#GalSquad: The Red Door Spa’s Arden Standard Facial Service

I still don’t know how I got so lucky as to be a Red Door Spa #GalSquad Ambassador, but it’s pretty darn awesome. For my first spa service earlier this summer I enjoyed an amazing pedicure and then last month I tried out their Olaplex hair treatment. For the month of August, the ambassador team was given the opportunity to get one of the Red Door Spa’s signature services, the Arden Standard Facial with a targeted performance booster add-on.

I’ve never gotten a professional facial before, so my previous experience was limited to the free mini facials they give out at the mall beauty store. I was a mixture of excited about trying the new service and scared that their facial expert would take a close look at my skin and gasp at any sun damage, wrinkles and age spots that have popped up over the years. Oh yeah, and I totally have that sideburn fuzz… was I supposed to wax that before I went?

Well, the only preparation I actually did was to wear my glasses instead of my contact lenses. I figured I could relax more if I weren’t on edge the entire time worrying about something irritating my eyes.

When I arrived I was directed to change into a robe and put my stuff in a locker. I was initially confused because I expected the facial to be all about my face… but it turns out that you also get your arms, hands, upper chest, neck and shoulders massaged.

My esthetician was Jenella and she was so incredibly nice and professional. She explained so much about the how and why behind each step of the facial and gave me a list of all the products used on me for future reference. After talking about my skin concerns – mainly dryness and wrinkle prevention – she dimmed the lights and started with the steps of the Arden Standard Facial.

She began by cleaning my skin and then exfoliating my face. While the exfoliating Lemon Burst Polishing Scrub soaked in, she massaged my hands and arms. Then, she massaged the targeted performance booster into my face and neck. Based on my needs, she suggested the collagen performance booster which combats loss of elasticity by stimulating the skin’s natural collagen production and diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

This part was so incredibly awesome that I may have dozed off a few times.

Pocketful of Joules - Arden Facial

The last step was to hydrate my skin with the Visible Difference Gentle Hydrating Cream SPF15 and Moisturizing Eye Cream. When she finished, I felt incredibly relaxed and refreshed. I also felt incredibly moisturized… to the extent of being super shiny. While I loved the feel of the super moisturizing treatment, the aftermath was a bit too greasy to share with the world. I let it soak in on my 45 minute drive home and then hopped directly in the shower.

And here is what I look like directly out of the shower with not a stitch of makeup on. Not even eyeliner {gasp!}…

Pocketful of Joules - Arden Facial extreme close up

I have to say that for my very first professional facial, I LOVED the Arden Standard Facial. I feel like there is an immediate noticeable difference in how my skin looks after the treatment. This would be the perfect mid-winter treat to moisturize my dry winter skin. This service could also be a really great gift for the lady in your life who loves to be pampered. In fact, if I hadn’t just gotten this one I’d be hinting at Travis that this would make a great 38th birthday gift!

Have you ever gotten a professional facial?

 

Disclosure: I am a Red Door #GalSquad Ambassador, which means that once a month I am able to experience a new product or service free of charge. I’m not required to blog about my experiences; only post a few pictures on my social media accounts (which will be shared on the Red Door Spa accounts).

Like what you see? Share me with your friends!

#GalSquad: The Red Door Spa’s Olaplex Treatment

As I announced last month, I am thrilled to be a Red Door Spa #GalSquad Ambassador.  In another ‘great timing’ moment with the spa, my mission for July was to experience their Olaplex Treatment.

It’s no secret that I like to dye my hair – over the years I’ve been red, highlighted, blond-ish, dark brown, light brown, and streaks of purple, green and blue. Lately, I’ve been sticking to just highlights, but made a (BAD BAD BAD) decision to grab a $6 box of hair color while my colorist was on leave and dye my own hair medium red. Unfortunately, the color didn’t turn out anything NEAR what I wanted… instead; it went SUPER dark brown with black ends that I had to trim off.

I’m giving my hair some time to rest before I go to the salon to have it dyed to look something like this, so it was perfect timing to try the hair treatment!

The Olaplex Treatment is described as “insurance for your hair.” The formula is designed to reconnect broken disulfide sulfur bonds in the hair, which are broken during thermal, mechanical and chemical services. The treatment is supposed to dramatically reduce breakage and also make your color last longer. You can do the treatment alone — like I did — or they can incorporate it into your full-color dye treatment.

I stopped by the salon last week and Emily did the honors of washing my hair, combing the first part of the Olaplex treatment through my hair and then adding in the second part of the treatment.

Red Door Olaplex treatment - Pocketful of Joules

I relaxed for a while and then she washed and conditioned my hair, followed by a blow out. I hadn’t had my bangs down in weeks, so Emily styled my hair super straight with my bangs blown straight. I wasn’t really sure how much of a difference I’d see, but my hair was super shiny and soft!

Red Door Olaplex treatment - after - Pocketful of Joules

The best part is that Emily said by doing the Olaplex treatment now, when I have my hair dyed red it will keep the color longer (instead of fading quickly, as reds tend to do). So now I’m even more excited to change my hair color!

Do you dye your hair regularly? What is the biggest hair MISTAKE you’ve made?

 

Disclosure: I am a Red Door #GalSquad Ambassador, which means that once a month I am able to experience a new product or service free of charge. I’m not required to blog about my experiences; only post a few pictures on my social media accounts (which will be shared on the Red Door Spa accounts).

Like what you see? Share me with your friends!

Excited to be a Red Door Spa #GalSquad Ambassador

I’ve tried to start this post about 5 times without making it sound gushy or simply typing “AHHHH” over and over again, but it’s really hard.

I mentioned back in April that while I am happy to work with companies on sponsored posts and serve as a product ambassador, I’m really very picky on who I work with. Very, very picky. Also, my blog doesn’t get a million page views a day, so I’m considered too small to work with some of my favorite companies.

Well, it was like I threw those words out into the universe and it boomeranged them right back to me with this incredible opportunity:

Gal SquadI’ve been chosen to be the Red Door Spa #GalSquad Ambassador for the Baltimore location!

AHHH! AHHHH!
AHHHH!

As #GalSquad Ambassador I will be invited to the spa once a month to experience a new product or service. I’m not required to blog about my experiences; only post a few pictures on my social media accounts (which will be shared on the Red Door Spa accounts). However, I HAVE to blog about it because HOLY CRAP this is awfully exciting! And when I’m excited about something awesome, I share it with you all. Obviously!

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen the gift I received in May: the Hampton Sun Sunscreen.  It’s a really great smelling fine-mist SPF and it came at the perfect time for us to take it strawberry picking.

As wonderful as that gift was, it had NOTHING on the surprise they had for me earlier this week. I was invited to check out the Baltimore Red Door Spa and enjoy a Watermelon Basiltini Pedicure!

Joules pedicure

When I entered the spa, they set me up with a cup of coffee and a heavenly heated neck pillow. Then, I was fully pampered by my nail specialist, Nicole. She scrubbed my feet and legs down with the Watermelon-Basil sugar scrub from Farmhouse Fresh and gave me an amazing paraffin treatment.

She also used the Whoopie Shea Butter Cream, which was so incredibly moisturizing and smelled like marshmallows. Seriously, I wanted to lick my leg. All that amazing scrubbing and rubbing was finished off with “Happy Wife, Happy Wife” nail polish from Essie, which is the perfect orangy-red for summer.

Joules pedicure 2

I can’t even tell you the last time that I felt so relaxed and pampered. I’ve gotten plenty of pedicures before, but this one was by far and away the BEST experience. So yes, I think this Ambassador program is going to be a great fit for me. Not only can I share with you any services that blow my mind, but I am almost forced to take some relaxing time to myself!

What is your favorite nail color for summer? Do you treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure on a regular basis?

 

Disclosure: I am a Red Door #GalSquad Ambassador, which means that once a month I am able to experience a new product or service free of charge. I’m not required to blog about my experiences; only post a few pictures on my social media accounts (which will be shared on the Red Door Spa accounts).

Like what you see? Share me with your friends!