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Christmas pampering
See the face you love light up . . .
Relax with Konstase
hat could be more caring than a Christmas
present that addresses someone’s complete
well-being? Wouldn’t that kind of gift say so much more than a box of chocolates? And wouldn’t it get you into someone’s good books? Whatever your motivation, pampering gifts are always appreciated and. dare we say it, an easy option for those of us who’ve left our Christmas shopping to the last minute yet again. With that in mind, we set out to track down some of the most original treatments around.
Free hairdressing salon (31 Chisholm Street, Glasgow, 0141 552 7100, www.watever.co.uk) has a reputation for being a little different. With an art gallery in the downstairs space and even the occasional impromptu gig, Free is the kind of place than manages to be friendly and welcoming while retaining a sense of cool. And now it’s expanding to offer therapies in the gallery space. Soft lighting and red drapes set the scene — not forgetting the exhibitions on the walls — and treatments focus on well-being rather than beauty.
To that end there’s sports massage and injury treatment, original Hopi ear candles, reiki, aromatherapy and Buteyko Institute Method (BIM). BIM is a course of breathing retraining taught by nurse Jill McGowan and is recommended for asthma sufferers, but can improve the breathing, posture and sleeping patterns of anyone. Free is definitely a good option for anyone who’d like a treatment but doesn’t feel comfortable going to a traditional beauty spa.
Another hairdresser offering something different is Charlle Miller (39 Frederick Street, Edinburgh, 0131 225 1141: also at 13 Stafford Street and 8 South St Andrew’s Square). It offers the Kerastase Ritual in custom-designedJooms, complete with soothing
Words: Loulsa Pearson
Then it’s time for body, face and scalp massage using essential oils and stones
Lay back in One’s laconium
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rccdom to choose
coloured lights and soft music. This personalised hair and scalp treatment involves a Tao massage using pressure points on the neck and scalp to help you relax. Whether your hair needs nourishment or vitality, there’s a treatment suitable for you, and you’ll even get to wear a kimono and enjoy essential-oil scented towels to complete the whole experience.
If it’s a full body overhaul you’re in need of. then look to one of Edinburgh or Glasgow’s world-class spas. One spa (8 Conference Square, Edinburgh, 0131 221 7777, www.0ne-spa.com) opened earlier this year, with six floors worth of pampering. ESPA treatments are on offer, merging techniques and philosophies from around the globe. One of the most interesting is Holistic Total Body Care with Hot Stone Therapy. You’ll experience full body brushing and exfoliation to get you feeling soft and smooth, then it’s time for a body, face and scalp massage using hot and cold stones and a blend of essential oils. Chances are you won’t have experienced any kind of stone massage since last time some hooligan put a rock inside a snowball, so go and find out what all the fuss is about.
Oshl spa (Langs Hotel, 2 Port Dundas Place, Glasgow, 0141 333 5701) has a signature treatment unique to them, the Oshi Futari Massage. Not one but two therapists will focus on massaging away your tension in this relaxing treatment, which aims to balance mind and body — something we could all do with after the festive season.
While these treatments are worth investigating they’re by no means all that’s on offer — whether it’s massage, facials or reiki you’re after. spas and salons across the cities have something for you. So sit back, relax and think of the Brownie points.
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13 Dec 2001—3 Jan 2002 THI LIST 1 13