Review: Blissful Lotus Facial at Aura, The Park, New Delhi

View of the spa room at Aura; Photo courtesy, AURA, New Delhi
What a stroke! No, I'm not watching any cricket match. This is in reaction to the fabulous facial treatment at Aura, The Park hotel’s very clean, chic and truly amazing spa. The luxurious therapy has been extra special because of the use of natural products and gets even more of a facelift with Vidhi, my therapist’s brilliant massage strokes.
While my treatment (I visit The Park in New Delhi) begins well on time, I’m told that the treatment can stretch by another 10-15 minutes (it does, eventually). For the record, I‘m experiencing one of Aura’s winter treatments for season 2010. Like I mentioned before, it’s a facial – even though Vidhi fabulously kneads sore muscles, pressing my shoulders and hands and massaging my fingers generously -- which makes use of freshly mashed lotus stem, fresh papaya and pineapple pulp and pure (yes, pure) saffron oil, which is bereft of any artificial perfume, scent or coloring.
Before the facial begins, I fill out a detailed document enquiring details on illnesses, whether I’m consuming any medicines, or, for that matter, whether I’m allergic to any natural products (a friend, for instance, is allergic to products that contain sesame) and if I have any skin allergies. That done – it helps to have a hot cup of herbal tea infused with honey on a winter afternoon – I am asked to move towards the locker area where I keep my belongings and later wait in a small lobby area. By the time Vidhi leads me to the spa therapy room, I’m already – thanks to the effect of the lilting music that Aura plays –brushing my day-to-day tensions aside.
And by the time the facial starts (it begins with a simple cleaning process) I know that with an expert masseuse like Vidhi, I’m – literally -- in gentle, safe and secure hands. Her cleanup act – of my face, silly – doesn’t involve just slapping, quickly massaging and subsequently cleaning of the face with moist cotton, it really is a trailer of what will follow. She massages the face gently for a couple of minutes and then deftly proceeds to remove the dirt and grime.
Once that’s done, she gently scrubs the face with freshly mashed lotus stem that doesn’t smell too great but then I haven’t opted for aroma facial exactly. Lotus stem, Vidhi tells me, is supposed to be good for sagging skin. Rich in fibre, when applied regularly on the face, mashed lotus stem also helps to control uneven toning and conditions and rehydrates dull skin. The scrub is wiped out later by a hot towel infused with eucalyptus oil. I like this part of the facial especially when I inhale and take a whiff of the soothing oil. It is also believed that this essential oil acts an antibacterial agent and is used to treat cuts and burns and insect bites too.
Since the strongest point of the facial is Vidhi’s expert massaging techniques, I love it when she finally applies pure saffron oil and starts a fabulous facial massage which lasts for good 20-25 minutes. “It’s pure,” Vidhi confirms while telling me that saffron is also known for its skin lighting properties. The massage is uplifting and very effective and definitely the highlight of the entire treatment. What follows is fresh pineapple-papaya pulp mask. I think it’s the pineapple that tingles just slightly on the skin but on the whole, it’s been a winning facial.

Blissful Lotus Facial
Duration: 60 mins
Price: Rs. 1,750 plus taxes
The treatment is available at The Park in Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam

Green tea spa treatments

I was speaking to a friend about spalendor.blogspot.com and she was kind enough to tell me about this very unique spa in the heart of Kurseong. Nestled in the midst of tea gardens in north East India, it’s a wellness resort which specializes in — what else — tea massages besides other therapies. My friend, who has experienced a green tea facial here (60 minutes, Rs 400) swears by it, claims that the perfect ambience and the trained therapists with their amazing skill make a trip to this resort a truly memorable one. Called the Cochrane Place, the resort offers yoga and pranayama sessions, Ayurvedic treatments, in addition to what they call, Himalayan Spa.
Cochrane Place is on the outskirts of the main town and is essentially a restored British colonial home. One of the best things about engaging in spa sessions here is the fact that you’re gently teased by the aroma of Darjeeling tea, gardens of which surround the entire property. Not surprising then that many guests opt for tea spa treatments here. While the green tea facial is there, there’s also an ayurvedic “leaf-bag massage” especially created to relieve body aches and pains (Rs 750 for 45 minutes; Rs 800 for 60 minutes).
Do give their website http://www.imperialchai.com/ a look to find out other details. While at it, I also suggest you take a look at one of the tickers which advertise an interesting site called calcuttawalks.com. Cochrane Place has just announced some of its new packages and maybe you’d like to give this place a try this summer.

Incidentally, Delhi's Galaxy Hotel (pitched as India's first lifestyle hotel complete with five-star services, spa and shopping centre) does a unique body wrap with green tea extracts that are mixed with multani mitti (Fullers earth) and sandalwood powder which makes the skin feel younger and lighter. Green tea is said to have anti-oxidant properties which detoxify the skin. This treatment is available for Rs 950 and lasts for a luxuriating 45 minutes.
Happy spa holidaying, then.

* picture courtesy: Cochrane Place

Meeting hairstylist Kim Robinson

When I met Kim Robinson, a celebrated hairstylist who has dressed the likes of Jackie Chan, Kate Moss and many, many other celebrities, I was stunned by how charming he looked and behaved. He's set shop in The Aman that only recently launched in New Delhi.
Kim's interview was published in Business Standard Newspaper. http://www.business-standard.com/india/

Introducing luxury hairdressing
Kim Robinson has styled the manes of celebrities ranging from Kate Moss to “big names” in India who fly down to Hong Kong for a haircut! Now, he is in India, finds Abhilasha Ojha

What brings you to India?

We are opening our salon at The Aman New Delhi. I’m really excited about the entire venture. I have been attached with Aman Resorts in Beijing and have a salon in Singapore too but it’s good to be in India, especially because a lot of my Indian clients wanted me here.

So, you have styled Indians?

I cannot reveal names but many Indians especially fly down to Beijing or Hong Kong or even to Singapore to get their hair styled by me. These are people who are big names in India.
Why don’t you reveal some names to us? (Laughs) No, I can’t do that. But watch out for a limited edition book that we’ll bring out by the end of 2009 on Indian beauties whose tresses have been styled by me. We had bought out a similar book, 30 Years of Orient Beauty, talking about some of the very popular artistes, models and actresses in south-east Asia who have, over the years, been styled by me.

You’re perhaps the only hairstylist in the world who specialises in what’s called a dry cut. Is that right?

Yes, not many in the business cut hair without wetting it. My concept of cutting hair is to treat it like a garment. You cannot wet a garment before wearing it. Spraying water on the hair just before cutting it flattens it completely, dissuading both the client and the stylist to know how a hairstyle might look in the long run. So I cut hair dry and then, say a week later, I ask the client to come back so I can see if I’ve done a clean job. It’s similar to how people do garment fittings.

Wow, that’s taking a haircut very seriously.

(Interrupts) It’s never just a haircut. What we want to introduce in India is luxury hairdressing. We’ve got spa treatments for hair, we’re using the best products and believe it or not, I’m constantly developing techniques not just to cut hair but also to maintain it in the long run.

Photo courtesy: Kim Robinson

HARNN comes to India

HARNN, an Asian inspired Brand, uses natural botanical extracts and combined with knowledge derived from the traditional herbal medicines, the company creates exotic products that help restore and maintain the natural balance for the mind and body, while also fighting the harsh urban environment and pollutants.
The brand has been very well received in 63 locations spread over 20 countries including Japan, Australia, Canada, France, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Singapore, Taiwan and Finland, to name a few, and will now launch in India at a spacious flagship store at the DLF MGF Mall in Saket, New Delhi, on April, 17, 2009.
The design is inspired by a "traditional Chinese medicine cabinet" and the boutique resembles a traditional Chinese drug store. Divided into three main areas, the flagship store will have a HARNN Retail boutique that will offer a full range of HARNN’s skincare and aromatherapy collections including jasmine, lavender floral, Oriental herbs, Water lily and special home spa collections too. Also on the offer will be collections like essence of the East and the Himalaya magnolia collection.
The second area is the HARNN Heritage Spa that will offer luxurious, traditional Thai treatments especially administered by trained Thai therapists.
Also in the flagship store will be HARNN Heritage Café, run by the well-known chef Ritu Dalmia that will serve fresh, healthy and zestful dishes with a delicate, harmonious blend of contrasting flavors and hints of the Orient.
* According to PR notes that I’ve received, HARNN claims to utilize “rice bran oil” as its core ingredient, which is extracted from a unique strain of rice – Oryza Sativa which contains three natural vitamin-Es, in the form of Tocopherol, Toctrienol and Oryzanol that claim to provide natural moisturisers, anti-oxidants and sun protection to the bodies.In addition, HARNN has also managed to secure patents for the HARNN soap formulation (with rice bran oil) as well as the unique HARNN Soap design, which makes the brand the only company in the world to offer these unique natural products.

* Picture courtesy: HARNN