Miri's Loving Touch

In our experience, we've found that most facials fall into one of two categories; we'll call them pampering and proactive. Proactive facials involve lots of scrubs and/or enzyme masques, intense hydrating serums and a lot of talk about the magic of using the right products for your skin type. Pampering facials, on the other hand, are all about coddling and relaxation, and your glowing skin is the icing on the cake. We firmly believe that it's worthwhile to make room for both types of facials in your spa and beauty regimen. Next time we're in need of the later, we're heading straight to Mir Mandel's Skinworks.

Skinworks is located behind a quiet storefront near the intersection of Fairfax and Beverly. Proprietor Miri exudes a tremendous warmth and energy, welcoming each client into her cozy studio like an old friend. After we were settled in the treatment room, she placed heated, pillow-like booties on the feet and then bade us farewell before she went about her quiet work of sending us into a deep state of relaxation. Using primarily Pevonia products, Miri cleansed, extracted, masqued and moisturized our skin with a gentle, loving touch. And then there was the massage. What is it about aestheticians that makes them so adept at bodywork? After Miri worked over our hands, arms, neck, shoulders, back, feet and lower legs, we felt more relaxed and rejuvenated than we do after most dedicated massage treatments.

Afterward, we hung around and chatted for a bit, as we were reluctant to leave the company of this new friend who had made us feel so at home in her skin care haven.

Review originally published 3/27/2008.