Stef In The City: 2 Ways to Recharge and Reset in 2021
PHOTOGRAPHED BY ESTHER LEE LEACH
MAKEUP BY CHANTY VARGAS FOR LIVE LOVE LASH
Darlings, I may be being rather presumptuous, but I’m pretty positive I’m not the only person that was more than ready for 2020 to be over. I was ready to ring in the new year, champagne in hand days - never mind hours - before midnight struck.
After the monstrosity that was last year, I am embracing the new year with a new refreshed me - and I implore you all to do the same. I’m sure that most of you have heard of the term self-care and honestly, I cannot encourage you all enough to take your wellness and mental health seriously. We all need to recharge, reset, and refocus - especially as we get older and our lives get busier. Last year caused the world a tremendous amount of stress and it’s never been more important to take care of your energy levels and state of mind. I’ve teamed up with two incredible companies that I was so excited to partner with for this issue and couldn’t be more excited to share them with you all.
CYL SAUNA STUDIO
I’ll be honest - if something is a hit in Los Angeles I am always first in line to want to give something a go, and love or hate them - if a Kardashian swears by something you’d better believe I’ll bribe anyone to try it myself. Vogue, Gwyneth Paltrow, and various Real Housewives are also serious fans - need I say more?!
What is this phenomenon I hear you ask - SWEATING my loves. Yes, you read correctly, sweating. Now, this isn’t just any old, get hot and flustered gym workout style. I’m talking about a session in an infrared sauna. For my infrared-sauna experience, I visited CYL Sauna Studio in Cherry Creek. The spa currently has two locations, and I visited 2445 E 3rd Ave. The space is light, modern, and relaxed. I was skeptical, however, as mentioned I’ll try anything that Kimmy K does. From the start, it seemed like it might be nonsense, but then again I frequently pay money for nonsense, and I love it - can’t get enough to be frank.
So, why do celebs and fitness junkies alike love to sweat? Well, they’re sweating to detox, to lose weight, to improve their complexions, which is good enough in itself right? But, also infrared saunas achieve all that and then some…. it can apparently boost your circulation, relieve pain, and you will emerge from your individual sauna boxes relaxed, all of 2020 stressors, pains, and toxins, soaked up into a fresh white towel.
I was more than ready to sign up for all of the above and to get my au naturel glow on so I whipped off my kit and slid into my luxury, private sauna pod. The session was 40 minutes long with temperatures reaching up to 150 degrees whilst my head remained outside of the pod - thank god. It was warm and relaxing. I love to relax and do nothing, especially when it is for work, and I love to sweat, especially when it does not involve any work.
It’s nice to lay down, have nothing to do, and to be afraid to look at your phone because you’re worried that the heat might break it. I did feel happier after being inside the infrared sauna. My mind was clear, my heart rate had increased; I had relaxed; my skin enjoyed a gorgeous glow. Would I do it again? Absolutely… especially as a single session can burn up to 600 calories suggesting that infrared sauna use can lead to a decrease in body fat over time. Winning.
ALCHEMY FACE BAR
Next on my wellness checklist was Alchemy Face Bar. Now, if you read my column regularly you will know I am an avid fan of facials - however the facial I’m about to reference is highly different from my regular ‘no pain no gain’ method which usually revolves highly around some form of needles, chemical skin peels, IPL and the like. This month just as with the sauna I wanted to focus on ways to relax and rejuvenate and believe me - I may just change your life with this one. Big statement I know, HUGE. Darlings, I’ve discovered the holy grail.
To be honest, I kind of gave up on the ‘regular’ facial. I’m in my 30’s and I’m all about the anti-aging, zap any fine line away kind of girl using some medical device that could class as a form of torture in the 1800s. I took a look at Alchemy Face Bar online before my appointment and had an idea of what to expect… boy, I was wrong.
I arrived at the Hale location at 4300 E 8th Avenue and instantly fell in love with the decor. It was so chic I wanted to move in already. I was introduced to Holly - my alchemist who took me to change and relax. Boy, was I in for a treat and I had no idea. Holly recommended a Blackberry Detox - a treatment that feeds your skin using super fruit antioxidant products, a plant-based peel, and a collagen mask to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. I was sold without much convincing to be brutally honest. I closed my eyes and had the dreamiest 45 minutes OF MY LIFE. Sounds dramatic - but I swear I am not exaggerating. I have not relaxed or had a facial like that, in well, forever! Holly’s hands worked miracles - I think at some point I may have even passed out. She added into the treatment a crystal massage - super luxe, and I felt like I was floating on a cloud. The most relaxing facial I’ve honestly ever had.
Normally, post-facial I wince when I look in the mirror. Red, poofy, or just hating my skin sans makeup is often the culprit, this time I actually was in awe. I looked firm, my skin was hydrated and looked plumper and it was incredibly soft. I was over the moon with the result and practically waltzed out the door which is a huge deal for me - I’m usually wanting to leave wearing a paper bag.
If you need to take an hour for yourself - I highly recommend taking a visit. Will you have no wrinkles and reverse the hands of time forever - no. Will you feel like a baby angel just flew from the heavens and gave you the most relaxing hour of your life - absolutely, the least your skin is going to thank you tremendously. Winter is always a tough time for our poor skin. Whether you live in the snow or even in the dry desert, skin tends to suffer much more during the winter months - give it the luxurious love it so deserves.
Happy 2021 Darlings! Follow me @steffrjones
MY MUST HAVE MOISTURIZING SKINCARE PRODUCTS FOR WINTER:
1. Skin by Tru Perfection Balm
2. Skin by Tru Hydra Mist Calm
Makeup: Chanty Vargas: @chanty_livelovelash for @livelovelash
Photographer: Esther Lee Leach: @estherleelach