CALIFORNIA’S SPAS

BODY AND SOUL
Everyone knows Los Angeles is famous for movie stars, but there is a trick in the City of Angels that keeps the A-list looking so good-the exclusive spas that offer the latest in head-to-toe treatments to keep the body beautiful.

At the Ona Spa in West Hollywood, therapists practice traditional bodywork techniques as well as acupuncture and Ayurveda, an ancient Indian healing art. At this hot spot above the Privé salon, clients are likely to bump into Uma Thurman, Rachel Griffiths, Owen Wilson or even Adrien Brody on the way to its treatment rooms. The latest beauty craze is the "Ona 21 Facial”. Uma’s a fan of this facial that calms the mind, body and spirit through a 15-minute session. It uses a headset to deliver ambient sounds and lighting to create a peaceful state of mind while skin treatments are carried out using botanically based products. Another not-to-be-missed treatment is the "Oxygen Facial”. A patented micro-crystal dermabrasion cream is followed by inhaling 96% oxygen-enriched air to leave the skin radiant.

Several miles away in Santa Monica, there’s a new spa that’s attracting a lot of attention. Ocean Oasis, owned and operated by Dr Lisa Masterson, is popular with celebrities for its setting and its pregnancy treatments. The spa and yoga studio are housed in a beautiful, wholly renovated Victorian home. Sumptuously furnished, the spa specializes in various kinds of massage for all stages of pregnancy, such as "Sooth My Soul Massage” and "On My Way Labor-Inducing Massage”. There’s even a special pregnancy facial and a foot massage for the famously fatigued feet of an expectant mother.

For anyone not expecting, the aromatherapy massages in candle-lit settings are incredibly soothing and offer a different experience from the more intense, deep-tissue massage therapies. The spa’s location also benefits from the shopping delights of Santa Monica’s famous Montana Avenue.

Nearby, Visage de Layla is tucked away in a courtyard off busy Westwood Boulevard, close to UCLA. Owner Layla Fayyad has created a foot micro-dermabrasion treatment that’s guaranteed to remove thick calluses and corns. She’s also an expert at airbrush tanning and can make anyone look golden and sun-kissed in just a few minutes.

Moving down the coast a bit to Costa Mesa, across from the famous South Coast Plaza mall, there is another hidden gem- known simply as The Spa. Nicole Kidman and Winona Ryder have been known to wind down and spruce up their complexions here. The newest treatment is the June Jacobs Cucumber Green Tea Facial-for 80 minutes the guest is massaged with a series of facial products that refresh and nourish the skin with soothing green tea extracts and bioflavonoid. The facial leaves skin squeaky clean, refreshed and vibrant. An added plus is that anyone who arrives early for their treatments is invited to work-out free of charge in the adjacent gym-they even provide you with gym clothes, for those traveling light.

The next gem is the Murad Medical Spa. Located a short taxi ride from Los Angeles International Airport, it’s ultra convenient for travelers passing through the city, and can usually squeeze in a facial or massage during a layover between flights. The spa is a favorite with celebrities, such as Angela Bassett, Calista Flockhart and Brooke Shields. It’s run by famous dermatologist Dr Howard Murad, who has created the well-known line of Murad products that are sold at upscale boutiques worldwide. One of the newest treatments at Murad is the Vitamin C Body-Firming Treatment, which smoothes out blemishes and improves circulation. It even reduces the appearance of cellulite by firming, thickening and toning the elasticity of the skin.

And don’t leave Los Angeles without paying a visit to the 90210 zip code. The Jim Wayne Salon in Beverly Hills has facials that are favorites with the Hollywood set, especially Nicolette Sheridan of "Desperate Housewive” fame. Ask for Octavia at the salon-her holistic approach pampers and replenishes the body, mind and spirit. She even has her own line of product””her anti-aging serum is pure magic for the skin.

If you’re a little more serious about your facials and have an hour or two to spare, then visit celebrity plastic surgeon, Dr Francis Rogers Palmer. He has developed new techniques in skin care that are eliminating the need to go under the knife. By using IPL Photo Facial, Bella Micro-dermabrasion or Hollywood’s favorite Ultrasound Facial, he maximizes the skin’s own rejuvenation without surgery. All this can be done in an hour with maximum results and no downtime. So the secret is out-that’s how they do it in Beverly Hills.

Whatever spa treatment you need or fancy treating yourself to, it can be found in Los Angeles. Remember to book in advance, though, as many of the spas are in high demand. And while you’re being pampered, don’t forget to stay on the lookout for celebritie””it’s not unusual to see a famous face relaxing in the lobby of these hot spas.

CALIFORNIA’S SPAS

Ocean Oasis
1333 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica 310-451-9900
Ona Spa
7373 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles 323-931-4442
Visage de Layla
1388 Westwood Blvd, Ste 102, Los Angeles 310-475-1424
The Spa
695 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa 714-850-0050
Jim Wayne Salon
9555 Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills 310-278-1191
Dr Francis Rogers Palmer
8500 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills 310-652-9583
Murad Medical Spa
2141 Rosecrans Ave, Los Angeles 310-726-0470

A pampering facial at the Jim Wayne Salon;
the calm-inducing lobby of The Spa;
A treatment room at Ona Spa, favored by hollywood honey Uma Thurman.