Spa Magazine's Annual Fall Media Event!

On Friday October 24th I attended one of my favorite events of the year, the Annual Fall Media Event, presented by Spa Magazine! This was the 11th season of an event that brings editors and freelancers an exciting view of spa-oriented products and properties. Friday's event was held at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Manhattan (80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street). The hotel's attention to detail and service is impeccable, even if you're just a "guest" for a few hours to attend an event.

The Spa Magazine showcase always gives me ideas for stories and review products that I know I'll want to be sharing with you throughout the year.

For example, this time I got a chance to experience the same star treatment as celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Rachel Hunter, and Elle Macpherson with a Pevonia caviar hand massage and treatment. This featured Pevonia Botanica's skin care, including some products from their very luxurious, effective and pampering Ligne Myoxy-Caviar (with unadulterated Caviar Extract, Pearl Extract and Escutox™ ) which immediately made my skin smoother, softer and brighter (the other option was a hand treatment with the also fantastic Tropicale line which The Advice Sisters reviewed in the January/February 2008 What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion review column. I also learned that Pevonia is about to launch the first comprehensive skincare system specifically formulated for teens. The products were on view as lab samples with bright green tops.

I also checked out what's new and nifty from spa-oriented cosmetics lines such as G.M. Collin and La Bella Donna. G.M. Collin has a myrid of high quality skin care lines including products for anti-aging, various skin types, men, sun, and bodycare.

I also love that G.M. Collin's new acne lines: Oxygen Puractive+ and Puracne Oxygen, have product that are color-free, paraben-free, alcohol-free and fragrance-free, with packaging that's made from paper that is recycled and recyclable. La Bella Donna was one of the first mineral makeup lines The Advice Sisters ever reviewed. We raved about their eye shadow in 2003 and their foundation back in 2003. We are looking forward to reviewing more of their high-end and very beautiful products in 2009!

Makeup and skincare are not the only things highlighted at the Spa Magazine Fall Annual Media Event. I spent a few moments checking out the lingerie and shape-wear from Soma Intimates (found in Chicos stores) -- their products are super-comfortable. I wear some of their tug-less underwear and can vouch for the fact that it looks and feels great. Apparently, the line is introducing some sexier lingerie into their line..can't wait for that!

And, the host of this event, Spa Magazine, made sure everyone went home with the two latest copies of their SPA Magazine. I don't usually keep magazines more than a month, but I make an exception for SPA because it's such a fun read. If you love to visit spas, or want to but are just an armchair traveler, you will devour the pages! The photos, recipes, products and reviews give you lots of ideas and ways to relax (whether you're at a spa, or not). If you want to select a spa to actually visit in person, Spa Magazine's reviews of spa properties around the world give you a taste of what to expect and what's available. Visit http://www.spamagazine.com/ for more information.

...and of course, there are dozens of spas represented at this event including celebrated destination spas such as Canyon Ranch, Safety Harbor, Lake Austin, and Mirival. Also represented were day spas such as the Spas at the Mandarian Oriental properties. One brand-new spa that hasn't even opened yet (the opening is November 26th) is the Resort at Pelican Hill, located on the Southern California coast. The Spa at Pelican Hill will be featuring traditional, authentic, rejuvenating and restorative treatments from around the world!

I brought my camera to this event but was so focused on meeting and chatting I forgot to use it! Now that's, being relaxed!