SPA WATCH | JOSEPH MICHAEL'S SALON & SPA

IT WAS a bleak day for me (it's winter after all...) when I realised that, perhaps, even though a beauty journalist, I personally hadn't been seeing the wood for the proverbial trees with regards to my own appearance for some years. There's nothing overtly wrong with it but I had somehow over my lifetime adapted a live and let be attitude to my appearance, never making any serious overtures with myself about taking care of (beauty) business. But the older I get, the more I want (and feel like I need) to sign up for a regular routine that includes the likes of facials. Yes, yes, most of my compatriots (adopted and real) probably see it as a luxury, but I'll tell you what -- I would rather that be the luxury I spend my money on than a purse or shoes. Those go out of fashion and get stuffed away in the wardrobe one day. Can't do that with a face!

It was with a chipper can-do attitude, then, that I greeted the offer from Spa Week Daily to trial one of the wonderful treatments on offer for $50 during Spa Week 2010. Kick start my beauty makeover with Spa Madness and let you lot know about the deep discounts to be had at spas across North America this April? Yes, please.

Without further ado...

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JET-SET BEAUTY | Rich Hippie Kalachakra

AT $725 for half an ounce, Rich Hippie Kalachakra is not in the realm of financial possibility for most. However, this column is called JET-SET BEAUTY... the remit isn't to feature affordable things but jet-set beauty buys and I'm pretty sure this fits that criteria. Many would argue that it's ludicrous to pay so much for something when you could find a pretty good facsimile elsewhere for less. I don't care. If money were no object, I'd have regular baths in this stuff.

Back to the point... The Rich Hippie perfumes are pretty good at not smelling like organic hippies. You won't detect a hint of patchouli here. It's a beautiful warm citrus floral that gets more complex as it warms up on your skin.

The LA-based Rich Hippie ingredients are all natural (being California chic and all), made from organically farmed ingredients (rather rare for sophisticated scents) even using organic wine alcohol. Everything is made in tiny batches and limited edition (even more jet-set).

As expensive as gold but smells better... it's like your own little sliver of rich, famous and socially conscious LA.

RICH HIPPIE KALACHAKRA

Get spa treatments on a budget during Spa Week

SPA WEEK is swiftly approaching on American shores (from April 12th to the 18th if you want to mark your calendars), where you can treat yourself to myriad full-service spa treatments for just $50 a pop -- much cheaper than some usually go for. In anticipation of this beauty bonanza, check out their video here:

Participating states, districts and countries are: Arizona, California, Colorado, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Canada.

Visit the Spa Week site.