Mix N Match Oils deal & Oakworks Kela - input please :)

[Cheese]

I'm a student who just called in to buy my first table - the Oakworks Kela http://www.massagewarehouse.com/products/oakworks-kela-table-packages/?F_All=Y - from all the others I've looked at I felt pretty good about this one. I am quite excited to get it and start using it!

I was also going to buy some more massage lubricants while I was at it.. and found the Mix N Match deal http://www.massagewarehouse.com/products/mix-n-match-oils-creams-and-lotions-1/ and thought this was a good way to try out a few new brands as I have mostly just used Biotone which is what my school supplies. It's $20.99 for three options; I chose the Lotus Touch Moisture Rich Cream, Bon Vital Muscle Therapy Lotion, & Soothing Touch Bath/Body/Massage Oil in Rest&Relax. I figured this gives you about 3 for the price of 2, and I could try these new options and see what I thought. Well after the S&H and everything.. they wanted about $29 for them. So much for discounted.

I'm just wondering - has anybody purchased this package from massagewarehouse, do you think it's worth it for me, as a student to go with it? I live in the twin cities in MN and haven't heard yet of anywhere I can just walk in and buy massage lubricants saving myself the extra S&H.

Opinions loved . Opinions on my choice of table also loved! I have looked at several and read many reviews.. both on the massagewarehouse and on here. I feel like the Kela is a nice choice for the price.

 

[hello goodbye]

Mix N Match Oils deal & Oakworks Kela - input please

Here are two threads that may be helpful, if you are looking for cream/lotion/oil info:

• Jojoba Oil Revisited
• What is your favorite Massage Lotion/Cream?
  
  And, although you wouldn't think so by the title, this particular thread has some really nice lotion links in it:
• Looking for mineral oil based massage lotion

FWIW, I find Bon Vitale to be too slippery and loose for my work. I also don't like the way it feels on my hands.

Regarding Soothing Touch, you may want to see if you can try their Calming Cream/Lotion. That stuff can really knock a person out. I don't use it in my practice, only because I have other preferences, but it's worth trying out to see what you think about it.

I've tried the Lotus Touch line, and find it to be a close second to what I use in my practice, and would use it if I couldn't get my current brand.

You can always contact the individual lotion manufacturers and ask for sample packs. I did this and it really helped me to cruise through many of the brands you fnd at MW and get a feel for what I liked and didn't like. It saved me a lot of time and money. You may have to pay some, but you'll get a wide variety if they are offering the packs.

I prefer Natural Formulations Sunflower Deep Tissue Lotion, unless I am using Jojoba Oil.

Your table looks nice.

 

[Kyle 13]

Mix N Match Oils deal & Oakworks Kela - input please

I have used the Lotus Touch brand for quite a few years... and used to get it via Alan Share who owned New Life Systems (of MN). (Since sold to Scrip, owner of Massage Warehouse.)
I always preferred the oil gel & moisture rich cream. If that helps.
Since I am primarily an employee at a day spa, I haven't bought any oil for my personal clients in a while...

 

[moosaidthebrit]

Mix N Match Oils deal & Oakworks Kela - input please

I think it's good to try a variety of lubricants. Everyone has a preference, and some MTs have several they use for different clients or types of work. I know of many MTs that use little/no lubricant, too. Some have told me they use only a bit of water kept in a bowl near the table, or some basic hand lotion. It all depends on what qualities you need it to have. As you develop professionally, your needs may change and so will the lubricant you use.

The massage cream our business uses is pretty good for a wide range of massage techniques, so we have been able to stick with using a single product for all MTs. I used to track how much of it our therapists use so I could better estimate how often we would need to reorder. We dispense it using a refillable squeeze tube (similar to the Biotone cream tubes). Some of our MTs would average only 5-6 massages per tube, while overall, our team of MTs averaged 10-11 massages per tube. I personally average 30-40 sessions per tube because most of the work I do doesn't require much lubricant.

You might also check the Biotone, Bon Vital, and other manufacturer web sites. Some, like Biotone, make and sell small sample sizes that are inexpensive and can be purchased in sets. Others may be willing to send you 1 or 2 free samples so you can feel it, smell it, and test it a bit (don't expect enough to do a full body massage).

 

[Fearless]

Mix N Match Oils deal & Oakworks Kela - input please

I also was provided Biotone products while in school. We were encouraged to try different products. I used the Biotone creme, oil and gel. I ended up favoring the gel because a little went a long way - and I like to keep the bottle in a holster on my hip so that I do not lose contact with my client. I ended up purchasing a gallon of the Biotone gel to use on my own clients but I realized that it has a foul odor (or at least I consider it foul). Not everyone likes aromatherapy, so adding a scent to the gel isnt always a possibility. In additon to the foul smell I also quickly realized that washing the Biotone gel out of my sheets was getting to be a pain. I had to go to great lengths to get it all to come out - such as soaking my sheets overnight in hot water with borax and oxyclean.
I purchased the sample deal of Bon Vital products - it came with creme, oil, lotion and gel. The creme was ok, but I did not care for their lotion but I really like the gel. It takes a lot less than the Biotone and it washes out like a breeze. I guess I will save my Biotone gel for aromatherapy or see if a fellow therapist wants it.
Keep trying and you will find something you like.

 

[condosgirl]

Mix N Match Oils deal & Oakworks Kela - input please

Thanks everybody for the input!

Yeah.. part of the problem is finding one that doesn't stain sheets too bad

 

[GORGI]

Mix N Match Oils deal & Oakworks Kela - input please

Yeah.. part of the problem is finding one that doesn't stain sheets too bad

Never had a problem with this using the Lotus Touch Oil Gel or Moisture Rich Cream.
I do use a little squirt of Dawn dishwashing liquid in with my regular soap though. Learned that trick here on MassagePlanetL... you might want to search on washing sheets & I think you'll find lots of input there on which oils are more prone to that than others.

 

[MissMoi]

Mix N Match Oils deal & Oakworks Kela - input please

I remember reading that at some point here as well! Thanks for the tip!