It’s been a long summer. Six weeks of having three under fours at home. Six weeks of no childcare help. It’s been exhausting looking after the kids during the day, working in the evenings and often at weekends, while trying to do fun family things to make the most of summer. When a fellow twin mum, known on Twitter as the Spa Pixie, asked if I’d review* one of the products from her Imagine Spa Shop, I almost bit her hand off. I had no idea what product I would receive – I trusted her and hoped she would send me something nice as I was desperately in need of some pampering!
When the Lava Shell kit arrived I was a bit baffled. The little bag contained a polished shell, some massage oil and two different types of sachet. I read the instructions but was still at a loss as to what I was supposed to do with it, so was pleased to receive the press release to tell me all about the Lava Shell therapy.
Basically, the lovely Spa Pixie had sent me a home version of a spa treatment that’s a bit like a hot stone massage. I’ve had a hot stone massage before and it was divine, so when I got my head around what this kit was all about I was really looking forward to giving it a try.
The shell is a recycled clam shell from the South Pacific which heats up using ‘an innovative self-heating blend of natural minerals and ingredients including algae and dried sea kelp that, when blended with salt water, generates its own controlled heat for an hour-long massage’. Prices in salons for a Lava Shell massage starts from £60 for an hour, but the home kit costs £35 for four treatments.
I persuaded Husband to agree to try it out on me, all in the name of the research.
You take the stopper out of the smooth shell and you tear open one of the sachets that contains something that resembles a t-bag. You push the little bag into the shell and squash it flat with your fingers. Then you open the other sachet and pour the liquid into the shell. I thought I’d end up pouring it everywhere, but it was really mess-free.
Five minutes later I ended up with a roasting hot shell. I was amazed how hot it got, so as per the instructions I put it in cold water for a few seconds to take the edge off it, then I lay down to enjoy my massage. The pack comes with massage oil which you need to use to allow the shell to glide over your skin. I have a bad back so the warmth from the shell was really soothing. I really didn’t expect it to feel as good as it did – I thought the shell might feel uncomfortable but it just felt warm and relaxing. Husband hates giving massages but even he found it easy to use.
If you have someone at home willing to give you a massage, I’d recommend the kit. It’s easy to use and although it sounds gimmicky, it does actually work. The shell stayed hot for much longer than an hour and afterwards it just involved removing the little bag from the inside of the shell so it can be used again. Unfortunately for me I have a husband who hates giving massages, but now that I’ve got three more sachets to use up I’m going to make him have another go with it! Thanks Spa Pixie!
*I received the Lava Shell kit worth £35.00 in return for writing a review. All views are my own.