INDULGE YOURSELF WITH THE ORLI MASSAGE CANDLES IN ABU DHABI 

Studio XY is a cosy new beauty & grooming salon that has just opened its doors on Saadiyat Island close to the New York University new campus. It’s labelled XY referring to the 23rd pair of chromosomes as there are indeed two different studios along the street, one dedicated to men (StudioY) while the StudioX focuses on women only.

We really liked the warm decor, especially the manicure and pedicure corner with comfortable leather sofas and copper side table lights.

Intrigued by their Orli massage candles on their spa menu, we were invited to experience this treatment available for the very first time in Abu Dhabi.

The Orli candles are actually handmade in Scotland using luxurious ingredients such as shea and cocoa butter and they are enriched with essential oils and vitamin E.

Rose our therapist invited us to close our eyes and just take a moment to smell and enjoy the different fragrances available. We picked the Frangipani Orli candle that is supposed to help relax.

You can also decide between calming, relaxing or vitalizing and energizing massages and the therapist will propose the best candle oil accordingly (marjoram, patchouli, lavender, geranium, sandalwood, frankincense, bergamot, tonka are amongst the aromas used in the different massage candles).

You also are invited to pick a body oil as the therapist alternates between body oil and candle oil during this one hour massage.

After lighting the candle, the therapist checks if you would like to focus the body massage on a specific area and the pressure you are most comfortable with and then the massage begins.

We absolutely enjoyed the contact of the warm oil that the therapist drizzled over our skin. Be reassured, as the melting point of the oil is low, the oil doesn’t burn at all and easily gets absorbed, nourishing the skin. The massage was alternating between smooth and replenishing movements with more stretching and vigorous movements either manual or with the help of bamboo sticks rolling on our skin to melt away the tension. For the lower body, Rose also massaged our back legs with body oil and a rubber ball called ‘Acucups’ for a deep tissue massage.

An hour later, we felt like our silhouette had extended and almost gained a few centimeters and we left the salon with our body and mind completely relaxed and in a state of bliss.

It is definitely an experience worth trying. This one hour massage costs 300 AED.