The Grand Pineapple Spa Boutique in Negril recently invited Under the Dryer to their spa weekend for a chance to view their fab services. We did indeed pop in for a look, and were most impressed with the findings. The spa boasts modern instruments yet with a rustic feel, ornamented by hollowed-out pineapples (used as candle holders) scattered throughout. There’s also the exotic ‘Champine’ signature drink — a fusion of Champagne and pineapple juice — which clients are offered on arrival. The soothing aromas of coffee, ortanique, lemon grass and arnica emanating from the treatment rooms and complemented by cherubic-sounding Enya tracks put you at ease. And the spa, which exclusively utilises reputable brands Red Lane and Paul Mitchell, is open every day, and accessible to tourists and locals alike. Feast your eyes on the work of the Red Lane-trained relaxation therapists.

Coral Chic

Patrizia Besio

Patrizia is usually very conservative, but decides to step outside the box today in an effort to “get into the summer groove”. She therefore visits Celia Davis for a basic manicure, but tells her “I want to try a nice colour today”. Celia instantly decides on coral — “The colour is hot right now. It perfectly captures the summer feel and it also looks nice against Patrizia’s complexion,” she shares.

A Manly Mani’

Ricordo Allen

A number of weddings take place at Grand Pineapple, but today, Ricordo Allen is particularly excited as he is set to take part — he’s walking a fellow co-worker down the aisle. He pops into the spa boutique for a quick manicure and ‘touch-up’, as he puts it, to conceal his blemishes.

After Donna Mattison performs her magic, Allen shares with our team “I know I look good, and I feel sharp”.

A Braided ‘Do

Claudette McKenzie

Prior to conducting her duties at the spa boutique, Claudette pops in (an hour early) to have her hair braided by Nneka. She wants something that looks elegant, but functional; something that keeps the hair away from her face and neck while she works, especially as the days can be very humid. Nneka gives her a braided updo with “large plaits so that it doesn’t take a long time to do”. Not only is Claudette pleased with the look, but it is indeed finished just in time for her to take on her day’s tasks.

Perfectly Groomed

Nadine Samuels

Nadine loves her locks, as it is a convenient and versatile look that suits her well. Whenever she has a function to attend she enjoys visiting the spa boutique to have her trusty stylist Claudette McKenzie “work her magic”. With a cocktail event to attend shortly, and being a little strapped for time, she shampooed her locks beforehand and popped in to have Claudette tighten her roots and create a nice look. Claudette instantly gets to work by misting Nadine’s hair with African Pride oil for braids and locks, then tightens the roots and gathers her hair into a ponytail. Following this, she creates a bun at the crown, and an oversized, plaited braid is pinned around it for added pizzazz. She then mists with a Paul Mitchell gloss spray to complete the look, which Nadine totally adores.

Best Face Forward

Kitanya Mirander

“People think I like to exaggerate, but I do have a few skin issues that I’m working on right now,” Kitanya explains to Under The Dryer. Aesthetician Terreca Carter confirms her plight, and proceeds to share her suggested treatment regimen with our team. “I’m giving Kitanya a botanical facial today, it is her first treatment, and should be done once-monthly for three months in order for her to start seeing the results. It is a corrective facial so her skin cannot become flawless overnight, as it is a process. She has a slight pigmentation problem, puffy eyes, comedones (blackheads) and oily skin — all of which are targeted through our botanical facial,” she asserts.

After the treatment, Kitanya mentions that her skin actually feels “better – clean and smooth, and not so heavy”. She even gets a little Red Lane makeover as a bonus, and she couldn’t be happier with her new glam look.

Ah, Relaxation

Lakeisha Davis

She’s a very industrious person, so it is no surprise that Lakeisha constantly complains of muscular aches and pains. She works on the property at Grand Pineapple, and after a while, decides to give in and see if the spa boutique’s relaxation therapists can assist her. On hearing her dilemma, Jeneise Russell comes to her aid with a hot stone treatment. “The Heart Rock Massage will relieve muscle tension and remove the knots in her neck, back and shoulders. It is a great way to de-stress the body and release toxins, too, and it allows for relaxation and better sleeping. All she has to do is ensure that she drinks lots of water to keep hydrated, which facilitates the removal of toxins by the body.” And after the treatment, Lakeisha was quick to tell our team, “It works! I feel so much better already.”

West Indian Relief

Coleen Allen

On hearing Lakeisha’s testimonial, Coleen immediately decides to try something similar, as she too has been having muscular aches. Instead of a hot stone treatment, however, relaxation therapist Claudette McKenzie decides on a West Indian massage on the beach at sunset, where seashells are used to target the tension spots. The setting and technique, Coleen later explains, were “the perfect solution” to her problem.

Sweet Feet

Kadian Daley

Kadian finds pedicures extremely relaxing, and, who doesn’t love when their feet look and feel good? It was therefore a no-brainer for her to pop in to Grand Pineapple Spa Boutique for a quick pedicure during their spa weekend. Terreca Carter happily executes the task.

Bride In The House?

Michelle Biggs-Campbell

Every woman has days when they want to feel exceptionally beautiful. And today, though there is no ‘special occasion’, per se, Michelle decides to pop into the spa boutique to ‘get glammed up’. Luckily for her, Nneka Pinnock, who is an expert at bridal hair and make-up looks, is ready and waiting to transform her. She begins by shampooing her hair with Paul Mitchell shampoo and conditioner, then applies Paul Mitchell Enhancing Foam and blow-dries it. This is followed by a gloss serum from the same line, and Nneka then curls Michelle’s hair with a barrel-heated curling iron, using pins to secure it into a chignon. She then spritzes her hair with Paul Mitchell holding spray and accessorises the look with flowers and a soft, feminine make-up look, which she achieves using Red Lane products. Of course, Michelle was more than happy when she saw the flawless finish.

“I love it, (smiles). I feel like I could get married again,” she tells our team.

Of Textures & Tones

Keresha Irving

After cutting her hair recently to try a shorter look, Keresha also got a texturiser to help make her hair more manageable. Today she pops in for a quick shampoo and make-up job ahead of hitting the road — she has an engagement, she shares. Coleen Allen gets the job done in no time. She cleansed with Paul Mitchell shampoo and conditioner, towel-dried Keresha’s hair and applied Paul Mitchell activator wax to mould the curls, keep them in place and add shine. She then gives her smoky eye make-up, “not too heavy, just enough to pop”, she explains, and keeps the lips nude to emphasise the eyes. Keresha was totally bowled over by the result.

Beach-Ready Braids

Sheila Gregg

It’s Sheila’s first time in Jamaica, and she absolutely loves it; Under the Dryer caught up with her as she was getting her hair plait by the beach, and with colourful beads to boot! Grand Pineapple Spa Boutique stylist Lucinda Charles was happy to create the style for her, and tells our team that she is often asked to braid the guests’ hair “and they usually love getting it done on the beach”. Her adept hands kept moving like clockwork as she spoke briefly with us, and it seems that in no time, she was through with the styling. “I’m totally pleased with it!” Sheila says, smiling.

Grand Pineapple Spa Boutique

Norman Manley Boulevard, Negril

Tel: 957-4408

gpnspa@grp.sandals.com