All our favourite celebrities, from Serena Williams to Harry Styles, love a spa day. ‘Tweakments’ and non-surgical procedures have gained popularity in recent years, in a shift away from the usual surgical facelifts we see among the celebrity crowd.
In recent years, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) saw a decrease of 24% in surgical procedures, with more Brits opting for non-invasive alternatives. In fact, 43% of us now view these non-surgical treatments as part of our regular beauty regime, preferring a relaxing ‘tweakment’ during a spa day over a serious surgical procedure.
With the health and wellness spa market reaching a staggering £7.9 billion in 2024 and the hashtag #SpaTreatment used across 16,400 posts on TikTok alone, it is clear that an increasing number of us are looking to get our relaxation fix and indulge in a few revitalising spa treatments. But how can we be sure we are getting the very best treatments to help our skin look amazing?
Armathwaite Hall, a luxury hotel and spa in the Lake District, takes a look at some celeb-approved spa treatments to help you enjoy your spa break in style.
Marvellous manicures
The 2024 awards season has given us some truly gorgeous fashion moments so far, but what about the smaller details? Plenty of the celebrities on the red carpet had gorgeous manicures, from subtle pinks to bold reds and embellished designs.
Barbie star America Ferrera accentuated her gorgeous pink dress with ultra-shiny, pale pink nails, while Kourtney Kardashian continued the subtle trend with a baby French manicure in black, giving the traditional look a modern spin.
Singer Lana Del Rey went a step further, adding bow embellishments and little hearts to her nails, giving them a unique, three-dimensional effect that fits with her sweet, quirky personality. But one of the most striking nail looks was worn by actress Laverne Cox, who opted for striking red talons that perfectly matched her bright-red dress. Her nails were created using red foil, pressed into the nail and cured under an LED lamp for a textured finish.
Whether you prefer the subtle look, or want to go all out with your nail style, a professional spa manicure will not only leave your nails looking great, but also leave you feeling relaxed.
Lorela Movileanu, Spa Manager at Armathwaite Hall says, “A luxury spa nail technician should offer you a hand massage and complimentary hand cream during your treatment, making your experience extra special, while leaving your skin soft and smooth. A gentle manicure that adds a pop of colour to your nails can boost your confidence, helping you feel ready to take on the day.”
Amazing massages
American footballer Travis Kelce (more recently known to many as Taylor Swift’s boyfriend!) loves a spa massage. A video of him enjoying a massage treatment known as a ‘Moroccan Journey’ in 2017 has recently exploded across the internet, with fans of his and Taylor’s relationship looking for more insights into the stars’ lives.
Travis was laid on his stomach for his massage, which involved bubbles covering his back, followed by a jasmine rose clay, said to get rid of toxins. The Kansas City Chiefs player says he is sure he will hear some comments from his fellow teammates about the massage, but he seems brilliantly unbothered about the expected jokes.
“Spas are often thought of as mainly female spaces, but that’s just not true!” Lorela says. “Men can really benefit from massages, facials and other relaxing treatments, helping to calm the mind and relax the muscles. We all need pampering every now and then!”
Worried about getting a spa treatment while pregnant? Tennis champion Serena Williams showed that you can still have a brilliant spa day with a little one on the way. Before the birth of her second child, Adira River, Serena enjoyed a ‘pre-push party’ – indulging in facials, manicures and foot massages with friends and family.
Even her first-born daughter Olympia, who was five at the time, was able to join in with the spa day fun! She practised her swimming skills in the pool and then enjoyed a simple, relaxing facial – just like her mum.
“You don’t have to have an intensive or lengthy treatment to feel the benefits,” Lorela says. “A simple facial or pregnancy-friendly massage using quality products with calming scents can really help you relax and de-stress.”
Famous facials
A good facial is a spa day mainstay – but the celebrity crowd is taking things a step further with the facial treatments of the moment.
Victoria Beckham is said to enjoy an unconventional Geisha facial, which involves putting Nightingale droppings on your face. It is believed to leave your skin brighter and softer and, if VB’s skin is anything to go by, it clearly works!
Harry Styles is another A-lister who enjoys a facial – but he swaps out the bird droppings for stem cells, said to tighten and refresh the skin. For those looking to take things to the next level, Neustem facial contouring is another celebrity favourite. This treatment also uses stem cells to rejuvenate the skin – Neustem is injected directly into the skin, stimulating the body’s natural production of collagen, improving skin texture and appearance for a more youthful look.
If injecting collagen into your skin sounds a bit much, you can still get positive results from a simpler facial. “You don’t need to invest loads of money or try an unconventional or invasive treatment if you don’t want to,” Lorela explains. “A simple facial using scented oils and anti-ageing products can rejuvenate your skin, restoring its natural balance and helping you get that post-spa glow.
“We’ve had a number of celebrity guests stay at the hotel and visit our spa,” Lorela reveals. “Of course, their privacy is of the utmost importance so I can’t disclose names – but you never know, you might see a face you recognise next time you’re enjoying a dip in our pool or relaxing in our sauna!”
Next time you are at the spa, why not try one of these celeb-approved treatments to feel like a real VIP? You are sure to leave feeling rejuvenated and refreshed and maybe you will even see a celebrity or two!
