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Transform your home into a spa |
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Written by Kathy Flanigan, MCT
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Thursday, 01 November 2007 |
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Jean Kolb is director of wellness for the Kohler Co., which gives her access to some of the country's most luxurious spa treatments.
Yet Kolb can get a spa-like experience any time she wants at home. She calls it her bathtub.
"A perfect bath stimulates all five senses," Kolb said. "The perfect bath is what's best for you."
We went to Kolb at Kohler Waters Spa and to Kelly Morrissey of the Fontana Spa at the Abbey Resort to get tips on how to turn a bathtub into a mini-getaway.
First, dim the lights. Kolb recommends changing the light bulbs or using candles to tone down the light. Soy candles have a light aroma and won't overpower the room.
Next, look at the floor. You're going to want more than the bathmat. Morrissey recommends taking a couple of big bath towels and stretching them out "so you're stepping out of the tub onto something more." Keep another big fluffy towel nearby for when you get out of the bath.
But you're not there just yet. Maybe you'll want music to clear your head while you soak, but Kolb says if television is your relaxation trigger, turn it on.
"We find that men have a tendency to want that more than women, and if that's what they want in the privacy of their own bathroom, that's what you should create," she said.
With sight, scent and sound taken care of, it's time to move on to touch and taste.
"Typically you want your bath water to be higher than your body temperature," Kolb said. If you're adding products that will absorb into your skin, such as the freeze-dried seawater they use at Kohler Waters, the temperature should be around 101 or 102 degrees.
"You always want to have something cool nearby," Kolb said. She recommends a cool compress prepared with essential oils such as lavender or eucalyptus "so that when you get hot you can put it on your forehead."
At home, Kolb keeps a pitcher of ice water at arm's length. She'll raise her leg and pour the water on it to get the right mix of cool and hot. Add fragrance depending on what you want out of the bath. Lavender oil will relax you; squeezing an orange into the water will energize you.
Morrissey recommends having a chilled glass of white wine or champagne in the bath. Not only is it nice, "it will increase your blood flow."
When your fingers begin to crinkle, it's time to come out. But not before one final perk.
"Finish up with a nice piece of chocolate," Kolb said. "That is a good day."
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SUPPLEMENT YOUR BATH WITH SCENTS, SUDS
Lush just begs customers to reconsider the bath. Its fist-size Bath Bombs are compressed balls with essential oils and creme of tartar that fizz when you drop them into the bath. The Sexbomb blends jasmine, clary sage and ylang ylang, while the Champagne Supernova gets its kick from orange and cognac (18 scents, $4.70 to $5.95).
Or try a Bubble Bar, which you crumble under running water to create a tub full of bubbles. The 13 scents include Bathos, a combination of jasmine and violet, and Hot Milk, which blends fresh orange and patchouli ($5.45 to $10.75).
Bath Melts do exactly that: They melt in the tub. The one called Ceridwen's Cauldron is a potion of lavender, rose and frankincense blended with butters and whole oats. As with the Melting Marshmallow Moment, with marshmallow and cocoa butter, you don't eat it, you rest in it. ($6.25 to $7.95). Visit www.lushusa.com.
Some other ways to score relaxing, soothing or energizing bath supplements:
• Delaine Jacoby with the Vici Capilli Salon and Spa recommends Aveda's Caribbean Therapy Bath Soak ($24) or Soothing Aqua Therapy Dead Sea Salts ($27). Available at Aveda spas and stores.
• Kohler's Waters Spa sells its line of body lotions and scrubs online at kohlerwatersspa.stores.yahoo.net. You'll find Lime Sea Salts ($22.50) and an Avocado Spritz ($10), as well as a CD of spa music ($20).
• For men, the Anthony Logistics line includes a Mud Scrub Exfoliating Bar ($12), a Sea Salt Body Scrub ($25) and Body Cleansing Gels in citrus, eucalyptus mint or spice ($16) at www.anthony.com.
• Sharps, which has barber and skin care products for men, has an exfoliating line called Happy Me All Over Wash, made with grapefruit and papaya extracts ($12). Visit www.sharpsusa.com. | Only registered users can write comments.
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