Pampering Before the Party Season

As a beauty guru, I will always find the time to test out old and new treatments wherever I am in the world. So of course when I left England for a 10 day trip to Thailand, I made sure I tried out what the amazing spa's in Koh Samui had to offer. 

I have had many massages from all over the world from Swedish, traditional, Indian, you name it, I've had it. But I have never had the pleasure of experiencing a traditional Thai massage, facial, and a long steam!

I booked my husband and I in for a traditional Thai massage to soothe our aching bones and relax us before a day in the sun and renewing our wedding vows. 

Lucky for us, The Kala Samui Boutique Resort had a fantastic spa on site called the Agarin Spa (meaning, Where Time Stands Still). 

This gorgeous wall of herb and essential oils drawers was to die for!

For many people a massage is just a massage. But a Thai massage is special! Firstly, you are taken to your treatment room ( I shared mine with my husband, which I thought would be strange but actually wasn't). Then given a traditional loose Thai shirt and fisherman trousers to pop on, which were amazingly comfy and also gave me a little giggle because I looked like a Hobbit. 

I was quite pleased with my little get-up because whenever I receive a massage I am usually asked to undress. But with Thai massages there is no skin to skin contact. 

Thai massages are a series of pulling and stretching techniques which was originated in Thailand. Their influences come from Southeast Asia, India and China however. 

When I originally booked the massages I was told by the Spa that the Thai massage would be too vigorous for me. I allowed them to book me another treatment but once I arrived I decided on the the traditional massage after all and I am pleased I went with my gut instinct as it was amazing!

A Thai massage uses no oils and is a deep, full body massage which you can adjust the intensity. With the use of thumbs and palms, your body is pushed and pulled. Starting from the feet, its aim is to clear the blockages in the body which stimulates the blood flow and lymphatic drainage. 

This also included stretching of my calves and thighs like you do after a long run and I was also sat up and placed in a position to have my back cracked as well. AMAZING!

After this relaxing treatment we were lead to the steam room IN OUR CLOTHES provided and asked to steam for 30 minutes. Now, sitting in one place, without my phone or anything to read or listen to is very difficult for me, but I managed to do it and this was the outcome. 

Happy but a little 'moist'. 

Post steam, we were asked to shower and clean up, then given these little stretchy mesh pants to adorn under our towels. Unfortunately the images of my husband in his see-through, mesh pants had to be censored but I can tell you it was a very funny sight indeed. 

Once we were back on the beds, my husband and I both received the Agarin Spa, Rejuvenating Facial. This was a first for my husband and a long overdue facial for myself.

I can, hands down, say that I have never had a more relaxing facial in my entire life. Several times I dozed off during this hour long facial. It was amazing. 

With a mixture of essential oils and antioxidants, the soothing circular motions of the exfoliating scrubs, I was nodding off repeatedly.

Needless to say, we both came out of the spa feeling entirely rejuvenated, supple, relaxed and ready for our ceremony. 

Here is a photo a few hours later, post massages!

To find a salon or spa near you, so you can enjoy the luxury of a Thai massage and facial without the cost of going to Thailand, then go onto the Hair and Beauty Finder App on your iPhone or Android and contact your local beauty expert. It's just what you need for the lead up to the crazy Christmas season!

  

Inside the World of A Top Beauty Room

Hair and Beauty Finder App is the place to find any beauty related treatment in the country from one little app, but we don't want you to just take our word for it. We want to let you inside the world of our uber talented businesses that are a part of Hair and Beauty Finder. 

Today Ashley, our beauty writer,  had the pleasure of meeting with Sandra Schumacher (not related to Michael, as she jokes) who owns a very well known beauty therapy business. Chic Face and Body Clinic, in the quaint micro city of Ely,  just outside of Cambridge. 

Ashley: Sandra, give us a little lowdown on what Chic Face and Body Clinic do and tell us how long you have been with the Hair and Beauty Finder App?

Sandra:  Chic Face & Body Clinic is a Beauty & Laser Clinic basically offering the client everything from nails, facials, lashes & tanning to Laser Hair removal, I-lipo, CACI Non Surgical Facelift all under one roof.

I have been with Hair & Beauty Finder for a year. We love you because you have all the information, gossip, advice all at the touch of a button.

   

A: Don't make us blush! Chic Face and Body Clinic have a whole lot of beauty brilliance right there!  So how long have you been in the business then?

S: 22 years! 

A: Wow! So you know what you're talking about then! You must really love what you do? What made you decide on the beauty industry then?

S:  I love the Beauty Industry because it is an industry that keeps you on your toes- there is always new treatments/products launching all the time.

A: I can imagine there is always something new, something exciting coming onto the market. With all that you do, you must get so busy! Your therapists are amazing. What do you expect from each therapist?

S:  All of my therapists are NVQ level 3 qualified and have had several years of experience in the industry, so you know that you are going to be given a good quality treatment and expert advice every time.

A: With all of the new advances in beauty, what would you say is your 5 TOP beauty treatments you offer and what do they inolve? 

S: We have so many amazing machines that provide top results that it is hard to choose, but if I were to narrow it down I would start with;

*   CACI Non surgical –  Which rejuvenates facial muscles and skin tone, removing and softening unsightly lines and wrinkles around the eyes, forehead, mouth, cheeks and neck areas. It is an amazing machine and you can see instant results. Top celebrities such as J-Lo and even Madonna use the CACI. 

*  Microdermabrasion – The new exfoliation technology is known as orbital microdermabrasion and uses a unique hand piece that rotates at different speeds on an elliptical axis. A selection of single use, disposable, abrasive treatment tips, coated with a layer if silicon carbide are used to either superficially or deeply exfoliate the epidermis. 

*  I-Lipo – This amazing machine is an intelligent alternative to liposuction. I-lipo is the latest in laser lipolysis, offering you a  way to achieve inch loss and body contouring with no pain, no needles and no down time. A course of 8 treatments is recommended per body area. These treatments should be taken twice a week at regular intervals.

*  Decleor Facials – As one of my favourite brands, Decleor’s holistic approach to beauty combines quality and excellence using 100% pure essential oils with natural plant extracts. Each treatment features a welcoming back massage, and each treatment is tailor made to suit the needs of every individual, whether your skin is dull, pigmented, mature, dry, oily or dehydrated.

*  Laser Hair Removal –This is a very popular treatment! The way it works is, hair contains pigment (melanin) which absorbs the red light projected by the ‘harmony system’. Each pulse of light causes the temperature within the hair shaft and hair follicle to rise, destroying the follicle and rendering it, unable to produce new hair . On average 6-8 treatments at 4-8 week intervals are required so that the treatment targets the hair follicles throughout the growth cycle.

A: All of those treatments sounds amazing. I have tried the CACI and i-Lipo before and they were fantastic! So it is great you are able to offer these! So out of these TOP 5, what would you say are you two FAVOURITE brands and why?

S: I would have to go with the CACI Non-Surgical Facelift and Decleor products.

I love the  CACI Non-Surgical Facelift – because it ticks all my boxes;  its relaxing, gives my face a work out, helps my lines and wrinkles and plumps up my skin! What more can a girl ask for??

I love the Decleor products because they are 100% natural, aromatherapy based and have a wide range for all skin types and ages. A complete package for the face & body.

A: I think I could go for a CACI now after hearing you talk about it! Now aside from all the amazing machines and state of the art gadgets you provide, what would be the single most important thing everyone should do in regards to their beauty routine?

S: MOISTURISE!!!

A:  Phew! I do that, so I'm ok...but I could probably drink a bit more water reckon! Don't look at my dehydration lines! 

Well thank you so very much for taking the time to give us a little insider information on your fabulous beauty clinic. It is truly calming and lovely and I can see why you do so well.  

Check out Chic Face and Body Clinic on the Hair and Beauty Finder app. Simply type in Ely into the search and book your appointment and check up on their great offers over the party season!