May/June 2004
Day Spa Address Book - Slim Fast
Los Angeles
A few days before visiting Ona Spa, an Asian-style oasis frequented by young Hollywood, I indulge in dark chocolate in anxious defiance of their Ona Slim anti-cellulite treatment. Greeted by the lovely Brigitte Beasse and her mellifluous French accent, the therapy begins quietly with a deep breathing session while her fingers activate the little toxin holder known as my spleen. She then directs her attention to my lymph system, pressing points by my ankles and behind my knees. Edelle Samphire Slimming Cream, a blend of green and white algae, is applied to my thighs and buttocks to enhance blood circulation and the effects of the monstrous Liposculptor Mobilization Vibratory Percussor (think Magic Fingers meets a giant hand-held massager). The centerpiece of th treatment proceeds to wiggle, jiggle, and knead my things, buttocks, and love handles for ten minutes or so - a pleasantly intense experience that leaves my skin red, warm, and a little itchy. Afterward, Brigitte deftly performs a lymphatic drainage massage to flush the "liquified" fat cells to my spleen, then works my abdomen to flatten my belly. The session ends with a spray of Cryofluid (a camphor and algae blend that constricts blood vessels), leaving my skin minty fresh and smooth. I float out the door with promises to eat only asparagus that night, Brigitte's diuretic of choice. (Ona Slim, $150, 60 minutes)
Spas and Treatments
In Living Color
Relentless sun, traffic, smog and trying too hard to stay hip can stress the mind, body and soul. So, Los Angelenos rely on Ona Spa, locate upstairs from the super chic Prive Salon. Ona's detoxifying green facial treatment cleanses, exfoliates and smoothes the face, neck and shoulders with seaweed extract, botanicals and 96% pure oxygen. Brigitte Beasse - part aestheticians, part goddess - explains that color possesses its own energy and the ability to influence mood and sense of wellbeing. She then leads the way through Ona's eastern decor to a tranquil, jade-lit room where she soothes away all cares with 75 minutes of soft natural sounds, peaceful trance-inducing music, aromatherapy, massage and herbal tonics that leave the skin completely renewed and ready for another round in the city.
Rebecca Paiement
Oct 2004
Local Gem
Brigitte Beasse At Ona Spa
Let's face it; Appointments for haircuts, manicures and facials aren't booked just because the hair, skin or hands are craving attention, but also because the psyche and the soul usually need a bit of tender loving care too. Beauty regimens aren't merely for looking good - but they also offer time to decompress, relax and regenerate. That is why "beauty therapists" should be chosen as carefully as a therapist of the mind. After all, letting someone excavate one's pores can be a very intimate experience.
Brigitte Beasse delivers incredible results with her two hour "Ona 21" facial. Her manner is kind and caring ; her approach is so gentle; her voice is soothing. She adds an element to the treatment that cannot be taught or faked. In addition to her viurtully painless extractions, expert lymphatic drainage technique and unparalleled knowledge of skin, her warmth and sweetness is a healing balm for the stress of busy lives. And while her treatments are incredible, just being near her is a therapeutic experience that keeps clients coming back for more.
Uma Thurman recently came in for a wax and was so impressed with Beasse she scheduled a facial a few weeks later. Kirsten Dunst's glowing skin can also be attributed to Brigitte's magic touch.
The "Ona 21" binds the mind and body. Beasse begins with a 10 to 15 minute consultation to learn about her client's skin and lifestyle, personality and habits. She examines several different areas of the face with microscope, and then adjusts the lighting with "color therapy" in either blue, red or green depending on what best suites the client. The next two hours are customized and can be anything from oxygen treatments that deliver 90% oxygen to the face and lungs (as opposed to the normal 30%) to a glycolic treatment, which lubricates and gets rid of dead skin. "No two facials are exactly alike, just as no two clients are exactly alike," she says.
The only treatment everyone receives is something called "deep relaxation," a 15-minute meditation tape narrated by Morgan Fairchild (also a client). It can literally have the same effect of hypnosis, but encourages the banishment of stress, frustration and all of the other nasty things which can affect your mind, body and of course, your face!
Beasse is so passionate about her work that she listens to the tape along with her clients during each facial. Sometimes she says she is so in tune with her clients that she can actually read their minds. "Sometimes at this point, I can feel what the client is thinking about and this is wonderful. It's happened twice and it's such a great feeling - like I'm really connecting."
"I will not go to bed without applying the
Collagen Treatment Creme. It has just the right amount of moisture and leaves my skin silky and smooth, never greasy. I use the
Detox+ Mask a few times a week. It gives my skin a boost of energy and pulls out toxins. I even use it as a spot treatment overnight. In the morning, any little blemish has calmed down and healed."
Megan Ward, Actress
Hollywood, CA
"BRIGITTE products really simplify my beauty routine and leave my skin looking great. The
Exfoliating Toner takes care of exfoliation and toning in one step and the SPF 30 + Daily Moisturizer is so nice and light to use for daytime in the summer, not heavy or greasy like other sunscreens and creams."
