Veljko Savic is a native of Serbia. He probably never guessed that he would end up as a spa manager on the island of Lanai, but with a decade in the health and wellness industry and a background in physiotherapy, he’s more than qualified to oversee the Four Seasons’ gorgeous facility. You have to take a ferry to get there, but that’s all part of the adventure. The Expeditions Ferry offers reasonable kama’aina rates, and Four Seasons has a free shuttle to pick you up at the harbor.
All their treatments are offered at the Ocean Side Cabanas, which are perched atop the lava cliffs overlooking Manele Bay beach. The open air breeze and roar of the ocean below instantly sets the tone for some pretty amazing (and relaxing) therapy. The Makai Ritual is a 50-minute foot treatment and a 50-minute signature massage that increases circulation and unwinds muscle tension. Inside the spa, spend some time in the cedar sauna and eucalyptus steam room to open your pores and detoxify.
“The best beauty advice we can give is to get enough sleep, drink enough water and eat clean healthy foods,” says Savic. “Beauty products and treatments are only supplemental to these vital basics. My number one must-have products from our spa gift shop are the Stone Crop products from Eminence Skin Care. The Stone Crop is a succulent, a relative to the cactus and a beneficial ingredient for the skin. It minimizes pigmentation, deeply hydrates, soothes burns and heals irritation. Eminence offers it in a gel wash, moisturizer, toner, serum, body lotion or masque, and the best part is it’s for all skin types.”
Makai Ritual at the Ocean Side Cabanas
The Spa at Manele Bay
1 Manele Bay Rd., Lanai City
808-565-2088
FourSeasons.com/ManeleBay
100 minutes: $345
Kama’aina: 15 percent off services and retail
*****
Emily Grace runs her boutique day spa from a quiet, second level space in the Haiku Town Center. Inside, you’re enveloped in a cool, calm world. Her reputation as a professional waxer precedes her–which she says keeps her very busy–but the facials are pure bliss. She has a special acne facial and says she’s an expert at getting rid of the blemishes. The mini-facial is for those pressed for time–it’s her basic treatment, condensed into 40 minutes.
Grace’s signature facial is her most popular, but the Botinal Anti-Aging is botox without the needle. The botinal covers your face in a cocoon; Grace says it’s not for those who suffer from claustrophobia, but the results are immediate. The cocoon effect didn’t bother me–in fact, it was nice to be quiet with my thoughts inward. The bonus is that your skin gets plumped and smooth.
Grace advocates the use of good sunscreen and carries a line of mineral products that prevent sunburn, reduce the risk of sun cancers, wrinkles and dreaded pigmentation. She says to stay away from chemical sunscreens that are full of harmful ingredients. The GM Collins sunscreen she carries run from $25 to $42 and are formulated with 100 percent mineral filters.
“I have always been drawn to skin care and beauty from my youth,” she says. “I was inspired by my mother who took such great care of her skin and always had elegant beauty products I would sneak and use. When I developed acne as a teenager, I started getting routine facials to help my skin. It wasn’t just the clearing of my skin and products I enjoyed. It was the energy and touch of my esthetician that made me feel healed, too. That’s when I knew I wanted to be in the beauty business. I like to make people feel good. And I had so much knowledge of skin care. It was a perfect combination.”
As far as what you can do at home for proper skin care, Grace has lots of ideas.
“My best beauty advice is drink lots of water!” she says. “Water helps to hydrate the skin inside and out. Also ingest Omega Oils–they help protect and clear the skin. Flax Fish and Borage oils are great options. Your diet is everything. Keeping away from excessive dairy and gluten will help keep the skin clear. And always take the time to cleanse the skin at night. It’s very important to use a great night cream. Our skin rejuvenates while we sleep, so extra added moisture protection helps keep our faces beautiful.”
Botinal Anti-Aging Facial
Emily Grace Esthetics
(By appointment only)
810 Kokomo Rd., Haiku
808-575-2222
Emilygraceesthetics.com
75 minutes: $120
*****
Maui Zen has imported their Westside style of day spa to Wailea in a brand new, gorgeous second floor space in the Wailea Gateway. They bring their affordable luxury to the scene–quality therapies at a price point much lower than the larger resort spas.
They have a spacious, ocean view couples treatment room that makes a perfect getaway for two. Their Wabi Sabi treatment is like no other, combining several schools of therapy. You will enjoy the full body zen massage with shiatsu, Hawaiian and Swedish techniques, a shiatsu facial massage that incorporates chilled stones and a foot reflexology treatment. The shiatsu facial and foot reflexology are heaven, head to toe.
Owner Virginia Lacker says she was looking for a stress antidote for her corporate IT job when she discovered the spa industry and bought her Lahaina spa off Craigslist five years ago. Her spa helps her greatly in that regard.
“We have a special collagen facial that uses electrical stimulation to maximize absorption of the collagen,” she says. “Our clients love the real and immediate results. Our esthetician does half of the face and will show you so you can see your before-and-after difference. It’s a WOW moment! And we have a really comprehensive range of services for a local independent spa, featuring massage, body treatments, skincare, waxing, medical esthetics (botox, fillers), wellness services with medical supervision (bioidentical hormone replacement, weight programs) and acupuncture. All with an ocean view. Plus we offer special massage pricing for Maui fire, police and emergency services. These folks need stress relief in a big way!”
Couples Wabi Sabi
Maui Zen Wailea
Wailea Gateway Center
808-874-6000
90 minutes: $140
Collagen Microcurrent Facial for 75 minutes: $135
Comments
comments