At Home on the Beach

Between the warm greeting, the shabby chic décor and the crackling fire, Elegance Boutique Spa feels less like visiting a "relaxation factory" and more like visiting the cozy Manhattan Beach home of a good pal. We would be remiss if we didn't mention the spa's apt tagline: "A Spa With a Garden by the Sea." Elegance offers the option of enjoying your treatment in the tranquil setting of their small seaside garden, replete with fountains, heat lamps and, of course, ocean breezes. They can even bring in lunch, making the garden an exceptional location for an intimate celebration like a birthday or bridal shower.

We felt instantly at ease with warm and funny Courtney, who offered to have our jewelry cleaned during our 80-minute Aqua-Lift Anti-Aging Facial and Eye Treatment. In keeping with their "by the sea" theme, Elegance uses Phytomer products, all marine-based and natural. Courtney applied warm detoxifying seaweed mud and expertly cleansed, exfoliated and extracted our skin. She finished us off with a hydrating eye treatment and a rubberized mask, while she treated us to a soothing massage of the face, neck, shoulders, hands and feet.

The eighty minutes flew by as we had way too much fun with Courtney, and when we got our sparkly clean ring back and checked our reflection in the mirror, we saw a clearer, younger-looking face. Was it the fabulous facial, or Elegance's positive, home-cooked vibes? Well, what difference does it make really, as long as it works?

Review originally published 3/20/2008.