Betty has a meltdown with Indian Head Massage: the best fun you can have with your clothes on

Betty, she of the gorgeous hair, tried out a blissful, soothing massage last week and emailed her glowing report to Beaut.ie. Thanks Betty! You will note that any concerns she had about the massage concern hair and the possible messing up of the hair - this is a gal who takes her crowning glory seriously! As would you if you had her mane!

"Last week, I tried out the Indian head massage in Melt, Temple Bar. My neck and shoulders were even more knotted than usual and I knew that expert help was needed!

"Melt's therapy rooms are over their healthfood/therapy products store and yoga rooms. Even though I arrived in a fluster, having got the wrong directions, I felt calmer pretty soon as I was shown to a waiting area to fill out the usual questionnaire about my (ill)health. A very pleasant therapist, John, was assigned to me and, I am glad to say, proceeded to administer a completely silent massage. Phew.

"For those of you who haven't had this kind of massage before, the therapist works on your upper back, shoulders, neck, head and even your face. The good thing is, you don't have to take your clothes off (you just sit in a chair with the therapist behind you) and you can book in for either 10 minutes or 30 minutes, making it handy for lunchtime. I chose the 30-minute massage at €40, as I really needed it. It was a pretty intense massage, possibly because my shoulders were tightly knotted, but also extremely relaxing. Even though I had rushed from work, then rushed round Temple Bar with the wrong directions, I soon forgot about all that and my head cleared.

"John didn't use any oils, although I had been told by several people that these are used in Indian head massages, so I didn't book the hairdresser til after my massage. However, even in the absence of oils, you wouldn't want to have just got a perfect, curly blow-dry or anything as your skull (sorry to be morbid) is fully worked and your hair would be messed up! Finally, he massaged my face (again not to be done after a make-over) which I thought would feel weird, but I was so blissed-out by that stage that it felt completely harmonious with the rest of the experience. I did feel a little bit tender afterwards and for the next couple of days, but I knew this was because it was a thorough massage - and I definitely still feel that my muscles were looser.

"Incidentally, the shop stocks Burts Bees and Dr. Hauschka products amongst others and I noticed the Burts Bees products are more reasonable than several health stores around Grafton Street. All in all, a very pleasant experience which I would recommend to anyone. As much fun as you can have with your clothes on!