K. WEST | Ayurvedic Revival
As humans in constant state of evolution our body chemistry is always shifting and changing and along the way. We have to learn how to best adapt to the here and now. Recently what this has looked like for me : How To Take Care Of My Skin 101. I have been on a journey for the past 4 months of working to relearn what my skin actually needs and how to best take care in the midst of a busy schedule, teaching fitness for a living, stress, diet, all the things. A few months ago I woke up and realized, I don’t HAVE to live with a constant breakout! It’s NOT normal, and it doesn’t just come with my lifestyle (working out for a living, hello sweat!). What I realized I did have power over was looking into my routine, examining how thorough I was being in cleanliness, looking into the products I was using day to day, and choosing a new plan of attack. No more settling for the ol’ “Im just broke out ALL OF THE TIME…*shrug*”.
One of my old friends recently started managing at a Spa in Ann Arbor called K. West Skin Body Soul. She reached out to me after seeing my social posts on my journey, “Hey! I saw you’re working to better know your skin, you should come meet Katie”. Having had previously had several facials over the years, I thought it couldn’t hurt to go chat with someone new about my skin, maybe she can offer me some new insight! So, I booked.
Two weeks later, I pull up to a restored big brick house right in the heart of downtown AA. I can see through the big open windows— the tall white walls, the ambient lighting, shelves of ethical products I get to look at when I’m finished, oh and crystals. Big beautiful geodes everywhere. I can already tell I’m going to love this place. Katie greets me as I walk in, immediately grabbing me the coziest slippers and a bin to set my belongings. She is warm, and welcoming. Hospitable. Caring. Engaging.
She explains that they always begin with setting an intention for our time together. What am I wanting the next hour and half to represent for me? What am I hoping to achieve? A time out. A new connection. New direction. A moment to breathe.
She guides me upstairs where we sit in a cozy nook to fill out paperwork, chat about what I’ve been going through with my skin, etc. My gaze keeps getting caught by the minimalist, clean aesthetic. Attention to detail is important here, I can feel it. From the open and airiness, to the smell. Oh my gosh— the smell! I want it bottled and to take it with me everywhere.
At last, we make it to the Treatment room. I change into my robe, hop under the covers and close my eyes. Katie comes in, “I always like to start by having you take 8 deep breaths”. Poof! Settled. Grounded. Ready.
She begins her process. Typically I always feel the need to chat during a facial, but this was different right off the bat. Katie wants her clients to relax, to have their moment, to soak in the treatment. And I felt the permission to do so. What I did not expect but really made the experience for me was that it involved a lot of body work. She began with a lot of massage, which actually helped me sink in a little more. Starting with my head, to my shoulders, to my feet (wrapping them in hot lavender towels, woah). It was the permission to be still and to receive. I had never experienced this before— a welcoming in, a realigning of self, body. I could feel it. I was given the Custom Facial based on my skin concerns; Katie worked her magic. I loved that I could feel the connection to the Ayurvedic foundation that she is rooted in. Very focused on lymphatic and fascia release, as well as increased circulation for the face and the body. A firm touch, a solid connection, she wasn’t just going through the motions of another client on the table, it felt as if it was tailored to what my body was telling her it needed.
It was all encompassing. Nothing left out. It truly stood to their name— Skin, Body, Soul. An experience. In finishing, she applied a Stem Cell BB cream to my face, and her very own K. West Lip Tint. At the end of the work, I complimented her, “wow, I absolutely love that you just painted my lips with balm. I feel so taken care of.” Katie replied, “I am really sensitive to experience.” This explained everything. She went on to explain that when an experience does not feel well rounded, its almost painful for her. Everything seemed to connect from this statement. From the aesthetic, to the amazing and notable smell walking in the door, to the slippers on my feet, to the glass of warm water she handed me at the end. It all encapsulated what is most important to her. Attention to detail. This is something I am sensitive to as well and therefore I will never forget my experience because of.
The days following my treatment my skin was absolutely glowing. Katie also pointed me the direction of a few things to try out and I have been loving them ever since. Not to mention you can buy her amazing Lip Tint as well as her bottled essential oil smell (just what i wanted!), bringing the spa to your home. She offers several of her very own hand crafted products that can be used for skin, body, and room. I love when someone knows their work enough to offer their own products, it adds a really unique dimension to their business, as well as adds accreditation to the person. I am simply blown away at K. West and will definitely be returning soon. As I continue to navigate this skin journey, I know that K. West will be a valuable part in that.
K. West Skin Body Soul offers a wide variety of services that keep them diverse, there is something for everyone. If you are looking to step out of reality for a couple hours and truly have an experience, this is the place for you. To read more about Katie Westgate, her Bio, K. West’s offerings, or to book, visit her website here. Also, see the amazing transformation of their new home studio here.
(Some photo’s borrowed from kwestskinbodysoul.com)
