I try: a MorrocanTan at Rubywaxx Grey Lynn

When three of the upstairs treatment rooms at my gym, re:ab on Selbourne turned a hot pink shade it could only mean one thing - the arrival of the legendary Rubywaxx.

The sparkling new spot is one of three locations for Auckland beauty legend Ruby Francis, who first established her award-winning business way back in 1997. When she began working out of her first premises in Newton she was a sole operator, and the first therapist in the city to offer the now so-popular-its-almost standard Brazilian wax. The latter is still their most asked for treatment, and Ruby and her team are such masters of it that it comes with what she calls their “world famous fifteen-minute guarantee”. Let’s face it: if you’re going to go through that sort of pain once a month then you want it to be over as quickly as possible, and they promise that same adherence to time every repeat visit… or it’s free!

As well as waxing the salon offers time-efficient and highly effective anti-ageing treatments that actually work, including facials using the high performance Aspect skincare range from Australia that Ruby tells me are “mostly peels, although we can do the fluffy stuff if people really want it. Primarily we prefer to do really results-driven facials though, and our clients seem to appreciate that as well.” They even do more invasive anti-ageing procedures like injectables, Microhydrabrasion, skin needling with a Dermaroller and dermal fillers for those that want that really bit extra. At the more ‘feelgood’ end of the spectrum they do masterful manicures and pedicures using CND’s Vinylux product range, as well as spray tans using MoroccanTan, an Australian formula infused with argan oil and enhanced bronzers that leaves the skin feeling soft and nourished after each application.

I popped in to try a MoroccanTan a couple of weeks ago before a weekend of invites that necessitated a series of frocks and have to say I was seriously impressed. The application was smooth and totally even in the expert hands of therapist Britney, and the resulting colour was warm and natural without a hint of the ‘fake’ about it. It also faded well with care and the telltale ‘faux glow’ smell was barely noticeable, which is a major plus in my book.

With the warmer weather on its way I definitely recommend that you check it out - you can find out how by clicking here.