Beauty: Drift off to paradise with a totally tropical treat

Published on 19/08/2012 12:24

Starved of sunshine and tropical breezes this summer? Then get along to Edinburgh’s Aspen.

Their owner and sole therapist, Cari, was inspired by her recent honeymoon to the Maldives. When she got home, she designed a treatment that would have a tropical island flavour. Perfect to cheer up us vitamin D deficient Scots. The result is the suitably exotic sounding Paradise 
Island Drift.

To perform this 60-minute treatment, Cari uses a range of Pure Fiji products, which are packed with cold-pressed organic oils.

To kick off proceedings, each client is given a waft of a selection of potions, with options including orange blossom, star fruit, jasmine and coconut.

Whichever you are most drawn to will be used in the massage element of the experience.

I went for a fruity mango version, which reminded me of a yoghurty lassi. Then my feet were bathed in a wooden bowl, filled with an opaque cocktail of warm coconut milk and water, before being exfoliated with a rough mixture of sugarcane crystals and honey.

Once my de-scaled tootsies were rinsed and dried off, it was up on to the treatment bed, face down, for a classic Swedish-style back, neck and shoulder massage with that mango-scented oil. Cari is great at ramping the pressure up (or down) – whatever you feel you need. I went for medium, which was enough to ease any not-enough-holidays-or-sunshine related tension and resentment.

Then it was on to my back, for the scalp rub.

Paradise Island Drift is not for those who’ve just splurged on an intricate up-do, as oodles of warmed coconut oil with honey is used in this element of the treatment.

According to Cari, the coconut ingredient can penetrate the hair shaft, so is great for deep conditioning. If you have been sunning yourself, and your pelt resembles that of Worzel Gummidge, this could be the perfect remedy.

The amount of oil makes for a friction and tug-free scalp rub, and Cari also works it into one’s parched décolleté and shoulders.

Everything finishes – way too soon for me, as I’m just drifting off, while imagining waves lapping on the shore, as I lie prostrate on the warm sand, mmm – with an application of mango butter to my feet.

Afterwards, I felt refreshed and, post-wash, my hair was sleek and shiny.

The perfect short-haul treat.

• Aspen, 3 Lady Road, Edinburgh, (0131-667 4787, www.aspentherapies.com)