Diva & Co

Bought through: Deals.com
Voucher for: Delight Yourself with this Deluxe Pamper Package. Only $49 for a 60 Minute Deep Cleansing Facial plus 45 Minute Luxurious Hot Oil Manicure and Hot Oil Pedicure. Enjoy Fresher, Hydrated Skin and Stunning Nails Topped Off with OPI Polish. Valued at $154

Diva & Co

After spending much for the last month looking like a walking anachronism from a Rococo painting (shout out to all the talented peeps for Heidelberg Theatre Company's recent season of Amadeus!); my skin was feeling roundly confused from the almost nightly regime of full face makeup - theatre white - scrub clean - redo full face makeup - second round of theatre white - final cleanse and clean up. Phew! The look was of the time and paired with wig and

costume, rather spectacular, but I was definitely looking forward to my facial, booked for the day after my final show to give my skin a bit of TLC.

Diva & Co in Hawthorn East is located close to crazy intersection in Camberwell, so bear that in mind if you are looking for a parking space close to the salon. My booking was for Sunday afternoon so no need to worry about parking restrictions, and easily I found a car space across the road from the salon. 

The interiors were bright and calming white, dominated in the front of the showroom by four comfy massage chairs with soaking wells attached. A customer was enjoying a pampering pedicure as I was invited through to a secondary small treatment area for my facial. 

Talk about a pamper package! The 60 minute deep cleanse included a double cleanse, exfoliation, mask, massage and major moisturiser not just my face, but my neck and decolletage as well. It was all very calming and a meditative soundtrack allowed you to drift off for a blissful cat nap.

After enjoying that for about an hour, we proceeded to the second part of my voucher - the manicure and pedicure. Now, I don't get my nails done very often, so I profess I'm a bit unfamiliar with this procedure bar the painting of bright colours!

I had my pedicure first and thoroughly enjoyed a warm oil foot soak, filing, cuticle care (something I would never think to normally do), a buff, polish and even a mini foot massage with a special oil lotion. 

From the display shelves I had picked a fun, iridescent metallic from the extensive Opi range on offer called Kermit Me To Speak, and totally love how it looked on both my hands and feet.

My fingers received similar pampering but I was a little scared when the technician, a chatty and friendly Chinese girl picked up a modified pair of small scissors and proceeded with a little cuticle care on my nails. I would never do this to myself (eek), but surprisingly it didn't hurt at all, and I have to admit, my nails looked lovely when the polish was painted expertly on.

Both sets of nails have lasted quite well and you can buy vouchers lasting three months directly from Diva & Co for the manicure and pedicure set for about $35 (regular retail is approximately $75).

Pros: Bustling location close to lots of fun shops in Camberwell; relaxing facial; and pretty paint for your nails.

Cons: Might have some problems finding parking during the week if you need longer than an hour; can be busy so leave a message to make your booking - they will call back to confirm.

Zanzibar Touch Massage and Yoga Studio

Bought through: Our Deal
Voucher for: Indulge in 90 minutes of pampering with a full body brush, exfoliating massage, body wrap, facial, foot treatment & full body massage. HUGE $231 off!

Zanzibar Touch Massage and Yoga Studio

Part of the reason I love vouchers is that you can live a champagne lifestyle on a soft drink budget, and since I've moved to Melbourne relatively recently, they give me the opportunity to not only try out new experiences and eateries, but also explore the CBD and surrounding suburbs.

I've never been to Brighton before, but this tony location has a pretty fancy strip shopping district, a flagship Coles (very impressive) and cafes galore - I think one even spruiked pupcorn treats for your doggie darling.

Zanzibar Touch is located opposite the Palace Cinemas up a couple of flights of stairs and indicated mainly by a simple sandwich board on the footpath.

My recent Body Pump classes had left me with slightly sore upper shoulders so I was really looking forward to the massage portion of this pamper session. 

My SO (Significant Other) and I had booked in for the session together and we were about to embark on a 90 minute indulgence that would have the following: a 15 minute Full Body Brush to relax the surface of your skin (value $25); a 30 minute Exfoliation Massage (value $90); a nourished 15 minute Fresh Fruit Body Wrap (value $90); a Facial and soothing Foot Treatment (value $70); which would finally be completed with a 30 minute full body and scalp massage (value $25). 
All of this for a very affordable $69 each. Bargain!

After taking our details, Christina and Catherine, our two therapists ushered us into a medium sized and gorgeously warm room where there were two massage beds set up draped with large towels and then further topped with thin plastic sheeting. At first I wondered what this was for, but I soon discovered their purpose as we were about to be coated - liberally - in the all natural products and potions used for the various treatments. 

We were gently instructed to take off all clothing and jewellery and put on some disposable underwear. I was fine with that as I've done this before, but I think it was a new experience for my SO. Wrapped in a towel, we lay back down on our respective massage beds and Catherine and Christine popped back in after politely knocking. 

The Body Brush was nice and just a touch ticklish for me, pretty much around my feet, but I could feel it prepping my skin. That was followed by an AMAZING exfoliation massage which I think used coconut, cloves, mango and almond oil and it flooded the room with the heady smell of all spice - I felt like I was being in the middle of a Christmas cake! The smell was delicious and I've read that Zanzibar Touch use natural fruit, oils and spices blended and mixed every day to keep them fresh.

The tropical concoction was left to coat my body as we were wrapped in the plastic sheet (aha!) to relax for a short period of time. Some of us went to sleep, hardly surprising as soothing music had been playing throughout. Ahhhhh.....

Christina came back in after 15 minutes and helped me to a shower in the next room, the oil seemed to bead up the water, but after drying off with a fluffy towel my skin felt utterly moisturised and toned. As I headed back to the massage room, my SO made his way soon after to the shower with the help of his therapist Catherine (remember, we're covered in large exfoliation granules and wrapped in a thin plastic sheeting).

A fresh facial and nourishing foot treatment soon followed, with the spa session concluding after the final treatment - a thorough body and head massage. So spoilt!

I can understand why some people can get addicted to going to the spa, the therapies can feel heavenly - I kept touching the skin on my arm and marvelling at how soft and moisturised it was. While the prices are not cheap, I think I'll definitely be back for a treat to Zanzibar Touch every once in a while (my SO enjoyed it heaps too, so men do not be afraid, your skin will thank you for it!)

Pros: professional and friendly service; delicious smelling treatments; easy to get to location with a train stop close by and a reasonable amount of parking in surrounding area; good range of opening hours especially by appointment
Cons: website a little clunky on desktop with some typos belaying a good business; a bit pricey