The Bright Stuff Facial. It claims to reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots and to leave skin glowing. This is my ideal treatment. I live in South Florida and would like to reduce those brown spots as we say goodbye to the summer sun and get my glow on (though I would like to have that year round!). So when I walked into Bliss Spa in South Beach, I was very much looking forward to a treatment to both undo the damage AND have a sensory experience to unwind from the grueling day-to-day of the cosmetic surgery magazine world.
The Bliss Spa is a three-story vertical spa located at the new W Hotel in South Beach, Fla., with its own private street entrance. Like the colors and calm of the ocean right at this destination spa’s doorstep, colors of white, aqua and (grass) green greeted this weary soul. Add calming background music and the exquisite fresh and invigorating spa scents, and I was taken out of my hot, humid day. Goodbye busy and buzzing Collins Avenue, hello instant quiet and calm.
I was welcomed by the friendly staff and brought to my locker where I donned a more spa-appropriate attire: robe and slippers. Next, it was off to the lounge, which offered lemon-infused iced water and a selection of delicious brownies, fresh fruit, olives and cheese. I went straight for the lemon-infused water, sat in the lounge area and took a few deep breaths. Then I was greeted by my aesthetician Megan McGhee who was warm, charming and professional. I knew I was in good hands.
She took me to the third floor where all the Bliss Spa treatment rooms are located. I was wrapped in the comforts of the quiet, clean, dim and fresh smells of the spa. And it gets better: the treatment chair? Ergonomic (knees up) and warm.
My skin was in need: a bit dry and mottled, and Megan had just the solution. The Bright Stuff Facial is a peel that combines glycolic acid with Phyllanthus embilca (Indian gooseberry, a natural skin lightener) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid). In addition to the facial, I added the décolletage and hands to treat mottling and freckling.
For the treatment itself, Megan took a look at my skin to determine the percentage of glycolic acid she would use. She applied a 40% glycolic acid peel with embilica and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) to my face, hands and décolletage. Following that she applied a dehydrated collagen cold compress mask with citric acid and arbutrin (another skin lightener). It felt nice–cool, relaxing, refreshing. But my Bliss Spa experience wasn’t just about the treatment itself. While I waited for the facial to finesse my skin, I had a 20-minute massage of the arms, neck, shoulders, feet and hands.
Ahhh. I will definitely be back.
