My skin glowed — radiant, smooth and healthy. My brow and whole face looked open and relaxed, the lines on my forehead all but gone. And I was slightly, sleepily beaming, in a super-relaxed happy place.

Holding up a tin of Ouli's Ointment, Rosebrook recommended we moisturize our lips. As we do, my tablemate, who coincidentally happened to be Ouli's Ointment creator and L.A.-based green makeup artist Stephanie G-M exclaims what we're all feeling: "I feel like I've been drugged in the face — and it feels sooooo good!"

Image courtesy Nicola Bridges

Chiu is somewhat unique in blending Chinese medicine for skin treatment and rejuvenation with esthetics and beauty. But as more and more of us are turning to a holistic approach to body, well-being and beauty, she suspects mainstream skin care estheticians and dermatologists will jump on the gua sha facial bandwagon.

In the meantime, while it may not feel as pampering as in a spa setting, Chiu says look for acupuncturists and holistic massage therapists trained to do gua sha on the face. "This," she says, "is just the start."

Image courtesy Nicola Bridges