What the Spa Spies are loving this summer

With summer now in full swing (something we said, oh yellow one?), the Spa Spies share some of the products and spas they’re loving this season.

Stylish Spy embraces spa-ing at home



If it’s true that the best things come in three’s then Ishga’s Natural Skincare range for the face (Regenerating Face Serum (50ml’s, £70), Balancing Marine Cream (30ml’s, £42) and Exfoliating Face Mask (50ml’s, £41) - is a powerful trio worth trying at home. Containing Organic Seaweed, I popped the Exfoliating Mask on my face during a bath, hoping to unclog my pores of Factor 50 after a week of sunny weather. The daily serum works hard to reverse sun damage, while the marine cream returned the moisture to my face without causing greasiness. Hello, sunshine.

Scarlet Spy enjoys quirky spa-ing



I had the pleasure of visiting Five Bubble Luxury The Elms Hotel & Greenhouse Spa.- an ivy-clad beauty is set in 10-acres of Worcestershire countryside. The botanical-styled Greenhouse Spa is located in a converted barn behind the hotel. Inside, arched garden mirrors, plants and old garden tools add a touch of rustic charm. Swim laps in the 10-metre pool - where floor-to-ceiling windows flood the area with natural light while showing off the pretty garden. The indoor/ outdoor hydrotherapy pool takes spa-ing to the next level - I bubbled away beneath the palms as sun glistened through the steam.

Stylish Spy discovers easy-peasy sun protection

Let's face it, slapping sun-cream on during the warmer weather is always more of a chore than a joy (don’t even think about it, dark spots). So when I was asked to try Germaine de Capuccini’s Time Expert Sun SPF 50 Invisible Mist (200ml, £60), I jumped at the chance. Simply remove the lid, shake the bottle a few times, point and spray. The trick is judging the distance so that you don’t end up with white cream on your skin but, after two attempts, I had it nailed. Now I just spray and go. 

Serene Spy comes up smelling of roses

Need an extra boast of hydration this summer? Look no further than Oskia’a Rose de Mai Massage Candle (200g’s £53). I tried this glorious natural massage candle - which contains skin-smoothing omegas, vitamins and minerals to leave skin feeling soft - in the bath. I lit the wick and, after just five minutes, poured a little of the warm liquid into my hands to smooth onto my arms and chest. The oil sunk into to my thirsty skin rapidly, leaving a delicate smell of roses that lasted into the next day.

Stylish Spy sips Prosecco in the pool

Sometimes it’s the little things that make a spa visit memorable, and my visit to Y Spa at Wyboston Lakes certainly hit the spot. Not only has the spa garden had a noteworthy spruce-up - with a wider decking area; jaunty new deck chairs in bright oranges, pinks and greys; and natural Cedar fences adorned with living plants - but the spa bar (next to the ‘Some Like it Hot’ alpine sauna) was open for a poolside Prosecco. You’d better hurry though… this little wooden-hut-cum-bar – complete with pretty bunting – will be tucked up by autumn.

Serene Spy opens her eyes to VOYA



After a busy few weeks at GSG HQ, I decided it was time for one of my regular selfcare Sunday rituals. I ran a bath and popped one of Voya’s new hand-harvested, sustainably-sourced Irish Laminaria Digitata Renewal Eyes 100% Organic Seaweed Eye Masks (4 pairs, £30) under my eyes, allowing the dry seaweed mask to expand in the water first. The cooling sensation was just what the doctor ordered. Mask off, I climbed out to inspect the results: brighter eyes and plumped-up skin. That’ll do nicely.