While planning a wedding is very enjoyable, it is also unbelievably stressful. There is constantly something that needs to be done, or remembered. It consumes your every waking moment and for me, I am now dreaming about things that can go wrong! It is important that when times in our lives are stressful, be it weddings, work or children, that we take time out for ourselves and my favourite place to do this is in The Dawson Spa on Dame street. Ladies this is a little piece of heaven tucked away in the centre of the city.
I was invited into The Dawson Spa to try the Marste Spa Candle Ritual. This ritual has been designed to treat the physical, emotional and mental needs of every client and God knows I needed all three areas sorted in my life!
As the name suggests the treatment is centred around a candle. Before your treatment, your therapist or a member of staff will ask you what you’re hoping to achieve from your treatment. While it was obvious that I was there to de-stress, many people come in when they have issues with sleep, or if they are decongested, or lacking in energy. This is done with 4 different types of candles that you can choose from. Each candle is infused with aroma therapeutic blends to help your needs.
The first candle to choose from is the Escape Ritual, which is designed to help you relaxed and escape the stress of every day life. This candle has a mix of Lavender, Geranium and Sandalwood essential oils.
The Breathe Ritual, is said to help with decongentsion while at the same time offering relaxation. When you’re undergoing this treatment, a therapist will guide you through breathing techniques to relax you further and help with your stuffed up nose. This would be perfect for Hayfever suffers.
The Revive Ritual is designed for those who need a little pep in their step. The candle used in this treatment has a mix of Lemongrass, Lime and Grapefruit essential oils, but they also use some Pink Himalayan Crystal Salts to exfoliate the skin and boost your circulation.In fact the pink Himalayan Crystal salts can be added to any treatment for an extra €35. This treatment is said to leave you feeling relaxed, yet invigorated. I can think of a mammy or two that would love this treatment.
Finally the Unwind Ritual is for those who have trouble sleeping. Using the unwind candle, the therapist takes you through a guided visualisation, while at the same time using touch techniques and massage.
I was torn between the unwind ritual and the Escape ritual, but in the end it was the sandalwood from the escape ritual that swayed me.
My treatment consisted of a full body massage where my therapist massaged the melted candle all over my body. As the candles melt during the treatment, they melt into a body butter, which the therapist uses to massage your body. The feel of the body butter on the skin was so luxurious and left the skin feel really moisturised and silky. I didn’t wash mine off until the next morning as my therapist advised and it honestly left my skin feeling silky smooth.
I can genuinely say, on leaving the Dawson Spa I was so beyond relaxed. The Marste Candle ritual was one of the most divine treatments I have ever had. As corny as this will sound, I literally felt my worries and stress float away while I was on the table for 90 minutes. My therapist even said that she could feel my body relaxing more and more as the treatment progressed. I actually thought that 90 mins was going to be too long for a massage, but as she neared the end, I was mentally begging her not to stop. I didn’t want it to end.
Once the treatment is finished, I had full use of the relaxation rooms, but sadly I was rushing off to another meeting. Story of my life.
I can’t recommend the Marste Candle ritual or the Dawson spa highly enough. I have actually booked into The Dawson to get a full body scrub the week of the wedding to make sure that my skin is completely exfoliated before I get my spray tan done.
One thing to note, if you are getting the Marste candle ritual, don’t wash your hair that day, as you get a rather gorgeous head massage but the body butter leaves your hair rather oily after.
The Marste Candle ritual costs €99 for a 90 minute treatment. Well worth every cent in my opinion. You can contact the Dawson spa here.
