Even the tamest Minnesota winter can change our delicate facial skin into elephant hide. Ever noticed those tiny, fine, vertical wrinkles around your eyes come spring? Does your skin seem to be having a tough time bouncing back from pillowcase indentations in the morning? That’s due to lack of moisture, my darlings, even if you’ve been sipping water from your Sigg bottles all day long and slathering on thick moisturizer and super-concentrated serums morning and night. So when a regimen of kale, Omega-3s, and gallons of water just isn’t enough—and sometimes, according to the experts I talked to, it really just isn’t—it’s time to get a thirst-quenching facial. Here’s where to turn for the latest in hydration.
HYDRAFACIAL
The hydrafacial isn’t your typical spa facial—there’s no massage—but it is super-effective. Angie had me lie down on the table and did a skin assessment. Then she brought out the big gun: a whirring, suctioning, handheld device with microdermabrasion blades. In one end, she loaded ampules of cleanser, serums, and moisturizers (all loaded with good-for-you antioxidants). The other end delivered the goods as she moved it around my face. Bonus: the suction does all the extractions without causing pain or inflammation. There’s no downtime whatsoever, and although my sensitive skin got slightly flushed during the treatment, it immediately calmed down afterward. I felt a little like my face was a tire, and the machine was the bike pump. I left with super-moisturized, plumped-up, bright skin. For optimal hydration, book two to six sessions—although I saw instant results after just one.
SkinKlinic of Edina, 3916 W. 50th St., Edina, 612-920-7546, mplslaser.com
DEEP MOISTURE FACIAL
This is your classic relaxing and effective spa facial—with the added bonus of the natural, safe ingredients and products for which Nature of Beauty is known. The lovely and talented Amanda led me through a five-step, 60-minute facial that included a totally hypnotic lymphatic-drainage massage. I especially loved the super-hydrating rose-based masque from Logona. This is easily one of the best facials I’ve received, ever.
Nature of Beauty, 750 Main St., Ste. 109, Mendota Heights, 651-222-3127, natureofbeauty.com
LUMAFIRM
Brooke, lead esthetician at the Ivy Spa in downtown Minneapolis, is always experimenting with new skin treatments. Her latest is the Lumafirm facial, which involves high-end Pevonia skin-care products. The Lumafirm line uses freeze-dried technology to deliver anti-free radicals, antioxidants, and repairing peptides that can tighten and brighten skin better than a lunch-hour Botox session. No, really: the results were so amazing that I didn’t bother wearing makeup when I got back to the office. My skin looked radiant and smooth, and felt as springy as what I remember from being 16.
Ivy Spa, 201 S. 11th St., Mpls., 612-343-3131, ivyspaclub.com
