Spa trends 2013: The Spies’ predictions

We were bang on the money with our spa trend-spotting for 2012.

We predicted brows would be big, and Glamour magazine confirmed that "Bold brows are big news for spring".

We predicted that spa would be more about a way of life, and indeed, Grayshott Spa launched Grayshott Living in November. (Yes, you LIVE IN THE SPA.)

We also told you how huge nails would be in 2012, and no-one can have missed how this year's summer games became the Olympics of nail art. We adored all those little union flags at the ends of the fingers...

So, what do we think will be the spa trends for 2013?

 

Single Spy:

"I think spas will go greyer. As we live longer, more people are coming to spas not to pamper themselves but to stay well. People want to keep physically healthy, so massages that maintain your mobility, regimes that help you stay strong, and exercise routines for those who can no longer touch their toes will all grow in popularity. I also think spas will learn better how to deal with people who want to get well, perhaps because they've been subject to serious illness, and need to recharge mentally as well as physically. A spa can be a wonderful place to recuperate, but spas don't always make this clear."

 

Sybaritic Spy

"I predict a rediscovery of the ingredients of the olden days. Honey, for example, has been used as a skin treatment, not just for beautification but to heal wounds and burns, for centuries. We'll see more honey in facials, more seaweed in wraps and more salts in scrubs. It's partly because spa-goers are still interested in natural treatments, but also down to a growing realisation that long, long ago, when they didn't have a pharmacy to pop into, people still managed to make themselves better. Sometimes simplest is best."

 

Sedate Spy

"The named therapist will be the buzzword of 2013. People won't just book in for a massage, but for a massage with a specific practitioner -- a person who knows their body well, knows their likes and dislikes, and who can tell if tensions are easing or getting worse. It's an added benefit if you return for treatment and don't have to explain to a new person every time that your left knee needs leaving alone because you've had surgery, or that your shoulders are your worst nightmare. The therapist can then complete the massage allowing you to relax into almost unconsciousness, and won't have to distract you by asking a thousand questions.

On a unrelated note, I'd like to see fish pedicures disappear."

 

Sassy Spy

"I predict personalised wellness breaks. More and more spas will focus on what is right for you as an individual. Spas will create a bespoke spa stay that also incorporates healthy eating, relaxation, yoga and meditation, rather than simply concentrating on beauty and pampering."