Exploring transformative self-care with land&water’s resident therapist, Sue Taylor.
“Sue is land&water’s heartbeat,” says Pix Ashworth, land&water founder. “She’s the integral link to our customers and does everything with such consideration and warmth.”
With over a decade under her belt as a therapist and assistant manager at Watergate Bay Hotel’s mind-and-body-soothing Swim Club, land&water manager Sue Taylor pours her spa treatment expertise into land&water’s product range and wholesale partnerships.
With a busy year ahead, we spoke to Sue about the transformative effects of therapeutic treatments, the importance of self-care through the slowest months, and the land&water product she uses every day.
I started working as a therapist at Watergate Bay Hotel 12 years ago. I worked my way up and became assistant manager of the Swim Club team, gradually becoming more involved in the retail side of things. When land&water launched in 2020, a role came up within the team. So initially I was doing half my time in Swim Club – where all the treatments happened – and half with land&water. Now, I’m the full-time manager for land&water. It’s been a natural progression, and allows me to bring my experience as a therapist to everything we do at land&water.
land&water sums up Watergate Bay in a bottle. The grapefruit, lime and mint Hand Wash with spike moss was our pivotal first recipe, and everything else flowed from there. We wanted to create a cohesive range of products that all blended together.
I’ve always been interested in essential oils. Before becoming a therapist, I studied the use of essential oils. I’m most drawn to the energising, citrus oils – grapefruit, lemon, orange, neroli – rather than the florals. Citrus is a core scent that runs throughout land&water recipes, which are packed with natural ingredients and essential oils.
I like natural products that not only smell good but do good too. I always try to avoid putting anything synthetic on the skin that could be harmful or irritating.
As a therapist, I’m most interested in holistic treatments like massage and facials. I like to give – I’m passionate about giving people the treatment they deserve. I love seeing the change in people from when they arrive in the treatment room to when they leave. It’s transformative.
“I like to give. I love seeing the change in people from when they arrive in the treatment room to when they leave. It’s transformative.”
The invigorating coastal setting of Watergate Bay really influences the treatments Swim Club offers. Watergate Bay guests tend to be energetic people who love being active outdoors. Often, they’re coming in for a massage that works the muscles they’ve been using outside in the sea or on the beach – surfing, walking, running.
Spas can be so regimented in their treatment offer, but at Watergate Bay, every treatment is tailored to the individual. You might get someone who’s run a marathon and wants a leg-focused massage, for example, or someone who carries stress in their shoulders. I find the personalised nature of the treatments so refreshing.
I use my background to train therapists on land&water products; demonstrating the benefits each of our products bring, as well as giving tips and hints on the most effective ways to use them.
At this time of year, your skin takes a battering with the harsh contrasts between the bitter air outside and the central heating inside. It’s the perfect opportunity to focus on self-care and nourishing your skin and body.
Things are naturally slower during the winter months, so it’s about taking advantage of these times and leaning into them: leave your oils on that little bit longer; linger in the bath; give yourself a good body scrub before you get in the shower.
Properly exfoliating with a salt scrub before showering makes a huge difference. It helps to get the lymphatic system moving and drain out toxins – especially after all the excesses of the Christmas holidays!
I use the land&water Bath & Body Oil as my hand and body moisturiser every day. I love the warming orange, ginger and geranium scent. It’s one of the massage oils we use in the Watergate Bay treatment rooms so it takes me right back there. Plus it’s great for doing a bit of self-massage when you get out of the bath while you’re applying it to your calves and arms.
The 'Après Sea' treatment was created by our therapists at Watergate Bay using land&water products. It’s inspired by the elements and the people who walk through the Watergate treatment room door, like the sea swimmers or the surfers with aching arms and shoulders. The treatment includes a foot soak, foot scrub, back scrub, All Elements Skin Balm back, neck, shoulder, chest and arm massage, pulse point oil and scalp massage. It really revives the body and mind.
Another lovely land&water treatment (which you don’t have to get undressed for!) is ‘Hands and Feet’. It’s such a relaxing, social treatment, sitting in the chair with the therapist, and it focuses on the parts of your body that you use day in, day out, but maybe don’t give much love and care. So it’s nice to really nourish hardworking hands and feet with a soak, scrub and massage.
