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Treatments for special occasions
Whether you're looking for a treat for a birthday or an anniversary, or you just want to pamper yourself silly, there are spa treatments out there that can work minor miracles. Of course, like Cinderella's coach and dress, this spa magic won't last forever. But we've tracked down the body treatments which can fleetingly flatten your stomach or briefly help you lose inches so you can slip into that just-too-tight perfect outfit, and the facials which bestow a glorious ten-years-younger glow.
Fabulous facialsBrilliant body treatments
Eye-spy!
Fabulous facials
Elemis pro-collagen quartz lift facial
Elemis pull out the big guns with their anti-ageing facial which is clinically-proven to, "reduce the number of wrinkles by up to 94% and improve skin firmness by up to 57% after just one treatment". How does this miracle happen? With a scented blizzard of skin-plumping and lifting products, Thai facial-massage moves, pressure-point massage, exfoliation, and not one but two masks! The first, the pro-collagen quartz lift mask, helps boost your skin's firmness and elasticity. The second, the Elemis absolute lifting mask, is a honey and rose absolute gel to nourish and hydrate your skin. The facial finishes with an application of pro-collagen marine cream and a dab of pro-collagen wrinkle smooth to plump out any lines around your eyes and mouth.
Try this facial at Bannatyne Spas throughout the UK, Thornton Hall in the Wirral, and Serenity in the City, Edinburgh.
CACI non-surgical face lift
The CACI (pronounced kay-cee) non-surgical face lift claims to provide a serious results-based facial, without surgery. CACI uses micro-current technology to "re-educate" facial muscles and help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. For best results, a course of CACI facials is recommended, but a one-off should provide a brief lift, too.
Your therapist applies two hand-held "probes" to your face in four different sets of movements. If you have blemished, acne or red skin, CACI uses a blue light attachment which is said to have a deep anti-bacterial and calming effect. For skin which is scarred, a red light attachment aims to stimulate cell renewal. Essentially, you lie there, eyes closed, as your therapist strokes the probes across your face for 50 minutes! You may experience a slight metallic taste in your mouth during the facial or see flashing lights; it's a completely pain-free experience, however.
Our Spy was amazed at how soft her skin felt afterwards, and surprised that her skin also felt "tight", as if it was contracting for a few hours afterwards. And the results? Despite a very late night the evening before, her skin glowed.
Try this facial at many spas throughout the UK, including the Aqua Sculpture Day Spa in Hammersmith, Savannah Beauty Centre and Day Spa in Glasgow, Bodysgallen in North Wales, and Champneys in Brighton.
Lush
A special occasion gets even more special once you feel great about yourself, so indulge in some self-affirmation with a Lush validation facial. From the moment you step into Lush's cosy country-kitchen-style spa area, you know you're in for a treat -- and a treat that's utterly unlike anything else you've experienced. The Lush bespoke facial takes you into a magical word of sea shanties, dry ice, fruit and flower scents, seemingly endless facial massage, and a real sense of delight at the close, guaranteed to leave you positively skipping out of the spa.
Try this facial at Lush Spa, London.
Brilliant body treatments
Instant skinny-minny
Possibly the treatment that coined the phrase "you must suffer to be beautiful", the Universal Contour Wrap is no walk in the park. However, unlike almost every other inch-loss wrap out there, the Universal Contour Wrap doesn't work through dehydration. The sad truth with most wraps is that yes, you may lose inches, but the moment you drink water, there the inches are again. With the Universal Contour Wrap, the loss is guaranteed to stay off for at least 30 days, if you follow a set of instructions that includes not bathing for a few days!
The Universal Contour Wrap works by using bandages which have been soaked in a mineral-rich clay solution. The solution will "soak into your skin, drawing out toxins". It takes around 45 minutes to be measured (so you can compare before and afterwards) and to be tightly wrapped in the bandages. This is no treatment for the shy; you stand, naked but for a pair of spa paper pants, as your therapist turns you into a mummy! Then, you lie on a couch for an hour as the bandages dry and tighten. It's a little claustrophobic and certainly not particularly relaxing, but you will notice short-term inch loss, which makes this procedure perfect for a special occasion.
Try the Universal Contour Wrap at K Spa in Shepherds Bush, Portland Hall Spa in Southport, and Goodwood Hotel and Spa in Chichester, as well as many other places.
Silky-smooth shimmering skin
The perfect treatment for a hot date or any time you're planning to wear a skin-revealing outfit! The spa heaven cocoon at Champneys is an all-over exfoliation, with a super-moisturising wrap, finishing with massage and application of glistening oil which gives your skin a gorgeous shimmer. While your body is wrapped up, you won't get bored, as you'll get a scalp and foot massage, too, leaving you feeling pampered from top to toe. Ask for a non-oil head massage if you don't want to leave with oily hair. You can pick from three scents: oriental, Thai royal or exotic.
Try the Spa Heaven Cocoon at all Champneys Town and City spas, as well as Forest Mere, Henlow and Tring resorts.
Flat tummy pamper-fest
One of the Spies' favourite treatments, the lava shell massage, has a rather nifty tummy massage element which, miraculously, can help you have a flatter tummy for a day or so. The theory is that your core muscles wrap all the way around your body, so if your back is massaged, then your front should be, too, to engage the muscles. Massaging the tummy in a clockwise motion also gives a "natural colonic" which should kick any sluggish colons into action and, ahem, give your system a good clear-out.
Finally, the lava shell tummy massage ends with an Asian technique, the pelvic-floor lift, which apparently works in the same way as a session on a toning table!
Try the lava-shell massage at a wide range of spas including Urban Retreat at Harrods, Calcot Manor, Bannatyne Spas and The Grove.
Eye-spy!
Lash Perfect
Just as a spray tan or manicure can add instant glamour and give you a bit of a lift, lashes can really change your look, too. Lash Perfect use glue that has an EEC ISO number, which means that the adhesive that they use is not only incredibly safe, but of surgical grade. The application process is fairly painless, so just lie back and relax. A full set will take around 90 minutes to apply and a half set, 60 minutes.
The lashes will last as long as your natural lashes last - around a month. If you have pale lashes, you'll need to get them tinted beforehand. Eyelash extensions don't have to be fake-looking; we tried Lash Perfect who created a totally natural look, but for days afterwards, friends kept asking if we'd had a haircut, or a facial... or a holiday?! Addictive.
Try Lash Perfect at all Bannatyne Spas, Lansdowne Place in Hove, the Old Hall Country Club Spa in Cheshire and the Alton Towers Spa.
See also:
* Choosing the right anti-ageing spa treatments
* Spa treatments for when you want to try something different
* Is there a limit to the number of spa treatments you should have in one day?
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