In a city defined by the hustle and bustle of its citizens, it is often easy to forget to find time to relax. Thankfully, for those of us in need, Shanghai is home to many spas, and among them ...[ read full review ]
Rest and Relaxation
Massage parlors in China are a tricky topic. Countless accounts of shadier adventures are out there, both for the ignorant and the willing, but amongst them exists a veritable industry of legitimate venues that provide all sorts ...[ read full review ]
Most Shanghainese and expats are experts at assessing the relative merits of the thousands of spas and therapy rooms littering the metropolis. With such stiff competition out there, it is crucial for any newcomer to the massage industry to have ...[ read full review ]
January in Shanghai can take its toll. The tension created from the combination of the cold weather and the daily grind often finds its home in one's neck and shoulders. Juventas Spa conjoins the artistry of aromatherapy with high-end massage ...[ read full review ]
Qin The Spa Now is the Winter of Our Content
Qin The Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel is, as one would expect, an oasis of luxury, calm and faultless service. Here, you can leave your cares at the door, kick back and enjoy the sumptuous therapies on offer. The ...[ read full review ]
Kings and emperors were once the only mortals worthy of the special power of yellow jade - not so any more. Associated with longevity and youth, the colored stone is believed to have special rejuvenating powers, which is why the ...[ read full review ]
There are two types of massage: those that you get for pleasure, relaxing in a fluffy dressing gown and listening to pan pipes; and those that you endure with the stoic resolve that if it hurts it must be good ...[ read full review ]
There are few products in the world more successfully - and at the same time misleadingly - marketed than diamonds. De Beers convinced us that a diamond is forever and to Marilyn Monroe they were a girl's best friend. So ...[ read full review ]
Ubud Spa Thai Treats in an Indonesian Sanctuary
One of the joys of living in Shanghai is the myriad spas clustered around the city; the panoply of retreats in all shapes and sizes, from long-standing chains like Dragonfly, to two-month-old newcomers like Ubud Spa. Flourishing a pretty extensive ...[ read full review ]
Rain Spa Spa-ing in the Rain
For those of you looking for a shelter from the rain that continues to shower sporadically, it may seem rather paradoxical to find sanctuary in a venue named Rain Spa. This Thai-style retreat hides out on YuYuan Road, rather inconspicuous ...[ read full review ]
We often neglect our feet as one of those outer extremities that will handle themselves, showing them little tender loving care. Despite all the women suffering from high heels and stiletto points - as well as the men squeezing into ...[ read full review ]
Opened just over nine months ago, La Fleur lies in a convenient spot along the DaGu Road strip. With a calm, unfussy waiting area, the whole décor is cheerful and great for setting the atmosphere for a girlie or romantic ...[ read full review ]
With the advent of modern metrosexuality, services like waxing, bronzing and facials are being increasingly frequented by image-conscious men as well as preening women. Benny Shum, owner of three-month-old salon Perfect Tan, thinks that picking up a bit of color ...[ read full review ]
Frank'n Sense A Little Sense Goes a Long Way
Frank'n Sense has been indulging the Shanghai community with their blend of salubrious alternative therapies, beauty products and special gifts for just over five years. Owner Lilli Makinson, who also runs several handcrafted jewelry stores across Shanghai, grew up in ...[ read full review ]
Dragonfly As Light as a Dragonfly
"Ssshh! Be quiet! You're not allowed to talk in here!" the masseuse lightly reprimands as I begin to make small talk with a colleague. Only whispering is allowed within the hallowed halls of Dragonfly's serene environs. As you are lead ...[ read full review ]
Waxing any part of your body hurts, it doesn't matter how much you try to convince yourself it won't. It will - it always will. The degree to which you suffer, however, depends on the quality of treatment.
New to Shanghai, ...[ read full review ]
Vizcaya is one of any number of high-class spas offering top-notch services. What makes this prestigious location unique, however, are its rooms. Each is beautifully designed and has its own private toilet and changing area. Many are equipped with a ...[ read full review ]
There are lots of nail salons in Shanghai to choose from but when you find one that makes you feel special - that's the one you return to. Inconspicuously tucked away on Weihai Lu, Lotus Nail Spa makes each customer ...[ read full review ]
Filling a void in the Shanghai spa scene, Apsara has now begun offering maternity packages for mothers. Their Prenatal Pampering and Postnatal Shaping Program is designed to soothe both mums-to-be and new mums during a time when they need it ...[ read full review ]
Having just opened up a new branch in Gubei, Matsutani Massage are also unlocking the door to new healing experiences. Taking a leaf, or rather leaves, out of traditional Chinese medical treatments, they now offer Moxibustion.
Moxibustion involves the burning of ...[ read full review ]
There are hundred of hair salons in Shanghai that cater to the shaggy headed masses. Choosing correctly can be the difference between feeling great and knowing that everyone is staring at the bizarre thatch atop your head. But there are ...[ read full review ]
For Cleopatra-style bathing indulgence, you can't beat Quan Spa at the Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan Hotel. The water-themed day spa turns a simple shower into an extraordinarily indulgent massage experience. Located on the top floor of the hotel, Quan Spa was ...[ read full review ]
Drilling, drilling, drilling - will it ever stop? One of the best ways to deal with the constant onslaught of dust and construction is a calming massage. Golden Resort offers four branches across Shanghai for when you need a little ...[ read full review ]
American-born Korean Connie Kim visited Shanghai for a three-week holiday in 2006 and vowed to return here to live. True to her word, she not only relocated to Shanghai but gifted the city with a fresh new spa on Dagu ...[ read full review ]
Magpie Massage Soothing the Strain of Back Pain
Shanghai residents have a long-standing affinity with massage, and today's offerings range from the simply inexpensive to the outlandishly indulgent. Among the many massage centres dotted across the city, Magpie Massage has garnered a strong repeat clientele by offering a ...[ read full review ]
I recently felt a stirring need to visit an image consultant. Not for a complete overhaul (although she can do that too), but more to seek a few tips for sprucing up my current style and makeup routine. After digging ...[ read full review ]
It's only mid-summer and my beautiful tan from a recent trip to Thailand was beginning to fade. Although my Chinese co-workers think my skin is finally starting to look normal again, I have to disagree. I love being tanned, and ...[ read full review ]
For all their safe and natural healing attributes, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapies often look rather terrifying. Fire cupping is a good example: a simple, harmless technique that leaves painful-looking circular bruises all over a patient's back. The traditional ...[ read full review ]
Diva Life Pole Dancing: Best Enjoyed With Cupcakes
Mr. Enjoy had a life-changing moment at the Diva Life party at Brown Sugar last week. For a man who has tasted life's pleasures in so many places, in so many ways, it's difficult to have a paradigm-shifting event in ...[ read full review ]
I used to place hairdressers akin to dentists when it came to my gentle locks, being absolutely terrified when it was time to return to the salon. Everyone has a hair horror story and mine was a free cut from ...[ read full review ]
