Aura Spa Facial Smooths and Soothes
Last week, the Aura Spa Halloween open house took place at their Renaissance Hotel location, 999 Ninth St. NW. Motivated by the prospect of imbibing “spooky cocktails” and a complimentary chair massage and facial consultation, I ambled over to partake of the amusements.
I’d heard good things about Aura Spa but had yet to try their services, so this was an opportunity not to be missed. Part of the Urban Adventures Cos. which also own Vida Fitness, Aura Spa is currently has four locations. The Renaissance Aura Spa consists of four treatment rooms tucked away in the Vida Club. The other locations, especially the most recently opened Navy Yards spa, are much more commodious. Aura Spa offers overworked and stressed-out Washingtonians an urban oasis to relax and recharge with a full array of spa services that include clinical and anti-aging facials, therapeutic massages and detoxifying body treatments and waxing.
After sipping a rather potent appletini in the Halloween decorated spa, I availed myself of a chair massage followed by a facial analysis with aesthetician Angelina King. After questioning me about my skin condition, King scrutinized my complexion using a skin analysis machine that revealed the full extent of dryness, sun damage, etc., which are often undetectable to the naked eye. Based on what she saw, King recommended that I try Bota-Peptide Eye Contour crème and Native Collagen Gel from the G.M. Collin skin care line, and gave me samples of each. I decided to come back to experience the 30-minute nourishing facial, which is tailored to one’s individual skin care needs this week.
Nourishing facial
The nourishing facial is designed to address various skin conditions, such as dehydration, sensitivity and acne. After I filled out a brief questionnaire about my skin, King asked me about what my skin goals and if I had a tendency to turn red from facials. I told her that I hoped to have cleaner pores, improved hydration in my dry areas and some gentle detoxification and extractions as needed in my problem areas. King assured me that she would work on these areas while creating a thoroughly relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
King began the facial with a gentle cleansing with a G.M. Collin cleansing lotion infused with essential oils. I think I caught a whiff of rose geranium and ylang-ylang. Next, she massaged my neck and shoulders — it was by far the best massage I’ve ever experienced as part of a facial. This had an instant soporific effect. Calling this relaxing is an understatement — I almost dozed off. This was a basic, 30-minute facial involving no fancy gizmos, but excellent cleansing, steaming, exfoliation, treatment masques and gentle extractions that did not leave my skin red and irritated. My skin felt revitalized and smooth, and the small blemish that had sprung up on my chin had greatly subsided.
I would definitely come back for another facial, and next time I’ll arrive 30 minutes early in order to enjoy the sauna beforehand. The nourishing customized facials offered at Aura Spa treat the following:
- Dehydrated skin
- Sensitive skin
- Acne prone
- Normal to dry
- Normal to oily
- Gentlemen’s facial
- Signature Organique facial – 99.5 percent USDA certified
- Back facial
A native Washingtonian, Beauty Blogger Lia Phipps is an interior designer with an irrepressible, life-long fascination with health and beauty. When she is not selecting fabrics and paint colors for clients, she occupies herself with trying new products and dispensing beauty advice to friends, acquaintances and anyone who is willing to listen to “Tips from Phipps”.