Mischo Beauty: W Hotel

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Mischo Beauty Review: Shellac Manicure at Bliss Spa at W Hotel

Most of you know that I visited Bliss Spa at the W Hotel for the first time this past summer, so I won't go into details about the spa because I've mentioned it here. But, I was recently invited back for a tour and to experience their new Shellac Manicure service. Now I've had the Shellac manicure once before, (you all know my thoughts!), but the results from this second time around were different.

Shellac Manicure in Tropix - Day #1

Shellac Manicure in Tropix - Day #7

Shellac Manicure in Tropix - Day #14

I clearly need a new application, as you can see the growth of my nail beds after two weeks. But, there was no peeling, lifting or chipping. And, my nails are STILL glossy! I'm impressed. Have you tried the Shellac Manicure yet?

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for consideration by the company. For more information, please see my disclosure.

Mischo Beauty Extra: CND Shellac Manicure

While visiting Bliss Spa yesterday, I decided to give the CND Shellac manicure a try, again - this time in Tropix. I'll be back in about 2 weeks to tell you all about my visit and let you know how long the manicure lasted. Please stay tuned!

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for consideration by the company. For more information, please see my disclosure.

Mischo Beauty Review: Bliss Spa at the W Hotel (Washington D.C.)

A few weeks ago, as a pre-birthday celebration, my friend and I decided to visit the new Bliss Spa at the W Hotel (Washington, DC). As most of you know, I love to spa (remember this review), and so we were actually overdue with this visit after considering the fact that it's been open for a year now. Because we'd planned to do lunch at POV, which is the W Hotel's rooftop restaurant, we decided to keep our spa treatments simple and booked ourselves for a manicure, pedicure and brazilian bikini wax.

What's important to know is that this Bliss location, in my opinion, is for treatment maintenance only. It's small - the relaxation area only seats four comfortably, the changing area is tiny, and there's only one shower and one restroom (for women). There are four treatment rooms, two stations for manicures, and two stations for pedicures. It lacks of ambiance, but I do think it's a great place to go for your monthly maintenance treatments such as- waxing, facials, etc. - especially if you find a spa therapist there you love!

Well, that happened to be the case with me. You see, I had the most amazing brazilian bikini wax (brazilian bikini - the fully monty) here, and the spa therapist responsible for it was Shae Jackson. Shae's waxing technique is like none other I've experienced, which made the service quick and almost painless (no brazilian bikini wax is completely pain free!). My disclosure to you is that I'm naturally biased (because I'm an esthetician, I naturally have very high expectations) when it comes to spa services. She used hard wax, never double-dipped, and sanitation/disinfection was taken very seriously! I was beyond pleased with the results.

I also had a manicure (Bliss hot cream manicure) and pedicure (Bliss basic pedicure) which unfortunately were "nothing to write home about". The services were just average, which doesn't quite justify the $80 price and 20% gratuity. But, I guess you win some and lose some, and I definitely "won" with the waxing service!

If you've visited this Bliss location, I'd love to hear about your experience. So, please share it in the comments section.

Mischo Beauty Alert: Bliss Spa is coming to DC!

Many of you might remember that I'm a huge fan of Marcia Kilgore, so when I'd heard about a Bliss Spa coming to DC, I had to get the details!

Well, from what I've been able to learn, the new spa will be located inside the new W Hotel, located next to the White House! Both the hotel and spa are scheduled to open on August 1st, and the spa will include a full service menu (facials, massages, nails and waxing services) with four treatment rooms- but no wet rooms (no wet body treatments such as scrubs, etc.). As I continue to learn more, I'll be sure to keep you updated!

Any Bliss fans out there?

Because You're Worth It!: W Hotel San Francisco + Indian Springs (Calistoga, CA)

Weekend in San Francisco at the W Hotel. While there, head to Indian Springs (Calistoga, CA - about 45 minutes away) for a Volcanic Ash Mud Bath + Mineral Bath + Massage. End the day with a swim in the Mineral Pool.

The last time I was there it was AMAZING... has anyone been?

Because You're Worth It!

Weekend in San Francisco at the W Hotel. While there, head to Indiana Springs (Calistoga, CA - about 45 minutes away) for a Volcanic Ash Mud Bath + Mineral Bath + Massage. End the day with a swim in the Mineral Pool.

The last time I was there it was AMAZING... has anyone been?

(photos courtesy starwoodhotels.com & indianspringscalistoga.com)

Mischo Beauty Review: Bliss 49

My final stop in the city was Bliss 49, located inside the ultra-luxe W Hotel, for my Triple Oxygen Treatment facial.
Upon arrival we were checked in and escorted to the locker room for changing into our robes. Once we changed, we lounged in the relaxation area and were too excited to see the tray of brownie bites and the variety of refreshments we'd read about over the years. After completing the consultation forms, we were escorted back to the treatment rooms by our estheticians.

The Triple Oxygen Treatment facial includes an intensive cleansing, exfoliating fruit acid wash, pre-extraction oxygen wrap, extractions, calming oxygen milk mask, hydrating enzyme pack and the vitaminized oxygen spray. The only part of the facial I opted out of were the extractions, which I leave to my regular esthetician. In it's place I was upgraded to the hydrating seaweed mask. The esthetician's effleurage movement was very smooth and very relaxing, and the neck, decollete, arm, hand and foot massages were fabulous. I felt so relaxed that I caught myself dozing off to sleep!

Being the beauty professional that I am, I did notice that my skin analysis was rushed, my lip gloss wasn't removed until mid-way through the service and I did notice that my mascara wasn't completely removed when I looked at my skin after the facial. I was surprised that my esthetician didn't suggest products for home use to maintain all the hard work she'd done.

I left with the Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask and the Sleeping Peel Serum and I can't wait to start using them. My skin was glowing after the facial and still is- and I actually received compliments from those who would not have noticed otherwise! The facial was beyond amazing. I'll say that again- it was beyond amazing! I've had lots of facials and this was by far the best.

If you haven't experienced this, then you definitely should, because it's worth it!

Has anyone been to any of the Bliss spas? Any thoughts?

(photo courtesy of blissworld.com)

Loved, Respected, Talented, Devoted, and Brilliant...

Her name is Marcia Kilgore. She is an esthetician, entrepreneur, and well-respected beauty authority. She began giving facials in her New York City apartment, which led to her opening her first business, Let’s Face It. In 1996 she founded Bliss Spa, and the Bliss and Remede beauty product lines, Bliss Out catalog and blissworld.com website followed. In 1999, the luxury goods conglomerate Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton (LVMH) acquired 70 percent of the company, resulting in a $30 million deal. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. acquired the cosmetic, spa and catalog company from LVMH in 2004. Marcia Kilgore serves as the Chief Creative Consultant for Bliss, and consults on various areas of operation including product development and design, advertising, and promotional work. Her latest entrepreneurial venture is called Brand Handling. She recently launched a new product line, Soap & Glory, which is sold in Target.

Because You're Worth It!

Weekend in San Francisco at the W Hotel. While there, head to Indian Springs (Calistoga, CA- about 45 minutes outside the city) for a Volcanic Ash Mud Bath + Mineral Bath + Massage. End the day with a swim in the Mineral Pool...