Rather than squeezing one out of a tube, some spas have gone all natural by using real food in their treatments. Lim Chee Wah indulges in three luxuriously delicious body treats.

PURE NATURE FACIAL
Mandara Spa
The Recipe Carrot, tomato, yoghurt, honey, cucumber and fine white sugar. The fruits are blended to extract the juice prior to the treatment.

The Nutrition Carrots and tomatoes are rich in Vitamin A, and they act as natural anti-oxidants that can protect our skin from environmental and also self-induced damage. Yoghurt and honey make a great combination as they contain anti-bacterial qualities to deeply cleanse the skin. Cucumber, as we all know, is cooling and hence soothes the pores.

The Experience It is a little odd at first to have yoghurt and honey spread all over your face. But once you get used to it, it does feel refreshing to smell something that is so familiar and natural, and not those commercially produced aromatherapy scents. It is comforting to know that real fruits are used and that it is safer than some chemical broth that could trigger an allergic reaction.

The same goes for the cucumber and carrot juice toner. And the carrot juice facial mask, even though it is mixed with kaolin clay. The jasmine moisturiser, however, is the only thing on this treatment that is manufactured. But that’s unavoidable because none of us wants to walk out of a facial treatment smelling like spilled milk.

Also Try The Soothing Coconut Scrub (RM150/50 min), using freshly grated coconut and turmeric, it’s very good for sunburned skin. It is non-abrasive and the all-natural handmade carrot body rub, applied at the end of the treatment, helps recondition parched skin. Men might be attracted to the Bali Coffee Scrub (RM150/50 min) because of the uplifting masculine scent. However, these finely grounded coffee beans have anti-celluloid and detoxifying qualities that appeal to ladies as well.

Mandara Spa, Renaissance KL, Corner of Jalan Sultan Ismail & Jalan Ampang, KL. (03 2162 2233/www.mandaraspa.com) RM195/50 minutes.

OASIS MILK AND HONEY
Senjakala Urban Spa for Men
The Recipe Honey, milk, green tea, mint aroma of sweet warm honey. I was so tempted to lick my hand just for a taste.

A sea salt foot soak follows after a quick rubdown with a warm, damp towel. Now it gets a little messy. A cooling minted green tea, which works as a toner, is applied all over the body to wake up your senses before smoothing on another layer of honey, almond and brown sugar scrub/polish. I am then wrapped up in a warm blanket while my face is treated to a honey, sugar, yoghurt and kaolin clay facial. A honey cinnamon hair mask completes the, erm, marinade.

As I lie there marinating in that sweet, nutty, sugary paste, and breathing in the aroma of honey and cinnamon, I can’t help but ponder if this also makes a tasty recipe for fried chicken. Don’t let me discourage you. It’s just that my mind wanders when I am left idle. Anyway, this elaborate spa ritual ends with a milk body wash. The treatment conjures images of pampering in a royal Arabic palace.

It is indulgent and utterly satisfying to know that the spa goes through all that meticulous effort in putting together an array of all-natural food items just for my body. However, because of the nature of the massage, leaves, more honey, almond, brown sugar, even more honey, cinnamon, and oh, honey. But it’s not regular honey, mind you. It’s Manuka.

The Nutrition Honey has long been used as a toner. It is rejuvenating and can help reinvigorate the skin. Milk doubles as a natural moisturiser while green tea with mint leaves, besides exuding a refreshing scent, cools down the body. Brown sugar and ground almond, which Senjakala insists on importing from the Middle East, make a good scrub agent. Cinnamon, well, that’s just for the aroma.

The Experience This is one luxurious treatment. Instead of using honey as a mixer, Senjakala is going all out by using honey solely on its own in place of massage oil. This 90-minute Tantric Yoga Massage (it’s a combination of traditional Malay, Swedish, Thai and Balinese massage techniques focusing on chakra points, so wipe that dirty smirk off your face) lathers your body with heated pure Manuka honey before applying warm milk on top of it. It isn’t as sticky and uncomfortable as I thought it would be. In fact, it is pampering and surprisingly sensual, especially when you have to feel comfortable about baring it all in front of your therapist. Or else, bring swimming trunks.

Also Try If you have always imagined yourself swimming in the chocolate river in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, well, Senjakala Spa de Chocolat (RM360/3 hours) can fulfill your fantasy. This spa ritual consists of chocolate-scented Balinese Sensaroma Massage, chocolate crème body scrub, cocoa detox face mask, hot chocolate bath soak (yes, they mean that literally), and mocha foot soak and scrub. What’s even more exquisite is that the treatment uses Swiss Halls chocolate and Italian Roast coffee beans (from Starbucks, if you must know).

Senjakala, 20, Jalan Pudu Lama, KL. (03 2031 8082/www.senjakala.com) RM430/3 hours.

PAPAYA BODY POLISH
Ayurvedium MediSpa
The Recipe Even though fresh organic papaya pulp is the main ingredient in this treatment, it is not used solely on its own but mixed with organic honey, turmeric powder, herbal powder and aromatic oil. Prior to the treatment, you will sit through a quick assessment with an Ayurvedic physician to determine your health based on three Ayurvedic constituencies — Vata(refers to breath and movement), Phita (refers to metabolism and growth factors) and Kapha (refers to body fluids and, musculature, joint and bone conditions). This assessment will determine which aromatic oil (out of a total of 150) would be used to achieve a balance in your body.

The Nutrition Papaya can exfoliate dead skin cells and at the same time smoothen the skin. Honey is applied as a catalyst to enhance the benefits of Ayurvedic herbal medicine.

The Experience Make no mistake, Ayurvedic treatments are more utilitarian than pampering. The treatment starts with a really, really oily 30-minute head to toe massage, which takes some getting used to before it feels relaxing. Then comes the papaya and herbal paste, heated to promote better absorption into the skin.
Unlike regular scrub, the paste is applied using long and circular massage strokes, which technically makes it more of a massage than a scrub. Coupled with the warmth from the paste, it actually is a soothing experience. The tummy rub feels especially good since it reminds me of a remedy my mum used to administer when I had tummy ache as a kid.

However, the paste smells earthy like any typical traditional medicine. Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t smell bad. But if you have tried traditional medicine, you can understand how a scent like this, despite not very pleasing on our senses, does convince you that it is actually good for the body. So I have no complaints.

Also Try The refreshing Ayurvedium Cucumber Massage (RM435/90 min) uses fresh cucumber pulp to cool down excessive body heat while replenishing water into dehydrated skin.

Ayurvedium MediSpa, S38, Pamper Floor, Starhill Gallery, 181 Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL. (03 2142 2202/www.ayurvedium.com). RM 480/90 minutes.