Nuat Thai Banawe: Heavenly Body Scrub & Massage + Givaway!

For about four months now, my body has been covered with spots and itchy patches of steroid-induced eczema. Because of this, I have been wary and uncomfortable with the idea of getting a massage. Or even worse, a body scrub. My mind just automatically says no to anything that will rub, tug, or even touch my sensitive skin. However, upon seeing improvements, I thought I'd be gung-ho and finally get a body scrub and massage.

I've always loved Nuat Thai, but it was my first time at Nuat Thai Banawe tucked in the new 238 Banawe commercial center on the end of the street near A. Bonifacio. From what I know, this branch is owned by the same people behind the Nuat Thai in Libis and Pioneer, two of which locations I haven't tried yet. But like the photos I've seen of Nuat Thai Libis and Pioneer, Nuat Thai Banawe also gives a really good first impression.

The receiving area looks really neat. Simple, but very comfortable. And don't you agree that those flowers in hanging bird cages look so cool? I just can't help myself from staring at them. They add a really dainty touch. And if you haven't noticed yet, dainty is my thing!

Oh, and I have to mention that I love how friendly the receptionist was when I walked in. (Who doesn't want to be greeted with a smile?) This is definitely plus points in my book!

Spotted these aromatherapy oils on the receptionist's desk

So I was asked what services I wanted to try. And frankly, I was trying to find something that doesn't involve touching my skin, to no avail. But after the receptionist recommended the 2.5-hour long Body Scrub with Aromatherapy Massage (P1,000), I just thought it sounded too heavenly for me to pass it up. Two hours of pampering... Ah! ~(˘▾˘~)

The Foot Ritual

After letting the receptionist know that I want the service she recommended, I was brought to the far end of the massage sanctuary's hallway for the foot ritual.

Love this set-up! If only I can lounge around for longer...

Click the photo to enlarge menu of services.

Unlike most spas which use a foot basin to cleanse the guest's feet, at Nuat Thai Banawe, they have a really neat sink especially made for the feet. Love the bendable faucets too! Though it feels a little weird (syadong malakas maka-donya), I can't deny that the foot ritual made me feel very well-taken care of, just like a royalty. Teehee!

Not sure if Nuat Thai Banawe has other scrubs for the foot ritual, but they used a watermelon foot scrub on me, which smells amazing! And since I informed my therapist Ritchelle of my skin condition, she didn't scrub my feet too much. Although I was tempted to ask for harder scrubbing... You know, scrubbing feels a lot like scratching. And for people with eczema, scratching = a few seconds of bliss. And then a few days of hell.

Nuat Thai Banawe's Full Body Scrub (1 hour)

I was informed there are two choices for the body scrub -- Moroccan Salt which is coarser and good for removing dead skin, and Almond Milk which is gentler, moisturizing and more suitable for sensitive skin. Of course, with a mention of "for sensitive skin" I immediately told my therapist I'll go for the almond milk scrub!

Photo on the right sourced from eindhovenantiaging.nl.

Ritchelle escorted me to a Thai massage bed for my body scrub session. I was also provided with a disposable undie. (TMI na ba masyado?) Though I love getting massages, I'm very new to body scrubs. This is actually my very first, but I was glad Ritchelle made everything comfortable and as least awkward for me.

I might not have anything to compare this body scrub session with, but I can definitely say that Ritchelle was very thorough! She scrubbed almost every part that's legal to be scrubbed. I personally asked her to scrub gentler on parts which I still have bad inflammations on, and she did just that.

After an hour of body scrubbing and letting the scrub get absorbed by the skin, Ritchelle escorted me to the shower room. Nuat Thai Banawe only has one shower room, but I didn't have to wait to use it. Towels, disposable undies, and shorts are provided inside.

The almond milk scrub took a while to be removed. But after showering thoroughly, I was left with silky smooth, baby-soft skin. And my eczema patches I was worried about? They didn't get inflamed. If anything, I think the scrub even helped calm them a little.

Nuat Thai's Aromatherapy Massage (1.5 hours)

After showering, Ritchelle escorted me but not back to the Thai massage bed I was earlier on. She instead led me to a Swedish massage bed this time. This is where I'll have my aromatherapy massage.

I think I went with the Eucalyptus aromatherapy oil for the massage.

Photo sourced from thaimassagetwickenham.co.uk

Nuat Thai's Aromatherapy Massage makes use of Thai and Swedish massage techniques, along with herbal balls which soothes and invigorates the mind and the body through both its herbal and thermal nature. It's quite hot on the skin, but it's definitely the good and relaxing kind of hot. These herbal balls also have real herbal leaves (imported from Thailand) inside which gives off a distinct, herbal but still soothing aroma.

I was also given hot pads during the massage -- one for the neck, one on the lower back, and another for behind the knees. They definitely made the massage more relaxing that I almost fell asleep! (Was fighting off the urge to sleep since I was wearing contacts.)

I'm personally a fan of hard massages, but with lighter, long strokes on some areas. It's noteworthy that Ritchelle gave just that, after asking me my preference. Also, I normally get ticklish on the lower part of my back if I don't get the right "harder" pressure. But it wasn't a problem with my therapist. She got everything right!

After the massage, Ritchelle served hot tea to wrap up the pampering session. And now that I think about it, the whole body scrub and massage probably lasted for about 3 hours, instead of just 2.5 hours. So it was definitely a very relaxing spa experience!

Even tipping isn't as awkward as it used to (compared with other establishments)!

I already tipped my therapist before I took this photo. Didn't know about the pouches that time. *toinks* But my friends, especially my boyfriend who's not comfortable with tipping directly to his therapist, found comfort and convenience with this tipping system.

Overall, the whole experience was great! The body scrub was very thorough, and the massage was fantastic. I never had to wait long to use the shower room. The A/C was just right. All the necessities were also provided. And I could never ask for a better therapist than Ritchelle! She listened to my requests and did everything to my preference. I thought with eczema, I can't have a pleasant body scrub and massage session, but Ritchelle and Nuat Thai Banawe proved me wrong.

With great service, great facility, and very affordable rates, I'll definitely be back!


Nuat Thai Foot & Body Massage, 238 Banawe
2/F 238 Banawe St., cor. Panalturan and Pagataan St.,
Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
0942-828-6828; Operating Hours: 12NN to 2AM
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Other Branches from the Same Operator

Nuat Thai Libis
90 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Quezon City (Across Shopwise)
(02) 477 5004

Nuat Thai Pioneer
56-58 Madison St., Mandaluyong City
(02) 584 8139

Nuat Thai Examiner
Examiner St., cor. Times St., Quezon City
0943-490-4247

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Now, it's your time to enjoy your well-deserved massage at Nuat Thai, but this time, at the Pioneer branch! If you have a friend or a loved one you want to treat to a Thai body or foot massage, then join now 'cause I'm giving a pair of gift certs to two lucky winners!

Prize: (2) winners of 2 gift certificates each for Thai Body or Foot Massage
valid at Nuat Thai Pioneer

PLEASE READ!
Guidelines to enter the giveaway raffle:

1. Be a Metro Manila resident or someone (even not within Metro Manila) who can actually go to Nuat Thai Pioneer to redeem the prize.
   (Don't join please, if you know you can't go to the place.)
2. Follow the Rafflecopter mechanics below to join.
3. Make sure you do all the first six mandatory steps to be eligible.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The giveaway raffle will run from today until November 21, 2014. The winner will be drawn, announced and contacted the next day. So join now and treat you and a loved one to a pampering session at Nuat Thai Pioneer!

Disclaimer: The prizes were sponsored by the good folks at Nuat Thai Libis-Pioneer-Banawe.