Beauty Boost in Beantown

After meeting Linda Meredith, known as the Queen of Facials and founder of her eponymous skincare line, I was excited to experience the U.S. debut of her famous facials at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Boston. Though I only spent two days in Boston, it was still a relaxing getaway thanks to the luxurious facilities. I made use of the Pilates reformer in the fitness center as well as the hydrotherapy circuit in the spa before my appointment. The main attraction, the Couture Facial with O2 (starting at $270, 80 minutes), did not disappoint. It served as the perfect antidote for my travel-weary skin, and the add-on oxygen infusion provided the perfect boost of hydration. “Linda Meredith’s treatments use natural, raw materials to create precious beauty potions,” says director of spa Virginia Lara. “Her beauty vision, passion, and drive for excellence complement the spa’s holistic approach to wellness, revitalizing mind, body, and spirit.” The Couture Facial (starting at $200, 60 minutes) begins with a deep cleanse using micro-glycolic serums, which have an antibacterial effect to help reduce breakouts and anti-aging benefits to soften fine lines. A thorough consultation then identifies individual skin concerns and guides the rest of the treatment. After steam and extractions remove impurities, Linda Meredith products are applied as needed to rebalance skin, treating signs of aging, dehydration, sagging, and more. A relaxing face, neck, and shoulder massage completes the service. For a more invigorating experience, the Couture Facial with O2 adds on the healing power of oxygen for immediate red-carpet radiance and a glowing, younger-looking complexion. “My aim is to educate both men and women on how our bodies, in particular our skin, have been affected by the introduction of hormones, chemicals, and toxins that surround our everyday lives, especially in our diets,” says Meredith. “After realizing there was a need to restore skin’s balance due to these dramatic changes, I decided to develop an alternative concept in skincare that dealt with this new generation of skin problems.”