Relaxation central
A rather vain friend of mine regards the coming of the holidays as another time for a Botox shot. “Christmas is just so stressful that I’m sure to get wrinkles so I might as well load up on the Botox!” she says. For most individuals, this season usually proves to be one of the most stressful times of the year. The endless Christmas lists that have to be crossed off, the sloth-paced traffic and all the must-attend dinner parties (or my friends will kill me) all take a toll on one’s well-being. It’s no surprise that a lot of people end up needing to detox, Botox or both — or else taking that long-awaited post-Christmas break.
If you are like most people who can take that extra vacation time to relax after the holidays, then one great alternative is to treat yourself to a wonderful spa treatment. Being quite the spa addict, I’ve tried a great number of spas. Some totally impress and some absolutely disappoint. Here are a couple of personal tips I’ve mapped out which I hope will help you choose the spa and the treatment that’s right for you.
Choosing the right spa
In choosing a skincare spa, it’s good to go by word-of-mouth or by reputation. Try to find a friend or someone whose opinion you can trust about recommending a spa. Otherwise, if the spa is established enough, check out its website and check if it has won any awards or accreditations. Do some Googling and check out spa organizations or publications that may have listed the spa that you would like to check out.
The Treatments
Since going to the spa can be quite expensive and time-consuming, picking the treatment that’s just right for you is very important. Most spa menus can be as extensive as a Michelin star-rated French restaurant’s wine list: it can be very overwhelming.
Type of Treatment
You should ask yourself why you want to have the treatment. Do you want to untie that stubborn knot in your back? Do you just want to relax? If the relief of body ache is your goal, then a deep-tissue or therapeutic massage is probably right for you. If relaxation’s your goal then go for some mild pressure aromatherapy. If you feel that your facial and body needs some buffing, then go for a facial and some body exfoliation.
Therapists
Choosing whether you’d like to have a male or female therapist is a matter of personal preference. Most spas offer female therapists but there are now a growing number of spas that offer you a choice. If I have a body massage, I usually request for a male therapist since I like the pressure to be hard; it is usually the case with male therapists because they have stronger hands. If I’m going to have a facial, the usually delicate fingers of female therapists are preferred.
While having a treatment, there are fewer things more annoying than a chatty therapist. There are certain therapists who for some reason just want to know your life story or provide you with the latest gossip in town. Refusing to respond to them or pretending you’re asleep is usually enough to keep them quiet. However, if this still does not work, just go right ahead and tell them to please keep their mouths shut — in a polite and diplomatic manner, of course.
Ambience
I believe that one of the major reasons for heading to the spa is to feel relaxed and comfortable. There have been many times when I found the music in most spas to be either inappropriate or too loud. There was even an when they played Barbra Streisand while I was having my massage and the masseuse just decided to make my treatment a karaoke session — I, of course, immediately told her to please stop. I personally like Barbra but her high notes are just not conducive to getting into that peaceful spa trance. If you are in a private climate-controlled environment then the temperature should be suited to your comfort. If you find it too cold or too warm, then by all means ask your therapist to do something about it.
Oh, and one more note: the disposable underwear that some spas offer you to wear during a treatment is absolutely optional. I have nothing against them but I find wearing them as a guy quite funny, and personally, I find them rather uncomfortable. It’s usually de rigueur to have your treatment in the buff.
TOP TWO
There are two skincare spas that I regularly frequent in the city — Dermalogica and Clarins. Both are located at the fifth floor of Rustan’s
Dermalogica
Dermalogica is a skincare brand that was founded 20 years ago. Their philosophy is founded on this premise: “Good skin care is not about pampering or luxury… Consumers want results, not frilly packaging or overblown hype.”
Naturally, the spa uses only Dermalogica products. What I love about Dermalogica is their commitment to using formulations that contain as few artificial ingredients as possible.
Prior to a facial treatment, Dermalogica performs their patented face mapping. This procedure maps your face into 14 distinct zone areas, each with its own specific concerns and needs. This makes their treatment more effective as specific products are used to treat particular concerns for that zone.
Institut Clarins
I had my first-ever facial at a Clarins institute when I was still living in
Clarins uses products that focus on the use of natural botanicals. They do not use any cellular extracts of animal origin. Their principle of combining this with the hands results in an exhilarating experience. The testing of their spa methodologies on a regular basis ensures that every treatment they offer has been proven to give the best results.
One factor I always remember about a Clarins experience is the scent of their products. It’s a light and invigorating scent that instantly puts me in the mood for a fantastic spa session.
Cheers!
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Dermalogica Spa and The Clarins Skin Center are both located at the fifth floor of The Rustan’s Department Store in
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E-mail me at djmontano@pacific.net.ph.
