Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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photography by brian SamuelS (g20 Spa); liz Voll (miStretta, elSbree); erneSto galan (atkinS); inga iVanoVa/ShutterStock (Spa model) Sugar, spice, and everything that turns our beauty routine into a winter wonder- land: yes, please. Here's where you can find the best holiday-themed products and treatments—great for giving, but we won't tell Santa if they wind up in your own stocking. First things first: addressing your state of mind—especially if you've wound up on the naughty list. Slip away from the chaos outside the Prudential Center and into the Spa at Mandarin Oriental (776 Boylston St., 617-535-8820; mandarin oriental.com/boston/luxury-spa) for Time to Ref lect ($200 weekdays; $220 week- ends), a one-hour-and-20-minute signature massage that incorporates elements of traditional Chinese healing, including meridian targeting, as well as jasmine, black pepper, ginger, and juniper essence. As for the "ref lection"—water, said to be the root of life, provides energy, willpower, and determination. From there, float over to Skoah (641 Tremont St., 857-350-4930; skoah.com) for a Power Facial ($85), which exfoliates, extracts, and eliminates the inevitable dry patches that can crop up this time of year. The treatment also incorporates a propri- etary pressure point technique that owner Peter Dziedzic claims will encourage skin to produce plenty of moisture on its own. Top it off with a balm (face, body, or both; prices range from $30 to $70) from Maria Åkerberg's line, available exclusively at Balans (376 Boylston St., 617-450-8333; bostonbalans.com), which aesthetician Katherine Nemes says will keep your skin "supple and perfectly hydrated." Hair, too, needs holiday helpers. Dirk Diegel of Bradley & Diegel (77 Newbury St., 617-266-7707; bradleyanddiegel.com) has a two-part process to get your tresses in tip-top party shape, starting with a clarifying treatment (Get Pure or Malibu, $45 each), followed by your choice of moisture or protein to seal and protect; Diegel recommends the Oribe Signature Moisture Masque, Moroccanoil Treatment, or Soma Reconstruct (prices vary), depending on your hair type and texture. BC Winter retreat boston's top spas transform the winter chills into a wonderland of beauty treats. by karyn polewaczyk Shelby elSbree Corps de Ballet "I can't get enough of the Ultimate Strength Hand Salve from Kiehl's (112 Newbury St., 617-247-1777; kiehls.com) during the cold, dry months of winter. I always use a generous amount on my hands and elbows before I go to sleep. And every month I look forward to a Power Facial at Skoah (641 Tremont St., 857-350-4930; skoah.com), especially after our Nutcracker stage makeup marathons!" emily miStretta Corps de Ballet "As a Southern California native, I've had to figure out simple, effective tricks to stay warm during Boston's harsh winters. During Nutcracker season, I live for the facials at G20 Spa + Salon (278 Newbury St., 617-262-2220; g2ospasalon.com) on a day off. The best part? Visiting the steam room afterwards, and if it's snowing, sitting by the fireplace in the window post-mani/pedi." melanie atkinS Children's Ballet Mistress "My beauty regime tends to be fairly simple, especially since my skin doesn't take the abuse it used to when I performed in The Nutcracker. My go-to products are from the Calm to Your Senses line from Origins (Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 5 S. Market St., 617-742- 7447; origins.com). The lavender and vanilla combination is wonderfully soothing." STYLE You, Even Better 48 bostoncommon-magazine.com On POinte Sugarplum fairies, unite! We spoke with three ballerinas from the Boston Ballet to find out what keeps them looking beautiful—and stage-perfect—over the holiday season.