Astara Skin Care has launched a new retail display, designed by TouchAmerica, featuring its collection of six masks, which have become popular with Millennials. The masks come in vibrant pigments made from 100 per cent natural ingredients.

The new countertop display has been designed for retailing at checkout or in the retail boutique, and features a “shelf-talking” display, which outlines which mask is appropriate for which skin type. A new trend of ‘multi-masking’ uses different masks – and therefore different pigments – on different parts of the face, creating a colourful collage.

Astara’s founder, Sunny Griffin, is a 72-year-old former model and raw food advocate. “The multi-masking trend has gained popularity among this segment, as they love to take selfies after applying the masks in creative and quirky ways to share on Instagram, Snapchat or YouTube,” she says.

Griffin says spas can use Astara Masks to educate their clients on the best way to customise their skin care routine in a fun and entertaining way. “By getting people to understand that all areas of our face are different and should be treated as such, spas can get more involved with their clients in helping them create their own skin remedy solution,” she explains.

Because of the nature of the masks, they lend themselves to being used outside of the treatment room in creative ways, such as during a manicure or pedicure.

“Taking the masks outside the treatment room generates awareness for full-service facials, and encourages retail sales,” says Griffin.

Spa-kit keyword: Astara

Skincare brand Aromatherapy Associates has launched a panel of six Wellbeing Experts, each of whom specialises in enhancing and nurturing life balance, supporting self-belief, and encouraging healthy living.

Each of the experts has a specialism and represents an Aromatherapy Associates collection that is aligned to their skills. Areas of expertise include psychotherapy, somatics, exercise, communication, nutrition, yoga and laughter.Tracey Woodward, CEO of Aromatherapy Associates, says that consumers are looking for products that nurture, improve and provide added benefits, rather than just beauty.

“These days, beauty products are not only designed to change how you look, but also how you feel, physically and mentally,” she explains.

The Wellbeing Experts are designed to help create that added benefit, and will offer ‘top tips’ on 21st century living, as well as practical tools on how to destress, find inner strength, relax and revive – linking each back to a specific Aromatherapy Associates product range.

“We want to create a positively charged message through our social media channels – we want to be the non-judgemental brand on social media,” says Woodward. “We want to empower our customers and create a tribe around our brand.”

Spa-kit keywords: Aromatherapy Associates

Need a little clarity to help keep you hydrated? Conscious Water is a new wellness brand that offers 100 per cent natural water enhancers made with flower essences, designed to add some fresh flavour to the standard tap or bottled variety.

“While health and wellness is becoming more top-of-mind with consumers than ever before, there’s no getting away from the fact that we live in an ‘always on’ culture, with busy, sometimes chaotic lifestyles,” says founder and CEO Ilan Azouri. “Conscious Water was created as a tangible way to encourage mindfulness and inspire people to take that necessary pause from their busy day as a time to reflect on themselves.”

Available in six ‘aspirations’ – Clarity, Happiness, Serenity, Rejuvenation, Love and Sweet Dreams – the flower essences contain the essential energies of handpicked flowers, and are free from any artificial colours, synthetic chemicals or preservatives. They give water just a hint of natural flavour, and come in individual, easy-to-use packets.

“When it comes to the spa experience, Conscious Water is a wonderful way to cut through the noise when guests arrive,” says Azouri. “Simply pausing, with a glass of water, and contemplating an aspiration they desire in that moment – Love? Serenity? Rejuvenation? – the natural flower essences in Conscious Water bring a sense of awareness to their spa experience, and therefore greater enjoyment.”

Azouri plans to grow the brand within luxury hotels and spas, and has initially launched in The Langham and Blakes Hotel in London.

Spa-kit keywords: Conscious Water

Unbescheiden has created a dry hydro massage bed designed to offer a quick, refreshing solution for wellness sessions. The Medyjet Evolution positions the customer on a rubber cover on top of a tub filled with heated water; water nozzles then move below the cover, applying a relaxing massage. As there is no direct water contact, the customer is able to stay dry and dressed.

The Medyjet Evolution can be adjusted for body height, massage zones, massage pressure, duration of treatment and water temperature, while individualised massage programmes can be saved. The massage automatically continues from feet to shoulders and is designed to be quiet.

Heinrich Unbescheiden, sales director for the company, explains that the dry hydro bed can be used as a standalone massage treatment or to complement treatment protocols.

Unbescheiden says: “In many discussions with our international customers, we found out about a growing demand for reliable dry hydro massage beds that deliver cost-effective, high-quality treatments. Medyjet Evolution can be operated very efficiently. Institutions can offer excellent treatments and treatment protocols at an attractive consumer price level, while costs can be kept comparatively low.”

Additionally, there is not much time needed for preparations between treatments, which means that more treatments can be performed each day.

Spa-kit keyword: Unbescheiden

Spa equipment manufacturer Lemi has partnered with scent experts Camylle to create an aromatherapy table with a sensory difference. Designed to provide a ‘wow’ experience, the Lemi Aromatherapy incorporates the latest scent technology by Camylle – the Perles de Parfum.

The scented pearls are set inside a diffuser within the table, close to the headrest. With five essences available, the experience can be customised to the client, with scents creating different effects, such as energising, relaxing or detoxing.

“The ‘wow effect’ is part of our philosophy of wellness, and in 2017 we’ll be launching more products designed to ‘wow,’” says Matteo Brusaferri, account manager at Lemi. “Camylle’s pearls of pure aroma are 100 per cent natural, and the Lemi diffusor balances the fragrance intensity.”

Marc Massing, CEO of Laboratoires Camylle, calls the technology an ‘‘intelligent” use of the Perles de Parfum, which are newly available on the market in 19 different fragrances.

Brusaferri says: “Cooperation is always a good way to improve business and also to learn a new approach and point of view. The Lemi Aromatherapy completes a range of options designed to involve all the senses in a complete wellness experience.”

Spa-kit keyword: Lemi

Parisian skincare brand Yon-ka has added four targeted treatments designed to boost day cream routines for specific needs. Yon-Ka Boosters include Nutri+, Hydra+, Lift+ and Defense+, and can be mixed in with daily skincare as the need arises – Nutri for added nutrition and energy; Hyrda for hydration; Lift for reinforced firmness; and defense for protection.

Catherine Mühlethaler, CEO of the company, says: “Most women are impressed with the results of their day cream and loyally use it with confidence as part of their daily routine. Yet knowing the needs of the skin can change, they want to also be able to adapt the routine when the skin may need it the most, such as when they’re fatigued, during seasonal changes, or when they’re exposed to UV rays, pollution or smoke.”

Nutri+ is a vitamin-packed cocktail that includes cereal germ oils; Hydra+ includes vegetable glycerin and blackcurrant extract to battle thirsty, taut skin; Lift+ features core ingredients from 20 plants, including rosemary; and Defense+ uses antioxidant pine bark polyphenols to enhance skin’s resistance to external aggressions.

The Boosters also include Yon-Ka’s five Quintessence essential oils: lavender from Provence, Egyptian geranium, Moroccan rosemary, cypress from Provence and thyme from Spain.

Spa-kit keywords: Yon-Ka

UK-based laundry machine manufacturer Xeros has created a compact, low-water, 35lb (16kg) capacity washer for spas and smaller hotels.

The device uses a patented polymer-bead cleaning technology designed to reduce water consumption, energy and detergent use. The beads are added to the drum, along with a special detergent and a small amount of cold water, to agitate the linen and attract and absorb aromatherapy oils and other stains.

Features of the machine include a soft-mount design; a colour, seven-inch touch screen programmable controller that’s capable of multiple languages; intuitive operation; high-speed extract; all electric valves (no air supply required); and large, easy-to-load drum.

Joe Bazzinotti, global commercial laundry president at Xeros, says the Xeros SM35, a smaller version of the award-winning Xeros SMV90 Commercial Washer, can reduce water consumption by up to 80 per cent, and reduce energy and detergent usage by up to 50 per cent.

“We now have a solution for customers where machine size has been a concern, and who want superior, gentle cleaning that is eco-friendly,” he says.

“For the customer, the Xeros system is operated just like any conventional washer, so there is no extra training; the cycle times are similar, so it will not negatively impact labour; and it delivers sustainability and performance.”

Spa-kit keyword: Xeros

Paris-based spa manufacturer Vital Tech has used its research on far infrared rays and their benefits to design a compact, folding sauna-bed for hotels and small spas.

The Nomad sauna bed uses infrared technology to create a cocoon of heat around the user, with four carbon panel heating zones (back, chest, legs and feet) and a heated mattress. It takes seven minutes, without preheating, to reach sauna temperature.

Operators can use the Nomad to offer a personalised, in-room sauna with 36 programmes to choose from – including relaxation, weight loss and cell regeneration – and they also have the option to create tailored protocols.

Designed to accommodate all body types and manoeuvrable on a wheeled trolley, the bed’s small footprint measures 115cm x 130cm x 73 cm when closed, and can be moved and operated by a single person. It also includes a compartment underneath for housing towels or care products.

Vital Tech president Alexandra Gavsevitch says the Nomad answers any space problems hotels or spas may have and offers individual care in the customer’s room.

“We had the idea to create a portable, compact infrared sauna to differentiate ourselves from the competition,” she says. “This hands-free machine allows a high level of profitability for professionals and customer attendance after even the first treatment.”

Spa-kit keyword: Vital Tech

Pevonia has introduced a new retail line of anti-ageing products especially for men. New Collagen Boost For Him Face Balm and Eye Contour products are supported by spa treatments and designed to be incorporated into a daily grooming routine. The balm includes antioxidants, as well as plumping and toning marine collagen and elastin and vitamins C and E.

Collagen Boost Eye Contour is designed to smooth eye wrinkles with slow-release hyaluronic acid for hydration and protection. The Collagen Boost Face Balm and Collagen Boost Eye Contour are part of the Pevonia Spa Care For Him Line, which also includes Aqua Gel Foaming Cleanser, Easy Glide Shaving Emulsion, and Soothing After Shaving Balm.

Maritza Rodriguez, global vice president of marketing, says: “Since our primary sales channel is the spa, it is important that we offer men at-home products and services that will meet and exceed their expectations.

“The men’s at-home collection and recommended treatments will ensure spas around the world remain on-trend with in-demand offerings and services.”

Rodriguez explains that due to the hormone androgen, men have different skincare needs compared to women.

Spa-kit keyword: Pevonia