I can remember the best tan of my life very clearly. It was Spring Break in Acapulco, Sophomore year of college. Every day from the moment I peeled myself out of that cheap hotel bed until the sun went down, I werked it on the beach, dousing myself in Amazing Maui Babe, flipping every half hour, and turning my chair like clockwork to exalt the sun as it moved across the sky. Making my sunsoaked days even sunnier (besides those strongggg Miami Vices) were the hands of my personal Acapulco beach massage therapist. Yes, that’s right, on the first day laying out, an Acapulco native came by offering an hour-long massage for $30 (I know, better than Spa Week!)… and you better believe I said YES.

And then, every single day of vacation, as if I was prepping for a future job at Spa Week or something, I took advantage of her hour-long, oil-soaked services, illuminating my tan even more. Until I looked like this (tattoo is fake, tan is real):

Well, those days are over. I no longer have the patience – nor the ignorance – to want to lay in the sun for 8 hours a day all week. I am now an advocate of faking it and not getting skin cancer. Which leads me to the SECOND best tan of my life: completely bare spa‘s new Completely Bronzed Spray Tan, one of their $50 Spa Week treatments this Fall.

Completely Bronzed is an odorless spray tan that, as you can see in the video, is applied by a technician rather than just a misting machine. Unlike most other spray tans, it dries within four hours, so you can shower faster than the time it would take you to get to Acapulco. It also has a bronzer, so until you DO take that shower, you will be extra brown.

BEFORE the shower...

Or… in my case the first time I tried it… orange! —>

BUT, thankfully the orange only lasted until I showered, and then I turned to a beautiful state of bronze. The second time I got Completely Bronzed, I asked them go a little lighter on the face, and there was NO such orange at all. However, it wouldn’t have even been so bad if I was, because I only looked like an oompa loompa that one night.

In fact, I loved the tan SO much the first time, that I went back to cb a second time before a friend’s wedding in Cape Cod!

Now I know you have two main questions: 1, how good is the GOOD part of the tan, and 2, what is the DURATION like?

To answer your first question – it was extremely even. A very rich, natural-looking color, and it did precisely what it’s meant to do: make you look great in person, and even more notably, in photos. It was THIS good (yellow dress was from the second time with the lighter face, others are from the first tan):

(Yes, that’s me in the middle blending in with those mahogany walls.)

And now… THE DURATION:

• The first FOUR days (starting from when you shower) are amazing. That is broken down as such: The first two you look like you are still on vacation, the second two you look like you just got back from vacation. If you wash your face like a good spa girl (or boy), your face will get lighter faster than the rest.
• Over the next 1 or 2 days, you will start to “chip.” It’s the sunless equivalent to peeling. It’s not that cute when you notice it, but you still maintain some sexy color throughout your body.
• After that, it’s all downhill. You want to make sure you do NOT have a bikini party anytime between 6-12 days after your tan. You’ll be spotty and uneven.

To make the spotty, chipping period less unfortunate looking, you’ll want to exfoliate your body each day as soon as you decide your tan is ready to POOF be-gone. This time it took a solid 14 days to fully fade away. Last time, I got a body scrub at Le Merigot Santa Monica to finish off the last of it so it was a little bit quicker. (Side note: sweet excuse for a scrub!)

Completely bare, helmed by ex-NY housewife Cindy Barshop, is rapidly expanding and has Spa Week locations in California, Georgia, Texas and New York. In addition to Completely Bronzed, they are also offering laser hair removal for basic bikini or a brazilian wax for $50. Check out spaweek.com for completely bare locations near you.

And if you want to tell your friends you were in St. Tropez last week, your secret is safe with me!

Disclosure: Treatments were comped in exchange for video coverage and editorial consideration.

Ominous gray rain clouds covered the skies of NYC last week, but things were looking mighty bright inside of Laser Cosmetica… especially when the lights started flashing onto my sun-damaged face, zapping it into instant, even-toned obedience.

If you’re tuned into the hot medi-spa treatments and facilities out there, you’ve certainly heard of Laser Cosmetica, a prestigious mecca for all things laser hair removal and skin rejuvenation with locations throughout New York. One of the three treatments they’re offering during Spa Week for $50 this October is a Photo Facial, normally costing $495. With a 90%  savings, I had to go investigate!

The goal of a Photo Facial is to get rid of discoloration, even out skin tone, tighten your skin and reverse the signs of sun damage. It serves to give your skin an instant and lasting boost of smooth, vibrant texture.

As you’ll see in the video, it didn’t hurt, and I was extremely impressed with the results that immediately followed. It wasn’t at all red or dry like they said it might be – although more sensitive skin types should be prepared for this. It’s now eight days later, and what I’m most excited about is that I’ve seen a general improvement in my skin’s evenness. Some of the veiny, blemishy redness in my cheeks and nose (I blame summer) has significantly decreased. It’s amazing how such a quick (about 20 minute) procedure with no extractions, no exfoliants… no creams, no toners, not a speck of 24 karat gold… can produce such awesome results. Facial of the future… I think so!

Check out some of these Photo Facial Before & Afters from Laser Cosmetica’s clients:

And to formally answer any remaining questions you may have after watching the video, I’ll leave it to the authorities at Laser Cosmetica who explain it best. This Q&A is taken from their website:

What are Photo Facials?
Photo Facials are a revolutionary advance in laser cosmetics that removes discoloration and textural irregularities, resulting in the appearance of healthier, more vibrant skin.

Who should get treatment for Photo Facials?
If you suffer from photo damage, sun damage, or other environmental damage, Photo Facial works exceptional well at removing discoloration, improving skin texture and tone while providing a slight skin tightening effect to the skin. Years of sun bathing and exposure to the natural elements can be removed after a short, no down time protocol.

How frequently do I need treatments?
A typical protocol would be five sessions, spaced three to four weeks apart. For discrete vascular areas such as spider veins and broken capillaries, a more aggressive approach may be determined.

How does a Photo Facial rejuvenate my skin?
Photo Facial uses gentle light and thermal energy to promote collagen production in the dermis and restore skin to a more youthful state, through wrinkle reduction. Brown spots (pigmented imperfections) from sun damage and aging, red blotching from spider vessels or rosacea (vascular imperfections), and rough porous skin texture will improve over a treatment series. Treatments consistently achieve visible improvement with little discomfort. Studies have concluded that flushing, redness and symptoms of rosacea improve more than 75% on average.

Does the treatment hurt?
There is little to no discomfort involved in the photo rejuvenation process. Our systems employ a chill tip that minimizes any discomfort. We offer a host of pre and post laser topicals to help alleviate any pain, or irritation.

What happens after each treatment?
Temporary pinkness of the skin can last a very short time (minutes, hours, a day) but the improvement in pigment and vascular irregularities can often be appreciated by the time you return for your next treatment. Brown spots and freckles temporarily become darker before they lighten. Particularly sensitive areas may crust.

Is photo rejuvenation safe?
Treatment is very safe for the skin. There are no long term health hazards from light or thermal energy used. Both have been used for decades in medicine, surgery, and aesthetics without adversity.

What kind of results can I expect from Photo Facialtreatment?
Each treatment will result in gradual lightening and improvement of pigmented and vascular imperfections. Skin tightening textural improvements are realized towards the end of the treatment series.

4 Laser Cosmetica locations in NYC – call 866.481.6788
110 E 40th Street, Suite 407
18 West 23rd Street, 2nd floor
57 W 57th Street, Suite 1209
160 Broadway NE, 6th Floor

In Great Neck – call 800.231.3830
833 Northern Boulevard, Suite 240

In White Plains – call 866.481.6788
10 Chester Avenue, First Floor

www.lasercosmetica.com

Available $50 Spa Week Treatments Oct 10-16:

• Photofacial
• Microdermabrasion or Glycolic Peel
• Laser Hair Removal Choice of Lip, Chin, Underarm or Regular Bikini

Supple Spa is New York’s ultimate destination for an MTV-date-like couples Asian massage experience—red curtain-lined walls, silk rose petals, cheesy t-shirt decor et al. Their treatment rooms, named Tokyo, Sunset, Kaleidoscope, Daydream and the Paris Room were created especially for first dates. They’ve been featured in New York magazine and Time Out New York for their unique approach to couples spa time.

A few weeks back I needed a first date myself for my Supple Spa Massage, so who better to invite than one of the 45,000+ spa lovers on our Facebook page? It couldn’t be just anyone, but when I asked for your best spa pickup line, I had no idea what I was getting myself into! Watch the video above and read the Facebook sequence below for all the romantic, mega knot-busting details with Lisa Gardner… toilet scrubbing included.

Want to book Supple Spa for Spa Week? Get your Deep Pore Cleansing Facial, 60 Min Deep Tissue Massage or 60 Min Swedish Massage for only $50… but make that $100 if you do it up right. Call and set your spa romance on fire! 212.929.5948

And they lived happily ever after <3

Supple Spa
55 West 19th Street, Second Floor
New York, NY 10011
212.929.5948
http://www.supplespa.com

Disclosure

Updated 4/9/12

Is your chin trying to land a role in a Doublemint Gum commercial? Did someone tell your mother she has your arms? Do you have hate handles (why they’re called love handles, I’ll never know)? Meet your new spa BFF, Smooth Synergy Spa in New York City, a spa on the cutting edge of spa technology when it comes to toning, lifting, firming and shaping any of your less-than-satisfactory body parts. Miley Cyrus went there for a spray tan once—I’m sure once that girl sees her first body part that can’t be tamed, she’ll be back in a heart beat (for love).

I’ve been exploring two of Smooth Synergy’s signature body-contouring treatments: The LipoMassage by Endermologie, using their brand new Integral machine, and a Microcurrent Facelift, or what I like to call a chin-chiseling mission, one of their tried and true treatments. Let’s take them one at a time.

First: The Lipomassage by Endermologie

This treatment uses various massaging wands to tone and lift the skin on your body. It also serves to get your circulation pumping and release toxins. I only did one treatment of this so I can’t tell you personally that I dropped 4 inches (sigh), but I will tell you that I did feel ever-so-slightly slimmer walking out of there. They have clients who come and do this treatment once or twice a week and see phenomenal results. Check out the video for all the details. They are offering this treatment for Spa Week for $50 April 16-22 2012, so if you’re interested, this would be a great time to check it out.

Next: the Microcurrent Facelift

This treatment I did for 5 sessions, so I can tell you with confidence: I absolutely saw a difference. I chose to do this treatment because a highly defined jawline has always been on the top of my wishlist; I feel it is one of those features that instantly makes one look 10 times better. And by one, I mean me.

Microcurrent Chin Chiseling

The treatment works as such: First, they put a layer of chocolate mousse on your face. This is not a joke. It’s the spa version so don’t eat it, but breathe in because it smells delicious and might curb your cravings. Next, currents (micro though they may be) are quite literally rolled onto your face with a metal rolling device that is hooked up to a machine that looks a little like a  small airplane’s cockpit. There are buttons and levers and about 102 colored wires coming out of it, and one of them connects to the device that rolls onto your face, and one of them connects to the device that rests on your shoulder like the “other side of the battery”—it has to charge you from two points to work.

Michele Fleites was my esthetician, and she is fantastic. You know why? Because I could actually feel her sculpting out my chin and cheekbones, pressing harder and deeper into those sweet spots that would give my face an optimal chisel. It is a very strange sensation, I’m not going to lie. If you didn’t know what was going on, you might think there was a mini power drill lodged in your gums. The currents can be turned up or down, and the higher it was the better it performed, but that also meant it got more sensitive. Michele was great at pushing me to the brink of my sensitivity threshold so that I’d get the most out of each hour-long session.

Digging deep into the cheekbones

After both sides of my face were complete with two different types of currents, the chocolate mousse was wiped off and replaced with a skin moisturizer to go. The results? A slightly leaner face. A slightly more defined jawline. A few people noticed, which I didn’t expect. Immediately after each treatment was when I noticed the difference most each time, and I started to see changes after the 2nd treatment. I definitely don’t look like Mila Kunis, but I’m pretty excited to see any improvement at all.

NOTE: I did take before and after pictures, but I don’t think they do a good job of showing the difference because I didn’t get the angles exact. Anyone can fudge before and after pictures, by the way– just change the angle! So you’ll just have to trust me.

Microcurrent, as described by Smooth Synergy: This breakthrough approach to non-invasive skin care uses advanced wave forms that work with the body’s own biological currents to put the face through a premium “workout” to lift and tone the muscles.   The Diamond Dynamic Wave Form Therapy Program amplifies the skin’s own rejuvenating abilities to strengthen the muscles and bring youthful definition to the face.  Sagging skin, poor color (especially around the eyes), acne and enlarged pores are some of the problems that show in the face. However, these are just the apparent signs. Internal clogging is the more serious problem that can be so detrimental to our overall health and well being. When the internal organs of the body are sluggish, the result is a continuing back up that can result in tired, older-looking skin.  Enlisting the body’s support and cooperation is essential to help reverse the signs of aging. This system gently and effectively works to bring the face back to optimal youthfulness and vitality.

Smooth Synergy
686 Lexington Avenue, Suite 3N
New York, NY 10022
212.397.0111

$50 Spa Week treatments -

• 60 Min Swedish Massage or 60 Min Smooth Synergy Signature Facial with Extractions
• Laser Hair Removal Choice of Upper Lip or Underarms
• 45 Min Integral Lipomassage

If you live relatively close to New York and have a penchant for tennis, squash, cool massages and/or divine views of our pretty city skyline, CityView Racquet Club in Long Island City, NY is your new spa spot.

Step into the sprawling 80,000 square foot, prestigious, members-only sports club, an easy 10 minutes from the city by train, and feel the vibrant energy ricochet off the walls and envelop you upstairs in the CityView Spa.

Now, there was a time I thought I didn’t like people walking all over me. Turns out, I love it. I experienced Ashiatsu for the very first time—and the more appropriate term to walking would be gliding. It was the spa’s 60 Min Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, which uses the therapists’ weight and bare feet to deliver deep compression and gliding strokes to your entire body. The smooth flat surface of the foot is able to produce a consistent and firm pressure without the sharpness of, say, a finger or elbow. The feet glide over warm oil and penetrate deep into your muscles in a different way than any other massage does. Watch the video:

Recognized as one of the top instructors and innovative pioneers in the massage industry, Ruthie Piper Hardee developed Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy® in 1995, and it was trademarked 3 years later. Why did she invent it? Ruthie had scoliosis (like me!)— she was always hunching over clients and using her hands to massage, and it became taxing on her bad back. She and her team developed specific therapeutic techniques and a DeepFeet training program, and sure enough, massage therapists around the country became trained to use their feet as their modern massage instruments.

Members and non-members alike have access the CityView Spa, which offers a wide variety of treatments designed with the athlete in mind, and during Spa Week they are offering Ashiatsu as well as a Swedish Massage in their $50 treatment offerings.

I suggest you leave yourself a few hours to enjoy the facilities; anyone who uses the spa has access to the sauna and steam room, and additional access to fitness equipment is included with your Spa Week treatment. Bring a friend and play a few rounds of tennis or squash—it’s $24-$36/person/hour depending upon singles play, doubles play, peak and off peak time. Book in advance, because this is the most premier racquet sports club in the New York metropolitan area—seriously, all the other nearby contenders are now shut down.

Depending on what time it is (or what mood you’re in) when you’re done with your sporty spa day, get a refreshing juice and salad from the juice bar, or opt for a stiff cocktail at the upstairs lounge with one of their healthy-ish meal options. I had the grilled salmon with veggies and the hand cut sweet potato fries over a few glasses of wine, and my day was deliciously complete. I was so relaxed that I didn’t even want to go back into the city… and that’s saying a lot!

CityView Spa
43-34 32 Pl Penthouse
Long Island City, NY 11101
718.389.6252

Spa Week $50 Treatments:

• 60 Min Swedish Massage-Soothing Massage Promoting Rest and Relaxation + Additional Access to Fitness Equipment
• 60 Min Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy-Therapists’ Weight and Barefeet Deliver Deep Compression and Gliding Strokes + Additional Access to Fitness Equipment

Ask about their special Spring Spa Week perks, many of which I mentioned above.

Ashiatsu image via bodyworkbydesign.com