Intelligent
Skin Sense brings smarter beauty methods to Fairfield
By Rita Papazian
Posted: 06/26/2009 01:02:33 AM EDT
Marlene Katz believes
that "beauty is from the inside out." To those unfamiliar
with Katz and her spa, Intelligent Skin Sense, that may come as
a surprise, but not to clients who have availed themselves of
her services.
Last week, Katz celebrated
the grand opening of her spa's new location at The Brick Walk,
1675 Post Rd. She relocated from Saugatuck Avenue in Westport
to the Fairfield site to expand her business, which now includes
an educational component and a boutique with specialty products,
many from Connecticut-based entrepreneurs.
As melodic sounds wafted
down from a second floor landing where the Global Rhythm Group
provided 'magical and uplifting" music to set the tone celebrating
the grand opening, Katz joined special guests and clients as they
toured the new 1,600 square-foot facility with spa personnel.
The spa offers four private rooms for facial, massage and wellness
treatments. In addition, the spa is designed with a lounge area
where clients, especially drop-in clients, can await services
and a reception area where clients can peruse the "lifestyle"
boutique or receive make-up consultations.
Katz believes that
it is important for clients to integrate their inner feelings
with their outward looks. When people feel purposeful, when they
feel they have energy, then this is reflected in their looks.
However, the level of energy is often equated to the level of
stress. Here is where her services play a role by impacting the
level of stress and ultimately how people feel and look.
As noted in the spa
brochure, "By balancing energy, creating a positive disposition,
and taking proper care of the skin, facial expressions soften,
skin cells are renewed and overall appearances improve."
Throughout her 25 years
of experience offering spa services, first in Manhattan and then
in Westport, Katz, a certified esthetician, has observed first-hand
the benefits of facials and massages.
"Women are multi-tasking.
When they come in here, they are stressed. When they leave, they
say the weight has been lifted from their shoulders," said
Katz, noting how people believe wrinkles are associated with aging.
She discounts this.
"Babies have wrinkles,"
she said. When people get facials, the muscles relax; the face
softens; and people look younger.
Intelligent Skin Sense
offers anti-aging facial treatments that include soothing aromatic
facial, a pure O2 hydration treatment, lymphatic face toning and
electro face fitness lift. The latter is a holistic alternative
to Botox. It strengthens muscles by electronically gently lifting
and toning the skin. With successive treatments, the muscles are
trained to stay in the uplifted position. The spa also offers
face peels, makeover services and holistic body therapies, including
cellaction detoxifying wrap, lymphatic cellulite treatment and
ayurevedic body buff with marine mud.
The spa offers a choice
of relaxation services including reflexive foot therapy, color
light and aromatherapy and a hot stone energy balancing, a treatment
that brings inner balance. The spa brochure explains this treatment:
"To nourish the
energy that connects the mind, body and spirit, the therapist
works with hot stones on energy zones and reflexive foot therapy.
The feet contain seven prominent energy reflex zones that relate
to the body. As each zone is massaged, the practitioner attunes
you to understanding the therapeutic process of renewing ones
energy source."
In preparing for her
new location, Katz spent time seeking out wellness specialists
to offer seminars at the spa to contribute to women's well-being.
The spa is featuring noted women in the self-help and wellness
fields who will be conducting workshops billed as Avenues of Awareness
starting in July with Joy Weston, author of How An Ordinary Woman
Can Have An Extraordinary Life: The Formula For The Art of Living
Well and Kathy Caprino in September. Caprino is author of Breakdown,
Breakthrough: the Professional Woman's Guide to Claiming a Life
of Passion, Power and Purpose.
As she planned her
new spa, Katz thought, "It would be great to work with local
entrepreneurs who make their own products. The spa's lifestyle
boutique features books and products, including items by Karen
Ballou Knowles, an infant massage therapist and founder and president
of Babyderm, which offers products and services for babies and
children. Also, there are books by Mary Muryn, founder of Spa
Magic and author of Water Magic, a collection of healing bath
recipes for body, spirit and soul; and Spa Magic, a compilation
of beauty and healing recipes from spas around the world.
The boutique showcases
Intelligence Skin Sense's own line of skincare products."
In addition, to ISS's skincare products, other skincare products
include goat's milk-based soaps products from the Agee family
of New Milford. The family started making the soaps after they
were trying to deal with their son's allergies. Through research
they learned that soap made from goat's milk was good for combating
allergies.
In addition to the
soaps and skincare products, the boutique offers unique accessories
including gold and silver leaf jewelry from Evocateur which, specializes
in one-of-a-kind designs. The jewelry line is designed by Westport
designers Barbara Ross-Innamorati and Noelle LoPresti.
During her grand opening
celebration, Katz explained that in opening her new spa she wanted
it to be "as eco-friendly as possible." For example,
there are sustainable cork floors in the spa area, recycled wood
floors in the front boutique and eco-friendly formaldehyde-free
paints. A water filtration system eliminates the use of plastic
bottled water. An energy-efficient washer and dryer lessen the
use of disposable paper products in the spa. As she talked, she
pointed out a supply of makeup brushes made with "sustainable
bamboo stems and synthetic hair."
ISS staffing includes
estheticians Arlene Kelly, Luisa Mobilio and Jenny Campanoli and
massage therapist Karen Struder. Nutritionist Joyce Gibney is
contracted to work with spa clients to complement the spa services.
In addition to scheduled
appointments, Katz welcomes drop-ins who, while they wait for
services, can take advantage of the complimentary aromatherapy
oxygen bar to inhale a blend of aromas that help sinus and other
minor ailments.
Hours are Tues. and
Fri., from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wed. and Thurs., from 10 a.m. to
7 p.m.; Sat., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information,
