Forty minutes drive from Auckland city is a haven for R&R with a good dollop of luxurious skin rejuvenation. It's a spa destination that editor Trudi Brewer can't stop raving about.
“Invive means ‘internal revitalisation’. We are focused on creating balance in a busy life, so we add a little wellness to everything we do. We focus on making sure our guests have an amazing experience and internally revitalise before they step out our doors and go back to their busy lives”
The word haven inspires some feel-good vibes. A place of refuge and safety - a retreat, sanctuary, oasis or sanctum. All of the above describe Invive a new spa that offers the ultimate in relaxation. Owner Hayley Nithi created a space to help women destress and recharge."Invive means 'internal revitalisation'. We are focused on creating balance in a busy life, so we add a little wellness to everything we do. We focus on making sure our guests have an amazing experience and internally revitalise before they step out our doors and go back to their busy lives."
Today the choice of beauty destinations are many and varied today, but the best specialise by channelling their expertise to what they do well - Invive Spa offers balance through the power of touch.
What is it?
A day spa located 20 minutes drive from Auckland's North Shore in the shiny new suburb of Millwater, five minutes from Silverdale.
What's to expect?
While the menu offers extraordinary deep tissue massage, facials and hand and foot treatments, there is also day-to-day beauty duties such as brow grooming and waxing, as well as a room for a couples experience. But what Inivive is known for is massage and the wellness it can offer. Mother and corporate survivor, owner Hayley Nithi, was an avid spa trekker before opening her beauty destination nine months ago, and her philosophy is to offer a retreat for women who want hands-on therapy and efficacious skin care.
What brands are at Invive?
Osmosis, Janesce, Verite Spa Organics, Bestow COOLA Sunscreen and Storm & India Tea Sisters.
The decor?
Concrete and linen with touches of gold. This spa has an East meets West vibe; the decor is luxurious but uber-comfortable.
My treatment?
Bespoke Facial, $140, allow 60 minutes.
After a swift chat about my skin concerns, which are dehydration and pigmentation, the facial starts with a brush cleanse, a first for me. A fan-style brush buffs on the Osmosis Deep Clean cleanser, and then a series of hot compresses removes that with any makeup and grime. Next, my favourite part of any facial, exfoliation (I am lazy and rarely exfoliate at home). Osmosis Polish with steam bubbling is applied at the same time. This exfoliant is massaged into my skin for five minutes, and then the residue is left on my complexion. Replenish Serum is then layered under the hydrating mango Mask. And next, the climax of this treatment is the massage. With 16 years experience under her belt, my therapist instinctively knows how to heal my aches and pains. From my neck to my shoulders her pressing and kneading were just what my fatigued body needed. Finally, my skin is prepped with Osmosis Quench Moisturiser and Protect, and my treatment was complete. As I drift from the candlelit room, what made this facial outstanding (and I am no novice when it comes to spa-trekking), was the attention to detail and magic hands. From the steaming Storm and India Evening Detox tea, and raspberry, coconut milk smoothie that greeted me in the relax area, to that complete feeling of relaxation I would not hesitate to send my BFF to this spa. Make a date at Invive - you will not regret a second of your visit.