Mind, Body and Soul

Fancy a little pampering? Check out the latest spa treatments.

Words: Lucy Ewen

Body

Vanilla oil massaged over the body with hot rocks in both gentle and firmer strokes is a ritual that leads to a state of total relaxation.

If you’re cold, tired or stressed, a Pure Fiji Exotic Hot Stone Ritual, from $150, can’t be beaten. From Pure Fiji stockists nationwide.

At Essence Day Spa a few days later, the Coffee and Sea Kelp Scrub Uspa Infusion Wrap, $120, was another indulgence. My entire body was gently exfoliated and massaged. Wrapped in linen and feeling slightly mummified, I was given a facial then unwrapped and led into a hot shower. This was followed by full-body moisturizing. After the treatment my skin felt soft and nourished.

Possibly the most relaxing treatment I’ve had, it was a total escape from the daily grind.

Essence Day Spa, phone (09) 445 1042

Feet

I loved the Tropical Pedicure at N Bar in Epsom, $70. My feet were soaked, cleaned, massaged and exfoliated from toe to knee with sugar scrub. Tropical lotions were then applied and left to soak in before more massage.

Imported from New York, N Bar’s array of Essie nail polishes made my colour choice difficult. With the end of the jandal season, vibrant colours such as orange and red are reminders of summer.

N Bar, phone (09) 638 5091

Hands

I headed to Servilles Spa for their Finger Food treatment, $120 – a much-needed hand-pampering session. After moisturizing, soaking, massaging, filing and buffing, each hand was dipped into a bag of warm paraffin wax to soften and hydrate the skin. Some final cuticle work and my nails were painted a delicate pink.

Servilles Spa, phone (09) 309 9086

Eyes

Next I visited East Day Spa for their For Your Eyes Only treatment, $80. I was first treated to Kady Vasty, $60 for 30 minutes, a traditional Indian neck, shoulder and back massage to eliminate stress. Having several treatments at one time makes the pampering experience even more special. I chose the invigorating lime and ginger massage oil which left my body tingling and relaxed for part two.

With total precision, my lashes were coated with perming fluid and tinted chocolate brown, achieving the perfect curl and colour – no mascara needed for four to six weeks. The final treatment was an eyebrow wax that left my brows looking tidy but natural.

East Day Spa, phone (09) 363 7050

Hair

The revolutionary Kerastase Pixelist Ritual, starting at $30, is a lavish treatment for coloured hair. Inspired by fibre optics, breakthrough technologies intensify hair shine, seal in colour for longer and repair deep-seated damage. Delicious fragrances, tranquil surroundings and a generous scalp massage added up to complete bliss. Finished with a blow-wave, my dull locks became silky smooth.

Available at all Kerastase salons.

Tan

It had to happen at some point. Nudity. Well, partial nudity – you do get a paper G string. Regardless, the Air Brush Tan, $68, at Equipoise Spa in Auckland’s Jervois Road is painless, efficient and gives natural-looking results. Standing before a screen with my arms extended, I was sprayed front and back. How dark you go is up to you.

I opted for noticeable but natural. The tan lasts for up to five days as long as you keep moisturizing. 

Equipoise Spa, phone (09) 378 9696

Face

Spend $90 on products at the Bobbi Brown counter and they’ll add a complimentary skincare and make-up consultation. In a session with make-up artist Kate Smith on the Bobbi Brown philosophy (it’s all about what makes you feel best, inside and out),

I learned the key factors for winter beauty – keep the complexion fresh and dewy looking, discover the benefits of under-eye concealer and don’t be afraid of blusher, cream or powder.

The Murad Hydrating Facial at Caci Medispa, $98, is specially designed to nourish dry and devitalized skin with the richest of products. After this my skin felt soft and supple and my mind liberated and refreshed.

Caci Medispa, Meadowbank, phone (09) 524 7486

Try a Clarins Pro Facial Treatment at Face Facts using ProIntensive Plus Formula products reserved for the expert hands of Clarins therapists. Each of the hydrating, purifying, anti-aging or super-restorative treatments is personalized to promote radiance and well-being and to improve overall blood circulation. Face Facts, phone (09) 524 2354

Caci Medispa also does an award-winning Non- Surgical Facelift Treatment, $110, delivering skin-toning micro-currents with four cotton-tipped probes. The painless, non-invasive process massages and recharges facial muscles to restore firmness, tone and help eliminate fine lines. Collagen and elastin production are also increased to rejuvenate skin.

Special Occasion

The Ilcsi AHA Spicy Organic Facial, $130, at Auckland’s The Beauty Connection is quite possibly the most effective facial treatment I’ve had. This facial is popular with celebrities before red-carpet events and I can see why. The key to the treatment is an exfoliating mask made from hot paprika which feels terribly tingly on your skin but certainly does the job. Once this is washed off, a red-rose mask is applied and finished with a cooling formula. Skin looks fresh and glowing with health.

The Beauty Connection, phone (09) 520 6948