we at the
A-Listers:
hen headlines reported Kate Moss being escorted
Dreamstime.c ash | om refl u t a e F
When we head to a spa, we expect to be pampered like Hollywood goddesses and emerge looking good enough to film in HD. But where do the real celebrities spa? Follow us through the spa keyhole…
Barbara Streisand, Tony and Cheri Blair, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Russell Brand Champneys (pictured below) has been linked with celebrities, royalty and Arab sheikhs since it opened 90 years ago. You can go for luxuriously indulgent pampering, such as a Collagen Gold Facial, or impressive health facilities: there’s a 25 metre pool and a full sized FIFA pitch. Or you can book a clairvoyant, deep energy healing and even try a spot of virtual gastric band hypnotherapy.
Good Spa Guide immediately hit the search engines to find out the name of the spa that had lured these London fashionistas. Reflecting the trend of social spa-ing, Sadie was celebrating her 50th birthday with a spot of cryotherapy at the LifeCo Spa in Bodrum on the south coast of Turkey. LifeCo’s detox
©
programmes are run by celebrity nutritionist Amanda Hamilton, while their cryotherapy treatments are said to be a particular favourite of Ms Moss. The clinic also has inversion therapy, which involves hanging upside down on a rope like a bat for five minutes. We may chuckle at the lengths celebrities go to and fads they inspire, but their influences on spa trends are not to be sniffed at. Besides, both Moss and Frost look amazing despite their infamous lifestyles. Naturally we would like to know their spa secrets, partly in order to steal some ideas, and also to simply indulge in a little fantasy spa-ing of our own. Bearing in mind that nearly all spas fiercely protect the privacy of their A-list clientele, the following information has been gleaned from on-the-ground Spa Spies, reporters or via the celebrities themselves. Make of it what you will.
Sequoia Spa at The Grove, Hertfordshire ©
A-Listers: Kylie Minogue,
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Max Beasley, Martine McCutcheon Housed in 18th-century stable buildings, Sequoia Spa has ESPA treatments, heated beds, a Finnish sauna, a steam room, a 22-metre indoor swimming pool and relaxation rooms with open fires.
Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort’s Spa Oasis A-Listers: George Clooney, John Travolta, Jennifer Aniston,
Drew Barrymore, Will Smith The Eforea Spa at this glamorous beach resort in Baja California Sur, Mexico says it has “crossed continents to bring you a deluxe array of time-honoured, transcendent and altogether tempting wellness traditions”. With treatments that reflect the phases of the moon, acupressure for chakra realignment and crystal therapy, Eforea is possibly for the more spiritually minded, although their yoghurt and honey bath will satisfy anyone’s inner goddess.
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W ELL N ES S
The Farm at San Benito, The Philippines A-Listers: Woody Harrelson, Chris Martin, Drew Barrymore An eco-resort where celebs can reconnect with nature (the fivestar luxury version). One of the treatments, Mulunggay Therapy, involves smothering the body in pulped bark from native trees.
Vivamayr, Austria A-Listers: The Duchess of York, Tracey Emin, Jessica Alba,
Karl Largerfield This is old-school bootcamp style spa-ing, with Spartan rooms, Epsom salt treatments and stale bread that must be chewed 30 times to aid digestion. Therapies include blood-letting, colonic rrigation, and nasal reflex therapy.
Chewton Glen, Hampshire
The May Fair Hotel, London
A-Listers: Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow
A-Listers: Lady Gaga, Cheryl Cole, Whitney Houston
Helicopters regularly deposit the rich and famous at this New
All the above are said to have used this five star luxury hotel’s In
Forest hotel (pictured above). The Rolling Stones were spotted
Room Spa service. The May Fair Spa itself offers luxurious ESPA
hanging out here last summer, though whether they booked a
treatments as well as Moroccan cleansing rituals.
Linda Meredith facial (favoured by the abovementioned celeb
We Care, Palm Springs
spa-istas) remains unverified.
A-Listers: Gwyneth Paltrow,
The Varsity Hotel and Spa, Cambridge
Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Paris Hilton A holistic detox centre in the middle of the desert, this is hardcore fasting with enemas and a lot of prune juice. We hope the plumbing works well.
flash | Dre ams eature ©F tim e.c om
A-Listers: The Beckhams, Colin Firth, Rachel Weisz, Jeremy Irons This super stylish hotel on the river Cam has a classy celebrity clientele, many of whom have been spotted using The Spa in The Glassworks Health Club. The spa has an array of Elemis treatments, plus an Aveda hair salon, while the health club’s sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi have romantic river views.
Babington House, Somerset A-Listers: Kate Moss, Johnny Depp This countryside offshoot of media members club Soho House Effect. Celebrity sightings are now as common as sheep. As well
Ananda Spa, India
as the swankingly rustic Cowshed Spa, the 18th Century chapel
A-Listers: Heidi Klum,
in the grounds has hosted a plethora of celebrity weddings,
Uma Thurman, Katy Perry (and Single Spy) Ayurvedic therapies include crystal facials and being massaged in hot buttermilk. All food is vegetarian and matched with your dosha. Rooms include saffron baths in sunken tubs.
is responsible for what its local villagers call the Babington
including Fat Boy Slim to Zoe Ball, Sam Taylor Wood to Aaron Johnson, and Eddie Redmayne to Hannah Bagshaw.
Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Australia
The Berkley Health Club and Spa, Knightsbridge, London
A-Listers:: ©
Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, Naomi Watts, Miranda Kerr This spa is part owned by actor Hugh Jackman, and includes therapies such as the Australian Spirit of Sound, where you are massaged with rain sticks while listening to rainforest noises on headphones. ey dr An
A-Listers: Johnny Depp, Helena Christensen
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This famously discreet hotel boasts a small rooftop swimming pool amid a scented garden, a gym overlooking Hyde Park, as well as Bamford Haybarn and Oskia treatments. Head for the trendy Blue Bar for celebrity spotting with cocktails.
SHA Wellness Clinic, Spain A-Listers: Kylie Minogue, Naomi Campbell, Demi Moore Guests are encouraged to sunbathe naked and inhale flavoured oxygen at the world’s only macrobiotic spa, which overlooks the Mediterranean. On an eight-day detox stay, you will drink mushroom tea (not magic, one presumes). Cappuccinos are also available – as enemas.
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G O O D S PAG U I D E. C O. U K
What your therapist won’t tell you Ever wonder what is really going on in the mind of your spa therapist? We convinced one professional to spill all...
I
sometimes think that we therapists should be sworn into the job role with the motto, “No matter what happens behind the scenes, smile and act calm in front of clients”.
People come to spas to relax and feel good, so they expect
an atmosphere that is calm and soothing. In times of panic, a therapist has to hide behind a smile and think on their feet. Several years ago, I was managing a spa in Scotland on an extremely busy Easter weekend. All the therapists were fully booked, every room was occupied, and the spa was running smoothly. We had some VVIPs staying but, as they were attending a black tie dinner nearby, they would not have time to visit the spa. I was secretly quite relieved as we were stretched as it was, and I wouldn’t have been able to accommodate our celeb guests.
Seriously? This was a major Hollywood star, and I had to give him a massage on a broken bed propped up with a book?
Midway into the afternoon, I get a phone call from the general manager. One of the VVIPs, who I shall hereby refer to as Mr X (a good therapist always respects client confidentiality, but if you are a fan of Pirates of the Caribbean you would not have been able to restrain yourself) would like a massage in 30 minutes. Panic! We had no therapists free or treatment rooms available, but there was no way we could turn him down. I was more than happy to roll up my sleeves and do the massage myself, but where? Catching one of my team in the corridor, she said that she had a treatment bed in the boot of her car, but one of the
Five minutes, a few deep breaths and a glass of water later,
legs was broken and stood shorter than the others. I would need
my deception was concealed and my client arrived. Of course,
to strategically place a hardback book to redress the balance.
he asked for a deep massage, which usually I would not have
Seriously? This was a major Hollywood star, and I had to give him
minded. I’m sure there are plenty of ladies (and men) who
a massage on a broken bed propped up with a book!
would be green with envy at the thought of massaging Mr X,
After a quick change (SuperTherapist style) into my therapist’s
but I was more concerned that the broken bed would stand up
uniform, I headed up to Mr X’s room, lugging an unreliable bed
to the pressure. Visions of Mr X crashing to the floor as I pressed
and a basket crammed with towels, oil, candles – plus two bibles
into his latissimus dorsi plagued me.
I had borrowed from housekeeping to prop up the broken leg.
Luckily, nothing so dramatic occurred. The bed held it
On the way, I grabbed a bed sheet as a valance that would
together and so did I, smiling my way through visions of a
hopefully hide the disaster beneath.
potential law suit and embarrassing headlines. Mr X turned
I stood outside the hotel room door ready to knock and
out to be absolutely lovely and down-to-earth, not the usual
realised I was nervous; how on earth was I going to put up
prima donna A-lister at all. He was delighted with his massage,
the bed without Mr X noticing?
especially at such short notice. As he went to take a shower,
Cringing, I took a deep breath and rapped on the door.
I collapsed the bed, and in my relief told the concierge the
It opened, and I was greeted by a big smile from one of the
story as he helped me bring it back to the spa.
hotel’s concierges. Mr X wasn’t back from his stroll around the
Word travelled quickly and soon everyone knew about my
gardens yet. I breathed a huge sigh of relief and set to work
‘incident’. At the managers’ meeting the next morning they
trying to construct the dodgy bed, managing to make it good
all had a chuckle about it. With one eyebrow raised, even the
enough for a Five-Bubble treatment.
General Manager laughed too.
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