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- ISDIN Flavo-C Ultraglican Ampoules
- Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum
- Shani Darden Retinol Reform Serum
- CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil
- Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Robe
- Dearfoams Fireside Shearling Slippers
There is nothing better than a spa day with friends to reset a busy week. We spent an afternoon at the Fairmont Spa Century Plaza in Century City, and it is one of my favorite kinds of days: a treatment, a long lounge, champagne, and nowhere to rush to. Here is what the spa is like, what to wear for a spa day, and the vitamin C and retinol serums worth knowing right now.
The Fairmont Spa Century Plaza Experience
The Fairmont Spa Century Plaza is one of the largest spas in Los Angeles, with nine private treatment rooms, and the whole space was designed by Yabu Pushelberg, so every corner feels calm and considered. The treatment rooms look out over a waterfall wall, which makes the whole hour feel far away from the city.
Before or after your treatment, take your time in the thermal and hydrotherapy spaces: a Himalayan salt room, an aromatherapy steam room, a hammam, a sauna, and experiential rainfall showers. There is also a Cristophe Prive salon inside the spa if you want to add a blowout before dinner.
Champagne and Chocolate-Covered Strawberries in the Relaxation Lounge
My favorite part of the day. After our treatments we settled into the relaxation lounge, and the spa brought out champagne and a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries with tea. It is such a simple thing, but it turns a spa appointment into a whole afternoon.
What to Wear to a Spa Day
Keep it soft and easy: you want pieces that feel like pajamas but still look pulled together valet to valet. A plush robe for the lounge and shearling slippers for the walk back to the car are the whole formula.
The Barefoot Dreams CozyChic robe is the classic for a reason. It is the softest mid-weight knit, machine washable, and generous enough to wrap over leggings. $138 here.
The Dearfoams Fireside shearling slippers are genuine shearling, warm without bulk, and sturdy enough to wear outside the house. $59 here.
Vitamin C and Retinol Serums to Know
A spa facial is a reset, but the daily work is vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night. These are the serums worth knowing right now, plus the body oil that brings the spa home.
For a luxury vitamin C, the ISDIN Flavo-C Ultraglican ampoules come in single-dose glass ampoules, so every application is fresh. Vitamin C with hyaluronic acid for glow and hydration, in 10 or 30 ampoule boxes. Here.
For an affordable vitamin C, the Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum is a bestseller at $21 and layers well under moisturizer and SPF. Here.
For a luxury retinol, Shani Darden’s Retinol Reform uses encapsulated retinol, so it is effective without the usual irritation. A bestseller at $75, here.
For an affordable retinol, the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is a gentle starter retinol at $21.99, made to smooth and refine without stripping. Here.
And for the body, the OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil is the fragrance-free version of their cult oil: lightweight, sinks in fast, and leaves skin with that just-left-the-spa sheen. $52, here.
For more of my routine, see my over-40 skincare routine and my healthy living routine.
Planning Your Spa Day
The Fairmont Century Plaza spa is at 2025 Avenue of the Stars in Century City. It is open Monday through Friday from 10am to 8pm and weekends from 9am to 8pm. Book treatments ahead on the Fairmont Century Plaza spa page, especially for weekends, and arrive early enough to use the salt room and steam before your appointment.
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