fic research question: spa treatments

[kindkit]

For the purposes of writing an incredibly self-indulgent bit of fluff, I would like to know about day spas, beauty treatments, that kind of thing--ones done for fun, relaxation, or "self care," not so much the medical/medicalized ones. It's not something I have personal experience with.

I know I can google what sorts of treatments exist, but I also want to know what they're like subjectively, and I can't easily google that.

If you can help out, I've got three questions:

(1) What spa/massage/beauty treatment type things have you experienced?

(2) Which ones felt especially luxurious or pampering?

(3) Which ones, if any, were weird, uncomfortable, or unpleasant?


All replies welcome, whether we know each other or not. Anon commenting is on if you prefer. And signal-boosting would be great!

Comments

[laurajv]

1. let's see - regular massage, hot stone massage, couples massage (exactly like other kinds of massages except with 4 ppl in the room instead of 2), mud wraps, kind of mindfulness walk things (like wading in a meditation pool between treatments), fancy baths, facial massage, facials, hand massage, manicures, pedicures

2. frankly, pedicures are the best combo i've found of "not that awkward" and "is nice". a full-on pedicure often involves soaking your feet, foot + leg massage, etc.

3. massage always feels a little awkward to me to start but then it's ok. massage therapists in the places i have been tend to be very professional, which helps. i straight-up don't like wraps and baths very much bc there's an uneasy sense that if i fall asleep (they're very soporific) i might not wake up (the attendant often leaves for long stretches of time during these, and you are often immobilized in a way that frankly is probably not very safe to be left alone in).

[kindkit]

Thank you! A pedicure was already on the menu for this character, but I hadn't thought of including foot massage. Definitely will be now, though. And hot stone massage as well.