Spas: The Eternal Quest for Health and Beauty

By Pat Cantor

The Eternal Quest for Health and Beauty. Through the ages, the approach to health and beauty has varied. In some cases the quest for beauty has actually been quite “unhealthy,” and in some cases it could kill you or at least be very, very uncomfortable. Fortunately for today’s consumer, St. Maarten/St. Martin’s beauty professionals are highly experienced individuals whose skills will enhance your well-being and bring a glow to your skin. A visit to one of our spas for a fabulous massage or skin treatment is a wonderful way to start your vacation. So how did mankind’s eternal quest for health and beauty begin?

In ancient times, water-centric spas were considered healthy. Water was cleansing and soothing. When people stopped bathing (it was deemed “unhealthy” in the Dark Ages), they often died en masse, like from the plagues. Massage was also integral to the spa experience, as it was deemed healthy. Historical highlights point to China and Egypt, around 2500 B.C., as the beginning of massage therapy. Today’s enthusiasm for massage was revived in the 1960s as a treatment for pain, stress, anxiety and other related problems.

Some historic beauty trends were actually beneficial; others were downright weird and dangerous. Egyptians shaved their heads and wore wigs to keep their heads cool and bug-free. Beauty took a painful twist when wealthy women in Renaissance Europe painfully plucked their hairline to create an exaggerated forehead. During the Elizabethan era, the use of white lead powder and lead-based rouge was the beauty trend, as women wanted to emulate Queen Elizabeth’s gorgeous pale skin. Unfortunately for the user, lead is poisonous. Hairstyles didn’t make it any better. Wigs and extreme hairstyles, which were in place for weeks, created infestations of lice and other critters. No one really washed. By the Victorian era, women used less makeup, lead cosmetics were abolished and everyone began to bathe on a regular basis as part of a health routine.

Today, modern spas combine the best of health and beauty. To keep your skin in healthy condition, invest in good beauty treatments like gorgeous skin care products and relaxing, nutrient-rich facials. Both help offset the ravages of the sun and aging. Develop a beauty routine and stick to it. Have a facial at least every four months. Invest in the best products you can afford, and use them morning and night. Never leave the house without sunscreen and stay hydrated, especially when  you’re in the sun. A visit to one of the island’s European-style beauty establishments is an excellent way to ensure your own health and beauty.

Tijon
Tijon Parfumerie and Boutique, located in Grand Case, is St. Martin’s first and only working perfumery, cosmetic lab and boutique. All of the beauty products and fragrances are created locally using ingredients from the Caribbean and worldwide. Each product is created by the chief chemist and owner, John Berglund. His wife, Cyndi, runs the boutique. Tijon also offers guests the opportunity to watch products being made and special classes where you can create your own custom fragrance.

Tijon has three unique collections that make luxury gifts for you or a thoughtful gift for someone special. The L’Esperance Skincare Products are innovative, made in Tijon’s own laboratory and are duty-free. There are five very special products. Reparation 4/4 is a clinically proven anti-wrinkle crème with four antioxidants and four regenerating agents, excellent for repairing sun damage and aging. To soothe the sensitive area around the eyes, Tijon offers a special Eye Crème. The Crème Exfoliant cleanses and restores the skin prior to applying the beneficial crèmes. Great for après-sun or anytime you want a wonderful moisturizer, try Shea Butter Crème... gently soothing as it restores moisture to the skin.

Tijon’s Caribe Baie Sun Care line includes sun lotions and sprays with antioxidant Coenzyme Q10, and top-selling Aloe6 After Sun Lotion to soothe sunburns, and repair and replenish the skin.

This one-of-a-kind boutique is also a working French-style perfumery that is gaining a reputation as the “Fragrance of the French Caribbean.” Tijon offers 10 signature fragrances for men and women, as well as luxurious lotions, soaps and candles—all using natural ingredients. Or you can join a class and make your own custom scent. The fragrances are very special. As one client commented, “I absolutely adore this place; every fragrance is a memory to bathe in.”

L’Aqualigne
The original spa and beauty “guru” on St. Maarten/St. Martin is Belgian-born cosmetologist Marc Van Thielen, a true pioneer, artist and philosopher. When he opened L’Aqualigne Health and Beauty Clinic 23 years ago, his vision was to offer a wide range of services to relax the mind and body, and to design L’Aqualigne as a place to restore your disturbed energies. Van Thielen and his highly trained team provide individual attention to help clients continue in the right direction.

Van Thielen looks beyond the superficial of modern “beauty” perceptions. He uses real science and research for L’Aqualigne’s individualized treatments. He takes a holistic approach and imbues each treatment with important elements of health, happiness and well-being. He believes that combining a holistic approach with his treatments guides the individual to a higher form of experience in today’s world and helps them attain true beauty. This is why Van Thielen chose St. Maarten/St. Martin for his spa. The island combines outdoor therapeutic elements like gentle breezes and warm waters with a lively and energetic Caribbean culture.

At L’Aqualigne, treatments include facial deep cleansing utilizing products from Swiss cosmetic maker Hormeta, plus Bio Technical repair, facial mask, beauty day, anti-cellulite treatments, massage, traditional waxing, Nempulse hair removal system, body and chemical face peels, Bio Technical Fitness, body masks, medical pedicures, manicures, high-redefinition antiaging masks, as well as a sauna, steam room, ice plunge and therapy pool.

Good Life
In their second year as the new owners of Good Life Spa, Fadi and Gabriella have taken the spa to an even higher level, combining the best of traditional spa treatments with innovation. As one client comments, “Gabriella gave me the best facial I’ve ever had!” It’s one reason Good Life continues its reputation as the  No. 1 Spa in St. Maarten. The atmosphere at Good Life combines European elegance with relaxed Caribbean energy. The treatment menu focuses on scientific developments designed to address the body, spirit and mind using the Decléor Aromessence products exclusive to Good Life.

At Good Life, traditional body treatments are combined with new and innovative ones, including the Good Life Aromamassage to replenish your body through balms specific to your need, such as “relax,” “flow,” “detox” or “tonic.” Two unique body treatments are the Absolute Well-Being Wrap, to help your skin hydrate, and the Sunburn Aloe Vera treatment using fresh aloe. Another special concept is Man Essential... an A-to-Z, from-head-to-toe program designed for men using the Decléor line for facials, body treatments, pedi-mani and more. Prenatal treatments are unique to Good Life and have extended to include special treatments and skin care for moms-to-be. Skin care using Decléor products includes the “aroma duo” signature concept, based on blending aromatherapy’s essential oils, nature and science with “phyto,” or plant-based, elements that protect the skin.

Good Life also offers custom spa and beauty packages, and it accommodates special requests. Custom packages for wedding parties include a special his/her treatment before the wedding that includes champagne flutes customized with your name and date of visit. No matter what the celebration, Good Life will arrange private parties at the spa, complete with fruit and Champagne. And of course, you can have a pedicure, manicure and waxing to get yourself “beach ready.”

Le Spa and Fitness Center
The island’s newest spa and fitness center is Le Spa and Fitness Center at the Radisson St. Martin Resort, a peaceful space for a rejuvenating journey to rest and relaxation. As you enter the sanctuary of the spa, stress, worries and cares are left at the door. It is here where you will begin your spa and fitness journey to balance the body, mind and soul.

The spa features the exclusive French line of facial products by Carita and Le Sultan de Saba for body treatments. The spa consists of beautifully appointed treatment rooms offering a full menu of services, including advanced skin care therapies, therapeutic and integrated massages from around the world, exfoliation, nourishing and detoxifying body treatments, and nail care.

Mad Dogs and Englishmen

By Pat Cantor

The legendary Coco Chanel made the tan fashionable back in the early ’30s by soaking up the Riviera sun. While we all look better with a “bit of color,” be smart about how you partake of the sun... especially in the -Caribbean. Too much sun accelerates aging and causes skin cancer.

Start by limiting your time in the direct sun. Before heading out, lather up with sunscreen... a minimum of 30 SPF with both UVA and UVB protection. Reapply sun products at least every two hours for maximum protection. You’ll find great sunscreen products in most of the fabulous European-style pharmacies on the island: Check out Simpsons Bay Pharmacy and Friendly Island Pharmacy. Visit one of our spas for sun products. Tijon produces its own Caribe Baie Sun Care line.  Protect every part of your body, including scalp, hair and ears. Or fake a tan using a good bronzer or self-tanning lotion. No one will know!

Sun damage begins early. According to the Skin Care Foundation, 54 percent of children burn or tan in their second summer, and 22 percent burn in their first year. Keep kids 6 months or younger totally out of the sun. Dress all kids in clothing that covers their head and limbs. After they are 6 months old, you can use sunscreens—but should still protect them with appropriate clothing.

Clothing and accessories offer sun protection. Consider loose dark garments that cover arms and legs. Look for sun-protective clothing that can block UVB and UVA rays. Wear a hat and sunglasses. Reflective sun is as damaging as full sun.

The ultimate protection is to have regular skin cancer screening. Caught early, skin cancer is easy to treat.

Good sun sense will make your visit to St. Maarten/St. Martin even more enjoyable—year after year.

Contact a spa for reservations before you go... get the full details on the islands spas from our online guide.

Good Life Spa
More Info Send an e-mail Visit our site	The Good Life Spa in St. Martin/Sint Maarten is an award winning day spa and one of the leading spas in the Caribbean. more...

L'Aqualigne Health and Beauty Clinic
More Info Send an e-mail	Enjoy the pampering of L'Aqualigne — a full-service day spa that offers facials, hydrating treatments and scrubs, deep more...