Pure Spa & Beauty - Reflexology treatment (review): Aberdeen

As far as rest and relaxation goes, I am no ambassador. Not the type to pamper myself, or look after my skin that much, its a rare treat when I find myself at a spa or indulging in any beauty regimes. Thankfully for me, PURE Spa & Beauty were on hand to answer all my r&r prayers, and I couldn't have been more grateful.

I was only last week that I was invited to come in and try out PURE Spa & Beauty Aberdeen's new reflexology treatment. I've only had reflexology once - a very brief treatment - and I didn't receive much feedback on the experience, so I was looking forward to finding out much more about the treatment and how reflexology really works. Located in Aberdeen's largest shopping centre, Union Square, I headed along earlier this week to put their masseuses hands to the test...

Reflexology is all about using massage techniques to relive tension and potentially treat illness based on the theory that our body boasts reflex points on our feet, hands and head linked to every part of the body. For example, the big toe is usually associated with the head. Reflexology is all about having an open-mind, and some believe by manipulating and applying pressure to these specific areas on the feet, that it can effect the rest of the body.

Getting into my robe, I was greeted by Monica, my spa therapist for the day, and taken from the relaxation room to one of the treatment rooms. Massaging my feet with an Elemis scrub -  the main product brand the spa uses in most of its treatments - in warm, soapy water, she talked me through the treatment and what benefits I could expect from the treatment.

Lying face up on the comfortable, warn bed, she started off massaging my head, easing me into a relaxing trance with the assistance of soothing music. Slowly, she made her way down to my feet and began the treatment. Starting on my toes, she worked her way down, around and across my feet, getting right into the nooks and crannies of my muscles and ligaments. She concentrated on the spine of my foot,  the heel, the arch and the topsides of my feet too. Working her way around, I found the treatment rather relaxing. There was a few moments I was a little apprehensive and felt sharp pains in my feet with her manipulating and manoeuvring the tissue, however, I embraced the tiny bursts of pain as I wanted to get the most out of the treatment.

There was a real sense of an oriental atmosphere in the spa area, with oriental towels, decorations and music played throughout my treatment. This theme carried through into the relaxation room, where I had ended up before and after my treatment.

A good half an hour later, my treatment came to an end. Monica left me to get dressed and invited me to sit down so she could chat me me through what she had picked up from my reflexology treatment.

She initially touched on the balls of my feet. Ever since I was a dancer (all those years ago), I've always been prone to having harder skin on the ball of my foot. Monica mentioned how this could be causing strain on my lungs, and how I may not be using them to their full capacity due to the unnecessary tension put on them. She talked about how I may be more prone to coughs and chest infections as a result of this. It was weird she had mentioned this, as I've had a cough for over one month now, but I put this more down to coincidence than the balls of my feet, although, it's definitely been playing on my mind since.

Next, she chatted to me about the middle of my foot, discussing how she had thought that my digestive system/stomach needed nurturing. She mentioned that I would benefit from eating healthier foods and introducing more smoothies into my diet, and also drinking more water to help with digestion. She said it was important for me to cleanse my digestive system and encouraged me to stay away from bad foods.

She has also mentioned the v word. Yes, I know I should be mature enough to discuss this matter, however, I feel this is best left as is.

Monica also advised me to reevaluate into the shoes I've been wearing and potentially try and find some new, comfier shoes to wear day-to-day. She had picked up a lot of tension in my feet and thought this could be down to some of the shoes I was wearing, as she felt my feet were also a little swollen.

After we had discussed the treatment, Monica showed me to the relaxation room where I lounged around for an extra 30 minutes or so. Never far away from my phone, I was chilling out sorting my emails before heading to a meeting an hour later.

The spa was lovely, and some r&r was exactly what I needed to set me up for the week ahead. I felt totally relaxed and wasn't ready to leave the spa, but alas, reality was calling and I had a busy day ahead of me.

I would definitely recommend the reflexology treatment, and it was rather interesting to get such in-depth feedback about my body - especially when the information had been devised from my feet! I was very intrigued to hear what Monica has picked up from the tensions in my feet and I am going to keep an eye out for the different things she had mentioned. I'll report back to let you know if my body feels any different and if I think there truly is something in reflexology. And for those who aren't believers, the treatment is delightfully relaxing, and your feet will thank you for it anyway.

A big thanks to the team at PURE Spa & Beauty for inviting me along to try out the new treatment, and to Monica for her outstanding customer service. She made me feel totally comfortable throughout the whole experience and the front of house staff were very charming too.

Have you tried reflexology before? Ddi you benefit from the feedback you received? Or id reflexology something you are keen to try out? I'm keen to hear everyone's thoughts on this treatment and if they do or don't believe in it!

p.s - I was a little in love with the robes too.

  For Now...

Just Julia

The scrub of your life: Teal Anchor (Review)

Pampering and relaxation has never been high on the priority list for me. Gone are the days I would lather my skin in my grandma’s Nivea cream, or mix every bath and shower gel she had together to create my own special beauty remedy.

I'm the one that still use makeup wipes and soap to take my makeup off. And yes, I can hear you screaming from here...

When Teal Anchor, a new Aberdeen body scrub company approached me to try out their products, I was really excited to try get myself back into a routine pampering my skin with high quality products, the way it should be treated.

Ok yes, I’ll admit it, the first few times I had set out to try the scrubs I kept forgetting to take the darn things in with me. I’m a 100mph kind of gal, and it wasn’t until I had soaked my hair, that I’d remember about the scrubs. Pre-planning the morning ahead one night, scrub in place on the shower shelf, I was ready.

With six core scents in the range, featuring mint, lavender, black pepper, grapefruit, vanilla and tea tree, I had asked for a few different samples to try out to ensure I was getting to full Teal Anchor experience.  The scrubs all smelled very strong, and it was very easy to distinguish which smell was which. The jars the scrubs were presented in were lovely, and would make the perfect jars for holding trinkets or even homemade jams/marmalades – providing you washed them out thoroughly enough. They also came with a cute wee wooden spoon. As there is coconut oil in the mixture, it has the tendency to harden. The wooden spoon allows you to mix up the scrub, ensuring you can use it time and time again.

I decided the best way to apply the scrubs would be after I’d wet my skin. Scooping out a small handful of the mint scrub I began to scrub away. The sugar and oil based scrub was very gritty initially, as you would expect, and took a wee bit to take to my skin properly. I don’t know if it was because I was a ‘scrubbing’ beginner, but a little bit did not seem to go a long way.

On the second time sampling the scrubs, I decided to wet the product a little ahead of using it for the rest of my body, again I used the mint scrub. I found it to go on much easier this time and I didn’t waste so much of the product. It was easier to apply and was overall a much more pleasant experience. I spent time really massaging the product into my skin to ensure it could benefit from the natural ingredients within the scrub.

I'm not going to lie, I made a bit of a mess in the shower with the product, but it was fun to use and was easy to wash away.

With different variations of fine or thicker sugar available on request, and the ability to customise any of the scents to different colours, the team at Teal Anchor goes the extra mile for their customers.

I found that pat drying my skin with a towel left my skin feeling smooth and allowed my skin to absorb the products moisturising elements. As the scrub is oil based, my skin was a little oily afterwards, however, it wasn't bad and I knew it would be soaked up in no time.

I was also told that I could eat the scrubs, however, I wouldn't recommend it. Organic the scrubs may be, if you're going to eat one, or at least try tasting one, steer well clear of the lavender flavour...

The scrubs feature all natural ingredients, are vegan, and are homemade. With the core ingredients featuring sugar, coconut oil, green tea, sweet almond oil, and natural colouring, these scrubs are perfect for all skin types. If you have sensitive skin, I would definitely recommend getting the fine grain sugar for your scrubs, as this is less likely to irritate your skin.

I’m still a little unsure about the whole ‘scrubbing’ etiquette thing, but overall the products seem pretty cool. The brand’s ethos is nice and the two owners, Gillian Paterson and Sarah Marwick really seem to know their shit. They even handed me an information pack, showcasing promising plans for the business. I’m excited to see how they get on and look forward to seeing new scents and new products hitting their online shops shelves.

All of the scrubs are handmade to order. They are also available in refill packs for £9, meaning you can recycle your scrub jars too. All of the refill packs also come in recyclable paper packs. It is recommended to apply the scrubs 2-3 times a week for optimum results.

Teal Anchor was established in May 2016, and is available online from http://www.tealanchor.com/

Fancy trying the scrubs out for yourself? Use my 20% discount code for your first purchase. Enter 'JUST JULIA' at the checkout.

   For Now...

Just Julia

Definition Clinic (Aberdeen): Review

Over the past few years Aberdeen has experienced an influx in new entrepreneurial businesses popping up all over the city, offering individuals something a little different and adding character to the area.

One area in particular which has grown exceedingly is the West End of Aberdeen. Now a communal hub of new business, the Claremont and St Swithin Street area has flourished over the past two years, churning out some of Aberdeen's most popular cafes and fashionable wedding dress shops to date.

Definition skin and laser clinic , which is situated on Chattan Place, is a professional skin and laser clinic based in the West End, providing solutions to skin issues. Headed up by owner, Lucy Tuck, the experienced team provides a professional service in a relaxing, stylish environment. The clinic, which consists of relaxing sea blue interiors through a wash of white, instantly relaxes you, allowing the whole experience to be as calming as possible.

The clinic's name, 'Definition', is central to owner, Lucy Tuck's vision, proclaiming that beauty need only be enhanced, thus, the treatments the clinic boasts only ever help add to the individuals true , natural beauty.

Established in 2009, moving into the Chattan Place premises just over a year ago, Lucy and her team have worked tirelessly to continue to make the salon into the success it is today. Inviting me along to see what all the fuss was about on Thursday afternoon, I realised how dramatically the building had changed and how she had transformed the space into a harmonious, tranquil sanctuary.

With three treatment rooms, a nail bar and a reception area, the clinic is a busy wee place and it is recommended you book your appointment in advance as the therapists are usually booked up in advance.

On arrival to the clinic, Gail, who has over 15 years experience in the industry, took me through my initial consultation, investigating the type of skin I had and the products I would usually use. Unbeknown to her, her nightmare client sat eagerly in front of her.

I have never really taken my skin regime seriously, and when it comes to being consistent with it ans using toners, cleansers and exfoliators its pretty much non-existent. Shocking I know...Makeup wipes and bar of soap is usually what I use to wash my face, and the odd exfoliator, however after the looks on Gail's face, I knew I was about to be informed of what my skin really needs, and why I need to take more time in caring for it. Addressing any of my concerns about my skin which consisted of me questioning her how to get rid of blackheads, Gail talked me through why exfoliating, cleansing and toning is vital in keeping cells healthy to ensure their elasticity for the future.

Carrying on from the consultation, Gail informed me about my Dermalux™LED Phototherapy treatment which I was receiving for the first time. Lying on the cosy therapy bed, an obscure machine was placed above and around my head, kind of making you feel like you'd stuck half of your head in a plant pot, but a nice, clean, quirky looking plant pot at that.

I don't really have many skin problems in all honesty, I'm extremely lucky in that respect especially for not looking after it the way I should, however this specific treatment is said to be excellent for all skin types and is great for those who suffer from acne, eczema, psoriasis and many other skin concerns.

Using three coloured wavelengths of viable light with rejuvenating benefits, the treatment is non-invasive, allowing skin cells to absorb the light, using it as a source of energy to fuel and repair damaged cells or kill bacteria. It's a natural biochemical reaction, very similar to that of plant photosynthesis, so when I say you feel refreshed after it, it might not all be down to the endorphins the bright light usually triggers.

The process, which results in radiant, youthful and naturally healthy skin, stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, boosting circulation and accelerating tissue repair. Lasting 20 minutes, the treatment is beneficial to all skin types and can help injured skin cells return to optimum health.

The treatment makes your face feel warm, almost as if you are sunbathing on a beautiful beach, this is due to the stimulation of blood circulation and no, before you ask, the light does not give you a tan. However, it does stimulate the blood circulation and cell hydration, giving skin a healthy, radiant glow. The treatment is highly relaxing and helped relieve a lot of stress. During the treatment I was given a small pair of goggles to wear to block the light from your eyes, however, the light is not damaging to eyes, as bright as it is.

There are no side effects with the treatments and due to the treatment boasting LED lights, it cannot damage the skin,

As an added extra I was offered a complimentary foot massage or an arm and hand massage throughout the appointment. Lying there feeling like I was on a beautiful hot beach on an exotic island, Gail massaged my arms and hands almost sending me to sleep. Thank god the appointment is only 20 minutes long or I would have been snoozing!

With regard to results, I instantly saw a difference. My face was slightly red (which was anticipated and explained to me in advance), however, my skin felt very plump and hydrated. It definitely felt like the treatment had made a difference and even a few days after the treatment I still felt my skin looked flawless.

The best part about this treatment is that you can put your make up on straight after. Gail had mentioned many of her clients get this treatment just before they go on a night out which I'd never thought of! With phototherapy the results are cumulative and improvement will continue even after the treatment has stopped. You can take treatments in quick succession to achieve optimum results and because the treatment doesn't harm the skin there is no limit to the amount of treatments you have.

Definition has rapidly expanded its offering to clients, allowing them opportunities to experience a greater variety of luxury services. Other services at the clinic include; advanced PRIORI skin peers, laser/IPL hair removal, skin rejuvenation, aesthetic treatments like Harley waxing, VITAGE facials, massages, manicures and gel polishes.

The clinic offers complimentary consultations, allowing the therapists to design a plan best suited to your skins needs. If you're interested in booking in for a consultation call the salon on 01224 433111 - you'll be in great hands!

  For Now...

Just Julia

Linton & Mac: Nail bar experience

Stop what you're doing.  Sassy nails are coming, and boy is the nail game strong with this one.

Since bursting onto the Aberdeen scene just over six months ago, local hair salon Linton & Mac has been making waves in the industry, welcoming some of the hairdressing industry's top professionals to the salon.

Established by creative directors, Joanna MacDonald and Jennifer Linton, the duo have progressed the business excessively, adding a number of new salon services as customer demand increases. 

A few weeks ago I was invited along to the salon to try out the its nail bar, and obviously I couldn't resist getting my sass on and taking them up on the offer immediately. Having already experienced the salon's style bar I was really excited to try out another service the salon has on offer. As well as a nail bar Linton & Mac also boasts a make up artist, their infamous style bar, hairdressing services and a brow bar too! And by the looks of things, I'm slowly making my way around the whole salon!

Welcoming me one Saturday afternoon, Kayleigh, Linton & Mac's resident nail artist, took me to her station where her new funky nail bar was situated, fixed me a drink from the refreshments menu and offered me a selection of quirky tasters of popcorn, popping candy and cashew nuts incase I was feeling peckish. Talking me through my appointment, Kayleigh discussed the new IBX treatment she recently brought into the salon, telling me about the wonders it would work for my nails whilst chatting me through the different nail styles and fashionable colour trends.

Not the place for someone as indecisive as I, the nail colour choice available for customers at Linton & Mac is second to none. With over 50 colours to chose from there's something for everyone. Opting for a dark purple/burgundy colour I was still spoiled for choice and managed to narrow my decision down to three potential finalists. Bella's Vampire, Majestic and a dark grey colour (just to mix it up) called Metro. 

Before starting my acrylics appointment, Kayleigh offered me the IBX Repair treatment, in order to help the growth and conditioning of my nails. IBX Repair is used to repair severe nail damage and sets the stage for growth. Not only does it toughen the upper layers of the nail plate, the IBX treatment also fills up deep grooves resulting in a smoother nail plate too. The natural colour of the nail and the appearance of the nails is also improved as well as the strength and condition of nails, which in turn will help nails grow stronger and longer.

My nails were in a terrible state before my appointment, however, Kayleigh reassured me about the treatments and I immediately saw my nails transform from the worn out, dull, lifeless state they were in to moisturised, healthy looking nails.

I had decided (with some guidance) to get a set of acrylics which Kayleigh sculpted onto my nail freehand. I've only ever had this done once so was a little sceptical in how the end result would turn out, but in the hands (quite literally) of experienced nail artist, Kayleigh, I would definitely recommend this way of applying acrylics due to them not damaging my nails as much as previous acrylics have. She suggested I go for an almond shape, slightly pointed, as I wanted to make my fingers look longer and not so stumpy. She did a great job and chatted away to me throughout the whole appointment which I really enjoyed. I can't keep my mouth shut for five minutes to it was reassuring to have someone so friendly carrying out a longer appointment. The colour turned out fantastic after two or three quotes, which I would say is pretty standard in developing any nail colour, and I was extremely pleased with the overall result.

With my claws ready to paint the town red, I left Linton & Mac a new woman, with nails so on fleek even Bey would be stopping in the street (insert sassy emoji girl here), I strutted my way out of the salon to meet my friends for coffee to show off my fabulous new talons.

Recommending Linton & Mac is far too easy for me. From the homely welcome at reception, to the carefully developed customer experience undertaken by the friendly staff, to the high quality products and services they provide, the salon really has nailed all aspects of its offering.

So if you fancy pampering yourself and want your nails on fleek, then definitely get in contact with Kayleigh. Not only does she offer acrylics, gel nails and manicures, she also offers some cute nail art and has an incredible selection of never-ending colours which are definitely worth checking out. Prices are varied for different treatments with some treatments costing as little as £15.

Fancy having a nosy of Kayleigh's work? Well check out the Linton & Mac nails Instagram account here to see exactly what she can offer.

   For Now...

Just Julia

The world of MINE: A sneak peek...

When I heard the latest word on the street was that a new pop up jewellery shop was establishing in Aberdeen, I was straight on Facebook, investigating what was to come...

MINE, brainchild of local creative, Amy Donaldson, is a fashionable online boutique, with a quirky twist, offering up a monthly pop-up showroom right in the heart of Aberdeen.

Specialising in jewellery initially, the online boutique will host a number of exclusive, unique designers, giving the people of Aberdeen the chance to indulge in some very unusual pieces.

Arranging a catch up with Amy ahead of this weekend's exclusive launch on Saturday 26 March at 33 Huntly Street (Profile hair salon) from 1 - 7pm,  I just had to quiz her on all things jewellery and

fashion...

*A quick heads up to anyone looking to sample the exclusive cocktail Porter's Gin has created for the event - be there prompt because once they're gone, they're gone!*

So you've named the business MINE, where did the inspiration behind the name come from?

"It really was just down to pot luck. I'd been thinking about names for a while and really liked the idea of venturing down the metal theme. It took a long time to finally decide what I wanted to call the business, (originally I'd been thinking Ore), but in the end played on the concept of a gold mines therefore MINE was born. The concept of MINE is great as it allows me to play on the idea of sharing and swapping jewellery, kind of a 'what's mine is yours' which I'm hoping to develop in the near future."

Why Jewellery?

"I've always loved jewellery. A hairdresser by trade, I love to jazz up my work clothes (which are predominantly black) and jewellery allows me to showcase my personality. I sometimes go a little over the top with it, but that's the kind of person I am. I think the type of jewellery you wear can say a lot about your tastes - just like any fashion!

"I've only got one of my ears pierced and was looking for somewhere that sold singular earrings online and couldn't find anywhere. I stumbled upon this cute place in Brick Lane, London, who sold individual earrings and I fell in love. So much so that they were the first place I approached to stock on my website. I'm really excited about working with them and giving the people of Aberdeen something a little different when it comes to accessories.

"As well as being a hairdresser, I also attended a Silversmith course at Robert Gordon University and did a course on how to make jewellery in London too."

Photo rights owned by MINE 

What is it?
"MINE is really a hobby I've had for years that I've now decided to turn into a quirky wee business. My love for jewellery developed into a passion for sharing my experiences of different shops and brands with my clients, which many of them wanted to buy pieces from.

"I used to make wedding bouquets and incorporate pieces of jewellery into them, and I also decorated picture frames with old jewellery too.

"MINE is primarily an online business, however, we will be hosting monthly pop-ups in the salon and potentially across Aberdeen, which is all very exciting!"

What artists/designers can people expect you to be stocking?

"Les Nereides which specialises in luxury costume jewellery, the quirky pieces this company boasts are ridiculously cute! Think flowers, kittens, unicorns and anything else deemed girly.

"For those who love a little grunge, Black Pearl, in London, is perfect for bespoke pendants. Like mixed metals or sterling silver and enjoy moons, stars, anchors and precious gems!? These pieces are definitely worth checking out. With prices ranging between £15 - £40 there's something for everyone...

"Sarah Winther is based in Stockholm and isn't available in any other shop in the UK. She extremely talented and has a fantastic eye for real beauty."
Sarah's pieces were some of my favourite when I got a sneak peek of the collections MINE is stoking, the stunning raw rock rings and the hooped earrings are a must.

"All the way from Berlin, Angela Gomes' pieces are sublime, with a focus on bass and silver, these fashionable pieces portray strong, bold shapes.

"And we will also have graphic and modern jewellery designers, Wolf and Moon alongside many other designers too."

As well as selling and showcasing a number of unique, artisan jewlers, which Amy handpicked herself, she has also created an exclusive MINE range of her own. With her artistic flare and passion for jewellery, you have no doubt that the collection is going to be incredible.

Photo rights owned by MINE

"I wanted the collection to portray who I am as a creative, whilst showing off my edgier side. Jewellery is a very personal thing, so much so that it's very unlikely that two people have exactly the same choice. MINE gives people the chance to play around with fashion in a fun, informal way, and I think the fact we have so many different creatives involved in MINE's offering, that there is definitely something to suit everyone's tastes.

"I am obsessed with individual earrings, so I've created a mix 'n match earrings range so that those looking to be a little more adventurous with the length of their earrngs can have something completely different. There's heaps of different charms and I can't wait to show them off to everyone!"

Amy has also created a wooden collection with the help of her boyfriend who is a joiner. 

"The wooden collection is really funky. I've utilised an old label maker to create labelled jewellery so I can personalise any of the wooden pieces to indiviuals' tastes, which I think is going to prove very popular. I've already created some for my friends and a few local businesses so I'm looking forward to surprising them with their gifts."

Favourite piece?

"My favourite piece of jewllery of all time HAS to be my skull ring, I've had it for years and it is the only piece of jewllery that I wear every day."

Favourtie accessory?

"Individual single earrings - especially the longer ones!"

2016 Spring/Summer Trends?

"In all honesty, I don't tend to follow trends, I like to make it up as I go I guess. But what I have noticed, especially for Spring/Summer 2016, is that triangles and semi precious stones are hot in the fashion world. The unfinished, unpolished look on jewllery is also really popular just now, I've even heard that rougher diamonds are becoming much more popular too.

The jewlery business is also turning much more green, really pushing into the eco-friendly, fairtrade markets which is very refreshing. I like to know where my jewellery has come from and I think it's so important to understand how your suppliers work in order to remain true to your business ethos, and yourself really. It's exciting finding out the story of the pieces and it really inspires me so I think this is a huge thing for the fashion industry."

You can catch up with Amy at the official launch of MINE this Saturday and be blown away by the stunning collection of quirky, unusual, yet very stylish pieces.

For Now...

Just Julia

  

James Dun's House Aveda Lifestyle Salon: Aveda body massage

Luxurious back massages, manicures, pedicures and fabulous facials are every girls dream. Well, for those who are into spoiling themselves in their spare time, which traditionally isn't me at all.

Looking back, I've never really been one to visit spa's, not because I don't like them, but purely because I never seem to have  time, sorry, make time to spoil myself, and more importantly, spoil my body. My job in PR can be pretty stressful and getting a good night's sleep is pretty rare for me, especially during the week. So when Anna from James Dun's House invited me to try out their new bespoke Aveda body treatments, my body screamed yes. A spa virgin, this was set to be an exciting new experience...

Arriving at the Aberdeen city centre salon on Schoolhill, (they also have a salon in Glasgow) I was surprised at the size of the establishment, which consists of four floors and boasts an open-plan set up. The interiors of the salon are very soothing welcoming you with open arms, and I instantaneously felt at ease with myself. With natural, earthy tones throughout, it was clear that nature had been a big inspiration for the salons decor. After registering at reception I was left to chill out in the lounge, eagerly awaiting my spa treatment.

Lizette, one of the salon therapists and quite frankly miracle worker in my opinion, greeted me and instantly made me feel relaxed - she could probably see the fear in my eyes of not having a clue what I was doing. She led me down the grand staircase to the spa where I was left to change into a luxuriously soft, cotton robe in the serene, private spa treatment room. Lizette had urged me to take my time and really enjoy the experience. Feet placed in the warm foot bath, I patiently awaited Lizette's return. As she caressed my exhausted feet, with foot reflexology,  she explained the ethos of the salon and the purpose of the customised massage menu. Everyone's bodies react differently to stress and individuals experience stress in different ways. For me it was my upper body and my shoulders, as well as my neck which seemed to be the problem areas. Lizette was great at recommending which massage would be best for me, and felt the de-stressed therapy exactly what I needed. It's not very often I think about the effects stress has on my body, so it was extremely interesting to learn about it in such a chilled out environment.

Self-care and relaxation is important, and looking after our bodies can really influence how you feel about yourself, and how your body copes with stress.

The room smelled beautiful and was tranquil, exactly what I needed after a busy day at work. The music was soothing,  almost rocking me slowly to sleep. Lizette softly talked me through everything she was doing, ensuring not to disturb me too much. Holding a lavender scent in front of my face (which at this point I was face down on the bed) and guiding my breathing, she then got to work on my back. Now my treatment was in full swing...

After a good 45 minute stress-fix body massage, I definitely could have fallen asleep on that bed. Lizette performed a Swedish and deep tissue massage on my arms, legs, back, neck and shoulders, and even concentrated on acupressure points, guiding me through a calm meditation in rejuvenating my body. The massage itself was heavenly. Accompanied by the smells and the music, it truly was a magical experience. The serene ambiance of the room took me back to a beach somewhere nice and warm, and if I could have, I wouldn't have left.

Obviously I couldn't leave without taking a #robeselfie now could I!?

The new Aveda Body Wise treatments truly do leave you feeling divine and with a bespoke range tailored to your body's needs, the therapists can ensure you get the most out of your massage. The experience is a personal sensory journey, and is completely unique to everyone's individual tastes.

The spa aims to focus on recovery of the body, mind, and skin from negative stress, and all of the spa treatments at James Dun's House incorporate aroma, breath, and touch which Lizette mentioned had been proven to lower stress levels and place the body in a state where it is relaxed so it can repair is itself. The products Lizette used were beautiful, and left my skin feeling very fresh, not oily as I had originally imagined.

There are four Aveda Aromas to choose from including; Stress-Fix, infused with lavender, lavender and clary sage, Beautifying, infused with lavender, rosemary, and bergamot, Shampure, infused with a unique blend of 25 pure plant and flower essences, and Rosemary Mint, infused with essences of organic peppermint, rosemary, lavender and marjoram.

After my treatment, Lizette advised me how to continue to look after myself, reiterating about my stressed upper body she told me the products and treatments which would be best suited to my body if I wanted to return. Mental stress is something I can relate to a lot, however, physical stress isn't something I would say I had ever really considered thinking about until now. I'm much more educated on how to take care of my body and I now know that I enjoy a medium-strong massage pressure. As they say...you learn something new everyday!

If you're looking to book yourself in for a bespoke body treatment (which I highly recommend) then visit http://www.jdhlifestyle.co.uk. A huge thank you to the team at James Dun's House in Aberdeen for this amazing experience, Aveda's new body wise treatments really do deliver, especially when you're in the right hands!

For Now...

Just Julia