Fancy Girl
Oasis Day Spa, Midtown
After months locked indoors, slaving on my debut book, my face having grown used to the phosphorescent glare of the laptop screen, believe me ladies when I tell you that these had become precarious times for my pores. And on one particular Sunday, it was absolutely necessary, if not mandatory, that this over-worked writer, who found herself screaming Serenity Now! Serenity Now! in her apartment, lay supine on a quilted table, getting my face lathered in creams that smelled of banana and juniper, blackheads extracted, and a good talking to (more like a kick in the pants) from Shatelle, my esthetician, on the state of my scary skin-care regime.
Founded in 1997 by husband and wife, Bruce and Marti Schoenberg, Oasis (with its four convenient locations, including one at the Jet Blue Terminal at JFK terminal!) provides a tranquil sanctuary where their highly trained, friendly staff will attend to your every indulgence: “We are not about spa trends, but offer spa treatments providing the utmost in relaxation and rejuvenation, along with the latest developments in massage, skincare, hydrotherapy and other spa services.”
As soon as I walked through the door, I was whisked away to change into a lux terry robe and soft slippers. I sipped herbal organic tea and munched on dried bananas and apricots in the relaxation lounge furnished with soft leather seating, flipping through the latest issues of Elle and Vogue via candlelight. For a few precious hours, my world was freed from cellular phones, car horns, sirens, and a city that operates with the volume turned way up. I was promptly escorted to a peaceful room replete with zen flutes and oboes where I would receive my customized facial.
And I must confess I cringed when Shatelle queried me on my beauty routine, which quite simply included a cleansing and a moisturizing. After a deep analysis that involved a magnifying mirror and some unfriendly light, my therapist spoke to me honestly (and thankfully not pushing products on me, which I loathe) about the state of my skin. For 60 minutes, I was a pampered princess. My skin was cleansed, toned, exfoliated, massaged and then, oh yes!, there was the head, neck, upper back and wrist massage (as if Shatelle secretly knew of my endless hours developing my carpal tunnel like an Olympic sport) and when I left, I was truly blissed out and glowing. I also received a comprehensive skin care analysis that detailed my skin’s hydration levels, nerve activity and oil secretion, as well as helpful suggestions to alter (ie, get my skin into proper form) my daily regime.
Facials and spa treatments can be costly, this is true, but how frequently do we treat and pamper ourselves? Take the time to preen, feel beautiful, feel more like a girl. And in this frenetic city, it’s only fitting that we indulge in some quiet, some tea, and some proper scrubbing.
Tip: At the flagship Park Avenue spa, not only can you book your lavender scrub, lava stone massage, aromatherapy body wrap, and customized facial, have your coifs, emergency manicure and pedicures attended to (great for brides to be). Oasis also offers studio classes, including yoga and pilates at both the Park Ave and Affinia Dumont locations.
Oasis Day Spa
One Park Avenue (flagship location) @ 32nd Street
New York, NY 10016
212-254-7722
Subway: 6 to 33rd Street
Check website for other locations/services
