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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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.

LA beauty address book for awards season

Just a Friday quickie here... Vogue.com have published a succinct beauty address book for the awards season. Whether you're attending or simply want to know where to go if on holiday in LA, this list includes some of the best in the business. 

Our favourites from the list:

Neil George Salon
9320 Civic Center Drive
(310) 275-2808
neilgeorgesalon.com

Sonya Dakar Skin Clinic 
9975 Santa Monica Boulevard
(310) 553-7344
sonyadakarskinclinic.com

Anastasia Beverly Hills—Brentwood 
11933 Wilshire Boulevard
(310) 479-8300
anastasia.net

Get the full list here.