Cool Esthetics

Mediterranean Pedicure
Since there are few things cooler than a pair of nicely pedicured feet, Spa Gaucin at St. Regis Monarch Beach introduced the innovative Mediterranean Pedicure (75 minutes for $95) on its newly revamped menu over the summer. The pedicure begins with a lavender aromatherapy mist while your feet soak in a sea salt bath. The therapist then gives you a leg massage with the help of an actual nautilus shell and exfoliates your legs and feet using sea salts. Then, a goat horn – yes, a goat horn – is used to massage your foot reflexology points. Finally, your legs and feet are covered in a custom candle wax made with mandarin and lavender extracts and enveloped in an aloe and mint wrap. Not only cool, but soft and smooth too.
::  spagaucin.com

The Wet Brush
They tell us it’s the IntelliFlex bristles – thin, strong and with “intelligent flexibility” – that make The Wet Brush so amazing. We were a little skeptical about how incredible a hairbrush could really be. We stood corrected when the brush managed to breeze through even the thickest, most tangled head of wet hair. The brush did not tug, tear or snag. And because of its effortless detangling ability, the brush is great for extensions and wigs, and dry hair, of course. That intelligent flexibility – meaning it’s flexible on one stroke and firm on the next – is not only smart, but super cool. And now we know why Planet Beauty is having trouble keeping it on the shelves. The brush is available in classic black, blue, pink, purple, yellow, Happy Hair Flowers, Happy Hair Dots, and Happy Hair Stars for $8-$14.
::  thewetbrush.com

Konjac Cleansing Sponge
In this age of beauty tonics and serums, we found the thought of using a sponge as a tool of exfoliation (duh!) so wonderfully back to basics that it offers a whole new level of cool. And Orange County-based Boscia’s new Konjac Cleansing Sponge, made from the konjac root grown in Asia, isn’t your average drugstore body sponge. It’s a very soft cleanser and detoxifier that gently exfoliates with a naturally alkaline fiber to help balance the complexion. It’s so gentle, in fact, that it’s safe to use around the eyes and on sensitive skin. The bonus is that it’s reusable and completely biodegradable. It is easily activated by warm water and can then be used with your cleanser to buff and cleanse the face. The sponge is available at Sephora for $18.
::  bosciaskincare.com

Raw Coconut Cream
We love efficiency. So when we heard about RMS Beauty’s Raw Coconut Cream, which promises beauty multitasking to almost no end, we were more than impressed. After all, it’s not often that one product alone can boast abilities as makeup remover, facial cleanser, skin and body moisturizer, hair mask, and even deodorant. Not only does it do all those things, but it does them with virtually no processing. With a philosophy based on “raw, food grade, organic ingredients in their natural state,” RMS Beauty’s coconut cream is really just pure, organic, cold-pressed, cosmetic-grade virgin coconut oil from Thailand, according to the company. It is not heated, bleached or deodorized. What’s more is that coconut oil is known as having antifungal and antibacterial properties. The coconut cream is available at ROOTS The Beauty Underground in Laguna Beach for $18.
::  rmsbeauty.com

Meditation Stations
Reach an even deeper level of relaxation when you visit Spa Gregorie’s in Rancho Santa Margarita, a new location with some new amenities, including meditation stations. We spent some time at one of the two new stations, located in the spa lounge area and featuring a variety of theme-focused tracks – accessed through a tablet and headphones – guiding us into a state of self-actualizing reflection and deep tranquility. The tracks, including both written and audio guidance and visualization techniques, cover topics like “work” and “oneness.” The stations offer meditative newbies and pros alike the opportunity to center themselves before or after any Spa Gregorie’s service. And we just think that’s cool.
::  spagregories.com