East Meets West at the Chuan Spa

When it comes to spa treatments, I can always choose the most effective over the most pampering and while most combine elements of both, I'd rather see and feel results before walking out feeling tickled.  Two weeks ago I ventured to the Langham Hotel in Pasadena, California to check out a new spa, Chuan Spa, and found the east meets west approach surprisingly appreciated for all it had to offer.

I opted to try their most popular treatment – the Chuan Stone Therapy Massage. Before stepping into the treatment room, I filled out a form that identified how I felt physically and emotionally in that moment.  The massage, a traditional Chinese treatment, consisted of a hot stone treatment that followed the meridian lines (energy lines in our bodies) and stimulate the meridian points.  Much like accupuncture, but instead of using needles, the pressure from hot stones and hands are used.  The heat from the stones helps to bring blood to the area increasing the circulation in the body, which recharges your body and gives you more energy, making the body work at an optimal level.

To my surprise, it began with a chant, Hatha yoga style, which thank God I practice, because otherwise I would have thought it was strange.  My massause explained that meditating before a massage helps to relax the mind, which allows the body to fully be at ease.  After reviewing my form, he decided to focus on balancing out my earth element and used the appropriate oil.

Immediately afterwards, I was relaxed and brought to the Chuan Spa's Dream Room, which was just that, a dream – five twin sized waterbeds separated by curtains in dim lighting.  I was welcome to lay there as long as I wished.  Did I feel more energized? Yes, but the next day.

The elements of eastern and western culture were definitely influenced by each other through out my massage, which made it effective and relaxing. The entire Chuan Spa menu is set this way and is ultimately what makes the spa a stand out.

The Chuan Spa is located at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena, CA.

Guerlain Spa: Effectively Pampering

Last week, instead of facing the usual mid-week 4pm crash, I had the luxury of slipping into a heated bed at the Guerlain Spa at the Waldorf Astoria to test out their Abeille Royale Youth Facial instead.  Not a bad way to rejuvenate.  While my afternoon of work seemed fancy, I left finding the spa impressive, the facial extremely satisfying (you know, not the kind where they just rub creams all over your face), and with lots to write about.  

The Guerlain Spa's Abeille Royale Youth Facial started with a foot massage.  Dead serious.  I'm always skeptical when I go to new places for facials, because while being pampered is nice, I like results.  Not that I don't believe that they can't go hand in hand, but I know facials.  Microdermabrasion, peels, extractions... bring it on.

This was a deep cleansing facial, which is exactly what I needed (extractions and such), but while masks sat on my face to dry, my hands were massaged and they placed in paraffin gloves.  A nice touch in deed.  Now that I told you about some of the pampering touches, here's what I really found most impressive about it.

As a 'youth facial' the whole Guerlain Abeille Royal skincare line was used, which is known for firming and toning the skin.  The main ingredient: honey.  Besides being moisturizing, honey is also anti-inflammatory, brightening and soothing.  My esthetician, Alina Cimpoeru, said it also repairs collagen overtime, which I didn't know.

The spa was gorgeous, as it should have been being that it was at the Waldorf.  While waiting you're offered champagne or tea (I chose the latter) and you nestle into a private pod until your therapist calls.  Each treatment room had it's own bathroom with a shower, locker and phone charger.  I will definitely definitely be going back.

The Guerlain Spa is located at the Waldorf Astoria Towers at 100 East 50th St. New York, NY 10022.  You can book an appointment by calling 212.872.7200.

Julien Farel's One Stop Beauty Shop

Have you ever been to a salon that made your jaw drop?  I'm not talking about a gorgeous spa.  I mean a real, dare I say, beauty parlor.  Recently, I paid a visit to Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa at the Loews Regency Hotel in midtown NYC to check out what all of the hype about his new Park Ave. location is about.  Let's just say it's a NYers dream as Julien Farel's well thought out menu of services is for the busy, woman who doesn't know how not to multitask.

Located on the second floor of the Loews Regency Hotel, services begin with cut and color, include manicures and pedicures and also delve into spa.  It is a one-stop-shop that understands the sophisticated Manhattan woman and her needs.  One 10,000 sq. ft. room holds 32 unique pod-like hair stations, so you're given as much individual attention as possible in what is normally a busy salon.

Rooms are dedicated to nails, facials and massages, but the beauty of the menu is that all services can be done at the same time.  With "Power Hour," you choose three services of your choice.  Example: Facial, manicure, pedicure ($230).  Yes, there's even a facial bed that accommodates your feet for a simultaneous pedicure.  And of course, there's a mens section.

One of my favorite things besides the well curated menu was the David LaChappelle artwork hanging in the hallways.  In NYC?  Check out the Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa located at 540 Park Ave.

It Ingredient: Charcoal for Your Blackheads

If you happened to catch my posts last night on Instagram or Twitteryou'll notice there really weren't any.  The last thing I mentioned was early in the night, because I blacked out.  Of course, not the way you're thinking!  I was challenged to a social media black out by Bioré, in which I detoxed myself the Internet and my pores from, well, you know.  Here's how it went down.

Confession: On any given night in I must check Instagram and Facebook about ten times. When I have down time I read, from my computer screen and I don't know how to relax.  If I have a second, I write a blog post.  So this wasn't easy.

With a mental detox in mind, I lit some candles, tested out the new beauty products including Bioré's One Minute Self Heating Mask with Natural Charcoal and Bioré Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser and caught up on March issues of my favorite magazines.  Once I started trying out new products and looking into ingredients, I was fine.

The charcoal in the Bioré products helps to open up your pores and clean them out.  The One Minute Mask really heats up pretty much immediately as soon as you massage it onto your skin.  After just a minute, really just a minute, you rinse it off and look and feel more refreshed.

*This is a sponsored post by Bioré, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

Experience the First Lush Spa in the US

Lush is opened their first spa in the US this week on the Upper East Side of NYC and I got a sneak peek of what's in store.  Let me tell you, it's much more than I expected. Since Lush is know to be a vegetarian/vegan brand, I thought it would be a typical spa that uses their own products to please those who are anti-chemical.  Well, I was proved wrong.  Each treatment involves a choreographed experience that merges your senses taking you from one mental state to another.  It's unbelievable.

Located on the second floor right above a Lush store, there are only four treatment rooms in a very cozy environment.  The decor was brought over from antique shops in England to create a traditional English feel and of course, Lush products are used.

Music was composed by Simon Emmerson specifically for the treatments to  enhance the mood and a behavioral therapist helped create the treatments to "pick you up in one place and drop you off in another," explained Susan Rotante, Lush's PR rep.

I scheduled an appointment for their signature massage, the Synesthesia. Inspired by a neurological condition in which the senses merge (yes, people can see music and hear color), I watched a therapist preform it on a client.  It was as if I was watching a ballet and the client was part of the performance.  She was being played as if she was a grand piano.  Picture a transformative, graceful experience through a full body massage with medium pressure.  The therapist was actually flowing to a choreographed movement across the body.  

You tailor your treatment with your massage therapist using 11 emotional states like energize, relax, confidence and motivation to name a few.  Using a combination of oils for scent, the right lighting, flow of a massage and music your senses merge throughout the treatment and in minutes, you find yourself in a different state of mind that, unlike in other spas, doesn't always need to be relaxed.

The Lush Spa will be located at 783 Lexington Ave. NYC and the Synesthesia treatment costs $230.

The Real Secret Behind the Stars' Flawless Complexions During Awards Season

My inbox is currently full of awards season pitches and as I was weeding through all of the Golden Globes "Get the Look" emails, I came across a scoop that I simply couldn't ignore.  A publicist from OleHenriksen in LA tipped me off on spa treatments certain celebs were booked for throughout the season.  Golden!  Just last week Mark Wahlberg, Daniel Craig and Katy Perry had appointments and A-listers Charlize Theron, Emma Roberts, Halle Berry, Hilary Swank, Jessica Alba, Kate Beckinsale and Renee Zellweger are all due in for face and body treatments.  Here's the scoop on what they're after and how you can mimic the treatments at home: POWER PEEL - MICRODERMABRASION TREATMENT

For those seeking a pro-active approach to anti-aging, this customizable  8 step complexion treatment incorporates microdermabrasion to gradually reduce fine facial scars, skin discoloration, and fine lines/wrinkles. Recommended in a series of 6 – 10, your master esthetician will design a regime with the appropriate intervals between services.

ADVANCED HYDRA-DERMABRASION TREATMENT

Enjoy one of OLEHENRIKSEN’S signature facials incorporating the HydraFacial™ System*. The HydraFacial™ System offers nonirritating resurfacing with immediate results. We start with an in depth skin analysis allowing your master esthetician to completely customize your treatment. This technology utilizes a diamond tip (crystal free - microdermabrasion) for those areas requiring a deep exfoliation and pore refinement. As we exfoliate the skin, we infuse high efficacy, antioxidant serums that penetrate deeply into the skin. Suitable for most skin types, this treatment is ideal for those requiring deep cleansing, hydration, exfoliation, and antiaging benefits. 

PURIFYING COMPLEXION TREATMENT

Perfect for anyone experiencing clogged and enlarged pores, imbalances, and eruptions, this treatment is based on Ole Henriksen’s own personal experience resolving his cystic acne. This purifying treatment utilizes anti-bacterial extracts to treat even the most blemish prone skin. Eucalyptus oil, natural brush exfoliation, organic lemon strip peel, and custom blended masks are some of the steps utilized to calm and repair skin.

AT HOME TRY:

OleHenricksen Power Peel, a three step facial treatment that gives you a brighter, more even skin tone by reducing wrinkles, smoothing your skin's texture and reversing hyperpigmentation and sun damage.  Available at Sephora, 6 treatments for $45.

My Top Places in NYC for Relaxation

Last Friday I decided to unplug, well as much as possible and treat myself and my skin to a day of wellness, which included pilates, a facial and a massage.  While I love checking out the latest treatments from spas across the city and even around the world, when I book myself a much needed day to de-stress I always turn to my two favorite spots  – Mario Badescu and the Townhouse Spa – for guaranteed results. Facials at Mario Badescu are no joke.  Pampering?  Somewhat, but what I like about their services is that they get the job done.  If you're one of those people who get facials twice a year to relax and enjoy a variety of masks being slathered on your face, while you get a hand massage, then this isn't the place for you.  For a busy New Yorker on a schedule, who wants an efficient skin cleansing with an added boost, this is the place for you.  I try to visit every three months.  They also have an incredible skincare line that works miracles.

The Townhouse Spa has been my go-to spa since my Cosmo days.  It's a three floor boutique spa in midtown that's always ahead of the curve with the latest treatments and technology.  Joe and I actually had a couples massage there on Friday night (as we do a lot) and besides giving a heavenly massage, they also cater to men very well.  There's a whole men's floor, which makes it more comfortable for the guys.  Just ask Joe.

Tighten Up Without Working Out at Ildi Pekar Spa

A few weeks ago I was having lunch with a publicist friend of mine, Marie Laure, who only takes on clients that she really believes in (which is rare in this industry) so when she asked me to meet with esthitician, Ildi Pekar and visit her discreet location in Midtown, I jumped at the chance.  If ML vibed well with her, I knew I would too and couldn't wait to learn more about what she was going to do with my skin.  She works on rockstars! Before I take you through my meeting let me just say that my face is tight!  I can't even pinch my cheeks anymore and I had sagging hamster cheeks (genetics).

Ildi's from Hungary and has been an estitician for the past 15 years, with her NYC space for the past five.  I went up to the 25th floor of an office building and had to walk to the 26th to get to her spa.  Greeted by a receptionist, I filled out forms and noticed there was only one room and Ildi.  It's not your typical spa, it's a place of privacy, relaxation and efficacy.  Exactly what rockstars, men and even I look for from time to time.

After chatting for a bit, I decide to try the Trio-Lift on my face, which is an electronic hand held device that heats up your skin (on your face to 102 degrees F.) and liquidizes your fat by sending micro-currents throughout your muscles.  The fat then goes through your lymphnatic system and you naturally get rid of it (after drinking about two liters of water within eight hours).

"Since our own bodies have electricity, it's natural and holistic," remarks Ildi.  Natural or not, I'm all about it.  It's non-invasive, relaxing and worked.  The results should last about a month and being that it's NY Fashion Week and I have several TV segments this month, it was good timing!  The treatment works on the body as well and I wouldn't mind having it done on my inner thighs before a vacation!  Warning though: If you go to Ildi once, you'll be hooked.

Ildi Pekar Spa, 315 Madison Ave. Suite 2600 New York, NY Suite 10017

More Repulsive Ways to Accessorize Our Vags: Feathers & Fur

What's with women wanting to decorate their vaginas?  Isn't lingerie enough?  I thought Vajazzling was tacky, yet hysterical, then there was Vatooing and now people are actually accessorizing them with feathers and fur.  No lie.  They're getting waxed and then adding hair from a different beast.  Can someone explain the reasoning behind this to me please?  Introducing the latest craze: the Fox Fur and Feather Merkin Bikinis. Completely Bare Salon in NYC owned by Real Housewife of NY, Cindy Barshop is offering both treatments.  The Fox Fur Bikini uses real fox fur, which is applied to the bikini line after a wax and lasts three days.  As you can imagine, Peta is outraged.  Imagine... "My coat is faux fur, but my pubes aren't."  I can't even!

Then, there's the Carnivale Bikini, which uses "trendy feathers in a variety of hot colors" to decorate your crotch.  Who do these types of treatments attract?  I remember when Vajazzling was a thing Peenazzling came shortly after, which can only make me think.

Here's a video of Cindy Barshop of Completely Bare explaining both treatments.  Sexy or not?  You decide.

Spa Week Offers Treatments for $50

It's April and Spa Week is right around the corner!  From April 11 through the 17th many spas nation wide will be offering some of their top treatments from deep tissue and hot stone massages to lash extensions, manis and pedis, Botox, Velashape, body wraps, and facials for only $50! Almost a thousand spas nationwide will be participating this year.  If you've never participated in Spa Week before, I highly suggest you take advantage of it and book your appointment early to get the treatment and days that you want. Most spas offer three treatments at this discounted rate and book up quickly.

Visit SpaWeek.com for a detailed list of spas in your city that are offering these deals.