I love a good spa treatment just as much (and possibly more) than the next girl, but when creating my own pampering itinerary, I usually stick to body treatments. Don’t get me wrong, a good facial is definitely a treat, but as a wise man once said, “You never know what you’re gonna get”—and with a new facialist this could mean a major breakout.
Since Elemis products (and treatments) have always been good to my skin, I jumped at the chance to try one of their Biotec facials at the spa at the Seagate Hotel in downtown Delray Beach. This range of 8 customizable, high-tech treatments combines Elemis’ potent skincare products, hands-on therapy (think facial massage) and technology in the form of microcurrent, ultrasound, galvanic energy and LED light. The offerings include toward anti-aging, lifting and firming, resurfacing, dullness, anti-blemish, sensitive, dehydrated and brightening, so your “target” dictates the specific protocol.
Although I’ve been to the hotel and their beach club numerous times, how it is possible that I have not experienced this exceptional spa? (It is practically down the street after all). Featuring both Elemis and ESPA products and treatments, the Seagate has it all… Facials, massages, body treatments, waxing, you name it. The only stressful thing about visiting this oasis is deciding what to get.
From the warm greeting and soothing environment, I knew I was in good hands when I met Carolina, who got things started by asking what I was looking to improve about my skin. We ultimately decided on the Firm-A-Lift ($280 for 50 minutes) because, well, I could use a little firming and lifting.
Above is the lineup of products that was used throughout the facial, and I’m going to do my best to recall the specifics because for the first time ever, I actually dozed off from time to time during the treatment. Of course there was the obligatory cleanse, scrub, steam and mask—but then things got interesting. Carolina used a jawline mask that slipped over my ears to keep it tautly in place, and then she went to work with the microcurrent. I feel tingling and a few zings (not the slightest bit uncomfortable). Then I got a full-face sheet mask and more microcurrent before the most amazing facial massage. It was definitely less relaxing and more aggressive—it was like she was literally whipping my slightly-slack skin into shape (but again, a far cry from uncomfortable). The facial wrapped up with a scalp massage before Carolina rang a Zen bell to bring me back to reality.
This is what I looked like immediately afterwards with no makeup and no filter. There was no way I was going to put on makeup, and I felt totally confident strutting out of the spa and getting on with my day—although I was a little disoriented since this wasn’t how I usually spend a Wednesday.
I will most definitely be going back to the Seagate Spa to follow up on Carolina’s suggestion that I get a treatment to help decongest my pores—and I might have to throw in a body treatment to truly make the most of my next spa day. Better yet, I may have to check in for a night for a truly pampering and rejuvenating experience.