The Method – Lifestyle, Massage & Wellbeing in Edinburgh

We’re more than excited to be introducing Edinburgh’s most recent addition to the lifestyle and wellbeing scene here on the blog: The Method on St Stephen’s Street in Stockbridge. It’s a lifestyle store where you’ll find very carefully sourced beauty and lifestyle products and a massage therapy space where you can unwind in beautiful, quiet surroundings. Aestethically pleasing and de-stressing, The Method is the ultimate place to escape the busy everyday life – but we’ll let founders Jodi and Dan tell you, in their own words, what The Method is really all about.

(Make sure you scroll down until the end to find out how to enter the ultra-fabulous giveaway where you can win a natural skincare set worth £153!)

1. Tell us about your inspiration behind The Method.

Today is about speed and efficiency but at a cost – stress. We forget that as important as the outcome is, the journey or process has equal value. With this in mind we set out to create a space where the processes are celebrated. From beautiful amber hand soap bottles with glass stoppers, to the clay face masks that are activated by water you physically mix into a paste, we think taking that extra step and therefore slowing your pace of life makes a big difference. Added to that is the treatment floor, where the stress is dealt with in our full massage and facial service. Sometimes you just need to light a beautifully scented candle and let the smell transport you!

These beautiful soft coloured Soaps are by Cousu de Fils Blanc and the maker is a French textile designer and aromatherapist – she is interested in the rituals of beauty and combines her two passions in her soaps and textiles. £10.

2. Which treatment do you enjoy giving the most?

Jodi – I really enjoy giving all the treatments! Essentially they are all massage-based with some variation according to the client’s needs as an individual. I particularly like the longer treatments where I feel as though a deeper level of relaxation or focus can be achieved.

3. Which common ailments can your treatments help?

Jodi – The style of treatments we offer are more suited to those who are looking for a way to decompress stress, anxiety and feelings of lethargy. We also offer Ayurvedic massage where medicated oils, specific massage techniques and pressure on energy points are used to calm, soothe or stimulate the mind and body. Our facial treatment is also focused more on releasing tension in the face, or unblocking energy – it’s not primarily about cosmetic effect. We have sourced beautifully crafted products that suit all skin types that aren’t full of fillers but contain potent amounts of active ingredients derived from nature.

4. We love the look of your shop. What are your interiors inspirations?

We love texture so having woods, tiles and marble all in one small space gives depth and personality to the shop yet still being able to give a blank backdrop for the products to shine. The liming of the oak gives it a clean, Scandinavian vibe. It was important for the treatment floor to be subtle, in colour and materials. Hence the concrete ceramic floor tiles mixed with the same limed oak. We feel it represents a very modern take on what is essentially the very traditional practice of massage. The wet room is again a mix, traditional fixtures like the basin with a very modern white rubber hung mirror – with the bright white metro wall tiles against the oak bench giving you minimal yet inviting.

5.What does a day in the life of Jodi and Dan look like?

Jodi – I have 7-year old twins, so I’m up early! I start every day with a probiotic powder that I think has really helped my energy levels and immune system. I’m mostly into the shop by 8am to prepare and plan for my day – it’s not uncommon to have 6-7 hours of massage so I need to make sure that I have all the oils, towels etc. prepared in advance so my day can run smoothly. I love that my day is varied but most of all, I love the treatment space downstairs – the moment I get down there, I feel totally chilled out!

Dan – Coffee first thing! After a clean and tidy, we check the appointments that are booked in that day and discuss any clients needs that are on the notes. Usually we take this time to discuss moving the products around – we have only been open a week but as things sell out its a daily re-shuffle! Jodi will then make sure the treatment floor has the correct atmosphere with candles and scent, whilst I reply to the email requests. Once we open we usually only see each other for short bursts of time between appointments and these are filled with discussion on how to improve the service and flow. The rest of the day is spent dealing with customers, ordering products and reaching out to brands we hope to stock in the future. We are just securing some unisex, cotton, kimono shaped bathrobes from Japan!

These Hibi Matches are Japanese and they are the result of a collaboration between a matchmaker and an incense maker. £8.

6. If you had to pick one of your products as a must have, what would it be?

Dan – The product I use everyday and credit with improving my skin and clearing my facial psoriasis is the Haeckels Eco Marine Extract Facial Cream (£48). Its a daily moisturiser with a powerful anti ageing active that promotes healing and strengthens the skin whilst restoring its natural suppleness.

Jodi – This is very hard, but my current favourite is A.S. Apothecary Soothing Cleansing Oil. It smells of a field of flowers and feels like liquid gold on your skin. I would really urge people with all skin types to try it and not be afraid of using an oil as a cleanser – it just makes your skin more supple, but it is also effective for healing skin prone to acne.

Arriving soon at The Method are Lederhaas – an Austrian organic skincare brand which are of the highest quality and purity. The Method is the only stockist in Scotland.

The Method is also the only stockist of La Eva in Edinburgh. They feature in Vogue this month and are washes which are equally effective on the face and body: ‘Blu,’ a sharper, masculine scent, and ‘Roseum’, a delicate, sensual fragrance.

7. What’s are your favourite place to relax in Edinburgh?

Jodi – My favourite place to relax is our treatment space! But recently, we were having a very stressful day in the lead-up to opening, it was the school holidays, and I found myself at The Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World between taking phone calls. All I can say is that having butterflies fluttering above one’s head is deeply therapeutic!

Dan – My favourite place to relax is at Smith and Gertrude on Hamilton Place. They have created the perfect atmosphere to sit, relax and drink wine with friends!

These unisex sunglasses are by Carla Colour of NY and the frames are handmade from ZYL acetate – which is made of wood pulp and natural cotton fibres so they are both renewable. £160.

The Prize – 8 Skincare Products by Haeckels (worth £153)

Haeckels is a natural fragrance and skin care brand that was founded in 2012 by film maker, volunteer beach warden and coastal enthusiast Dom Bridges. Disillusioned by the production ethos of many larger skin care companies Dom wanted to create simple hand crafted products that showcased the surrounding coasts natural ingredients in the hope that the products themselves would then promote Margates heritage of healthy coastal living.

We’ve tried a few of these and can assure you that they’re absolutely gorgeous and perfect for sensitive skin!

Haeckels Seaweed Bath Salts
Haeckels Body Cleanser
Haeckels Hand Cleanser
Haeckels Facial Exfoliant
Haeckels Courtesy Flush
Haeckels Travel Candle Sea Breeze
Haeckels Seaweed Bath
Haeckels Seaweed Exfoliating Soap Bar

How do I enter the competition?

The competition runs from noon on Monday the 17th of April until noon on Sunday the 23rd of April 2017. The giveaway is open to everybody over 18 in the UK. We will pick the winner within 24 hours after the competition has ended and contact the lucky person either through email or the social media platform they have used to enter the giveaway. This promotion is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

To be in with a chance to win a package containing eight exquisite and luxurious skincare products by Margate-based Haeckels (£153) choose one of the options below:

1. Like The Method & Dickins Facebook pages and tag a friend on the competition post on Dickins Facebook page.

2. Follow The Method & Dickins on Twitter and retweet one of the competition tweets on the Dickins Twitter account.

3. Follow The Method & Dickins on Instagram and tag a friend on the competition post on the Dickins Instagram account.

4. Simply comment on this blog post.

Make sure you follow us on social media so you don’t miss out on our fabulous giveaways!

GOOD LUCK!