French skincare brand Caudalie is known around the world for its natural ingredients that are derived from grapes and the grapevine. It was founded in 1995 by married couple Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas, who developed a range of three products containing stabilized grape seed polyphenols with anti-aging properties. “Caudalie” is a wine term that refers to the unit of measurement for the time the flavors of a wine linger on the palate after tasting it.

In 1999, Caudalie’s first Vinothérapie Spa using grapes was created. Vinothérapie combines natural active ingredients from the grapevine and grapes with exceptional treatment rituals to provide facial and body treatments that are completely unique. Treatments range from the Crushed Cabernet Scrub and Red Vine Bath to a Merlot Wrap, and more. Over the years, Caudalie Vinothérapie Spas had expanded to include multiple locations in France, as well as New York, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and Canada.

In addition to its Vinothérapie Spas, Caudalie also has multiple Boutique Spas located in cities across the United States (and international locations) that offer 50- and 80-minute versions of some of the treatments inspired by the Vinothérapie signature protocols. Designed to suit city life, they’re the perfect escape when you want the luxurious Caudalie spa experience but don’t have the time to travel to one of their Vinothérapie Spas (although I highly recommend planning a trip when you can!)

I recently had the opportunity to visit Caudalie Boutique Spa at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles, which is the location that is closest to where I live. After parking in the mall structure, I took the escalator and headed over to the spa, which is conveniently located in the midst of everything—making it ideal if you also have plans to go shopping before or after your service.

Here’s what you’ll love about Caudalie Boutique Spa at Westfield Century City: 

• It’s conveniently located in the Westfield Century City Mall, so you can go shopping and enjoy other mall amenities before and after your treatment.

• The spa includes a large retail area where you can stock up on all of Caudalie’s products.

• Caudalie Boutique Spa offers a variety of facial and body treatments that incorporate the brand’s signature products and natural ingredients.

• It has multiple boutique locations that offer 50-minute versions of the treatments inspired by the Vinothérapie signature protocols, including Venice, New York, Miami, and Washington, DC.

• Caudalie dedicates 1% of global sales to funding reforestation projects, and has planted and protected more than 4 million trees since 2012.

When I walked into the boutique, I was greeted by my esthetician Odeta, who offered me a chilled bottle of water and a warm cup of Caudalie Draining Organic Herbal Tea ($14), which was created exclusively for the Herbal Tearoom at the Vinothérapie Spa. It contains a blend of five powerful organic plants: cinnamon, blueberry, red vine, sweet orange peel, and black currant, and works to eliminate toxins and promotes drainage of excess water. It tasted great and I felt refreshed after—they also sell it in their retail area for those who want to take some home.

After I filled out the standard forms, my esthetician led me to the treatment room area, which is located in the back of the boutique behind a private door. As soon as the door closed behind me, I forgot that I was in the middle of a busy mall. With dim lighting and music, the spa has a completely different vibe and automatically transports you to the relaxation zone.

I stepped into the restroom to wash my hands and instantly loved the super cute space, which includes an assortment of Caudalie products at the sink. A lot of thought went into every decorative detail, and while the space isn’t huge, it feels very cozy and personalized.

Next, I headed to the treatment room where I slipped into a comfy spa wrap. After hanging my belongings in the closet, I slipped under the covers of the heated bed. Moments later, Odeta returned to the room and explained the treatment she was going to perform on me today, which was the Premier Cru—a special anti-aging facial that is offered in both 50-minute ($155) and 80-minute ($205) options. It combines advanced massage and derma roller techniques, using the most effective active ingredients to firm skin, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and deliver a radiant, healthy glow.

The Premier Cru Facial incorporates cutting-edge innovative techniques and products from the Premier Cru Range, which is a favorite among celebs like Rose Huntington-Whiteley and promises smooth, firm, and radiant skin. The product range is formulated with Vinergy—a super-smart patent created with Harvard University that works to reverse the age of skin cells on the inside, leaving skin looking youthful on the outside. In addition, Premier Cru products contain proprietary versions of the following anti-aging ingredients: Resveratrol (to lift and firm), Polyphenols (antioxidant-rich grape-seeds), and Viniferine (which corrects and brightens dark spots).

After cleansing and exfoliating my face, Odeta began to perform the relaxing yet stimulating face massage techniques, which including massaging the products into my skin. During this portion of the facial, she used Premier Cru The Serum and Premier Cru The Rich Cream—both felt extremely luxurious and hydrating. She also use a derma roller on my face to stimulate healing (and after the treatment I got to take it home!)

During my treatment, she included the Oxygen Serum Infusion Facial Enhancement ($35), which uses a nebulizer to push serum with anti-bacterial oxygen deeply into the skin to plump and firm the dermis. Odeta also applied an exclusive hydrogel mask enriched with Resveratrol-Oleyl and anti-aging active ingredients, which provided immediate tightening and lifting effects to the face and jaw areas. While the mask was on, Odeta gave me a relaxing hand massage which I very much enjoyed. After removing the mask, she applied Premier Cru The Cream, Premier Cru The Precious Oil, and Premier Cru The Eye Cream.

Throughout the treatment and between various products, she would generously spritz my face with Beauty Elixir, a multi-purpose mist that sets makeup and tones the skin; along with Grape Water, a gentle face mist made with 100% organic grape water that moisturizes, tones, and soothes skin.

After my service was complete, my skin felt super soft, firm, and most of all, hydrated. My skin tends to be very dry, particularly in the fall and winter months, but after the Premier Cru Facial, I was glowing and looked refreshed!

Caudalie offers other facial enhancements such as the Eye Contour Treatment ($30) and Facial Waxing ($20+), all of which make great add-on services. There is also a Loyalty Program, MyCaudalie, which enables you to earn points on your spa treatments and product purchases that can be used to redeem exclusive gifts, including full-size products.

Once I was fully dressed, I headed back out to the retail area (and reality!). On my way out, I made sure to stop at the Beauty-To-Go counter, where I purchased a bottle of the Beauty Elixir and Grape Water (my new faves!), which are now two staples in my daily skincare routine. I keep them in the fridge, which makes for a nice treat especially in the summer, and I enjoy spritzing my face with either product whenever my skin is in need of a quick refresh.

The Caudalie retail area is generously stocked with a wide variety of the brand’s body and facial products, and includes various gift sets and packages, as well as copies of Co-Founder Mathilde Thomas’ book, The French Beauty Solution, which features her beauty secrets and introduces an easy three-day grape cleanse that European aristocrats have used to detox for hundreds of years.

Next time you’re at the Westfield Century City (or on Abbot Kinney in Venice), I highly recommend checking out one of Caudalie’s Boutique Spas. They’re a great way to get a taste of the Vinothérapie Spa experience without hopping on a plane, yet afterwards you look and feel as if you’ve been on vacation.

My list of things to do in this lifetime includes traveling to France to visit the original Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa, which is located among lush vineyards in Bordeaux. It will be the trip of a lifetime, but in the meantime, I can rejoice in the fact that an amazing Caudalie spa experience is less than a 30-minute drive from where I live. Until next time, Caudalie!

Cost: Premier Cru Facial 50 minutes ($155); 80 minutes ($205); Oxygen Serum Infusion Facial Enhancement ($35)

Insider Tip: Arrive 15-20 minutes early to give yourself time to park in the structure and make your way over to the spa.

Hours: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. (Mon-Sat); 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. (Sun)

Address: 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., #1905, Los Angeles, CA 90067

Phone: 424-313-8629

Email: centurycity@caudalie-usa.com

For more information and to book an appointment, visit Caudalie’s website. Follow the brand on Instagram: @caudalie

[Images by Kamala Kirk]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk