Where to get a red carpet makeover in Cape Town
Wellness editor Laurie Crook went for a fabulous massage at Emporio Valenti recently...
Cape Town has long been the playground of international celebs and Hollywood stars. The glamorous set seem to be drawn to our little paradise year after year. It was only a matter of time before a full star-inspired 360 degree make-over spa opened in the Mother City – after all, where is Nicole Kidman to for her lash extensions while shooting?
Enter Emporio Valenti. I was recently invited to do a review of the stunning new one-stop make-over shop. Situated in the heart of Cape Town, spa meets salon in this innovative treatment centre.
Emporio Valenti is a first in South Africa in that it offers a total all-in-one makeover – everything from nails to hair to tanning is covered.
Tanya Valenti, the local entrepreneur behind the spa, wanted to go for a holistic all-encompassing approach, where guests can check in and spend a few hours indulging in a variety of beauty treatments all under one roof – like going into a five star hotel and coming out looking like a starlet.
Tanya's highly personalised approach shines through in the spa's exquisite décor. Walking into the spa, I was instantly taken with the colour scheme and feeling of space and sanctuary. Everything is crisp white and silver, illuminated by natural daylight (a rare thing in city centre spas, who prefer to block out the urban surroundings).
Melanie Miotti, my fabulous guide on my spa experience, led me though all eleven treatment rooms, including a 'men's retreat room' for hermit husbands or shy metrosexuals. The flat-screen TV and the option to get one's nails or highlights done in relative privacy should go down well with the Men's Health crowd.
Another exciting innovation is the Tanagra Repair treatment. Colour-treated and damaged hair is literally returned to it's 'virgin state' with keratin and state-of-the-art nanotechnology.
The spa/salon also offers various types of hair removal, nails treatments, tanning (spray tans and sunbeds), massage (from Swedish to deep tissue), make-up and permanent make-up, and a range of paramedical skin makeovers.
Emporio Valenti also falls into the responsible business and equal opportunities category, with a blind masseuse and a deaf nail technician.
After my tour of the spa, I was treated to full body massage. I never realized I had so many knots until they were being forcefully kneaded out if me – and I felt so relaxed and floppy afterwards I could hardly stand up!
Emporio Valenti is located on Hans Strydom Avenue in Cape Town and operates six days a week, as well as offers complimentary parking. For further information, please visit www.emporiovalenti.co.za or contact 0861367 6746.
- Women24