The history of beauty and cosmetics spans over 7,000 years and has no signs of slowing down. Everywhere in the world offers a different spin, tip or ritual on beauty practices that can be incorporated into everyday life. Please see the below for some beauty inspiration:
Switzerland - Try Exotic Ingredients
When it comes to beauty, the Swiss are extremely savvy about the ingredients in the products they use and aren't afraid to try something new and exotic. Jacqueline Piotaz, for example, incorporates active ingredients like plant stem cells into her skincare line, La Prairie is known for its creative formulas such as pearl infusing serums, and Cellcosmet is inspired by cellular therapy and their products contain many herbal and marine ingredients.
To experience an extraordinary treatment for themselves, travelers can head to the alpine region of Arosa. The Tschuggen Grand Hotel's Tschuggen Bergoase Spa offers a variety of Swiss beauty practices, including the Cellcosmet Swiss Anti-Cellulite treatment, a purifying full-body peel that stimulates and improves lipid metabolism.
France - Less is Always More
Beauty standards for French women have long been renowned internationally for their simple yet elegant and classic aesthetic. To achieve the ultimate je ne sais quoi, the underlying concept is less is always more. For French women, proper skincare and enhancing natural beauty always comes before using makeup to coverup the face or as a quick fix. For a classic French beauty look, focus on one area of the face and keep the rest simple or au naturale for the rest. For example, just some blush on the cheeks or a smokey and slightly smudged eye is enough to make a statement and while also showcasing natural beauty. For the classic and effortless Parisian look, all a girl needs is a red lip and messy-styled hair.
For beauty enthusiasts traveling to France looking for skincare expertise, the Maisons Pariente hotels are excellent for learning about the country’s beauty and skincare standards and practices. Maisons Pariente is a French luxury leading lifestyle and hospitality brand offering high-end hideaways in exclusive locations of France, including Hôtel Crillon Le Brave in Provence, Hôtel Lou Pinet in Saint-Tropez, Hôtel Le Coucou in Méribel, and next year the brand plans to expand to Paris and open a hotel in Le Marais, for a fourth addition to the portfolio. Each hotel has an exquisite spa onsite that is popular for locals and travelers alike, with a team of dedicated professionals and spa therapists to help clients achieve the quintessential French je ne sais quoi, either while traveling or maintaining beauty at home.
Maisons Pariente
South Africa - Rooibos and Botany
The secrets to South African beauty and skincare lie rooibos and botany, two natural and indigenous flora found in the country. Rooibos is a plant that grows in South Africa’s fynbos and used to make herbal tea, known as rooibos tea or African red tea. Rich in alpha hydroxy and zinc, rooibos has a number of beauty and health benefits, and can help in revitalizing and invigorate the skin. It can be applied directly on to the skin to help acne, pimples, sunburn, eczema, etc. Rooibos tea can even be used instead of hard tap water to cleanse the face and skin. Tanya Lopez, Saxon Spa Manager at the Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, a secluded and private hotel in Johannesburg, suggests creating the Revitalizer Juice, offered at the spa juice bar for Rooibos intake and to keep the body and skin healthy. The base for the Revitalizer Juice is a cup of Rooibos tea for anti-oxidant properties, hydration levels, reducing heart disease risks, boosting the immune system and reducing stress.
History has it that Cape Town’s Bantry Bay where the city’s ultimate hotel, Ellerman House is located was formerly known as ‘Botany Bay’. To pay homage to this special environment, Ellerman House has developed a range of amenities named after ‘Botany Bay’, creating a scent that is unique to the hotel in collaboration with Wild Olive African Artisans under the expert guidance of Marioara de la Tara. Marioara founded this socially and environmentally conscious manufacturer of 100% natural perfume and cosmetic products, whose primary resource and inspiration is the Cape Floral Kingdom – the world’s smallest yet richest botanical treasure. This bespoke fragrance is a composition of fynbos and indigenous Southern African herbs, that will remind you of your time on African soil.
The Seychelles - Natural is Best
Using products from nature found in the Seychelles, the Seychellois like to keep their beauty routines local. From papaya and yogurt used to hydrate hair to fresh coconut as a skin exfoliant to star fruits for skin clarity, the Seychelles provide everything to create a complete, natural beauty routine from head to toe. These treatments are so popular that the Rock Spa at Fregate Island offers them and even welcomes guests to pick their own flora and fauna to be used in the products.
Kalahari, South Africa- More Melon
The Kalahari Melon, known as the Tsamma melon or wild watermelon, is the biological ancestor of the common watermelon now found worldwide. The high antioxidant level in the Kalahari melon has helped it survive in the Kalahari and its oil, extracted from the seeds of the Kalahari melon is rich in palmitic and oleic acids and is very high in linoleic acid, the fatty acid known for its skincare benefits, as well as omega-6 fatty acids. The Kalahari naturally cleanses, nourishes and hydrates skin, hydrates dry and damaged hair and is used in lip balms. Tswalu Kalahari, the largest private game reserve in South Africa, utlitizes local ingredients and products in their treatments.
Ecuador - Incorporate Cacao
It is almost impossible to talk about Ecuador without mentioning cacao. While it is most known as one of the main ingredients in chocolate, cacao also has healing properties and is used in many beauty treatments and routines throughout the country. A known anti-inflammatory, it can help reduce swelling and can be turned into a cream - cacao butter - to be rubbed on the body and soothe any aches and pains.
Travelers to Ecuador can experience a cacao treatment for themselves with Quasar Expeditions. Their Land of Cacao and Darwin tour, in partnership with Pacari, aims to retrace the steps of the Mayo-Chinchipe-Marañon culture of 3,300 B.C. Travelers venture into the hot humid environment that is essential to grow cocoa beans, follow chocolate's progress throughout history and experience the amazing antioxidant properties of cacao with a special Chocolate Body Wrap spa treatment.
Spain — Keeping it Natural and Healthy
The key to beauty looks and trends in Spain is a more natural look while feeling beautiful and healthy at the same time. Achieving the classic Spanish beauty look is simple and minimal; all that’s needed is eyeliner (a very important step not to be missed), a bare or nude lip, and natural, free flowing hair. Beyond the physical look and appearance, essential beauty and lifestyle routines for healthy skin and overall body include olive oil consumption, sun exposure and small plates/tapas-style meals. With historic influences from Islam and the Moors, Hammam visits are also beneficial for the body and skin promoting physical and emotional detox, combating acne, nourishing and hydrating the skin, anti-aging, boosting the immune system, decreasing muscle tension, and more. Natural and luxury skincare line Natura Bisse emphasis skin’s health and wellness with top of the line products. Natura Bisse is used in treatments at 43 the Spa at Hotel Arts Barcelona.
Thailand - Add Coconut Oil
Coconuts are synonymous with Koh Samui, where there are a plethora of coconut plantations and attractions across the island. One of the most used ingredients in Thai beauty, coconut oil is a multipurpose product for the face, body and hair. It can be easy added into an every-day routine by applying to any dry areas of the body before a bath or shower and is considered one of the safest natural oils.
Travelers looking to experience the benefits of coconuts and coconut oil in Thailand can experience The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui and its Spa Village Koh Samui, where age-old Thai healing practices are integrated with therapeutic properties to create a holistic and rejuvenating spa program. Guests can indulge in and enjoy their Coconut Heritage Treatment, incorporating a Songkran Shower, coconut scrub, coconut massage, and coconut hair masque.
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