Pity the poor Pilgrims. As they stepped off the ship next to Plymouth Rock and walked a few yards up the hill into the woods, they had no spa where they could enjoy a massage, ginger tea and total body honey wrap.

But today, a landing in Plymouth can include such delights at the Beach Plum Spa in the John Carver Inn.

Once you’ve changed into your spa robe and gotten cozy with a cup of ginger tea in the relaxation room while awaiting your treatment, you’ll really feel away – the spa is a nice place for a day trip, or combine it with an overnight stay at the inn for a romantic weekend.

Even Plymouth residents themselves have been known to do a quick getaway here.
And I understood why as I mellowed out on a massage table. With the temperature outside in the 20s, I was all about the warmth as I had a delicious honey wrap ($145) and vanilla/citrus massage ($99). Yes, it was difficult not to lick my arms with that luscious aroma wafting around the room, but I’m of Puritan stock; I have some control.

While the spa has all the amenities you’d expect including treatments using indigenous plants – such as cranberries, seaweed and lavender – the Beach Plum Spa has some unusual benefits too.

First, each treatment room is also an art gallery of sorts, displaying an enormous painting of a seashell, rock or some other ocean-related subject, by local artist Cris Reverdy. They sell for about $2,000 each.

Second, when you’re finished at the spa you are in the heart of downtown Plymouth, so you can leave your car and walk to Plymouth Rock, The Mayflower II, Pilgrim Hall Museum, the Plymouth waterfront, and Jenney Grist Mill and its surrounding New England-themed shops.

Guest rooms at the John Carver Inn are cozy and attractive with a New England decor (a few even have ocean views) and range in price from $99 for a standard room to $279 for a suite (with fireplace and oversized Jacuzzi). Special spa packages include a Suite Deal, priced from $492, that combines overnight accommodations, two 55-minute massages and a $50 meal voucher per couple at the inn’s Hearth and Kettle Restaurant.

Spas in Plymouth MA

Massachusetts Day Spas

Massachusetts Spas, Spa Experience, Spa Treatments

Enthusiastic Esthetician is an Inspiration

Retirement just wasn’t for Diane McGuire. Working for 10 years as a secretary at her daughters’ school and at General Electric in Saratoga Springs, New York, for the next 23, McGuire spent most of that time also being a single parent. But shortly after meeting her soul mate, Jon, at work and marrying him, she retired at 65 and, in 2002, the couple moved to Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

“We took golf lessons when we first moved to the Cape, and that is how I met Tricia Howard. She was a local day spa owner, and we began talking, becoming immediate friends,” McGuire explains of her initial contact with esthetics. Howard became her hairstylist, and McGuire also began to work as a receptionist at Howard’s spa—Bellisimo Hair, Skin and Nails in Hyannis, Massachusetts—exposing her further to the world of skin care and beauty.

So when Howard told her she was taking a trip, McGuire decided to tag along. “She told me she was going to a skin care and hair convention at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York, and I told her I would go along—I didn’t want her going by herself,” McGuire says.

Upon arriving, McGuire was entranced. “In the skin care section of the show, I was just mesmerized by everything,” she says. “Exhibitors were doing demos, and I saw them massaging people’s faces and shoulders and making people feel so, so special. As a nurturer, I knew that’s what I wanted to be doing.”

On the ride home, McGuire told Howard she wanted to become an esthetician, and Howard promised her a position in her spa when she graduated. With that, in August 2005, McGuire enrolled in esthetic school. “I went back to school to learn about skin care, and there were only eight other people in my class, all young,” she says. “Of course, I became ‘Mom’—that’s what they started calling me—and we had a wonderful time.”

Graduating in December 2005 and passing her state board exams in January 2006, McGuire’s new career was launched and she went to work in Howard’s spa for the next six months as an apprentice while Howard mentored her. “Tricia is still my mentor,” McGuire says. However, after Howard sold her business in June 2006, McGuire moved on to her next challenge.

“I received a call from a physicianwho owned The Anti-Aging Center located in Centerville, Massachusetts, and she asked me if I’d be interested in managing photorejuvenation there,” saysMcGuire. She worked there for the next six months, performing IPL treatments and hair removal services under the physician’s supervision, but realized she wasn’t following her initial path.

“It started to include things that I didn’t want to be doing, getting too intense, so then I went to work for Innovations Hair, Skin and Nails, also in Centerville, for a year and half,” McGuire says. “During that time, Kelly White, the owner of Body Sense Day Spa in Hyannis, who I had been friends with for several years, invited me to a Repêchage seminar in Boston. On the ride home, she offered me a job. I’ve been at Body Sense since May 2008.” And along the way, in January 2008, McGuire received her full esthetic license.

Now, at Body Sense, she provides facials and massage to her clients, and often helps them most by allowing them to relax and rejuvenate. “Many times, people fall asleep,” McGuire says. And she continues to gather inspiration from her co-workers and White. However, it seems to be the connection with clients she most enjoys. “I just want to make people feel good. At my age, I am financially secure, so money is not my goal. I just want to make as many people as happy as I can and help make a difference.”

Always eager to learn new techniques and trends in the industry, McGuire often practices on her built-in support system—her family. She’s refined her techniques and product usage on her daughters, granddaughters and even her husband, and is grateful to them for their patience and encouragment of her esthetic adventure.

McGuire is equally eager to spread her love outside the family, as well. “I work with the Look Good … Feel Better program sponsored by the American Cancer Society, and I volunteer each Friday at the oncology unit of the Cape Cod Hospital, administering hand, foot and shoulder massage to patients there,” she says. “It is so fulfilling and rewarding. Many of the patients keep in touch, and we have become friends and share lunches and beach walks after their treatment.”

And although she recently broke her pelvis in two places while doing volunteer work, she was as eager as ever to return to the spa, planning open house parties for Body Sense’s upcoming events. It’s not unusual, considering her enthusiasm and drive. “I enjoy every aspect of being an esthetician,” McGuire says. “I have heard from friends that they tire more quickly than they used to, but I can honestly say, at my age of 73-plus, I do not get tired when I am being an esthetician. Body Sense is just a happy place. I love being there, and I can’t say it’s work—it is a fun job.”

Full Article and Credits

Day Spa, Facials, Massachusetts Spas

Hotel hopes posh spa hits spots

“Ms. McConville? Ms. McConville? Is there anything I can do for you?”

The holistic massage therapist had just finished working on my feet, and now, before moving on to the knotted muscles in my back, she wanted to know if the room temperature or music volume should be adjusted.

At the Spa at the Mandarin Oriental Boston, the staff pays very special attention to their clients’ well being.

On Tuesday, Boston’s poshest spa – which is located inside the city’s poshest hotel – opens its doors to the public. And last week, I spent more than four hours at the Boylston Street spa, swaddled in an other-worldly luxury, as enthusiastic and excited workers bustled along the polished bamboo floors, eager to make everything just right for incoming guests.

The economic gloom and doom that has cast a dark shadow across so much of American life wasn’t apparent at all.

“I’m so excited,” said spa director Sharon Holtz, a trained massage therapist who helped create some of the spas treatments.

Several Boston spa owners say business is still strong, but a recent stroll through Boston’s South End indicates otherwise. One salon was offering deeply discounted facials, while another announced that its workers no longer accept tips.

While it is true that spas and salons are among the nations fastest growing small businesses, we are living through an economic time that for most Americans is unprecedented.

Even executives at the Mandarin Oriental are stressing the value that comes with a spa visit. After all, an 80-minute Swedish massage can cost as much as $210, but the price includes much more than a singular treatment.

With just a few days to go, Holtz said shes not worried that the economic upheaval will hurt business.
Americans have adopted a European point of view about spas, she said.

People realize that this is part of wellness, she said Friday, in the spas “caf,” a sun-splashed room on the fourth floor of the hotel. The days of seeing a spa as a pampering experience are over.
And in times of great stress, people seek other solace, she said.

People are needing a place to step away from the stressors in life, and relax and regroup, she said. It’s so important.

That remains to be seen.

The journey begins upon entering the Asian-inspired lobby, where guests exchange their street shoes for a cozy pair of slippers and warm tea.  From there, its a short walk, past babbling fountains, to a heat and wet area, which incorporates bathing rituals of several different cultures. There are separate sections for men and women.

Each section contains an expansive steam room with mood-enhancing lighting and a quartz crystal known for its healing powers. The space includes a warm vitality pool, big enough to float in, a fountain of ice chips, and a heated bench for relaxing.

The section also includes a multi-faceted experience shower, where warm waters pour down in a simulated jungle storm. Another option is the more brisk artic mist.

It’s all about preparing the body for the treatment, Holtz said.

Guests are encouraged to spend at least 45 minutes taking to the waters,before receiving a facial, pedicure or hydrotherapy treatment.

Between the bathing area and the treatment rooms, there are several crisply made beds for guests to relax on.

After relaxing and replenishing with fresh fruit and lemon-flavored water, I went on to a private room for the Commonwealth Comforter, a spa treatment designed for Bostonians. The 110-minute, $260 treatment included an chocolate and frankincense exfoliation to prepare my skin for winter.

And sometime after the ginseng-flavored tea, the steam room, and the shoulder massage, I realized that Holtz may be on to something.

I knew that Id be back at the Herald in a few hours, back under those buzzing fluorescent lights and next to the always-ringing telephones, but it all seemed so very far away.
“No,” I told the massage therapist, when I finally realized she was speaking to me. “Everything’s perfect.

 

Full Article and Credits

Boston Spas, Day Spa, Massachusetts Spas, Spa Openings, Spa Resort

 

This article is brought to you by Spavelous.com.

 http://www.spavelous.com

Summertime on 9: Cranwell Resort & Spa

The long winding road that leads you to Cranwell Resort & Spa in Lenox is as unassuming as it is long. But it’s at the crest of this hill where the real resort begins to come into focus.

“Cranwell is unique in many aspects. We’re only about a two and a half hour drive out of New York, about a two hour drive out of Boston, and you’re in beautiful country,” said Cranwell Resort & Spa President Lewis Kiesler.

Nestled in the heart of the Berkshires, Cranwell was named the “Top Resort Spa in Massachusetts” in Read more…

Massachusetts Spas, Resort Spa, Spa Getaways, Spa Resort, Spas

Canyon Ranch
Canyon Ranch Tucson, AZ., and Canyon Ranch Lenox, MA
800-742-9000

Canyon Ranch helped pioneer the healthy spa concept in 1979 and still does it better than anyplace else. Healthy, delicious food? Check. Top-notch skin care? Doris Day, the dermatologist on our panel (meet all of our judges), rates this spa a perfect 10. In the fitness category, Jo Hannafin, MD, gives Canyon Ranch’s offerings, which range from restorative yoga to hard-core hiking, the highest score of any spa we evaluated. Our judges also love the staff’s high level of accreditation and training. (The place is crawling with doctors.) A nurse tailors a schedule to help you meet your health goals, from lowering cholesterol to beating insomnia, and may also suggest tests like a mammogram or a stride analysis—all done on-site. “Canyon Ranch has the high standards that other spas strive to match.”  Choose between desert (the 240-guest Tucson spa) and mountains (the 200-guest Lenox location, tucked into the Berkshires), both of which take maximum advantage of the natural beauty.

Don’t miss: Yamuna Body Rolling, done with special balls to build strength, flexibility, and balance.
Cost: $5,130 and up per week, per person, double occupancy, at Lenox ($5,750 at Tucson), including meals and some treatments and wellness services. Lenox also offers a three-night stay starting at $2,040.

Arizona Spas, Destination Spa, Massachusetts Spas, Resort Spa, Spa Getaways, Spas

 

This article is brought to you by Spavelous.com.

 http://www.spavelous.com

 

 

Colors that POP

Bright nail polish sparkles this summer

Bright, playful colors are what summer 2008 is all about. This assortment of bright polishes is by Essie.

From the moment Queen Nefertiti applied her first coat of ruby red polish, nails became more than an afterthought. They became a fashion statement. Colors and trends may have changed over the centuries, but pampering yourself and having healthy, beautiful nails are always in style.

Color trends
For summer 2008, bright, playful colors are what it’s all about.

“Colors should be fun,” said Donna Chanson of Paul Conza Day Spa and Hair Salon in Worcester. Hot pink is back with a bang, popping up in fashion magazines and on runways.

“OPI’s new colors, Elephantastic Pink or That’s Hot Pink, are great hues if you want to try out this trend,” said Angie Le, a nail technician at St. Cyr Salon and Spa in Worcester. “Celebrities like Rihanna are doing brights to make their nails stand out.”

Rihanna sported the bold look at this year’s Grammy Awards, when she rocked a bright tangerine nail color against her sapphire blue Zac Posen dress. Corals, pinks and cherries are prominent in all the summer polish collections.

If bright fingernail polish is a little too flashy, Michelle Cousineau of Top Shop Salon and Day Spa suggests trying brights on your toes. Eye-popping colors are a perfect complement to strappy sandals, breezy dresses and short shorts.

Black was a super hot color for winter and early spring for the more subdued fashionista, but now that it’s summer, switch to a navy blue. “Yoga-ta-get This Blue from OPI is perfect,” said Le. “It’s navy, with a little sparkle for the summer.” Or, “try a deep purple,” said Jennifer Rosa, a nail technician and massage therapist at Tu Moda Spa for Beauty and Wellness, a spa in Worcester, MA.

Ready to try a shimmering metallic? Gold, in particular, will look stunning against that new summer tan.

Nail 911
Of course, even with those fabulous shades on your fingers and toes, you’re bound to run into some problems. Whether it’s chipped nails, nail biting or just not having enough time to take care of your nails, experts can come to the rescue.

“Nails are like onions, they have layers,” said Chanson. “Peeling nails are often due to a poor filing job. You must remember to file nails in the same direction — and be careful. Also, after you finish polishing nails, coat the tip to seal the nail, since water is another culprit for weak, peeling nails.”

Le recommends the Essie Nail Strengthener System to improve nail quality. “If you want a simpler treatment, opt for tree oil, which will make nails stronger and will treat fungus,” she said.

As much as everyone would deny it, nail biting is an issue for adults as well as children, for men and women. “Nail biting is a big issue with a lot of women who come in to see me,” said Le. “Always try and get manicures. If your nails look good, you’ll be less prone to bite them.”

Cousineau adds that nailbiters usually have thick cuticles, so they should get their cuticles pushed back by a nail technician or during an at-home manicure.

She also suggests putting on a coat of clear top coat polish every few days after a manicure or pedicure to keep the color. “Never use old nail polish — anything over a year. It chips easily,” she said.

Classic looks
If you’re looking for a timeless look, the classic French manicure or pedicure is always the way to go. Even the super trendy Heidi Montag of “The Hills” sported a French manicure for the 2008 MTV Movie awards.

“I get the French manicure every time,” said one of Cousineau’s customer’s. “It’s just easy and goes with everything.”

If your natural nails need a boost, consider trying gels or acrylics.

Both cost about $30 and up, depending on where you go for the application. In addition, both need upkeep. “If you do opt for either treatment, it’s important to always let your nails breathe,” said Rosa. “Make sure to take them off and have your nails exposed for a few months every once in a while.”

Focus on feet
Don’t forget your feet. And a little foot indulgence never hurt anyone. “Making time for yourself is important,” says Chanson. “When you pamper yourself, you are happy, and that happiness rubs off on others. It’s good for your spirit and soul.”

But it’s not all about luxury for feet either. “I would say that dryness is a problem I’ve suffered with for years,” says Lindsey Shaw of Leominster. “Dry heels, in particular.” To remedy this common issue, it’s important to moisturize. “I would recommend one of two solutions,” said Rosa. “You can exfoliate to slough away dead skin cells and then moisturize. Or, if you can, get a foot masque, either at home or with a pedicure at a salon. The masque will both exfoliate the skin and moisturize it all at once, leaving the feet soft.”

Nails go green
The green movement is red hot this summer. Many companies are creating Earth-friendly lotions and scrubs. Eco-minded companies, such as Collective Wellbeing, an organic skin care line, have created a way to give back through their CollectiveCare initiative. The program gives customers the power to direct where a portion of proceeds from their purchases will go by allowing them to nominate and vote for nonprofits on its Web site. Also, make sure your nail products are animal friendly. “Aveda is a great green line,” said Rosa. “They use all natural ingredients and don’t test on any animals.”

Full Article

 

Beauty Tip, Day Spa, Green Spa, Massachusetts Spas, Nail Treatments

 

This article is brought to you by Spavelous.com.

 http://www.spavelous.com

10 Affordable Spa Vacation Deals

If a spa vacation is on your wish list but you’re not sure you can afford it, think again. There are a number of inspirational spas, transformational spas, and — yes — affordable spa deals options out there. One of the easiest ways to book a spa escape on a budget is to check into a local hotel or resort spa for a long weekend (or longer). Many offer special spa-themed packages and last-minute spa deals that in-the-know locals can cash in on. But if getting away from it all is more your style, you can find lower-cost options for that, too.

“Affordable,” of course, is a relative term. So in this list you’ll find 7 weeklong spa experiences — from soaking in hot springs to fitness retreats offering ultra-healthy cuisine to all-inclusive stays at destination spas — chosen to fit almost any budget.

While cost was definitely a driving factor, ambience and the quality of the spa treatments, activities, and food were also considered in compiling this selection. They’re arranged according to price, from least to most expensive — with a cap of $3,000 for a weeklong stay. (And just in case you can’t quite carve out a full week away, the nightly rates are listed, as well.) Read on to find out where to get the most bang for your buck.

OJO CALIENTE MINERAL SPRINGS RESORT & SPA, OJO CALIENTE, NEW MEXICO

I found this hot springs spa years ago when a friend of mine, living in Taos at the time, insisted I visit. We spent the afternoon (a day pass is $16) lounging in mineral pools containing arsenic (good for skin conditions and arthritis) and lithium (aids digestion and eases depression), sipping spring water, and spreading mud on our bodies then drying in the sun. It was blissful. In addition to 10 mineral pools, the 1,100-acre property has a historic hotel, a restaurant, and a full-fl edged spa. (Massages begin at $80 for 50 minutes and must be booked in advance.)

PRICE: From $109 per night; seven-night stays from $783.

GLEN IVY HOT SPRINGS SPA, CORONA, CALIFORNIA

The Native Americans were the first to enjoy these sacred waters, followed by the Spaniards, and by the 1890s the place had mushroomed into a health haven. Today, guests book into local hotels (accommodations are not available on-site) and then head to Glen Ivy’s spa playground (day admission is $35 on weekdays, $48 on weekends). A selection of soak-supplementing options are available: the legendary Glen Ivy Club Mud, where you can cover yourself in red clay (great for drawing impurities out of the pores and tightening the skin); a grotto for slathering on a hydrating body masque ($25); a wide variety of massages and facials (from $125); and a café serving tasty, healthy dishes made with local ingredients.

PRICE: Area hotels from $124 per night; packages that include seven days admission to Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa and seven nights accommodations from $892.

KRIPALU CENTER, STOCKBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS

When it comes to yoga, there are few, if any, retreat centers in the U.S. that can boast more offerings and renowned instructors than the Kripalu Center. (Each year, Kripalu’s 700 yogacentric programs attract more than 28,000 participants.) Its location — 150 wooded acres with a private lake and miles of trails — provides the ultimate setting for peaceful walks and meditative contemplation between yoga sessions, which are held three times a day: early morning, midday, and late afternoon. In between, there’s hiking and canoeing as well as workshops on topics like nutrition and creative writing. Ayurveda, India’s ancient science of holistic medicine, is practiced here and incorporated into everything from daily rituals (awaken before sunrise and give thanks before bed, for example) to therapeutic treatments like massage, nasal cleansing, and herbal detoxification sessions (spa treatments from $35).

PRICE: Dormitory accommodations from $155 per night (twonight minimum); seven-night stays from $1,106.

THE OAKS AT OJAI, OJAI, CALIFORNIA

Founded by legendary fitness buff Sheila Cluff, who still personally leads some of the activities and classes, The Oaks at Ojai celebrated its 30th birthday in 2007. Not surprisingly, there’s a cornucopia of get-in-shape classes, from aqua aerobics to core conditioning with hula hoops to belly dancing. New mission-style spa suites featuring hand-carved headboards and spacious jet tubs in the bathrooms add a feeling of luxury, and select spa treatments benefit from local ingredients, such as the Ojai Olive Oil Body Souffl é ($125, 75 minutes) that uses oil pressed from olives gathered in nearby groves. But it’s the 1,000-calorie-a-day spa cuisine that attracts the majority of guests — many who come with a holy grail weight-loss spa focus. Hikes and walks are popular, too — not to mention gorgeous — amid flowering citrus trees, lavender, and aloe.

PRICE: From $185 per night; seven-night stays from $1,295.

NEW AGE HEALTH SPA, NEVERSINK, NEW YORK

Just two hours from Manhattan in the Catskill Mountains, New Age Health Spa sits on 280 wooded acres combining lovely nature trails with spiritual, New Agey offerings like tarot card readings and a plethora of yoga, tai chi, and meditation classes. Native American rituals are the highlight of the spa menu: Try the Native Sun Purification ($95, 50 minutes), a spa hair treatment using traditional herbs grown in the spa’s greenhouse, or the complimentary Sweat Lodge Ceremony that is offered from April to November on the Saturday evening closest to the full moon.

PRICE: From $209 per night (two-night minimum); sevennight stays from $1,589.

PRICE: From $130 per night; six-night Detox Program from $1,699.

COPPERHOOD INN & SPA, SHANDAKEN, NEW YORK

This intimate destination spa — just 17 rooms — offers an old-Europe feel. Think gilded frames, marble, and wingback chairs. Hiking is the big draw, particularly in autumn’s glorious foliage, but yoga, meditation, and spa treatments (from $60) are popular, as well. Rooms are cozy, and afternoon tea is served daily in front of a fireplace — or on a wraparound deck with Adirondack chairs during the warmer months. The cuisine excludes red meat and instead features local ingredients like free-range chicken, cheese, and seasonal produce.

PRICE: From $325 per night (two-night minimum); seven-night stays from $2,240.

  

Full Article

 

 

TOP SPA TRIPADVISOR

 

Spa Reference Quick Links

 

Spa Search In Each States

Ayurveda, CA Day Spas, California Spas, Day Spa, Destination Spa, Hot Springs, Los Angeles Day Spas, Massachusetts Spas, Massage, NYC Spas, New Mexico Spa, New York Spa, Skin Care, Spa Getaways, Spa Treatments, Top Spa Searches

The luscious fig is surely the most sensual of fruits

A symbol of fertility in many cultures, the fig has long been revered as an aphrodisiac. The ancient Greeks believed figs were a gift from Dionysus, aka Bacchus—the god of wine, wanton behavior, intoxication, and ecstasy—and sacred to Demeter, goddess of the harvest and fertile soil. Figs are believed to have been the favorite fruit of Cleopatra, and they reputedly played a crucial role in her suicide; having decided to take her life in 30 B.C.E. after Mark Antony’s defeat and death, Cleopatra asked that an asp be delivered to her, concealed in a basket of figs.

Fig is the first and most mentioned fruit in the Bible, making its entrance in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve cover themselves with fig leaves. Some scholars claim that a fig, not an apple, was the unspecified forbidden fruit. The fig’s healing properties are referenced in the Bible, when Isaiah recommends a poultice made of figs to cure a boil.

The fig is native to Turkey, which remains the largest producer of the fruit, followed by California. The fruit is actually a flower inverted upon itself, and the trees are relatively short, about twenty-feet-high. Fig trees are extremely prolific; they usually produce two crops per year, and some bear fruit for up to 100 years—one of the reasons the fruit symbolizes fertility as well as longevity.

It was one of these impressive trees, growing behind her Atlanta shop, that inspired Jill Jones to add a Cranberry Fig collection to her Bidwell Botanicals line about five years ago. Her research into the fig’s beneficial properties proved fruitful. “Figs have been used both topically and as a diet supplement for ages due to their high vitamin content,” explains Jones. “Figs also have natural AHA properties that were used as far back as ancient Egypt to help refresh and brighten the skin. What they probably didn’t know, scientifically anyway, was that fig fruit contains very high levels of phytochemicals that help fight cancer and filter UV rays, thus protecting the skin.” Jones intended Bidwell’s Cranberry Fig collection to be a seasonal offering, but her customers changed her plans: “We brought it out for the holidays then tried to shelve it, but it was really popular—people were up in arms!”

Indeed, figs seem to fuel a fetish following. Californian Brook Harvey-Taylor, founder of Pacifica, says she was inspired to create her Mediterranean Fig Soap and Body Butter when she first tasted the fruit of a fig tree flourishing next door to her beachfront home about seven years ago. “Once I finally ate a fresh one, I was hooked,” she rhapsodizes. She also fell for the fruit’s intoxicating aroma. “The scent of figs is said to be calming,” she notes. “I can’t think of anything better for skincare than taking time to relax and get rid of stress. The ability to really do this is what leads to long-term health and beauty.”

Yet, it’s not just the fragrance that fosters fig fans. Lynn Shulman, founder of Toronto’s Elixir Spa, uses 100 percent organic fig extract in her most popular treatment, the Exfoliating Fig Enzyme Facial. “The reason I chose fig is because ficin [also known as ficain], the enzyme in figs, is twenty times more powerful than papain (papaya enzyme). It does a fantastic job of exfoliating the skin without irritation.” Skincare leader Dermalogica is also using fig for ficin’s exfoliating properties; its Exfoliating Body Scrub includes powder from the fruit and the tree’s latex (a milky sap), which has a higher concentration of the enzyme.

Los Angeles dermatologist Vicki Rappaport can’t verify the higher potency of ficin: “Papain and ficin come from the same family of cysteine proteases. If ficin is stronger, it’s still weaker than most known exfoliators in skincare.” Noting the perpetual search for the latest, hottest, natural ingredient, she says, “Fig as an ingredient is somewhat untapped but emerging as the sexy new kid on the block. Figs are rich in oils in both the skin and the seeds and they have some mild antioxidant properties, which of course helps reverse damage in the skin. And, most of all, fig as an ingredient usually smells luscious.”

That luscious smell was apparent when I recently previewed the new Cranberry Fig Conditioning Body Scrub at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Massachusetts. “We were tired of the traditional lavender- and citrus-type scrubs,” explains Spa Director Colleen Stiers of her decision to introduce this treatment. “I was looking for something different but still effective. After doing some research we found the fig was Cleopatra’s favorite fruit and has been used for over 2,000 years for its health and skincare benefits. This antioxidant-rich fruit revitalizes the skin by fighting the damaging effects of the sun and environment.” The treatment begins with a full-body exfoliation using Bidwell’s creamy Cranberry Fig Shea Butter Sugar Body Scrub, which is removed with warm towels, and continues with a relaxing soak in a hydrotherapy tub, followed by a light application of cranberry fig moisturizer. The rich fragrance turned heads—everyone I passed wanted to know what smelled so good—but better than that was the long-lasting benefit of moist and smooth skin.

While the Mediterranean pairing of fig and olive is prevalent—as in fig soaps from Israel-based Noveya and Australia’s Mor Cosmetics— cranberry is another popular partner. Unlike Jones’s experience at Bidwell, Bella Lucce founder Lela Rain Barker hasn’t been swayed by customer demand; spas offer her Cranberry Fig Antioxidant Wrap only as a holiday-season special. That won’t be the case at a new spa concept she is helping develop for Marriott properties in the Middle East, North Africa, and India. Sarray Spa, the first of which will debut at the new Marriott resort in Doha late this year, will offer treatments full of fig extract, fig powder, and fig concentrate. “We chose figs as a key ingredient primarily because of their importance in Arabic culture,” says Barker, noting that her new fig formulations will be available in the United States only via internet sale.

 

Cranberry Fig Conditioning Body Scrub
Canyon Ranch, Lenox, MA
(800) 742-9000

Cranberry & Fig Body Smoother
Canyon Ranch Spa Club at the Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
(877) 220-2688

Fruits of the Shore Body Treatment
Lake Austin Spa Resort, Austin, TX
(800) 847-5637

Make it at home
Moisture Mineral Mask

Courtesy of Brook Harvey-Taylor, co-founder, Pacifica

“This (facial mask) recipe is very Santa Barbara—the lavender, figs, and avocado are all very important here. At the farmers market, all of these ingredients are available almost all year.”

Ingredients

• 1 ripe fig, peeled
• 1 tbs. honey, preferably local and organic
• 1 tsp. avocado oil
• a few drops of lavender essential oil

Preparation

Puree ingredients together and apply to face for at least 10 minutes. This will be sticky but well worth the results. Honey provides moisture and acts as a carrier for the nutrients in the fig. Avocado oil is full of skin-loving essential fatty acids. The fig will also act as a very mild AHA and will leave your skin smooth.

 

just calm down spa’s At-Home Fig Scrub

Courtesy of Tara Oolie, founder, just calm down spa

This facial scrub can also be used on the body if you increase the amounts of the ingredients, retaining the same proportions.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/8 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup finely chopped figs
• 1/8 cup oatmeal
• 1 oz. vanilla extract

Preparation

Mix ingredients together, then massage onto skin for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly

Full Article

Canyon Ranch, Massachusetts Spas, Nevada Spa, Spa Resort, Spa Treatments, Spa Treatments with Figs, Spas, Texas Spas