Spa Treat

                                 



                              

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As a late birthday present, I was treated to a Spa day at the Health Club and Spa at St George's Park in Burton Upon Trent by my Cousin, Mum and Aunt. I've been to a good few Spa days and stay overs in the past few years so I tend to be a tad fussy with regards to the facilities etc.

Soon as we arrived at the Spa reception we were greeted and once all the formalities were dealt with, we were seated at the juice bar where you could help yourself to complimentary drinks and snacks throughout the day. (I was impressed with this as all the spas I've been to don't tend to include this added extra)

I was booked onto the Comfort and Harmony package which included a 45 minute treatment out of a selected few and also a light lunch.

The assistant manager (Sarah) greeted us with the welcome ritual...we were given a steamed flannel each and then asked to select one (without knowing which is which) Aromasoul and Tranquility oil which we liked out of the four that were in front of us, the choices being Oriental, Mediterranean, Indian and Arabian.

I chose the Mediterranean essential oil which was a blend of Basil, Bergamot, Star Anise, Oregano, Orange, Lemon and Mandarin (yes quite a variety)!

As I had selected it unknowingly I was surprised that it matched my physical and emotional needs at that point. The blend is known to;

1. Improve circulation and lymphatic flow
2. Relieve headaches and sinus
3. Good for emotional stress and needing to let go

I was then told by Sarah that this oil would be incorporated into any treatments that I was booked on for the day.

As part of the Comfort and Harmony package I was booked onto the 'Comfort Touch Back Massage'. This comprised of a massage focusing on muscular tension and stress on the back, it was quite relaxing indeed. The treatment lasted 45 minutes, this included the preparation, consultation and the treatment itself.

I purchased a Signature Treatment called the 'Energy Fountain' which consisted of a whole body exfoliation followed by being cocooned in warm mineral enriched mud. A tad sticky situation until I showered off the mud, however it was so worth it, my skin was super soft and I was feeling very refreshed!

The treatment lasted 60 minutes, this included the preparation, consultation and the treatment itself.

I would highly recommend the Energy Fountain treatment, I've had a mud wrap before but this one exceeded my expectations.

I would like to say a special thanks to Sarah (Assistant Spa Manager) and Chloe (Massage Therapist).

Facial scrub of the month

                                                

 

So I'm totally loving my Clarins Scrub this month...I've only been using it about once a week for the past 6 months, but I can tell the difference in appearance immediately and my face is soft to the touch.

Ingredients such as Moringa seed extract and Orange extracts help to detoxify and remove dead skin as well as refreshing and reviving the skin.

I used to be a hardcore microdermabrasion fan but having a busy lifestyle whilst looking after my son meant I couldn't go to a salon and have some me time so ladies this is the next best thing for me.

I’ve been playing around with a few scrubs lately and at the moment the Clarins One Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser is on my radar so let’s talk about it together?

Jump!

Although Clarins totes this as a cleanser you’ll want to use it as an exfoliating treatment maybe once or twice a week depending on your skin type. In other words, don’t rely on it as a cleanser for daily use even though it has “cleanser” in the name. If you have oily skin you can probably easily use it daily, but for those with dry skin don’t attempt it as it may end up making your skin even drier.

The product comes in a squeeze tube and contains orange extract which promises to soften skin. The orange extract gives the product a sweet orange scent however, if you’re sensitive to fragrance in your skincare it could prove irritating it really depends on the individual.

The formula is a thick gel cream like consistency with tiny scrubbing grains a lot like the Origins Modern Friction but a little thicker. To use; you simply wet your face and massage a small amount onto your face avoiding the delicate eye area. It’ll slowly work into a lather and you can rinse.

I found the results are instant so my face indeed feels smoother and less dull after a single use. As an exfoliating treatment it proves to be one of the less stripping for my skin. After use I feel a slight tightness on my face but nothing dramatic and nothing that my night time moisturising regime can't cure.

I liked this exfoliater a fair bit and think it’s safe to say it's become a staple in my skincare kit. I’ve been having on and off again love affairs with a good deal of exfoliaters lately and this happens to be at the top of my love list at the moment.

Gold Collagen Facial

Gold facial I hear you exclaim?? Yes ladies ... And gents may I add, I had the pleasure of finally trying the Gold Collagen Facial. Now this facial differs slightly from the Gold leaf facial which contain particles of gold to give you an immediate and fresh glow.

Treating yourself to a facial is not a luxury a lot of us can afford, at-home jobs are definitely the more purse friendly and less time consuming option especially in our busy working lives!

But if you’re going DIY that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on the quality.

Gold and beauty are a match made in heaven….Cleopatra became well identified for her love of the Golden Mask and more recently I’ve read that celebrities choose facials containing real gold flakes in their pursuit for everlasting beauty.  In Japan, it is already one of the hottest skincare trends.  Finally there is an affordable way for the rest of us to acquire the beauty benefits of this valuable and potent metal with the arrival in the UK of the luxurious 24k Gold Collagen Face Masks.

The Mask uses pure mineral gold infused with high-strength natural plant collagen and anti-oxidants including Vitamin E and Rose Essence to encourage collagen and elastin synthesis to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, whilst firming and hydrating the skin for a youthful glow.

I had the opportunity of a lovely therapist coming to my house and applying the mask, all she did was peel the mask from its pack, apply it to my face and I sat back; relaxed and let the mask work its magic.

Here’s the science ……When applied to the skin, the ingredients in the Gold Collagen mask are absorbed into the skin where they instantly begin to form a protective layer against free radicals. They immediately react to the skin’s natural chemistry and help to replace the collagen that decreases with age.  These pioneering masks contain 100% high molecular plant collagen with 24k mineral gold which is absorbed at 10 times the rate of a traditional face mask.

      I was quite impressed as the mask retained its moisture therefore was very comfortable to wear and produced no mess. Here are a couple of pictures of me below - before and during the mask application.

After just 30 minutes my skin looked plumper and felt smoother too - plus I managed to sneak in a cheeky nap. Bonus!

Some benefits of gold on the skin:

• Slows down the skin's collagen depletion and elastic breakdown
• Stimulates cellular regrowth at the basal layer to regenerate
• Combats damaging free radicals
• Stabilizes skin immunity
• Rehydrates skin 
• Improves skin elasticity, thus reducing the appearance of premature aging

 

New year...New me?

Twelve months have passed since I made my resolutions for 2014….Before I make my resolutions for 2015 I want to say how I did with my 2014 resolutions.

2014 has been a tough year for me. There have been highs and lows but I think more highs than lows. I made an effort to go out more and get back in touch with people that I had lost contact with over the years.

I did lose some of my baby weight being a woohooo moment for myself and I got a bit healthier….the latter consisting of me eating fewer chips I guess… hopefully this will continue into 2015.

What now? Well 2014 is over so it is too late to do anything further. Instead it is time to look ahead to 2015 which is the year I turn the big 3-0 !!!!

I am hoping to thoroughly enjoy the last few months of my twenties....So here are my resolutions for 2015.

• Have better self confidence

It would be fair to say that I am my own worst enemy and when I am feeling low I struggle to see my positive points. In the last 12 months I have done some fabulous things but still haven’t believed in myself. In 2015 I need to have more faith and confidence in myself and my beliefs. Predominantly not taking on board negative commentary from individuals and looking at the positives in life.

• Be less anti-social

After my son was born I unknowingly withdrew from socialising. It was damage limitation for myself as I was just mentally and physically exhausted! So in 2015 I need to ensure I get back into the social world!

• Make a difference – to someone or something

This is about me wanting to help others in some way. I am not a world leader, Mother Teresa or anyone important; nonetheless I am sure I can make a difference in some way. This could be raising money for charity or supporting someone going through a difficult time.

• Travel

So ideally I would love to travel abroad in 2015 but at the very least I would like to see more of the UK. Preferably I would love to visit India as it has been 23 years since I had last been so that would be an experience itself. (did I mention it's also an excuse to do lots of shopping)!

•  Stress less

In 2015 I need to build on my coping strategies and not let things get to me as much. I only get stressed because I care about things but sometimes in the words of Frozen just “Let It Go”….

• Eating

Being a self-confessed foodie does not help when you are trying to eat better, I wouldn't say to eat less as I know this is an unattainable goal to set myself, I would envisage eating healthier and not skipping meals.

• Writing

This might seem a bit random but it is on my bucket list to do and I think I would like to do some more writing. I do post on my blog but that is about it and that isn’t on a regular basis either, so definitely an avenue to explore.

So there you have it. My New Year’s Resolutions for 2015. Yes they aren’t predominantly based around weight loss but rather around personal goals and becoming a positive and well-rounded individual. Thank you to everyone who has been part of my life in 2014. It has been a tough year especially for some friends and family but the strength they have shown is a huge inspiration for me. I have also achieved a lot in 2014 with my hair and makeup business, something which I didn't think would take off so well but I proved myself wrong and I'm thoroughly enjoying it, especially meeting some lovely clients. 

So let’s see what challenges 2015 have.