4 Best Spa Treatments You Need To Indulge In This Monsoon
If you are a skincare maximalist like us and dread the rains for the germs and infections it brings, we super feel you. To get away from the grime and dirt of city life, we decided to take a few leisurely hours off and cocoon ourselves in a sanctuary of peace and relaxation. This, of course, meant discovering the most indulgent monsoon pamper treatments at the best spas in the city to help us reboot and relax. From the ultimate hot stone therapy to a deep cleansing facial, here’s our lowdown of where you should be heading to recharge your energy levels and lend your skin a renewed glow, while the stormy weather continues to persist.
We tried
Monsoon Bliss
Where
SPA by JW at JW Marriott Sahar, Mumbai
What’s that
A hot stone special therapy that soothes those aching muscles by infusing healing heat into your skin. The stones work their magic on major acupressure points, releasing those tight knots, and giving you a heightened sense of relaxation.
Why it’s special
The experience showed us the merits of slowing down and treating ourselves to some much-needed self-care. While the healing properties of the Basalt stones strengthened and improved the flow of circulation, the spa therapist took extra care to seep out every last trace of stored up stress and tension that had built up after a gruelling workweek.
Our experience
You know it’s going to be an indulgence when the first thing you’re asked to do is slip into a silky bathrobe. Once we were super comfy, they started us off with a soothing foot soak in a brass bowl filled with warm water. Next up, was an intense exfoliation process where a scrub was slathered all over our body, neck and shoulders, to remove dead skin and old cells. We could feel our pores breathing again. The scrub quenches even the driest skin leaving it soft, smooth, and supple to the touch. After a shower and quick wash to rinse off the pack, it was time to get ready for a traditional Swedish massage. The therapist continued to work her magic kneading out all that pent-up fatigue, with the aid of hot stones that had an almost sedative effect and helped us drift into a state of blissful comatose. The heat from the stones can penetrate the superficial layers of muscle and influence the body’s internal energy flow. Needless to say, the whole ritual felt incredibly calming, and we noticed our muscles relaxing with every stroke.
– Radhika Sen, Editor (Luxury)
We tried
Grandma’s – Fatigue Fix Pedicure
Where
What’s that
Don’t be fooled by the name, this pedicure is your perfect pick-me-up on a grey, rainy day. With key ingredients like kaolin clay, calamine clay and lemongrass particles, the treatment tones the skin, removes dirt without drying the skin and heals cuts and bruises.
Why it’s special
Imagine being able to Netflix and chill, while submitting yourself to the caring hands of experts who will tediously work on relaxing each and every foot muscle, exfoliate your skin, buff those nails, and slough away the dirt and grime. Wait, there’s more, you can also choose from a selection of desserts (read: cupcakes, cookies, macaroons) while getting massaged from head to toe.
Our experience
In this muddy, unpredictable weather that tends to ruin our feet, we were craving a thorough cleanse. And let’s just say we got the ultimate pamper treatment in the bargain. Our therapist slipped on a pair of gloves before starting the pedicure, safe to establish they are hygiene sticklers just like us. The feet ritual started with a warm foot bath followed by an intense cuticle treatment. To help us unwind, we were given a long head massage while our nails were buffed, filed and shaped. During the exfoliation process, a scrub containing a host of natural ingredient was gently scrubbed all over the legs, paying extra attention to the heels. This was followed by the application of a medicinal mask, which was left undisturbed for a good 15 minutes, to tactfully get rid of any nagging aches and pains. Next, was a luxurious foot massage that sent us into a deep state of relaxation. To top it off, they treated our nails to gel polish, making our feet look as good as new.
– Radhika Sen, Editor (Luxury)
We tried
Moroccanoil Magnifique
Where
What’s that
An hour-long treatment that helps in reviving dull and frizzy hair and giving it a smack-load of nourishment, while cleansing the scalp of impurities.
Why it’s special
Dull and listless hair combined with the absurd moisture levels in the air, doesn’t exactly spell good hair days, does it? Caring for our mane is as important as looking after our skin, is what we gleaned from our hairstylist as she worked her expertise to make sure we had an incredibly relaxing experience. The treatment also helped our hair get a new lease of life, as we left with a fresh scalp and a clean slate.
Our experience
The monsoon hasn’t really been kind to our hair. So, when the hairstylist did a quick inspection before starting the ritual, we knew we were in good hands. A flaky scalp is a common monsoon woe, which is why we decided to go with the Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment which has all the goodness of ingredients like argan oil that helps in revitalising the hair and lends your scalp a fresh feel. This was followed by a rigorous head massage that immediately put us at ease, and before we knew it we have drifted off into a blissful snooze. After that super calming sesh, we headed for a long hair wash. As we sunk into a massage chair, which gently loosened the knots in our back, the hairstylist continued working her magic. We started off with the Moroccanoil Clarifying shampoo which was followed by the Moisture Repair shampoo. While the former helps in clearing the scalp of the pesky impurities like minerals and dust that build up over time, the latter focuses on giving the hair some much-needed nourishment. Although we weren’t quite ready to get out of the massage chair, it was time to put on the Moroccanoil Restorative Mask. Our hairstylist took us through the process as she mixed the mask with the Moroccanoil Treatment which not only acts as a hair styling serum but also as a conditioner. With the pleasant-smelling mask marinating on our hair, we settled down for 10 minutes under the hair steamer to let the argan oil do its work of repairing our hair from root to tip. Another quick wash and we were all set for the final step, which was getting our hair styled. A quick dab of the Moroccanoil Treatment and a blow-dry later, it took tremendous willpower to keep us from caressing our hair because it felt so light and smooth.
–Pratiksha Acharya, Writer (Luxury)
We tried
Immortelle Divine Secret Facial Treatment
Where
What’s that
An intense, hour-long facial treatment that targets ageing skin and smoothens the face by reducing fine lines and wrinkles, a perfect antidote for perking up your skin on a dull monsoon day.
Why it’s special
The humidity of the season can often lead to the skin becoming a breeding ground for dirt and impurities. A facial which refreshes the skin and cleans it inside out is exactly what we needed. Keeping oily secretions at bay, the treatment worked miracles in not just clarifying the skin but also by tightening it.
Our experience
Nothing spells comfort quite like walking into a salon and being offered the softest slippers to slip your feet into after a long day at work, and this was just the start. Soothing music played in the background as we changed into a clean, white robe and had our feet washed with some warm water. Prepped for the facial, we started off with a deep face cleanse as our therapist washed away the impurities nesting on the surface of the skin. The Immortelle Divine Secret treatment focuses on bringing back some zing to the skin once it starts showing signs of ageing. Using products infused with the Immortelle flower and the myrtle shrub, the massage accompanied by the treatment lifted ages off of our skin. What we loved was that extra dose of pampering, as our therapist gave us a soothing shoulder massage that sapped away those stubborn cricks and stiffness from our body. After an hour’s worth of sweet-smelling lotions and serums being slathered all over our skin, we honestly felt like our face had taken a sip from the fountain of youth. Our wrinkles were relaxed and our face felt firmer and smoother.
-Pratiksha Acharya, Writer (Luxury)
