When it comes to our beauty regime we’re all about results these days which begs the question; where has all the pampering gone? Our editorial director Liz Hambleton sets off to find out…
Like everything else in life, our beauty regime has been forced to be condensed, speeded up and made to multi-task. If we can’t do it in under 30 minutes then we’re not interested. Taking the time out to indulge in anything longer than a brow tint or half a head of highlights seems so very frivolous doesn’t it? According to Rachel Burke, Spa Manager at the luxurious Espa Life At The Corinthia London we’re missing a serious trick because pampering has moved on. ‘Modern pampering is just as much about results as it is relaxation with treatments offering a holistic approach to physical and mental well being,’ she explains. ‘We call them lifestyle treatments.’ I’m lucky enough to get to try one of ESPA’s most luxurious offerings , the pure indulgence body ritual, a two hour extravaganza of modern pampering to find out exactly what Rachel is talking about. All in the name of research you understand…
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1 It's all about you
Pampering is nothing without personalisation. If it’s not bespoke and tailored to your individual requirements then it’s not pampering. Fact. ‘Every aspect of this ritual is based on how you’re feeling, what you want to achieve and what your mind and body need at that particular moment,’ explains Rachel. First, I’m asked to inhale two equally dreamy aromatic Espa oils and select the one that most appeals. I’m drawn to the uplifting, ‘detoxifying’ option as i’m feeling tired and sluggish that day. ‘The oil you select tells us what your body needs, from this we can then work out the kind of massage we should use, as well as the type of clay your system would best respond to during the body wrap.’ Even the position of the bed can be personalised allowing your body to melt into it just that little bit more…
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2 One treatment does not a pampering ritual make
This two hour ritual is a triple, actually make that quadruple whammy of treatments. It kicks off with a stimulating full body exfoliation with dry body brushing followed by a powerfully polishing spearmint scrub. At this stage my skin and mind are already thanking me for bringing them to this happy, happy place. After the scrub is removed i’m covered in the clay mask my therapist selected for me based on my choice of body oil. ‘We’ve gone for a marine algae wrap, which is highly detoxifying and will help to eliminate those feelings of sluggishness you have today, this will really get your system going,’ says Rachel. Wrapped in a plastic blanket and covered in towels i’m left to sweat it out as the heat of the bed amplifies the effects of the mask. When I say left, what I actually mean is that i’m treated to yet another treatment (!) a blissful cleansing scalp massage to aid relaxation and release tension. As if i’m not relaxed enough! And we haven’t got to the best bit yet – the personalised body massage…
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3 Why have a massage when you could have a massage synergy?
Why is it always so damn hard to switch off when you're having a massage? Well in this ritual, after a full hour of unwinding, your mind and body, like mine, will have already to turned to mush by the time you get to the massage bit. ‘The beauty of finishing with the massage is that you’re so much more receptive to the effects of the massage at this stage. . Your body is right where we need to it to be,’ says Rachel. ‘We use what we like to call a synergy of massage, which is a 360 degree approach to relaxing and releasing the muscles. A light, stimulating massage kicks things off and this is followed by a deep tissue technique (pressure personalised to your preferences naturally) that encourages deep rooted tension to melt away. Blissful doesn’t even come close to describe how you’ll feel.
Image credits: stocksy
FAQs
What is included in the Pure Indulgence Body Ritual at ESPA?
The Pure Indulgence Body Ritual is a two-hour treatment combining four distinct experiences. You receive a full body exfoliation, a polishing spearmint scrub, a personalised marine algae body wrap, a cleansing scalp massage and a personalised body massage, all tailored to your needs.
How is your treatment personalised during the ESPA pampering ritual?
Every aspect of the ritual is customised based on how you feel and what your mind and body need that day. The therapist asks you to choose from aromatic Espa oils, and your choice influences the massage type and clay used for your body wrap, even down to the position of the treatment bed.
How does the body wrap work in the pampering ritual?
After your chosen scrub is removed, you receive a marine algae wrap selected according to your oil preference. The wrap is highly detoxifying and helps eliminate feelings of sluggishness while the heated bed enhances its effects for greater results.
Why does the ritual include multiple treatments back-to-back?
Multiple treatments create a holistic approach that targets both physical and mental relaxation. Exfoliation and a scalp massage leave you deeply unwound before the final massage, making your body more receptive to tension release and intensifying the benefits of the experience.
What is a massage synergy, and why is it unique?
A massage synergy is a 360-degree approach that combines light, stimulating massage with personalised deep tissue techniques. Starting with relaxation treatments enhances your receptivity, allowing deep-rooted muscle tension to melt away for a more powerful result.