Glow Beauty Space, Wamberal

A space that promotes feeling pretty should look pretty itself… and Glow Beauty Space doesn’t disappoint. Located in Wamberal, Glow opened late last year after its owner, Jade Pentony, moved her business from its previous location in Avoca. The oh-so-pretty space has a sense of immediate luxury with warm Tasmanian oak flooring, brass accents and pale pink furnishings, while the exquisite counter standing front and centre was custom-made by local timber craftworkers extraordinaire, Loughlin Furniture.

But looking beyond the gorgeous design aesthetics, you’ll find that Glow is all about efficient, results-driven services. Their motto is ‘pretty, done with purpose’ — offering all the treatments that make you feel good about yourself but without the bells and whistles. It’s perfect for people who need their skin tended to or their nails done (and done well) but don’t have a lot of time to do it. Or for people who just don’t like unnecessary fuss!

More salon than day spa, the focus is on hair and beauty, with facials, skin treatments, manis, pedis, waxing, tinting, hairdressing, tanning and makeup on the menu. And while there may not be dim lighting, tranquil music, or a list of unique spa journeys, you’ll still feel wonderful while you’re here with the beautiful set-up and plush surroundings, a friendly, welcoming vibe and good, quality service. And you’ll leave feeling pretty, which is the whole purpose now, isn’t it?

Glow Beauty Space 3 Ghersi Ave, Wamberal.

Advanced Skin Spa, Mantra Ettalong

If your skin is feeling the effects of too much sun, too much fun, too little sleep — this is the place to secrete yourself away to for an hour or so. While the focus is on skin (and getting long-term results) there is still relaxation to be had. On arrival, you are shown to the Relaxation Lounge — dimly lit, relaxing music playing overhead —you are offered a herbal tea, and the serene ambience continues in the treatment rooms.

When it comes to your treatment, there are a number of effective options for those with specific skin goals such as anti-ageing, reducing pigmentation and scarring, or relieving redness. The spa menu features microdermabrasion, peels, micro-needling, IPL and light therapy, all performed in a calming day spa-like environment. But if you seek some pampering with your treatment, the luxury spa facials are the bee’s knees. Think layer upon layer of skin-soaking goodness, from cleansing to exfoliation, to hydration, to detoxification, you name it.

Described as a synergy between relaxation and results, each deeply relaxing facial is customised to your needs, so while no two treatments are the same, one thing is certain, your skin will thank you for it.

Advance Skin Spa Level 1, Mantra Resort, Ettalong.

Dolce Vita, Erina

After more than 20 years as a dermal therapist, Vita Catanzariti knows a thing or two about our largest organ — and here’s a secret, it’s not just skin deep. At her stunning clinic in Erina, there’s a real focus on the connection between inner health and outer beauty. It’s more than just about the occasional relaxing facial here, it’s about long-term care and results.

For all new clients, a consultation is essential and includes a look at the pigmentation, blood supply and sun damage beneath the skin’s surface via a state-of-the-art imaging machine. It’s confronting but fascinating to see the skin’s underlying condition, and allows Vita to tailor your treatment to your specific concerns, whether that is with a laser or light treatment, a hydrafacial, a medi peel, skin needling or LED phototherapy.

All products that are used are the perfect balance between high-end luxury and medical science, including Rationale (an Australian brand leading the charge on the prevention and repair of sun damage) and Biologique Recherche (an exclusive medical-grade range developed in Paris that is stocked in only two clinics in NSW). These topical products are supported by a prebiotic and probiotic range from The Beauty Chef, designed to improve gut health and promote skin radiance.

Also available for appointments are Chiza Westcarr, a wellness and nutrition consultant, and Dr Nik Davies, who specialises in cosmetics procedures, such as dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections. Along with Vita — who has become known as The Skin Whisperer — they are the trifecta of skincare specialists.

Dolce Vita Elizabeth Court, Shop 17/30 Karalta Rd, Erina.

Bells Day Spa, Bells at Killcare

This intimate spa, located within the luxurious Bells at Killcare retreat, may feel like a Hamptons-style cottage but its treatments are intrinsically Australian. There is a focus on rebalancing the synergy between mind, body and soul, as well as reconnecting guests to this ancient land.

The spa menu features pure botanical products by Australian brand Li’Tya, which have been created with the principles of ancient Aboriginal herbal knowledge shared by key elders. The products are made with native plants — such as Kakadu Plum, Quandong, and Wild Rosella — and a percentage of the profits from the range go back into Aboriginal communities around the country. But what makes Bells Spa unique is that each therapist has been trained by an Aboriginal elder to implement ancient healing techniques as part of some treatments.

If you’re after a full day spa experience, consider The Dreaming, an all-encompassing 180-minute treatment that starts with a sensory journey to personalise the experience (where guests can choose the oils, ochres and salts used). You’ll then be fully pampered with a footbath, full body exfoliation, mud wrap, head and scalp treatment, hand and foot treatments, a facial and the signature Li’Tya Kodo massage performed with rhythmic Aboriginal methods.

With Bouddi National Park surrounding the retreat — home to significant Aboriginal sites and ancient rock art — it’s a beautiful way to acknowledge and connect with the land’s traditional owners, while you’re disconnecting from the stresses of the outside world.

Bells Killcare 107 The Scenic Rd, Killcare Heights.

Vie Spa, Pullman Magenta Shores Resort

You don’t have to be a guest of Pullman Magenta Shores Resort to bliss out at its heavenly day spa. Be sure to arrive early and soak up the tranquillity that envelops you from the moment you take a seat in the waiting room, which looks out onto a leafy Japanese-style garden with a trickling Zen water feature.

When your therapist arrives, you’ll be escorted to one of six beautifully set-up rooms that also look out onto the garden (one of which is a couple’s suite). The specialised Blue Lagoon room features a Vichy Shower, a unique treatment that includes dry body brushing to wake up the lymphatic system followed by invigorating water therapy (you lie on a bed as multiple water jets gently massage your body leaving your muscles feeling relaxed and your skin feeling fresh and soft).

Using all-Australian organic products by Pevonia Botanica and iKOU, many of the treatments are infused with native scents such as lemon myrtle and white flannel flower. Consider one of the incredible ‘rituals’, which combine a number of the most popular treatments for a full top-to-toe experience. The ‘awaken’ ritual, for example, is a 90-minute rejuvenation for your skin. It involves a lemon myrtle and lime body scrub, a head massage and scalp treatment, a whole body cocoon (where a rich mask is applied to the skin and your body is then wrapped in towelling), and a foot massage and mask.

When your treatment has finished, the relaxation doesn’t have to. Spa guests are more than welcome to linger a little longer in the relaxation room and enjoy a cup of herbal tea, take a dip in the heated indoor spa, or continue cleansing in the steam room.

Vie Spa 1 Magenta Drive, Magenta.

WORDS MEGAN ARKINSTALL