Whether we like it or not, summer in Brussels is over. Strangely, this year, the weather seems to have completely skipped autumn and jumped straight into winter, or at least the Belgian version of winter, around 10˚C, gloomy and wet.
Discouraging as that might be, it doesn’t mean it’s time to just stay inside or at a bar, there are still plenty of things to do, even on a gloomy day, and Thermae has added some new treatments to its offer especially for people coming back from holiday who aren’t ready to give up the relaxation vibe just yet.
1. Cloud facial
The name of the treatment is not accidental, for the foam used in the massage of the main part of this treatment feels just like a cloud. But, before that, the skin needs to be cleansed and prepared to absorb all the nutrients it will be pampered with.
Using an array of Thermae’s own beauty products line, Sirene, the cloud facial starts with a cleaning milk, lotion and gentle peeling. The latter is done with a lavender and cedar infused gommage, which is left to dry on the face and then rubbed off. This process removes any impurities and dead skin cells and prepares the face so that the active ingredients of the products used in the next steps of the treatment can be better absorbed.
Now, the cloud. A relaxing foam massage with a product containing kiwi extracts, that help improve your complexion and nourish your skin, as well as antioxidants, which can slow down skin ageing. The foam is also rich in minerals and vitamins, further nurturing the skin. To make the experience that much ‘fluffier’, the beautician alternates between using their hands and soft brushes for the massage.
This is followed by a sheet collagen mask that contains Swiss apple stem cells to promote skin cell division and natural rejuvenation processes. Lastly, another massage, with a hydrating gel, leaving you with a radiant complexion and deeply nourished skin.
The cloud facial treatment lasts for 50 minutes and is available in Grimbergen and Boetfort for €76 per person.
2. Head spa
The head spa is not just a treatment, it is a 50-minute relaxation and wellness journey. The massage therapist starts by washing your hair with a jasmine and chamomile-infused shampoo that is meant to not only thoroughly remove any oil, product built-up and dead skin, but also hydrate and sooth the scalp.
After rinsing with the help of the ingenious machine that shoots out water through multiple nozzles to ensure a thorough cleaning, comes the massage, where an array of tools are used, along with a nourishing hair oil, massage cream and rose water.
A second shampooing ensures none of the massage oil remains in your hair or on your scalp to clog the follicles. This is followed by a nourishing conditioner with lavender extract to strengthen the hair and sooth the scalp, a much-needed help when you spend the entire day in the sauna and water, which can weaken the hair and irritate the scalp.
“This treatment is rooted in Ayurveda, the science of life and art of healing. In India, scalp massages are part of daily life. They relieve stress and tension and promote scalp health”, Thermae explains. “A healthy scalp is the foundation of healthy, beautiful hair – something Ayurveda practitioners have known for centuries!”
The treatment is available at Thermae in Boetfort and Grimbergen, for €73 per person. Keep in mind before booking that it is not suitable for those with hair extensions, wigs or dreadlocks.
