Aromatherapy is big news this month, with treatments that use crystals and mood-enhancing oils to help clients unwind

Treatment News

Quartz Spa Wellbeing Treatment Rituals

The founders of Crystal Clear are tapping into the wellness market with the launch of aromatherapy product and treatment brand Quartz Spa (read more on page 102). The Quartz Spa Wellbeing Treatment menu features 14 rituals that combine the healing energies of quartz crystals with aromatherapy oils to soothe and rebalance mind, body and soul.

The menu includes the detoxifying Massage Ritual; full-body Crystal Scrub; Detox Wrap; weight loss Wrap Ritual; cellulite-busting Skinny Legs treatment; rebalancing Heaven Ritual; and the tension-releasing Aromatherapy Lifestyle, which includes a luxurious scrub, wrap and massage.

There’s also express treatments such as the Aromatherapy Back Ritual; the Face, Neck and Shoulder Ritual; stimulating Jet Lag Reviver massage; and Skinny Arms brush and wrap treatment. Other rituals include the Relaxing Mum-to-Be Massage; Realign and Rebalance back scrub, wrap and massage; and Crystal Facial with lymphatic drainage.

Crystal Clear recommends charging from £45 to £145 (depending on the treatment). Call the brand on 0151 709 7227

This month we tried… Kokolokahi Massage

The lowdown: Kokolokahi is a bath and body oils brand inspired by five elements – fire, air, earth, water and spirit – with a massage protocol for each blend. Founder Clare Anderson says the scent a client is most drawn to will indicate their mental state and what their body physically requires from a massage.

The experience: I had my 55-minute massage at Third Space Spa in Canary Wharf, London, where head therapist Kelly Ashplant said she’d be doing invigorating deep-tissue work to strengthen both mind and body. My chosen scent was the fire element oil Strength, which blends warming frangipani, patchouli and sandalwood.

Ashplant started with the welcome touch, where she cleansed my feet and talked me through deep breathing techniques as I inhaled the oil. The massage began at the scalp while her hands were free from oil – a thoughtful touch for those who don’t want to leave the treatment with greasy hair – and then Ashplant moved on to massaging my legs, arms and chest with the Strength blend.

Next, she turned me over and addressed the muscles in the backs of my arms, legs and neck, as well as my back. Ashplant used her elbows, knuckles and bodyweight throughout to deliver the firm pressure I asked for, and the stimulation my muscles and brain needed.

Business benefit: The USP of this treatment is the individual massage protocols that have been created for each oil blend but therapists have the flexibility to tailor the treatment to clients’ needs, incorporating trigger point therapy, myofascial release or reflexology where needed.

Kokolokahi also offers a clear sales opportunity as the products used are available at retail, so clients can continue the treatment benefits at home.

Shared Beauty Secrets recommends charging from £65 for the treatment, depending on location. Call the brand on 01295 724297 Tried by Georgia Seago

This month we tried… IIAA 100 Day Reset Programme

The lowdown: Distributor IIAA’s (International Institute of Anti-Ageing) programme claims to transform clients’ skin in 100 days with a tailor-made product and treatment prescription, using supplement range Advanced Nutrition Programme, vitamin A-rich skincare Environ and mineral make-up line Jane Iredale.

The experience: Due to the nature of my job, it’s a rarity if I use a product for a long period of time, so I was intrigued to see how my skin would change using just one skincare and make-up brand.

Phase one of the 100 Day Reset Programme was a 40-minute consultation with therapist Faye Layton-McCann, head of salon Skin3 in London. After quizzing me about my skin health, including the products I use, how much sleep I get and my current exercise and diet routines, she scanned my face with a Visia machine to check out my skin health.

The Visia uses imaging technology to highlight issues lurking beneath the top layers of the skin, covering everything from brown spots, pores and redness, to UV damage, skin texture and premature ageing.

Layton-McCann told me my texture was good, with minimal UV damage and brown spots, but that I was suffering with underlying redness in my cheeks and patches of dehydration, especially in the under-eye area, which could lead to fine lines and wrinkles.

Next, I was taken downstairs for my 60-minute Environ Hydraboost Facial, the first of three I would have over the next 100 days, which works to plump and firm the skin. It uses active ingredients to revitalise the complexion and includes a mask that fully envelops your eyes and mouth, which is actually more comfortable than it looks.

Post-treatment, I was given my prescription for the next three months, which included products from Environ’s Skin EssentiA (cream cleanser, toner and moisturiser) and Youth EssentiA (eye cream and serum) ranges, to nourish my skin; and ANP’s antioxidant, vitamin A and C, and omega 3 and 6 supplements to provide nutrients to the skin from within.

I was also prescribed Jane Iredale’s Glow Time Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream and PurePressed Based Mineral Foundation to give coverage while allowing my skin to breathe. Layton-McCann explained how introducing vitamin A topically and orally would boost my hydration levels and soothe any sensitivity, as well as outlining the benefits of using mineral make-up, before showing me how to apply each product.

The prescribed products were easy to use and it wasn’t long before my new routine became second nature. However, I did initially have to set a reminder on my phone to alert me to take the supplements. At both the 50-day and 100-day mark I was invited back to the salon to check on my progress.

The verdict: My final scan revealed that some significant changes had taken place in my skin. It was plumper and more hydrated, with drastic changes in the moisture levels in my under-eye area, and this was because my cellular turnover and metabolic processes had improved, explained Layton-McCann.

As someone who suffers with spots on my chin, especially if I’m tired or stressed, I’ve not had a serious breakout in this area since starting the programme and this really impressed me. However, I did suffer with dryness in the first two weeks using the Environ products, but this is a common side effect of vitamin A and was short lived as my skin acclimatised.

Having clearer skin has also meant I’m wearing less make-up and I really like the light texture of the Jane Iredale products. I’ve enjoyed the process so much that I’m going to continue with my prescription.

Business benefit: Creating long-term programmes is a great way to introduce clients to the product houses you stock and give them a 360-degree approach to skin health, educating them on the benefits of using a combination of topical and oral products to boost their skin.

With clients on the hunt for skincare that goes the extra mile to target their specific needs, salons also need to be using advanced technology like the Visia to create much more tailored prescriptions.

Programme cost based on clients’ skincare prescription. Call IIAA on 020 8450 2020 Tried by Amanda Pauley