UNTIL I became a beauty writer some years ago, I was loathe to pony up my tiny reserve of cash for beauty treatments. No doubt, most of you are the same way. I have plenty of friends who, in their 30s and 40s, have still never had a manicure, pedicure, facial, massage or bikini wax. The lack of those activities in my life would be hard to imagine now, and I'm not embarrassed to admit it! They're fun and they make me look and feel better. For example, I would have been unable to walk two weeks ago after my back went out without that deep tissue massage. My complexion is always radiant after an hour and a half in Hiroko's hands at Spa Merge. My feet don't scare small children after I have a pedicure. Same with my mangled cuticles post-manicure.
Clearly I would survive without such activities in my life. But I would prefer not to as it's so much better with them. So, if you're up for finding out what all this spa stuff is about, why not try it out this week? SpaWeek gives you the chance to try myriad treatments across the US (sorry, Britain; it's not there yet!) for just $50 a pop -- a snip of the non-Spa Week price for many treatments on offer.
Pay $50 (AND TIP THE THERAPIST. Discounted treatments doesn't mean you get to opt out of spa etiquette and good manners) and enjoy hours of beauty therapy bliss >
SpaWeek runs from September 13th to 19th and October 11th to 17th. You can also upload the SpaWeek iPhone App and get your spa fix on the go...
THIS ONE is a big old head's up for some spa goodness in 2011. occo london launches its home and skincare ranges in London next month, and there's a new London boutique, which I'm well chuffed for (anything to do with moja Hrvatska and I'm all over it). Seven ranges inspired by seven different locations in Croatia (including Motovun, where you should all visit during the local film festival) with local ingredients and 95% (minimum) natural ingredients (yes, I know there's no clear definition of what is/isn't natural in beauty but just an FYI). I. Want. It.
Know what I want more? To hole up in occo spa(s) they're opening in Croatia in 2011. To think I rented an apartment in Dubrovnik for July 2008 (strictly for legal purposes while applying for that pesky work visa (and to hone my language skills)) and wiled away my days on the laptop with the online biz. Two years too early (and too busy). Damn. Just means I'll have to go set up shop in the walled city again sometime soon.
Watch this space for more info on occo london -- the brand, the products and the spas. I might even share my pics!
Detox, 
