Here Comes the Neighborhood

Body Bar Urban Spa in Silver Lake is undeniably hip, but isn't obnoxious about it. The spa/boutique opened earlier this year on the less-developed stretch of Sunset Blvd. south of Sunset Junction, and its eastside-cool cred is evident in everything from the breezy blue and earth-toned décor and polished cement floors to the mellow indie tunes playing on the sound system.

We slipped into our plush microfiber robe in the nicely equipped locker room, and then settled into the waiting lounge, where we sampled a selection of fruit, chocolate, cookies and fancy herbal teas as we awaited the start of our Body Firming Vitamin Cocktail treatment.

The treatment began with a light exfoliation using a dry scrub mitt, followed by the application of the cool vitamin cocktail with a paintbrush. Our therapist explained the benefits of each cocktail ingredient: vitamin C is an antioxidant, vitamin E heals minor skin blemishes, and elastin is said to have a firming effect on the skin. We were wrapped up in plastic with a cozy heating pad placed on the chest to allow the concoction to soak in. Then came a foot massage and the placement of heated booties, followed by a head, neck and scalp massage with a eucalyptus/mint anti-stress potion that was both soothing and invigorating.

At this point, we had already drifted into that blissful state that comes with having every physical need beautifully attended to, but there was more to come. A lavender-sugar body scrub was applied and then removed with hot towels, and then it was time for our 30-minute soak in a bath infused with volcanic ash (loaded with minerals for more firming and moisturizing action). We enjoyed a bubbly, sooty soak before heading for the shower where we rinsed off and applied the vitamin-enriched lotion provided. We're generally pretty skeptical about so-called "firming" treatments, but there was no doubt that our skin felt a little tighter afterward. We even felt bikini ready, and that's saying a lot.

Review originally published 8/14/2008.