Now that the majority of the holiday season is over (boo!), I’m sure you’ve earned some gift giving good karma. Mix that up with some holiday cash that just must be spent, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a much-deserved “treat yourself” day. And duh, I obviously have an idea.
Last week, I stopped by one of my favorite neighborhood establishments for a little Sunday pampering. While I am working my way up to achieving a very wild dream to someday be a wealthy socialite who lives in The Rittenhouse, I like to visit/pretend any chance I get. I had such a fantastic time when my mom and I had Mother’s Day tea there, so my expectations for the spa and salon were high.
The spa is a little getaway from the craziness of the city, especially around the holidays. It is absolutely gorgeous and modern – filled with delicious smells and little comforts. I was in desperate need of some winter pick me ups, so I selected an exfoliating treatment and spray tan (let’s be real – I will pretty much always select a spray tan). When I arrived, I was shown my locker and changed into this luxurious little robe number and some slippers. I wish I had arrived a little earlier so I could hang in the locker room (and try all of the adorable mini versions of the beauty products), but my habitual lateness got the best of me.
My Pineapple Enzyme Exfoliating Treatment was first. The treatment, which is done to maximize you skin’s readiness for a spray tan, is optional, but let. me. tell. you, it’s fabulous. Before we started, my esthetician Kaitlin explained that this would not be a scrub, but more of a gel, which she applied to my body and left me to “cocoon” for ten minutes. Everything from the fabrics on the bed to the temperature of the room to the music playing (so important to me) was perfect. After my cocoon, I hopped in a shower (that I would like to transport to my own home) to wash it all off.
My spray tan was similar to other custom sprays I’ve received in the past, but it promised to last up to ten days with proper maintenance, so my porcelain skin was sure excited. As with other tans, you stand in front of a screen and have the option to be sprayed naked or with some paper modesty garments on. You leave suuuuper bronze, as there is, literally, bronzer on you so the esthetician can see where she’s working. Once you take your first shower (each formula has a different waiting time – I waited over 12 hours for mine, mostly because I am obsessed with the idea of being tan), you’ll see the real effect.
It has now been a full week since my treatment, and I am still. freaking. tan. We will not discuss the fact that my poorly timed Christmas illness has only let said tan be seen mostly by the members of my immediate family, but regardless, the results are amazing. Make sure you have your esthetician tell you what products you can and can’t use afterwards, because some ingredients are evil and will strip your tan prematurely.
After my lovely spa treatments, I headed out to the salon. The salon is bright and cheery, filled with products that reminded me of a candy store I want to buy everything from. The windows overlooked Rittenhouse Park . . . such a dream.
The winter chill has been killing my noggin lately, so I went in for the Mineral Mud Moisture Booster and a blow out. When I got to the chair, I met with Mia, who did a quick consolation, and advised that while the booster would be good for my scalp, since my hair was thin, the Lemongrass Deep Hair Conditioner would be better for my locks. Victoria came over to apply (aka wonderfully massage) the concoctions, and they smelled amazing. Afterwards, my locks were washed, and Mia came over to give me a great blow out – so much volume! She told me to twist my hair into a top knot to maintain the style for the next day, which worked nicely. My hair has felt soft and looked super shiny.
And now for the reason why this is truly a treat yourself excursion: the prices. When I picked my treatments, I wanted to make sure they would be things I would actually look at and say, hello lady, I really need and deserve this. And seriously, they did not disappoint. That being said, a spray tan alone at the spa costs $95-$110, depending on how bronze you get. With the exfoliating treatment, you’re looking at $150-$165. The scalp treatments run from $35-$55, and a blow out is $40+. So, while a stop to Rittenhouse Salon & Spa may not be in the cards for all of us on a regular basis, if you’re prepping for a special occasion and really want the results of amazing services, you’ll get it here. Now go spend that good post-holiday karma on you, ladies. xx
Disclosure: I was provided complimentary treatments (sans gratuity) from The Rittenhouse. All opinions are my own.
