Raw organic manuka honey, ayurvedic herbs, reflexology. The luxurious facials at Raksa include all three of those natural treats — plus relaxing mini-massages for your face, scalp, back, hands, and feet too.
At this serene wellness center in Culver City, facials shun the weird chemical-laden products used at many conventional salons. In fact, facials at Raksa are quite different from even the more natural facials at greener salons, which simply swap out conventional products for slightly greener ones. Allison King, one of the two aestheticians at Raksa, pampered my face with beauty remedies ranging from a treatment with eco-luxe Eminence products to the simple purity of a raw organic honey mask to the verging-on-very-hippie facial massage using wheat dough balls infused with aryuvedic herbs.
Plus, Allison incorporated her training and education in reflexology and ayurveda into my facial, making for a unique rejuvenating experience that left my mood as refreshed as my skin. Of course, Allison’s facial included the more typical relaxing steam — and a very gentle extraction too. Facials at Raksa use erb, a natural beauty product line from Thailand, supplemented with better-known brands like Eminence and Ascendant Health — as well as the so-organic-you-could-eat-it wheat dough and honey.
What I enjoyed most about the facial, however, were the mini-massages. Unlike some aestheticians who take off mid-facial, leaving you to lay alone beneath a steamer or mask, Allison uses these moments to treat you to firm but gentle massages. I felt some of the knots in my shoulders, arms, hands, and even scalp — created by my daily hours-long sessions in front of the laptop — slowly melting away under her hands.
Newly opened earlier this year, Raksa’s a complete wellness center that includes a cafe, movement studio, and wellness services — which I’ll write more about later — in addition to spa treatments. Eco-beauty seekers can opt between an hour-long basic facial (which is what I received) or an ayurvedic facial (which incorporates more ayurvedic herbs) for $70. Lymphatic drainage, Thai and microcurrent facials are also available at higher prices, as are add-on reflexology treatments.
One word of caution: Do request that the air conditioning be turned off before you begin your treatment, or you’ll risk listening to its loud whirr overpower the relaxing music for an hour.
Raksa. 10846 Washington Blvd., Culver City. 310.559.7200.
More about Raksa:
>> Raksa: Explore everything from Tai Chi to tarot in an eco-friendly space
>> Raksa Cafe: Quick healthy macrobiotic dining in Culver City
Earlier:
>> Purity Organic Spa: Eco-luxe facials with a personal green touch
>> Sea Wellness Spa at Casa del Mar: Luxe eco-pampering
>> Eco-friendlier facial at Arcona in Santa Monica
Seems like a lovely treatment, although I’m curious to know how she incorporated her knowledge of reflexology. I thought it is only applied to hands and feet?
Alison @ Femita´s last blog ..All About Foot Reflexology
Comment by Alison @ Femita — January 26, 2011 @ 2:08 am
Hey Alison — The treatment includes mini massages (described in the post) of hands and feet :)
Comment by Siel — January 29, 2011 @ 2:27 pm