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Ageing well

Ageing well - what it means to us as we turn a year older  

Hard to believe we are 29 years old this August! For some of us the cry of ‘oh to be in our 20s again’ was heard as we discussed this weeks journal. The reality is age is but a number and ageing well, as a term often associated with a lack of fine lines and wrinkles, in 2022, now seems somewhat archaic! 

At More Than Skin, we've only ever viewed ageing with the same positive and holistic lens we do anything. To us, ageing well is about how happy you feel in your own skin (not how others perceive it), it's about how healthy or energetic you feel, how inspired you feel and whether you're living life on your terms.

When we celebrate age, it's not just another year crossed off the calendar and it’s certainly not something to hide away from; it's an opportunity to reflect on every inch of living you've packed into that year. The highs, the lows, the in-betweens, any struggles you overcame, any experiences that made you stronger or happier and the random moments that make you laugh out loud at every recollection. We're here for it all. And we think you should be too. If you're reading this post, see it as a reminder to celebrate life's journey whenever possible and with wild abandon. As we celebrate another year around the sun, we reflect on how grateful we are to have treated our beautiful kiwi community over the past 29 years and about how happy we are to still be doing something we love. Happy Birthday to us. Here's to us, here's to you and here's ageing well. 

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Your bedtime checklist

This bathing month, we invite you on a journey of self-care. We believe wellbeing is the sum of many parts. It requires tools, rituals and healthy habits. 

Evenings are an essential part of the equation. It’s time to fully rest and restore. With this in mind, we’ve put together a bedtime checklist for a quiet mind and a relaxed body.

For a calm mind and body

Indulge in a good book

Download a mindfulness app - even just tuning in for a few minutes can train your mind to better cope with stress and anxiety

Take some deep intentional breathes to reset your central nervous system

Keep a journal or notebook beside your bed to download any concerns or things you’d rather think about during the day

Reduce screen time an hour before bed 

Bathe in De-stress Mind Bath & Shower Oil 2 hours before bed

Enjoy a soothing chamomile tea

Commit to some light exercise to shake off the day. Any form of movement from a boogie in the living room, a gentle walk or yoga can clear your head and give a sense of empowerment and calm.

Light a candle to soothe your senses - Aromatherapy Associates limited edition candles come in three therapeutic aromas; Rose, Deep-Relax and De-Stress. 

Try integrating some of these into your nightly routine over the next month and observe how it makes you feel.

Image via Pinterest

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Ritual over routine

So close to 2022’s winter solstice, this weekend is a special one. With it, we invite you to take a moment to pause and consider how it might feel if you injected the art of ritual into your life. 

We’re big believers in the importance of ritual over routine. But what does that mean? It means treating daily and seemingly ‘ordinary’ tasks as more meaningful practices which have a real sense of purpose. 

It is easy to live on auto-pilot and move subconsciously from one task to another. Washing and cleansing our bodies for example, is often treated as no more than a ‘cog in the wheel’ of all the tasks to get done in our day. But how might we feel if we thought of bathing or showering as a chance to reset our body and mind? The practical function of cleansing remains, but we approach it differently, as a moment of nourishment. One of our favourite ways of doing this is by utilising the power of aromatherapy. 

The Aromatherapy Associates range was originally created so the Founder could ‘prescribe’ an aromatherapy treatment for her clients to take home with them. The Bath and Shower Oils continue to be coveted for their wellbeing benefits. 

We’d love you to experience the therapeutic powers of aromatherapy whenever you take a shower or soak in the bath and transform the daily act of cleansing into a moment of wellbeing. So, as a special treat on this very special weekend and the gorgeous winter months ahead, we are offering an exclusive gift with purchase. Receive a FREE full-sized Shower Oil when you purchase from our bespoke winter solstice collection. Each Shower Oil contains a carefully considered blend of essential oils to help cultivate everything from a moment of rest, to a boost in energy. 

As with anything in life, balance is key. There will always be routine tasks that we need to complete efficiently. But there is great value in finding small routines that we can turn into rituals to enhance our wellbeing and change how we feel as we journey through the day. 

Happy winter solstice from all of us here at MTS. Here’s to getting plenty of rest this winter and taking every opportunity to turn the mundane into meaningful. 

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Inspiring Self-Care III - Energy

Nothing rings more true than the saying "your energy is your greatest currency". It's what connects you to others, what attracts opportunities, it's what makes you feel alive and at peace. But with the never-ending pull of life admin, work and what seems like perpetual bad news filtered through our screens on a nightly basis. I speak for the collective when I say, we're tired.  

So, what can you do to care for your energy? Here are a few of our top tips:  

Create boundaries: For people-pleasers, saying 'no' is like walking over fire. And who wins in the end if we can't ever say no? Everyone else, but us. Start creating boundaries and feel the instant effect it has on your wellbeing. Practice making it part of your vocabulary. Do you want yet another social zoom catch-up? ‘No’. Can you commit to volunteering even more of your time? ‘No’. A firm yet gracious 'no' puts a safety net around your energy.    

Cultivate kindness: Self-care is really about self-love. Loving yourself enough to speak to yourself as though you were a dear friend. This one might take practice too, and perhaps it just comes in the form of cutting yourself more slack when your house isn't as tidy as it could be, or you haven't crossed off everything you so optimistically pilled on to your to-do list earlier that the day. Reminder - you wrote it in a caffeine-fueled "today is the day I achieve all" mode. You're not a terrible person when things don't turn out that way.    

Identify your energy givers and energy drains: Energy givers (to name just a few) include; sunlight, movement, rest, hydration, gratitude and positive people. Energy Drains include; screens, stress, inconsistent sleep, alcohol, resentment and negativity. Tap into your energy givers and patch up the drains. Take action on this, and everything changes.

We hope this is helpful and inspires self-care for the in-between moments when you can't get out for a treatment. We look forward to seeing you in person soon, but until then, look after yourselves and take care of your beautiful energy. It is after all, your greatest currency.  

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MTS... A re-introduction

As approach turning 30 in 2023, we’d like to take this opportunity to reintroduce ourselves. (Think, a romantic film where we run into each other at a coffee shop). Here’s a reminder of where we came from, how we’ve evolved and yet, in many ways how our heart remains the same.

Born as a beauty salon in 1993 that focused on the necessities of skincare and grooming, the More Than Skin brand has evolved into looking deeper than the first layer of the skin alone. We’ve developed a holistic view with a passion for wellness of body, mind and soul.

We stand proudly as the original advocates of selfcare. Today our treatment offerings come from around the world and around the ages, where ancient selfcare rituals meet modern luxury. We’ve also welcomed more product ranges into our family, offering the best in skin, hair and body care with brands like Aromatherapy Associates, Aspar and Joyce Block.    

Our spa reflects intentional design choices, with an aesthetic that’s welcoming to every gender, body and age. We’re all about warmth, luxury and care - right down to where we source our linen.

Our team truly love what we do, transforming our clients from the inside out with our curated selection of treatments, products, books and lifestyle recommendations which we share with our clients each season.

We couldn’t thank you enough for being part of our journey and contributing to the ethos of wellness as it stands today. We really do believe in “more than skin”.

Drop in and say hi or book some time with us. We’d love to treat you in spa soon. x

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Forest Therapy feels

The mental, emotional and physical wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature are scientifically proven, but we don’t need to know the stats to know that even just a walk in the woods leaves us feeling revived!

‘Forest therapy’ refers to experiences that encapsulate all the goodness that nature provides. Think outdoor baths, standing under a waterfall, the pattering sound of rain, a dip in the sea and spritely walks under canopies of green.

At More Than Skin, we couldn’t think of anything better than a Spa treatment that harnesses the healing power of nature and combines it with luxurious bliss. That’s why we offer our Vichy Aqua Massage.

Alternatively, get your nature fix on the daily with Aromatherapy Associates Forest Therapy Bath & Shower Oil.  A reviving elixir curated from the world’s most nurturing ingredients. Escape to the Peruvian Andes, the mountains of Macedonia and the Mediterranean coast without leaving your bathroom.

Heaven on earth xx

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Tea Tuesday and whilst we’re tempted to reach for an ice cream or ice drink on a hot muggy night, tea or chai can actually reduce your body temperature. Indulge in a delicious tea this thirsty Tuesday evening and allow your body to naturally cool. The heat makes you sweat, the sweat dries and you drop in temperature. It’s Tea-rue 😂 Sweating, and more importantly the evaporation of your sweat, is one of the key avenues for changing body temperature and maintaining heat balance. So cheers from us you super cool MTS beauties xx #morethanskinspa #morethanskincare #spa #beauty #wellness #spagirls #aucklandspa #tuesdays #chill #tea #raspberry #tealovers #healthyliving #artoflivingwell 🍃🍵🥒 📸Pinterest (at Auckland, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8s4uiMJ2EB/?igshid=we5cp8ig9tgo

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Woman’s health expert, Dr Karen on menopause

An expert on women's health, Dr Karen Coates is Australia's leading holistic medical doctor and naturopathic physician and is the published author of the health book 'Embracing the Warrior - an essential guide for women'. We had the privilege of asking Dr Karen some frequently asked menopausal questions in this, the last week of our hormonal health series.

How can I tell if what I'm experiencing is caused by menopause or some other condition? Menopause means the cessation of menstrual bleeding – also called "the change of life". Signs that you're in menopause should occur naturally, around the age of 48 to 54 years. Periods may start to skip a month. Hot flushes and classic menopause symptoms like mood swings, irritability and vaginal dryness may come and go. These symptoms can also be a sign of thyroid imbalance, chronic stress, or other gynaecological disorders. Confirmation of menopause is best done when periods have been absent for a couple of months – your doctor may order lab tests that show a classical pattern of menopause, with very low female hormone levels (the oestradiol form of oestrogen and progesterone) and a high level of the pituitary hormone called Follicle Stimulating Hormone, or FSH. In the first 12 months during the 'change of life' hormone levels in blood tests can fluctuate from normal pre-menopausal levels to very low fertility hormone levels in a matter of weeks as your body moves into and out of menopause as a normal part of this transition. If blood levels are done around a late menstrual period, it can falsely reassure a woman she is not in menopause. If this is the case, doctors will often recommend two or three blood tests over several months to confirm the diagnosis.

How long do menopause symptoms usually last? Women transition through menopause differently, depending on their innate biological clock, along with lifestyle issues and stress levels. Menopause for some women is a smooth transition from monthly periods to none in a matter of weeks. Sadly, for others, this transition can take several years. Peri-menopause can start for some women in their early 40s and occur when the balance of the two fertility hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, is disrupted. A woman will notice cyclical symptoms, like severe breast tenderness and premenstrual irritability and insomnia related to a lower level of progesterone hormone, but oestrogen is still pumping, producing period bleeds that may be erratic and heavier than usual. True postmenopausal life starts when fertility hormones settle to a predictable low level with little fluctuation from day to day or month to month. Your body adapts to this lower level of hormones, and, for the most part, hot flushes and acute symptoms disappear.

What can I do about hot flushes? Hot Flushes occur when oestrogen levels fluctuate up and down, from very low to sometimes very high levels. Before considering pharmaceutical options like menopause hormone replacement therapy, source naturopathic advice on hormonal modulating herbs like red clover, dong quai, and liver support herbs like St Mary's thistle. Alcohol is one of the most potent hot flush triggers there is, so remember, if you drink, you'll flush!

Interrupted sleep: Is this normal, and what can I do? This is common in menopause. If hot flushes disturb sleep, first try the strategies listed above. These tips also help: • Eliminate triggers like caffeine, alcohol and sugar • Consider a palm full of pistachio nuts after dinner – these contain the natural sleep hormone melatonin to promote a deeper, natural sleep • Keep your bedroom cool – invest in a small personal fan to use if hot flushes wake you • Try an evening cup of sage and dandelion herbal tea. Pineapple sage can be grown easily in the garden and used as an infusion throughout the day • The herb zizyphus is also a good sleep promotor.

How should I explain my condition to my partner, family, and friends? What, if anything, should I say to my boss and co-workers? An open dialogue with friends, family and work colleagues if appropriate, can provide emotional support and foster an understanding of the emotional challenges that can accompany this transitional time in every woman's life. Symptoms will settle more easily in a low-stress environment, so look at stress management strategies as an essential member of your menopausal team.

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February and we’re feeling good

February doesn't get the credit that December and January does, but here at More Than Skin, we think it's an underrated winner. The comfort of daily routines are back, the sun is still high in the sky, and we're even blessed by a long weekend (two if you're Auckland based!)

To ensure you maintain the relaxed state of mind that affords any good start to the year, I've done some hard grafting and tested my way through the best in calming home spa goodies. Here are two of my favourites which I highly recommend as a wee treat to self for the year ahead.

First up is ASPAR's Lavender & Patchouli Relaxing Body Oil. This nourishing oil gets my seal of approval for its nurturing treatment of mind and body. The organic avocado even helps heal sun damage and reduce the appearance of scars and age spots. My clumsy self incurred a scar along my right arm, but I have this gorgeous oil to thank for its rapid healing. Instead of being a heavy sleep elixir, it relaxes with lavender but has a beautiful mood-enhancing uplift with soft citrus notes, as if it were saying, 'relax a little, put the day behind you, this time is yours'.

My next pick is Light Relax Bath & Shower Oil by Aromatherapy Associates. Blended with the finest high-altitude grown lavender, prized ylang ylang and nurturing wood notes of petitgrain, this is the luxury of body oils. Its aroma eases stress and tension to emerge tranquil, calm and restored. To share the experience in a way I think we can all appreciate - think of 'Light Relax' as your first glass of Hawkes Bay Pinot Gris. If it's a deeper state of relaxation you're after, my recommendation would be Aromatherapy Associates' Deep Relax Oil, which by effect, I'd compare to a smooth drop of Central Otago red. And for those of you whose favourite tipple isn’t wine - Light Relax is comparable to that first sip of Terry Gin & Tonic, clinking ice and a splash of lemon. Yes my friends, using this oil signals the day is over and it is time to relax.  

While I opted to apply these oils after my evening shower, either can be added to your bath for the ultimate in relaxation. Life is made up of a million tiny moments. Make sure some of them are acts of self care and rituals to cherish.

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Body care

Birthdays (yes, we’re still riding our birthday train) are all about celebration, and in this week’s blog, we celebrate the body. The body that carries our hopes and dreams, the body that enables us to get from A to B, to achieve our goals, to carry out small acts of kindness and make big things happen.

If I had to name the biggest nemesis of the body, it would be stress. Stress runs riot in the body and if left ignored or unattended, can have debilitating effects physically, mentally and emotionally.

Every day our body communicates with us, offering indicators of how much stress we’re under. It speaks up with skin issues such as; break-outs, acne flare-ups, scars that never seem to heal, eczema, dullness, the list is too long to continue. Physical touch and full body massage are one of the greatest tools available to combat stress and bring the body back into balance.

Most massages focus on relaxation alone, but deep tissue massage falls beautifully into both physical and mental wellbeing camps in terms of its benefits. It helps the body by; expediting healing by stimulating blood flow and reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, improving flexibility and offering pain relief. Full body massage also works to amplify the release of feel-good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins, delivering the ultimate in relaxation.

AT MTS, we’ll forever be advocates of fully embracing our bodies and treating ourselves with kindness. Deep tissue massage is offered in our 60-minute wellness experience (which also includes an Indian Scalp Massage, Nourishing Hair Treatment, Crystal Healing, and Aromatherapy).

Here’s to our bodies, for all that they do for us, and here’s to listening when they request a little tender loving care.

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Hello April indeed and the end of Day 7. We are all still here but we just can’t see you so we hope you’re getting all our positive vibes coming your way. Today we posted our regular Wellness Wednesday email which we hope you enjoyed (link in bio). It’s all about the digital voucher and our amazing collaboration with @aromatherapyassociates @aromatherapyassociatesnz For all those people want to say hi to, I miss, I love you and thank you you’ve been amazing we have added to our voucher offering our ‘Stay Home’ collection. Each voucher has the specific perk of a sponsored product to take home at the end of the treatment. They are bespoke products that encourage you to embark on self care and re-treating yourself after we’ve performed our magic. Accumulated care is the best care. Check out our launch voucher and let us be the conduit for your kindness. PS pretty much all our treatments are available as digital vouchers but don’t forget to take off the delivery charge 😉 Treat someone else or give yourself something to look forward to. You deserve a little kindness too. You’re doing so well xx ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #digitalvouchers #sendthelove #wellnesswednesday #morethanskinspa #morethanskincare #spa #beauty #wellness #spagirls #aucklandspa #aromaexperts #yogagirls #healthyliving #artoflivingwell #wellnessedit #stayhome#besafe #bekind #bewell PPS thanks George for the first order 😍 (at Auckland, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-bWdcypS1h/?igshid=yh6j9yf5ijt3

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Hey you calm is contagious so don’t forget that. We’re here for you and we are well. There is so much to take on board and process right now but please stick to the sites that are good for your head as well as your heart. In fact switch it all off for awhile would be good. We are so committed to looking after you and keep you well. We always are. Call, pop in,email - whatever keeps you calm we are happy to help - it’s our job and we love it. Be well xx #morethanskinspa #morethanskincare #spa #beauty #wellness #spagirls #aucklandspa #chill #tealovers #botanists #aromaexperts #yogagirls #healthyliving #artoflivingwell #wellnessedit #behappy #bewell #beyou 📸Pinterest (at Auckland, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9_PXwyJtlJ/?igshid=hp7misufgbda

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Well a slightly gloomier day today in Auckland as we wait for some summer rain but the light is just beautiful...magical in fact. These blooming beauties are our inspiration for botanical Monday as we start to look forward to the long month of March. Dahlias, a bloom we celebrated early in the season, are known as the darling of gardeners. These perennial flowering plants are actually the national flower of Mexico and they grow from sprouts that come from tubers. The Dahlia is also related to sunflower, daisy and zinnia plants - some of our other favourites. When we look at them we definitely feel the drum of guitar beats and the warmth of the summer sun. Gently touching them, as they as so delicate, reminds us of the softness of hydrated and lush skin. What a great way to start our enchanted autumn season. Enjoy xx 📷Pinterest 🧡 #morethanskinspa #morethanskincare #wellnessexperts #spagirls #aucklandspa #aucklandskincare #botanicalfanatical #gardeners #mondayblooms #dahlia #mexico #gentle #vibrant #bewell #beinspired #bemagical (at Auckland, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9OOYDGp2Kb/?igshid=3tzzrbyzweuz

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It’s been a great Friyay. We’ve looked after some amazing clients who are dedicated to their NY resolution of self care and healthy skin. Oh we loved it 💕 Of course Friyay is fish & chip night for many. A bit of summer decadence is not a bad thing every now and then. What’s your Friyay night look like? Date night, me night, family night, bathing night, goodnight...wish it was every night. We adore Fridays. 🖤🖤🖤 📸Pinterest #morethanskinspa #morethanskincare #spa #beauty #wellness #spagirls #aucklandspa #chill #feelgoodfriday #itstheweeknd #aromaexperts #yogagirls #healthyliving #relax #tgif #friyay #friday #happyfriday #fishandchips # feel good (at Auckland, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7-g_2npxoR/?igshid=jeysx1hj74fp

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It’s Friyay and this is the face of a MTS client thinking about her treatment this weekend 😉 Have a great day beauties 💙💙💙 #morethanskinspa #morethanskincare #spa #beauty #wellness #spagirls #aucklandspa #feelgoodfriday #itstheweekend #kiwisummer #healthyliving #relax #tgif #friyay #friday #happyfriday #backtowork 📷Pinterest (at Auckland, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Zf6vTpHNu/?igshid=1ihyny7a9emjk

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Oh my goodness today was a busy one MTS beauties. Lots of computer upgrades as we move to a new software program plus some major digital inspo. Hope you had a wonderfully productive one as well. Time to switch off the screens and relax...night night xxx #goodthingshappenontuesdays #morethanskinspa #morethanskincare #spa #beauty #wellness #spagirls #aucklandspa #tuesdays #chill #tealovers #healthyliving #artoflivingwell 🍃🍃🍃 📸Pinterest (at Auckland, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Sw4FppRYH/?igshid=nnpecsv6pceu