How can you recharge on your own while on vacation with others?

New Year’s Greetings 2023

C’est avec grand plaisir que je vous souhaite une TRÈS BELLE ANNÉE 2023, remplie d’amour, de santé, de joie et de succès ! ❤️☺️💫

🙌For How To Spa, 2022 was a year full of challenges and wonderful encounters: REAL Magazine, Masterclasses, pop-up stores, and wellness events that delighted us with our wonderful interactions, new Relaxation Kits, placements in hotels and spas, and incredibly positive customer feedback—which remains our greatest reward! 🙏

🙏I am deeply grateful to be able to work with more than 40 partner brands that trust me, as well as with an incredible team of experts who support me every day: Community Manager, Web Designer, Logistics Specialist, and Accountant

🙏Thank you to such wonderful people for their support and for believing in my project, including Marie-Paule Leblanc, Muriel Masiero , Eric Michalon, Tiphaine Modeste, Fabienne Crocq, Colette Audebert, Grégory Ayoun, Ilia Renon, Clarisse Trouiller Gerfaux, Nathalie Aubry Molinier, Isabelle Trombert Herve Brochette

👉How To Spa wouldn’t be what it is today without your support, trust, and shared experiences? So thank you!💫

🤲I created How To Spa in the hope of sharing and passing on the desire for self-care of self-care, through the most touching of the professions in the wellness industry: MASSAGE. But also thanks to the expertise and the attention to detail that makes the spa experience what it is: UNIQUE.

🌅💐🎼👐 🍵 When you enter a spa, all your senses are stimulated: the beauty of the place, the magnificent scent that envelops you in a Zen-like cocoon, the music soft and soothing, the warmth and kindness of the team and of the therapist, the herbal teas and flavors that accompany you through to the end of the experience.

👉That’s exactly what I wanted to recreate for you, with our tutorials and selections of products that are ethical and high-quality. 💫

🤵‍♀️After gaining hands-on experience at a spa, I was frustrated to see that massage—such a wonderful wellness tool with incredible benefits—could be viewed merely as a luxury experience, an exceptional experience, one that, of course, requires time and money for some people.

📔💆‍♀️The desire to recreate this world at home, at work, or even while traveling was primarily intended to allow wellness enthusiasts to extend the experience into their daily lives and then return to the spa, thereby incorporating the importance of self-care into their daily routines 💫

👉Some clients have also shared with me what inspired them to get a massage after using our services: it’s such a joy to hear that 🥰! Because for some people, getting a massage isn’t so natural. Getting a massage requires letting go of certain emotional barriers, relaxing, and trusting. What better way to start than with a private self-massage—to practice self-love and reconnect with your body and mind? 🤲

❤️ The main message is this: learn to take a break and take care of yourself so you can better take care of others. Whether it’s with our kits, through massage, meditation, or a walk in nature. Schedule some time—even in advance—in your calendar for coffee with that friend you’ve been wanting to see for so long, go see that movie, read that book, or visit that exhibition you’ve been wanting to experience for so long. In short, take a breath and make time to do what makes you feel good. Listen to your body’s signals; listen to your intuition. They only want what’s best for you ❤️

🧘‍♀️ Also, I share more and more ofmore and more this spiritual path that helps me in my daily life, because I remain convinced that it can help others on the path of life.

This journey is made up of life lessons, lows we must ride out, and highs we must celebrate! It’s a journey strewn with obstacles, but one that gratitude, deep breathing, meditation, and living in the present moment help to illuminate. ☀️

✨Like many others, these past few years since the pandemic have been difficult, but it’s through this resilience that I’ve been able to keep believing and not give up. It’s thanks to these setbacks that I’ve also learned, and it’s thanks to these small daily victories that I want to keep moving forward with joy and a desire to share what I’ve learned. When a client tells me about a breakthrough they’ve had thanks to our conversations or using one of our kits, I can’t help but keep believing in it. 🙏☺️🙏

Can’t wait to tell you what’s next for 2023!

Taking care of your face: facial massage, face exercises, and self-massage

Dear readers,

When we talk about facial care, we usually think of cleansing and moisturizing. Sometimes we include exfoliation and/or a face mask. But did you know that you can take care of your face in ways that go far beyond these routine treatments?

In fact, the wellness industry offers effective and increasingly recognized methods to give your face a stunning new glow—all while providing total relaxation!

Experts with magic fingers, whose techniques go beyond a simple facial treatment

• The benefits

While the skincare for the face has well-known properties that are widely recognized, such as purification, cleansing, hydration, or even anti-aging, there are some highly specialized techniques to help you restore your radiance, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and achieve a “plumpy” effect.

• The Expert Facial Massage, with the renowned facialist Delphine Langlois

Delphine is the quintessential French skincare expert. After 13 years of creating skincare treatments at the heart of the prestigious George V Spa in Paris, Delphine trained with experts from all a15> world wide to learn specific and recognized techniques. Anti-aging facial massage, Jacquet® pinching, the Kobido® by Master Shogo Moshizuki from Japan or also the Oral Massage® by Dr. Yakov Gershkovich, are just some of the skills she acquires.

Passionate about beauty and well-being, Delphine offers extensive expertise in natural facelifts, combined with a range of sophisticated massages for a rejuvenating and tailored effect.

Many celebrities seek out his services, as do men and women looking for a unique treatment tailored to the shape of their face.

To learn more: https://www.delphinelanglois.com

• Face Gym, or Facial Workout, with the pioneer in the field: Inge Theron

The FaceGym brand was founded in 2016 by Inge Theron, a British woman.

A trip to India and six months of globetrotting around the world gave her a deeper appreciation for the benefits of massage and spa treatments. She became an expert in recommending spas around the world and wrote a column for the Financial Times titled “Chronicles of a Spa Junkie.”

Unfortunately, over the next three years, Inge became obsessed with cosmetic injections, constantly trying to eliminate even the slightest wrinkle… until she underwent one procedure too many at age 37, which left her face disfigured. During a stay at an ashram in Mexico City, Inge received ancient Inca facial treatments several times a day to “restore” her facial structure. There, she learned that you can tone and sculpt the muscles of your face just as much as those in the rest of your body.

The idea of developing a unique “workout” technique for the face was born. It’s like a gym session for your face, with a warm-up, cardio, massage, and relaxation. The results are amazing—plump, hydrated skin!
With more than a dozen studios around the world (London, New York, and Los Angeles), success is guaranteed with famous clients such as Ellie Goulding and Adriana Lima.

To learn more: https://www.instagram.com/facegym/?hl=fr

• In search of the “Glow”

Unique on the market, these techniques will inspire many to launch their own “Glow” Studios, following the lead of new Parisian brands such as Aime and Seasonly

Aime – Glow Studio: https://aime.co/fr/content/12-le-glow-studio

Seasonly – Skin Studio: https://seasonly.fr/pages/skin-studio

Self-Massage

• The benefits

Practiced for centuries in Japan and the Middle East, self-massage is a facial care technique that promotes well-being and has an immediate effect on the skin’s radiance. It is recommended by all wellness experts.
In addition to helping your daily skincare product penetrate the skin more effectively, facial self-massage relieves tension (around the eyes, temples, and jawline) and stimulates microcirculation in the blood and lymphatic systems for an immediate radiant glow.
By learning to perform self-massage, you get to know your body better and learn to love yourself more. You gain a better understanding of the signs of aging, allowing you to age gracefully using non-invasive manual techniques.

• How To Spa Self-Massage: a technique by Fabienne Crocq

Want to try some simple and effective self-massage techniques? Check out our online tutorials and videos, created in collaboration with our spa expert Fabienne Crocq

Tutorials in booklets free to read here: http://preprod.howtospa.com/creez-votre-relaxation/

Free video tutorials on facial makeup—try them here: http://preprod.howtospa.com/faites-votre-spa-a-la-maison-en-video/

Give yourself the time to heal

Dear readers,

It’s been a while since I took the time to sit down and write to you. The idea for this post came to me after a much-needed period of reflection.

I had this desire to share with you this lesson on life I’ve learned recently: to give yourself time to heal. Accepting that you’ll go through some difficult times, and feeling some emotions that are sometimes negative in order to bounce back better.
It’s a process that’s hard to accept, in a world today where the image of “ultra positivism” is omnipresent. It is normal and human to go through these phases and to learn more about ourselves and our social interactions.

Not burying the negative aspects of your life is a way of respecting your body and your emotions.

I recently put my own advice into practice—namely, slowing down last summer and taking the time to heal. A hectic pace of life led me to a state of deep fatigue that masked the early warning signs of burnout. Now that I’m more attuned to my body, I’ve made a conscious effort to slow down, which has proven to be very beneficial. This time to recharge gave me the opportunity to awaken and bring to light emotions I had buried, and to learn to respect and understand them.

Meditation, mindful breathing, but also taking the time to appreciate the present moment are some tools that have really helped me throughout the entire process . I highly recommend it to everyone who is going through a difficult period. Try to keep in mind that you are going through this phase for a reason, and that the universe will send you signs to help heal. Believe that you are right at the right time and in the right place.

An exercise that also helps a lot: gratitude. Every morning, place your hand on your heart and close your eyes. In your mind or out loud aloud, say what you are grateful for. Something or someone in your life, who makes you feel happy.

Feel this sense of well-being and be grateful for it receiving it.

This exercise will help you avoid feeling stuck in a state of waiting and frustration, because when you’re in a state of gratitude, you don’t expect anything in return. You’re simply grateful for what you receive.

Thanks to this process of self-reflection, I was able to bounce back and start fresh on a healthier footing when school began in September. In fact, some exciting projects are currently in the works. I can’t wait to share them with you!

Let’s wrap up on a note of optimism :), with this sublime poem that I discovered just recently

« For a New Beginning », par John O’Donohue

In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,Noticing how you willed yourself on,Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safetyAnd the gray promises that sameness whispered,Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,And out you stepped onto new ground,Your eyes young again with energy and dream,A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clearYou can trust the promise of this opening;Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginningThat is at one with your life’s desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

Les huilettes: 5 oils that are 100% natural, thoughtfully crafted, ethically produced, and portable

Hello, dear readers,

In this article, we would like to introduce you to a brand-new cosmetics brand that we particularly love : Les Huilettes.

The concept? Five natural skincare serums—for day and night facial care, facial cleansing, the eye area, and the body—designed for travel so you can take them with you wherever you go.

Inspired by “slow beauty,” these oils are 100% plant-based, 100% active, organic, vegan, and made in France.

Who are the founders? Pascale and Claire, two friends who met 20 years ago in Indonesia. These two passionate women decided to embark on an entrepreneurial journey, one after a career in the health and beauty industry and the other after a career in fine dining.

Living in Morocco, Pascale fell head over heels for the scents of certain aromatic plants that grow naturally in this beautiful country. After training in aromatherapy, she decided to launch a socially conscious and 100% natural brand with Claire’s help. Alongside their “tribe”—the “oil addicts” ”—Pascale and Claire spent over a year developing oils for the face and body. This tribe includes Juliette, founder of Oh My Cream; Hélène, creator of YUJ; and Sophie, founder of Pharm O’naturel; as well as avid fans of “green beauty” and “slow beauty.”

You can learn about the principles of aromatherapy with some essential oils pure whose origin is certified, and some oils virgin cold-pressed without refining and without hydrogenation.

Their scents—“energy,” “letting go,” or “lightness”—allow you to experience a genuine sense of well-being, in addition to their anti-aging benefits.

We really appreciate their commitment to ethical practices. The brand holds the #LABESSENTIEL certification, a charter that attests to the ethical quality and effectiveness of its products. This includes dermatologically tested products that ensure skin tolerance, vegan and organic quality standards, as well as a commitment to environmental conservation and respect for human rights.

Our favorite product is their roll-on eye contour cream. Enriched with essential and plant-based oils: Helichrysum, Cypress, Patchouli and Calophyllum, it drains and restores radiance. We love the idea of the 5-ml bottle, which we take with us everywhere and which lasts for at least 4 months.

Impressed, just like our team? Why not check out their website to learn more: https://www.leshuilettes.com

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Expert Interview: Aziza, HER DIY and organic beauty secrets

Thank you for granting us this interview. It is with pleasure thatwe wanted to share your passion for skin care. In order to share your knowledge, you have written two books full of natural recipes for creating these cosmetics: “Recipes fresh for my skin ” and “A Journey to the Land of Berber Beauty .”

1. Can you tell us a little more about yourself and your background?

I studied aesthetics and specialized in Ayurvedic massage. I was fortunate enough to work for two years at the Cinq mondes spa, and then I trained in professional makeup.
Today, I’ve been a makeup artist in the fashion industry for over 15 years.

2. Your two books, *Fresh Recipes for My Skin* and *A Journey to the Land of Berber Beauty*, are invaluable guides for making your own cosmetics in a simple way using natural ingredients that are accessible to everyone. What inspired you to share your knowledge?

These days, women are taking better and better care of their bodies and their skin. At the same time, they want to use non-toxic products.
I’ve always been drawn to natural products. When I do a client’s makeup, they often ask me, “What skincare products can I use on my skin?” That’s what inspired me to share these natural recipes.

3. Spotlight on “Fresh Recipes for My Skin”: makeup remover, face masks, scrubs, balms, shower gel, and even deodorant and toothpaste—you offer a wide variety of recipes for cosmetics and personal care products made from fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee, citrus fruits, and more. Our favorite: the anti-aging date mask. It’s so easy to make and smells so good! How did you manage to put together such a comprehensive list of beauty recipes?

I’ve been using these beauty recipes my whole life, because it’s a tradition in our families that’s been passed down from generation to generation. When I was little, my mom would make hair treatments for me using argan oil and henna. For the date mask, I used my mother’s recipe. We also often share recipes with our cousins, friends, aunts, and so on. In Morocco, we’re lucky to have natural ingredients readily available and at a low cost.
For all these reasons, over time, I’ve been able to collect all these recipes.

4. Spotlight on “Journey to the Land of Berber Beauty.” A true gem that brings together the beauty secrets of Berber women and Morocco. Rasshoul, henna, argan, dates… it’s a wonderful experience for our senses! You even share a recipe for making your own kohl.
Do you have any recommendations or websites where we can find these more specific ingredients?

I get my supplies directly from an herbalist in Morocco. But here, you can find the ingredients at Middle Eastern stores, and some of them at organic stores.

5. The naturalness of products and waste reduction are issues that are becoming increasingly important to consumers. Your books are valuable resources for those looking to take their eco-friendly consumption to the next level. As a professional makeup artist yourself, you’re striving to go further by offering more organic and natural makeup to your clients. Do you have any brands you’d recommend?

• Six Senses : http://www.sixsenses.com/spas/rue-de-casti- glione-paris

In my work as a professional makeup artist, I use a lot of organic products and various brands, such as: Pur Aloe, Couleur Caramel, Avril, Absolution, Alima Pure, Kosas, Boho, ilia, Dr. Hauschka, Miss W, Lady Green, and Lily Lolo.

To learn more about Aziza El Badaoui and her work: http://www.azizamakeup.com/

Odaïtès: From Family Tradition to Ethical Care

Dear readers,

We love showcasing the brands we partner with, and one of them is called l’Odaïtès.
Discovered thanks to our spa expert Fabienne Crocq, l’Odaïtès won us over with the authenticity and sensory appeal of its products. Today, they are among our partners for the distribution of our relaxation kits as part of the Cannes Film Festival.
A first meeting with one of their co-founders, Nabila Chemillier, gave us insight into the origins of the concept and the beauty of their story.

L’Odaïtès is the story of three sisters who decided to create 100% natural cosmetics, inspired by their grandmother’s recipes, which have been passed down for many years.

In this way, they learn not only how to harvest and distill raw materials—such as figs, dates, and white flowers—but also how to create unadulterated essential oils.
Beyond their proven pharmaceutical expertise, everything is produced locally in one of the sisters’ laboratories. L’Odaïtès is committed to highlighting “authentic” ingredients such as ointments, balms, and plant-based oils. You can sense a genuine love for a job well done and a passion for enhancing the sensory experience and the addictive scents of their products!

L’Odaïtès offers essential facial care products such as makeup remover oil, exfoliator, face mask, cream, and serum, as well as a candle to complement your skincare routine, with a truly intoxicating scent.

Our favorites:

• This reparative balm, made with virgin jojoba, macadamia, and desert date oils, has a signature scent that’s to die for! Plus, we love its portable roll-on format—perfect for taking anywhere to soothe dry spots, whether it’s winter or summer.

• This face mask, with its addictive creaminess and scent, is highly effective at restoring comfort, suppleness, and radiance. Date sap, apricot kernel oil, honey, and clay are the key ingredients in this amazing mask. Here’s a tip from Nabila on how to use it: you can apply it to your face before a workout, since the mask is transparent once applied. Sweat will enhance its effects, leaving your skin looking even more radiant.

To learn more: https://www.lodaites.com/

Unique herbal teas and beverages to help you relax

Dear readers,

We had the chance to discover two truly wonderful brands of herbal teas and beverages, perfect for your moments of relaxation or to enjoy throughout the day. Innovative, natural, and high-quality, discover these herbal teas modern and beauty drinks, true gems from the heart of How To Spa.

Herbal Drinkers Club: for more modern and sophisticated herbal teas

Created by an enthusiast, Thibaud Bergasse, the Herbal Drinkers Club is designed as a club for herbal tea lovers. We love their funny and offbeat approach, which clearly reflects their ambition to make drinking this beverage cool again:
“No more shame, no more lies. Let’s hold our heads high, come together, and stand up for ourselves. Let’s shout to the world who we are. No more need to hide to live life to the fullest. No more need to live at night, sheltered from the gaze of others. Be proud now. We are men, women, young people, active adults, in our thirties (give or take), and we love herbal tea.”

You’ll discover an innovative concept through six modern and bold herbal teas. “The Champion,” “The Prodigy,” “The Calm One,” “The Party Animal,” “The Irresistible One,” and “The Sociable One” are all quirky names meant to illustrate the effect you’ll feel after drinking your herbal tea.

Whether you’re looking for a concentration boost with *Le Prodige*—made with yerba mate, sage, mint, pepper, and cardamom—a post-party pick-me-up with *Le Festif*—made with green yerba mate, coconut, and ginkgo—or a moment of calm with *Le Tranquille*—made with verbena, Chinese cinnamon, and cloves—there’s something for everyone!

To learn more: http://herbaldrinkersclub.com

Evoleum: For Delicious and Effective Beauty Drinks

To improve your well-being in everyday life, Evoleum offers a range of delicious and high-quality products. Four themes for four needs: Radiant complexion, Detox, Immune System Boost, and Weight Management. Beyond an effective formula, these drinks are also delicious for the palate!

For a detox, try a regimen featuring birch sap, concentrated apple juice, and lemon juice. For an immune boost, enjoy their drink made with Rhodiola rosea, vitamins B8, B6, and C, as well as trace minerals. If you’re looking for a regimen to brighten your complexion, you’ll love their formula made with Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract, hyaluronic acid, and wheat lipid extract. Finally, for weight loss, try a blend made with ash, dandelion, and fucus.

We love the aesthetic appeal and quality of their beauty drinks, which come in glass vials, as well as their gift set offerings. In fact, Evoleum is breaking new ground by offering gift sets that include vials for a 14-day treatment, along with a beauty product (oil, scrub, or slimming body gel).

For more information: https://www.evoleum.fr

“Expectant Mom” and Baby Massages

Dear readers,

Did you know that there’s a whole world of wellness centered around pregnant women and babies?

• The “Expectant Mom” Massage

More and more spas are offering massages for expectant mothers that follow a very specific protocol. Whether you’re lying on your side with a pillow between your legs, sitting up, or lying on your stomach on a special table designed to accommodate your belly, you’ll enjoy massages designed to relieve lower back pain, swollen legs, and fatigue.
A much-needed break to rejuvenate both mom and baby. In fact, the baby senses its mother’s relaxation and will also be soothed by this shared moment of well-being.

Here are a few tried-and-true spa recommendations in Paris:

Comme dans un cocon au Spa Six Senses

For a reasonable budget at Spa Thémaé

For the ultimate experience at the Spa George V ot the Spa Mandarin Oriental

• Massage your baby

You can if you want to extend this world of well-being after birth, by massaging your child. You will discover the benefits for the health and the development on your child, their development, and your relationship with them. Beyond just relaxation, massages are known to relieve the aches stomach aches and the lack of muscle tone in the baby. There are some very good books on the subject, including “Baby Massage,” by Wendy Kavanagh.” Don’t hesitate either to take your child to see a pediatric osteopath, very good for gently relieving her symptoms, after a long few weeks of being stuck in belly and a turbulent birth.

Our absolute favorite brand:

To take care of of your skin during pregnancy and massage your baby, we can only highly recommend the brand Skinhaptics. Organic and free of preservatives, this brand is often recommended in most of maternity wards. You can also find it in some Parisian spas (such as Six Senses, mentioned above), in the form of oil for massage as part of the treatments for expectant mothers.
Body & hair shower gel, massage oils, facial cleansers, but also oil and cream for the face, Most of the products are designed for the whole family. Made with vegetable oils from cotton, from plum and from sunflower, all extracted by cold pressing, the products taste divinely good and offer a truly special moment of sharing with your child.
The little extra we love? Skinhaptics goes even further with the creation of an easy-to-use baby carrier and some classes on baby massage, available on their website.

To learn more: https://www.skinhaptics.com/fr/accueil/

So don’t wait any longer—treat yourself to a wellness experience for you and your baby!

Listening to oneself

Hello, dear readers,

Do you know that feeling of KNOWING you need to take a moment for yourself, but then brushing it aside in a matter of seconds, only to forget about it right away?
It happens to all of us. We get caught up in the frantic pace of our lives and sometimes forget that we need those precious few minutes or hours to reconnect with ourselves and recharge.

But how can we manage to step away from this routine for a few moments?

After talking with clients and professionals, one key point emerged: it’s up to us to cultivate this “lifestyle discipline” and take this time for ourselves. It’s up to us to seize the moment, press the “pause” button, and take a genuine moment to reconnect with ourselves.

We can start with some simple actions and thoughts, accessible to everyone.

First approach: practicing “mindfulness.” Have you ever tried it? It simply involves appreciating and experiencing those little things in life that help us put things into perspective and make us smile—things we tend to forget all too quickly. For example, it means looking up and marveling at the beauty of our surroundings—such as the sky and its clouds, the architecture of a building, a bird in flight, the smell of a bakery, a ray of sunshine, and so on.

Second tip: deep breathing. A few minutes of slow, deep breaths can really help you release tension. You can do this in the shower, on your commute, or even before bed.

Another very common practice is meditation. People often misunderstand its true purpose. Meditation is, above all, about accepting your thoughts—not about emptying your mind. While focusing on your breath, you let your emotions and thoughts come and go with complete confidence and a sense of fulfillment. If you can’t reach this state at first, that’s okay. It’s actually completely normal. Meditation should be a tool for rejuvenation, not frustration.

Taking care of yourself shouldn’t be a chore, but a pleasure.

It was with this in mind that How To Spa was created. Through our tutorials and kits for relaxation, we want to invite you to recharge and find joy through spa rituals, wherever you are. The introduction to our guides always begins with this sentence, which encourages you to listen to yourself: “If you’re unable to follow the tutorial due to a lack of time, space, or experience, that’s okay. The goal is to listen to your body and your desires.” ”
The goal is indeed to find the right balance between what we need and what we can do to fulfill that need, taking into account each person’s individual circumstances.

So listen to your body and hit “pause,” even if it’s just for a few minutes 🙂

Have a wonderful day, everyone!