I’ve always been a rushed and inconsistent in my skin care routine. I spend way more time putting on my makeup in the morning than I do removing it at night. By the time I’m ready for bed, I am READY FOR BED.

But as soon as I started using Aveda’s Tulasara Wedding Masque Overnight, a moisturizer that promises “wedding-day skin every day,” I was intrigued by the simplicity and performance and started to get excited for my evening skin care ritual. Within a few days, I saw a noticeable change in the dewiness and radiance of my skin. I needed more Tulasara in my life. 

I started to do my research and I learned about the new Dual Exfoliation Treatment,  Aveda’s latest service offering in non-invasive, skin-renewing treatments. It combines naturally derived mechanical and biochemical exfoliation methods into one powerful service.

I headed to Spa Bleu in West Dundee, Illinois, to check it out for myself. Spa Bleu is located in an adorable historic village in wayyyyy-suburban Chicago. And while the “pond” might be small, owner Tammy Coakleyhas a “big fish” mindset. She’s always attending advanced education, completely renovated her salon and spa into a super-chic space with a chandelier at the main entrance that I couldn’t take my eyes off of, and has a staff that oozes compliments on what it’s like to work for her.

My esthetician’s name was Megan Andrews. She’s worked for the salon and spa for 10 years and is so aligned with Aveda’s mission and culture that she serves as the salon’s in-house trainer. Throughout the year she attends advanced education to learn new techniques, services and products to then share and demonstrate with the extended spa team. I hit the technician jackpot.

After changing into a terrycloth robe and elastic-lined towel, I was welcomed into the treatment room with an aromatic steam towel foot ritual that kicked off the relaxation process.

Megan explained to me that this treatment is designed to deliver immediate, visible results in improved skin texture and radiance, smooth the appearance of fine, dry lines, and refine pores, revealing fresher, younger-looking skin. Sign me up.

At Spa Bleu, there are two treatment options—a 60-minute service priced at $130 or a 90-minute service priced at $175. BONUS: Spa Bleu offers guests a $20 incentive to experience the treatment for the first visit.

My makeup was removed and my skin was cleansed, and then Tourmaline Charged Skin Refiner was applied using a skin revitalizing refining technique. It felt sort of like a mask that was massaged into my skin, and then buffed off to jump start the exfoliation. Next, Perfecting Plant Peel was applied and it initiated these sort of bursts of warmth as it was applied to my skin. (Yes, Megan warned me it was coming.) Throughout the rest of the treatment, there were several phases of warming and cooling that Megan said provided the performance of a peel, but clients leave without redness. And she wasn’t kidding. The Outer Peace Professional Cooling Masque not only left my skin hydrated, but it made my skin feel tighter, perked up and alert, sans redness.

From the chimes during the deep breathing, to the scent I hand-picked for my service, and the shoulder-neck massage that closed the service, this may be marketed as more of a treatment but it was certainly relaxing from start to finish.

After I got dressed in the changing room, Megan touched up my makeup using my all-time favorite Honey Mineral Dual Foundation pressed powder.

“This treatment has excited our esthetic team due to the high level of performance the service delivers to guests,” says Spa Bleu’s Leadership and Esthetics team, which services about 65 Dual Exfoliation treatments each month. “This excitement has prompted our team to do on-location skin care events which have resulted in opportunity to discuss the treatment benefits, prebook appointments and educate and recommend a treatment plan for home care. The addition of Tulasara has increased retail sales on average 15% per location.”

I’ll admit that anything that if it comes from nature and doesn’t have any serious chemicals, I’m a bit of a skeptic of performance. But after experiencing the Dual Exfoliation Treatment facial for myself, I’m a believer.  

Aveda Tulasara Dual Exfoliation Peel

Salon

Spa Bleu West Dundee

106 N. Second St

West Dundee, Illinois 

Owner

Tammy Coakley 

Who performs the service?

Esthetician 

How long does the complete service last? 

Spa Bleu offers this service in 60 or 90 minute treatment options

How much does the service cost?

60 minute treatment $130

90 minute treatment $175

The process:

The Dual Exfoliation Peel is Aveda’s latest advancement in non-invasive, skin-renewing treatments. Products used: Pure Comfort Eye Makeup Remover, Beautifying Composition, Tourmaline Charged Radiant Skin Refiner, Perfecting Plant Peel Activating Spray, Perfecting Plant Peel, Thermal Masque, Outer Peace Acne Relief Pads, Outer Peace Professional Cooling Masque, Green Science Firming Eye Crème, Singular Notes, Personal Blends Aqua Therapy Formula, Inner Light Mineral Tinted Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 15 


Who is the target market for this service? 

Any skin type