Two end-of-summer treatments turn to marine life to revitalize dull, dry skin and hair — and here’s why.
Cornelia Spa
Reparative Caviar and Oxygen Quench
After shuttering its famous Fifth Avenue salon’s doors three years ago, Cornelia Spa is back and in a very chic new home: The Surrey Hotel. Spagoers are led to one of five treatment rooms complete with private bathrooms — that’s right, there’s no awkward shimmying into your robe! Then, the two-part nourishing facial dives right into the algae. An esthetician deep-cleans the skin with a mixture of seaweed and sea mud before applying a cooling caviar mask.
“Caviar plumps and firms the skin and helps to regenerate cell growth. It makes the skin stronger,” says owner Ellen Sackoff. Next, an oxygen-enriched masque is applied. “Since a majority of the world’s oxygen comes from seaweed, [these ingredients] breathe oxygen into your skin and protect the skin from free radicals.”
The pampering doesn’t stop once the 90-minute treatment is done. Guests are then treated to a glass of bubbly and a caviar amuse-bouche before lounging in the spa’s library or hotel’s private roof garden. $325, 646-358-3600
Repechage
Hydra-Amino18
Repechage, one of the pioneers of seaweed-based treatments in the States, knew most folks won’t be traveling to a thalassotherapy spa off the coast of Brittany to reap the benefits of sea plants, so they brought them to your local salon. “We’re taking the spa concept to the shampoo bowl,” explains Shiri Sarfati, Repechage’s vice president, about the brand’s new hair treatment.
A self-heating mask, applied by a stylist and left on for 15 minutes, uses three seaweed varieties that are packed with 18 amino acids, 12 vitamins and 42 trace elements to increase elasticity, boost luster and strengthen your tresses.
If you can’t make it to a salon, a nonthermal at-home version is available, too.
Why sea plants?
Marine algae are packed with vitamins, minerals, nutrients and rich antioxidant properties, which bring back the youthful bounce to your locks and leave skin dewy and taut.
