Our Night at the Red Door Spa

We knew we were in for a treat when we started planning our private member's only event at the iconic Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. This slightly secretive, hidden oasis is one of Chicago's gems. Tucked away in the Palmolive Building just off of Michigan Ave, it's a quiet tranquil respite on a cold winter's day. So naturally, we threw on some red lipstick and hoofed it to what I now call every Chicago socialite's best kept secret. Just walk down Michigan Ave, take a right at Louis Vuitton. Once you reach the door, take the unmarked lift upstairs and get ready to unwind.

Through the Red Door, what pleasures await.... We can testify that their manicures are flawless and the brow wax is somehow much less stressful than choosing an eye cream. Continue reading to see inside the spa and get my rundown on the night's festivities...

As soon as we set foot through the door we were greeted by the Red Door Spa's PR girl, the impossibly fresh faced Claire Perkins. She must bathe in Elizabeth Arden creams every morning and night--probably a perk of the job! She gave us the grand tour of the salons' private spaces...which we loved. Who wants to have their bare toes out while others are getting their hair cut? Nobody. That's who! We loved that the salon has sections for each spa activity, offering a private, secluded, luxurious moment whenever you stop by.

We promptly dispatched some red wine from its container, swiped a few swatches of brie cheese and berries and signed up for the signature facial giveaway. Claire let us onto some great product recommendations in the form of Elizabeth Arden's Prevage Line. Claire told us that the line makes your skin feel like a freshly peeled peach!

She then showed us around the Elizabeth Arden color collection, which includes this chic and high tech beauty bar. Naturally, I went a little crazy for the custom color foundation software and mixing gadgets. You simply have to test it out for yourself!

Some of the girls got a lesson in makeup application from the talented makeup artists at the spa. I learned a tremendously helpful trick to determine how best to contour and highlight.

Then it was on to pedicures and manicures in the private break-out rooms. The sequestered pedicure areas make for a more upscale feel and make it easy to grab the latest gossip with a gal pal.

 

I had to find some tranquility for myself, so I set off down the long and luxurious hallway to find my manicurist. I sat down with a chic blonde named Olita. She and I settled on a deep, rich red and got to work.

In just 12 minutes, Olita helped solve all of my nail woes. Her advice, "Don't ever skip your base coat. Many women just swipe on polish. But, no! By skipping the base coat the polish is zapping vitamins and nutrients from your nails. Keep them protected from the varnish and always base before color!"
Trust her words of wisdom, and always book her, she's a nail genius!

Feeling daring, I decided to swish over to the brow and skin area....a lush, gorgeous medi-spa behind heavy glass doors. Once I entered I was overcome by how tranquil it was....a definite difference between this spa and the buzzing, energetic atmosphere in the salons. Asian wood flute music pumped in through the speakers and a lovely fragrance of eucalyptus and sandalwood filled the room. I was already melting when my skin guru, Mila, came to retrieve me.

Mila was yet ANOTHER chic blonde in a stark white lab coat and black chinos. Her skin looked like a fresh peeled peach, I kid you not. She lead me back to the eyebrow room and got to work. I learned from her that my eyebrows were slightly over-shaped. She said I should get in touch with my inner Cara Delevigne and grow them out significantly, and in the interim a precisely applied eyebrow pencil would give my face more balance.

Her advice, "Your face knows what's best when it comes to brows! Using a pencil, you can calculate where your brows should begin, arch, and end." She showed me the way, the truth, and the light.

 Soon it was time to pack up and go, and we were ushered out the door with swag bags complete with generous samples and products and the cutest red door mirror.

Lauren, Daliah, and I hope you can make it to our next member's only event!


All the best,

Mischaela