Philadelphia Phocus: Linda Harding (Giveaway Edition)

Last week, I called my friend after a trip to Rescue Rittenhouse Spa Lounge. After about a minute on the phone, she asked, “Why are you slurring your words?” Not having noticed anything different about my speech, I asked what she was talking about. She responded, “You’re facial drunk, aren’t you?” As I thought about her question, I realized she was right. I was facial drunk. My ‘Zoom Facial’ with award-winning esthetician Linda Harding was, quite literally, intoxicating. I mean, she isn’t called the Skin Diva for nothing. What makes Linda the best of the best? How long have you got?

When I visited the spa, I was warmly greeted and escorted to the waiting area – where I sipped on lemon water and perused some fashion mags. Considering that my last facial was three years ago (the horror!), I was somewhat apprehensive. But when Linda came to meet me, she immediately put me at ease with her friendly demeanor.

Once inside the facial room, I undressed, wrapped myself in a towel, and was tucked into the heated table; thanks to the cushy environs and tranquil ambiance, I already felt like a new woman – and the facial hadn’t even begun. Linda started with a careful study of my skin. “There’s good news and bad news,” Linda announced. “The good news is that you have great skin. The bad news is you’re doing all of the wrong things to it.”

She explained that I should be exfoliating every day, not just twice a week, which had been my usual routine. Then I closed my eyes, and Linda’s magic hands went to town on my face. First, she used a machine that employed the use of sound waves to remove layers of dead skin. This new method is as effective, for certain types of skin, as microdermabrasion; but unlike microdermabrasion, you can use it under the eyes, and it doesn’t irritate skin. It’s so gentle, yet effective, that Linda uses this machine on brides the morning of their wedding! Amazing right?

My other favorite part of the facial was the Valmont product Linda used on my face. Valmont uses salmon roe DNA in most of its skincare products, which might sound yucky – but my skin found it absolutely yummy, and eagerly drank it up. Then, Linda used an electrical micro-current machine to push it into deeper layers of my skin – to boost the moisturizing and regenerating properties of the product.

Once my facial was finished, I was emotionally torn. Part of me couldn’t wait to see my reflection. On the other hand, I was sad that the process had come to an end. Once I looked in the mirror, I was amazed. My skin glowed and I couldn’t stop smiling. The results of my facial are indescribable…I can only liken it to peeling off the outer layers of an onion, revealing the fresh, hydrated layers beneath.

As if my new face wasn’t gift enough, Linda gave me a bottle of Biologique Recherche P50 Balancing Lotion – to maintain my new mug. P50, the cornerstone product in the Biologique Recherche line, is a vitamin-enriched exfoliating potion that purifies, hydrates, and tones, visibly improving whiteheads, blackheads, and symptoms of rosacea.

Before parting, Linda imparted some wisdom; avoiding stress, drinking lots of water, and using the appropriate products for your skin type are her top three tips for stunning skin.

Jealous that I had an appointment with The Skin Diva and you’re just reading about it? Well, here’s your chance to meet with Linda, get a Zoom Facial, and receive a bottle of P 50. If you live in the Greater Philadelphia area, post a comment below or email me at spoiledpretty@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name and email address. Be sure to enter by 9pm EST on Thursday, December 20. One winner will be picked, at random, and I will reveal his/her name on Friday, December 21. Good luck!