CHOCOLATE BEAUTY TREATS BUT NOT TO EAT!

Posted by Kate 02.01.10

Your Pre- and Post-V-Day Guide to Full Body Decadence

Women love nothing more than being pampered  — aside from chocolate, of course — and now we can combine the two! There are some fantastic, non-gimmicky treatments available all year round, not just for Valentine’s or Easter. You’ll need no excuse to try these beauty treats out because chocolate is actually great for the skin.

Photo Credit: Karin Herzog Chocolate and Oxygen Treatment image – www.KarinHerzog.co.uk

Karin Herzog Swiss Skincare formulated the original chocolate facial, combining the benefits of oxygen and antioxidants from chocolate. We know that antioxidants are great for the skin, but believe it or not, the antioxidant concentration in cocoa is twice that of red wine, two to three times that of green tea, and four to five times that of black tea – and it tastes better! The Karin Herzog Chocolate and Oxygen Facial starts with a cocoa-kick in the shape of a divine-smelling chocolate cleanse followed by a gentle but very thorough scrub with the finest marble spheres. Next, there’s a phenomenal and lengthy lymphatic drainage massage with Monoi oil infused with cocoa beans to stimulate the removal of toxins. The face is then lavished with a deep penetrating Oxygen-rich mask and finally, in a layering action, vitamin-rich Choco Cream is mixed with pure Swiss cocoa powder and applied to the skin. Then, a warming layer of melted chocolate is added to insulate the skin. While the chcolate sets, your hands get a blissful massage treat and you get to enjoy the mouth-watering aroma. Leave looking totally refreshed and even-toned with your skin feeling superbly nourished, soft and smooth. In case the smell ignites your insatiable craving for the sweet-stuff, you’ll receive a yummy bar of Cadbury’s on the way out! Karin Herzog Chocolate and Oxygen Facial, £75 is available in salons nationwide and in London at West One Beauty, W1 (020 7486 1415) and The Grange Hotel’s new spa, St Paul’s (020 7074 1000). (Verdict: GGI)

Photo Credit: Karin Herzog Choco Trio – www.KarinHerzog.co.uk

At home, try the Karin Herzog Chocolate Trio, a potent and rewarding kit that both smells and feels heavenly. The regime encourages inter-cellular activity, collagen production, repair and healing, cellular-rejuvenation and helps fight free radical formation. All three products: Chocolate Cleanser, Choco2 Treatment Cream and Chocolate (moisturiser) combine cocoa with stabilised oxygen, water and multi vitamins, so you have a powerful and potent defence against the effects of ageing. For a limited time only it’s “three for two” on all Karin Herzog skincare at http://www.karinherzog.co.uk/ so get shopping!

Photo Credit: Chocolate Room, Strip, Chelsea +44 (0) 20 7590 0050 or www.2strip.com

On to the best waxing boutique in London, which has an exclusive chocolate Lycon wax. Renowned for its almost pain-free Brazilian wax treatment, Strip has a dedicated treatment room for de-fuzzing chocolate-lovers. Lay back and watch TV on the flat screen in the decadent velvet and silk-surround of the Chocolate Room, filled with the fragrance of cocoa. The Lycon chocolate wax looks and smells like melted Cadbury’s when it’s smoothed over the skin. It’s left to set for a few seconds, shrink-wrapping the hairs (even very short ones), before being peeled away from the skin and taking the follicles with it. To follow, Lycon So Yummy Double Action Oil is massaged into the treated area to comfort and soothe the skin – and it’s chocolate-scented! Strip’s Brazilian wax is £45. Booking number for Strip Chelsea: 020 7590 0050. Lycon So Yummy Double Action Oil available at Strip Chelsea, priced at £15. Call 020 7590 0050 (Verdict: GGI)

Photo Credit: Lip Gloss Truffles www.madbeauty.com

Finally, in honour of chocolate season, pop these sweet treats from beauty company Mad Beauty in your makeup bag. Lip Gloss Truffles come in a set of three flavours: White Chocolate, Praline Milk Chocolate and Caramel Chocolate.  Be careful, they look and smell so much like the real thing! £6.99 from www.madbeauty.com.

Love from London,

Kate

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