. "4"^^ . "11"^^ . "2010-04-15T00:00:00"^^ . "10"^^ . "4"^^ . "Normally, I would find it slightly disturbing to fall asleep with my head in the hands of a strange lady while she rubs aromatic ointment all over my face, but good old Gloria was a pro. Gloria was the aesthetician who gave me a facial today at Dolce in Scottsdale. She was pleasant and professional, and who wouldn't like someone who immediately follows her introduction with a \"you're so pretty\"?!\n\nI have to be honest, I was a bit apprehensive about pulling up to one of the area's most hoity-toity day spas in my dinged up Honda Civic, only to pay for the majority of the service with a Groupon. I had braced myself for the judgmental looks of disapproval from the staff. But I'm pleased to report that the looks never came. At least not from the staff. \n\nI was scheduled for a one-hour facial, and I made sure to get there early because I wanted to squeeze every last minute out of that puppy. Gloria started right on time, and she asked me what I wanted to get out of my service, so I told her that I wanted porcelain skin that never aged. Okay, I really told her about my problem areas like that one annoying wrinkle in my forehead and my nickel-sized pores. She explained what she was going to do to my skin, and how I could target those nuisances on my own at home. Then she proceeded to work her magic and lull me off into dreamland. \n\nThe facial also included either a hand and arm massage or a foot and leg massage. Because I liked Gloria, I chose the former. Overall, the experience was awesome. My only qualm about it was that I did feel like she was required to push some products on me. For example, a lip treatment that plumps your kisser. Really, Gloria, have you seen my lips? I look like I have a Mrs. Potato Head pout. But I do understand that this is probably required by Dolce itself, so I'm not holding it against Gloria. \n\nOther than that, I was a little embarrassed to carry out the rest of the day's errands with the severe case of shiny-face that I left with, but hey, that's a sign of a successful facial. \n\nGood work, Gloria. If I ever get a real job, I'll be coming to see you on the regular!"^^ . . .