Oasis Spa & Salon in Woodinville whips up the facial of your caviar dreams

If your monthly budget for pampering has shrunk along with your monthly budget for, well, everything, you may be wondering how to get the biggest bang for your beauty buck. Massage? Facial? Body scrub? After a recent visit to Woodinville's soothing Oasis Spa & Salon, my money's on the facial.

I won't pretend that the Oasis Signature Caviar Facial is a bargain. At $184, it most certainly is not. But not only is the protein- and antioxidant-rich treatment 90 wonderful minutes long, it includes a massage of darn near most parts of your body, including your face, scalp, neck, shoulders, hands and feet.

It was the most relaxing experience I've had in years, and the results were instant and incredible, leaving my skin looking younger and healthier for more than a week, far longer than I generally enjoy the benefits of a massage. (Though don't get me wrong, the cocoa butter massage I received at Oasis was also fantastic. $88 for 60 minutes; $121 for 90 minutes).

The secret to the signature facial's success is the caviar skincare collection from Kerstin Florian, a California-based company that produces European-style facial, body and bath products for the spa industry. The serums, infusions, masques and moisturizers that comprise the facial are luxurious and fragrant -- and they're sold at the spa, so you can re-create a bit of your experience at home.

As for Oasis, it is -- an oasis, that is. Located above Gold's Gym in Woodinville, the salon and spa is Bahamian in flavor, with rich dark wood and wicker, softly swooshing ceiling fans, and a lovely, well-stocked retail space. In addition to massages and facials that are on par with those at Seattle's best spas, Oasis offers hair, makeup, tanning and waxing services.

Copyright © The Seattle Times Company