Happy Skin in Chicago

When traveling, some people enjoy finding good sales, great local food, or tours through history…I love all these adventures, but my favorite is finding a hidden local spa that can help calm and rejuvenate my tired skin.

While visiting Chicago this past weekend, I found just the place that could help me and my skin relax after a long trip north. Allyu Spa…their slogan says “a place for healing” and it truly is. This spa is healing mind, body and spirit!

My travel companion and I walked about a mile to the spa Saturday morning for our 10 am appointments. We both booked their signature facial which is designed around your specific skin type and needs.

The atmosphere in Allyu was great…peaceful, serine, tranquil…all things a spa should be. The motif was centered around a South American feel with earthy furniture and decorations…the most interesting aspect was the walls leading to the facial rooms were created out of rocks nestled behind iron rods.

The treatment rooms were softly lit and a calming CD was playing…and maybe I was just super tired but even the treatment bed was comfortable enough to take a serious nap!

My esthetician was amazing….professional, insightful, and friendly. She had a great touch (not to soft but not too hard…Goldilocks would have been thrilled!) and she really customized my treatments to help my skin get the most out of the facial.
I told her I wanted a really good deep clean because my skin felt so congested and gross. She started with a gentle deep cleanser then applied a papaya mask that helped open my pores and release any debris that was clogged.

After an amazing upper back massage, she began extractions. Extractions are never pleasant (let’s face it…you’re squeezing out all the stuff trapped under your skin) but she was gentle and didn’t force out gunk that wasn’t ready to go so the process was not unbearable.

Next she applied a calming mask to help my skin return to a nice balance and did a great hand massage while the mask was setting. Finally she removed the mask, applied a softening moisturize, eye cream, and lip balm and left me to slowly get dressed.

After my 60 minute facial, I joined my travel buddy in the “meditation area” which was a large space with several couches and pillows and beautiful curtains draped over everything in a way that made the space look like a Moroccan tent in an oasis.
While sipping some relaxing chamomile tea, my friend told me what an amazing facial she had received. She was thrilled with the results on not only her skin but also her mind and spirit.

Check out the Allyu Spa website and if you’re in the Chicago area, set up an appointment!

www.allyuspa.com

photo: allyuspa.com

Ask the Esthetician- Ways to Relax

My life is stressful so I enjoy relaxing spa trips. However, I can’t afford them all the time. Are there any inexpensive services I can do at home?

-Needing the Spa

A: Dear Needing the Spa,

With the holidays and finals just around the corner, everyone can use some relaxing spa services that won’t break the bank.

One of the quickest was to relax is with a hot towel. Simply soak a hand towel in water, ring out the excess, and warm it in a microwave for about two or three minutes.

If you add some lavender oil to a napkin and warm it with the hand towel, it will add a relaxing sent the towel that won’t be over whelming. Be sure to test the temperature of the towel before applying it to your face.

A second was to relax is with cucumbers and classical music. Place some sliced cucumbers in the freezer for a couple of hours. After they are nice and cold, apply them to your eyes while you lay back for 15 minutes listing to soft, classical music.

The music will help your mind relax and the frozen cucumbers will help your eyes relax and de-puff. Finally, try getting a group of girlfriends together and create your own natural face masks.

Mix a hand-full of sliced strawberries, plain oatmeal, about 1/3 cup of milk or water, and a splash of lemon juice in a bowl until you have a nice paste (if you have food allergies to any of these ingredients, do not use them. Do a patch test on your wrist to make sure there will not be a reaction).

Apply to your skin, let sit for about 10 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water. Your skin will be glowing and you and your girlfriends will have a much deserved break from studying. This recipe will make enough for about 3 masks.

With these quick tips, you can be relaxed and beautiful even while studying long into the night.