The Shampoo Lounge

My Mum and I treated ourselves to a bit of pampering last month by heading to The Shampoo Lounge in Seminyak. A few friends had raved about it so we decided to give it a go. In Bali, you can head to almost any spa for a hair treatment and cut but there's always the question of what kind of products they use and whether the staff are properly trained. I've heard some stories about people that have been left very unhappy with their hair after having it done and it makes it easy to vow to never have your hair done in Bali. The fact is that loads of people get their hair done in Bali all the time because it's so much cheaper than having it done in Australia and if you know where to go, you should have no reason to worry.

I always trust the word of people that have been to Bali times before and know their stuff so Mum and I were excited to head to The Shampoo Lounge for a "Sexy Summer Hair" package that included a wash, treatment, cut and blow dry for the price of 550,000 Rupiah (about $55 AUS). We would probably pay double that in Australia!

The Shampoo Lounge is located in Seminyak at the North end of Seminyak Road. They offer not just hair salon treatments but spa treatments and also have an old-school barber corner just for the guys. Although it's expensive by Bali standards, it well worth having the peace of mind knowing that they use high quality products and have staff that actually know what their doing. Their packages are really well priced so it's worth checking them out! The place is very clean, has proper salon equipment and furniture and has a funky vibe to it. The staff are friendly and professional and although there was a bit of a miscommunication with our booking, they sorted it out and began our pampering as soon as they could. They were very apologetic for this and it had no effect on our visit what so ever.

Mum and I were both really happy with our end results. Our hair was nicely cut (we just got trims) and beautifully blow dried; it's a shame that lovely hair never lasts in Bali because of the humidity because we would have loved to strut around for the rest of the day with our freshly blow dried hair. If I was staying in the area, I'd definitely return and I'd quite happily get my hair cut there again. I probably wouldn't bother having another massage here. Although it was good, there was a bit of chatter between staff members and the music from outside the massage room was quite loud and drifted in over the relaxing music. These are the only small complaints I have about my visit.

So if you're looking for a nice salon to get your hair done at in Bali, I recommend The Shampoo Lounge. You can visit with the confidence that you'll be in the hands of properly trained staff, in a nice clean facility. You can visit their website here to check out what they offer (from hair, to nails, massages and make-up) and make a booking. Enjoy!

Photo from www.shampoolounge.com

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Aroma Spa Retreat, Sanur

During my most recent trip to Bali, Mum insisted that we go to a spa that she had come across while visa friends staying at the Mercure Resort in Sanur. Mum's friend had taken her there, boasting its location and setting. Mum gave it a go and loved it so we just had to go during our trip in July.
The spa is Aroma Spa. Having gone into partnership with the Sanur Beach Hotel, they've got a beautiful beachfront location that's open to the sunshine and the breeze, yet quiet and private. It's the perfect setting for a relaxing massage, facial, body wrap or even just for a simple manicure or pedicure.

I would love to get a massage here in one of these gorgeous open bales. I can imagine how peaceful it would be to have the gorgeous breeze coming through while feeling absolutely relaxed. I can't think of a more perfect setting.

The spa has a little on site pool that is for spa guests only. It does cost 100,000 Rupiah to use but this is deducted from the cost of your treatment. Mum and I spent some time laying by the pool prior to our treatment. It's worth coming a little bit early to relax by the pool, order a drink or lunch from the spa-only poolside menu before entering the gorgeous spa for your treatment.

All the treatments, except for the massages in the bales, are done in this beautiful area, all perfectly set-up so you're facing out to the ocean. The spa also has private rooms, which I didn't get a look at but look just as good as the rest of the spa. I definitely wouldn't mind getting a package done to truly make the most of what the spa offers.
I loved getting my treatment done here, while sitting back and watching the world go by. It is such a peaceful spa, with the staff all professionally trained. Everything is kept quiet; the staff, the patrons and the music at just the right volume.

Images from www.aromasparetreat.com

They've got a range of treatments to suit everyone, from manicures and pedicures to massages, hair services, facials, body wraps and one day treatments, along with fabulous sounding packages. All of these have great prices to match. The spa is not the cheapest one you could find, but when you come to Aroma, you're not just paying for your treatment, you're pay for great, professional service in a beautiful, relaxing atmosphere. The way I see it is for the kind of service you get at Aroma Spa, you'd probably have to pay triple the price in Australia and even then you wouldn't be able to get close to the same setting or atmosphere. Whether you're in Sanur or not, I would definitely recommend giving Aroma Spa a go.
Check out their services and prices here.
Aroma Spa has two locations:

• Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai, number 195, Sanur
• Sanur Beach Hotel, Jalan Cemara, Sanur

Posted with Blogsy

What's in my Bali Beauty Bag

Bali is one of those placest that you really don't need to take much make up. During the day, you'll probably either sweat it off or swim it off and for nights, you only need a little bit extra for those nicer dinners you might be going out to. Over the years, I have become quite good at knowing what I do and do not need to take with me. Here are my essentials:

For day time I generally stick with concealer (for those night-before bags under your eyes), pressed powder, bronzer and waterproof mascara. I've recently started using the Benefit Hello Flawless powder that has SPF 15. You can give a light sweep of it over your face for light coverage or use a sponge for full coverage. Let's face it, when you first arrive in Bali, you don't have a tan. Sometimes I'll skip the powder and just use bronzer for a touch of something. Because I sometimes use it all over my face, I steer clear of bronzers that are full of shine and sparkle. The one I use is just from Sportsgirl. Sometimes I'll skip all of this and just use waterproof mascara, my one must have make up. The brand I use is Maybelline and I usually stock up on this when I'm in Bali because it's SO much cheaper than buying it in Australia. Now I'm a big eyebrow person and because my brows are a bit fine, I like to make sure do at least some kind of grooming. I recently bought Benefit's Gimme Brow which is waterproof. It has a mini-mascara like brush to make it quick and easy to just give your brows a bit of something extra.
For night time, I use these products as well as possibly adding Benefit's Girl Meets Pearl (yes, I love Benefit products) for a little shimmer on my cheeks, before adding bronzer. Lastly, I'll use either a bit of eyeliner or eye shadow. The eyeliner I use is a Maybelline gel liner that I bought in Bali from Matahari. Once again, so much cheaper than buying it in Australia. It comes with a great little brush that's perfect for applying it however you like it. As for eye shadow, I bought a great little kit from, yes you guessed it, Benefit. The kit, World Famous Neutrals, has a range of little eye shadows as well as a mini booklet with tips for applying them for both day and night looks.
At the end of the day, there's nothing better than wiping your skin clean, giving it a good cleanse and moisturise. For this I use cleansing wipes to get rid of all the make-up and grime, before washing my face with my beloved Sukin products. After swimming in chlorine and being in the sun all day, I love to have a good moisturising to wake up with fresh, soft skin:)

Posted with Blogsy

Sukin Organics Give-Away Winners!!

A big thank you to everyone that entered the competition. All your entries were fantastic!! I had a great time reading all of your spa experiences and they all made me wish I was back in Bali being pampered!! I've also made a list of new spas to try thanks to all of you:)
Anyway, let's get down to it. 5 winners had to be chosen so here they are and their entries:
Lisa Watson of Queensland
The best spa experience I had was at Waka Di Ume, where the massage benches overlooked the tropical rainforest, as did the spa and my masseuse Puri had magic fingers that had me floating on a cloud. Underneath my face on the floor, was a bowl of water with floating frangipanis that was almost hypnotic to watch as they gently swayed in the water. I've come to realise that Bali is my quiet place, where my soul can rest.

Jane Schofield of Western Australia
When my friend Kate and I booked for a special massage treatment as a couple , we had to get undressed and put on these tiny paper g strings . it was such a hilarious experience for us both being rather modest 50 year old girls and me wondering if I could even fit one thigh into the tiny thing in a cosy darkened room. However, once the massages began, we forgot all about our states of undress and got totally lost in bliss with the beautiful music, hands, aromas and hot stones.

Alain Millet of New South Wales
Best spa experience in Bali was at One World Retreats Kumara in Ubud. I was doing a weeks yoga retreat which was awesome. My package included 3 spa treatments. Each room was a separate villa - and prior to your spa appointment you were collected from your villa by the spa staff. The ultimate treatment was the Ayurvedic Shirodara where the warm oil is poured onto your third eye or 6th chakra point. This amazing treatment started with a face neck and shoulder massage - and the treatment concluded with a mandi lulur, full body scrub followed by a long soak in a huge marble bath where I competed for space with what seemed like the flowers of 10 frangipani trees.
This bath was set on a private balcony - overlooking the Rice terraces and Agung River - very peaceful and private. Could hardly rouse myself to shower, dress and sip a warm ginger tea
ah the serenity

Amanda Monsen of New South Wales
The best spa experience in Bali for me was the day my 7 year old daughter & I did a spa crawl in Seminyak. It started at Carla's Spa with a foot fish spa which she was brave enough to finally dip her toes in with one min to spare. Then it was to Bodyworks for her tiny fingers & toes to be painted with little flowers. She loved it. I had a wonderful manicure. Then finally next door to a limitless spa where she had her hair braided. It took ages but she loved having the braids. She still talks about that day & we both cant wait to return to Bali & do it again <3 thank you : )))
Christie Ainsworth of Western Australia
Shangrila Spa Ubud. My masseuse was a gentleman by the name of Rama. I don’t think his hands left my body the entire time he was massaging me. The treatment started with a quick session on a harmonic sound table, and then a foot soak in a flower bath followed by 30 minutes of reflexology and a 30 minute back neck and shoulder massage. Then to another massage room for a 1 hour full body massage including crystal bowl therapy followed by a salt scrub. Off to the very clean shower area to wash off, dressed, and back into the same room for a facial (using Biokos products). Last of all a pedicure and polish. The spa was one whole room, but partitioned off by beautiful, bright curtains. It was a serene, quiet atmosphere, but you could still hear little day to day noises every now (child, chicken, scooter) and to remind you that you were actually still part of this world. A 4 hour bliss experience, all for under AUS$50. Amazing!
Congratulations to all the winners and thank you again to all that entered. To the winners; your Sukin Organics gift packs will be sent out to you soon; I hope you enjoy them as much I do. To everyone else that entered, I would definitely recommend giving the Sukin products a try.

Posted with Blogsy

Sukin Organics Give-away

As you all know, Sukin Organics recently sent me a few products to review which I've been doing over the last week or so (see here). It's safe to say that I LOVE THEM!! They smell amazing, they make my skin feel lovely and soft and it's so nice to be using a product on your face that you know is not only good for you, but it's environmentally friendly too. They're definitely a brand I'll continue to use and I've already purchased a few more of their products; shampoo, conditioner and body lotion which all smell just as gorgeous!
Now something special for you, my lovely readers, that I have been so excited to announce over the last couple of weeks. I'm having a competition!! Sukin Organics has very generously offered up 5 gift packs as prizes. The Gorgeous Getaways gift packs includes Sukin's Cream Cleanser, Hydrating Mist Toner, Facial Moisturiser, Purifying Shampoo and Nourishing Conditioner and are worth $24.95 each (see here). They're all 50mls each which is conveniently the perfect size to pack away for a trip to Bali!! All you have to do to be in for a chance to win one is complete the form below and describe to me your BEST spa experience in Bali, or anywhere else in the world that you've been on holiday to. The top 5 answers will be the lucky winners of the gift packs. The competition closes at midnight (Australian Standard Western Time) next Wednesday the 2nd of October. The winners will be notified by email before being I announce them on here.

Good luck everyone, I'm looking forward to reading your entries!!

Sukin Organics: Bali Facials at Home

I was browsing through my local Priceline store the other day when I came across a skin care range: Sukin. Mum and I had visited Koa Boutique Spa for facials during our stay in Sanur last month and these are the products that were used. Sukin is an Australian company that prides itself on having natural yet affordable and effective products that don't harm the environment. Their prices in Priceline were indeed very reasonable and even better, they were on special! They offer a wide range of products, from facial and body moisturisers, cleansers, exfoliators to deodorants, hand and hair care, lip treatments and even anti-ageing products and a kids range.
Although there's nothing like having a facial in Bali, it's so nice to know that the products used are safe, Australian products that you can buy at home at a great price and achieve that just pampered feel.
I'm looking forward to investing in some of their products to get that beautiful, fresh, soft skinned feel I had after walking out from Koa Boutique Spa in Bali.

Posted with Blogsy