Breaking News! There is a new treatment quietly making waves in spa-land, and it’s gaining popularity in Southern California amongst women who live by the “pamper your whole body from head to toe” philosophy. We thought bikini treatments reached their peak after the vajazzle, but here we are reporting on yet another hidden gem, the Vaginal Steam Bath.

The ancient Korean treatment better known as chai-yok is said to reduce stress, fight hemorroids, regulate menstrual cycles and aid in infertility among countless other benefits. The LA Times describes the treatment as follows: ”Pungent steam rises from a boiling pot of a mugwort tea blended with wormwood and a variety of other herbs. Above it sits a nude woman on an open-seated stool, partaking in a centuries-old Korean remedy that is gaining a toehold in the West.”

The LA Times reports that Niki Han Schwarz believes it worked for her. After five steams, she found she had fewer body aches and more energy. She also became pregnant at the age of 45 after attempting to conceive for three years. Although Dr. Vicken Sahakian, medical director of Pacific Fertility Center in Los Angeles says, “It sounds like voodoo medicine that sometimes works.”

If you live in New York, the treatment is offered at Juvenex Spa in Manhattan for $75. A complete setup for a do-it-yourself steam, seated stool, boiler and herbs  can be purchased online at for $330. What say you? Are you on board for the vaginal steam baths?

Photo courtesy of theuserpool.squarespace.com

In Italy, when someone offers you coffee or cappuccino, always say yes.

Why? I don’t know, it’s just my gut feeling, but they’re usually teeny-tiny, I haven’t said no since arriving, I’m on my 4th one today, and I have no regrets yet.

It’s actually my 5th, if you include the Coffee Scrub and Milk Bath at the Antico Casale di Scansano Spa, a duo of treatments that sent me into a tranquil afternoon of decadent sweetness.

Before I get into the treatments, let me tell you a little about the spa at Antico Casale di Scansano. Warmly-colored walls and decor are immediately inviting at the Beauty Farm and Wellness Spa, which is right in the middle of all the hotel rooms on the mountain so you can just stroll on over in your robe. The cozy, inviting ambiance is complemented by sleek chairs and beachy touches. It’s the precise mix you’d want in your spa experience under the Tuscan sun.

The spa philosophy of the Antico Casale di Scansano Spa is rooted in the traditions of Maremma, and does a good job of blending them with forward-thinking spa techniques and local products. One of the scrubs is so fresh and local, that it has chunks of grapes in it that would otherwise be served on the dinner table in the form of local Morellino red wine.

The Spa Treatments:
(read the full spa treatment descriptions here)

My treatment began with a body scrub with Coffee and Cardamom. The scrub is made with actual coffee beans that are mixed with almond oil and enriched by the fragrant aroma of cardamom. Black, thick and exfoliating scrub was massaged onto my body, and then I was wrapped in a cocoon to let the oxygenating, vitamin-infused product seep into my skin. The moment I was wrapped up, I fell asleep. A deep sleep too, and I had a dream. I don’t remember what it was, but there’s no way it could have been as good as Masimmo’s, one of the Antico Casale owners, who recently had a dream/nightmare about giant New York skyscrapers chasing after him like Godzilla. He loves New York, but things are a little quieter here in the Maremma. I then showered off the nice strong shower, and was escorted to part 2.

Usually I take milk with my coffee, but this time I took it after.

The milk bath was a warm, relaxing way to turn into a caffè con latte. It was a half hour of solitude (no tweeting from the bathtub) with sweetness for my palate too. It’s fairly obvious I’d be served coffee and milk (and cake!) during my milk bath after my coffee treatment, but the experience of it was even more wholesome than it was ironic. There’s something enlightening about treating your insides the same as you do your outsides, people often forget to do both. It was a good reminder that both are equally deserving of pampering, attention and Tender Loving Caffeine.

And then, after having my bath and eating it too, I headed over to the indoor pool, tipped my chair back to full recline, and fell fast asleep for an hour. Even with all that caffeine, relaxation rose to the top.

Today’s WIN ITALIA Question:

Every country/region has its own unique coffee rituals and culture. What is your personal coffee ritual?

Spa-rrividerci!

Image via

WARNING: This video will make you want to take a long hot bath… then redesign your bathroom. Turn off your volume to tune out the Kohler sales pitch, and just bathe in this relaxing video from one of our favorite luxury escape sites, JustLuxe.

The holidays are a time to be joyful and celebrate. They are also a time when we find ourselves overindulging in food and beverages while burning the candle at both ends hopping from party to party in the midst of rushing to finish deadline after deadline prior to holiday travel. Sleep becomes a luxury while looking fresh faced is a necessity.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting prestigious skin care and lifestyle expert Lydia Sarfati, founder of  Repêchage Skin Care. She’s truly a gem in the industry and a wonderful source of skinspiration for me– and for millions. Here, I share with you Lydia’s tips on how to successfully manage the holiday hustle while looking exceptionally fresh, along with the best Repêchage products to do the trick every step of the way.

1. If you need to get your day off to a detoxifying start after a big night out, jog or walk at least 30 minutes – The movement will give you energy and it will set your body in motion for detoxification. A little sweat is just what your body needs if you had a late night or over indulged on the holiday punch. When you are done, do some light stretching and drink at least 24 ounces of water.

2. Take a warm bath at 105 degrees for 30 minutes – The water should not be too hot. In fact as the water gets cooler the longer you soak this will allow for some lymphatic drainage, which will remove any superficial bloating. Lydia recommends adding a Repêchage Vita Cura Seaweed bath sachet to the water which will add to the relaxation, skin softening and detoxification

Repêchage Honey and Almond Scrub

a. While in the tub apply a relaxing facial mask or an exfoliating treatment. Lydia recommends applying Honey and Almond scrub to the face and letting it sit for 10 minutes before gently massaging the face in circular motions and rinsing off with water. If you have less time use the Hydra Refine One Minute Clarifying Mask which works wonders and tightens pores.
b. If you don’t have a fresh cucumber handy to slice for use on the eyes, Lydia recommends applying cold Eye Rescue Pads to the eyes while the mask sets. These will allow you to regain the look of having achieved a well rested 8 hour sleep (even if you didn’t get it).
c. Relax and breathe deeply. Really enjoy your “me” time.

4. To really feel better, Lydia’s secret is to mix one Seaweed and Magnesium supplement into chilled water or fruit juice. The Seaweed and Magnesium will give you energy and enhance clarity. This is a must!

5. After the bath make sure to really take care of your skin on face and body. Use products that will instantly hydrate your skin or provide a lifting effect, especially around the eye area. Lydia loves products that provide an instant lift like Repechage’s Vita Cura Opti-Lift Serum. This can be applied around the eye area 2 times per day and can even be patted on over make-up.

Repêchage Algo Mist

6. The Vita Cura Triple Firming Cream is great to use all over your face for moisture, tightening and an instant lifting effect. It provides a glow that will carry you through the day.

7. If your holiday looks include short skirts or backless dresses Lydia suggests that you amply hydrate your whole body. For great moisture that will treat your skin, Lydia uses Seaweed Crème Active Body Cream in the morning, every morning.

8. When you are on the go, don’t forget to freshen up between parties. Carry Repêchage Algo Mist in your bag to mist on your face for an instant dewy appearance between parties.

Lydia assures that if you do the above 8 steps, you will be successful in having it all!

Ms. Lydia Sarfati, President and Founder of Repêchage, an internationally recognized skin care expert quoted in Vogue, In Style, Glamour, and New York Times as well as featured on CNN, CBS, and FOX. Ms. Sarfati is the creator of the world-renowned Four Layer Facial® and has over thirty years of experience as an esthetician, spa owner, manufacturer, consultant and is author of Success at Your Fingertips: How to Succeed in the Skin Care Business. She has contributed to the elevation of the esthetics field in the US and abroad and has recently been appointed honorary chair of EstheticsAmerica, CIDESCO USA.

bath photo courtesy of getty images