Sundance Report: Air on the Side of Beauty
Anyone who knows me personally knows that I’m a pretty low maintenance kind of girl. My daily “beauty” routine consists of sticking my face in the shower spray in the morning, putting on a thin smudge of kohl eyeliner (the same shade I’ve worn since college) and trying to remember to take my daily vitamin so that I might glow from within.
But when the Remède Spa at St. Regis Deer Valley called pre-Sundance inviting me to sample an oxygen facial and a makeup consult (since it’s what all the stars do to freshen their look before a big Sundance gala or red carpet walk), I thought why not? Living at this Park City altitude (roughly 7,000 feet) I can always use more oxygen, and any chance to hang out at the 14,000-square-foot peacefully restorative Remède Spa, with its gorgeous “tranquility pools” is not to be missed.
When I met the naturally pretty Kim from Intraceuticals (an Australian company that makes the professional skin care products that Remède carries), I was optimistic. She sure looked good. Maybe there was hope for me? I did have a moment of small-town-girl panic when she showed me the whirring oxygen machine with a little wand on the end of it and started talking about infusing syrum into my face – uh-oh – were there needles involved – I would be so out of here - but Kim quickly assured me it was a completely non-invasive treatment, and she held true to her word. The Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial simply uses oxygen under pressure to infuse a syrum packed with vitamins and antioxidants into your skin, which is supposed to stimulate cell renewal, strengthen collagen and elastic fibers, hydrate, and create an osmotic response so skin gets firmer and brighter. “It doesn’t take the place of Botox,” Kim said, “but you’re going to look like you’ve been on vacation without a Blackberry.” I’ll take that!
The facial was incredibly gentle and relaxing and the oxygen very cool on the skin like a zippy winter breeze. It’s safe for people with even the most sensitive skin types and helps alleviate and promote quick healing of sun- or windburned skier faces. Kim applied the treatment to one half of my face first so that I could look in the mirror and see the “before and after.” I have to say, it really was remarkable. My skin felt dewy, glowy and plumped up on one side, with small wrinkle lines ironed out and no signs of redness or dryness. I urged her not to hold me hostage and to complete the other side! For optimal results, Kim recommends a series of six facials, one per week. With just the one treatment, however, I felt like my skin was glowing for about a week afterward. Kim sent me home with some Rejuvenate Daily Serum (retails for $189) and this wonderful Atoxelene Line Wand ($90), called a topical alternative to anti-wrinkle injections. Pricey, yes - but they both lasted for at least six months and really seemed to help smooth out the smile lines one gets when living in such a wonderful place as Park City.
Remède also offers simple oxygen inhalation therapy (aroma choices include Roman Chamomile, Peppermint, Lemon Scented Tea Tree, Lavendar Spike and Bulgarian Rose Otto). Kim explains that it’s sort of like a natural caffeine that stimulates the body’s metabolism and is great for jet lag, improving mental clarity and physical endurance, and for alleviating sinus pressure or migraines or altitude sickness. “It’s a nice dose of wellbeing,” she said.
After the facial, I got treated to a makeup session with Erica, who used Australian “Becca” products on me, including an SPF 30 primer packed with antioxidents and vitamins A, C and E (parabin and fragrance free); foundation that I’ll have you know Oprah, Naomi Campbell, Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz use (ahem); Beach Tint on my eyes, cheeks and lips in watermelon (it smelled delicious!), a mineral powder foundation, blush to bring out the “apple in the cheek,” eyeliner, eye tint, eye shadow, mascara and lip gloss in “grapefruit.” I sure didn’t look like the day-to-day me when I left, but it was fun to hit the town in my Sundance makeup disguise and watch my friends’ doubletakes. The whole experience made me feel luxurious and very very Hollywood Breathe it all in yourself. Enjoy the luxury of the Remède Spa at our own St. Regis and maybe even spy a Sundance celeb or two while you’re at it!
BIG AIR: Remède offers 60-minute ($195) and 90-minute ($295) Intraceuticals Oxygen facials (called the “Deer Valley Regenerating Facial” on the spa menu). Oxygen Inhalation Therapy is $30 for 15 minutes. stregisdeervalley.com/spa or 435.940.5700. For information on Intraceuticals products (luscious!) see intraceuticals.com or the selection of products at Rèmede.
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Kristen Gould Case is editor of Park City Magazine and a freelance writer who publishes nationally. Weaned on the blue ice slopes of New England, she moved to Park City 25 years ago and hasn't looked back.
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