I am very fickle when it comes to shampoos and conditioners and am constantly trying different brands. I came across the Cornelia Signature line of hair products while browsing the site to choose treatments for my next trip to NYC (Kelly's sister, Eva, went there last month and has not stopped raving about it - you will read about it later), with a name like Shine Defining shampoo and conditioner, of course I had to try it!
I was surprised to see how pretty the packaging was when I received my goodies, and even more surprised that it was made in England instead of a random cosmetic plant in Jersey. Each box has a silhouette of a tulip and the packaging resembles something you'd buy at Neiman Marcus, it is obvious that Cornelia really made the effort to make its products as high end as its services. I used the shampoo and conditioner this morning and my hair is definitely shinier and softer; it has a fairly strong fragrance from essential oils which made me feel like I was in a spa all day but many of you may not. I loved that the fragrance was floral and not some vanilla or chocolate concoction that are usually popular with spa products, as Kelly always says- we do not need to smell like food! Cornelia Zicu, the owner of Cornelia Day Resort created this line with scents that reminded her of the tranquil forests from her childhood in Romania which is deeply invigorating and calming. I also got the moisture balancing body lotion which has the same fragrance; I can smell it as I type right now and I feel so pampered, it is a light lotion that works well in the heat of summer and made my skin soft, not greasy. Shampoo $35, Conditioner $37, Body Lotion $60. Now that I've experienced the products, I really can't wait to experience the spa but until then, I asked Eva to share her day at Cornelia Day Resort with us.
Post by Eva- Cornelia Must go Day spa!
Oh Cornelia, I’m a convert….. A friend called to invite me to a spa day with the girls at Cornelia Day Resort. She’s been touting it for months but I was resistant because of its high end pricing plus I get massages regularly and I prefer brute strength over ambience when it comes to body work. But she just had twins and wanted a nice relaxing outing so I agreed. And am I glad I did!
Cornelia is right in the heart of Fifth Avenue sandwiched between the Gucci and Fendi flagship stores in New York City. You first walk through monster glass and chrome doors into a vaulted lobby covered with limestone walls and floors. The elevator leads you up to the penthouse of the building where doors open and you are hit with the aroma of spa. The reception staff was exceptionally friendly and escorted me to the locker room and introduced me to the attendant. She showed me to my locker (with my name on it) and escorted me to the waiting room after I changed into my robe and slippers.
Since I get massages regularly I decide to do something different - a specialty at Cornelia, the Royal Romanian Mud Treatment. I’m in the waiting room with my feet up eating blueberries on a skewer and drinking grapefruit juice when I hear my name being called. “Hi, I’m Michael I’ll be doing your treatment today.” “Oh, hi,” I think I said. Meanwhile in my head I’m running through the description of the treatment, scrub, body mask and bath equal lots of nudity. I’ve had a lot of massages from male therapists but having a guy scrub my naked body might be a whole other thing, but “whatever,” I say to myself. I’ll just run with it.
He leads me to the rooftop floor of the spa where there’s a café and an outdoor Japanese garden for lunch, drinks or lounging. My first stop was the cascade tub for the soak in the Lake Amara mud and algae extracts. I lay in the tub filled to the brim with the water splashing over the edges looking up at the clouds through the skylight. Michael then brings me a towel and takes me to the next room where we would finish the rest of the treatment. He explained the process to me and asked if I would like my chest covered or uncovered for the treatment. “Hmm, uncovered is fine.” I decided it would be unfair to exclude my chest from the experience. I lay face down while he polishes each area of my entire body and towels off with a warm plush towel before moving on. Then I turn over and he did my front side (yes, including the chest). Mud mask came next. He applied the mud all over my body except my feet, wrapped me up in plastic layered with a warming blanket. While I baked in the mud he gives me a foot and cranial massage which is heavenly. After I showered off the mud he finished the treatment by applying a hydrating lotion. Feeling silky and supple, I meet up with the girls in the waiting room and they asked me how it was. Still relishing in the luxury of the experience all I had to say was ahhh………..
Cornelia Day Resort at 663 Fifth Ave. 8th Floor (between 52nd and 53rd) 212-871-3051
Coincidentally, I had a facial there last week and the whole experience was amazing--names on lockers was a cute, ingeneous touch. Just wondering whether you know anything about the mud masque they sell--Romanian mud! They told me it was incredibly hydrating and was wondering if I should go back and buy it.
Thanks
Gilda
I went to Cornelia early last year and had a fabulous time. It's elegant, classy, and an awesome spa. I can't wait to go back this fall.