Health & Beauty
Health and beauty services, treatments and shops in Melbourne
The best massages in Melbourne
We all need a little TLC every now and then. Leave your worries at the door and check yourself into the city's best massage parlours
The best spas and bath houses
No time for a holiday? Take yourself on a mini-getaway at Melbourne's best spas and bath houses
We tried six alternative health and wellbeing treatments
The Time Out team gets some TLC with these left-field restorative treatments
The best health food stores in Melbourne
Eat healthy and feel better with these top stores around 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
The best barber shops in Melbourne
Finding the right barber can be a lifelong search. Thankfully, there are experts in this area who excel in getting the discerning man’s ‘do’ just right
The best male grooming services in Melbourne
For men who take pride in their appearance and well being, regular facials and massages do wonders for the body and mind
Melbourne’s best tattoo parlours
Find the artist who suits your needs and taste with our guide to Melbourne's best places to get your first (or 50th!) tattoo
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Blue Ribbon Day
Across Victoria, since 1837, 159 police officers have died in the course of fulfilling their duties. On Thursday September 29, all Victorians can help memorialise them by taking part in Blue Ribbon Day, which raises funds for emergency facilities to be built in the name of those police who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Run by the Victorian Police Blue Ribbon Foundation, the campaign has high profile sponsors this year in Woolworths, Crown Resorts, BankVic, Westfield and more. To show your support, you can donate at Woolworths Supermarkets before and on Blue Ribbon Day. Donations can also be made at the website and at police stations.
Pizza & Hip Hop
Fratelli Fresh is keeping your knock-off session fresh with their weekly pizza and hip hop night every Friday and Saturday. From 10pm, fresh pizzas will be coming out of the oven for $15 (perfect for those late-night munchies). The bar will be pumping out drink specials for the late-night revellers, so look out for the $7.50 special on select beer and wine, and sip on $10 Aperol Spritzes. top DJs will be spinning the best hip hop tunes at Alfred Place Melbourne's top DJs will be spinning the best hip hop tunes at Alfred Place and Fratelli Fresh has lined-up these headliners over the next few weeks, who will all be accompanied by local DJ talent. Friday September 9: Helena EllisSaturday September 10: DJ Moto (from Kiss FM)Friday September 16: Duchess KaySaturday September 17: DJ AK
The best places to watch the AFL grand final
Wear your colours and get into the spirit of the grand final day at five of Melbourne's best venues to watch one of the biggest games of the year. The Botanical, Portsea Hotel, Skinny Dog Hotel, Half Moon or the Penny Black will be ready for your grand final day celebrations with barbecues, after parties and tipping competitions. The BotanicalThe Botanical is probably the lushest place you'll watch the game from. Live coverage at this high-end South Yarra pub kicks off on plasma screens from 10am. Start your day with a grand final big breakfast special or head in a little later for the barbecue, but don't miss the tipping competition at the Main Bar. Predict who will win and by how many points to win a two litre growler of craft beer, and a gift voucher for a dining experience at the Botanical. Stick around for the live entertainment and after party. Skinny Dog HotelDoors at Kew's favourite footy venue open at 11am where the game will be live on all screens. If you book for four or more guests you'll receive a main meal and two schooners of tap beer/cider for $29 per person. There will also be $4 beer and cider and $5 glasses of wine and sparkling all day. Half MoonHalf Moon will kick off game day festivities at 11am. The game will be on live and loud on all screens. Saddle yourself up with a craft beer and watch the game among Brighton locals. Penny BlackPenny Black will be getting into the final fever with a long weekend party. Kicking off on Friday night, My Echo will
The Royal Melbourne Show
Some come to the Show for the rides; others come to marvel at award-winning edible sculptures (otherwise known as cakes). Crowds flock to pavilions filled with baby animals and champion dogs. All are united in a mutual love of showbags. This year, around 450,000 visitors are expected at Melbourne Showgrounds over 11 days, September 17-27. Due to its popularity, the outdoor animal display has doubled in size this year, offering families more chances to watch and take part in interactive milking and shearing shows and horse demonstrations. Pat-a-Pig and Pat-a-Chook pens will give kids a real down-on-the-farm experience and they can also plant and take home their own seedling. The Winning Tastes Pavilion celebrates Melbourne’s food scene with pop-up restaurants and eateries including Bomba, Mr Claws, Pho Nom, Mr Miyagi, Royale Brothers Burgers and Burn City Smokers serving up their delicious signature dishes – the days of dagwood dogs as your primary food option at the Show are long gone. There's also a Winning Tastes Dessert Bar and Winning Tastes Cocktail Bar. Look out for the free craft workshops for adults and kids, while the Horses in Action program will have horses and riders competing across over 250 different classes. Find out which woodchoppers can hack it at 50 events over at the Woodchop Pavilion. If you're on the ball and buy your Show tickets online on or before September 16 then you can get them at a 20 per cent discount. That's money that can be spent on a fe