A slimming session, facial renewal and luscious hair – Fernanda Langhammer encountered all that and more during her visit to Yule Salon & Spa.
I love to explore new beauty destinations on the island. We are spoiled with various choices, but some places catch my attention more than others. Mainly the ones that offer differential services on top of essential treatments – that’s exactly what I found at Yule Salon & Spa. They not only provide nail and hair care, but it’s one of the few places on the island with facials from the French brand Guinot and unique Lymphatic Drainage Massage that helps get rid of stubborn fat, improves cellulite and offers many other benefits. I have tried this type of therapy before and was looking forward to seeing Yule’s take on it.
Located on Budaiya Highway, on the second floor of a building, the space is really well-thought-out. It has earthy tones and sage accents, with lights strategically placed to create a warm environment. Positive messages can be spotted on the walls such as ‘Hola, Bonita!’ – meaning hello, beautiful and ‘Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself ‘. The owners, Eliana and Yuleidy, welcomed me with their Latino warmth (they are both Venezuelan), which I am well-used to and love so much.
I started my journey at Yule Salon & Spa with the highly anticipated Lymphatic Drainage Massage. This type of therapy is well-known in Latin America (I am Brazilian and used to go for them from time to time, mainly before bikini season, to sculpt my body and reduce fat and cellulite – I feel that it’s really effective for my body shape). You have to bear in mind that it’s not a relaxing massage; it has a very specific purpose and, to deliver the best results, a bit of pain is part of the process. Yuleidy has many years of experience under her belt, and she has combined a few techniques to create Yule’s lymphatic drainage massage signature, mixing manual and mechanical methods. I must say that I was quite excited to test it.
It was performed by Yuleidy and Milly, who is in charge of the treatment when Yuleidy is not in the country. I was asked to get changed into the disposable underwear and lie on the massage bed facing down. Both ladies started the massage from my legs, each working in unison. It began with manual movements towards my lymph nodes and channels. As the name suggests, it helps to drain the toxins and fluids from your body using the lymphatic system. The principle is to break the fat cells and then act on rhythmic movements to help them to move and be drained. The treatment was followed with wood and metal therapy (using specific hand-held tools that help to break fat cells), which is also well-known to improve circulation and skin texture, and then manual massage again. The next step was the use of a cavitation machine for 20 minutes. Ultrasonic cavitation is an ally for minimising adipose fat, helping to contour and reduce circumference, this was followed by manual massage once again. A G5 machine entered the scene. It uses vibration and percussion to increase blood flow and stimulate a range of healing processes. The therapy ended with a manual massage. According to Yuleidy, each step is followed by manual massage to move the toxins and create an effective result.
Lymphatic drainage massages are key in post-surgery procedures such as liposuction and plastic surgery. But in my case, getting rid of stubborn fat, reducing cellulite and creating a nice contour are the goals. The ladies analysed my body and spotted the areas needing attention to execute the treatment only in these regions. As expected, it was not a relaxing session; some points were more painful than others (especially the pockets of fat), but I have to say that it is a good kind of pain. I liked it so much that at the end of the day, I purchased a 10-session package – summer is just around the corner and I believe my regular runs combined with this therapy will deliver fantastic results.
I then moved to the facial room, where Carmen, the therapist, was waiting for me. Guinot offers a series of treatments for different purposes and she chose the Detoxygene for my skin type. The objective, as the name proposes, is to detox, reoxygenate and reawaken the complexion. The first step was a double cleanse, followed by exfoliation. The enzymatic and mechanical scrubbing is performed with a product containing papaya extract and cellulose to remove dead skin and eliminate impurities and pollutants, revealing a smooth and refined texture. She then used a machine with galvanic current (an electrical therapy with low voltage) to perform a facial drainage massage to enhance radiance and reduce puffiness. The detoxifying mask was next. Applied on top of a gauze placed on my face, the green clay acts like a pollutant magnet to detoxify the skin. The mask was left on for 12 minutes. After removing it, Carmen ended the session with a manual reoxygenating massage using a serum to boost skin microcirculation, facilitating the penetration of the active ingredients in the product. I am a big fan of facials and really recommend it at least once a month. This treatment left my complexion light, vibrant and radiant with a natural glow. It’s amazing how it lost its dullness and tired appearance. I am now curious to try other facials from Guinot.
But my beautification journey at Yule Salon & Spa was not finished. It was time to treat my tresses. The salon uses L’Oréal and Kérastase products, but also an innovative brand, Kerarganic. Yuleidy chose the Kerar-Plex therapy from this brand to treat my curls. This hair perfector repairs bleached, damaged hair, working as a deep conditioner to rebuild and strengthen the hair from the core to the cuticle. It is composed of four steps: Priming Shampoo, Gel Bond & Fiber Reconstructor (which stays in the hair for 10 minutes), Omega Hydrator & Volume Builder (applied at the sink and massaged onto the hair for five minutes) and Cuticle Sealing Complex (that also works as a heat protector). I have to say that I had the idea that hair treatments have to stay on the tresses for prolonged periods to be effective, but I recently learned that good products don’t take long to deliver incredible results. My hair felt nourished and repaired in one short period, something that sounds manageable with my busy schedule. It was then blow-dried and looked gorgeous and healthy.
If you are looking for a salon that offers an array of services in a welcoming environment, Yule Salon & Spa is the place to go. I will be back soon to start my 10-session Lymphatic Drainage Therapy and I am sure I will book other services in between. My hair, nails and complexion will thank me!
We talked to the owners, Yuleidy and Eliana, about their new venture.
Read what they had to say:
OHLALA – How did the beauty universe enter your life?
Yuleidy – Growing up in Venezuela, I was surrounded by the natural beauty of lush landscapes and the rich cultural heritage that celebrated elegance and grace. This environment ignited a passion within me for the beauty industry, inspiring me to explore the transformative power of the feminine figure. Venezuela has a remarkable legacy in the Miss Universe pageant, with seven Miss Universe winners. This impressive achievement highlights the country’s dedication to beauty, elegance and excellence on the global stage and inspires many of us.
Eliana – The world of beauty has been a lifelong experience since my teenage years. I’ve always been interested in fashion, protocol and personal care, which has led me to participate in various beauty pageants and even represent the Portuguese-Venezuelan community worldwide. These participations taught me to care for my skin, hair and body. I actively engaged in aerobic and strength exercises, body sculpting massages, make-up classes and runway walks at a young age.
OHLALA – What made you open Yule Salon & Spa?
Eliana – Our partnership started when we realised that there was a gap in quality body sculpting and lymphatic massages in Bahrain. Combining our professional expertise, Yuleidy in massage and beauty salon services and me in business and interior design, we decided to join forces to open a professional space to serve the Bahraini and expat women.
Yuleidy – I have vast experience, and helping ladies achieve their beauty goals is rewarding. I remember having a client who struggled with post-procedure swelling, and personalised care, including lymphatic drainage massages to reduce her swelling and enhance her natural curves, helped her regain confidence, and this is something I want to offer to everyone. Creating a sanctuary where people feel cherished and rejuvenated became my mission. I wanted to provide a haven where clients feel valued, beautiful and empowered.
OHLALA – In your opinion, how important is it to enhance natural beauty?
Yuleidy – Enhancing the natural beauty of a woman is incredibly important. It’s about celebrating and highlighting the unique features that make each individual special. At Yule Salon & Spa, we empower women to feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. Enhancing natural beauty isn’t about changing who you are; it’s about embracing and accentuating your best features. Whether through subtle makeup, a flattering hairstyle or a soothing skincare routine, the goal is to improve what you already have. This approach fosters self-love and appreciation, allowing women to shine with their authentic beauty.
Eliana – Starting from the premise that all women have a unique beauty, this beauty can always be enhanced. Every treatment, such as body sculpting massages, lymphatic massages that make you lose a few inches or reduce swelling, to make a dress fit you more comfortably, or a facial treatment that makes your skin glow for an event or a party with friends, or a hairstyle that makes you look like something out of a magazine, always has a positive influence on one’s self-esteem.
OHLALA – What feelings do you want your customers to have when they visit Yule Salon & Spa?
Eliana – Yule Salon & Spa’s goal is for our clients to feel at home in a comfortable environment. Another thing that we prize is that the service they are seeking leaves them with a smile as the final result, along with the certainty that they will always have dedicated people working for their body, hair or facial improvement.
Yuleidy – When customers visit us, we want them to feel cherished, relaxed and rejuvenated. From the moment they step through our door, we aim to create an atmosphere of warmth and tranquillity where they can escape the stresses of daily life. We want our clients to feel valued and understood knowing their unique needs and preferences are our top priority. We aim for them to leave feeling confident, beautiful and empowered, with a renewed sense of self-love and appreciation. Ultimately, we strive to make every visit a memorable and uplifting experience where clients can embrace their natural beauty and shine with a new, authentic glow.
For more information or to make a booking, please call Yule Salon & Spa on 1773 2767 or WhatsApp 3222 5422.
@yulesalonspa