ProductWhores

Cielo Spa - Santa Barbara

If anyone lives near Santa Barbara, CA or is planning a trip there, I cannot stress how badly you need to visit Cielo Spa Boutique.  I took a few days off of work (much needed) and whisked my Mom to Santa Barbara (a fantastic getaway for those of us in Los Angeles who need a mini-adventure) and decided we needed facials.  I have had about a million facials in my lifetime and my mom, in her sixties, is a facial virgin, and I decided it was time she experienced one.  After scouring Yelp, I came across Cielo Spa Boutique, right on State Street, in the heart of Santa Barbara and I thought we'd give it a go.  So thrilled I did!  First of all, it's a very small spa (probably just two treatment rooms) and the atmosphere is so warm and inviting (it actually feels like a converted home).  We both indulged in the 60 minute facial - so relaxing - and both of us came out glowing and feeling fabulous.  My mom (the scaredy-cat) decided to forego any steaming and extractions, but really enjoyed the mask and the wonderful hand massage.  I was lucky enough to have the owner, Roxanne, doing my facial and it's no wonder she comes so highly recommended on Yelp!  She is a master when it comes to skincare (my face looks fantastic) and her neck, head and hand massages almost put me to sleep.  She uses all Babor products (I am new to the brand but was impressed at how non-greasy they are) and she ended with the most fabulous lip balm I have ever tried (so fantastic, in fact, I purchased it and will review the line in another post - it really deserves its time in the sun!).  The facial is worth every penny of the $90 (if you check-in on Yelp you save an additional $10.00) and I will definitely go back the next time I'm in Santa Barbara.  Word on the street is the Cielo Spa Boutique is especially amazing with waxing (but that doesn't sound like my idea of a relaxing getaway...)

Blue Medi Beauty Spa

I had heard buzzing about Blue Medi Beauty Spa in Sherman Oaks, but it wasn't until a friend gave me a gift card that I stepped into what has quickly become my new go-to place for facials.  From the moment you step into Blue, you are greeted by very happy, friendly people which is always my first indicator of a great spa.  The place is decorated in white with accents of blue (no shocker there) everywhere.  They have an exposed ceiling that they've painted white, which really opens the place up, and use accent pillows in various shades of blue to really give the spa a relaxing, oceanside feel.  Unlike most spas, Blue offers a huge menu of treatments, including Botox, Restylane, Laser Hair Removal and Tattoo Removal (to name a few listed in their booklet of offerings), but I opted for the basic blue facial, which at $100.00 is actually cheaper than Burke Williams.