Sometimes you need to relax and EXHALE…

Exhale Therapy is a luxurious spa in Manchester, offering a multitude of treatments from around the world, both holistic and aesthetic. Having heard great reviews, I thought I’d check it out for myself….

I booked in for a Hammam bath, hot stone massage, rescue facial and Shellac for my nails – after all there is no point in doing things by halves:)

Exhale Therapy is based in Didsbury, not far from the village and just around the corner from East Didsbury Metrolink station.

 Having taken my car, I was delighted to find they also have customer parking right outside which was a great bonus, it only took me about twenty minutes to get there from Sale too.

Reception at Exhale Therapy

The reception area is just gorgeous and really set the tone for my whole visit. Expanses of marble and eastern artwork along with the relaxing piped music made me instantly forget the hustle n bustle I had just left behind and really did transport me to somewhere calm and tranquil.

Greeted by Saira I was shown through to the Hammam area which looked inviting although I was a little nervous as I didn’t know what to expect. She made me feel very comfortable and explained everything to me, I was to change and sit in the steam room until she came to get me in about 10 minutes…

Steam room in the Hammam – Exhale Therapy

The changing room is spacious and clean, there are lockers for personal bits and both robe and slippers were provided for me so, after getting into my bikini, I headed to the steam room.

Wow….

The steam room is quite spacious, big enough for four people to share and is just the business. With temperatures reaching 104 degrees in billows of steam I felt like I was in a tropical rainforest and could literally see the toxins breaking free from my neglected skin..It was really relaxing, if a little hot and I enjoyed sitting still for a few minutes (something I don’t do very often, with or without steam). Just as I was beginning to think that I had maybe had enough the door opened and Saira asked me to step out for the next part of the Hammam experience, The scrub.

Hammam at Exhale Therapy

Lying on the marble bed in the middle of the Hammam I felt warm, relaxed and totally chilled out. I was then treated to the whole shebang – my whole body was scrubbed and polished until I felt like I was literally glowing, then rinsed down with warm water, pure decadence:)

When I had composed myself I got dressed and went to have a hot stone massage and facial with Rebecca the beauty therapist.

Hot stone massage – Exhale Therapy

Again, I had never had a hot stone massage but was keen to give it a whirl, I struggle with migraines and tension in my shoulders and was hopeful it would help.

Rebecca explained the whole process to me in detail and asked what kind of pressure I preferred etc. She was very thorough and really took on board what I said, quickly zoning in on the knots in my shoulders.

I had expressed a preference for a firm massage and that is exactly what I got. It was excellent. Rebecca is only tiny but boy is she strong. She really cracked my shoulders and the relief was instant – it still feels much better 3 days after my visit – well impressed.

When I had been sufficiently cracked, stretched and rubbed I turned over while Rebecca then did me a rescue facial.

As a smoker that is fast approaching the big 4.0. that likes to stay up late, my skin has been looking a little tired and in need of some serious TLC lately.

Treatment room at Exhale Therapy

The rescue facial consists of various gorgeous smelling products being massaged into your face then removed and somewhere down the line there was also a facial steamer directed at me. It was wonderful and has left me looking all peachy, even diminishing a few fine lines and I will definitely be back for more when they reappear 😉

My spa day experience ended with Hayley the nail technician introducing me to the wonder known as Shellac 🙂

As a life-long nail-biter, one of my greatest achievements is stopping and finally growing decent set of nails. I have only had them for a few months and whilst they are quite long and sting, they are also full of ridges and old war wounds from my days of incessant picking and nibbling.

Hayley explained how Shellac works and how it would protect my nails while they are growing as well as not chipping at all – one of my major nail varnish irritations.

She helped me choose a colour ( I opted for the loud n proud ‘Hollywood Red’ ) and the results are amazing. The ridges are barely visible, it is amazingly neat and it looks sensational, she really is a very talented nail technician.

I left after three and a half hours of pure heaven and can’t wait to get back. My skin feels lovely and smooth, best it has felt in years. My shoulders feel much looser and I haven’t had a headache since Rebecca sorted me out. My face looks brighter and my nails are gorgeous, I can’t stop looking at them.

I can’t recommend Saira, Rebecca and Hayley enough, they are very knowledgable about the treatments they offer and couldn’t have made me feel any more comfortable and relaxed.

Lovely ladies. Sumptuous surroundings. Feeling fantastic 🙂

Exhale Therapy – Simply Amazing

Please see the Exhale Therapy website for full treatment details and special promotions or you can tweet them @Exhale_Therapy 

All images and the Youtube video used are done so with the kind permission of the one and only Manchester Promotions – find them on Twitter @McrPromotions