[Spy Spy is a recurring feature in which I receive treatments from salons and spas all over the nation and rate the service, salon, and overall experience. I have a ton of reviews in the works, but I loved this place so much I bumped it to the top of the list! Since this is my first post in this category, let me preface it by saying that the salons, spas, and service providers I review do not have prior knowledge of who I am or know that I plan to blog about them. I booked a service and paid as any consumer would have. No freebies or bribes here, just the truth on beauty.]
While in Los Angeles for the IMATS, I decided to utilize my free time by doing a little spying in one of the country’s most glamorous cities. The first stop on my trip was Beverly Hot Springs, a heavenly oasis nestled between a string of less than luxurious little shops in the Koreatown district of Los Angeles. Before my trip I scoured the internet reading endorsements of the spa from the likes of Sharon Stone and Liv Tyler, so it had a lot to live up to.
As I first pulled up, I wasn’t sure if it was going to meet my expectations because the exterior is nothing special. That quickly changed when I stepped inside to see the most beautiful gigantic rock wall with water cascading down. It was like the most epic relaxation fountain ever. I was greeted by a friendly receptionist who quickly checked me in and led me to an equally sweet spa attendant. I got a quick tour of the dressing area, lockers, bathroom, and primping parlor. Then I was then instructed to get naked.
By the way, when I say naked, I mean NAKED. Not wrapped in fluffy robes and slippers naked, birthday suit and nothing else naked. Boobs out, Spanx off, naked.
After I got over the initial shock of all of the nudity, I stripped down, and hopped into the swirling hot springs pool with a bunch of other naked chicks who did not care one bit that my body parts were hanging out. After spending about two minutes in the spring water all of my insecurities melted away too. Sitting in the alkaline water bubbling up from the hot springs was like wading in silk. The room was dimly lit with rainforest-like décor surrounding the pool. Total insta-vacation.
I was then greeted by a vicious, but wonderful little Korean woman named KJ. She was awesome. KJ lead me to a separate, less beautiful room with several metal tables lined up in a row. There are no modesty blankets or Enya in this room. This room means business.
KJ plopped me on the table like a farm animal and started on my Body Care/Body Scrub Combo by scrubbing down every inch of my body with a seaweed scrub and this really abrasive brush (like a brush you’d find in a barn to brush a horse or something). Trust me when I say every inch. I know what you’re thinking. Does she scrub there? Yes. What about up there? Yes. Everywhere you’re wondering about now, she scrubbed there too.
She flipped me every which way and began slathering on strawberry yogurt all over me and literally massaged it into my skin until it disappeared. I use the term massage loosely because it was really more of a beating. She poured a milk mixture all over me and applied a freshly grated cucumber mask to my face. I started to smell like a salad.
And this is where I lost track of what was happening. There were so many rounds of fresh wonderful smelling potions thrown on my body after that I couldn’t keep up. I got lost in all the yogurt and cucumber goodness. I think there was a honey and pumpkin seed scrub at one point? In between each concoction she doused me in buckets of the hot spring water. It hurt at times, but it was a good hurt.
Once I let go and embraced it, it was awesome.
But if you can’t bring yourself to lay backside up on a table with your legs spread, this probably isn’t the place for you.
It was the most serene beating I’ve ever gotten and certainly the most unique spa treatment I’ve ever received. When it was all over, my skin looked better than it ever has. All of the tension I walked in with was gone, too. It was such a liberating and therapeutic experience, so much more than a regular spa treatment.
Honestly, I walked out of there completely revitalized, like I traded my body in for an upgrade. I felt so good. Clean. And comfortable in my own skin. Freckles, love handles, and all.
Spa: Beverly Hot Springs Spa; Los Angeles, CA
Service: Body Care/Body Scrub Combo
Price: $110
Verdict: Worth every penny! An intense spa experience everyone deserves to have at least once. Put this one on your bucket list, ladies.
Rating: 