The Top Beauty and Wellness Experiences Go Beyond the Hotel Spa—5 Treatments That Are Worth the Journey

      Beauty and wellness are undeniably key elements of culture; in fact, they represent a culture in themselves. The two cannot be separated. From traditional wood therapy in Colombia to Ayurvedic hair oiling in India, treatments that may appear solely aesthetic often possess profound significance and embody rich cultural beliefs and histories. This is why indulging in a beauty and wellness treatment can be one of the best ways to truly experience a culture while traveling. It transcends mere self-indulgence; it is about genuinely engaging with cultural practices and ancient traditions. It's essential to choose the right experiences, and we offer some recommendations that go beyond typical hotel spas. Below, we delve into five culturally specific beauty and wellness treatments from various parts of the world, guided by local experts.

      Seoul, South Korea, is a dream destination for beauty enthusiasts, featuring top-tier skincare products and advanced treatments, often more affordable than in the U.S. It’s become a popular trend on social media for people to plan trips to Seoul, filling their schedules with beauty appointments before returning home. Among the most sought-after treatments is color analysis, where experts identify the colors that best flatter an individual. Clients are typically assigned a “season,” which serves as their personal color palette, guiding their choices in makeup, clothing, and even hair color. If you’ve heard someone refer to themselves as “an autumn,” this is what they mean.

      Lizzie Heo, co-founder and director at Seklab NYC, a well-known color analysis studio, explains, “Color analysis involves recognizing the most flattering colors based on skin tone, hair, and eye color. It is based on color theory and examines four essential factors: hue (warm or cool), value (light or dark), saturation (muted or vivid), and contrast/undertone. This process helps individuals navigate the plethora of clothing and makeup options, providing them with a specific palette to work from. For those who struggle with color selection, it’s a transformative experience.”

      While color analysis is only just gaining traction in the U.S., it has been highly popular in South Korea for years. "It's comparable to how prevalent Starbucks or pizza shops are in NYC—color analysis studios are everywhere in Seoul,” Heo shares. “People often enjoy discovering their colors as a fun activity with friends, or to receive new makeup recommendations, or to differentiate their colors for summer versus winter based on their skin tone. In Korea, personal presentation is a critical part of life, reflecting the cultural emphasis on diligence and self-care. The beauty industry promotes self-awareness and a polished appearance, making it common for individuals in their 20s and 30s to know their personal color palette just as well as their blood type or MBTI.”

      Typically, each color analysis session begins with a brief intake form where clients contemplate their color and wardrobe preferences. After a 10-minute introduction to the history and methodology of color analysis, the expert commences the session. “We assess the skin for yellowness, redness, and brightness using a skin digitizer for objective data,” Heo states. “The session's highlight is draping, where we compare over 100 fabric swatches to the client's complexion in order to determine their optimal seasonal palette. Based on these findings, we recommend ideal clothing colors, preferred jewelry metals, and hair hues. We also review their makeup products and provide tailored recommendations, allowing clients to test items in-studio. Ultimately, they receive a personalized results pamphlet and a digital follow-up with their complete color file and product suggestions.”

      Suggested Color Analysis Studios in Seoul:

      - Pic Color Branding Center

      - Dustmoth Stography

      - Mudder

      - Multi-Color Fabric

      If you're planning to fly to Medellín, Bogotá, Cartagena, or any other city in Colombia, consider adding some time for a traditional wood therapy treatment. “Wood therapy, or maderoterapia, is a traditional body sculpting technique utilizing wooden tools to stimulate lymphatic drainage, minimize cellulite, and naturally contour the body,” explains Giordana “Gigi” Vogel, a wellness expert from Colombia and founder of De La Heart. Although its roots are in eastern medicine, Vogel notes that the approach has been honed and popularized in Colombia, where it has become an integral part of beauty and wellness culture. Growing up, Vogel witnessed her mother receive weekly massages. “Handed down through the generations, Colombian wood therapy combines ancestral wisdom, manual techniques, and handcrafted tools to promote detoxification, circulation, and self-care, marking it as both a therapeutic practice and cultural ritual.”

      The physical advantages of wood therapy include enhancing lymphatic drainage. “It does more than just smooth cellulite or sculpt the body (which it does!); it also helps move stagnant lymph, reduce water retention, and gives a light, energetic sensation,” says Vogel. “It increases circulation, tightens the skin, and supports natural detoxification in a holistic, non-invasive manner. I love that it’s a tradition that has