Lava Shells review: the modern way to massage

Lava shells are all the rage among London’s ladies
that spa, as an in-the-know alternative to hot stone massage.

Since the treatment first start appearing in UK spas around a
decade ago, celebrity converts include Ellie Goulding, Pixie Lott
and Made in Chelsea’s Millie Mackintosh.

I headed to Salon Savant, a smart new day spa a stone’s
throw south of Kings Cross, to try it out for myself.

Luckily, I was in the hands of an expert – my
therapist, Vanessa, is a top “Lava Angel”, training other massage
therapists on the technique on behalf of Shared Beauty
Secrets, the official UK distributor of Lava Shells.

She starts by asking what I know about the lava shells
treatment. I make a vague comment about once having a hot stone
massage, leaving out the fact that my overriding sensation had not
been of relaxation, but of the jarring noise of stones being
dragged in and out of a bowl.

No such fear with lava shells, thanks to an
ingenious self-heating system that heats the shells with a gentle
natural reaction . A sachet of saltwater is poured over a “teabag”
of minerals placed into the hollow shell, creating a chemical
reaction which generates heat.

I am then invited to choose from a selection of
Kokolokahi body oils (also distributed by Shared Beauty Secrets). I
opt for Strength, whose scent is a blend of sandalwood, patchouli
and frangipane.