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A relaxing and revitalizing experience is waiting for you at Glow, the new holistic skin care center at Momentum Fitness at 37 Wall Street. One of the center's special facials is just the thing to start off the spring season.
Opened in February by Amanda Vannerson, owner and chief esthetician, Glow emphasizes a natural approach to skin care, using the quality products of Dr. Hauschka and Jurlique.
Having her own skin care center has been a goal of Ms. Vannerson, a Princeton native and graduate of Stuart Country Day. Continuing her education at Bard College, she earned a degree in literature, and then decided on a career in health, specializing in skin care.
Ms. Vannerson attended the Christine Valmy Skin Care Institute in New York, and was licensed as a skin care specialist. She is now also licensed in New Jersey. In addition, she is a licensed massage therapist, having trained at the Swedish Institute for Massage in New York.
"I was fortunate in that I knew I wanted to use the Dr. Hauschka skin care method," she says, "and I studied with the Dr. Hauschka specialists. "The Dr. Hauschka products, developed 40 years ago by chemist Dr. Rudolf Hauschka, are incredibly natural, and everything used is bio-dynamically grown. The products are all based on plants, which are grown in the company's special farms in Germany and elsewhere. They even introduce good things into the soil to make it healthier.
Healthier Plants
"Much of the harvesting and manufacturing is done by hand," she continues. "This process creates healthier plants whose vitality lives on in the product. These products help to strengthen and balance the skin, while working with the skin's innate ability to heal and renew itself.
"Also, there is no animal testing, and all the money from the cost of the products goes back into the product, not for packaging, etc."
Ms. Vannerson worked at New York's Soho Sanctuary for the past seven years, where her clientele included celebrities, such as Julia Roberts, Renée Zellweger, and Diane Lane.
"It's one of the nicest spas in New York," says Ms. Vannerson. "I worked in the treatment room for those years, and I loved it, but I decided I wanted to come back to Princeton. I have family and friends here, and I knew I wanted to open a skin care center of my own. Now I am enjoying running everything!"
Skin care is the focus, and Glow offers six different facials, targeting different conditions and needs of the skin. The 1-hour overall Cleansing Facial features warm compresses, cleansing, mild exfoliation, steam, mask, and massage. The 90-minute Restorative Facial offers a similar treatment with the addition of a second mask, extra massage, and inclusion of a restorative lymphatic treatment, using a special technique.
The 2-hour Classic Facial actually begins with the feet! A relaxing foot bath and leg and foot massage leads the way to the full classic facial, including a complete range of treatments. The Facial Massage Lift is basically an hour-long massage for the face. Gentle lymphatic treatment helps to reduce puffiness, especially around the eyes, and then a deep tissue massage sculpts and lifts all 55 facial muscles. Increased circulation and stimulation are part of an anti-aging therapy.
Maternity Massage
There is also a Maternity Massage, and in addition to these facials, which use the Dr. Hauschka line of products and methods, there is a Jurlique facial, similar to the Dr. Hauschka cleansing facial. The Jurlique products, developed by a colleague of Dr. Hauschka, contain a lot of antioxidants, which are especially good for aging skin, says Ms. Vannerson.
"All our facials are tailored to each individual's skin condition and needs. Teen breakouts, Roseacea, aging skin, oily, dry whatever the condition, we can help. And it's the holistic whole body approach. Many factors affect the skin how much you sleep, exercise, and a good diet are all part of how healthy your skin is."
Ms. Vannerson is very encouraged with the customer response, and is already seeing regulars. "It's wonderful. People of all ages, and both men and women are coming and then sending in their friends.
"Many women in their seventies come in. They are often sent by their daughters, but then they come back," she reports.
It's easy to see why. The combination of aromatherapy and gentle stimulation creates a state of deep relaxation of the mind and body while bringing balance back to the skin, explains Ms. Vannerson.
In addition, wonderful fragrances are a highlight of the facials. Hot towels with lavender, cold compresses with lemon, almond cleansers. "It's like being in a garden!"
Mother's Day
A once-a-month is ideal, she notes; however, not everyone can manage that, and Ms. Vannerson emphasizes that four times a year is also very good. "One for each season is a great idea, as the weather and changing conditions affect the skin differently."
Gift certificates and gift packages are available for all the services (perfect for Mother's Day!), and all the Dr. Hauschka and Jurlique products for face and body are available for sale.
"I am very happy with the location at Momentum, which, with its focus on exercise, offers a nice complement to our skin care," points out Ms. Vannerson. "I have the luck and good fortune to have great support from Momentum and the Dr. Hauschka company, and I have wonderful employees. I am so happy with the way things have turned out."
In addition to the Dr. Hauschka and Jurlique products, a variety of items, such as yoga mats, "Yogi Toes", eye pillows, candles, and Buddha floor cushions, are on display in the very attractive studio, which Ms. Vannerson helped to design.
Glow is open Tuesday through Friday 10 to 7, Saturday 10 to 5. 609-924-6366. Website: www.mofit.com.
