The Body Shop

This is good for all my faves, including Spa Wisdom Africa Spa Salt Scrub and Miracle Monoi Oil. Seriously. You deserve it. Just think about how much MORE abuse your feet will get during Black Friday!

PS: In my walking, I discovered there’s a Body Shop in Macau. Ain’t that wild?!

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Westin Los Cabos

We’re now staying at the Westin Los Cabos, which is gorgeous in a modern, almost futuristic way – and their spa is no exception.

One of our first stops was to check out the resort’s spa, a place where it’s simultaneously cleansing and indulging – with definite feels of the sea as inspiration.

As  I was feeling already like I was living in the lap of luxury, I sampled their caviar facial. Caviar is actually already known to have incredible anti-aging properties, but it also helps with cellular health and regeneration. That makes it fabulous for sun-damaged skin – which, to be honest, I’m already seeing a bit of. Not that I wasn’t paying attention to the whole sunblock thing, I was! But we’re in Mexico…

Part of the facial was an aromatic neck, shoulder, and upper back massage – which I always love – but the deep cleaning, exfoliation, and steaming of my face was exactly what I needed to get the gunk out and start fresh. My skin feels baby soft now! Which means it’s a great time to … go right back to the pool.

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The event wasn’t just a “preview” though: We also learned about their Product Prescription – basically, their list of the 10 best products for our complexions.

As someone who is ALWAYS fighting against a roller-coaster ride of good/bad skin, this part was the most interesting to me – and I look forward to trying each and every one of the products myself, in order to develop my own opinion!

So, here’s their list – feel free to comment back with your yay, nay, or other thoughts/opinions on any!

1. Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 30: Packed with glucosamine prevents blotchiness

($60 for 1.7 oz, dermalogica.com)

2. DiorSkin Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup SPF 10: Flax aids in in UV blockers

($45 for 1 oz, sephora.com)

3. Aubrey Organics Lumessence Lift Cream: Contains watermelon extract to fight sun damage

$26, aubrey-organics.com

4. Body Shop Body Shop Pure Detox Clarifying Clay Mask: The wasabi-infused product cleanses your pores ($24, thebodyshop.com)

5. Mario Badescu Vitamin E Body Lotion: Wheat germ helps repair skin cells
($10 for 6 oz, mariobadescu.com)

6. Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Serum: Gingko biloba helps with circulation and inflammation
($48 for 1 oz, olehenriksen.com)

7. Eucerin Calming Body Wash: Seals in moisture with omega-3 fatty acids.
($8 for 8.4 oz, drugstore.com)

8. RAWColor Perfect Balance Concealer and Highlighter Trio: Caper berry extract for vibrant color
($38, rawnaturalbeauty.com)

9. Yes to Cucumbers Calming Facial Cleansing Gel
($10 for 3.4 oz, walgreens.com)

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As a beauty editor, I get to experience beauty treatments pretty often, so it’s often best for me to judge a spa based on their signature treatments…here, I was in for a treat. There were tons of completely unique and innovative ones to immerse myself in.

Interestingly, this spa at The Water Club is actually CALLED the Immersion Spa! For those not yet familiar, it is a 2-story wonderland of treats for the face, body, and mind, many of which you may think involved a secret jaunt to the Far East.

I must say, the experience was unique and exceptional from beginning to end.

As soon as I checked in, I was shown to a ladies lounge, where I was allowed to sip a tea specifically chosen to complement my spa appointment. Then, I donned a cushy robe and slippers, and lounged about until my tech called me for my appointment.

I was scheduled for Thai Sacred Soak, Bath Ritual, which sounded exotic from the very description, and once in the treatment room, I sort of felt like I had escaped on a trip to Thailand. (Being that I am addicted to Thai food, that wouldn’t have been a bad thing at all.)

I can’t even call it a scrub or a massage – it’s pretty much a complete and total body experience. It started with a coconut full body scrub, and I mean FULL, with a scrub that smelled just like Mounds bars. And then, after the scrub, I was left to soak in a floral bath for a nice long warm stretch, and then, after the bath got an intense acupressure massage with lemongrass essence. The entire treatment was about two hours long, and by the end, I felt simultaneously relaxed and rejuvenated.

This also marked the first time I had received a massage from a male (well, in spa-terms!), and there really is a difference. If you love great amounts of pressure in your massage, it’s definitely something to try…it loosens all those kinks.

Oh, and at the end, before being sent back to the lounge area – I was given chocolate!!! Dark chocolate with ginger – sexy, energizing, and enriching – just like my treatment! I am in love. I have to say – and take this from a girl who gets spa treatments pretty much weekly – Immersion Spa is pretty much as good as it gets.

Image: The Water Club

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“In this economy, people are watching their money, plain and simple. Spa professionals are listening to the needs of customers and creating specialized treatments. Whether it’s a 30-minute pick-me-up massage on a lunch hour, or soothing those worked-to-the-bone Wi-Fi fingers, it’s all about meeting the demands of consumers,” says ISPA President Lynne McNees.

Customized Treatments: In addition to 30-minute facials and massages, spas are listening to the demands and desires of their customers. So whether you’re looking to combine a series of treatments or have one tailored to fit your needs (i.e., Wi-Fi massage), talk to your spa about how it can best fit into your lifestyle.

Mind, Body & Spirit: Consumers are looking to spas to recharge not only their body, but their spirit and mind as well. Many spas are increasing self-discovery services like ropes courses, art classes and other learning activities that help consumers to stop, be still and focus on themselves.

Family-friendly Resort Spas: In an era where we’re all moving at warp speed, more and more people are looking for spas that cater to families. These spas are responding to the need for families to communicate and spend time together, whether it’s flying through the air on a trapeze or attending family yoga.

Organic Spas: More spas than ever before are offering environmentally friendly products and services, but that’s not all. Many feature outdoor treatments and eco-friendly facilities, as well as treatments that highlight indigenous plants and the environment in which the spa is located (i.e., seashell body treatment and blueberry body wrap).

Spa Credits: In this economy, the smart traveler is the one who de-stresses at the hotel spa after a long flight. Hotels are looking to entice travelers and increase bookings by offering free treatments or spa credits when booking a room.

Spa Memberships: Similar to a gym membership, it allows spa-goers to experience spas at a lower cost. A 12-month membership could include unlimited use of the facility, a treatment a month and discounts on additional monthly services.

Half-day Spa Vacations: With people watching every penny, many are canceling their expensive vacations and instead turning to spas. Transform your morning or afternoon into a full-blown escape with a massage, facial and pedicure.

Dental Spas: Your annual cleaning just got more relaxing. The American Dental Association says about 50 percent of U.S. dentists are providing spa amenities at no additional charge. With hand massages, paraffin wax dips and reflexology, you’ll never dread the drill again.

Tried & True: Consumers are moving away from the trendy and seeking treatments with proven and tangible results. They’re getting back to basics, focusing on core spa services like deep tissue massage and clarifying facials.

Increased Spa Amenities: Turn a 60-minute service into an entire afternoon of rejuvenation by taking advantage of the spa’s amenities. After your hot stone massage, take a plunge in the pool, sit in the sauna or cool down in an ice room; today’s spas encourage loitering.

Image: International SPA Association

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If you are addicted to beauty, you too will be addicted to this concept. Giftybox.com allows you to give the ultimate “gift of experience”… you choose a theme, while your recipient gets to choose the activity. Giving an experience is extremely personal, not to mention, if you are looking for a gift for “the person who has it all,” giving an adventure or a class or a winery tour might just be the best way to go.

How it works:

* As a buyer, you pick the theme you want to give based on whatever suits the personality of the recipient: winery tour/tasting, spa experience, adventure (e.g. scuba diving, scenic flights, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, 4×4 tours, etc.), classes (dance, martial arts, cooking, etc.)
* Once you pick a theme, the gift recipient receives a guidebook of all the options in the theme (beautifully packaged) so that he/she can choose the specific activity (based on preferences and location)

It may seem as if this is an expensive gift, but in fact, the prices range from $34.99 to $129. No joke! Hello, spa, recessionista!

This is really a great item for holiday gifts

Check these out:

Spa & Well-Being for Women
Choose from 130+ venues nationwide for a full spa or well-being treatment
Examples of treatments: massages, facials, nutritional counseling, life coaching, etc…

What you get: 1 all-inclusive Gift Pass for a full treatment, a 200-page color guidebook and 5, 2 for 1 specials so you can try additional treatments with a friend

SRP: $89

Spa & Well-Being for Men
Choose from 120+ venues nationwide for a full spa or well-being treatment
Examples of treatments: sports massages, acupuncture, life coaching, personal grooming, etc…
1 all-inclusive Gift Pass for a full treatment, a 188-page color guidebook and 5, 2 for 1 specials so you can try additional treatments with a friend

SRP: $89

I haven’t gotten my treatment yet – but I plan to ASAP – and one of you will too! One reader will win one of the above spa boxes of their choice. To have your chance pick any three posts from the last two weeks and leave a comment. Good luck! Deadline to enter is December 31.

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Whether you have a friend who loves tea, but you are unsure of their favorite type or love a foodie who would enjoy a romantic dinner in, or want to send a spa gift certificate to your friend in another state, Vivabox sort of bridges all those gaps in an awesomely innovative way.

The cool thing about these boxes is that they are actually a few gifts in one: Unlike other experiential gifts on the market, you get a taste of what you will receive before even redeeming the gift card. For instance, check out the variety of boxes out there:

The Gourmet Vivabox (retail value $115): A gourmet meal delivered to your door, by the leader in gourmet meal delivery, GourmetStation, including two silver plated napkin rings.

The Spa Vivabox (retail value $160) Your choice of massage or facial at one of over 4,000 spas in the SpaFinder network, as well as French Lavender body lotion, French Lavender shower gel, Organic Juniper and Lemon bath salts, Grapefruit and Mint body lotion, and Revitalizing Lotion for legs and feet.

The Manicure/Pedicure Vivabox (retail value $95): A manicure and pedicure at one of over 4,000 spas in the SpaFinder network, as well as French Lavender body lotion, French Lavender shower gel, Organic Juniper and Lemon bath salts, Grapefruit and Mint body lotion, and Revitalizing Lotion for legs and feet.

The Teatime Vivabox (retail value $50): A sampling of seven different flowering and loose teas by Numi, along with a gift card redeemable for a number of different tea-time related gifts.

I am super excited to say that ONE reader will win their choice of any of these boxes. To win, share your tip: If you were to create your own custom experiential vivabox – on any theme – what would be in it? And who on your holiday gift list would receive it?

Deadline November 20.

Photo courtesy of vivaboxusa.com

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You can start your spa visit with a quick shower, a soak in a hot pool, or a steam or sauna. Or, if you’d prefer, you can lounge inside, or out, and just relax. Then, it’s off for your treatment.

I opted for a facial, having abused myself the previous day in the sun. Patty, my esthetician took a look at my sunburned face, tsk-tsked a bit, and then recommended that I avoid a rough exfoliation and go with a gentler, nourishing facial. She then worked her magic, which also included a relaxing warm hand and foot massage. I faded into a La-La land of bliss, only coming to when it was time to head off to the steam room and shower.

Anita opted for a body scrub and moisturizing treatment, perhaps to atone for her previous sun sins as well. We both ended the afternoon with a pedicure and foot massage.

There is truly nothing better to me than a facial and a pedicure. I could die a happy woman, easily, after a day like that.

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