Enjoying SPA PURA

Many of us equate the month of January with newness, clean homes, a time to start diets and do things that are good for us. It brings to mind Spa Pura, who for the second year in a row was named “Best Day Spa In Glendale.” For such a quaint, little town, we have a spa that would be the envy of many other neighborhoods, boasting three peaceful floors with candlelit, spacious lounges in 7,000 square feet. There is a menu to match that includes facials, advanced skincare, massages and body treatments.

Owner Michelle Ju and her daughter manager Crystal Ju are firm believers in advanced skin care. There is a full menu of facials with names like “European Deep Cleansing Facial,” “Aromatherapy Facial,” and “Calming Facial” which go for $85 for 60 minutes. But that’s not all!     There is a whole category of advanced facials administered by licensed estheticians. Spa Pura has the latest, state of the art equipment for these that range in price from $150 to $400 a session. I had never experienced anything like this and Michelle felt I needed to in order to write about it properly. I certainly was not going to disagree with her logic. Lucky me!

Of course I showed up with my camera and notepad and started doing all the things I do to prepare for this column. But then I heard the magic words from Crystal: “It’s time to put away your work now and relax.” And that’s exactly what I did.

All my belongings were stored in a locker and I was given a robe and slippers. Before the facial came Spa Pura’s signature treatment, the Korean body scrub. Exfoliation is the first step to better skin and Cindy Kang did an excellent job. My skin felt invigorated and clean and it was time to softly pad my way to the facial room for 60 minutes of bliss.

Lillit Hakobyan is an expert at what she does. The “Hydra Facial” includes exfoliation, an infusion of serums and massage. All the while you are in a dimly lit room with relaxing spa music and the occasional sound of trickling water. I emerged with lines softened and skin glowing.

I could easily go on, but I must tell you about the “Best In Glendale January Special.” For $110 (normally $150), you get a one-hour massage or facial. In addition you can choose from a 30-minute Korean Scrub or a 30-minute neck and shoulder massage. You may also consider becoming a member of the spa. For a six month membership at $99 a month, you can choose from a 60 minute massage, facial or scrub. You also get unlimited spa use from Monday through Thursday, and 10% off additional services and retail products. There is also a simpler $69 membership.

Spa Pura is located at 2270 Honolulu Ave., next to Sake. They are open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. To learn more, check out their website at www.myspapura.com. If you want to see how my face looked after this extravagant treatment, check out my pics on the Montrose Shopping Park Facebook page.

  Mary Dawson