PROMOTION
STARING UP at the spotlights with a sweat-beaded brow and legs akimbo, for a fleeting moment I wonder why I'd put myself through another intimate waxing procedure at Manchester's City Spa Escapes.
"We are professionals with more than six years experience. We’re concentrating on the wax and removing the hair, not comparing anatomies."
It’s usually after the first short sting that I remember it has become a monthly necessity and that I’m in the hands of one of Manchester’s top hair removal experts. Baring all at City Spa Escapes is never the traumatic, embarrassing experience some consider intimate waxing to be. The results always speak for themselves (read my first City Spa Escapes waxing experience here).
And anyway, City Spa Escapes’ director, Ashleigh Guthrie, has seen it all.
In the past six years as a professional spa therapist, she has skilfully removed pesky hair from the nether-regions of a city-wide clientele.
Guthrie's popularity is on the up, and her title as an 'intimate specialist', master masseuse and owner of the ‘best elbows in the North West’ is well earned.
Ashleigh of City Spa Escapes - the 'best elbows in the North West'
“Intimate waxing has become just as much my signature as massages,” said Guthrie. “Everything is explained and there are no nasty surprises.”
“I’ve noticed that some customers come into the spa with a lot of residual fears from past experiences. Fear of the pain factor and embarassment usually puts people off," she added.
City Spa Escapes welcomes in previously traumatised victims to try the spa's far less painful waxing procedure.
"I use Lycon hot wax - never strip waxing - I just don’t understand why strip waxing is still being offered on the market. With the hot wax I've converted many to a far less painful, more effective technique," says Guthrie.
In recent months the 26-year-old unveiled her bigger, brighter city centre spa in the HQ Building of Old Granada Studios. Here she’s enforcing the spa’s unabashed ‘DARE TO BARE’ ethos to get people talking about their physical and personal wellbeing – no matter how intimate.
The 'Boyzillian', City Spa Escapes
Throughout October, the City Spa Escapes team have outlawed crimson cheeks - especially when it comes to revealing ‘down there’ – and have teamed up with a cancer charity in support of national Pink Month and Breast Cancer awareness. For every intimate wax they are to donate £3.
Encouraging both men and women to strip off and get stripped, the bare all campaign has gathered a huge social response, and has since stirred up a conversation about intimate health in the process.
Unsurprisingly, City Spa Escapes are unflappable when it comes to discussing your bits.
Guthrie says, "When I learned one in five young women were too embarrassed to get a smear test and one in three were too scared to check their breasts for lumps, I was concerned. As waxing is a very personal process, I thought what better way to encourage health checks, and shake away the embarrassment than with a campaign as eye-catching as this.”
For the City Spa Escapes team of specialists, the relationship between therapists and clients is much like a doctor and patient: privacy, comfort and encouraging a healthier lifestyle are the aims.
City Spa Escapes team
Messages of positive encouragement frequent the walls of the new spa and the team are influenced by Thai mindful and holistic healing. It's all about what's going on inside as well as out.
“I can read a clients mood as soon as they walk in; whether they’ve had a bad day, if they’re new to the spa and nervous. From there I’ll tailor the experience to how they feel. I aim to educate clients to take better care of their health,” said Guthrie.
Treatment Room, City Spa Escapes
Offering a host of beauty treatments including manicures, HD brows, tanning and much more, City Spa Escapes has become the ideal quick pit-stop for city centre business types. The stresses of city-slicker living are worked away with the spa's own specialist massage.
“Massaging is my passion,” said Guthrie. “I’ve been developing my technique over the course of six years by first mastering the sports massage. After I went to Thailand and was introduced to Thai massage, I developed my own mindful massage technique - that's why there's a Thai influence throughout the spa.”
"Everytime I'm told 'I've never had a massage like that', I know I've succeeded in making them feel comfortable."
Massage, City Spa Escapes
Guthrie added: “When people come to City Spa Escapes they forget it’s in the city centre – it’s a retreat. We cater for the five senses, the smells upon entering, sorbets to taste, the relaxing environment, gentle music and of course the tailored treatments.”
But can intimate waxing ever be a relaxing experience?
“Yes of course, it’s about reading the clients mood and understanding how they can benefit from having the treatment in their lifestyle. We’re not saying you must get a 'Hollywood' but we are saying if you want to get it done make sure you're in the hands of someone who does it right."
Intimate Waxing Q&A
No paper pants?
"There’s no paper pants. We’re very matter of fact at the spa and we don't cover up for ease of access and makes the process much quicker."
How much will it hurt?
"Most people who are worried about intimate waxing have heard horror stories, or have been through a bad experience themselves. It doesn't have to be traumatic.
With the lycon hot wax, I first oil the area which acts as a protective barrier and the hot wax shrink wraps to the hair so it's not touching the skin directly. Once the wax sets we take that off, there’s no pulling and bruising is avoided.
I'm a little embarassed to get undressed...
"We are professionals with more than six years experience. We’re concentrating on the wax and removing the hair, not comparing anatomies."
I want a boyzillian but what if I get an erection?
"It’s simple, we just get on with it. Providing clients are respectful of the therapist we carry on as normal."
Any awkward positions?
"There’s no doggy position. The positions are straightforward and we do what’s comfortable."
How long should I leave the hair to grow?
"With the lycon wax the hair grows back much slower. You should be completely hair free for up to two weeks. For women we recommend to come in for a wax every 4 weeks and for men every 6-8 weeks."
My partner doesn’t like it when I’m growing it out...
"I say the results are worth waiting for. After waxing over a long period of time the hair grows back finer, less coarse, and there's no uncomfortable itching. You’ll be hair free for roughly two weeks depending on your own personal hair growth rate."
Doesn't waxing hurt more on men's bits?
"Once the skin is stretched it’s not as painful as they may think."
#DareToBare for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Book an intimate wax at City Spa Escapes in October.
For every appointment booked, we'll donate £3 to a Breast Cancer research charity.
Book your appointment now by contacting City Spa Escapes on
0161 832 9770 or info@cityspaescapes.co.uk
@CitySpaEscapes | Old Granada Studios | Floor 1 HQ Building | 2 Atherton Street | Manchester | M3 3GS
