Unique Chinese-style SPA

SPA (salubrious par aqua), a therapy well-received in the West for years, is now flourishing in the capital of China. In fact, in ancient China, concubines in the imperial palace and ladies of rich families always enjoyed showers very similar to the spa. In wood buckets, flowers, perfume, Chinese medicine and milk were mixed to nourish their skin. Enjoy SPA in Beijing this spring!

No matter what cultural differences divide them, women the world over are united in their search for health and beauty.

And despite the amazing advances of the burgeoning multi-million dollar health and beauty industry, which is positively packed with pills, potions and pick-me-ups of every imaginable description, there is no denying a back to basics trend that favours natural products.

Women hoping to look their best long past the first flush of youth have used all manner of plants, flowers, herbs, fruit and even pearls down the years. Interestingly, some of the tried and trusted classics used by women long forgotten remain popular, or are making repackaged comebacks, in our fast-moving modern age.

With March 8 ï¼ International Women’s day approaching, Beijing This Month is pleased to recommend some effective traditional Chinese methods to enhance beauty and health.

Surprisingly Simple Skincare

Empress Wu Zetian and high-ranking Concubine Yang Yuhuan of the Tang Dynasty, along with Empress Dowager Cixi in the late Qing Dynasty, could not claim to be the most popular women in history. Abhorred though they were by many, the three representative beauties in ancient China all had their unique ways of maintaining a stunning complexion.

As Empress Wu Zetian was a Taoist, everyday she would take some time to lie down, sit or just stand, close her eyes, calm herself, and simply clear her mind and think about nothing. Banishing distracting thoughts in one’s mind and having a good rest has proven to be an effective method down the years since then, any time and any place.

Psychologists versed in modern medicine now believe that visualizing beautiful flowers, scenery or favourite animals during these mind-restoring rest periods works wonders, adjust endocrine glands and helping keep women’s skin smooth and delicate.

Yang Yuhuan, the most famous concubine in Chinese history, was also renowned for her delicate skin. Litchi, rich in protein, vitamin B and C, phosphorus and iron played an irreplaceable role in her beauty regime. Hot springs with rich microelements not only moistened her smooth skin, but also refreshed her mind. Meanwhile, light patting and massage on different parts of her face and body further stimulated the absorption of those microelements.

There is compelling evidence to suggest that early morning and the hours before sleep at night are the most crucial periods for your skin. Empress Dowager Cixi could have told you as much: in the morning, she applied face powder made up of pearls and skin cream made of flower distillate.

At night, she applied egg white, kept it on until half an hour before sleep, and then applied flower extract, finally patting her wet face dry with soft towels.

Furthermore, she used a jade face roller, cool and smooth, on her face again and again every morning before dressing. High-quality jade is believed by many to have natural health-enhancing functions and repeated rolling is in essence a good massage for the face.

For thousands of years in China, meat, vegetables and Chinese traditional medicine have been mixed to improve the health. Many Chinese traditional medicines, such as Chinese angelica and the root of membranous milk vetch, are believed to be blood-builders.

You’ve Got to Hand it to Beijing…

Chemosynthesis ï¼ or the synthesis of carbohydrate from carbon dioxide and water ï¼ is used in colourful nail polish and was once the symbol of fashion among young girls in cities like Beijing. But the realization that this process damages nails and can make them lose their lustre has helped throw the spotlight on a natural resin. This is widely used on teeth and has recently been applied to nails in a few newly opened hand and foot care centres in Beijing.

Though a trivial change in beauty salons, it is an indication of Chinese people’s growing preference for healthy, natural products rather than fashionable, dazzling artificial goods.

The natural kind of resin rich in calcium and vitamins not only nourishes the nails, but forms a very effective protective membrane on the nails, preventing the unavoidable harm of chemical agents to nails. Lacking chemical elements, ventilated resin, brought into the spotlight by American Daniel Cuccio has grown in popularity in the West for over the past two decades.

Located next to the Korean Embassy to China, a new nail and foot care centre, one of the few using Cuccio resin nail-care technologies in Beijing, hopes to set a new trend in beauty-conscious Beijing.