Gold rush

With the Olympics in full swing, everyone’s going for gold, but the new spate of gilded spa treatments and products looks set to last long after the medals are packed away. 

 

Treatments using gold are not new. Gold leaf facials have been available as far afield as Japan and the US for years. However, a new spate of launches looks set to reignite UK clients’ passion for all that glitters. 

If more people are paying for luxury at UK spas it is either because they are beginning to feel the weight of recession lifting or because they need an escape from the economic gloom of real life. Either way, spas that are offering clients a ‘good, better, best’ option – including both entry-level treatment prices and others with a higher price tag for those who can afford them – are thriving. 

 

This is the philosophy behind a new wave of gold treatments and products that offer that extra level of decadence.

 

Leicestershire destination spa Ragdale Hall launched a Golden Touch treatment at the end of June. The £70 ritual begins with a full body exfoliation using a gold shimmering cane sugar scrub with caviar extracts, followed by a body wrap, massage and a final application of gold dry body oil.

 

Other spas can buy into skincare brand La Sultane de Saba’s new 23-carat Gold Facial, Face and Body Ceremony and skincare range. 

 

The facial blends 23-carat gold mineral particles with caviar extract, hyaluronic acid and mother of pearl for an anti-ageing, nourishing treatment. A key product used is a honey balm with gold pearls and caviar extract. The mask and moisturiser used are also rich in gold, mixed with caviar, argan oil and Vitamin E to smooth wrinkles, reduces puffiness and restore firmness and luminosity.

 

The Face and Body Ceremony includes the same facial, after a gold cleansing ritual and de-stress massage using oils with gold minerals. The treatment has just launched into Dolphin Square Spa, London, but is available to spas nationwide.

 

Meanwhile, beauty brand Jamela has launched a 24K Gold Collagen Face and Neck Mask, formulated to hydrate and delay signs of ageing. 

 

The mask was designed to provide a luxury add-on to a salon or spa’s existing anti-ageing facials, as well as to sell for home use.  

 

It uses pure mineral gold infused with natural plant collagen and antioxidants including Vitamin E and rose essence to promote rapid collagen and elastin synthesis to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while firming and hydrating skin.

 

Each mask comes as one pre-cut piece, vacuum packed to retain moisture. After use in the salon, you can give them to clients to take home and put into a warm bath where they will dissolve and benefit the skin of the body. PB

 

 

GLIMMER FINISH

If you don't want to invest in a full gold system, there are also new ways to help clients leave with a healthy shine.

 

	Jane Iredale's latest launch is a new shade of dry sunscreen for face and body. The Golden Powder-Me SPF has UVA and UVB protection and includes the physical sunscreen titanium dioxide, plus clay to soothe irritation.
	Tanning brand Sienna X has developed Gold, Silver and Bronzed tans for its new Brit'TAN'ia  menu, in collaboration with brand ambassador James Hacknett. Gold includes a bespoke base to match the clients skin tone finished with a Sienna X gold Shimmer Spray.