At BBHK we care about what we put into our bodies.  We try to eat well, we try to exercise and we try (but don’t succeed) in not drinking too much, but what about the chemicals we put onto our skin hidden in our beauty products?  One of the most worrying of these chemicals are Phthalates, which are commonly found in nail-varnish, which is linked to fertility issues, problems in developing babies and birth defects.  Would we really be having those regular mani-pedis if we knew it could be harming our future babies?
SpaRitual, vegan based nail lacquers have the answer.  They are free from Formaldehyde, Phythaltes, and Toulene, and any other harmful chemicals that can be found in other varnishes, therefore are completely safe for pregnant woman, and women in general.  If that is not enough to make you sing from the roof, the packaging is created by the designer of Ferrari.  Its all the rage in Hollywood amongst green conscious stars such as Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston, and it is now here in The HK.

We visited the Sense of Touch Central store to trial the varnish, and to see if it matched up to our beloved OPI.  As one of the oldest spas in the group,  from the outside it does not look as elegant or spacious as some of its sister properties.  Yet I was surprised how cosy and bright the Arbutnot Road spa was.  Once inside the spa is decorated in hues of cream reds, with a moroccan inspired vibe.  The staff were so friendly, and genuinely close, that it had a real family feel, and I loved it.

The super sweet Kabita &  Netra simultaneously performed my mani/pedi and we all giggled and chatted the way though like old friends.  Now the important part, the Sparitual varnishes.  As I was presented with my colour options, I did feel quite limited.  I am used to the vast spectrum of colours offered by the likes of OPI, but with Sparitual there were only a handful of colours to choose from.  That said, they were all lovely, and the staple colours one would normally choose anyway.  The whole product line was used, ie base coat, main colour, top coat and also foot rubs and moisturisers.  The varnishes did not have an overpowering smell, and my nails looked lovely after.  The top coat was not quite as shiny as the OPI counterpart, yet it was still sparkly and lovely.  The staying power of the products was great, maybe not quite as long as OPI, possibly due to the lack of some chemical, but if i have to choose from the health of my baby, or a day longer of nail polish, I know what I would choose.

Where?

SpaRitual is available in Sense of Touch LKF, Arbuthnot and Discovery Bay, as well as in  Harvey Nichols、Seibu in Admiralty and FACES in Tsim Sha Tsui.

How much?

In the Arbuthnot Road branch a manicure costs $170, pedicure $290

My antics so far this weekend would certainly suggest otherwise.
It’s Sunday morning, I am in a world of lager-induced pain, and I am back at the scene of crime – Lan Kwai Fong – for my first treatment as BBHK male grooming editor.
Cheers to Beers, the award-winning signature treatment at Sense of Touch (52 D’Aguilar Street), claims to the contrary, that beer is in fact the answer for the travel-heavy, muscle weary man. As I make my way up Lan Kwai Fong, tip toeing through the ebs and flows of last night’s empties (a selection of which are likely to have been mine), I think am going to need some convincing.

A bubble beer bath
Having de-frocked, I am plunged into a deep bath of Aromatherapy Associates body wash, topped up with a flagon of dark ale. Bishnu, my therapist is keen to point out that it’s not for drinking, (don’t worry Bishnu, I’m still in the “I’m never drinking again” zone). It’s only part-fermented beer. Lacking in the strong scent of lager, half-fermented ale is rich in vitamin B, great for strong and healthy hair, nails and skin. I am told 30 minutes in here will warm and relax my tired muscles and that Cleopatra and other fashionistas supposedly bathed in beer for its skin softening properties. It would appear I am in good company (metaphorically, not physically unfortunately).
My bathe time passes quickly and I am certainly feeling a little revived, not to mention soft and smooth. Bishnu returns and tucks me into a tapestry of well-conditioned towels in anticipation of phase two, a 60 minute stress-relieving deep tissue massage.

Massage me
Bishnu tells me the Aromatherapy Associates body gel she’s willing into my aching limbs is water based and contains ginger, lavender and black pepper. The trio work together to heat and then relieve muscular pain.
The hour-long full body massage strikes a perfect balance. It goes to work on the bits that need it most, without losing the stress-free touch. A barley scrub is also offered as part of a slightly dearer two-hour package which opens the paws and softens the skin to an even greater degree.
My 90-minute treatment is concluded with a good going over with de-stress muscle body oil, which I’m told is also great for the temples and lymph nodes for headache relief.
“The treatments carry on working for another 48 hours,” says Bishnu as my time draws to a close. The oil molecules that are busy working their way into my skin are very fine, absorbed through hair follicles and are – as I speak – flowing directly into my blood stream. If they can just help displace last night’s excesses that seem reticent to the idea of leaving, we will be on to an absolute winner, I think to myself.
Is Cheers to Beers a boy’s thing, I ask Bishnu. “Not at all,” she replies, “women love it too.” I can see why as I leave refreshed and smelling of ginger, pepper and particularly lavender.
As a parting word it’s reiterated once more to me how great Cheers to Beers is for the business traveller. Well, as fate would have it, I fly to London in T minus 36 hours. I wonder, how will I feel in 48 hours time?…

Tuesday, 6am. Heathrow Airport Arrivals Lounge
A full English breakfast with proper bacon, sausages and sloppy cafeteria baked beans certainly play their part, but I do indeed feel pretty good, all things considered.
I’ve done lots of things with beer, including using it to try and make me feel better, but I don’t think I’ve ever bathed in it, and I’m certain it’s never made me feel this good. Perhaps I have found the true meaning of the warning labels that adorn the city’s liquor bottles… enjoy responsibly!

Drew Mills – male grooming editor

_________
Bath, scrub and massage: $1590/2 hours
Bath and massage only: $990/90 minutes
Sense of Touch details here

This promotion is currently closed, however if the current state of the angry volcano is anything to go by, Hong Kong may have more extra-time visitors soon!  If you are stuck in town, the offer will still stand…

Staying yet another night in a hotel?  Feel like you are outstaying your welcome as guests? Missing your best friend’s wedding or the business meeting of a lifetime? 

Thanks to the Icelandic Eyjafjallajokul volcano eruption disruption, the chances are you’ll be hanging around in Hong Kong for another week or so at least.

And that’s no bad thing! Trust us – we’re the experts in all things chilled in HK.

While the airlines do their best to bring the world at 40,000 feet back to normal, BBHK has the perfect addition to an extended break with exclusive spa deals in the top joints around town for stranded fliers.  Turn a negative into a positive, and feel your stress float away with discounted pampering all over Hong Kong.   You will be relaxed and destressed quicker than you can say Eyjafjallajokul. Boom.  Its a win-win situation.  Hurrah for BeautyBuzz I hear you say!

Take along your eticket, showing your cancellation and mention the volcano promotion to receive discounts at the following fabulous HK spas.  Don’t forget to join the BeautyBuzz members club for free, to be the first to know about exclusive offers.  Join here now.

WANCHAI
Iyara in Wanchai are offering 20% off regular priced services at Iyara Ship Street any weekday. Monday to Fridays only.   Show your eticket and mention the volcano special when booking the appointment

Iyara Wanchai Day Spa
1A, 53 Ship Street
(Inbetween Star Street and Hopewell Centre off Queen Road East)
Wanchai
Tel+852 2545 8637 / +852 2545 8663
Iyara1@biznetvigator.com
www.iyarabeauty.com

CENTRAL
All the Sense of Touch Spas in Central are offering 20% off facial, massage, signature treatments and waxing.  Show your eticket and mention the volcano special when booking the appointment

Sense of Touch Lan Kwai Fong Spa
1-5/F, 52 D’aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central
Tel: 2526 6918

Sense of Touch Hollywood Road Spa
83A Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 2517 0939

Sense of Touch Arbuthnot Road Spa
Lower Ground Floor, The Ovolo, 2 Arbuthnot  Road Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 2869 0939

SOHO
DK Aromatherapy are offering 20% off all regular priced services.  Show your eticket and mention the volcano special when booking the appointment.  Read DK Aromatherapy review here.

DK Aromatherapy
G/F, 16A Staunton Street, Soho,
Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 2771 284

TSIMSHATSUI
The Mira Spa in the Mira Hotel are offering 20% off from Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm.  Show your eticket and mention the volcano special when booking the appointment.

The Mira Hong Kong
118 Nathan Road
Tsimshatsui
Kowloon
Hong Kong
Tel +852 2368 1111
www.themirahotel.com

REPULSE BAY
The Retreat is offering 15% off all services.  Show your eticket and mention the volcano special when booking the appointment.  See The Retreat reviews here and here

The Retreat
1/Floor, 33 Beach Road
Repulse Bay
Hong Kong
T: (852) 2803 1860
www.the-retreat.com.hk
info@the-retreat.com.hk

DISCOVERY BAY
The Sense of Touch Spa is offering 20% off facial, massage, signature treatments and waxing.  Show your eticket and mention the volcano special when booking the appointment

Sense of Touch Discovery Bay Spa
140A-1, 1st floor, Block C, DB Plaza, 
Discovery Bay, Lantau Island. 
(opp. Sunshine Kindergarden)
Tel: 2987 9198

All salons have the right to change or cancel the offers at their own discretion,