Review by Isabel Meyer
What a pleasant surprise to find a beautiful professional spa hidden away amongst Tuscan-like offices (Suite 8, Block B, Frazzitta Business Park, Batis Road, Durbanville). And the surprises at Lilah Beauty Spa just kept on multiplying.
The lovely day spa has been open in central Durbanville for just over a year and caters for the hard-working and busy individual that wants to make time for health and wellness treatments to balance out his / her busy lifestyle. They are open from 08h00 - 18h00, Monday to Friday and 09h00 - 15h00 on Saturdays. I found the Saturday option quite appealing
Elzaan & Chantelle, the two resident therapists believe it is all about personal attention and care. They believe that their clients should leave Lilah feeling refreshed and relaxed, ready to take on the world again.
The most interesting experience I've ever had at a spa was when they used the Dermalife Spa-jet / Hydrotub. On ascending into this machine, one feels a bit like stepping onto the stage of a Star Wars movie. The ultra-modern spa-jet is the ultimate beauty therapist and there are very few spas in South Africa that can boast owning this cutting edge technology in the beauty space. It works well for bodyscrubs, body massages through vibration and infrared, steambaths, lymph drainage, light therapy, musical relaxation, foot massaging, cold and hot water jets to improve circulation and through all of this relax you. The obvious advantage is that it is a massage bed and bath in one.
You actually climb onto the bed and it closes over you like a tunnel just leaving your head sticking out. You are then shown a little screen just above your head which explains the different treatments that are taking place on a touch screen. It also indicates temperature, colour of the light and plays soothing music throughout. One of the bonuses is having a little fan blow some fresh air to your face so that even if things get too hot, you can remain cool :) The fan can also be infused with some aromatherapy oils to enhance the experience. The programme that was chosen for me had a bit of everything, which kept on rotating. It was tempting to play with the buttons, being a gadget girl myself, but I was a little bit apprehensive what the consequences might be - rather leave it to the professionals. The steam bath was hot, but relaxed my body altogether. Then followed vibration and infrared treatments, which felt like they touched every muscle that always feels a bit tense. The light therapy was interesting, with the blues and greens bringing about a state of deep rest. But be warned not to get too much of a fright when the water jets start. There are about 8 - 12 jets that spray all over your body and which might startle you at first. My best were the ones on my feet, which felt like heaven and those on my hands. The hot water was just hot enough and the cold water invigorating, but not too uncomfortable. The treatment lasted about 40 minutes and it was truly one of the most relaxing ones I've ever experienced. If it was not for the jet surprises I would have definitely fallen asleep.
After the spa-jet treatment I was taken to one of the lilac treatment rooms, wearing a luxurious bathrobe and slippers. The room smelt like vanilla and chocolate and I felt like a queen.
Lilah Spa specialises in Dermalogica facials and I was treated to an Introductory Facial. What impressed me was the product knowledge that the therapists had. The Dermalogica range is so extensive that it can really be tailored to each individuals needs. The pre-cleanse was the first step in cleansing to dissolve make-up, sun-block and other skin debris. It was water soluble leaving the skin ready for the next step of cleansing. After the ultracalming cleanser, which cleanses into the pores and the multi-active toner, Elzaan used the Daily Microfoliant scrub which left my skin feeling refreshed. The O2 Uptake Serum was divine and dehydrated my skin. Apparently this serum penetrates deep enough for the effects to last a month, my type of serum.
A massage cream was then used and it washed away any stress that might still have tried to be lodged in my head, I really enjoyed this part of the treatment. After that a Multivit mask was applied which is specially formulated for dehydrated and pigmented skin types. That was followed by a Solar Booster which has a SPF30 and a Skin Smoothing Moisturizer which can be used by day and night.
Besides the Serum I loved the Multivit Eyes and Lips which is described as power firming eye and lip cream. I felt like kissing someone with my lips feeling soooo soft. Finally I was also treated to a French manicure and pedicure.
Another treatment worth mentioning is their Dreamway slimming wrap, which I am told guarantees centimetre loss of at least 4 - 8 cm. They also have hot stone therapy, which to me has always looked very inviting. Their aromatherapy treatments are once again customised to suit their clients' individual needs.
They have some lovely specials for Mother's Day (May 2007) and Easter (2007.
The afternoon at Lilah Beauty Spa left me refreshed with a sense of having received personal attention by a professional team. This Spa would therefore definitely be worth revisiting.
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