May 1, 2006

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Murad’s Vitamin C Infused Facial

The facial kit boasts elimination of fine lines with the infusion of vitamin C. And Vitamin C is all the rage at all the skin-spa’s these days (or at least that’s what the posters and promotional material attest), so I put it on my amazon.com wish-list and before the month is up, it appears on my front door (thanks, bg).

Beauty.com

Ok so it’s Sunday Diva Day – and it’s time to pamper myself. The directions are easy enough to follow – mix 1 orange bag and 1 white bag into the provided plastic dish and mix until creamy…done. I begin to apply it with the included fan facial brush and I’m thinking I’m only 10 minutes away from a silky smooth complexion. And then the fire starts.

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Mar 13, 2006

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Bliss Spa NYC

Hilton New York
Bliss Spa

1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, United States 10019
Tel: +1-212-586-7000 Fax: +1-212-315-1374
website: Hilton New York City
Bliss Spa and Fitness Lounge
Service: Mani-Pedi

As far as New York City space is concerned, Bliss Spa at the HIlton is actually tranquill and actually feels like a rejuvinating spa, surprisingly. Typically NYC gives me claustrophobic vibes, but this cozy spa was actually breezy with friendly staff members and top of the line products. I made a reservation from my room, took the elevator down for a quick mani/pedi with no wait time and zipped back to my room to enjoy the rest of the site seeing adventures the city had to offer (i.e. 5th Avenue shopping). Thumbs up!

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Mar 13, 2006

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Yamaguchi

YAMAGUCHI
1794 S. Victoria Avenue, Suite 2A
San Buenaventura , CA 93003

Treatments:
Hair cut & Color

Cost: $100.00 +

Yamaguchi’s is pretty easy to find in Ventura, California with ample parking along the front, side and a private parking lot directly behind the facility. The first time I made the drive for my initial hair coloring & cut consultation it wasn’t too crowded, but my actual appointment was on a Saturday morning – and yes, it was jam packed. Immediately upon entry to the salon, I was greeted by a host and offered a beverage of choice and then asked to relax in the “lounge”. Once seated in the lounge, I was offered a menu that ranges from fruit juices to sandwiches – at approximately the same price as a small bistro. I declined because I just didn’t feel like smelling hair chemical solution while drinking a cappuccino and waited for my hair technician to call my name.

SmartCruiser.com

I had previously made a hair color consult approximately a week prior, and was looking forward to a specialized experience. My total wait time was about 30 minutes after my arrival and finally met with my hair color specialist.

After my color was applied, I was then handed off to an apprentice who rinsed my hair and prepped it for the hair cut person. Once my hair was cut, I was again passed on to the apprentice who styled and blow-dryed my hair, which ended up looking like betty page with jet black tresses and baby-bangs – totally not my thing and at the end of the whole experience,  I ended up extremely disappointed in the entire experience and vowed to never ever go back again. I mean damn, why did I pay over 100 dollars for a hair-school graduate to actually style my hair?  How does that equal customer satisfaction?

Oh well, thats why Yamaguchi’s in Ventura, California got a rating of 1 from Spa-View.com

Rating: 1

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Mar 13, 2006

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MGM Grand

While the MGM website has spa etiquette, it’s a bit hard to read due to extreme pixelated text. but the prices are clear. Go figure. Since I had an extra day in Vegas and a couple jumbo-cups full of quarters, I decided to head to the Grand Spa at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas

The Pamper Plan includes:
body exfoliation : 25 min.
swedish massage : 25 minute
facial : 25 min.
plus, an all day pass to the fitness lounge/health club when i booked it (by a one touch connection from my hotel room.)

I booked it for the last day of my vegas trip, which is in my opinion the best way to leave las vegas – relaxed and un-stressed. As I walked in I was greeted by tranquil surroundings with gorgeous botanicals and the sounds of nature and water – with a combination of lush land and hardscaping -fabulous!

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Mar 13, 2006

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Sweet Dreams

Sweet Dreams Body Care Salon
(818) 995-4247
13528 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

A previous co-worker friend of mine referred me to Sweet Dreams salon as a referral. It’s located in Studio City and super easy to find sitting right on the corner off Ventura Blvd in a small spanish style cottage with enough private parking for the size of the facility, which was a home before it became a skincare salon.

The inside was cozy and beautiful and the esthician (ironically named Sylvia) on duty had me sit on a comfy couch and wait until she had finished setting up the room upstairs for my treatment: an express facial to get me going again. The room was super clean and quiet, the facial a bit ‘stingy’ but at the end of the day, it was quick and my skin has never felt better!!

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