Spa Etiquette
Since spas are usually not part of our normal daily routines, often times we might find asking ourselves what’s right and what’s not during our visit to the spa.
Well, for starters, as soon as you park your car in the lot, reach for your cell phone and turn it off. There is nothing more bothersome than a ringing cell phone blaring Beethoven’s Für Elise while a patron is trying to release their mind of their daily worries and stresses.
We suggest arriving at least an hour early to take advantage of all of the spa’s amenities. Most spas today have a steam rooms (or as our relatives in Britain like to call it, “vapour bathes”), saunas, hot and cold jacuzzis, quiet lounges stacked with current literature, and fruit stands accompanied with iced tea and cold lemon and herb infused water.
Taking a nice warm shower before your massage treatment should relax your body and make sure you’re sanitary for your treatment.
Most prefer a massage while lying nude since towels by and large cover up the body and only the part that is being massaged is exposed. However, if you’re uncomfortable with that, it is perfectly fine to lie down with shorts. Your therapist should not mind. Some massages such as Accupressure, Shiatsu, and Sports Massages can be done while fully clothed.
It is customary to have very minimal talking during your procedure. Often times, the therapist might spark a conversation and ask questions to determine what spots to focus more attention on. If you’re having some tenseness in your shoulders, speak up! It is totally fine to ask the therapist to apply more pressure and concentrate more of his/her attention on that spot.
Some therapists might use scented oils or ointments. If you don’t want any oil or ointments rubbed on your body, it is fine to voice your preference. Afterall, it is your body. If you choose to have lotions applied, take a warm shower after your treatment to rid the body of any oils and walk out refreshed.
After your massage, you’re essentially free. Most spas have an all day allowance with the purchase of a treatment package. You can go back and take full advantage of all of the amenities the spa has to offer.
At the end of the day, a 15% tip is customary.
Holiday Stocking Stuffers – Shopping For The Best
Mac Tinted Lip Glass
Although this is available in a variety of shades and colors – We recommend light pink since it goes well with the smokey eye look and appears lovely with all shades of clothing. It remarkably looks like natural lips by making them look more voluminous and sexy. It comes in a handy bottle and sponge applicator. The 0.17 OZ is available on www.maccosmetics.com for $14.
Estée Lauder All Day Lipstick
This is great for times when she wants to add a little spice to her make up and stand out more. It helps give out that juicy and velvety creamy look. Comes in a variety of colors ranging from Caffe Latte to Spiced Cider. It is available at www.nordstrom.com for $17.50
Revlon® Colorstay™ Eyeliner
Adds drama and definition to the eyes without smearing through its great water proof formula – This is great for bringing out the shape of the eyes and can last up to 16 hours. Available at Walmart for $6.97.
Chanel’s Inimitable Mascara
With a single stroke, it will make eyelashes a shade darker and give it more texture. Available at www.Chanel.com for $30
Dior Blush
This will give the skin some color and make the cheekbones a bit higher. This luxe compact comes with two colors. They have 10 glittering compacts and 3 color units—pink, coral or brown. Available at www.neimanmarcus.com for $39
M•A•C Eye Shadow
With the choice of a stunning 131 colors ranging from Bisque to Coquette to a sexy Steamy, your options are limitless. This eye shadow will help the eye lids match an eccentric blouse. Available at www.nordstrom.com for $14.50
FLOWERBOMB Perfume
by Viktor & Rolf EAU DE PARFUM .24 OZ MINI
It is a floral wave for the senses. Available for $23.95 on www.Amazon.com
M•A•C Pro Eye Makeup Remover
A highly effective makeup remover that takes off everything! Keeping the moist wipes handy in a handbag is also an option
Both are available for $18 at www.Nordstrom.com
Clinique’s Lip Liner
Which woman doesn’t want well rounded lips? This liner gives the lips that shapely and voluminous look. Available for $14 at www.clinique.com
Revlon® Colorstay™ Liquid Liner
Allows one to accentuate the eyes with precision. Makes the eyes stand out and bigger. Available for $7 at Walgreens
A Man’s Guide To Beauty
Crest Whitestrips
Clinique’s facial soap with the convenient dish is a great product to have. Every morning, start the day off right by lathering it over your damp skin to remove dirt and oil. Clinique recommends using it twice a day, once in the morning before shaving and at night to keep your skin in its best condition. Other great facial cleansers include Zirh and Anthony Logistics.
Clinique Face Soap with a convenient dish
Zirh
The main function of a deodorant is to reduce body odor caused by the bacterial breakdown of perspiration. As a rule, antiperspirants are usually applied to the underarms, while deodorants may also be used on other areas in the form of body sprays. This is where Jack Black ‘Pit Boss’ Antiperspirant & Deodorant comes in. It provides enhanced protection from odor and wetness. This gentle formula promises not to irritate the skin.
Having a clean shave can make you feel like a million bucks. Having the right tools for the ultimate shave is an absolute necessity for any man. It’s always great to first stimulate your facial hair by applying a pre shave oil. We recommend trying The Art of Shaving’s Pre-Shave Oil. It relaxes the hair and prepares the skin for a close and comfortable shave. Having a great shaving cream and a pure badger brush will generate a rich lather and open pores to bring ample water to the skin and tenderly exfoliate. Once you’re done shaving, it’s great to apply some after shave balm to moisturize and heal the minor scrapes and blade grazed skin.
The Art of Shaving Pre-Shave Oil - Unscented
The Art of Shaving Fusion™ Chrome Collection Shaving Brush
The Art of Shaving Unscented Shaving Cream
Prada 'Infusion d'Homme' After Shave Balm
Kiehl's Razor Bump Relief
Saving Some Money
Becoming a member of The Skinny will save you up to 75% off of some of their brands. As a bonus, if you invite your friends to join, you’ll get up to 20% off your first purchase! There is a new brand every week and this week’s happens to be International Orange. International Orange is a day spa and yoga studio in San Francisco, CA.
Medical Spas
We recently came across a very interesting and informative column from the Philippine Daily Inquirer business section titled “Why not medical spas?”
Author of the piece Rizalino Navarro brings up very key points and insight pertaining to the health & beauty industry and we think it is a must read for all of us industry people.
Here’s a little excerpt: (Follow the link afterwards to read the full article)
“There are significant differences between spas and medical facilities that influence their marketing, resources, standards and strategies. First, spas are easier to market because they have become a lifestyle. Foreign visitors can easily bundle their trips with an hour of scrub or massage. Second, the foreign client base of hospitals is smaller, about 5 percent, compared to the 30-40 percent of spas. Unlike spas, the bulk of hospital clients originate from countries like the United States and the Micronesian states, Japan, South Korea and the Middle East due to strong cultural affinities or proximity. Third, the mobility barriers—insurance portability, accreditation—currently experienced by medical providers are not yet major issues among spas. Fourth, spas draw their strength from the “healing touch” of massage therapists, mostly high school graduates, especially in the case of destination spas in the provinces. Medical facilities depend on highly skilled graduates of higher educational institutions. Fifth, spas tend to capitalize on our climate and natural endowments.”
Navarro heads the Health and Wellness Task Force under EO 372, Public-Private Task Force on Globally Competitive Service Industries.
Click here to read the full article.
