Aveda's sole-ful massage

A NON-BROOM CUPBOARD LIKE ROOM

A HEALTHY BREW

Things that make a good massage. A room bigger than a broom cupboard. A warm room. Soft and fluffy towels. Relaxing music that’s not Enya. Oils that don’t smell synthetic. I’m happy to say all of these were massively boxed ticked at the Aveda Institute Salon and Spa in Covent Garden where I had booked in for an Elemental Natural full body massage. But what really swung it for me was my spa therapists, Isar’s feet. Many times I have lain on my front with my head poking through the face hole only to be confronted with shabby feet. Isar’s were immaculate. Her flip flopped feet were buffed and polished whereupon I knew who ever looked after their feet this good, will look after me too!

SOLE-FUL FEET

Fittingly, the massage started off with a foot soak and scrub (along with a herbal tea) whereupon I was  blissfully massaged for an hour. Blissful to me is a firm deep tissue massage, and that’s exactly what I got. It’s customised too. Isar felt knots in my shoulders so duly spent more time trying to loosen them. It’s hard to say what makes a good massage, as a firm pressure for one can be too light for another, but the laying of confident hands is a good sign and I knew from the first touch, Isar’s skills came from within. There are some therapists that appear to go through the motions, but without sounding too plinky plonky, this was a massage that came from the soul – or should I say sole?

Elemental Nature Full Body Massage, £83 for 60 minutes.

www.avedainstitute.co.uk

Tel: 020 7759 7355

The very talented candle

Cushions. Chocolate. Candles. Surely the three C’s every girl must have in her life. Constantly! Now, the first two I’m fairly stocked up on, but apart from a gigantic Jo Malone candle which I bring out on special occasions, a few more candles around my home would be welcome.

Meeting beauty therapist Marie Reynolds the other week – I’ve previously blogged about Marie and her wonderful facials – in fact, it’s one of my posts that’s had the most hits, I’m delighted to reveal she has turned her multi-skilled hands to creating a range of candles. However, it’s a candle not as you know it, but one designed to be used at home and on your body.

Living up to their name, Marie’s Aromawax Luxury Massage Candles do not smell cheap when lit – a pet hate of mine, secondly they do not leave smut marks on the wall. Her candles are made from ethically source organic soya wax that creates a clean, safe-burning candle. Moreover, the soya wax liquefies from a low melting point which can be scooped from the candle and massaged into the skin using a spatula. I’ve experienced a hand massage with the wax and it feels skin delicious. Pre-burn you can even the use the wax as a lip and face balm.

For the upcoming festive season I’d thought I’d highlight her Hot Toddy candle. It’s a scrumptious mix of cocoa and shea butter fragranced with mandarin, satsuma, apple, peach, cinnamon and nutmeg. But what brings the party effect is the special addition of a gold shimmer ingredient. Once massaged onto the skin, subtle gold particles glisten and twinkle. Great to use on your cheekbones, decolletage and shins. Who knew a candle could be so talented?

The Marie Reynolds collection of Aromawax Luxury Body Massage Candle cost from  £4.50 for 30g for 6 hours burning time, £8.50 for 50g with 10 hours burning time and £30.00 for 135g for 25 hours burning time.

For more information log onto: www.mariereynoldslondon.com