Defy Facial at Naturopathica Spa & Healing Center

I have been a fan of Naturopathica products for years and was so excited to finally indulge in one of their spa services. As much as I wanted to go with one of their massages, I opted for the Defy Facial since I really wanted to experience several of the Naturopathica skincare products on my face.

The 60-minute Defy Facial includes HydroFacial technology (for exfoliation and painless extractions) combined with firming LED followed by a cooling jade stone mask to bring down any redness. This facial treatment combats fine lines and stimulates collagen with ingredients such as Vitamin C, Retinol, and Alpha Hydroxy Acids. I do appreciate that this facial also extended to the décolleté area and included a mini massage. 

I didn't experience any redness, just immediately refreshed, hydrated and glowing skin! The changing room has amazing lighting so you can really see the difference in your skin right after. There's also a nice relaxing lounge area to enjoy before or after your treatment. 

Here's a look at the products used on my skin:

• Oat Cleansing Facial Polish
• Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm
• Sweet Cherry Brightening Enzyme Peel
• Vitamin C15 Wrinkle Remedy Serum
• Manuka Honey Whipped Oil
• Lavender & Manuka Honey Balancing Mist
• Sweet Cherry Conditioning Lip Butter

I truly love all the Naturopathica products so it's hard to pick any favorites. Their products are moisturizing and leave my skin looking radiant, and they also smell amazing! I love the Manuka Honey, Sweet Cherry and Lavender & Manuka scents!

A special thanks to my aesthetician Carol, who was absolutely amazing! She really took her time to give my skin the attention it needed. I highly recommend you ask for Carol if you book a facial at the Naturopathica Spa & Healing Center in Chelsea, at 127 West 26th Street in NYC. Be sure to check out their spa menu!

Many thanks Naturopathica! Next time I can't wait to experience one of the massages!

- Kim Weling

Sothys Energizing Intensive Treatment Facial at Elite Hair Studio & Spa

One of the more indulgent facials I had this summer was the Sothys Energizing Intensive Treatment at Elite Salon & Spa in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. I've always been familiar with Sothys, but this was the first time I was able to experience an entire Sothys skincare regimen. 

Marzenna had started my facial by cleansing my skin with Sothys Vitality Cleansing Milk and then looked at my skin more closely. She noticed dehydration, clogged pores and some sun damage. After assessing my skin, Marzenna explained that she was going to be using Sothys Intensive Treatment with Siberian Ginseng for my facial. This five-phase treatment started with the Enzymatic exfoliating scrub, followed by the Revealing Serum with Siberian Ginseng massaged into the face. What I love about this face massage is that Marzenna also focused on the neck and décolleté area as well as the arms. Next my face mask consisted of a foaming/algae mask that was left on for 10 minutes, as I enjoyed an amazing scalp massage. The last step of my treatment was applying the Enlightening Fluid for smoothing lines and illuminating the skin.

It was one of the most luxurious, relaxing facials I ever had, with my skin feeling radiant, energized and luminous! This facial was an amazing hour and a half! Most facials I have had are 50-60 minutes, and feel over so quickly. With the extractions, massage techniques applied, I really felt like every skincare phase was emphasized and that the products were hitting a deeper layer of my face and not just the surface. 

The Sothys Enegerizing Facial is priced at $125, plus an additional $25 for extractions, and additional $25 for a glycolic peel. 

After my facial, I took a tour of the complete space. The hair studio included the wash stations, cut & style, and hair color areas. I was really impressed how much open space the hair studio has. There is also a nail bar, brow bar, and spray tan services. This salon also has a full Elite Academy program on-site for professional education workshops, seminars and courses. Having a full program on-site like that shows how dedicated the studio team is to their craft and treatments. I will definitely go back to Elite Hair Studio & Spa to experience some of their other services and treatments. Check out their hair promotions and other specials! Elite Hair Studio & Spa is located in Heights Town Center at 65 Route 17 South.  

Thank you to Marzenna, master esthetician, for an incredible facial, Monika, Academy Manager for meeting with me and Martha Mehlman, owner of Elite Hair Studio & Spa for having me!

Unedited selfie, post-facial glow

 

- Kim Weling

2016 East Coast ISPA Media Event

On July 27th, I attended the 2016 East Coast ISPA (International SPA Associaltion) Media Event at Gotham Hall. Media guests enjoyed complimentary spa services, previewed products and learned about the latest spa trends. Take a look at what I experienced on my spa journey...

Epicuren showcased their latest products, with a focus on The Eye Alive Serum, Moisture Surge, Instantlift Tightening Serum. I got a chance to test out the products with a quick refresh under my eyes. Moisture Surge is a lightweight gel that gives you an extra boost of hydration, applied right after a moisturizer. 

Whish is most known for their shaving creams, but also previewed their other products, including the Kabosu Sea Salt Body Butter. 

Massage Envy showcased Murad skin care products used during their facial sessions. Murad products include the Hydrating Toner, Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum, and Healthy Skin Regimen Kits: Resurgence, Age Reform, Environmental Shield and Acne. Massage Envy offers several 60 minute skin treatments including anti-acne, customized and advanced healthy skin, exfoliating & hydrating back facial, and a men's facial. 

I was able to experience a NovaLash Eye Lash Extension treatment which only took about 15 minutes to apply. Since this was a mini treatment, the lashes only lasted a few days. Full treatments allow lashes to stay on longer, and can be more customized as to what type of lashes you are looking for. NovaLash Eye Extensions are available in thousands of salons and spas across the United States and in over 40 countries worldwide.

Aspira The Spa treatments 

I was so excited to experience Eastern Vibration's sound healing treatment using Himalayan Singing Bowls. The singing bowls produce both pure sounds and vibration that have subtle effects on the body and mind. The sounds and vibrations had a soothing effect, leaving me feeling stress-free and relaxed. 

Clarins provided skin care treatments and previewed their new Booster Energy, Booster Repair and Booster Detox products. Some of Clarins products I look forward to trying are the One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, Sunscreen Multi-Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 50 and Tonic Body Treatment Oil. 

This was my first introduction to Chaleur, and tried out their self-heating facial mask, which is left on for 15-20 minutes and easily activated with warm water. It is the perfect treat in the winter, especially after exposing your face to chilly, cold air.

I had a chance to relax in the SolTec Lounge,  while wearing headphones and eye mask. The SolTec Lounge delivers soothing magnetic vibrations while listening to a soundtrack of chants and drums. It was a very unique experience, feeling myself drift into a relaxed state with a clear mind. I was amazed at how all the background noise from the event just faded away. 

Spa Ssakwa'qn products

I stopped by The Spa at Mandarin Oriental for some digital detox tips, scheduling time in your day where you disconnect from technology. Mandarin Oriental works with the Mayo Clinic to provide guests with health and wellness tips. 

My last treatment of the evening was at Kohler Waters Spa using lava shells to melt away aches and pains and release tension, knots and stiffness. I can't wait to try this Lava Shell kit for an at-home spa treatment. 

MINDINMOTION apparel was founded by acclaimed athlete, motivational speaker Leigh Weinraub.

During the evening ISPA provided a field to table station with grilled boneless chicken, seasonal greens, cubed watermelon and goat cheese, beet &walnut salad, local heirloom tomato saladwild rice bowl and local artisan breads. 

Thank you to ISPA and all the sponsors for hosting another great spa media event!

- Kim Weling

East Coast ISPA Media Event Recap

The 21st annual East Coast ISPA Media Event took place on August 12th at Gotham Hall. During the event I met with close to a dozen different spas and sampled their relaxing spa treatments. My evening ran smoothly thanks to treatments pre-booked through ResortSuite - having an itinerary was really helpful for keeping me on schedule. 

My first appointment was with Omni Hotels & Resorts, for a Restorative Native Foot Treatment, a steaming aromatic herbal treatment to penetrate into tired soles to reieve muscle tension. During my treatment, a muscle therapy cream with infused rosemary, clary sage, and eucalyptus essential oils was applied. It was definitely a great way to kickoff the event. 

Mirbeau Inn & Spa was offering Monet's Favorite Fragrance Massage, an aromatherapy massage to address physical, mental and emotional well being. Aromatherapy Associates Revive Morning Body Oil was used for my massage - an amazing blend of pink grapefruit, rosemary and juniper berry essential oils. 

My next stop was to Beau Rivage Resort & Casino for a Hanakasumi treatment inspired by Japanese tradition, reviving energy through the use of reflexology. As part of the treatment, Sothys Nourishing Body Elixir was applied, and I have been obsessing over this product ever since, with a delicate scent of cherry blossom and lotus. 

I opted not to get a colorescience makeover since I was getting a facial, but I have been using a number of their products, since the event. I am so bad with applying SPF separately, that it's been so helpful to have SPF built into their products. My favorites are the Skin Bronzing face primer, which helps with uneven skin tone and has SPF 20, even up Clinical Pigment Perfector, which I like to use during the summer since it has SPF 50, and Tint Du Soleil for sheer to medium coverage, which has SPF 30. 

Unfortunately I didn't make it in time for my appointment at Cranwell Spa & Golf Resort, who was offering luxurious BABOR hand and face treatments to boost the skin's moisture and nutrient levels. 

Next stop was Jindilli, featuring a BoomaGlam Massage, which uses a boomerang and Macadamia Oil, honoring the company's Australiam heritage. The BoomaGlam is best when it's warmed up (I like to use heated mittens warmer gloves) and can also be used to exfoliate skin. 

After my BoomaGlam Massage, I went over to Massage Envy, for my Healthy Skin Vitamin C Infusion Mini Facial, with the use of Murad products formulated with pure Vitamin C to repair and prevent free radical damage. 

Travaasa Experiential Resorts demonstrated Herbal Tincures for Healing, as Travaasa's Farm Manager walked us through how infusions are made using ingredients from the resort's farm. 

Eau Spa at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa offered HydrEAUfacials, using HydraFacial MD technology to extract and remove impurities and dead skin cells. The process is free of painful extractions, and includes a hydradermabrasion, chemical peel and a delivery of antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and peptides all in one treatment. My skin immediately felt and looked refreshed without any irritation or redness!

To close out the evening, my last appointment was with Grand Velas Resort, who was offering the Bacal Massage and Grand Cora Massage. The Bacal Massage utilizes Mayan corn and honey, in which pressure is applied with corn cobs for an exfoliating and detoxifying treatment. It was so soothing on my feet - such a unique and natural treatment. I can't imagine how amazing it would feel as a whole body treatment! 

The Grand Cora Massage is a highly energetic massage inspired by the Huichol region, rich in colors and traditions. Each movement is focused on restoring the emotional, intellectual and spiritual wellbeing through Iztli (the power of Earth on the body). The sensorial perception is stimulated through a sound ritual of wixarikas instruments such as rain stick, rattle and "God's eye" to reestablish the harmony between body and spirit. 

Clarins Spa, essie, the Indigo Spa at Hilton Head Health and Salamander Hotels & Resorts also offered mini treatments.

Through a partnership with FEED, attendees received a FEED tote bag. Proceeds from FEED bags go to feeding a total of 20,000 hungry children through the World Food Programme. Thank you to Spa Week for sponsoring the gift bags!

- Kim Weling