Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/320391
T o use the word "oversensitive" to describe my skin would be a severe understatement, so I'm forever on the lookout for a natural spa treatment that can soothe dermatological distress. Enter Larchmont's Le Petite Retreat, which became all organic when Tina Figueroa assumed ownership in March. "I cleaned out anything that had pre- servatives, parabens, sul tes or fragrance," Figueroa told me. In their place? e local, organic Enessa line, sourced with Fair Trade ingredients, and essential oils custom blended in-house with the help of a local aromatherapist. "Spas focus a lot on just beauty, and I think it's important to address lifestyle and preventative health as well," said Figueroa. "I want to invoke the mind, body and senses so that you're carried away—not just by a relaxing beauty treatment, but by a treatment that heals you from the inside out." My two holistic treatments began with a Vitamin C Superfruit Fa- cial, which calls on an arsenal of organic products including a refresh- ing peel-o mask speci c to my skin type and serums incorporating golden jojoba oil and aloe vera. Aesthetician Selina Mess- mer began with much-needed exfoliation for my perennial dryness—explaining that tingling was normal due to a potent mix of seaweed and sea salt—followed by a target- ed lymphatic-drainage head massage de- signed to "activate circulation and alleviate skin irritation." Next, the detoxifying Body Illuminating Treatment began with a vigorous yet curiously relaxing full-body scrub utilizing Dead Sea salts. A er removing the residue with heated towels, Messmer used a so brush to apply a nutritive moisturizing mask made of Hungarian Moor mud. While I lay burrito-style in parchment paper and a warming blanket to let the mask work its magic, she gave me rst a rosemary oil head massage, then a ginger oil foot massage. Illumination complete, my skin now so and refreshed, I felt truly invigorated. e treatment had certainly ful lled Figueroa's vision of "en- ergizing and providing renewal." And I wasn't the only one getting pretti ed; the cozy cottage was in the midst of its own makeover to a bright orange exterior. "Asian temples are almost always an orange or sa ron color—I want Le Petite Retreat to look like a Tibetan temple," explained Figueroa, adding that the building had been blessed by Tibetan monks when it rst opened in 2001. " e bright color attracts you, but once inside, you feel serene and in harmo- ny." I'll vouch for that. —Jen Jones Donatelli ~331 N Larchmont Blvd, LA 90004, 323.466.1028, www.lprdayspa.com their homeopathic preparations. Although a menu of spa services is o ered, the sisters' "hands-on" approach is a literal one. Aesthetician Segal and hygiological nutritionist Krigel work together to create a personalized pro- tocol based on Krigel's assessment of each client's current health, skin condition and nutritional needs. Segal describes the process as a gateway to a more self-preserving kind of lifestyle. " e heart of what we do is lymph work— lymphatic drainage," Segal explains. "To get max- imum bene t in continued improvement to the skin, we advise clients to come for regular treat- ments, according to a rhythm that suits their life- style and nances." My sublimely relaxing session of multiple silk brush strokes and applications of cleansers and masques was also an education in maintain- ing and improving my skin. Despite my good health, my skin was alarmingly dry, and Segal rec- ommended several skincare products plus more iron and ax in my diet. I was surprised when she explained that, "Some age spots can be treat- ed from the inside out, because 80 percent of the time it is not the sun causing discoloration but the functioning of the liver." While the sisters count A-list celebrities and medical professionals among their loyal clients, they also o er a reduced-cost seasonal clinic for those with lower income. ey believe that with the right skincare products and diet, anyone can maintain a youthful look without such drastic solutions as chemical peels and surgery. —Elyse Glickman ~15928 Ventura Blvd., #118, Encino 91436, 818.990.0363, www.healingrosecenter.com continuedfrom page 27 The Healing Rose, Encino Le Petite Retreat, Larchmont ing peel-o mask speci c to my skin type and serums incorporating golden jojoba oil and aloe vera. Aesthetician Selina Mess- mer began with much-needed exfoliation for my perennial dryness—explaining that tingling was normal due to a potent mix of seaweed and sea salt—followed by a target- ed lymphatic-drainage head massage de- signed to "activate circulation and alleviate skin irritation." Next, the detoxifying Body Illuminating photos: Jen Jones Donatelli photos: Elyse Glickman 28 wholelifetimesmagazine.com WLT-JUN-JULY-26.indd 28 5/26/14 2:10 PM