CELLULITE-BUSTERS: WE REVIEW TWO
CELLUTOX AROMA SPA OCEAN WRAP
After booking a last minute summer break, I had one week to get myself bikini-ready. Although I upped my gym-going, I quickly realised that nature would need a hand. A buff, a scrub and a seaweed wrap were called for, so the Cellutox sounded fantastic.
After the buffing, a delicious citrussy body oil was rubbed all over, followed by a body sculpting cream. This was applied to the “problem areas”, which for me meant a liberal dose on my thighs, bum and stomach. Made with bitter orange peel, the cream felt cool and sticky and smelled lovely. Next, I was covered in a seaweed body masque and wrapped – Turkey-style – in foil, while a relaxing scalp massage and eye treatment was applied. I am a sucker for these added extras since I hate it when beauty therapists leave you alone in the room. After about 20 minutes I was unwrapped before heading straight to the shower.
And the results? Well, I’m not sure it took any inches off my thighs or stomach. But it certainly made my tired, dull-looking skin look and feel a million dollars. My only complaint is that I didn’t have time to wash my hair, which after the scalp massage looked like an oil slick. At a pound a minute, I think this treatment is worth it. CityPoint Club, 1 Ropemaker Street, London EC2Y 9AW, tel: 020 7920 6200; £75 for 75 mins.
Kathleen Brooks
BODY SCULPTING CELLULITE AND COLON THERAPY
A cellulite quick fix – a treatment that promises to eliminate the dreaded orange-peel effect and whip thighs and tummies into shape pronto – is the beauty Holy Grail. So it was with excitement and some trepidation that I arrived at the Elemis Day Spa in Mayfair to try the “Body Sculpting Cellulite and Colon Therapy”, which aims to flush out the digestive, circulatory and lymphatic systems in one go.
Having donned the obligatory paper panties, it was down to work, starting with body brushing and a kneading massage on my arms and legs using Elemis’ Lipo-Redefining Serum. A vigorous thigh pummelling at the hands of my waif-like masseuse followed, before she applied a deliciously warm fennel and birch peel-off mask to my legs. I had awaited the effects of the colon massage with foreboding after any number of dire warnings, but the pressure on the stomach was not altogether unpleasant, my stomach remained flat for days afterwards – and no, I wasn’t left running for the loo as soon as the massage finished.
After the body mask was removed and a firming cream applied, I left feeling relaxed and rejuvenated, with cooler, smoother and lighter limbs and a trim tummy. The verdict? Certainly a confidence-booster for the beach, even if the orange-peel did, sadly, remain unchanged to the naked eye. Elemis Day Spa, 2-3 Lancashire Court, W1S 1EX, tel: 20 7499 4995; £90 for 60 mins.
Victoria Bates