ESPA, well known throughout Europe as one of the world's premier spas, makes its U.S. home at the Acqualina Resort & Spa on 4.5 acres of breathtaking Atlantic beachfront. The spa's holistic and restorative treatments are steeped in Ayurvedic (traditional Indian medicine) principles.
The Treatment: Salt and Oil Scrub, 20 min. $55
Carefully blended sea salts and essential oils (guests choose between relaxing, invigorating or detoxifying blends) help to remove dead skin cells and the oils are slowly absorbed to help restore lost vitality and protect against dryness.
The DIY version: To detox at home, ESPA recommends daily dry skin brushing. "The action of regular brushing can help to stimulate blood and lymphatic circulation, improving the appearance of cellulite and skin tone," says Spa Director Alla Kosik. "By encouraging regular cell rejuvenation, your skin is left feeling soft, smooth and radiant." Use a natural bristled brush (try ESPA Skin Brush, $26 (at the spa) daily in gentle upward motions -- starting at your feet -- before you shower.
Kosik also recommends using a detoxifying scrub (like ESPA Detoxifying Salt Scrub, $52) once or twice weekly and using gentle upward circular movements while applying it. "The marine and plant ingredients, when combined with gentle massages, stimulate the body's lymphatic system -- boosting drainage and circulation and helping to speed the elimination of toxins from the body," she says. "The sea salts also help to exfoliate...to reveal smoother, more radiant skin beneath."
Located midway down the Florida Keys on a tropical 60-acre island, Calm Waters specializes in island-inspired spa treatments.
The Treatment: Key Lime Mojito -- Signature Body Treatment, 80 min. $180
This body exfoliation begins in a tropical rain room where you feel the invigoration of the house brand of mojito sugar renew and revive your skin. As the gentle rain of the Vichy shower soothes the senses, experience their key lime infused shampoo and conditioning treatment for your hair. After, they submerge you in a warm moisture wrap that leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated.
The DIY version: If you can't get to the Florida Keys, you can recreate the treatment at home by using a sugar scrub in the shower. (Try Bon Vital Mojito Sugar Scrub, $69.95.) Once your skin is wet, turn off the shower and, using your hands, apply the scrub to damp skin in a circular motion. Don't scrub too hard. Rinse off with cool water and, to really feel like you're on vacation, wash your hair with a key lime infused product like Key Lime Products Key Lime Shampoo, $9.99.
Nestled on 200 acres among rolling hills in a secluded valley 40 miles north of San Diego, Cal-a-Vie combines indulgent European spa philosophies with Californian health, fitness and nutrition concepts.
The Treatment: Hydrotherapy, 50 min. $95 Guests slip into a therapeutic bath designed to reduce water retention and improve the firmness and texture of their skin. Underwater jets massage the body, helping to relieve sore tired muscles and reduce the appearance of cellulite. The treatment can be customized with a selection of antioxidant or anti-aging products.
The DIY version: Spa Director Debbie Zie says, "an aromatic bath is one of the best ways to invigorate [yourself] when you're feeling tired and is an essential step in a slimming program." To recreate hydrotherapy at home, she recommends adding a bath concentrate like Yonka Phyto-Bain, $48 (at the spa), to "de-stress" and she suggests lighting a candle like the Yonka Soothing Massage Oil Candle, $59 (at the spa) whose "wax" morphs into an ointment containing shea and mango butters -- just in case you have someone on hand who's willing to play masseur.
Meaning "infused with spirit," Aspira sits on the banks of a lake that's considered sacred by Native Americans. The spa prides itself on being a journey location for the mind, body and spirit.
The Treatment: Cedars Massage, 50 min. $145
This soothing balancing massage incorporates aromatherapy using fresh native cedar, an herb used by Native Americans to purify and protect.
The DIY version: Spa Manager Shannan Roeh says that a cedar's clean, purifying scent can be enjoyed at home in the bath or shower using Aspira's signature cedar sage soap. (Try Plantlife Cedar Sage 100% Pure & Natural Aromatherapy Herbal Soap $4.95.) "Enjoy a hot bath or warm steamy shower and breathe deeply as the clean fresh fragrance of the cedar is released in the space around you," she says. She suggests you also, "add cedar-infused essential oil (like Aura Cacia, Texas Cedarwood, $3), which boasts many health benefits, to the bath water to further enhance your experience."
Miami's only five-star spa boasts a luxurious treatment menu that specializes in traditional Chinese medicinal therapies.
The Treatment: Customized Holistic Facial, $210
Beginning with a facial assessment to determine your skin type, a therapist selects products to create a facial experience tailor-made to your skin's needs.
The DIY version: While it's not the same as having someone do it to you, Spa Director Osa Mallo says that their facial is easy to recreate at home. Here's how:
Step 1: Cleanse your skin using a hydrating cleanser that won't over dry. Step 2: Tone your skin with a refreshing toner that will finalize the cleansing and prepare your skin for the next stage. Step 3: Exfoliate (once a week for oily, twice for dry skin) using a gentle exfoliant to assist in removing dead skin cells, revealing a more radiant glow. Step 4: Remove the exfoliant with a damp hot towel and, depending on your needs, follow by applying either a hydrating or firming mask. Leave it on for about 20 minutes (she recommends enjoying one of the three Mandarin Oriental's 'Oriental Wisdom', $20 spa CDs in the meantime). Step 5: Remove the mask with a damp warm towel and gently massage in a great hydrating moisturizer using an upward motion. Step 6: Find a good eye cream and, for best results, apply it in a circular motion using your ring finger. The spa recommends Beauty by Clinica Ivo Pitanguy PreVious Eye Contour Lifting Gel, $170 (call 305-913-8332), because "it reduces dark circles and puffiness while treating fine lines and wrinkles."
There's something about getting a spa treatment that's transcendent. The entire ritual -- from the exhilarating moment you enter the sanctuary to the melancholy phase of checking out -- is indulgent and exhilarating. Especially when you're at a top-notch destination like the ones featured in this story. These award-winning spas are some of the best in the United States -- and for good reason. They're not only breathtaking to behold, but offer signature spa treatments steeped in either ancient methodologies, new wave thinkings or a combo of both -- all guaranteed to cure what ails you, and feel (mostly) heavenly in the process.
But, what if you can't make it to the Florida Keys or the Blue Ridge Mountains? What if a jaunt to Scottsdale for an Ayurvedic spa treatment simply isn't in the cards (or budget)? Relax. Thanks to overwhelming cooperation from the head honchos who run these swanky spas, we're able to bring you DIY information on their signature spa treatments. Sure, it's not exactly the same to experience, say, a salt glow in your tiny pink bathroom as it is in a luxurious suite with a Vichy shower, but with the step-by-step how-tos, and info on precisely which products to purchase to recreate the spa treatment as authentically as possible, you'll at least end up with similar results.
So, cozy up and flip through this gallery of spa treatment goodies and, as you read each tantalizing description, allow your mind's eye to be transported to the destination, luxuriating in the service. Then, when you come back down to earth, plan out how you're going to recreate that Shangri-La from the comfort of your own home. Your body -- and mind -- will be so happy you did.
