Browsing Tag

wellness

Recommended

The Beauty Secrets of Alpha-H Skincare

So i’m not very good normally when it comes to a regimented skincare program. I often change up my cleansers and moisturisers, brand for brand, and I will admit to having used hand soap as make-up remover in the past too 🙈. I’m definitely more of a judge-a-product-by-their-packaging/celeb spokesperson kinda gal. Normally.

This is when Alpha-H caught my eye… known for stocking only the most niche products, it was their Harvey Nichols Dubai base that I was drawn to first. A proudly Australian owned and operated brand, Alpha-H is now a globally recognised skincare line. Alpha-H at Harvey Nichols

They brand themselves as a cosmeceutical company, featuring corrective and preventative skincare, and claim to be leaders in exfoliation, resurfacing and skin renewal. Alpha-H likes to ‘bridge the gap between the beauty counter and invasive treatments’. Which suits me perfectly as my skin often needs a little pharmacology, fluctuating between a 16 year old and a 60 year old, depending on how much time i’ve spent in the sun.

Their products work on an effective delivery systems, which infuses the skin with active ingredients by adjusting the pH to stimulate action at a deeper layer of the epidermis. Their best selling product is their resurfacing treatment ‘Liquid Gold’ which has become a bit of a “cult” classic – one is sold every minute! Alpha-H at Harvey Nichols

The nicest thing about this beauty routine is that it feels like i’m putting in minimal effort and there’s absolutely zero downtime, yet it’s a proper skincare treatment.

Recommended travel

Discovering the Chenot Palace, Azerbaijan

Only a mere 2.5 hours from Dubai lies a much colder, greener landscape in Azerbaijan. Green farmlands and foggy hillsides are prevalent, with a 25* drop in temperature from Dubai. Where both Russian and Arabic influences are clear, but there’s a real hint of Europe across it too. We set off on our 3 hour road trip to the brand new Chenot Palace wellness resort by car. The road is winding, long and yet somewhat peaceful too. Instead of the constant hooting you hear at home, it’s a controlled chaos here on the roads. Chenot Palace

After passing a Mishka (black bear) along the way, we knew we were headed out of Baku and towards Gabala where the wilderness resort was situated. It felt like Christmas almost, walking into their brand new foyer, with wooden design features everywhere and strong smells of burning log fires, knowing we were the first to experience everything this hotel has to offer. We enjoyed a few bio-lite evening snacks before heading up to bed. The schedule for the next two days promised only 1200 calories per day, with an extensive overview of the treatments the Chenot Health Wellness Resort is famous for in its native Italy.

DAY 1

Starting the morning off with a delicious spelt porridge and fruit, we headed into a barrage of nutritional, health and wellness check-ups so that we could identify areas that needed to be worked on across the two days. The first was a nutritional consult, which also provided information about our BMI, weight to muscle ratio and total body hydration, as well as giving us insight into our metabolic age. Chenot Palace

Next followed a more detailed body assessment with their diagnostics screening doctor, (nothing invasive though) with collagen tests and arterial elasticity checks, followed by a full body element check, which tells you if you’ve got too much mercury or selenium in your system for example. I really wanted to get my iron count checked (being a veggie) but the medical lab for blood tests was still under construction for the weekend. Chenot Palace

Once the more medical side of things was taken care of, I headed into a VERY interesting consultation with a Bio-Energetic doctor Mr. Ferucas. A predominantly Chinese form of energy balancing, you are asked to hold onto two golden probes whilst currents are transmitted throughout your body to find blockages. Once these blockages are found, he is then able to give you an incredibly in-depth translation. It was so interesting to listen to his account of elements in my past which had clearly shown to cause energy blockages in the meridians of my body. He then adjusted the computer to ensure that the waves going through a second time would unblock and re-energise me going forward. I almost hugged him when I left, an incredibly enlightening experience!

In order to compliment this, I was then shown straight in to the High-Tone treatment. Pads were placed on my five key pressure points and electricity flooded through me very gently, wave after wave, literally. I had on some earphones and it wasn’t long before I was fast asleep. Chenot Palace

Up next was something a little more my style… the BEST jacuzzi bath I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing! Disco lights and jets that held you still for half an hour. This was my introduction into hydro therapy.

Escorted next door in a towel, I was covered in a detoxifying mud and wrapped up like a burrito in cling film, so far so good. Then the bed I was lying on sunk into itself with me in the middle. It feels a little bit like being born… it’s snug to say the least and the layers of covers that help aid the detoxification keep things very warm in there. Once your 20 mins of sweating it all out (literally) are done, you then move across to the shower room. This part felt a bit more like a dog-grooming parlour than luxury spa, you spread ’em against a wall whilst being hosed off of all the mud from a distance. The overall feeling is actually quite nice, you have to just get your head around the prison-esque position you’re in. Chenot Palace

What i’ve realised here is that actually i’m not craving sugar. The food we’re given sustains you with enough energy to get through the day, sans hunger snacking. Must take more note of this when I get back home…

Day 2

As if a full day of diagnostics and treatment wasn’t enough, day 2 at the Chenot Palace started with an Energetic Massage. Implemented using NASA designed technology, their cupping treatment is enhanced by manual muscle stimulation along the meridians of your body. Not like other cupping treatments either… there’s no red rings or sore bruised muscles afterwards. This treatment uses a method that stimulates the area to bring out the toxins in a more natural pulsating movement, less chance of hickey-esque bruising and still as effective. Chenot Palace

Moving from the full body treatment onto a more deep cleansing facial, the cups were used again but a much smaller pair. A full facial detoxification through their uniquely combined creams and cleansers left me feeling tight-skinned and totally rejuvenated. As with most facials too, you expect to bare rather red, raw skin after a good treatment, a sign I assume of thorough cleansing, but this one left you feeling healed not hurt. Chenot Palace

The Chenot Method is found world wide in various establishments, but Azerbaijan being only its second fully owned operation. There’s rumours of a Dubai location due before the decade is out too, but I thoroughly recommend visiting the Azerbaijan hotspot, especially around January when there’s snow outside and the ski resort will be fully open.

Think of it as your New Year’s detox sorted.

*This trip was an incredible experience and all thanks to MichiDe International Luxury Hotel Representation

travel yoga

Retreat To These 3 Worlds of Wellness

Chenot Palace Health & Wellness Hotel, Gabala Azerbaijan
Opening on the 1st November, the Chenot Palace is introducing a completely new wellness landscape to us in the heart of Azerbaijan. Not immediately recognised as a luscious and bountiful green wonderland, this new retreat bring us the Chenot Method. For those of you that aren’t familiar with this concept – “the Chenot Method is a unique combination of treatments and diet that in synergy aim to protect effectively the body from damage and toxins accumulation and premature aging.” …interest peaked.Chenot Palace“The protocols of these treatments are collectively known as the Chenot Method and combine the principles of Chinese medicine with the latest scientific advances in medicine and state of the art diagnostic technology.”

They are boasting a highly professional team of doctors, dieticians and therapists who will be able to reveal the lifelines and energy flows through our bodies, aiding in the elimination of blockages and restrictions within them. The Chenot’s treatments are said to help balance our emotions too! (I can think of at least four people who need this right now including me)… Sign me up.

Anantara Kihavah, Maldives Villas
Anantara
So I’ve ticked diving with sharks off my list but swimming with up to 100 manta rays in the Indian Ocean sounds like a fairy tale! And what’s even better, I don’t need to get my license in order to do so. Free diving with these gorgeous creatures is truly an amazing opportunity and as this year’s manta ray season ends in November, I suggest you book Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas quick. It all happens at the protected site of Hanifaru Bay, only 45 minutes away from the resort and is the world’s largest natural manta feeding destination. Don’t worry though, it’s not island style free diving – they have a PADI – accredited, newly launched free diving centre to help guide you.

The resort itself is located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. So expect more than just these magical sightings when you’re there! I’ll be booking before the water gets too cold…

Banyan Tree, Phuket
Banyan Tree
Thailand has it’s own unique vibes and anyone whose ever visited this part of Asia will understand the pull to return time and time again. Most of my excursions here have either been up north or to one of the beautiful surrounding islands so this Phuket retreat sounds downright heavenly! Not one to sit still, there’s plenty of adventure to be had here too. Picture an awe-inspiring resort encased by swaying palm trees and turquoise waters. Sensational villas each with private pools, a world-renowned spa and dinners that will take your breath away!
Banyan Tree
If you’re a bit more of a culture vulture, head to Old town and spot the Portuguese influences amongst the villas, boutiques and streets. The Buddhist temples too are exquisite, Wat Chalong is one not to be missed, but try to avoid buying any Buddha relics or souvenirs as it’s not looked at favourably with the locals.

Recommended

Work Hard. Play Hard. Cleanse. Repeat…

Having survived the busiest month of the year, it’s high time I wrote up one of the main reasons how I have managed to stay relatively healthy here. The lovely people down at Detox Delight sent me a weeks survival kit, full of some of the tastiest soups I have ever tried! Vegan in design, these cold-pressed and pureed vegetable soups are so full of flavour… one of my favourite concoctions was the hot pink pear and beetroot combo. Detox Delight

Detox delight soups are neither pasteurised nor preserved in an artificial way. A healthy way to support your immune system in times of stress…

Why is cold press so good? Traditional blenders use a process that adds some heat and exposes the ingredients to air, two things that cut down on how many nutrients make their way into you directly. The cold press method extracts the goodness by pressing the fruits and vegetables without adding heat. With this method, the natural enzymes from the fibers of the fruit and vegetables are liberated. This way of extracting the goodness ensures the maximum amount of liquid from the least amount of produce. Detox Delight

If you haven’t tried one of their juice cleanses, then that is well worth a look, (it’s next on my list after the Christmas holidays). Detox Delight

The optimum balance of fruit and vegetables is crucial: Pure fruit juices contain too much fructose, which increases our blood sugar levels, triggers ravenous cravings and impairs our bodies’ ability to burn fat.

Hotspot yoga

*Healthy Hotspot* Life’N’One

Nestled in the backstreets of Jumeirah 1, hidden behind institutions like Magrudy’s and Spinneys, a graffiti wall hides a new hotspot that transports you across the sea to the breakfast bars of Sri Lanka or Goa.  A villa that is one part cafe, one part yoga studio and one part pop-up shop.

Life'N'One Dubai

If you haven’t heard of or visited Life’N’One yet, I urge you to head down there before the weather makes sitting outside on their luscious green grass, around a gorgeous long reclaimed wood table a tad too unbearable.

Life'N'One Dubai

It’s simple, yet oh-so-detailed, everything from the food (a vegetarian’s heaven), and the freshly squeezed power juices… to the straw seating and ceiling recipe’s in the kitchen!

Life'N'One Dubai

It has all the charm of an exotic back garden at yoga retreat in Bali, and mix in Dubai’s favourite wellness trends like barre, yoga and reformer pilates, you’ve got a hotspot that literally has everything (including a massage centre) you need for a morning of pure bliss!Life'N'One Dubai

 

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After-hours Yogalates

You won’t believe how far i’ve come here… whether it’s the extended backbend, keeping my hips square or even being able to balance on my arms in side crow, all whilst smiling and not grimacing through clenched teeth. I credit a lot of it to the patience and help from my instructors but, it’s also down to perseverance and not wanting to give up on a pose just because it’s hard.

The harder the pose, the more you need it

***Wearing fit plum leggings***

“Parsva Bakasana” – Side Crow

Yogalates

“Kapotasana” – King Pigeon

Yogalates