January 9, 2013
URBAN YOGA SPA

OFFERING HOT YOGA AND SPA SERVICES, THIS “HOT SPOT” IS A WINTER MUST
Caitlin Murphy  01.09.2013   |   CAITLIN MURPHY    |   LEAVE A COMMENT
    

ABOUT

Seattle isn’t exactly know for it’s warm sunny weather, and when the winter months roll in, it’s rain rain rain. That’s why paying a visit to Urban Yoga Spa in January and February is almost essential for your sanity . The Hot Yoga room is a welcome respit from the dreary outdoors…the room in hot, like a vacation in Tahiti hot. And how great it this, not only does the location offer Hot Yoga classes, you can also enjoy massages, manicures and pedicures, acupuncture, eyelash extensions and waxing. 

 AMBIENCE

You can’t miss this literal hot spot, as it resides on the corner of 4th and Stewart just blocks from Seattle’s downtown shopping core. The windows are large and reveal open, contemporary interiors done in serene whites, smooth reflective surfaces and geometric pops of black. This location is very zen, but it’s not your earthy kind of yoga studio. When you visit Urban Yoga Spa you know you’re downtown and it’s much more spa like..polished, sophisticated and very chic. 

EXPERIENCE

Several friends of mine swear by Urban Yoga Spa, and since they sports some of the most impossibly tight triceps and flat abs, I knew I had to give it a try. The yoga room is very large with  white walls, mirrors lining the front and sides and very tall ceilings. Cathy is one of the most popular instructors, so my friends suggested I visit her class first, and as luck would have it, it chose an special Madonna themed session. (In my opinion, when the opportunity arises to listen to Madonna music for and hour, one does not turn it down!) The air was thick with humidity and the wall of heat hit me as I walked in the room…it was just what I needed. We flowed through several yoga sequences and when the intensity and heat where too much, I just laid down and enjoyed the warmth. The workout was INTENSE, and I may or may not have checked my watch several times to see if was going to make it. Afterward, however, I have never, and I mean never, felt better. There was a sense of calm and zen that I have never felt before or since, and I have to say, I crave that feeling. Plus I long for the hot room when that cold Seattle wind starts to blow.

If you want to check out the spa, just head upstairs.  You’re greeted with an immaculate white sanctuary bathed in natural light from the large windows overlooking the bustling streets below. You’ll find nail stations and massage rooms, it’s the ideal place to pamper your body inside and out. 

WALLET WATCH

Single yoga classes are $20, there is a new member speical which offers unlimited classes for a month for $99. You can find prices for spa treatments HERE.

IN CROWD

These are your sophisticated yogis, so you’ll see lots of Lululemon outfits and stylish Nordstrom gals. There are plenty of guys as well and the atmosphere is wonderfully inclusive so you have every size, shape and age in each class.

NEED TO KNOW

Urban Yoga Spa

4th Avenue & Stewart Street 

1900 4th Avenue

Seattle, WA

206.420.0222

Image credit: Urban Yoga Spa

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Filed under: eyelash extensions seattle seattle salon seattle spa wellness yoga 
November 28, 2012
ELIZABETH ARDEN RED DOOR SPA

Caitlin Murphy
  11.28.2012   |   CAITLIN MURPHY    |   LEAVE A COMMENT
    

The Iconic Spa Introduces New Marine Based and Aromatherapeautic Treatments To Their Already Luxurious Menu

ABOUT

Stroll through one of Seattle’s most exclusive spots, The  Shops at The Bravern, and you can’t miss that iconic red door. The one that transports you away from your to do list, and into a land of luxury filled with a full menu of exquisite massages, signature facials, body treatments, hair, makeup, manicures and everything ladies need to look and feel their best.

I’m talking about the iconic Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon, which has been a leader in the spa business for over 100 years.  Beauty pioneer Elizabeth Arden believed beauty should be “an intelligent union of nature and science to develop one’s finest natural assets”, which is why you should definitely pay a visit to this luxurious, elegant spa.

AMBIENCE

Red Door  Spa is aptly named, since a huge red door is the gateway to serenity among Bellevue’s bustling downtown high rises. The vibe is sophisticated, contemporary and elegant, ceilings are tall and the reception area is bright, sleek and well lit.  In the front of Red Door Spa you’ll find a the makeup area, a separate area with several hair stations and just a turn down a hallway , the manicure and pedicure areas.  The floors are tiled  and the color palette is neutral with with pops of red and wood accents.  Past the pedicure chairs you open a door to the relaxation room and you’ve entered the spa. I love that Red Door Spa separates the spa from the salon because it keeps the treatment rooms calm, quite and serene without even murmur of the blowdryers…only calming serene music. 

The spa area and relaxation room keep the contemporary and sophisticated aesthetic but the colors are deeper earth tones, the surfaces are softer, and light is dimmer. Soft candlelight flickers in each of the private treatments rooms. 

EXPERIENCE

I booked the Seawater Pearl Hydrating Facial which incorporates algae caviar and seawater pearls  for the ultimate in  hydrations and one of the new marine based treatments Red Door unveiled for fall/winter. Since the dry indoor air and harsh winter weather were making my skin look a little lackluster, I  figured this  was the perfect treatment…and boy way I right! The Seawater Pearl Facial is the most hydrating facial I have ever experienced, and it left my skin looking radiant and about 10 years younger.

I changed into my robe and enjoyed a cup of Green Tea in the relaxation room, then my delightful and lovely esthetician lead my back to the treatment room. The bed and blankets were warmed and my esthetician placed a heating pad on my abdomen…perfect given the chilly winter weather outside.

The Seawater Pearl Hydrating Facial is ideal for sensitive skin like mine since there are no harsh extraction or chemical peals. We started with a gentle exfoliation prepared with seawater and marine calcium . The combination sloughed off the dead skin and immediately made my skin feel more vibrant. We moved onto hydration where lotions with combinations of algae and seawater pearls were massaged into my skin with special attention payed to my jawline and décolletage. A mist of steam, then my favorite part…two seawater peral sachet pressed over my skin activating essential trance minerals and intensely hydrating my skin. There were a few more relaxing and hydrating maskas and, the facial massage, neck massage, arm and hand massages where fabulous. Oh , and each of the Red Door facials comes with a complementary makeup touch up so I could go out afterward and finish my day!

This is a luxurious treatment perfect for the winter months and left my skin baby soft and absolutely glowing! 

IN CROWD

The Bravern shops include Hermes and Neiman Marcus so you’ll find plenty of well heeled ladies getting pampered.  Plus the Bravern is  located below one of Microsoft’s office buildings so you’ll see career minded ladies booking appointments. 

WALLET WATCH

Facials start at $80 and go up to $230 and the spa offers a full range of menu items. View full price list. 

NEED TO KNOW

reddoorspas.com

Red Door Spa

The Shops at The Bravern

700 110th Avenue NE

Bellevue, WA 98004

(425) 455-3700

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Filed under: elizabeth arden red door spa facial seattle seattle salon spa 
October 17, 2012
THE ULTIMATE EDGY GIRL’S SALON

Caitlin Murphy
  10.17.2012   |   CAITLIN MURPHY    |   LEAVE A COMMENT
    

Visit Vain Where Individual Style Reigns Supreme

ABOUT

Victoria Thomas Gentry brought East Coast NYC edge to Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood 16 years ago, and three salon’s later, Vain is still on the cutting edge of hair cuts and colors.  The salon has received high praise from InStyle Magazine, Seattle Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar and Lucky, and Vain prides itself on helping women express their personal style…whether you prefer punky pink tips or ravishing raven locks. 

AMBIENCE

Vain in Belltown actually began as a boutique beauty supply store and as demand for Victoria Thomas Gentry’s edgy hairstyles grew so did the salon (now with three locations: Downtown, Ballard and West Seattle). But Vain has stayed true to its boutique roots and the West Seattle location currently boasts jewelry, purses and hats in the from of the salon. The ambiance is edgy…exposed brick, loft like details and  rocker hair styles abound. 

 EXPERIENCE

Seattle has a rich rockstar, alternative culture, early adopter history and Vain salon is the perfect representation of that part of the city. While areas like Bellevue, Madison Park and Laurelhurst exemplify Seattle’s chic sophisticates, Vain characterizes that Seattle culture of personal expression. 

If you want to sport some of this Season’s edgier styles, then Vain is the ultimate destination. Stylists are experts in bold colors like tips of pinks or blue, sculpted bold bobs, blunt bangs and sexy shags. The stylists are genius hair artists and give even edgiest styles a look of sleek sophistication.Check out Vain’s blog for photos of cool customer styles)  That being said, Vain isn’t’ just for out-there styles, the salon also does beautiful highlights and lowlights and even romantic long layers.   

Vain is also one of the top salons for texture…so if you’re a curly girl you’ll want to visit Vain. 

 IN CROWD

The cool kids. You’ll find every age demographic at Vain from kids to grandmas, hipsters to soccer moms, plus plenty of musicians and artists. Vain is also a great salon for guys. 

WALLET WATCH

Haircuts are $30-$60 and colors starts at $50 and goes up. 

NEED TO KNOW

http://www.vain.com/

Downtown

2018 1st Avenue

206.441.3441

Ballard

5401 Ballard Ave NW

206.706.2707

 West Seattle

4513 California Ave SW

206.535.2595

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Filed under: haircut InStyle Magazine lucky magazine seattle seattle magazine seattle salon seattle spa 
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