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I want to look good
At the Good Spa Guide we strongly believe in inner beauty. We believe in making the most of what you have, staying relaxed to beat the wrinkles and indulging in me-time as often as possible! Saying that, if there are things we can do along the way to improve our outer beauty, who are we to argue?!
Each part of your body poses different challenges in the pursuit of looking good. A treatment menu can sometimes seem a little overwhelming, and how do you know what will work for you? Your therapist will always be on-hand to offer advice, support and information, but here at The Good Spa Guide we like to keep you informed from the comfort of your own home.
Facials for flawless skin
Get divine digits
Scrub your way to luscious limbs
Tone your boobs, bums, thighs and tums!
Whole-body quick-fixes
Get your beauty sleep!
Facials for flawless skin
Few things in the spa world are as highly coveted as a good facial, but which combination of cleanse-tone-moisturise, which massage technique or which special gadget or ingredient can guarantee to leave you fresh-faced and fancy-free?To help you find the best facial, first think of what you're not happy with, and what you're trying to achieve. Would you like your skin to be a bit less dry or less oily? Are you concerned about spots or wrinkles? Lacking a healthy glow?
Most facials won't cure all evils in one attempt, so consider trying a course of your favourite facial to achieve the best results. If you're looking for more immediate results, there are also some specialist facial treatments that you can try before that big night out.
For skin that needs a lift, or wrinkles that need smoothing:
* A galvanic facial uses micro-currents to tone muscles and help cleansing and moisturising products to be absorbed into the skin. Try a course of CACI non-surgical facelifts or a Carita Pro-lift facial– the results will speak for themselves.
* During an oxygen facial your skin is blasted with jets of oxygen. The concept is that the high-pressure oxygen drives vitamins and nutrients into the skin and increases the absorption of moisture. Users can experience instantaneous plumping of the skin and visible reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is worth bearing in mind that the instantaneous plumping is most likely a mild inflammatory response to the high-pressure oxygen application, but the results can last up to 48 hours, making this the perfect treatment for a special occasion.
For skin lacking a healthy glow:
* Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive treatment that removes the very top layer of your skin. Your therapist will use a tool that sprays very fine crystals onto your skin. The crystals loosen the top skin cells, then they are vacuumed off to leave fresh, clean skin. Your skin may look a little red and blotchy straight afterwards, but after a couple of days you'll look perfectly radiant!
* If you think your skin may be too sensitive for microdermabrasion, then a facial that incorporates a gentle enzyme peel is a good alternative. Instead of abrasive particles, your therapist will apply a mask that contains gentle natural acids (AHAs). These peels are available in varying strengths, with some being perfectly suitable for the more sensitive amongst us!
There are facials to suit any skin type and concern, and if you're still not sure, try a prescriptive facial where your therapist will choose a combination of products and techniques she feels best suited to your skin.
Get divine digits
A firm favourite for many-a-year, a manicure or pedicure can perk up your paws and mollify your mitts. There are lots of choices when it comes to your nails -- thousands of colours, endless techniques, massages, rituals and even flesh-eating fish! The Good Spa Spies have picked just a few of their favourite ideas to give you an inkling of the joys that await.
* How about choosing your nail polish from a range of 1,760 different colours? That's a shade for every eventuality!
* Hot stones aren't just for your body and face. Why not try a deliciously indulgent hot-stone hand-massage before your manicure?
* Treat your feet to the ultimate pampering experience with a reflexology massage followed by a buff and polish. Blissful!
* Go for a paraffin-wax pedicure to soothe and soften your feet. Just the thing to make you feel like a queen!
Scrub your way to luscious limbs
A simple and effective way to improve your skin tone is to smooth and buff your skin with a scrub or polish. Combining moisturising oils, gels or creams with exfoliants, these treatments are guaranteed to boost circulation, scrub away dead skin cells and leave you baby-soft and radiant.
From dull skin to shaving rash, pimples to thread veins, we've heard it all. Making the most of your lovely limbs can boost more than your circulation –- it can boost your mood, too!
The Good Spa Spies were happy as Larry with the results of their bespoke ila horse-chestnut wrap at Rockliffe Hall in Country Durham. The exfoliation portion of the treatment left our arms and legs smoother than we could have dreamed. We also noticed a definite improvement in tone and the appearance of cellulite –- we were chuffed to bits!
Tone your boobs, bums, thighs and tums!
If you get into a conversation with pretty much any woman about body image, it's guaranteed that they will attribute the label of "worst feature" to one of these four areas. Women carry additional fat cells in their boobs, bums, thighs and tummies, and that is just the beginning of the battle. Cellulite, dull skin, stretch marks, sagging, lack of tone and a plethora of wobbly bits are just a few of the afflictions placed upon our most troublesome areas.
Luckily for us, the spa world is onto these cheeky regions, and has been busy developing some near-miraculous treatments, lotions, potions and therapies to manoeuvre them into submission. Why not try:
* Mama Mio Bootcamp for Boobs. This glorious treatment promises to boost circulation and plump your skin. The process leaves you with a noticeably firmer, more toned bust.
* Lava-shell tummy-massage. Tiger clamshells are one of the most miraculous spa discoveries of recent years, with amazing thermal qualities that mean they stay hot for ages. By manipulating your back and stomach, this process aligns your core muscles as well as encouraging even the most sluggish digestive system to get moving – a mini-colonic without the intimacy! The results are truly astounding – you’ll have a firmer, flatter stomach for days!
* Champneys offer a fantastic hip and thigh detoxifier, which provides moisturisation, as well as lymphatic drainage and a reduction in the appearance of cellulite. There is a spa god!
* Ionithermie treatments utilise state-of-the-art electronic pulse technology that firms, tones and reduces the appearance of cellulite. Formby Hall in Lancashire has an Iothermie cheek lift treatment just for your derrière– and the results are amazing!
Whole-body quick-fixes
When it comes to whole-body beauty, it's important to remember that your commitment to looking good has to stretch beyond the cool white walls of a spa.
The Universal Contour Wrap and other "slimming" wraps are very much a short-term solution, but do claim to help you lose inches in just a couple of hours. Weight-loss wraps are a fantastic option for a special occasion, and can kick-start a new health regime, giving you the confidence and motivation to keep going and achieve your goals. The results are impressive (even if the procedures themselves are akin to being mummified!) but -- and we cannot stress this enough -- short-lived.
But, remember, you simply aren't going to get thin by lying around wrapped in bandages! (You knew that really anyway, didn't you?)
Another way to help your body remain in tip-top condition is the simple act of having regular massages. Massage helps to relax your muscles, and de-stress your soul but, in addition, the right massage can help with your posture, and help to detoxify your body. A better posture will ensure you are showcasing all you have in the best possible light, and the process of detoxification can help with bloating, dull skin and much more!
The classic Grayshott Spa, Surrey, offers a massage with a twist in their Slim and Sculpt treatment. Unlike a traditional massage, this isn't about relaxation. A thorough, firm and intense massage, the slim and sculpt utilises French massage techniques which aim to accelerate weight loss and physically tone your muscles through the art of manipulation. When the Good Spa Spies tried this treatment they were astounded by the results!
Get your beauty sleep!
Most importantly, you must treat your body with the respect it deserves. Take the stairs to your office instead of the lift, drink plenty of water, take the kids to the park, limit your alcohol intake, give up the fags and think about the food you eat. Do all this, and don't forget the most miraculous cure-all there is –- a good night's rest. Remember the Good Spa Guide motto – "it's always nice to have a bit of a lie down".
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