Best San Diego Spas for Alternative Makeup Application

Chanel, MAC, Clinique, Lancome, Bobbi Brown, Smashbox, Stila. It's more than conceivable that we've all come across these infamous makeup lines in the midst of a swarming Saturday spent at Fashion Valley Mall.

Of course it is also extremely easy to succumb to the effortlessness of buying a large assortment of these products as there is always a sales associate in close proximity, eagerly waiting to assist you with your purchase. We're all guilty of it. I myself continue to trek to the mall and stalk departing customers to their parking spots when I find my beloved Chanel powder has been depleted.

But the great profusion of these products along with the hassle-free purchasing power has only left me wondering if there is really anything unique about these product lines. Will they really promote benefits towards my skin's wellbeing?

Luckily, top San Diego spas and full-service salons play hostess to alternative and beneficial makeup counters guaranteed to give your face the natural, shimmering glow it deserves. From Hyde-Edwards to La Jolla Spa M.D., Gaia Day Spa, Revive, and The Sanctuary - discover the best spas in San Diego for anti-mall make-up relief.

Hyde Edwards Salon & Spa

Standing in the quaint neighborhood of Little Italy, I was apprehensive to enter the bold industrial doors of the brick faced building. Fortunately, the moment I pushed open the tall glass doors, my subtle hesitation decided not to accompany me inside. I immediately melted into the chic simplicity of Hyde-Edwards, as the glossy, wooden floors and black leather couches emit a sense of sheer regality.

I was introduced to Ruben Flores, one of their most popular makeup artists who immediately gave me the rundown on their featured line: TRUE Cosmetics. The TRUE Cosmetic line is infused with super antioxidant, anti-aging Idebenone which delivers an environmental protection of 95 to defend your face from the pollutants that congest the air. TRUE mineral foundation also contains a chemical-free, natural SPF 17 to provide unparalleled protection and long-lasting coverage for your skin.

At $50, you can receive a full daytime application to give your face a soft and natural radiance. Looking for an edgier look before a long night downtown? At $90 you can get that desired glam, complete with dazzling black eyelashes.

La Jolla Spa M.D.

With all the praise and attention this highly awarded La Jolla spa receives all-around, it wouldn't be far fetched to assume that they also have a personal line of cosmetics.

DYG cosmetics, created by La Jolla Spa MD's own CEO, Dianne York-Goldman, has become the next generation in mineral makeup.

But if you're like me, I'm sure you are wondering: what is it that makes DYG unique from the endless list of mineral makeup lines? DYG has one exclusive component that no other makeup lines contain: Vitaphenol. This innovative blend of pomegranate, mangosteen, and green and white tea extracts, makes for a potent and revitalizing approach towards anti-aging. With an extensive line consisting of pressed powers, sheer foundations, vibrant lip glosses and smudge-free eye shadows, one would find it hard to resist the beauty and benefits that each of their products has to offer.

Get a quick and complimentary touch-up before leaving the spa or a specialized esthetician can give you a full application to give you the glamorous feeling you deserve.

Gaia Day Spa

If you aren't acquainted with downtown La Jolla, it would be easy to bypass this tranquil oasis amidst the various restaurants and boutiques running up and down Prospect Street.

Boasting an array of organic treatments intended to promote rejuvenation and revitalization, it's no wonder that Gaia also features an unrefined line of cosmetics, free of chemical preservatives and dyes to give you healthy, beautiful skin. The Jane Iredale cosmetic line is a highly developed blend of minerals and pigments, allowing your skin to breathe and function while protecting it from air-borne pollutants.

For $80 you can receive a 60 minute make-up lesson with one of Gaia's qualified estheticians. Even better, spend a day being pampered at Gaia and you can get a full makeup application absolutely free of charge.

Revive Salon & Spa

This hip and trendy salon and spa in the heart of Mission Valley boasts services ranging from hair styling and nail treatments to laser hair removal and Swedish massages, even their very own teeth whitening spa. Keeping this in mind, it would be hard to believe that Revive Salon & Spa didn't offer an outstanding makeup line to accompany their lengthy list of top notch beauty trends.

Featuring the Colorescience Micronized Mineral makeup line, Revive makes it possible for you to attain high-quality protection for your skin all within close proximity to home. Precious Pearls to give you a deep bronze glow? They got it. A thickening mascara that's smudge-free and water-resistant? Yep, they have that too. There's even a lip plumping serum to moisturize and contour your lip line.

Stop by Revive and get your very own Colorsciene makeup application by one of their expert estheticians for only $45.

The Sanctuary

The mission at Sanctuary is "to be a peaceful refuge for all who enter," and amidst the daily surfers, buzzing beachside cafes and dive bars of Ocean Beach, the Sanctuary offers just that.

The Sanctuary also features the award-winning Jane Iredale makeup line in an array of products such as long-lasting foundations, bronzing blushes and shimmering shadows.

Each of the Jane Iredale powders and foundations have up to SPF 20 in order to protect your skin from damaging UVB and UVA radiation. To top it off, you can still maintain a beautiful complexion even during a strenuous workout as these natural powders are water resistant so they won't smear or smudge. How can you resist? Stop by the Sanctuary for an exploratory makeup consultation or to pick up any of these prominent products.

Insider Tip: I consider myself a makeup connoisseur, as I am always buying and trying eclectic variety of products. Then again, I also believe makeup wasn't created for the purpose of being permanent. But, if you're unlike me and enjoy the extreme spectrum of beauty, treat your skin to a Permanent Beauty Mark Service for $30 at The Mermaid Salon and Day Spa. No, I'm not joking - and never say I didn't warn you. For other methods of extreme makeup application, you can always rely on the MAC counter...