A what?! A Floatarium? Surely this is a made up thing?…read more It's not. Even though I hate all this new age, healing nonsense my curiousity gets the better of me and I have to try new things out, even if it does make me laugh and get a good slagging from my other half. This Therapy Centre and Shop isn't well hidden, but it's always relatively quiet which is perfect for something that's supposed to be relaxing (avoid during the festival for goodness sake!) The Float tanks keep you afloat (obviously) while tranquil music plays softly, the lights are dimmed (or you can have them off) and a shower is provided for afterwards. They also offer things such as Aromatherapy massage, Therapeutic Massage, Reflexology, Chiropody, Reiki, Shiatsu - I've not tried any of these but my builder/brickie friend swears by Reiki. On the vanity side of things you can get all sorts of look-betters such as Facial Toning and the notorious Inchwrap. If you're more of a private person and prefer to do all this witchcraft in your own home, there's a gift shop catering for whatever candle and crystal needs you may have.

Heard some hype about the floatarium and have been curious so decided to treat myself. First, I…read morethought it was rather expensive.. £45 for a min 1h float with a 1h massage was £85. It is also on Wahanda / Treatwell but no benefit as the same price for this package and listed as a 45 min massage! It's centrally located but was smaller inside than expected considering its international status on the website. Set aside at least 3 hours! Service was friendly and the girl at the front desk explained the process and some benefits. What I did like was the privacy.. I think there are only a couple 'pods' where you can be completely by yourself and has a shower with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a changing area, slippers, towels and a robe. Shower took quite a while to warm up but I think they was mentioned on the instruction sheet. You're also given ear plugs, vaseline for any cuts /abrasions, and the option to gave a neck rest. Once the door is closed and you turn off the inner light, you are in complete darkness floating in shallow salt water with some music for the first 15 min and last 5 min. They give you a knock to let you know when time's up. I'd say it was relaxing for the first 20 minutes and then I started feeling nauseous and prickly from being too hot. The temperature is supposed to be 'room and body temperature'. I tried not to move too much but got salt in my eye that stung so much it couldn't be ignored so I had to wash it off. I ended up using the neck float for the last 10 min because I felt I couldn't breathe properly and the rest props the body up a bit so you can get more air. It was relaxing to an extent as your entire body floats quite easily instead of unevenly as in normal water. It brings to attention places you hold tension such as my tendency to tense and neck and shoulders and lower back. Don't know how common it is to feel nausea but I can say it wasn't a pleasant feeling and lasted for some time. The pod could do with being slightly wider as my arms/fingers tended to touch the sides. They give you plenty of time to get showered and changed and there's a separate waiting area where you can blow dry your hair. It normally comes with an aromatherapy massage but I requested a deep tissue massage as I prefer more pressure and have some bad knots in my shoulders. The massage wasn't the worst but not even close to the best I've had. It was probably the SLOWEST massage I've ever had - perhaps intentionally for relaxation but it made me feel it was more of a time-stretching style and I would get my money's worth with more of a pace. To her credit, the masseuse did apply more pressure to the back but her laborious breathing detracted from the intended relaxation effect! Plus, I dislike it when massage therapists don't realise the unpleasant use of nails.. She had one really sharp nail (or rough piece of skin?) that was distracting. I found the interruption by announcement whenever a massage area was completed - moving from back to arms to legs/feet a needless break in flow as the whole point is to relax and not have to speak. The leg massage was ok but the arm and hand massage were so light and slow as to be ineffective. It could have been my imagination but I only noticed one foot being massaged! Both the floatarium and the massage were disappointing but there were some good points hence the 3 stars.

Joy is a sweet little spa in Blackhall. We discovered it by the way of Groupon, and it's definitely…read morebeen a pleasure to discover it. Friendly ladies attend to your beauty requirements - for us, it was a salt scrub, back massage and manicure. The back massage was lovely, my back is feeling much softer for the scrubbing and I have a smudged manicure - there is only so much one spa can do for me in one day. Definitely recommend a wee visit if you are in the neighbourhood.

SBL Beauty Lounge is located within Medusa hair salon on Bread Street. It opened about a year ago…read moreand I have been a regular customer for about seven months. SBL is owned and operated by Iram - who is great! So great in fact, I go about twice a month! (Iram used to work for a very popular/well known West End beauty boutique but decided to open her own business.) I regularly get my eyebrows threaded, manicures (shellac), and waxing done by Iram. For waxing (especially intimate waxing) - Iram is the best. She is so quick, makes it pain free, and is a perfectionist. She is also really keen to help you get into a routine to prevent any ingrown hairs and provides really good info on what to do at home and between treatments. My shallac manicures last at least two weeks and they rarely chip. (I usually get bored with the colour and get my manicure removed because my nails grow quickly!) I have been getting my eyebrows threaded for about 10 years and am super picky. Iram knows what is good for your face and adjusts the threading treatment appropriately. Iram also specialises in other beauty treatments, such as: eyelash extensions, eyelash tinting, make up application and spray on tans. One of things I really like is that SBL is text you receive a text a day before your treatment, which is a great reminder. I highly recommend Iram! (Just hope she doesn't get too busy now!)

Iram is amazing! I get all of my beauty treatments at SBL, waxing, threading, shellac and I've even…read morehad my makeup done for a few events this year! My shellac always lasts at least 3 weeks on my fingers and much longer on my toes, my eyebrows look better than they ever have! Thanks Iram :) you keep me looking my best!

The massage Sabyne gave was exactly what I needed.... She's…read morevery friendly, asks you what you want and caters to exactly what you need. I asked for relaxing, back and legs massage... During one hour I was really spoiled... It started really gentle but then when she got to my shoulders she really knew exactly where the tension spots are, that 'good' pain, you know? I regularly treat myself to a massage and have tons while traveling in Asia, so I had bad, average, and good. and this is definitely good! Will be a regular hear and will try a facial next! She works from inside the salon 'Escape'.

Thank you Sabyne, she is very professional , i recommend her for waxing and massage. Attentive and…read morerespectful i will come back for an other appointment. Cheers , Charlotte.

i just had one of the most traumatic experiences, a young, nervous and inexperienced therapist…read morespent over 1 hour 15 mins doing my hollywood bikini wax ( as a therapist myself i know it should never take this long) i am still covered in wax and a lot of hairs are still remiaining ( not good for my date tonight). the therapist was blaming my hair for being too strong, again after having waxing for 16 years i know i do not have strong hairs. i am very glad i had a half price voucher because i would have been very unhappy to pay full price for this treatment, also there was no music in the room and i was not asked to fill in any sort of dislaimer or health questionairre so how they could even tell if i was suitable for the treatment i dont know. i appreciate they have only been open for three weeks but over an hour for a small treatment is unnacceptable, i only hope they improve

Absolutely love this place. Anne is fabulous, she is the best beautician I have ever had. The salon…read moreis really reasonably priced as well. I go here for regular waxing and facials, both services are brilliant and I would say better than other local salons of which I have tried many! Can't recommend highly enough.

Been visiting Shadaya at The Skin Spa for laser hair removal, for over 5 months now and what a…read moredifferance it has made. Shadaya uses the Nd:Yag laser, which is top of the range. Money well spent!

Always a pleasure to visit The Skin Spa. Friendly and professional services, and very convenient…read morelocation.

The lazy gal that dominates most of my brain is pretty sad this place didn't fare better but it…read moreseems that, at least for nails, i'm destined to have to make the uphill trek out of Stockbridge. Anyone who knows me, knows I have a pretty loyal heart on for my nail gal and her hand painted #geekclaws. But for pedicures, I tend to stray away from my norm - almost 100% because my regular gal is a 40 minute walk from the house. So when I found Remedy Rooms was just around the corner and boasted a great first review: glee. Lazy, lazy glee. Let's start with the things that are going right: they have a good, clear website and I booked a speedy pedicure pretty dang fast. They got back to me within 24 hours and I had an appointment for the next day. Hurray! Plus, they have some seriously good package deals. Good enough that I may actually give this place another go somewhere down the line. So if you're looking for multiple beauty bombs - it might be worth snooping a little further. The place is big, clean and they have tvs in the rooms - which is either a positive or a negative, depending on your relaxation point of view. I'm not a huge fan, but that might be because Crocodile Dundee was starting right as I left. Just my luck right? So there's the nod worthy moments. The not so nod worthy? I booked a speed pedicure for £18. I RECEIVED a gel shellac for £26. I had no clue that switch-a-roo had happened until I got to the till. So... that's likely the biggest "oof". But if it had been a nice result, I would have been ok with shelling out the extra dough. I wear shellac on my hands, so I know the stuff stays put and in the dim spa type room, they looked ok... so maybe no harm done? Never has the phrase "the harsh light of day" meant so much to me in a review. When I got home, I popped off my shoes to take another peek and realized I had just out and out wasted £26 pounds. Not only was nothing pedicurey (yeah i'm making up that word) done to my feet beyond a simple file but the shellac looked horrible! It was clumpy, it was all over some of my toes (granted, I have little nails but still it was super messy looking) and the polish on one nail had all out peeled off... in the ten minute walk home. I grabbed the acetone to take off the rest but most of them peeled off almost as easy. The sad thing was, I picked them off in frustration with my gel adorned hands and those suckers didn't miss a beat. Within a few minutes the polish was off, my feet actually looked better without it and I had prompted booked another pedicure elsewhere. So I would maybe try this place again for a package deal but did I find my new nail goddesses? Nope.

A troublesome neck-shoulder interface needed a bit of attention so a trip to the Remedy Rooms was…read moreneeded. The decor is suitably trendy. All of the staff are friendly and helpful... just what you want before a relaxing massage. I went for a deep tissue massage to try and cure my muscular ills. The massage was really good... I can already feel the benefit as I can move my neck in ways that I was unable to just a couple of hours ago. Prices are really competitive given the quality of services, smart surroundings and great staff. Hopefully I won't need to return, but I might well find myself back there for a more relaxing massage, although there would be a massive risk of me falling asleep as I drift into a state of ultimate relaxation!

This beauty salon is one of the best in Edinburgh, and specialises in colonic hydrotherapy and…read moreholistic techniques. My friend booked herself in here for a session of colonic hydrotherapy, which, for those of you who don't already know, is essentially a 'detox of the colon', to leave you feeling refreshed and somewhat empty in the tummy area. She paid £80 for an hour and a half session. She said it was amazing, she felt like a brand new person when it was done, although she didn't go into the finer details like how embarrassing it must be to get the skanks down in front of a stranger and have a hoover stuck up your rectum. I imagine it wouldn't be the most comfortable thing ever, but she did say that the therapist made her feel completely at ease. The salon also does therapies like ear candles and reflexology, facials, manicures, hair removal, body treatments and even packages for weddings and special occasions, so there is something to suit all budgets.

I've been to Inside & Out numerous times for a range of treatments (massage, nails, IPL,…read moremicro-dermabrasion). It isn't a large salon and the environment is pleasant rather than opulent. But the prices are very good (they do fantastic monthly deals on massages, IPL etc), as is the quality, and the staff are really lovely - friendly and professional. If I'm really wanting to make a day of my pampering I'll go to The One Spa. But Inside & Out is my salon of choice for a good value relaxing massage or IPL (Gillian is excellent).