Web Only: Five Great Beauty Experiences

Only one way to beat winter... head to the spa for a spot of pampering. We find five beauty treatments to beat.

Words: Tracey Strange 

1. Kerastase Hair Ritual

What is it?: If you haven’t already cottoned on, hair spas have become big beauty news. And with good reason; like facials for the hair, Kerastase deep-conditioning rituals can leave you feeling better mind, body and soul. Available thoughout the country, they aren’t necessarily cheap for the full experience (which includes a sumptuous head massage, and blow-wave to finish) but they are worth every cent. The results – good hair days - last for weeks and are essential if you have problems with dryness, unruliness or lack of shine. If you have problem hair, I’d consider one a month to be an essential beauty investment.

Find it at: Kerastase salons nationwide

2. Red and Blue Light Therapy

What is it? Light therapy was discovered by scientists working at the Patterson Institute for Cancer Research. They were testing topical melanoma drugs on the skin by blasting them with different light frequencies; what they found was that the efficacy of the drugs didn’t improve but the texture of the skin treated did. Now, blue and red light therapy is common in beauty therapy and is considered highly effective. Blue light kills bacteria, making it useful in the treatment of acne, red light stimulates collagen production, minimizing fine lines and helping the skin to heal itself. Facials that combine red light with deep exfoliation (microdermabrasion or a glycolic peel) and sonophoresis, which uses sound waves to help nourishing vitamins (A and C) penetrate deeply within the skin, are wonder-workers when it comes to giving the skin an anti-ageing boost.

Find it at: bigger-city salons

3. Vegan Manicure or Pedicure

What is it?: What, you might ask, is a vegan manicure? It’s actually not much different to a normal pedicure except that the products used – LA-based SpaRitual – are made from all-natural ingredients and exclude all animal by-products, even honey, so if you are ultra-environmentally conscious you can sleep easy. But what makes these treatments – at Auckland and Wellington’s East Day Spas – extra special is the attention to detail and efficacy. Hands and feet feel pampered to the extreme. I had a manicure that lasted for almost 10 days, a record in my book. If you want to spend money on a manicure, this is one of the best.

Find it at: East Day Spas

4. Pure Fiji Exotic Spa Ritual 

What is it? Oh! The hedonism! A Pure Fiji spa ritual involves being stroked with a natural-bristle brush and includes a hot-stone massage and deep skin moisturization with scented oils. The ultimate tropical beauty experience, pure pampering doesn’t come any better than this. Pure Fiji products are made in the islands (so you can feel good about contributing to a depressed economy) and are made out of divine-smelling ingredients such as frangipani, starfruit and coconut. If you can’t afford a winter island holiday, this has to come second on the list.

Find it at: Beauty-therapy salons stocking Pure Fiji

5. Illcsi Before Event Facial

What is it?: If you are after a ‘quick fix’ before a big event – a special birthday, jet-set holiday or family wedding, for example – this is the treatment to have. Illcsi (pronounced ill-chay) is an all-natural Hungarian brand that’s currently gaining a great deal of respect within the beauty industry. This facial is based on a simple ingredient – paprika, the capsicum content of which stimulates blood flow and exfoliates the skin, leaving it buffed and younger-looking. The paprika, in the form of a mask, feels unusual on the skin – it’s slightly irritating (don’t worry, all part of the process) and, while it’s on, feels prickly and warm (imagine chilli on the tongue). But the results are impressive.

Find it: At Illcsi salons nationwide