Last week I went and got my very first facial – ever! - at International Orange in San Francisco.

International Orange is a cozy little spa and yoga retreat situated in the heart of Fillmore’s hustling and bustling neighborhood of trendy shops and boutiques.

I walked up to the main floor to IO’s lobby where they sell yoga gear for classes as well as beauty products they use in their spa treatments.

After checking in for my appointment, I met with Abbie, my esthetician and facial extraordinaire!  For my Deep Cleanse Facial, she started by examining my skin under a big ol’ light and magnifying mirror (scary!).  Fortunately, Abbie assessed that I had fair skin with a little bit of congestion right down the middle of my face in my nose and chin area – a common area where most oils build up and clog pores.

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The Boyfriend’s younger sister works at Refresh Day Spa and chipped in for a gift certificate for my birthday earlier this year. I finally got to take advantage of my gift and spent an amazing two hours there yesterday. I gotta say, it was completely divine - one of the most relaxing services I’ve had in a while.

Refresh has a good selection of massage and body services; I opted for an hour and a half of pampering and relaxation with the Hawaiian Salt Glow Scrub and accompanying Swedish Massage with Kukui Nut Oil.

I started off with the scrub service in the spa’s wet room. The space is completely tiled with shower heads above the bed that moves back and forth and a water hose to help rinse off the salts.

For me, Paul used a scrub made with a combination of salt and sugar in a delicious Thai Lemongrass scent. I really loved this scrub - it was nice and warm, and the particles weren’t too big or small. It was just perfect to slosh off all the dead skin. I could also tell the difference in my arms and legs afterwards that the scrub had enough oils in it to keep me silky smooth as well.

Next up was my amazing massage with Kukui Nut Oil. Kukui Nut Oil is extracted from the Kukui Nut tree, which was first brought to Hawaii by Polynesian settlers. Now, this tree is Hawaii’s official state tree and its oil contains vitamins A, C, and E with anti-oxidants that protects the skin. Kukui Nut Oil is also known for it’s rejuvenating and soothing effects on the skin and can be used for its healing properties on skin irritations, wounds, and burns and others as well. But best of all, my Kukui Nut Oil massage makes me feel amazing because it sinks int my skin to create a protective shield and locks in moisture so that I’m touchably soft all day long.

If you’re ever in San Francisco, make an appointment at Refresh Day Spa, located at 1130 Post Street right off of Van Ness Street.

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