Luxe Spa

I've never been one to turn down some pampering, so when Rochester A-List asked me to go to Luxe Spa to check out their amenities and try their signature facial, I immediately said "yes."

Luxe Salon, Spa and Laser Center is HUGE!  When I checked in, I was pleasantly surprised by how welcoming, and large the space was.  They offer a full service salon, private conference room for parties/large groups/special events, and a peaceful inner sanctuary where they conduct all of their spa treatments.

I couldn't wait to slip on one of their comfy robes and let the pampering begin.

The decor is tranquil and nurturing; the staff pleasant and accommodating.

While waiting for my service, I listened to the trickling sound of this fountain and sipped my orange-infused water.  

 

I had my pick of cozy and comfortable spaces.

Christie was my esthetician and an absolute doll.  She made sure I had everything I needed and was very knowledgeable.  During my consultation, she was very thorough and changed out the products she had intended to use based on my sensitive skin and told me she wouldn't used the steamer on me, because that would only make my skin more sensitive.  Who knew?!  I've had plenty of facials, but I have to say, I have never experienced anyone more attentive to my needs than Christie.  She comes HIGHLY recommended, especially if you have sensitive skin.

After our consultation I got to try the "SkinScope."  This was so cool, and the first time I had had my skin analyzed in this manner.  This technology actually reveals problems beneath the surface of the skin.  It allows you to see damage that your skin has suffered from sun, aging, dehydration, excess oils and cellular build up.  This machine allows your esthetician to see your skin's moisture level, oil level, pore size, wrinkle depth, elasticity, sensitivity, and transparency from sun damage so that they can tailor your products and service to fully meet the needs of your skin.  Talk about personalized service!

Behold my imperfections as seen by the SkinScope:

Between the advanced technology of the Skin Scope and Christie's expertise, my facial was truly exceptional.  It began with cleansing, double exfoliation, and extractions, included a massage of my neck, shoulders and decollete, and finished with a custom blended mask and moisturizer.  When it was over, my skin felt fabulous, I had zero irritation, and I left there feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and energized.

I highly recommend Christie for your next service.  With beautiful amenities and gracious and knowledgable staff, don't you think it's time for a little Luxe in your life?

And while you're there, check out Posh Boutique for unique gifts and trendy accessories and be on the look out for more locally-made products.  They are looking to bring in more work of local designers and artisans.  Nothing like being able to #shoplocal and #spalocal all under one roof!

Go ahead and book your service today, and be sure to tell them The Fashionista sent you. ;)

xoxo

Jenny
The Flower City Fashionista

A Roc'n Birthday

Over the weekend, I turned [gasp] 31.  Cough. Cough.

I just kept telling people I was celebrating the tenth anniversary of my 21st birthday.  Ha!  There is something a little unsettling about officially being IN my thirties...but I have to say, 31 isn't looking so bad after all.  

I had the best day celebrating!

I spent the afternoon at Beau Monde Salon and Spa in Victor.  I got a massage with Sonia and then a blow out with Jordan.  Both of them are fantastic.  I'm a repeat customer.  Love, love, love!  They both come highly recommended. 

Here is what I wore for my birthday dinner at the Erie Grill with the hubs:

Get outfit details here.

Here is a close up of my fab 1940s-inspired 'do by Jordan.  He rocks.

Fast forward to dinner...

Here I am enjoying some complimentary bubbly at the Erie Grill.  See that smile?  That's the face of someone who was just given a pretty spectacular spa-day gift card for the Spa at the Delmonte by her fantastic husband.  Can't wait to use that baby!

It was our first time dining at the Erie Grill and we were really impressed with everything.  The atmosphere was great.  We enjoyed a drink at the bar as we watched the sun set over the canal.  The food was some of the best I've had in Rochester.  Everything I ate was delicious - the beet salad was spectacular, the cioppino to-die-for, and the flour-less chocolate cake was pure heaven.  The Erie Grill is definitely being added to our ever-growing list of favorite restaurants in Rochester.

So, yeah, I might be getting old, but at least I'm doing it with style and discovering all the best that Rochester has to offer!

xoxo

Jenny

PS- This is what my hair looked like the next day:

Not too shabby huh?  You seriously need to schedule a blowout with Jordan.  He's the best.  And his shampoos - well, you'll just have to experience one to know what I mean ;)

Ae Spa

In January, Rochester A-List's Amy Riposo and I were lucky enough to visit Ae Spa in Brighton to find out what we should be doing for our skin as women in our thirties and forties, which is weird since we are both 29 ;).  Amy will be sharing her experience in her own words, and well, you thirty somethings are stuck with my snarky writing for this piece.  Sorry kids.  Better luck next time.

Waiting Area

I was frozen solid when I arrived.  I'm pretty sure it was about nine degrees outside, and I'm the kind of girl who wears a sweater when it's 70.  My husband calls me "nana" because I'm always cold.  So instead of easing into a pair of slippers and taking my coat off to relax, I sat in the waiting area in my parka and snow boots, sipping my complimentary peppermint tea in an effort to warm myself up.  Upon seeing my near-hypothermic state, Andrea got me a warmed wrap for my shoulders.  Before I knew it I was starting to thaw out and beginning to relax.

I wasn't kidding!

Let the pampering begin!

The Hallway to the Fountain of Youth

 I got to experience their signature facial.  Oh. Baby...  It. Was. Soooo. Good.  

First Andrea analyzed my skin so she could customize my facial for my specific skin needs.  In my case, I'm a little dehydrated, a little oily, a little sensitive, and an overall hot mess.  I promised to drink more water and stop using products with salycilic acid.  She let me relax while warm steam opened my pores and then deep cleaned my skin with a Clarisonic brush.  

Ae Signature Facial Time

Then it was time for microdermabrasion.  This procedure is really important for women in their thrities. It helps resurface the texture of the skin by removing dead skin cells, reduces the appearance of fine lines and blotchy pigmentation, and relieves the skin of excess gunk.   This allows the products you use to actually seep in and do their job.  It was my first time getting microderm done, and while I expected it to feel like my face was being sandblasted, the procedure was not uncomfrotable in the least.  It didn't hurt one bit: a proverbial piece of cake. 

Bring on the Microdermabrasion

After microderm is was back to my facial:  glycolic peel and mask.  Yay!  This facial also included a heavenly hot stone massage of the face, neck, hands, feet, and decollete.  Had I known Andrea would venture below my Mason Dixon line, I would have shaved my legs for her.  I was going for a facial...it was winter... the thought never crossed my mind!  What was a girl to do?  Before I knew it, I was getting a foot and leg massage - with a little exfoliating to boot!  And there I was in all my wooly mammoth glory.  How embarrassing.  I was mortified, but Andrea was a great sport about the whole thing.  She didn't cringe or dry heave even once!

Hot Stone Massage = Pure Heaven
I might look like a cadaver, but I assure I am very much alive.
Just relaxed.  Very, very relaxed.

The final step included a rich moisturizer.  Andrea uses the BT to help product penetrate deeper into the skin.

Before I knew it my luxurious 90 minutes of heaven were over.  I got dressed and prepared to re-enter the real world.  Bummer.  After every facial, Andrea recommends products and treatments to best suit your individualized skin care needs.  She recommends that women in their thirties get a facial with microdermabrasion every six weeks and to use a good at home skin care regime.

Here's what I went home with:

Dermalogica pre-cleanse  to help break down surface sebum
(read: greasy Italian skin) before cleansing.
Exfoliating Bath Gloves - to keep my whole body as soft as a baby's bottom.

I would highly recommend making a trip to Ae spa for a customized facial with Andrea.  Skin care is so important.  You only get one face - and preventative care is the best way to quell the signs of aging.  It's much better to prevent than to fix later.  So wear sunscreen, exfoliate regularly, and book your facial with Andrea today!

xoxo

Jenny

PS- Want to read about Amy's experience and the inside scoop on a special offer coming your way from A-List and Ae Spa?  Click here.

Allora Salon and Spa

Just in case you haven't heard, in addition to writing this blog and The Flower City Fashionista, I'm also the Fashion and Beauty Blogger for Rochester A-List.  This winter I'm being sent on special assignment to the best spas and salons in Rochester to try out their most popular treatments for beating the winter blues, keeping hair and skin healthy, and staving off the signs of aging.  Hey, it's a tough job, but somebody has to do it - might as well be me :).  

My first job (if you can even call it that), was to visit Allora Salon and Spa in Victor to test out their indulgent Winter White Spa Pedicure and treat myself to a deep conditioning treatment and blow out.  They even squeezed in a chair massage!  Let me tell you, a girl can get used to all this pampering.  I probably should have married royalty... Oh well, maybe in my next life.

Enough of my delusions of grandeur.  Let's get down to business.

How would you like this to be you?

Are you picturing yourself there yet?  Pretty awesome huh?  I would know - that's what I was doing on Saturday.

Thankfully it was 60 degrees out, so I was able to roll up in my sandals and leggings.

I hate winter.

Is it summer yet?  No?   Bummer.

Anywho, this is the busted condition of my toes upon my arrival:

So sorry you had to see that.

Minutes later I was seated in their pedicure chair ready for action:

Settling in for my Footlogix Winter White Spa Pedicure

Let me tell you about this pedicure:  Pure.  Heaven.  Kaitlyn spent over an hour on my feet.  It started with a steamy foot soak while I relaxed in their super comfy, state of the art Shiatsu pedicure chair.  Then it was a simple business as usual pedicure - you know the drill - only this one used Footlogix state of the art products that were tailored to my specific skin needs.  After my nails were trimmed, cuticles tamed back, and feet scrubbed - that's when the real pampering started.  I looooooved the vanilla bean sugar exfoliating scrub that was followed by a warm vanilla mocha foot and leg massage.  You would think it would be over after that, but no...then comes the creamy vanilla paraffin wrap.  While my feet were enjoying some soothing moisturization, Kaitlyn cleaned my rings (oh yeah not even kidding) and gave me a chocolate oil hand massage.  Did I mention the whole time I was drinking a white hot chocolate with Godiva liquor?  Because I was.  Yes, this pedicure included booze.  And it was De-Licious!

Then it was time for polish!

Getting my purple polish on (OPI Purple with a Purpose) - as per my three year old son's request.
(What can I say?  It's his favorite color.)

This was the end result: 

Viola!  Purple Toes.
Clearly I'm never going to have a career as a foot model - but you get the idea.
My feet have NEVER felt so soft!

There was a little bit of down time between my pedi and blow out, so when I was offered a chair massage with James to fill my time I jumped at the chance.  Who says no to a massage?  (Only an idiot!)  So after my pedi from heaven, I got a nice neck and shoulder massage and made a mental note to book a 50 or 80 minute massage with James for another day.  Before I knew it, it was time for hair with Tonia.

If you know me, you know how much I love a good blow out.  I live for blow outs.  If I never had to do my hair again that would be totally fine with me.  When I win the lottery, the first thing I am doing is hiring my own personal stylist, because blow drying your own hair is for suckers.  (This is why I shower at night, let it air dry, and put it in a pony tail in the morning.)  I hear the hot mess look is going be big in 2013.  Or maybe I just made that up to make myself feel better.  Either way...

Here I am with wet hair after my deep conditioning treatment:

Tonia started at the roots, and got my hair about 80% dry before she started using the round brush for volume.  Here I am mid-blow out:

After she finished with the round brush, she used the curling iron to give me some loose curls.  I love, love, loved the end result.  My hair hasn't looked that pretty in ages (if ever).  I NEVER take the time to curl it.  I'm thinking maybe I should...

Honestly, if I didn't know that was me, I don't think I'd believe it.

After I graciously thanked everyone for such a wonderful morning of pampering, I did what any self-respecting 30-year-old mother of two would do:  I went to my car and took self portraits of my new 'do with my i-phone.  Or maybe that's what any instagram-addicted 16-year-old would do - either way...

Don't worry, I wasn't driving.

Good.  Times.

Then it was back to reality for me.  (Had to go relieve the hubs of "babysitting duty.")  I tried to explain to him that it's not "babysitting" when they are your own children, but that's another story for another day.  On the bright side, we did have an actual babysitter (ok not really we had grandma) for Saturday night.   Date night was non-negotiable - you can't waste a good blow out!   It's like a cardinal sin or something!

So, I kissed the kiddos goodnight, put on my five inch leopard heels and a little red lipstick, and headed out for a night on the town with the hubs.

The curls made me channel my inner Farrah Fawcett.
What do you think?  Outfit details here.

I highly recommend Allora Salon and Spa - the staff was wonderful, services were top notch, and the atmosphere was welcoming and relaxing.  Three days later, my hair and feet feel softer than they have in ages and my shoulders are less tense.  Allora is a fabulous addition to the Rochester spa scene.

Be on the lookout for special offers for Allora Salon and Spa from Rochester A-List.  Not on the list?  Sign up now.  You won't want to miss out and you MUST be an A-list subscriber to qualify.

Can't wait to check out Allora for yourself?  Next Saturday, January 26, is their Grand Opening Celebration.  There will be raffles, food, and wine from 6-9.  You can rsvp to:  guests@allorasalonandspa.com.

Can't wait to hear about your visit!

xoxo

Jenny

Rochester A-List

Have you signed up for Rochester A-List?

If you haven't, you better because you're missing out insider information, exclusive perks, invitations, and VIP options for restaurants, fashion, beauty, events and entertainment.  When you sign up for A-List's e-mails, you'll always be in the know about what's happening in Rochester.  They send out periodic emails about what’s hot, what’s cool and where A-Listers are spending their time and spending their money: restaurant openings, spas, events, places to kick back or wind up- all with exclusive A-List perks.  Liking them on Facebook isn't enough - you have to be on The List.

As the A-List fashion and beauty blogger, I'll be hitting up the best spas in Rochester and trying out some of their most popular treatments for beating the winter blues and saving your skin from dry air and frigid temperatures. You'll want to be sure to be an A-List subscriber so that you can take advantage of the A-lister perks, deals, and gift certificate giveaways for all the spas and salons I visit over the next three months.  First on the list:  Allora Salon and Spa in Victor, NY.

What are you waiting for?  Subscribe to A-list - you don't miss a single thing...especially not a free trip to the spa!

xoxo

Jenny

The Flower City Fashionista
A-List Fashion and Beauty Blogger