Products for peace of mind at spa expo
NEW YORK — Sound vibrations, warm seashells and a “digital detox” that involves surrendering your cellphone were among the healing and de-stressing techniques on display at the recent International Spa Association expo, held in New York.
Products large and small for home use were also a theme, from a disposable heated face mask to a lounge chair.
Lounge chair
The comfy, curvy Soltec Lounge wouldn’t look out of place in your living room but it’s not just for casually putting your feet up. It delivers soothing magnetic vibrations while you listen to a soundtrack of chants, drums and more. Lie back with headphones and an eye pillow and the world with all its troubles fades away. The item can be purchased for home use for US$3,200.
Singing bowls
A different approach to using sound vibration — less high-tech and more about ancient rituals — is offered by Eastern Vibration. The Florida-based company imports singing bowls from Nepal that emit a humming tone when struck with a gong. The bowls have traditionally been used in Eastern meditation practices. The company sells its seven-inch bowls for US$105 for home use.
Digital detox
Posting, swiping, texting, tweeting — that’s no way to relax! So the folks at Mandarin Oriental hotels are going to politely request that you hand over your cellphone for its “Digital Detox,” rolling out to all Mandarin spas beginning Sept. 5. Once you’re phone-less, you’ll decompress with quiet, mindful activities like journaling, colouring and yoga.
Tribal inspiration
The Spa Ssakwa’q’n is run by the Coeur d’Alene tribe in Worley, Idaho, as part of the tribe’s casino-resort, just south of the city of Coeur d’Alene. The spa’s signature treatment is the “Coeur d’Alene experience,” with treatments inspired by tribal culture. Instead of a sweat lodge, there’s a sauna; instead of red clay body paint, there are skin exfoliation treatments. A heady blend of aromatic indigenous plants like cedar, sweetgrass and huckleberry infuses various products.
Self-heating mask
A new product from Chaleur Beauty will soon be available for retail purchase for home use, but it’s also being marketed to the spa world. It’s a disposable self-heating facial mask, US$8, designed for use with skin creams activated by the heat. You can use the mask for 10 to 40 minutes.
Warm seashells
Heated seashells are placed on your body as part of a skin moisture treatment from Kohler Waters Spa, which has locations in Kohler, Wis.; Burr Ridge, Ill.; and at the Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews, Scotland. Kohler specializes in water therapy, and the All Things Scotland experience, inspired by the North Sea, also includes a seaweed wrap, sea salt exfoliation and warm rinse under a custom shower.