It's hard to keep up with all the latest spa info - new openings, quirky treatments, best deals - so we'll do our best to keep you informed. We welcome your feedback and inputs - info@spa-ireland.com
Spa Trend Analysis - 01 May 2012
How Did The Spa Brandwagon Pan Out in 2011?
We like watching the trends predicted by our favourite spa guru, Susie Ellis at SpaFinder.com, and appreciate the fact that she actually takes the time to look back on the year and see how the trends panned out.
One of the strongest trends in 2011 was the notion of a Spa Brandwagon where instead of independents, we are seeing multiple spas grouped under a common name. It's now at the stage where the spas have consolidated under their brand names and the brands themselves have a need to differentiate their offering.
In the US, consumers will be able to choose from a hip, urban Bliss or Exhale spa, or the eco-friendly “barefoot luxury” vibe of a Six Senses. In addition, people can select from more price-points than ever before: from the over-the-top luxury of a Mandarin Oriental, to the three- and four-star properties now developing spa brands, to a super-affordable, no-frills option like a Massage Envy (800-plus franchises awarded across the U.S.). With 80,000-plus spas worldwide, many consumers will embrace the “know-ability factor,” with spa brands offering them consistent experiences wherever they happen to live or travel.
ESPA (in over 50 countries) can be credited with first un-riddling how to make the spa brand equation work globally. And now brands are aggressively moving into hot, emerging markets like China and India (i.e., L’Occitane, Woodhouse Day Spas, etc.); brands indigenous to emerging markets are expanding (China’s Dragonfly or Spa Moment chains, etc.); and major hotel brands are busy launching carefully crafted new brand concepts. Newly minted hotel brands charging to market include: Sheraton’s Shine spas (planned for all global properties by 2012), Hilton’s Eforea concept (to be rolled into 80 global properties by 2013), Steiner’s Chevana spas, W’s Away spas, Le Meridien’s Explore spas and a new Iridium spa brand for St. Regis properties. There is even a “no therapist” spa franchise, Planet Beach Contempo Spas, expanding from Australia to South Africa. (Another breed of “brand,” Leading Spas of the World, an organization that curates fine spas worldwide, will help consumers make decisions in a crowded market.)
A Few Additional Brands on the Move: Banyan Tree, 63 locations; Bliss Spas, 21; Blue Mercury, 30; Body Minute, 221; Champneys, 12; Clarins, 136; Dove Spas, 12; Dragonfly, 14; Exhale, 15; Facelogic, 40-plus; Hand & Stone Massage & Facial Spas, 30; Mandara, 72; Mandara’s Chavana, 4; Massage Envy Spas, in conjunction with Murad, 600-plus; Massage Heights, 50-plus; Red Door, 32; Red Door’s all-new Simply Face+Body, 1; Sanctuary, 2 (with 4 opening in 2011; Spa L’Occitane, 40-plus; Woodhouse Day Spas, 23. (Note: Each one has significant expansion plans in the works.) So as we always say, let's see how many of these brands surface in Ireland to supplement the strong, and welcome, presence of ESPA.
Rose-y Complexions - 03 Apr 2012
Aromatherapy Associates Rose Facial Cleanser and Triple Rose Moisturiser
Aromatherapy Associates is well established and recognised as one of those product houses that really does harness the finest of plant extracts, pure essential oils, every ounce of goodness from the best organic fruits and vegetables and the most powerful anti-oxidants.
Try out the Aromatherapy Associates Renew Rose Facial Cleanser, a rich wash off cleanser which will infuse the skin with extracts of rose, known to promote circulation for a bright, healthy complexion and uplifts spirits. Jojoba, which is chemically close to the skins natural oil, softens and protects, while Geranium deeply nourishes and aids a healthy circulation. Every ounce of makeup will be gently removed, leaving you with bright, delicately fragrant skin.
Follow that deep cleans with Aromatherapy Associates Triple Rose Moisturiser. "Harnessing the power of 3 different types of skin optimising rose, from Morocco, Bulgaria and Turkey, this moisturiser not only quenches thirsty skin, but also tackles fine lines and wrinkles naturally, with renewing rosehip and toning red ?algae. Other key ingredients include Sandalwood, to soothe sensitive skin, and frankincense, to protect, tone and lock in moisture". Lovely, a gorgeous fresh face just in time for Spring.
Aromatherapy Associates
Linann Yoga - 20 Mar 2012
Weekend Break at the Maryborough, Cork
New to the market, Linann Yoga is a based in Cork City, offering yoga weekend breaks throughout the year in selected Spa Hotels in different locations around the country. It's the perfect combination of a gentle activity break with the chance to relax, unwind, and completely focus on some me time. And you get the chance to "omm" in the most gorgeous environments.
During these weekends, Linann Yoga offers a specialized yoga and relaxation programe focusing on relieving stress and discomforts in the body suitable for complete beginners and advanced practitioners. Classes are held early morning to awaken the senses, stimulate the body and kick start the day. Evening classes are designed to wind down and explore imbalances within the body and mind.
Dates for the upcoming weekends are the 23rd – 25th March, and 20th – 22nd of April, both of which will be held at the gorgeous Maryborough Hotel & Spa, Douglas, Cork. For more information, visit www.linannyoga.com, email Linda on linannyoga@hotmail.com, or call 087 9852682.
Pevonia - 01 Mar 2012
New Look and New Website
Catering to the needs of both professional spa therapists and individuals who like Pevonia products, www.pevonia.co.uk is a great online resource that blends education, excellence and expertise, giving the user the best possible digital skincare experience.
The site includes an Educational & Resource area, Personalised Spa Profile, E-Commerce Shop, Treatment Centre and a Geographical Spa Finder. Plus it has a very nice look and feel and great navigation so gets plus points from us all round. For more, check out Pevonia
Fabulous Facials - 18 Feb 2012
Dr Hauschka Magic in Dublin
Having a facial can be a daunting experience; I've walked away from some therapists feeling utterly useless at managing my skincare and wanting to put a bag over my head in case I bumped into anyone I knew, make-up-less and face-naked.
A Christmas gift of a Dr Hauschka facial (thank you Jeannette!) has taught me that truly magical facials do exist. Of course the ingredients are there - Dr H is 100% natural, plant based and designed to work with your skin, rather than on your skin.
Tara O'Rourke was my personal skin magician who calmly looked at my tired, dingy skin, seriously de-hydrated from the ten flights I've flown so far this year, and told me to relax and let her look after it. She began the treatment with a sage based foot bath, which was enough to set me into dream-land on its own, and then moved on to a highly structured yet soothing and cleansing facial ritual. Soft touches, a lot of work on my lymphatic system and a deeply nourishing facial mask combined to make the time pass in a flash of facial bliss. No hard product sell at the end, which always impresses me and in fact makes me more inclined to buy product. My face has never looked cleaner and I'm left with a desire to go easy on the make-up and heavy on the kindness to my skin.
For appointments contact Tara directly at taraniruairc1@gmail.com, T 086 089 9663. And you can buy Dr Hauschka products at an ever increasing number of stockists around the country, see http://drhauschkaireland.ie/index.html.