Secrets from the world's best spas

Get the treatments at home!

It’s not just foreign men who are hot – the pampering options from abroad are pretty intense too. Cosmo got the lowdown on the most soothing, relaxing, and skin-tingling spa moves from across the map.

We like anything exotic or erotic. Now we’ve found a way to get both: in sensual spa treatments from all corners of the globe. “Treatments from abroad rely on local ingredients and techniques that have been used for centuries to improve the body, skin, and hair,” says Sue Harmsworth, CEO and founder of spa consultant and management company ESPA International. But don’t worry – we won’t ask you to hunt down palm fronds or hop a plane to whip up these treatments. Everything you need is in your fridge or, even better, a pretty jar within close reach. So sit back and relax – where you’re heading, things are about to get steamy!

Destination: India
This country has been inventing sexy moves since ancient times (Kama Sutra, anyone?). Their Ayurvedic spa rituals are just as tantalising.

Tension-ridding rub

• A traditional Ayurvedic massage begins with reading your dosha (body and mind type) to determine which essential oils match your needs, explains Kerry Williams, spa director of the Chopra Centre and Spa in New York City. Try rosemary for a pick-me-up, lavender if you’re stressed, and rose before bedtime. Smooth a few drops of the oil in your hands before getting started. (You can do this rub on yourself, standing, or on a guy, laying him facedown).
• Begin massaging the shoulder area, and work your way down to the toes, using broad, sweeping strokes and applying medium pressure to loosen up and relax the muscles.
• Rub the joints (the sides of the hips, backs of the knees, inner elbows) with open palms and circular motions – this is an Ayurvedic trick for creating friction and warmth, says Williams.
• Finish by making the feet tingle. Just firmly run the heel of your hand down the soles.

Stimulating scalp move
Women in India do weekly scalp massages to keep their hair shiny, says Vadhera. And since guys tend to carry stress in the neck area, this rejuvenation fix is good for them too.

• Rub four or five drops of coconut or almond essential oil between your palms to warm it up.
• Starting at the tip of the forehead, move your fingers back slowly (in small circular motions) toward the base of the neck.
• Repeat for about 10 minutes, the switch positions so your guy can return the favour.

Destination: Indonesia
This island nation is so rich in natural beauty ingredients that spas often mash ingredients in front of you, then apply it straight to your body.

Balinese fruity face mask
Bali hugs the equator, so it’s pretty sticky all year round. The recipe here mops up oil while also replenishing lost moisture.

• Two-thirds of a cup of fresh papaya, chopped, seeded, and mashed
• 1 medium yellow squash, chopped, steamed, and pureed (or canned)
• 1 egg, beaten and fluffy

Mix the papaya and egg. Add the squash, and lightly whip together in a bowl or blender. Apply to a clean face. Rinse off after 10 minutes, and follow with a moisturiser. Enjoy the glowy effects.

Mix the papaya and egg. Add the squash, and lightly whip together in a bowl or blender. Apply to a clean face. Rinse off after 10 minutes, and follow with a moisturiser. Enjoy the glowy effects.

Mix the papaya and egg. Add the squash, and lightly whip together in a bowl or blender. Apply to a clean face. Rinse off after 10 minutes, and follow with a moisturiser. Enjoy the glowy effects.

Mix the papaya and egg. Add the squash, and lightly whip together in a bowl or blender. Apply to a clean face. Rinse off after 10 minutes, and follow with a moisturiser. Enjoy the glowy effects.

The Far East foot scrub
It’s always sandal season in Indonesia, so women there know how to keep their toes in shape. To follow in their footsteps.

• Cut a lime in half, and rub your feet with it.
• Slather on a mud mask to soothe.
• Wash off the mask, pat your feet dry, and paint your toenails with a bright polish. Try shades inspired by the Indonesian batik (a richly hued textile), we like sunset orange or red.

Destination: Morocco
Morocco is a melting pot of African, French, Islamic, and Spanish cultures, so their spas incorporate a medley of exotic ingredients.

Seductive steam bath
Moroccan women swear by hammams, or Turkish baths, to revitalise and refresh their bodies. Traditionally, a large woman would vigorously scrub you from head to toe...but you can make it a bit more romantic by asking your guy to help.

• Turn on the shower, letting the steam build for a few minutes before you step in. Once your skin softens up a bit, step away from the water and apply a citrus-infused body scrub.
• Rinse and lather up with a rose-scented soap. The buds grow wild in the region, and the extracts help repair delicate skin, says Bill Toth, spa director of Aspira Spa in Wisconsin. Finish by sweeping on a minty oil (another local favourite) to stay supersmooth. Your freshly exfoliated skin will be extra sensitive to the sun, so make sure you apply plenty of sunscreen before heading outdoors.