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Chocolate takes the cake

Chocolate is the new fad that is making waves in its beauty avatar. Syeda Farida finds out

SWEET TREAT(MENT) Chocolate wraps, scrubs and baths are the latest buzz in beauty treatments

Kuch khaas hai. Yes, but this time we are talking about the sinfully delectable chocolate for the body. Bubble baths filled with grated chocolate, milk and cocoa butter can be the supreme form of indulgence that chocoholics can look forward to. Interested?

And there is more. For the diet conscious there is one made with unsweetened cocoa powder and instant non-fat dairy milk. How about that? "It's an amazing feeling to get pampered with pure chocolate and come out smelling of the delectable beans," says Ria, an entrepreneur.

Have your chocolate and benefit too is the new mantra. If Milton Hershey's resort spa has guests flying down in their private jets for chocolate fondue wraps, cocoa butter scrubs and chocolate filled whirlpool baths, spas in this part of the world have added chocolate mousse hydrotherapy bubble baths and chocolate raspberry pedicure soak, to their list. The new Kareena Kapoor commercial is driving chocoholics rushing to superstores to pick up the chocolate heavy soap.

"Chocolate based products are popular with the youth probably for the fresh flavour. We have had a range of chocolate products - scrubs, foam baths, soaps and cream baths. Most of them are sold out," says Kabeer, sales advisor, Marks and Spencer's. Agrees Manoj Kumar, owner Balaji Cosmetique, Basheer Bagh, "We have bath scrubs and other chocolate spa line from St. Ives, Oriflame and other brands with quite a few takers." "People who are mainly into spas in the city are aware of the treatment. It is more of a luxury," says Laila Kakade of Begums.

The reasons cited for the popularity of the chocolate in beauty treatments are varied. "It is more for the psychological aspect that it offers. There are beneficial reasons as well. We are planning to introduce chocolate treatments as part of the bunch of new spa offerings on the anvil, " says Dheeraj Koneru, owner Latitudes Spa.

Apart from the feel good high the treatments generate, indulging in chocolate has restorative properties. Antioxidants, minerals and vitamins in chocolate increase blood circulation, soothe chapped skin and moisturise at the same time, apart from fighting fatigue and boosting energy levels. "The concept of more of conditioning when you say chocolate for the body," says Fariyal, owner, Miracles.

Will the chocolate turn out to be hot in this part of the world? "People have this curiosity for what's new. And every product has a season. A while ago platinum facial was a craze in the West, followed by fruit facial and now it's chocolate. The trend starts there and comes here subsequently," adds Fariyal.

So, after Brazil nuts, passion fruits, vanilla and tea tree, make way for chocolate to pamper your body and soul. And this time it would be without any protest.

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