Saturday night I was out to dinner with Ian when I started telling him how excited I was about my Sunday afternoon appointment at my favorite spa. Ballantyne Resort here in Charlotte is unlike your traditional day spa and more like a full destination spa!
After hearing about my plans to visit the gym, the pool, the sauna, the steamroom, and then get my hour-long facial ... he was sold. He wanted in too! We called the spa right then around 10pm and left a message asking for an appointment for Ian for the same time as me. Luckily, he got a call the next morning confirming an appointment for a hot stone massage (easily my favorite kind of massage).
The best thing about this spa is that they encourage you to come as early as you want before your service and stay as late as you'd like in order to take advantages of the spa amenities. Done! We headed there around 11:00 in the morning for our 2:00 appointments. We had a great workout followed by lots of pool time, and then we headed to our respective locker rooms to do the rest of our pampering before our services.
I chose the Deep Pore Cleansing Facial this time which is a mild peel. My aesthetician Allie was great, and she introduced me to an organic product line called Eminence that I'm interested in checking out further. She showed me this Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant which sprinkles on like a powder -- you can add it to your facewash for extra exfoliating action.
This was my first time of having a peel at a spa, and I really enjoyed it. The products tingle on your skin when applied, which is how you know they are activated and working. The next day, Monday, my skin was a bit tight feeling but with no peeling. I've experienced very mild peeling with this treatment, with the majority happening on Wednesday and Thursday (today). They sent me home with a package of products to use for several days after the peel.
As I get older, I would love to schedule these peels more often. For any local Charlotte readers, through August the spa is running a special where this facial (normally $150) is reduced to $95 if you book Sunday-Thursday.
Do you do at-home peels or spa peels?
I did a peel at a spa about a year and a half ago and I loved it! I'd like to get in the habit of getting a facial or peel four times a year because the change in seasons really affects my skin. At home I use Philosophy's microdelivery exfoliating wash at least once a week - it's one of my favorite products ever and it makes such a difference in my skin!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite local spa in Dallas also uses Eminence products. I like some of them (the stone crop moisturizer is very good as is the plum eye cream) but have been less thrilled with one or two others (the vanilla scented face sunscreen is way too thick for me and caused breakouts).
ReplyDeleteI've done a few peels. The best one I had was a fairly intense alpha-beta peel at a Bliss Spa. I had a decent amount of peeling but skin looked amazing for a good 3 weeks afterwards. Also, Sonya Dakar makes a really good at-home peel that isn't too harsh.
Wow, that spa pool looks like the perfect place to spend an afternoon! I'm getting my first facial next month - I'm nervous/excited and hoping the spa will help me choose which kind of facial will be best for my crazy skin!
ReplyDeleteI have never done a peel but would love to try one. I remember my MIL doing one and couldn't leave the house for several days. Kinda scared me! ;)
ReplyDeleteAlso, good to know of a fun spa just up the road from me. I'll have to check it out!!
Was your hubby equally impressed with the services? I think that'd be a fun couple-y thing to do.
I love the idea of having a spa day with my hubby! We have natural hot springs in Napa Valley and I think I need to put this on our to do list.
ReplyDeleteI could get on board with spas if they involved lounging pool side! I've never had a peel. I've had a facial exactly once and I hated every minute. Everyone thinks I'm crazy but I just don't like massages and facials. I get so bored and something about being alone in a dim, quiet room with a stranger just makes me feel awkward. Weird, I know.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh that sounds like heaven! I love that Ian wanted to go too. :)
ReplyDeleteI have never had a massage, been to a spa, or had a facial. I'd love to do the first two but honestly all of the horror stories and after photos from facials scare me! Have you ever had a bad experience?
How awesome does this resort sound?? I wish we had something like that around here because I would totally take advantage of it!
ReplyDeleteI want to schedule a facial, but I've been scared. How do I know who to trust with may FACE!?!
ReplyDeleteJohn and I have do e couples massages before, nice to relax with the hunny!
Love the Ballantyne's spa! What a fun spa day you guys had. I've only had a peel once and my skin reacted horribly so I've never tried again. One day I may work up the guts to give it another go.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fantastic! I feel like anytime I have any sort of facial done at the spa, my skin reacts big time so perhaps this will be a bit more gentle? Worth a shot!!
ReplyDeleteNothing better than a day at the spa, and your day sounded amazing!! It reminds me that I'm long overdue for a facial and massage. Each time I have one, I tell myself that I need to have them frequently, but it always ends up being a yearly thing. That must change. :)
ReplyDeleteI have had a love for all things skin-care related for as long as I can remember. A day at the spa is just a dream! But this summer my skin just "stopped working with me":( So I tried Rodan + Fields. I loved it so much that I just started selling it myself!!!
ReplyDeleteSo happy that you and Ian where able to enjoy yourselves!!!
Oh my gosh, Ballantyne is easily my favorite place to spa it up! There's something so luxurious about spending the day at the pool and then getting a posh treatment. I've never had a peel...I usually can't resist a massage.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Eminence products and I use the Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant every day, it is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI recently got a full Eminence Facial and got a handy little cheat sheet on what works best for each skin type. You can see the cheat sheet here if you are interested in getting any of the products: http://detroitduchess.com/eminence-facial
I love spa days and I'm so glad that you got your husband in on it too. I'm sure he thinks it was a smart decision to join you. :) Anyway, I usually steer away from peels because of a bad first experience but you've got me interested in them again. Perhaps part of the success is in the aftercare. -Lilia @ La Fleur de Beaute
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