It’s New to Us by Jean Stratton

TENDER TREATMENT: “We analyze the skin and customize the treatment to the individual’s condition,” explains Valerie Mesaros, owner of Vallerie European Spa & Holistic Health Center. “We use organic products, including oil of plants, algae, and clay. We really look at the whole person. There is a philosophy behind our products, and I believe we help people enhance their life.”

Vallerie European Spa & Holistic Health Center Offers a Variety of Face and Body Treatments

A new look for the holidays? Whether you’re in the mood for a complete make-over, a massage, or a manicure, Vallerie European Spa & Holistic Health Center provides a full range of TLC for the face and body.

And not only can owner Vallerie Mesaros and her highly-qualified staff get you ready for all the holiday festivities, they can also offer a wonderful choice of services and products for a special someone on your holiday list. One of Vallerie’s gift packages, or a gift certificate, is a welcome way to introduce someone to the benefits of a facial, massage, or a series of other body treatments.

A state-licensed esthetician, originally from Hungary, Vallerie received her professional training in the United States. After working in salons in the area, she opened her own business on Nassau Street in 1988. Realizing she needed to expand, Vallerie moved the business in 1988, when she purchased a 179-year-old house on five acres in Hopewell at 235 Hopewell-Pennington Road. The big house sits on a hill, and is painted an eye-catching terra cotta.

“When I saw the house, I knew it was perfect,” she says. “I could live and work here, and it has a history. It was originally a farm, and had several owners, including a colonel in the army during the Civil War, who was also a blacksmith. It has been the site of two restaurants, and was also an antiques shop and a nursery.”

Five Elements

Vallerie’s clients are delighted that she continues to specialize in the French Phytobiodermie treatment for face and body. “This treatment is based on the Chinese acupuncture system and study of the body,” she explains. “We do acupressure on the face and body, and this releases energy. It connects you physically and psychologically to nature’s five elements — wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. This is based on the biorythmic chart of nature.

“Each person, depending on their year of birth, falls into one of these elements,” she continues. “The skin care products are geared to each individual’s biorythmic chart, and we use all natural products, such as plant extracts, algae, and clay, and everything according to the season.”

Ideally, a once-a-month facial will offer the most benefit; but if that isn’t possible, Vallerie recommends seasonal options, such as four times a year. “The facial products are changed every season, so clients will benefit from that, as well as from the customization of the facial to their needs.”

Clients, who are all ages, from teens to senior citizens, and both men and women, can choose from a variety of face and body treatments, all geared to renew and rejuvenate the body and relax the mood. Seven different kinds of massage — from traditional Swedish, to Shiatsu, to medical massage (focusing on specific problem areas and coordinated with chiropractic or medical care) are available, as are manicures, pedicures, waxing, and eyebrow and eyelash tinting. Make-up application and lessons are other services, and bridal make-up and off-site application is offered by appointment.

Renewed Energy

In addition, Vallerie offers a number of other options, including special Reiki, meditation and healing energy circle meeting sessions the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m., which enable participants to experience the renewed energy of Reiki treatments and the relaxation of meditation.

Also available are lunches the second Monday of each month. “These appeal to people who want to change to a better diet without sugar and refined carbohydrates,” explains Vallerie. “They learn new recipes, and we cook together. These have become very popular.”

Another service is a series of breathing exercises, Transformational Breath, a breathing technique, under the guidance of certified Transformational Breathing facilitator Massimo Carrara.

Vallerie also plans to resume yoga classes in the near future, and for 10 days from mid-December, a Chinese acupuncturist will be available to treat clients. Dr. Zhao Weijie has 25 years of experience in the practice, research, and teaching of traditional Chinese medicine.

Overall Health

In addition, Vallerie provides referrals to licensed, experienced professionals in homeopathy, kinesiology, chiropractic care, and nutritional counseling.

Helping her clients to look and feel better has always been Vallerie’s mission, and she believes that includes the whole person, not just face and body, and also educating people about their overall health. “I look forward to having more educational classes and workshops. These are helpful for clients, and I believe more people are looking into alternative ways to improve their health, including natural remedies, such as homeopathy, acupuncture, and a general holistic approach, along with meditation, yoga, and massage.”

Vallerie offers opportunities for clients to have birthday parties and other events, which can include services, in her spa setting.

Prices for services cover a wide range, with manicures starting at $20, pedicures from $45, facials from $75, and massages from $90; focused eye treatments are $50. Special packages, with services lasting several hours, start at $212. Currently, a 20 percent discount is available for gift certificates throughout December.

“I love my job,” says Vallerie, with a smile. “I like helping people, and I feel I can make a difference in someone’s life. When people look better, they feel better. We are really set apart by our service, our products (phytodermie products are for sale), and the environment we provide.”

The spa and holistic center is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (609) 466-8886. Website: vallerieeuropeanspa.com.

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