Health & Beauty
Health and beauty services, treatments and shops in Melbourne
Beauty in Melbourne
The Nail Art Shakedown
From likenesses of your favourite pet to burgers you've loved, you can get nearly anything painted on your digits these days. Nail art became popular in the ’80s and ’90s, but it was also super tacky (hello, claw hands). Luckily, things have progressed since then, and Melbourne has embraced the nail art revival, hard. But does one nail art salon hold the upper hand? For more pampering and primping, visit our guides to Melbourne's best massages and waxing salons.
The best cosmetic clinics in Melbourne
If there's one thing that anti-wrinkle injections, laser treatments, tattoo removal and chemical peels have in common, it's that you wouldn't want to put your faith in the wrong hands. We've searched the city to bring you the most reputable and bang-for-buck cosmetics clinics in Melbourne – now all you have to do is make an appointment. For more pampering ideas, try these top massage parlours and spas and bath houses.
The best waxing salons in Melbourne
Waxing is a delicate operation – you're dealing with sensitive areas and hot products, not to mention the fact that you don't want to be pencilling in your brows forever after because some overzealous beauty therapist went wax-happy on your face. It goes without saying that a good waxing establishment needs to be hygienic – that's a given, but diplomacy and skill are also essential. If you're in the need of some post-wax relaxation, you may want to visit one of our favourite bath houses and spas. Or maybe you just need a quiet beverage, in which case check out our guide to Melbourne's best bars.
Where to get pierced in Melbourne
Thinking of adding to your collection of stylish piercings? Finally ready to brave your first? Melbourne is full of body mod salons, but these are our favourites. If you love rocking a unique style, then check out our fave alternative fashion shops.
Wellbeing in Melbourne
Where to try hot yoga in Melbourne
What is it? Yoga, practiced in a room heated to 37-40°C. Usually it will be Bikram Yoga – that 90-minute, unvarying set of 26 postures – but there are studios popping up where you can also sweat through a little Hatha and Iyengar. You'll need to drink two litres of water before class and it will all end up on your towel. Bring a spare for showering, or rent one along with a mat, and wear as little clothing as possible. It sounds awful, why should I do it?Hot thighs! Better discipline! All of your skin sloughed off in a tidal wave of sweat! Some yogis claim Bikram doesn't have enough inversions and that the hot room makes you push dangerously beyond your natural flexibility. But the whole idea of yoga – any kind – is to have your own journey, and to work sympathetically with your body's abilities. So tell them to suck it. We like it hot because warmer muscles really are bendier muscles (so you can get your rear closer to your face), and because the sweat session leaves you as smooth and soft as a mango pancake. Also because we'd rate this on par with bear wrestling in terms of exercise extremity, yet we always feel some inner-peace despite the outer turmoil.
Amara Wellness Centre
Dr Zara Celik is passionate about holistic health and wellness, and believes that beauty is reflection of our inner wellbeing and health. She believes in organic, natural, non-invasive treatments that aims to improve wellbeing and health of individuals and makes them beautiful as a result. The rear of her Amara Wellness Centre in Brunswick is a hammam, providing a nurturing steam, massage and bathing ritual to Melbourne’s tired and weary, in time-honoured Turkish tradition. The front section is all about skin renewal and tightening, courtesy of the LPG Endermotherapie and Endermolift treatments. The hammam After a day of first-world problems I’m feeling pretty drained and not in any mood to be taking my clothes off. Thank god I’m here to do a job, because after three hours in this Sydney Road hammam, experiencing an authentic and wellness Turkish and Moroccan bathing ritual is now top of my advise-everyone-to-do list. Zara Celik, a chiropractic doctor, came to Australia from Turkey when she was 15 years old, and found she missed the ancient bathing rituals of her country. Determined to introduce the experience to a wider Australian audience, she toiled away on creating this beautiful hammam, decorated from top to bottom with intricate mosaic tiling (Zara looks a bit pale when we speculate on how long that must have taken). Each steam room has domed ceilings and heated marble slabs on which to lie. Customers strip down to a bikini – or shorts – and are joined in the ro
Beyond Rest
Have you ever felt truly, and absolutely, weightless? When staying afloat takes no effort at all, to the point that you begin to lose any sense of your own body? If you’ve visited the Dead Sea, then these feelings might be familiar. But add total darkness, silence and stillness into the equation and things start to get a little more… interesting. I find Beyond Rest in an alleyway just off Chapel Street, where I’m greeted by owners Nick and Ben Dunin. The space – clean, curved lines, low lighting and scented candles – imbues a sense of calm that the brothers have taken care to create using principles of 'sacred geometry' (patterns found in nature that make up all living things). I’m led through this temple of relaxation until I reach my private room, which is dominated by a huge, white tank, filled with 1000l of purified water and 500kg of Epsom salt and magnesium sulphate. The door locks behind me. I take a deep breath. Floatation tanks haven’t always enjoyed the best (or most accurate) reputation. The concept was developed in 1954 by American neurophysicist Dr John C Lilly, who was interested in the meditative effects of sensory deprivation achieved by floating in ‘isolation tanks’ (and, to be fair, by taking LSD). Dolphins were also involved; I’ll let you Google that one yourself. Floatation theory became popular in the ’70s, but took a downturn in the ’80s during the AIDS crisis, when public health fears caused public pools, spas and tanks to shut down. In the mainstrea
Natural beauty tips from Richie Angelo
A hardcore beauty regime feels like an efficient way to keep your skin in good nick, but when you can find some of the same ingredients in manufacturing processes – it can’t be good, right? Richie Angelo, an experienced beauty therapist and natural skincare expert, says no. Richie’s passion for natural and organic skin care coincided with her first pregnancy. First, she became more interested in what she was ingesting and later curious about what she was absorbing through her skin. Her journey led her to become an advocate for natural skin care – skin care made from naturally occurring ingredients as opposed to compounds made in a lab. Richie primarily uses Sodashi and MV Organic products, both of which are high performance Aussie brands that use only plant-derived ingredients and no synthetic chemicals – no parabens, petrochemicals, preservatives or fragrances. Richie shares some of her skin care wisdom with us. Tip #1: Your nan was right You’ve gotta be regular. “You need to poo daily,” Richie says. “A lot of skin issues, especially acne, happen because your body is not eliminating as it should. If you’re not having a daily poo, toxins get reabsorbed and expelled through the skin.” Tip #2: Don’t strip your skin It’s oddly satisfying to wash your face until it squeaks, but don’t do it. “If you use skin care that over-strips your skin you remove the natural oils that your skin is supposed to have and it creates a pretty chaotic chain reaction,” Richie explains. “A clean
Beauty and grooming for men
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Midsumma Extravaganza
Some of the hottest stars in showbiz are going to be performing at Midsumma's night of nights, the Extravaganza. The night is hosted by comedy superstar Rhys Nicholson, and it promises to be an absolute riot. Trevor Ashley (Fat Swan, Little Orphan TrAshley, Diamonds Are For Trevor, I’m Every Woman) is producing and performing in the show, and he says it's going to be an absolute hoot. "Last year it was just comedians, but this year, of course, they’ve got a fabulous nine-piece band on stage, fabulous singers getting up on stage and singing songs, drag queens, burlesque, as well as comedy. It's got a bit of everything." As well as Nicholson and Trevor, the show will include Barry Award winner Zoe Coombs Marr, Take Me Out host and household name Joel Creasey, cabaret superstar Carlotta, GLOBE Artist of the Year Mama Alto, The Voice star Sheldon Riley, 3RRR Breakfasters host Geraldine Hickey, Black Comedy writer Steven Oliver, ten-time Golden Guitars Winner Beccy Cole, singer Libby O'Donovan and cabaret/circus/burlesque YUMMY. And it's not over when the house lights go on. "It will be a great night out, the Arts Centre are keeping the bar open after the show so everyone should stick around after the show and have a drink," says Ashley. "There will be a DJ. It will be really fun to have so much campness in one grande dame of a hall."
Australia Day Races
Spring may well be over, but that doesn't mean the racing action has ended. The summer racing season is getting into full swing at Caulfield Racecourse. And what's more, this event is your first opportunity to experience Caulfield's new Bondi Sands Beach Club when the summer activation launches at the Australia Day races. The Melbourne Racing Club is throwing a super-luxe Australia Day barbie on Saturday, January 26 featuring dishes like Wagyu brisket, Flinders Island lamb souvlaki, and flame-grilled octopus. Of course, there will be plenty of delicious cocktails to keep you hydrated. Or, if you’re after something a little finer, make a booking at the Black Caviar restaurant, where you can opt for a four-course luncheon by executive chef Julian Robertshaw and his talented team. Kick back and enjoy the racing action and celebrate the launch of the Bondi Sands Beach Club this Australia Day. Racegoers at Caulfield can cool off in between races in the Bondi Sands Beach Club which is decked out with sand, cool water, deck chairs and luxe bean bags (minus the seagulls). Chill out while enjoying live tunes from the Ash James Trio. The day kicks off at 11.30am, Saturday January 26 (in case you forgot when Australia day is). General admission tickets are $10 per adult and kids under 16 enter free. Book your tickets now at the Caulfield Races website here.
Score two tickets to the Australian Open Men’s Final and more
Coopers Brewery is returning to Melbourne Park as the Official Beer Partner of the Australian Open. In the heart of Melbourne, Coopers has teamed up with the Arbory Afloat to create a river front Tennis Hub, where you can grab a Coopers beer and catch all the tennis action on deck from January 14-27. To celebrate, Arbory Afloat and Coopers are giving away two courtside tickets to the (now sold out) Australian Open Men’s Final along with dinner, accommodation and more. The prize includes: Two tickets to the Australian Open Men’s Final A $250 Arbory Afloat voucher for pre-match Coopers beers in the sun on the deck A pre-game dining package at Rockpool in the AO precinct One night’s twin share accommodation in the heart of Melbourne 6 cases of Coopers including 2 cases of the new Coopers Dry, 2 cases of Coopers Original Pale Ale cans and 2 cases of Tropicale Coopers Session Ale Enter below by January 21. Enter here
Five ways to perfectly pair your next night out with Blue Moon
A lot of fuss is made about pairing your food to your wine, but not everyone likes wine. Luckily, beer is often the perfect match to a meal, especially when you’re talking spicy food and delicious salty bar snacks. Blue Moon Belgian White is a refreshing, citrus-laced brew that is increasingly finding its way behind bars across Melbourne’s drinking and dining scene. Next time you find yourself at one of these Melbourne establishments pair your schooner of Blue Moon Belgian White with one of these meals to experience the beer (and your food) at its best.
