This facial great for more than your skin
When you book into a facial, it’s easy to expect that you will leave the spa with glowing skin. But a nearly head-to-toe experience resulting in full-body relaxation mode?
Well, that’s not exactly expected.
Nevertheless, that’s precisely what you get with the blissfully pampering Vinoperfect Radiance Facial. The 60-minute treatment features a full facial service using products from the French skin care brand Caudalie, as well as a shoulder, arm, hand, foot and scalp massage. In one word, it’s divine.
The treatment begins with an optional steam shower, where warm water and muscle-relaxing steam set the tone for the experience to come. Then, it’s on to the treatment table, where the facial and massage takes place.
Beginning with a gentle cleanser followed by an exfoliation, the Caudalie products provide a full sensorial experience thanks to pleasant, fresh scents and unique product consistencies. After the face is cleaned, the first of two masks — a glycolic acid option is used, followed by a hydrating mask later in the treatment — is applied.
While the product gently sloughs away any dead skin on the face, the therapist uses rich Caudalie Vine Body Butter to massage the shoulders, arms and hands into full relaxation mode.
After a surprisingly lengthy limb massage, the glycolic acid mask is removed through a thorough application ritual of warm towels and grape water spray. Then, the process of mask application and massage is repeated, this time with the scalp and feet being the welcome beneficiaries of the pampering.
In addition to the soothing and hydrating products from the prestige natural beauty brand, which uses grape and vine extracts sourced from vineyards in Bordeaux, Champagne and Burgundy, the therapist incorporates smooth, hot stones and a cooling roller to further relax the skin — while also promoting product absorption.
The treatment provided the perfect mind-and-body escape from the reality of the rain-soaked, windy spring day raging outside the spa and hotel’s walls.
But, truth be told, we’d gladly book in for the very same treatment during the summer months, too.
CHI, THE SPA AT SHANGRI LA
1128 W Georgia St., 604-6952447
The Treatment: Vinoperfect Radiance Facial, From $175