If slowing down and treating yourself is on the agenda, you’ll want to make a beeline for Heartwood in Cottesloe as soon as possible. Dreamed up by Alex Wilson, whose family owns an Indian sandalwood plantation in Kununurra, Heartwood is a store with a focus on natural skincare and wellbeing, and of course, sandalwood oil.
Not only does it smell incredible, sandalwood is famed for helping with focus, sleep, libido, anxiety and skin brightening and tightening, and it’s Wilson’s passion to bring this superpower oil into the modern age.
Heartwood has long been known as one of Perth's best massage spots and the place to go if you're looking for dreamy skincare and beauty products, but as of today, it's also home to Perth's first ever facial massage space. Wondering what a facial massage entails? Well, there are four treatment options, all of which will last a blissful half hour and will leave you glowing like never before.
According to Nikki O’Dwyer, Heartwood’s Director of Spa & Wellness and Head Masseuse & Aesthetician, “Each Facial Massage treatment is uniquely different, with a specific intention and purpose. As soon as you lay back, we’ll begin lifting, sculpting, and detoxifying your facial muscles and easing all your tension using a combination of ancient and modern techniques."
The Liquid Lift uses ayurvedic techniques along with Heartwood's signature sandalwood oil to give you what feels like the most relaxing facial workout of your life. The treatment will leave your face looking lifted and toned like you never imagined possible—at least not without the help of some serious cosmetic procedures. It also relaxes wrinkles and stimulates collagen which we always love to hear.
There's also a Bright and Tight Facial Massage which uses lymphatic draining techniques to remove toxins and improve your complexion. The Peaceful and Purifying Facial Massage does exactly what it says on the box, helping to remove toxins, rebalance sebum production and improves congested sinuses.
Finally, their signature Indian Sandalwood Head Massage—or Champissage—combines massage and energy healing and has been practised in India for thousands of years. It's a great one if you suffer from tension headaches, migraines, sinusitis or insomnia and it will also promote hair growth.
Back to Heartwood’s shopfront and online store. The incredible space stocks everything from their beautiful in-house skincare (check out their cult Royal Oil), wellbeing and fragrance line—featuring incredible sandalwood oil front and centre—as well as natural face, body and hair products, aromatherapy and jewellery.
Or, if you're after more of an experience, look no further than Heartwood's make-your-own perfume bar. Using only the most legit tools, natural scents and Australian sugar cane alcohol—and of course more of the Heartwood sustainable sandalwood oil goodness—you can create your very own natural eau de parfum.
Whether you love spicy and woodsy scents or something a little fresh and floral, you’ll walk out of there smelling incredible with a stunning perfume bottle labelled and named by yours truly (hint: spice and rich floral go together like a treat). It makes for a fun outing with your bestie, mum or bridal party—especially when combined with a facial.
Speaking of facials, Heartwood also offers spa treatments that rival the best Perth has to offer. If you're after a facial rather than a facial massage, the Heartwood Signature Facial is truly divine. It’ll send you away completely relaxed and glowing for days. Your face will be treated to lovely natural products and you’ll enjoy a tension-busting head and shoulder massage as the beautiful oils, serums and masks work their magic. Why not go all out and book a facial with an aromatherapy or tension relief massage?
Special mention goes to the playlist Heartwood are rocking in the treatment rooms and the facial massage space. You won’t find any rain sounds here, just great old school beats that lull you into relaxation. You’ll be begging for the Spotify playlist before leaving (hint: you can find them all on Spotify). Post massage they whisk you out to the chill out area to enjoy herbal tea, fruit and nuts.
We could go on and on about Heartwood for hours, but the best way to get to know it is in person at their Napoleon Street store. Head down and treat yourself, you won’t regret it.
Looking for more relaxing goodness? Here are Perth's best facials.
Image credit: Heartwood