WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE DAY SPA

Day spa treatments are high on my wish list. Once you start it’s hard to stop and now that winter is well and truly here I’m in need of some help.Help for my skin and for my toast addiction. I’m living in carb city eating toast like my life depends on it!

We are  very fortunate to have ducted heating in our home which keeps us all cosy and toasty warm (toast on my brain!) but also sucks the moisture from my skin. It’s tired and flaky and much more wrinklier than ever! It’s not just the heating that sucks me dry it’s also my medication, those wild winds and my aversion to drinking litres of water in winter because, Nana bladder! Oh and I’m pretty bloody lazy in the skincare routine department.

Yeah, the skin gods can be all sucky too! There’s my hyper pigmentation, blocked pores and just general ‘bleh’ skin stuff. Sure there’s some basics I can do at home like get more sleep, drink more water, wash off ALL my makeup, and steer clear of that ‘oh so warm’ blasting heating. But my skin was in desperado territory, it needed more!

Well last week the skin gods smiled on me and I was lucky enough to be treated to a day spa session at ‘Endota Spa at Henley Beach’. It might be cold and wild outside but it was cosy and very, very zen inside Endota. Thankyou skin gods!

I’ll admit that while I’m a massive fan of spa treatments I actually hadn’t indulged since March when I was in Bali, but after my hot stone massage and organic facial last week I have now vowed to make some beauty room skin care a monthly priority. I might have to juggle the budget but I’m determined to stick to my beauty vow.

Some of you told me you’ve never had a day spa treatment and that you feel kinda weird about the fancy pants rituals. I get it, ‘what you don’t know you don’t know’ and new stuff can feel intimidating.

I mean do you get nude when they hand you the fluffy robe? Will the therapist see your boobs? Will she laugh if you fart? How much will it cost?

You don’t need to do spend frillions and squillions to enjoy some quality treatments (oh but please do if you’re that cashed up). Of course I totally understand, getting ‘all nude’ for strangers might feel weird so I’ve put together some tips to help you out before you head to the day spa…then you’ll feel even more amazing afterwards!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT A SPA TREATMENT.

GETTING READY

-You don’t get totally nude! When they hand you the towelling robe and leave you ‘to get ready’ you take everything off ‘except’ your knickers…those stay on.
-Wear comfy clothes. Choose an outfit that you can get in and out of quickly, and slip on shoes, or at least comfy ones.
-Turn your phone off. Not on silent but actually OFF. You don’t want to hear the buzz and then be wondering who wanted/needed you when you could be drifting into lala land, which by the way is awesome
-The room will be dim and smell amazing, enjoy that!
-If you’re having a goopy mud scrub thingy then you might like to bring a spare pair of knicks or ask for a disposable pair.
-Leave your expensive jewellery at home and remove ALL other jewellery when you’re getting all your other gear off. There’s nothing worse than an earring jabbing into your neck when you’re drifting off to the tranquil tones of African drums and butterfly wings flapping.

THE TREATMENT
-some massages may involve some booby touching, if this is not your thing then speak up ‘before’ you get started because you know, awkward!.
-You might fart because you know, you’re relaxed! Unless you’ve eaten a massive curry first (P-ewww) there’s no need to worry.
-Ladies massaging ladies is not weird. No it’s not like sexy girl on girl action, it’s totally cool and actually feels AHmazing!
-Relax. The more relaxed you are the more beneficial and enjoyable your treatments will be.
-If you don’t like chatter then just let your therapist know that you’re really looking forward to ‘tuning out’, like reaaaaaly!
-It’s ok to ask questions and talk throughout your treatment. It beats having your mind swirling with questions and not being able to relax, get it out and move on.
-If you’re feeling like there’s Arctic breezes blasting then ask for another blanket or towel. You need to stay warm to feel relaxed. A good therapist will keep you all tucked in and cosy, she will also move your limbs and head ever so gently you will feel like you’re swaying in a baby hammock.
-If your face starts to feel ouchy and gets all bitchy when product is applied, for goodness sake speak up…PRONTO!
-Same goes for massage, if it doesn’t feel good let your therapist know. Sooo obvious right!
-You might get oil in your hair, if this is a no no for you then let the therapist know that oil in your hair might make you wanna punch something. I’m not a fan of oil in my hair. 

AFTERWARDS
-Bring some makeup with you if you can’t face the world bare and fresh faced. Although I gotta tell you the ‘after facial glow’ is pretty sexy.
-Your therapist may suggest products for your skin, buy them if you like or if you don’t really want to then let her know you’ll think about it. They’re not gonna hold your cat to ransom just because you didn’t buy some eye cream.
-Your treatment may end with a warm brew of herbal tea, take the time to sit and sip. Taking those few extra minutes to enjoy the zen and calm really is like the icing on the cake.
-Drink plenty of water after a massage, after all they are moving toxins through your body and you wanna flush those bad boys out quick smart.

I bet you all want a massage and facial now, right? If you are in South Australia then call Emma and the team Endota Spa Henley Beach Shop 23 330-338 Seaview Road, Henley Beach South Australia 5022. 08 8355 4800 

When did you last have a beauty room treatment? Are day spas your thing?

Are you currently holidaying in “Carb Town’ too?

Til next time,

Jen x

The Endota spa treatment was gifted to me as part of a campaign I am doing with the Henley Traders  #gorgeoushenley. I chose to write about it because I love you and like to share. You can read more about bloggy business stuff on my ‘disclosure policy’.