LUXURY PAMPERING FOR COUPLES

Mindful of the need for some indulgent relaxation as an antidote to winter blues as we await the green shoots of spring, a service being promoted as the ultimate pampering indulgence for couples might just fit the bill.

London Serenity offers a range of luxurious massage treatments for couples in the comfort of their own home, or at an hotel, or even at the office. Said to provide the  ultimate in mobile massage and beauty therapy, this company will send a couple of professional masseuse to transform your home, or wherever, into a mini spa, burning scented oils and playing relaxing music, bringing their own massage tables with them.

“Couples Massage is a unique way to spend some quality time with the person you love or someone special,” their spokesperson explained.

The treatment could last anything between 1 to 2 hours, and may engage such exotic practices as  the Thai yoga massage, Swedish massage, Shiatsu, deep tissue, aromatherapy or any other massage treatment from the extensive list available.

Prices for this bonding session start at £75.  Go to the www.londonserenity.com site for further information on all their treatments.

SELF HEATING OR NO WATER SHAVING WONDERS

From the steady stream of new shaving products that come onto the market, here are two creams that promise extra advantages.

Max provides its own heat. As soon at it is applied to the skin, this shaving balm generates a gentle heat, which opens the pores and softens the hairs, giving a close shave and leaving the skin smooth and soft. No ingredients are tested on animals.
Price £15.95 at www.maxskincare.co.uk  Pic

From  Ulltra comes a cream that is to be used without water and which claims to firm up the skin and the jawline.
Massaged into dry skin, the makers say that it will give a close and comfortable shave, and after 56 (very precise) days of use an improvement in skin tone should be noticeable. You only need water to rinse the razor.
Made from natural ingredients, it is available through department stores or online www.ulltra.com, price £20.

STANDING PROMISES OF SEAT-LESS BIKE

A blonde bombshell of a cycling London mayor, cycling success at the Beijing Olympics and a chorus of advice that cycling is not only environmentally friendly but good for you has seen bikes soar in popularity.

Now, the latest bike innovation from the US has arrived in the form of the 3G Stepper, claimed to give you a full body work out whilst cruising effortlessly along. And it is seat-less.

The rider's standing position works the arms, chest, back and mid-section as well as the legs, and is said to be better for posture. It is available in 5 models, Junior, Spyder, Diablo, Work-it and Hammer, with height and angle adjustable handlebars for comfortable riding, 8 speed gears and tough 6061 heat-treated tubing.

The makers say that it can easily be ridden for an hour or more and that it is "the ultimate in fashion, function and fitness". We say it sounds pretty exhausting but we are not experts on cycling.