The Philippine Daily Inquirer - May 2004

URL: http://www.inq7.net/lif/2004/feb/18/text/lif_3-1-p.htm

Luxurious Spa Treatment at Home
By Lora Gahol

Posted:11:59 PM (Manila Time) | Feb. 17, 2004

ALTHOUGH people probably think I am vain, there's still a part of me that wants nothing more than a bar of soap and a bottle of shampoo for my beauty regimen. I guess there just comes a point when, quite ironically, the entire "relaxing" ritual of pampering in a spa-lying on a bed for a couple of hours for a scrub and a massage, wrapping yourself in goop from some unknown body of water-gets tiring.

It's not that I don't like the Cleopatra treatment, luxuriating in a tub of fragrant oils and exotic flowers. What gets me thinking twice about setting foot in a spa are the hours that I could've spent doing "more important stuff." That and another kikay (or is it anti-kikay?) confession: I can't stand some stranger's hand rubbing down my (naked) body, not for perverted reasons but simply because I can get annoyingly, noisily ticklish, and I find that this can only be either insulting or distracting -- not a very good thing.

I was about to continue my quest for beauty, half-heartedly making spa appointments -- I had to at least look the part of a beauty columnist -- until I came across an amazing line of spa products, all lovingly concocted by hand! Home Spa may soon become every spa-loving girl's best friend.

Swept in a nostalgic haze (I used to make my own beauty "recipes" with mashed fruits and oatmeal, usually ending up with a mess), I excitedly indulged in my first taste of Home Spa heaven -- a three-step foot treatment with the Strawberry Milkshake line (two-thumbs-and-ten-toes-up rating! You might have read about it in a previous column) -- in the privacy of my own bathroom.

After admiring my smooth and berry-scented tootsies, I knew I was hooked. I had to try their other offerings and, so far, I have not been disappointed.

Easily addictive with their yummy flavors and delicious scents, Home Spa products aren't all sugar and spice. The complete line of bath and body essentials was formulated to keep skin healthy while using the most natural ingredients Mother Nature has to offer-no chemicals here! The mild formulas are very relaxing, true must-haves for any girl (or guy) wanting to de-stress.

All products are readily available, can be used in the convenience of your own home, and are very reasonably priced (ranging from 80 pesos – 350 pesos). Try these hair, face and body treats, and get addicted!

Moisturizing Lip Balm (80 pesos). This is, by far, one of the best lip balms I have tried. The texture is light and doesn't leave a sticky mess on your fingers or lips. Use just enough to coat your kisser-it works as a light gloss, too. I love how it plumps up fine lines on your lips, and am absolutely hooked on the tingly, minty-cool sensation that comes right after applying it. Super cheap, too. Available in Cherry and Peppermint.

Honey Bliss Bath Gel (100 pesos). If there's anything I can never give up during bath time, it's a luxurious shower gel. Anything else and I don't feel as clean and refreshed. This one from Home Spa became an instant favorite. It scrubs away rough patches (use a bath lily!) and leaves skin soft and glowing-literally! Rich with honey's moisturizing and silkening properties, it doesn't feel like you have to rinse thrice to get rid of all traces of the product. Great news for Go Nuts Donuts lovers-the Iced Lemon smells like fresh glazed donuts. Believe it!

Smooth and Silky Olive and Honey Hair Therapy (130 pesos). A sure winner among those with chemically treated or naturally dry strands, the olive oil and honey in this sweet-smelling (everything smells great!) hair treatment really boosts moisture and shine-and costs a mere fraction of what you'd pay for high-end salon treatments. Apply an ample amount, leave on for 20 minutes or longer, and rinse off for bouncier, silkier locks.

Clarifying Milk and Green Tea Facial Mask (150 pesos). For blemished and breakout-prone skin, once-a-week treatment with this fresh facial mask can do wonders for your complexion. Green Tea purifies and improves skin's defenses against harsh environmental elements and pollutants, while Milk exfoliates and helps lighten pigmentation such as pimple scars and freckles.

Exfoliating Foot Glow Scrub (100 pesos). Currently my favorite foot loot, this salt scrub with essential oils gets rid of dry, crusty skin on my feet. The grains don't scratch, and the whole scrubbing process is actually relaxing! Soak your tired tootsies in the Softening Milk Foot Bath (P100) before exfoliating, and slather on a generous amount of Deep Moisturizing Olive Foot Butter afterwards for unbelievably soft feet.

Try the different tea-based products (Green Tea/Vanilla, Jasmine/Almond, Chamomile/ Vanilla/ Almond-Basil/ Toffee/Rosemary/ Coco-Pandan, etc.), fruit-based varieties (Strawberry, Mango, Melon, Lemon, Pineapple, Banana, Orange) or the bean/nut combinations (Mocha, Vanilla, Chocolate, Almond), depending on your needs (nourishing, relaxing, moisturizing, invigorating, etc.)

Order Home Spa products from Marge Gabat (+63 920-2935057/ +63 2 4341126), or e-mail my_homespa@yahoo.com. The products are also available-and used-at Gloss Designer Nails Eastwood; Posh Nails, San Juan; Nail Spa, Makati; and Nail Tropics Eastwood.

E-mail the author at pdi_vanityfare@hotmail.com.
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Home Spa Bath and Body Essentials, Manila
Telefax: (632) 434.1126
Mobile: (0928) 347.9343
Email:
General Inquiries - info@homespa.tk / my_homespa@yahoo.com
Home Spa Product Orders - spaorders@homespa.tk
Home Spa Service & Spa Parties - spaservice@homespa.tk
Spa Training - spatraining@homespa.tk
Feedback - marge@homespa.tk
YM: my_homespa
Yahoo E-group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/home_spa