Best Bet: Boston Skin Solutions

April 18, 2013 | By

Local Boston blogger Michelle Mastro recently reviewed a Spa Week facial at Boston Skin Solutions. “Boston Skin Solutions is one of the area’s best kept secrets,” she said.

Michelle treated herself to “The Ultimate” 75-minute Organic Ultrasonic Facial — one of two $50 Spa Week treatments. The service uses organic skincare products targeted to your skin type, and a special ultrasonic machine aids in both exfoliation and product penetration for deeper smoothing and a brighter glow.

Her results? Amazing. See for yourself. And if you’re in the area, don’t wait! Spa Week is almost over, and there are just a few appointments left for these fabulous cult facials at Boston Skin Solutions. Click here to book yourself a treatment.

Filed Under: Spa Week Event, Spas Tagged With: , , , ,

Spend Spa Week at Clarins

March 14, 2013 | By

The Clarins section at Bloomingdale’s, NYC

At many local Clarins counters, there’s a secret you may not know… behind a back door lies a mini spa! I stopped at Bloomingdale’s in New York this morning to see for myself.

Now, it’s no secret that the best time to hit Bloomies is 10 a.m.: No crowds, freshly restocked merchandise, and free reign of the store. The same is true for a spa appointment at Clarins. After all, some of the world’s best shopping lies right beside the counter, and you’ll definitely want to take advantage of it after your service.

So, at 10am sharp, I met my aesthetician at the counter, and I was in luck: Clarins National Spa Education Manager Taryn Johnston was on duty today, and would be performing my facial herself. “The facials at Clarins are a little different,” she explained, as she slid open a glossy white door behind the counter to reveal a hidden treatment room. I never knew what was tucked away right inside the store, but this “secret” room was completely private and I was excited to see what was so different about the facials here.

We proceeded to discuss my goals and pick the best of the three treatments offered: moisturizing, anti-aging, or brightening. Since my response to those options was “yes, yes, and oh, let me think… yes,” Taryn customized my treatment to hit all three.

The one-hour facial included a lot of high-powered serums, including the new Double Serum, which I recognized by smell. [Fun fact: Clarins apparently did clinical studies on the effects of using this product during facials, and found it reduced the volume of wrinkles by 30% in one treatment.] Then, after two types of exfoliation, Taryn applied a wrap mask that forms a rubber-like, solid mold when it dries. This is “a big night out mask great for when you need extra firming and brightening,” Taryn told me.  Then came the big surprise: massage!

It turned out that the main thing that makes Clarins facials different is massage. And a lot of it.  The therapists are trained in techniques like lymphatic drainage for your face, and other European massage modalities for your scalp, neck, arms, and shoulders.
I’m a big fan of massage (as I should be — this is Spa Week, after all!), so that made this facial twice as nice.  For a full hour of all that, $50 is a pretty fabulous pricetag.

Click here to find a Clarins spa near you participating in Spa Week from April 15-21. 11 locations in Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom stores across the country have their treatment beds made and waiting for you! Take advantage of a spa service here while they’re just $50.

Filed Under: Spa Week Event, Spas Tagged With: , , ,

Hide Yer Kids! A Miami Spa Kidnapping

March 13, 2013 | By

Michelle Joni and Dashama Spa at Shula's

This is officially a spa kidnapping.

I believe one of my duties – not just as Spa Week’s editor-at-large – but as a human being on this earth, is to share the benefits of the spa lifestyle with as many people as possible. If I can get one billion people to go to the spa or have a transformative wellness experience in their lifetime, I will die a happy woman. My life calling is clear: Indulge, and make it attainable for others to do the same. (Thank God for Spring Spa Week – don’t wait another minute to book!)

While I was staying down in Miami with Dashama, one of our spa stops was the Spa at Shula’s in Miami Lakes. In the middle of Shula’s circle, a quiet and unassuming neighborhood of condos and various business, we were pleasantly surprised to discover this gem, longtime members of Spa Week.

the spa at shula's

We slipped into soft white monogrammed robes and spa shoes, locked our things away in the very nicely equipped changing room, and settled into a quiet relaxation area. We hadn’t eaten much and were quite hungry, so we were thrilled to find a variety of teas, a big plate of fresh strawberries and grapes, an assortment of grainy crackers available to us while we waited on cushy leather recliners.

Shula’s wanted us to experience their seasonal treatments, as this AVEDA spa is constantly coming up with new dynamic spa experiences to try each month. Dashama went first for the Warm Wintergreen Stone Massage & Body Scrub, a 45 minute warm stone massage followed by a 15 minute Wintergreen full body scrub. I went in to snap some photos of her treatment (like all normal spa-goers do… or not…), and vicariously felt the stones gliding up and down her oiled body.

hot stone massage dashama
hot stone massage

My turn was next. I was taken to another dark and quiet room for Shula’s other seasonal offering: The Mandara Treatment. It included a deep cleansing facial, a warm neck and scalp massage, a grapefruit paraffin hand & foot treatment, a dead sea salt body exfoliation and a full body hydration. It started with the scrub, after which I was escorted to a nice strong shower to rinse off the salt, and told to use as many towels as my heart desired. My hands slivered all over my silky smooth body – I love that feeling! Before going back to the room I took a detour in the bathroom and was elated to find a full-blown tushy spa, AKA a heated toilet sea with a multi-speed bidet. Ah, the simple joys.

I returned my treatment bed, which was wrapped in fresh towels and blankets, and waiting for me was a small snack. How did she know I was still hungry? Or rather… how did she know I’m always hungry?

spa snack

After I enjoyed my tea party for one, I couldn’t really tell you what came next, because I slipped into a state of deep spa slumber. I vaguely recall a mix of the softest, gentlest hands imaginable running up and down my body, complete immobilization by way of warm paraffin solidifying around my extremities, and a parade of delicate, delicious-smelling substances applied to my sleeping face.

Needless to say, I did not get any photos. We will both just have to imagine that The Mandara Treatment was ninety minutes of complete and wholly therapeutic bliss.

After a post-treatment visit to the tushy spa, I slowly changed back into my clothes. I went outside to find a private outdoor relaxation area, and Dashama relaxing in it. We both agreed: It’s far from South Beach but well worth the trip. The Spa at Shula’s is a Miami Lakes must-try!

Dashama Shula's

On the way out, we couldn’t resist a little AVEDA shopping spree. I mean, look at this place! We both took home a few new hair products and a vibrant sense of season spa healing.

spa at shula's

As we walked to the car Dashama said to me “Thank you for taking me here. I’m always so busy but this really reminded me that I need to treat myself more. I need more spa in my life. This was amazing.”

Spa kidnapping… SUCCESS!

 

Filed Under: Spalebrity Diaries Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Treat Yourself to Spa This Valentine’s Day

February 14, 2013 | By

Happy Valentine’s Day! You don’t need to have a hot date tonight to partake in the celebration of love – show some romance to yourself at the spa! Top spas nationwide have created dreamy packages to soothe, nourish and pamper you this month. Lure body and mind into the lull of total relaxation with the sweet scents of chocolate, roses and champagne, while also enjoying the benefits of a luxurious massage, facial or body scrub. Move over Hallmark and Hershey’s, we’ve found a new way to celebrate!

Book yourself one of these sweet spa deals as a pick-me-up tonight or over the weekend:

$120 120 Minute Package with Massage and Sweetheart Facial at A Better Body Salon and Day Spa in San Diego, CA (was $155)

90 Minute Love Me Chocolate Facial Scrub and Massage from Angel’s Touch Skincare & Wellness in Greenbelt, MD (was $180)

$160 120 Minute Sweetheart Package: Including Hot Stone Massage, Foot Reflexology and Lunchtime Facial at Aveda Red Bell Spa in Hicksville, NY (was $210)

$150 60 Minute Romance Massage: Including Champagne and Chocolate Dipped Strawberries at Hotel Valley Ho – VH Spa in Scottsdale, AZ (was $222)

$75 Chocolate Lover’s Massage at Jamachi Medi-Spa in Silver Spring, MD (was $100)

$40 75 Minute Organic Chocolate/Roses Facial at Mammina’s in San Clemente, CA (was $110)

$75 February Chocolate Peel at Mari’s Skin Care Salon in Dallas, TX (was $105)

$75 45 Minute Queen of Your Heart Treatment: Choice of Facial or Massage at Parma Wellness Spa in Vienna, VA (was $95)

$56 30 Minute Chocolate Raspberry ‘Sugar Kiss’ Body Scrub at Da Noi on Fifth Salon & Spa in Brooklyn, NY (was $80)

$35 Champagne and Chocolate Pedicure at Serenity in the City Salon & Spa in Medford, MA (was $49)

$69 50 Minute Custom Valentine’s Massage and Artisanal Cookies at Soulstice Spa in Santa Rosa, CA (was $89)

$155 Wrapped in Love Body Treatment at The Spa at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (was $186)

$138 105 Minute Best Valentine Ever: Includes Hot Stone Massage, Crystal Mud Lavender Pedicure, Spa Manicure, Champagne & Chocolate at Faina European Day Spa in New York, NY (was $232)

$65 55 Minute Deluxe Champagne and Chocolate Pedicure at Synergy Spa in Raleigh, NC (was $85)

$75 Very Berry Valentine’s Facial with Lip and Eye Treatment at The Spa at Boncaldo’s in Quincy, MA (was $75)

For more sweet spa deals in your hometown, visit SpaWeek.com!

Filed Under: Spa Deals, Spa Treatments, Spas Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

The Dermalogica Academy

December 12, 2012 | By

If you ask a beauty editor what her favorite skincare products are, you’ll get a long list. But at least one product on that list will likely be from Dermalogica.

UK-born esthetician Jane Wurwand opened the International Dermal Institute in 1983 after realizing that proper education courses for skincare professionals were lacking in America. Then, she created the Dermalogica products in 1986 after realizing that there was a lack of proper skincare options on the market, too.

The Institute has since grown into 32 locations worldwide offering education programs to skincare professionals.  And the Dermalogica Academy in NYC goes a step beyond by serving the public, too: Aside from a retail center offering the complete Dermalogica product line, customers can also book comprehensive skincare services from undergraduate students enrolled at the skincare academy.

Here’s the cool thing about the Academy skincare services: They’re free! OK, not all of them are, but some are, and the rest are very affordable.

There are three tiers of skincare treatments price-wise. You can receive a basic skin analysis and product recommendations free of charge, so anytime you feel lost and in need of some skincare direction, stop by and chat to an expert. (Not in NYC? Dermalogica retail stores nationwide offer these basic consultations as well.) As for the Academy-exclusive services, you can get a range of specific “microZone®” treatments (think a quick exfoliation or blackhead fix) for $20 each, or opt for a full 60-minute treatment (for face or back) for just $50.

The hour-long treatment is fully customized to your skin’s needs, and includes extractions and a Galvanic current application, which helps tighten pores and control oil production.

What to expect: You’ll relax in a communal room featuring a row of white leather treatment chairs, ambient music, and soft, dim lighting. It feels like a futuristic spa, and the academy students conducting the treatments are well-trained and professional. In fact, a teacher conducts a 2nd analysis of every client to ensure the treatment protocol determined by the student is on-target.

We love this go-to skincare spa for affordable treatments when Spa Week isn’t in session (though we do have spa deals year-round). And we love the products, too! See a few of our favorites below:

Special Cleansing Gel: A smooth, slippery gel cleanser that’s actually moisturizing.

Daily Microfoliant: A gentle, foaming rice grain cleanser/scrub with enzyme action.

UltraCalming Mist: A calming, moisturizing spritz for sensitive skin.

Get more information on the Dermalogica Academy, or find a Dermalogica retail location near you.

Filed Under: Facials, Products, Skin Care Tagged With: , , , , , ,