Shelly massaging Cell Conditioner into my skin, which stimulates collagen, improves skin texture, and suppresses melanin.

Walking along Market Street in downtown San Francisco, I noticed that this years summer in the Bay Area was unusually hot. Beads of sweat began to from on my face upon my arrival at Estia Salon, a nature-inspired haven that offers holistic skincare and bodywork, located in the heart of the city. My skin felt oily, congested, and gross and I began to feel terribly sorry for the esthetician that would soon have to witness the ghastly sight of my skin.

Luckily, the minute I met Shelly Michaelis, the owner of Estia Salon, I knew I was in experienced, knowledgable, and caring hands. Shelly is a well traveled surfer who understands the risks people face from exposure of the outdoor elements. Being half-Filipino and half-German, Shelly also is an expert in dealing with Asian skin which is often prone to hyper-pigmentation and oil. At my tender age, I already had sunspots creeping beneath the surface of my skin and had unsuccessfully battled my oily t-zone area for years. Could Shelly be the heaven-sent redeemer for my doomed skin?!

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The end of the year is a ton of fun. Lots of holiday parties to attend, lots of family and friends to see. But it can also be a lot of stress. Lots of Christmas shopping to get done, lots of last-minute deadlines to finish up.

I’ve been feeling the grunt of hard work lately, with my entire body wounded tight like a knot.

That’s when you know it’s time to go to the spa!

I checked in at Bliss Spa at the W Hotel in Hollywood and was hooked up with an Elemis Exotic Lime & Ginger Salt Glow for my entire body. It was (for lack of a better word) bliss.

After changing, I was offered some yummy champagne and crackers and cheese.  Then, I was led to the massage room where the treatment began.

I’m not gonna lie, I’m kind of a newbie at this whole body treatment stuff and it’s definitely a vulnerable state to be in.

Think about it, you’re naked and a specialist is dripping warm oil luxuriously all over your body.  Then, the exotic lime and ginger salt glow scrub is brushed on.  I kind of felt like a chicken getting ready to get baked.  (But in the best way possible!)

All of my anxieties subsided once I got on the massage bed.  Elemis is known for some of the most exotic and indulgent spa-therapies for face and body and it was definitely an unbeatably relaxing experience.  Catering to all my senses, I got to smell and feel the tranquility of the Elemis spa treatment for an entire hour.  It was far too short, if you ask me!

Bliss is also offering take-home versions of Elemis’ skin and body treatments available in all of its 15 U.S. locations and internationally in its London spa. I walked away with a goody bag full of them which I will be trying out over the next couple of weeks.  Updates coming up!

For more information on Bliss and Elemis spa treatments, check out here and here.

Many people wish they can turn back the hands of time. Go back to their youth. Go back to their youthful body, youthful thoughts and most importantly, youthful skin. But alas, sometimes time and the sun does take its toll on us. That’s why it’s important to use products that are healthy for our skin. This Lavere anti-aging SOLUTION facial toner mist is pretty awesome because it not only hydrates your skin but it also brings about an anti-aging effect. It’s like killing two birds with one stone?

This is definitely one solution you should add to your day and night skin ritual.