I Got a Facial at Glowbar in Boston and My Skin Was Hydrated and Glowing in Only 30 Minutes
Glowbar’s Boston location is in the city’s trendy Back Bay Neighborhood on Newbury Street. [Photo by Jamie Sanders]
I’ll admit that I typically eschew short, quick spa treatments in favor of ones that last at least 60 minutes. Anything less and it’s tough for me to feel relaxed and rejuvenated, or to think they’ve done much for my dry skin or aching joints. And then I discovered Glowbar.
Glowbar’s ethos is simple: Get an expert facial in just 30 minutes. During a recent trip to Boston, I was invited to experience a treatment at the Newbury Street location, which was a welcome treat after a six-hour flight from Los Angeles. Consider my interest—and my dehydrated skin—officially piqued.
The Glowbar location in Boston is located in the trendy Back Bay neighborhood on lively Newbury Street. To enter, you head down a short stairwell, where you’re immediately whisked away from the hustle and bustle right outside the door.
The reception area is clean, bright, and done in sleek white with vibrant pops of orange. Scattered throughout, you’ll find fun, tongue-in-cheek copy moments, which the writer in me absolutely appreciated. Right inside the doors, you’ll find two iPads where you can check in for your appointment. Doing so is quick and easy, and takes only a few short moments.
By the reception desk are two iPads where guests can check in for their appointments. [Photo by Jamie Sanders]
Once you’re checked in, you’re led to the Wash Bar, which was one of my favorite moments of my experience. The Wash Bar consists of multiple large mirrors and a double-faucet sink, along with a face cleanser and small face towels.
Before meeting with your facialist, you’re responsible for cleansing your skin. I’ll admit this isn’t something I’ve experienced at other spas, but I was happy to oblige, especially after taking the T to my appointment.
After cleansing my face, I waited for my facialist in a cozy nook off the entryway. Near the waiting area, there are shelves with products from a variety of brands like IS Clinical, Environ, and Glowbar’s own brand.
Once my facialist came to retrieve me for my service, the magic started to happen.
After checking in, I cleansed my skin at the Wash Bar. [Photo by Jamie Sanders]
Each Glowbar treatment is completely customized to your skin type and skin concerns. Your treatment may include dermaplaning, extractions, cavitation, high frequency, chemical peels, microcurrent, hydrating masks or LED light therapy.
I appreciated that my facialist really took the time to examine my skin and figure out what would work best for me. I definitely felt that my treatment was customized and it didn’t feel at all cookie cutter.
I was suffering from dryness, flakiness, and congestion so my facialist focused on eradicating those. My treatment included a light chemical peel to slough off dead skin, LED light therapy to eliminate some pesky breakouts near my nose and chin, and a super hydrating mask.
Each Glowbar treatment is customized according to each client’s needs and only takes 30 minutes. [Photo by Jamie Sanders]
My skin is fairly sensitive, so I actually expected to feel some tingling or stinging when the chemical peel was applied. I was delighted to discover that nothing of the kind happened—instead, my skin already started feeling cleaner and more refreshed.
The hydrating mask was thick and rich, and felt so luscious on my skin. In all honesty, I didn’t want my facialist to take it off! But once she did, she finished by applying light layers of moisturizer, eye cream, sunscreen, and lip balm.
The hallways leading to the treatment rooms and Wash Bar. [Photo by Jamie Sanders]
After only 30 minutes, my skin was glowing. I suppose that comes with the territory, since the name of the game is Glowbar, after all. But I was shocked to see what a difference just 30 minutes could make. And it wasn’t a fleeting flash in the pan, either. The glowiness and hydration lasted throughout my entire trip to Boston and even after I flew back to Los Angeles.
I’m so grateful to Glowbar for the chance to experience such a fabulous treatment. In addition to four locations in Massachusetts, there are multiple Glowbar spas scattered around the East Coast, including locations in New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
A fully stocked retail boutique is located near Glowbar’s waiting area. [Photo by Jamie Sanders]
If you happen to be near a location, I highly recommend stopping in for a treatment—your skin will thank you! A Glowbar facial costs $80 for non-members, or $65 for members.
For more information about Glowbar, visit their website. Follow Glowbar on Instagram: @glowbar
Glowbar Back Bay is located at 177 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02116.
[Photos by Jamie Sanders]
Jamie Allison Sanders is an LA-based writer with 20+ years of experience in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. After 12 years in New York City and a brief stint in Pittsburgh, she (finally) relocated to Los Angeles in 2015.
Her work has appeared in InStyle, People, BuzzFeed, Insider, Today, Harper’s Bazaar, and Well+Good, among others. She also started her own blog, The Beauty of Life, in January 2007.
Over the years, she’s cultivated her obsessions of bold nail polish, candles, Bonne Bell Lip Smackers, and strappy heeled sandals. When Jamie isn’t working, you can most likely find her exploring the Los Angeles bar and restaurant scene, traveling, or enjoying time at a spa.