I normally save my massages for when I go overseas - that way you can truly relax - but the other…read moreday I thought I'd treat myself. I'd been meaning to try hot stone massage for ages and so called Forme to book myself in for a 40min session. The receptionist was lovely to deal with and of course, I got the obligatory reminder text two days before (Honestly, I don't know how I ever remembered appointments before these!). Forme is tucked down on the backstreets of Takapuna in a stand alone villa, where they have off street parking. Upon entering I was greeted by my therapist, Grace. She was lovely - very professional and didn't chat throughout the massage, which in my book is essential! I guess the idea with a hot stone massage is that the heat relaxes the muscles further. There's no doubt it was relaxing - I was verging on falling asleep - but if I am honest I think deep tissue massages are more up my alley. Just a personal preference thing... All in all though, Forme did everything to ensure my experience was enjoyable and I would definitely trust them with other treatments! p.s they often have great deals on packages, which you can check out on their website

From the owner: What life takes out, we put back in. We are NZ's leading relaxation and rejuvenation experts. Our…read moreaward winning spas are beautifully designed to provide a haven from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Our expert therapists are highly trained to deliver a world class experience. Specialising in facials and massage, however we also offer a full range of beauty treatments. Trust us, you are in good hands.

What an amazing experience. This afternoon after a day of lifting and carrying I felt the need for…read morea massage. I arrived at Golden Sails Albany and was greeted straight away. I asked for a neck and shoulders massage and was shown to a seat. My masssage therapist was great, firm but not too harsh. She found lots of knots and worked them out so well. Magic fingers for sure. Definitely recommend.

There's nothing quite like working your butt off all week, just hitting your deadlines, waking up…read moreearly going to the gym, smiling while doing it all, and then rewarding yourself by getting a massage. Ahhh, so good. However, doing this every week can become an expensive lifestyle. Which is why I go to Golden Sails. Sure it's not the flashest place to get a massage but it does the job and at $30 a pop you can't go wrong. The best thing is they have partitions so you don't feel like the whole mall is watching you have a massage. And also they don't give weak massages like some places. They definitely know how to get all those tough knots out. Don't knock it until you've tried it is all I can say. But watch out, once you go you'll probably be going every week!

The bed I inherited with my flat has not been good for my back, it started off fine and now I have…read morebeen experiencing random twinges of pain which come and go. While you can't really complain about a freebie, the pain was beginning to aggravate me and not being able to afford a new bed right now I wasn't sure what to do about it. One of my friends who works in Takapuna recommended Bliss Reflexology, which she couldn't speak more highly of, so I popped In to check it out myself. I thought with the reputation of this place (see above review) that I may have needed to make an appointment but I explained my predicament to the very understanding lady at reception and she managed to squeeze me in about half an hour later. The massage I ordered started off with a foot spa and massage (I just about collapsed into a puddle on the floor, it was that good) and then moved onto the main event the Rebalance Hot Stone Massage; which comprised of all the usual massage techniques and then the application of the hot stones (they're warm not scorching, don't worry) onto areas of the body. When they placed the stones onto my back it really was the most amazing feeling ever, it just felt like the warmth was leaching out all over my body. At the end of my treatment I swear I just about floated out of Bliss. You can find me still orbiting around space somewhere.

2012 Metro Best Massage of the Year…read more The name says it all. I have always been a big fan of massages, big fan, and this place is currently topping my list. The first time I went here was because I got a voucher for my birthday, which was actually bittersweet because after getting a taste for Bliss, I now must pay for myself. From the moment you walk in the door you feel transported to a place of relaxation. The dark wood, background music, lovely smells and mellow staff made me forget within seconds that I was on one of the main roads in Takapuna. First they took me through to soak my feet in a warm footbath while sipping on a green tea. There were no magazines or tvs, just me chilling. Being forced into just doing nothing can be really amazing. I was then take through to get my massage which.was.amazing. They didn't try to chat, I was warm, comfortable and in heaven. My masseuse was fantastic. Such a lovely experience, and I left feeling lighter than air.

Over the years we have been getting massages at Relaxology NZ in Takapuna. Out of all the many…read moreother places we have tried, this has been the best by far. My personal favorite is Kerti. For me she has the best combination of pressure & movement. After 75 minutes I feel like a new person. Try Relaxology NZ if you're in the Takapuna area & ask for Kerti, she's the best!

From the owner: Relaxology NZ on Hurstmere road, Takapuna. We practice relaxation massage and deep tissue massage…read morefor active people!

The review is for Hannah P, A.K.A The Brow Queen…read more I used to believe that paying someone to pluck your own eyebrows was a bit ridiculous. Well, in no more than 10 minutes Hannah had me eating my hat. Hannah is so good that I had heard of her browress well before I experienced it first-hand. Arriving at Lucy and the Powder Room, Hannah and I had a quick consultation before she set to work. Interestingly, the first thing she did, was measure my brows to ensure that everything (start, end, arches) was where it should be. "Hmmmm" was all she said before plucking, tweezing and waxing away. Five minutes later she was done and holding a mirror over my brows explaining the changes. She also showed me where I was and wasn't allowed to pluck and asserted that I must be back in 4 weeks time for a reassessment. Yes, ma'am! The icing on the cake - my eyebrows weren't the slightest bit red when I left...ideal.

Lucy and the Powder Room is staffed by lovely quiet girls who make you feel relaxed immediately…read more They really know brows, and I have had eyelash extensions done there that have lasted for ages. Their prices are really reasonable and the whole place is clean and fresh. So when you are ready to move up from low-grade products and en-masse pedicure rooms....this place will have you wondering what took you so long.

Partner and I had worst experience ever. They applied a deep heat to my back and got it in my…read morearmpit and then up in my hair line. My armpit still stings after wiping it nd applying cold water. The lady kept pressing into and massaging arm when it was not needed. And changing pressure to the point that i yelped multiple times A Male was doing my partners neck and partner walked away in more pain then when we walked in. Partner finished before me and they tried to get him to pay for mine before I was even finished. Was not happy to walk out with my body on fire and feeling worse than when I went in. I let them know how I felt and there was no apology or anything.

It's a bit weird paying a stranger to rub you, but a good massage cures all manner of ills and just…read morefeels so relaxing. The massage places in the malls are also a bit weird. You sit out in the open and people watch while you pay a stranger to rub you, hmm. I do like the massage place in Shore City, however, as the small partitions are high enough that most people cannot see you having your neck muscles seen to in public. Also the prices are pretty good starting from only $10 for what is a consistently good massage. Start your review...

One of the top Salons in Auckland, and probably New Zealand, Stephen Marr is the best way to make…read moreget you feeling like a million bucks. The staff are involved in all the top fashion shows, photo shoots and are very highly regarded. You always know you're going to get what you've asked for and that you're getting the lastest advice, techniques and colours. You can always judge a place by their staff and you can tell Stephen Marr is awesome because their staff are awesome. They always look really fashionable, are friendly, and willing to go above and beyond for their customers. I recently went to the Takapuna Salon to get my hair done for a wedding but had booked in at the Newmarket one. Oops. Luckily they rearranged their day to fit me in and I am so grateful as if they hadn't I would've had to of tamed my crazy hair myself! That would not have been fun at all. The salon is also an amazing place with plant walls and cool industrial furniture. They also gave me an awesome coffee to enjoy while being pampered which won me over even more.

I have been a fan of Stephen Marr for 3 years now and I can quite confidently say that this is…read morelargely due to the quality of their staff. Not only are they talented and crazy-cool but they all seem to love their jobs and genuinely care about their clients. Last week I booked in to see Donni at Stephen Marr, having not been to the hairdressers in over 10months. To say my hair had turned into an unruly mane would be an understatement (think 12 year old Hermione Granger). With the only instruction being "pleeeeease fix it", Donni and her colourist Dani set to work and within a few hours I was walking out of there with freshly cut ends and creamy blond highlights. Whole. New. Alex. It must also be mentioned that Stephen Marr/The Department Store has one of the best playlists ever. Any iPod that jumps from 'Stuck in the Middle with You' by Stealers Wheel to 'Ms Jackson' by Outkast is A-OK with me.

During a particularly flush period, I went through a bit of a binge of buying daily deal vouchers…read morefor various joints around town, and one of those vouchers led me to this place for a what they term a "Chinese" pedicure, which is quite different to the pedicures on offer on most places. Basically, after a soak in a big oak barrel, a young man with a roll of sharp files and small knives chipped away at all the rough skin on my feet for about 30mins until they were as smooth as they were on the day I was born. Reader, truly it was miraculous (once I got over the weirdness of having this dude kneeling on the floor scraping my feet). I then went back for a reflexology treatment, and it really was one of the most relaxing experiences of my life helped by a very gentle therapist in a comfortable room. If you're in need of a bit of relaxing, I couldn't recommend this place more.