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A ngel City's website describes it as "a magical place in the heart of the City of Angels where heaven meets earth." Having expe- rienced a treatment there, I would have to concur. As I approached the address in a residential area of Van Nuys, I wondered if I was on the right street. Indeed I was; the spa is tucked away behind proprietor Kirsten Olson's residence. A serene Buddha and Olson herself welcomed me, then she led me past enormous bowls of sparkling green plant life and a fountain spilling into a koi pond, through her verdant backyard and into the cool stillness of a Saltillo-tiled studio. African masks and angel paintings adorn the walls, there's an ancient Chinese ceremonial bed and a display of fa- cial products (she likes Sanitas, made with biogenic ingredients and no preservatives), and maybe two dozen glass and brass "singing bowls" scattered about, which Olsen uses in her healing work. I went for a facial, but Olson is so much an authentic healer that what could have been just an extraordinary beauty and cleansing treat- ment became a whole-body experience. She rst opened my pores with ozone steam, then proceeded to gently cleanse my skin, extract stubborn pore blockage (ouch!), and apply a healing mask of glycolic acid and enzymes that she assured me would, with regular application, gradually fade sun damage without being harsh on my face or turning me into a hermit for weeks of recovery. While the mask worked its alchemy, Olson worked hers, using re exology on my feet and shi - ing my energy with Reiki and Cranial Sacral erapy, all of which put me into a delicious twilight space. When the 90 minutes were over, I felt thoroughly relaxed and refreshed. And my face? Downright dewy, which for my skin in this dry climate is only slightly short of a miracle. Olson has kept her prices blissfully a ordable to encourage clients to take regular self-care, so whether you go for a facial or body treatment, two-hour Pearly Gates or the Ascension three-hour healing package, that precious time of heaven on earth won't crash your budget. —Abigail Lewis ~14749 Valerio St., Van Nuys 91405, 818.430.7373, www.angelcityheal- ing.com A er nearly a decade in Woodland Hills, the Healing Rose Holistic Skin Care Center, founded by sisters Irina Segal and Galya Krigel, took root in a cozy courtyard mall in Encino last November. Re ecting their approach to skin care and wellness, the new space is bathed in so peach and vanilla hues that glow in the warm light of Himalayan salt lamps. Vibrant color accents pop in paintings created by their mother, Zena. Tidy blonde wood cabinets showcase Dr. Hauschka and Weleda products in an ambience so quiet you could hear a proverbial pin drop. e stillness is largely due to the absence of computers and other high tech items they believe might interfere with Angel City Healing Day Spa, Van Nuys The Healing Rose, Encino continued on page 28 june/july 2014 27 WLT-JUN-JULY-26.indd 27 5/26/14 2:10 PM