Spa Spies!

Your skin is thirsty

by Rhoann Ponseti
July 18, 2004

Assignment #2: Seek out a great skin
care experience.

Who are the Spa Spies?
Two women, one too busy to go. (Some spy, huh?) The other goes anyway, keeping her hopes up. So, for the second time my fellow spy was my enthusiastic (really) husband. I think all guys should have a facial now and again.

Where to?
There are countless day or stay spas offering facials. We wanted the best and out of the ordinary. We google-ed the words Sonoma County spas and found: www.sonoma.com/ containing this: "Rejuvenate at Osmosis... aromatherapy facials at our magical five-acre Japanese garden retreat." Struck by the word "aromatherapy," we visited www.osmosis.com and found: "Signature Facial - Jurlique Skin Care designed this treatment exclusively for Osmosis. A blend of Neroli, Jasmine, Frankincense, and Myrrh essential oils provides the ultimate in hydration and anti-aging." Surely, this was it. We booked an appointment in charming, diminutive Freestone, just 20 minutes away from our Santa Rosa home.

Great escape.
Osmosis is a world apart. The waiting room overflows with everything imaginable to help to relax and de-stress. We found New Age music, yoga books and meditation cushions, jewelry, and lovely natural products. Known particularly for their cedar enzyme baths, there are packages of treatments that are truly luxurious. This place has been featured in The New York Times, L.A. Times and various magazines. Once there, you'll know why. it's world-class.

Organic, naturally.
While my husband hustled off to the outdoor massage pagoda I went upstairs to experience my Osmosis Signature Facial after changing into a Japanese robe. Melissa, my therapist, was relaxed, friendly and informative. Her accent was softly British. Or perhaps it was Australian, home of the Jurlique products. I never did ask.

Jurlique products are made with unique purity. The herbs are grown organically and biodynamically on their own herb farms in South Australia.

They contain natural and herbal antioxidants and vitamins, and are hypoallergenic and ph balanced. Using knowledge from ancient aromatherapy, herbalism, homeopathy and alchemy, the cleansers and lotions are plant-based, containing no petrochemicals, artificial colors or fragrances. They smell so good they could be edible.

Your skin needs water!
The premise behind Jurlique skin care is that most skin is dehydrated, sometimes caused by seasonal environmental factors. It can relate to metabolism or insufficient water intake. Melisse was delicate in her questioning about my caffeine, alcohol and water consumption. She advised me to counterbalance each cup of coffee or glass of (delicious Sonoma County) wine with a glass of water. Then drink 8 glasses of water per day on top of that, a challenge, to be sure.

Drifting off.
The facial was relaxing as well as aromatic. At several points I found myself drifting off into a sleepy meditative place, completely relaxed. The only non-relaxing part of any facial is the pore cleansing, which can be a little painful. My skin has what appears to be a small amount of sun damage so sunscreen is a must. Melissa advised me on a regime of Jurlique products to help overcome and protect sun damage and restore hydration. I'll have to save up for those!

It was worth the trip.
My husband enjoyed the massage and his Gentlemen's Facial. I was blissed out during the facial and the massage afterward. The meditation garden with koi pond, tea garden, and the entire grounds are alone worth the trip. Tip: upgrade to a Pagoda Massage in a private outdoor area where the bird sounds and wind in the bamboo add to the ambiance