I am a full-time wellness writer and editor, and several years ago, when I first moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, I took a part-time job at one of the most renowned spas in the US – Ten Thousand Waves. I still live in Santa Fe where, if you throw a stone in any direction, it will likely hit a massage therapist. I am so glad to see you here at my spa blog!
I will share with you what I’ve learned about this business where you lie stark naked on a blanketed table and allow a complete stranger to massage warm oil onto nearly every inch of your body. I’ve lain on hundreds of these tables and crawled back into real life with the requisite lines on the sides of my face, from the face cradle. I’ve been kneaded, scrubbed, heated, oiled, and even hummed to. From the sublime to the evil, I’ve endured every kind of therapist, and every kind of treatment. And I own enough body indulgence products to open my own spa. I figured since I’m a writer, it was time to blog about my spa psychosis.
I will entertain your inner spa with a relevant quip, and I will often end with “Today’s Tip,” which will address some fun item, perhaps offer a warning about a product, or just answer a common FAQ, such as “Is it okay to leave my underwear on during a massage?”
Today’s Tip:
My latest obsession is with The Body Shop’s “Shea Exfoliating Sugar Body Scrub.” It is so decadent I’m tempted to eat it. Its salt chunks abrade my body, but then leave a thin glowing sheen on my skin, and I revel in that all day. When no one’s looking, I sneak little sniffs on my arm. As exfoliants go, this one’s on the harsher side. But they used to make a “Bergamot Salt Scrub” that skinned me alive. So, this is an upgrade. Its scent—floral and fruity—is subtle, so your limbs won’t offend when you enter a room. Be careful when you use this in the shower, as its oils cause the tub floor to become slippery. I can’t explain why you’ll love this—it’s hard on the skin, and you might break an ankle slipping in your tub—but its lasting patina is seductive.
This is a great piece of info. I am loving your blog!
Thanks, Lynn! I have a lot of really cool stuff coming up.
I have been told by my doctor to use vegetable oil instead of lotion for my very dry skin. Do you know which vegetable oil is the most affective?
Hi Louise,
It is true that vegetable oil is good for your skin, and I don’t think one is likely to be any better than another. Sunflower oil will work as well. My personal preference is to use oils specifically labeled as “facial oils.” They tend to be less messy and absorb more easily than cooking oils. I love Sundari Oils, and they make three different kinds, bashed on your dosha (an Ayervedic principle.)
Val The Spa Gal
So….is it okay to leave on your underwear during a massage?
Yes, it certainly is! I will actually be addressing this very issue and related concerns that will be particularly helpful for first-time massage goers. Stay tuned!
-Val The Spa Gal