Giveway Alert: Win a Trip to the Biggest Loser Ranch

At the end of the summer after bottomless margaritas, nights at outdoor concerts instead of the gym, and most recently hurricane carbs, we usually feel like we could use a week detoxing and exercising heavily. If you're in the same sitch as us, check out the Fast Track to Health Giveaway, sponsored by Spa Week and Joy Bauer. The prize includes:

• A seven day, six night stay for two at The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge in Malibu, CA, where you'll experience the rigorous fitness and weight loss regime, made famous by The Biggest Loser. This includes  daily fitness and exercise activities, healthy low calorie meals, relaxing spa services, educational lectures and a private cooking class with the resort’s on-site executive chef. 
• To help stay on track with his/her fitness goals, the winner will also receive a copy of Joy Bauer’s bestselling book, Food Cures, a personalized nutrition program designed by Joy herself, and $175 in SpaWeek Gift Cards to relax body and mind at his/her choice of over 4,000 spas nationwide. 

Enter on Facebook.

Bachelorette Parties- Idea #10: Sea Island, Georgia

Sea Island, Georgia makes the perfect bachelorette getaway if your gang is more interested in good food and good pampering than wild nights out. They have traditional hotel rooms, condos and villas for rent depending on your group's size. There's a beautiful and quiet white sand beach, huge pool areas, and golf, if it's your game. It's easy to get to via Jacksonville's airport.

We'd choose the Best Friends Facial package:

Start out in the Spa Suite with its soaking tub, balcony, full bath and two treatment beds. Cost is $215 per person.

Package includes:
90 minutes in the Spa Suite
60-minute facial or massage per person
Half bottle of Sea Island label wine per person
Petite assortment of chocolates

Visit www.seaisland.com for more information.

On Our Radar: Spa Week

It's that time of the year again, where great spas across the country offer up their popular services for only $50 a pop. Spa Week runs from April 11th through the 17th.  I always take the chance to pamper myself (somehow I can justify it if it's at a discount!). This time around I booked the Stress Melter Ritual (scrub and wrap) and a facial at The Red Door Spa. For $50 each it's like getting two for one and this close to tax day, I'll need some relief. Who wants to join me?

Book your services now, because they fill up quickly! www.spaweek.com

On Our Radar: Spa Week

Our favorite week of the year is here--Spa Week--along with its $50 treatments. Not sure what or where to book? Michelle over at Spa Week has the scoop on: 

• Eco-Friendly Spa Treatments
• 10 Best Spas for Breast Cancer Awareness
• Shaving Alternatives
• 12 Hottest Spa Trends for Fall

Check out SpaWeek.Com to view the complete list of participating spas.

Happy Spa-ing!

Spa Week Gift Card Giveaway

How indulgent! Our friends over at Spa Week are giving away a $500 giftcard to one of their participating spas and 10 $50 giftcards. How would we use it?

On a citrus body scrub. They are refreshing, energizing and help keep faux tans even.

How would our favorite bloggers spend the winnings?

"Vitamin C facials - OJ for the face. They're perfect for brightening summer freckles!"
The Luxury Spot, Bryce Gruber

"Summer pedicures for all...your feet should feel like a baby's bottom."
Betty Confidential, PJ Gach

"Body-sculpting connective tissue massage for firm flawless legs."
Splendora, Vivianne Lapointe

"A Seaweed body treatment is rich in minerals and vitamins, and as relaxing as a beach!"
Queen of the Quarter Life Crisis, Jamie Stone

"Time for the iddy biddy bikini. Gotta get that bikini wax!"
Cozy Wallet, Dalla Strum

"Prenatal Massage - whether you're preggers or not, it's the best water retention reducer!"
Daily Makeover, Rachel Hayes

"A luxurious-to-the-point-of-being- over-priced pedicure with sophisticated scents!" BeautyBloggingJunkie, Amber Katz

"For a fresh and fabulous all-day glow, an Oxygenating Facial is a must."
Haute Living, Sabrina Chapman


Enter the Spa Days of Summer Contest at SpaWeek.

Spa Week Explained

Earlier this week, we told you about some of the decadent treatments happening during Spa Week. Watch this video for a further explanation of the week and the many treatments you can get as Spa Week  Director of Social Media Michelle Joni Lapidos goes on a NYC Spa Crawl. Tough job there Michelle Joni!

On Our Radar: Spa Week

Pick up the phone now and make your appointment for Spa Week April 12-18 at one of the 800+ spas that are participating in the spa junkies dream. Spa treatments are only $50 each. And we're talking about way more than a polish change or 10-minute neck massage. Among the decadent treats:  

2 Hour Calmquest™ Meditation Session
Agave The Arizona Spa at the Westin Kierland Resort (below)

80 Min 24K Gold Facial with Lunch at Martier Café
Spa Martier, New York City

Titan Eye Tightening Treatment (originally $500)
VITAHL Medical Aesthetics

50 Min Make-Up Lesson with Application
Gurney's Sea Water Spa & Thalasso Center, Long Island

80 Min Plant Essence Aroma Bath Rituals Followed by Full Body Massage
The Woodhouse Day Spa of Franklin

Teeth Whitening
Atlanta Medical Day Spa and Surgery Center - Buckhead

Acoustic Wave Therapy (AWT) for Cellulite Reduction
Advanced Laser and Medical Spa of Rye, NY

90 Min Traditional Thai Massage with Foot Reflexology
Thai Sabai Traditional Thai Massage (below), Los Angeles

60 Min U Glow Package, Including Full Body Micropolish and Airbrush Tanning
U. Boutique & Med Spa, Plano, TX

50 Min Cranberry Body Scrub with Massage, includes Access to Swimming Pool, Whirlpool and Steam
Elmwood Spa, Toronto

45 Min Blueberry Antioxidant Body Scrub and Detoxifying Mud Wrap
WELL Spa at the Platinum Hotel, Las Vegas

90 min Package Including Colon Hydrotherapy and Infrared Sauna 
Balance the Clinic and Day Spa, San Francisco

The Official Spa Week Vajazzling Lineup (Swarovski Crystals on your you-know-what)
Completely Bare
25 Bond Street
New York, NY

For a complete listing, see Spa Week.com.

Spa Week Little Luxuries

One of our favorite blogs, Spa Week, asked us to name our three top little luxuries. Here's a hint for one of ours. Check out the rest--along with other fave luxuries from other bloggers on SpaWeek Daily.

Beauty Bloggerati Spotlight: Favorite Spa Treatments

Something about winter makes us want to hightail it to the nearest spa and get pampered. We checked in with the Daily Makeover Beauty Bloggerati to find out everyone's favorite spa treatments across the nation. 

The seasonal pedicures at Haven are my fave! Next on my list is their Pampermint pedi. (That's the waiting area/drying lounge above.)
Amber from Beauty Blogging Junkie

I love getting a hydrating protein treatment for my hair at High Tech Design and Day Spa in my area. I rarely have time/babysitters for a spa day (so do most of them at home), but really wish I could get
their full package one day: a massage, European facial, manicure and pedicure!
Bailey from Makeover Momma

I don’t get the spa treatment too often but the last pedicure I had was from Spa Scotta in Seattle. Ally gave my their Signature Pedicure and it was the most amazing pedicure of my life. It included a foot mask and a paraffin dip, it was heaven. I loved it so much I bought all of the products used on me to try and recreate it myself at home.
Carla from Product Girl


I'm a simple girl when it comes to spa treatments. I like a good deep cleansing facial any day of the week!

A friend of mine lives in Denville, NJ and once a month I go visit her and we do spa day at Depasquale Spa in Morris Plains. I have huge pores (no really you could park your Audi in them) and when the aesthetician finishes with the extractions on my face I feel so clean and bright!  I'm counting down the seconds until our next spa day at the end of this month!
Lisa from These Lips Are Made for Glossin

I love a classic European Facial with an AHA add-on or a pumpkin enzyme peel.  Marissa is my go-to girl at Evans and Co in Redlands, CA
Tammy from A Mom in Red High Heels

A few months ago, I went to Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Rescue Spa (above) and had a marathon massage sesh followed by a "Sugar Buff."

I wasn’t expecting to enjoy the sugar scrub as much as I did because exfoliation isn’t usually a relaxing experience. But as Massage Therapist Alycja rubbed the grapefruit/lemongrass/peppermint-scented
scrub over my body, I slipped into a deeper level of sedation. The sugar crystals sloughed away months of dead skin and I emerged from the treatment with a brand new epidermis. I couldn't stop touching my skin because I couldn’t believe it was mine. No exaggerating...it hadn’t been that soft and smooth since 1978.
Daneen from Spoiled Pretty

I love Bliss’ Deep Sea Detox body treatment — they do the whole vichy shower thing, then they slather you in a seaweed goop and wrap you up nice in tight and let you sweat out icky toxins and excess water weight. I left feeling healthy, reinvigorated and 5 lbs. slimmer. Can’t beat that! I’m itching to try their famous Carrot & Sesame Body Buff next, I bet my skin will be sublimely soft after that one!
Megan from Daily Makeover

I'm obsessed with the Personalized Ocean and Earth Wrap at the Mandarin Oriental in D.C. I try to do this twice a year to prepare my body for winter and summer. It's a delicious treatment.
Julia from All About the Pretty

As for us:

It's really hard to choose just one favorite spa treament, which is why I have to go with the Time Ritual at Miami's Mandarin Oriental (above). You book a block of time and work with your therapist to see what you're in the mood for that day and what scents you want to use. I usually end up getting a mix of a scrub and a massage. The Time Rituals are available at any Mandarin, but I picked the one in Miami because the views of Biscayne Bay from the treatment rooms can't be beat!
Annie

I would pick any of the treatments at the Lake Austin Spa in Austin, Texas (pictured at the very top).  It's all beautiful: from the relaxation porch to the spacious treatment rooms to the gorgeous grounds planted with obscene amounts of rosemary.  I had the Chardonnay Wine Therapy treatment last visit which included a sugar scrub, butter wrap and  Chardonnay oil massage.  If you go, plan on staying for a healthy lunch in the Aster Cafe and down time around the pool.  It's a resort as well that hosts women's interest getaways with authors, cooking classes, yoga and more.

Hope

Caring for Combination Skin in the Winter

Many of us have issues with breakouts even during the dry winter months. We were fortunate to speak with JoElle Lyons of the Hela Spa in Chevy Chase, Md. (and esthetician to the First Lady!) on how to treat combination skin. It's easy to take advise from someone who's so knowledgeable and has a gorgeous complexion of her own. Friend JoElle on Facebook and you'll receive her sage advise regularly.

Discounted Spa Vacations

Thanks to our friends over at Spa Week for alerting us to the SpaWeek Fab Four Travel Packages--and for setting up the screaming deals. We're torn between the Las Vegas Hilton's Vegas Bliss at the Spa, which includes 3 nights, $300 in gift cards that can be used towards rooms, food, beverages, show tickets, spa services, etc., $90 in Free Bet Chips, a Tropical Sugar Glow Scrub, 25% off at The Spa and 2 complimentary Buffets for only $599 per person



and the Le Grand Courlan Spa Resort in Tobago, which is offering 5 nights, daily breakfast, a massage and other goodies for $700 per person.



Most of the deals are good through 2010 with some blackout dates, but you must book by December 31, 2009. Check out Spa Week for all the deals, including packages at Canyon Ranch, Miami and Red Rocks Resort in Utah.

Brazilian Waxing: My Experience with a Brazilian Wax and What You Can Expect

I've only had one bikini wax before braving the full Brazilian; but I'd heard so much about them from my girlfriends, it was finally time to try one myself. Finding a salon is confusing since every one of them does a Brazilian these days. I ended up choosing Circe, an Aveda spa in Old Town Alexandria, Va. because it was featured in InStyle magazine. After my making my appointment, I checked out their website where I was lucky enough to find a $25 coupon for first time waxers.

The first advise I got was from Amy who told me to take ibuprofen before going. Also, don't go while your PMSing, because your tissue is swollen which can make the procedure more painful.

When I arrived at the salon, my technician, Sarah, told me to undress below the waist and lay on my back on the table. Yes, completely bare from the waist down, no draping. I'm not modest, per se; but this was mildly uncomfortable.

First, Sarah sprinkled corn starch on my bikini area so that the wax wouldn't stick to my skin. Then she applied warm wax in small sections and removed the hair in strips. Let me pause momentarily to tell you that yes it hurts as much as you've heard. I'm not sensitive and consider my threshold for pain quite high, but this was a shock to my system. Once the waxing is complete...everywhere... the technician wiped a soothing oil all around and began tweezing the stray hairs.

My results? Well, don't expect images for this one; but I can tell you I resembled a Barbie doll (or Ken doll for that matter). Unfortunately, the next day I also had a red rash either from the shock of the treatment or from a reaction to the wax, but it went away by the second day.

The following week, I contended with a barrage of ingrown hairs and I tried everything I could find to combat the problem. The best advice (again it takes a village with me) was from my friend, Phoebe, who recommended Neutrogena's Black Head Removing Scrub with 2% salicylic acid. While I think that went a long way in keeping the inflammation and infection at bay, there's no avoiding the fact that my coarse hair had a mind of its own.

The salon recommended I return a month later for a touch up and I'm still on the fence. I liked the initial results and the idea of thinning out the hair; but contending with ingrown hairs is daunting. I'm leaning towards giving it one more chance. If that's not an easier experience, I'm looking into laser treatments and, you know, I'll tell you all about it!

Photo by Amazon: you can find the Barbie and Ken Olympic Ice Skater there; but hurry there's only one left!

Purely Organic Facial at the Boutique Spa at the Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown

Last week I had the Purely Organic Facial at the Boutique Spa at the Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown.

I'm always running late; but I was determined that on this visit, I'd follow the spa's recommendation to come early and enjoy the facilities before my appointment. The spa at the Ritz is intimate; but not crowded. Arriving fifteen minutes early gave me plenty of quality time in the steam room and an exfoliating scrub in the shower. When I hit the treatment table, I was already relaxed.

My esthetician, Poy, began my treatment with some modified yoga stretches and light massage, then on to the facial: cleaning, steaming, moisturizing and applying a mask. I'm interested in organic products for the obvious reasons including they're better for you skin and their production has less impact on the environment; but I'm also sensitive to scents. The ingredients in these products truly smell natural. Most memorable were the eye cream with French lavender and sunflower oil, the scrub with a papaya derivative, and the buckwheat mask with peach, apricot and mango butters.

I enjoyed my facial and my skin felt soft and smooth afterwards. I was particularly impressed with Poy's professionalism and knowledge. She went beyond explaining the organic facial and gave me advice about my individual skin issues.

For starters, regarding the different areas on my face and why they breakout. I mentioned a spot on my forehead and she asked whether I'd been eating sweets. The answer of course was yes, since Halloween just passed. Poy said our foreheads breakout when we eat too much sugar. Similarly, breakouts around your jawline are likely stress induced, and around your mouth and nose are hormonal.

Poy also gave me advice about caring for my skin post waxing after I commented that I break out after getting my brows done. She explained that our hair follicles are stressed after waxing and they produce extra oil to sooth themselves, which can lead to blemishes. Her recommendation was to use an astringent three times a day for a couple of days post waxing to control the oil and keep the pores clean. I gave it a go and had better luck after my eyebrow wax with no issues.

After my facial I treated myself to lunch at Fahrenheit, where I had their special: seared sea bass and grilled shrimp in a champagne butter sauce (pictured below). What a satisfying finish to a great afternoon! I'll be coming back to the Ritz-Carlton spa to see Poy this winter and I'll be staying for smores by the fireplace.



This review was based on a complimentary service. The delicious lunch was on me.

Chocolate and Spa Services: Co Co. Sala and Red Door Spas

We just learned about the partnership between D.C. based restaurant and maison de chocolate, Co Co. Sala, and Red Door Spas.

On November 17th from 6-8 p.m., they'll be hosting their first ever champagne, chocolate and spa event at Co Co. Sala where guests can indulge in champagne and seasonal chocolates like Pecan Pie and Coffee Cream Parfaits, and mini spa services like makeup applications and manicures.

Everyone receives a complimentary gift and the chance to win prizes. It's also a good time to pick up gift cards for the holidays for both Co Co. Sala and Red Door.

For more information and to reserve your spot (do so by November 10th), email events@coco-dc.com.

Eau Spa Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach

Not all spas are created the same. In Eau Spa's case, its design is quite different from the norm. Usually we expect to find serenity in quiet Zen-like rooms; but Eau Spa, which opened this March in the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, uses whimsical design and sunny open spaces to relax its guests.

The Eau Spa offers top end, luxury facials and body treatment from its Bejeweled Collection by incorporating minerals derived from platinum and either diamonds, rubies, or pearls to rejuvenate your complexion and heal your body.

For those of you who'd like to experience Eau Spa on a tighter budget, the Eau Spa also offers day passes for $75, where you can enjoy the bath lounge, ponds, waterfalls and saunas. For an extra charge, you can design your own scrub from the Scrub and Polish Bar. We're partial to their signature scent, Green Tea and Lemongrass; but they also offer vanilla and ginger, citrus and eucalyptus, and lavender and mint. Another option is to sample from their bite sized beauty menu, a sampling of 25 minute mini spa treatments including facials and massages.

Through the end of November, Eau Spa is extending its summer specials. Our favorite is the buddy discount which gives you and your friends a 10% discount if you come together. Find out more information at EauSpa.com.

Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman - The Most Beautiful Spa on Earth

While we wouldn't call ourselves jaded, it does take a lot to impress us. So trust us when we tell you that our jaws flat out dropped when we entered the Silver Rain La Prairie Spa at the Ritz Carlton in Grand Cayman, designed by Carl D'Aquino & Francine Monaco of D'Aquino Monaco. That's the entrance way above. The decor "Celebrates the healing energy of water in all its forms," according to the hotel's website. The closest comparison we have is the The Bathhouse Spa at The Hotel in Las Vegas.


That's the spa's waiting area, above. The picture doesn't do it justice. The walls are a silver-pearl and the curtains are a mohair-shag type blend with fleck of silver. We imagine this is what heaven looks like. Little treats are offered, like fruit and dried fruit, teas and a selection of infused waters--mint was our favorite. Our only gripe with the waiting area is that it is unisex. (We prefer not to see hairy men in too-small robes while waiting for our treatments.) Fortunately, the waiting area was large enough that we were able to find a quiet corner.

As for the treatments, you can choose from a range of massages, including a caviar massage or a hot stone massage; a range of wraps that also incorporate caviar and other marine biology that La Prairie is known for; baths or a number of anti-aging facials that all feature La Prairie products. We opted for a mani, because our nails were in desperate need of some TLC. Our manicurist was the lovely Georgia, who explained that the polish is Essie, specially packaged and selected for LaPrairie.

The spa's gift shop offered the best shopping we found on the island, with sweet jewelry, fashionable beach tops and dresses and a bag we're starting to regret not buying.

If you can't bear to tear yourself away from the beaches of Grand Cayman, you may also opt for beachside massage in your private cabana. Request Caleb or Matthieu and you won't be disappointed.

Poolside Spa Treatments

One of the perks of jetting off to Vegas is obviously the glowing tan we get from that desert sun! However, it takes a lot of work and sweat - literally sweat, to get that golden glow. The Palms Hotel now offers us amazing spa treatments while we bask in the hot sun. How does the “Stone Cold Cocktail” (cold stones applied to the face in order to melt away tension and stress) sound? Perhaps you might want to try the “Lemon Ice” (gentle face massage with lemon balm and frosty ice cubes) treatment. These range from $45-$95 for either 20 or 25 minutes, depending on the treatment.

For those of you who choose to stay out of the sun, you can indulge in either sunless tanning or tanning beds in order to return home bronzed and beautiful. The Drift Spa is offering 2 for 1 tanning deals, so now you don’t have to worry about sleeping in and missing the sun: You can party with your girls late into the night, roll out of bed at 3, and still look as though you baked by the pool.

Spa Week April 13-19

We're always excited when Spa Week comes around and we can try out new salons and treatments for only $50. Last year we took advantage of the good deals and had facials that would normally cost us $100. Thanks, Spa Week! Be sure to ask for the Spa Week specials when you call the salon.

This year, we'd like to try the new Ted Gibson Salon and Hela Spa in Chevy Chase, Md. The Hair and Scalp Renewal Treatment with the Signature Ted Gibson Blowout and Classic Manicure (all for $50!) sounds tempting; but we also could really use the 45 minute Greta Garbo Deep Cleansing Facial with T-Zone Extractions. Maybe we should do both? It's practically two-for-one at these prices!

We've toured the gorgeous new Red Door Spa at the Willard InterContinental; but haven't had a treatment yet. There's no better time than this week and the 50 minute Stress Buster Ritual has our name on it.

Want to get ready for bathing suit season? The Cellulite Center at Luminesa Medi-Spa in NYC is offering a 50 minute Body Slimming Treatment. If you try this, let us know your results. It's one treatment we haven't done yet.

Completely Bare has three locations in NYC that are offering Laser Hair Removal for the Bikini area or a Brazilian Wax (ouch!) which will round out your beach prep.

Visit Spa Week to find the hundreds of other spas across the country that are participating this week only.

Kohler Waters Spa Review

Today, JSG brings you a review of the Kohler Waters Spa, by guest blogger, Catherine Holecko:

The outskirts of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, is about the last place I expected to find myself enjoying a lovely spa treatment. But that was before I knew about, and visited, the Kohler Waters Spa in Kohler, Wisconsin (about an hour’s drive north of Milwaukee, or two hours from Chicago).

The existence of the spa makes a lot more sense when you connect it to the Kohler plumbing empire—a maker of high-end faucets and fixtures. And the spa provides half a dozen or so ways to have a soothing soak: hot tubs and whirlpools in the men’s and women’s locker area, a co-ed hot tub/fireplace lounge, and a waterfall-fed relaxation pool. Plus hydrotherapy features prominently in the treatments, many of which include time in a Vichy shower or soaking tub.

My GF Rachel and I visited recently for a girls’ reunion and beat-the-blahs weekend. I chose the 75-minute “Head to Toe” exfoliating treatment in an attempt to shed a few layers of winter skin. Plus I thought it offered a good sampling of the spa’s many services—scalp massage, exfoliating body mask, mini-facial, etc. (I was fascinated by, but couldn’t quite convince myself to try, the Highland Fling—a “mist-ical,” Scottish-inspired treatment that includes a “fling of warm water buckets to drench the body.”) I left the treatment room feeling utterly relaxed and sloughed clean; my skin still felt soft two days later when one of my friends—not the one who also visited the spa—said “your face is glowing!”

Along with its hot tubs and lounges, the spa has standard amenities like comfy robes, a fitness center, and a tasty lunch menu. The building is adjacent to the Kohler Design Center (totally worth a visit BTW) and neighbors the American Club hotel. The spa itself had a maze-like feeling that Rachel and I could never quite shake. The women’s locker rooms had only two toilets (so there was often someone waiting for her turn) and the locker areas were tiny, making it awkward to change in and out of the robes. We got lost a few times looking for our lunch table or the rooftop hot tub lounge—but the gracious staff was always available to help us out.

If you’re not going to be traveling to Wisconsin anytime soon, check out Kohler Waters locations in Chicago and St. Andrews, Scotland.

You can read more about my usually much less glamorous life at my personal blog, Mayberry Mom, and get info and advice at my family fitness site, About Family Fitness.

Interested in guest blogging about your girls' getaway for JSG? Contact us at jetsetgirls@gmail.com.

Goodbye Bush!

We couldn't stop laughing when we got this offer from Bliss-- 20% off waxing services from 1/19/2009 to 2/1/2009. Be honest, girls, you've neglected the hedges haven't you? Even if you're not headed to the beach anytime soon, you'll thank yourself (and so will your partner) for this tlc.

Visit Blissworld and print out a coupon to use at Bliss spas is NYC, Dallas, LA, Scottsdale, Chicago, San Francisco and Atlanta, or use the code "BUSH" to purchase at-home waxing products on line.

On another blissful note, we been using the newly named Peeling Groovy Facial Serum for a few days now (it used to be known as Sleeping Peel Serum). It has a mild alternative to AHA that gently exfoliates and brightens your complexion. We can attest it tingles when you put it on (not as strong as a burn) and causes our skin to flush slightly. We haven't had any flaking yet which is good news, our face is smooth and void of dry patches. Bliss also recommends you use it on your hands and ours are terrible dry in the winter. It almost instantly got rid of the snake skin on the backs of our hands.

We'll need to use it longer to see changes in our fine lines. If you've tried it, we'd love to hear your feedback.