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Float On: Bella Spends an Hour in an Isolation Tank

BellaSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:00:57 -0800

Claustrophobics beware: this story is not for you. Everyone else, welcome to my float-tank adventure. If you've never heard of floating, the idea is pretty simple. A windowless plastic tank is filled with 800 pounds of Epsom salt dissolved in about 10 inches of water. You crawl into the tank through a hatch, then float on your back in complete silence and darkness. The theory is that after about 40 minutes, your brain shifts into theta waves, bringing you to another plane of relaxation and clarity. That sounded good to me, so I booked an hour-long appointment and got ready to float. For the scoop on how it went, keep reading.

Have You Ever Had A Bad Spa Experience?

BellaSugarUK — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Last week during London Spa week I went for a two-for-one massage with Mr. Bella. However, when I got there, only one masseuse was available. Since I frequent the spa quite often, I decided to go for a facial instead. I was dressed in my robe and very excited for my pores to be cleaned out and get my skin nice and glowing, but the result was anything but pretty.

As the facialist applied my masque, she didn't skip the lip area as recommended. The masque tingled a bit and once it she wiped it off, my face began to itch.

When I left, I immediately took a shower and applied a cream intended to soothe. The next day however, I noticed that my lips and chin were peeling. For the past week and a half I've been walking around with chap stick and was lucky enough to discover a pot of LanoLip in a drawer (it contains medical grade lanolin) and that's been helping repair the cracks.

Do you have any treatments gone bad that you'd care to share in a comment below?

How Old Were You When You First Went to the Spa?

BellaSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:01:11 -0700

The most recent story focusing on girls heading to the beauty parlor at younger and younger ages comes to us today from Lebanon, where requests for chocolate facials and purple manicures are becoming the norm. "It's not about spoiling our children," Maya Hilal, owner of Beirut's Spa-Tacular, told the AFP. "It's a matter of maintaining their cleanliness. It's hygiene. It's feeling good about yourself," she added. In another Lebanese salon across town, the clientele, some as young as four, get blue and pink manicures in the colorfully decorated setting, all while wearing their pink robes and glittery eye shadow. But how young is too young? While I dabbled with toy makeup and kiddy nail polish in my youth, I didn't have my first true spa experience until well into my twenties. What about you?

Fresh Makes Your Spa Dollars Go Farther

BellaSugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:01:18 -0700

The rough economy means that spa-goers are spending less money on their pampering routines. So if you do decide to splurge on a facial, you might as well get your money's worth. That's quite easy to do if you get the hookup at Fresh, where you can sign up for a spa treatment and receive the cost of the service in store credit. So if you spend $125 on a 60-minute facial, you can scoop up $125 in whichever products you like - which makes your dollars go farther than they might at a traditional spa. That program is in place in two New York and London stores with dedicated spa areas offering face, body, and makeup treatments.

But wait, there's more - and it's free. Fresh shops in other cities (locations here) offer the ReFresh Spa Express, which offers complimentary minitreatments; they also occasionally have special days that feature free half-hour facials. And don't miss the Fresh spa days going on at Neiman Marcus this month - this events page has details on complimentary 30-minute facials happening at stores around the country. I've signed up for a facial at the San Francisco Fresh store's next event on Aug. 27, so follow my Twitter to find out how it goes.

Little Black Book: Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa

BellaSugarUK — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 04:00:00 -0700

In the French village of Martillac, just eight miles from Bordeaux, lies a charming white-washed country chateau amidst acres upon acres of grape vineyards called The Sources de Caudalie. The hotel boasts 49 guest rooms, two restaurants and an incredible Vinothérapie Spa that incorporates actual grapes, vines, seeds and local spring water in their treatments.

Caudalìe launched in 1993 by a young couple, Bertrand and Mathilde Thomas who were passionate about starting a beauty brand. In a Bordeaux vineyard, they met pharmacy professor Dr. Vercauteren who revealed that grape seed oil is 10,000 times more powerful at fighting off free radicals than Vitamin E. Since it had already been established that free radicals are what causes premature signs of aging, the three got together to develop Caudalie.

Today, Caudalie has over 30 products in their range to help heal, soothe, smooth, de-wrinkle, firm, cleanse, tone, exfoliate and tan the skin. This is the first vinothérapie spa and the setting can't be beat. I got a facial and a massage and not only did I love the scent of each of the grape-infused products, but my skin looked instantly glowy and renewed. I didn't buy anything to take home, but, I did receive samples. I love this concept because now I can spend some time with the products before committing to buying anything. If you ever fancy a little wine and a relaxation, vinotherapy is the ultimate indulgence.

For more photos of the spa, Caudalie products and the hotel grounds, just read more.

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Have You Ever Been to a Nude Spa or Beach?

BellaSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:01:39 -0700

Here in Northern California, there are ample opportunities to let it all hang out - from nude spas and beaches to hot springs that allow you to go au naturel. But are you a scaredy cat when it comes to disrobing in public?

Recently, I had to the chance to visit a "clothing-optional" hot springs village, and although I couldn't make the trip, my friends that dared to bare said it was refreshing to be around people comfortable in their own skin - scars, hair, and bumps included. Most of you don't enjoy showering in public, but when it comes to the relaxing atmosphere of a spa and/or beach, is there comfort in numbers, or is your outlook unchanged?

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Cool Idea: Old Windows as a Room Divider

CasaSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 05:30:56 -0700

I recently showed you a few ways to decorate with old windows, and I've seen another instance that I just had to share. I stumbled across the Le Créme Spa in San Francisco, and was charmed by its shabby chic interior design. Here, the salon hung an arrangement of five white windows from the ceiling to separate the front desk from a bench used for pedicures. It instantly divides the room into two separate spaces visually, but the glass panels still allow the beautiful natural light to shine through. You can easily and affordably replicate this trick in your home, by simply repurposing old windows from your house or tracking some down at a salvage shop.

Relax Already: Get a $50 Full-Service Spa Treatment

FitSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:35:00 -0700

Spa Week could not have come at a better time. My sore muscles have been screaming for a soothing massage, but I've been trying to spend less, which means cutting back on unnecessary expenses. It's tough to justify spending the cost of a new pair of running shoes on a 60-minute treatment , but spa week offers the opportunity to recession proof your relaxation needs and wants.

From April 13-19, spas around the country are presenting various full-length treatments for $50. Whether you're in need of a little pampering TLC or could use a treatment that works out your stress-induced kinks, take advantage of the awesome opportunity to book an appointment without the guilt. There are 550 participating spas, so take a peek at the Spa Week website to find a spot near you.

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Your Frequently Asked Massage Questions... Answered!

BellaSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 08:00:12 -0700

There's no question that getting a massage is one of the most relaxing ways to spend an hour. But if you've never had a massage before, you probably have some questions about what to expect. Fortunately, Rianon Cepriano, Spa Therapy Supervisor of The Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay can help clear things up. To find out what to wear to a massage, what kind of massage to request, and why to have a massage in the first place, read more.

Why should I have a massage?
"Stress relief, number one," Cepriano says. And along with the relaxation benefits, there are health benefits, too. "It increases circulation, skin tone, and focuses your attention," she adds.

What kind of massage should I have?
"Shiatsu and Thai are wonderful, but for the first time, go with Swedish," Cepriano says. "Swedish massage features very long, flowing strokes. It's more for relaxation."

Should I wear underpants during the massage or not?
That one's up to you. "It makes our job easier without underwear," Cepriano says. "But we can work around it."

Can I request a male or female massage therapist?
Absolutely - just make the request when you make your reservation. "We make it a point to match clients with someone they prefer," Cepriano explains.

How much pressure should I ask for?
"Tell the massage therapist that you want light to moderate pressure," Cepriano advises. "You can always ask him or her to adjust the pressure."

What should I do after the massage?
Drink water - and a lot of it. "Massages release toxins that were trapped in your muscle fibers," Cepriano says. Flushing them out requires lots of hydration.

Should Spas Lower Their Prices?

BellaSugarUK — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 02:00:00 -0700

Once upon a time, spas used to be a therapeutic haven for the tired, stressed, (sure OK) and spoiled, but they were simple ways to indulge the mind and body in a little relaxation.

However, over the past decade or so, they have become a playground for those only who can afford extravagance. Long gone are the days of a reasonably priced manicure, pedicure or even a shoulder massage. Now it's all bout pomp, atmosphere and over the top treatments like live flesh eating fish as a form of exfoliation or 24-carat gold facials.

I for one would love to see price-points at spas go back to a more affordable level so that treating yourself, even during a credit crunch, isn't something that will put you into debt. What are your thoughts on the price levels of spa treatments in this economy?

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