True Roe-mance: Caviar Facials at Lorien Spa

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HOLD THE BLINI: The new Lorien Spa (1600 King St., Alexandria, 703-894-3434) serves caviar in a whole new way via its signature Rejuvenating Caviar Dream Cream facial ($200), which promises to zap away lines and bestow that elusive youthful glow.

Before the slathering, however, comes the pampering. Upon entering the basement spa, you're whisked into changing rooms appointed with saunas (which scent the place with eucalyptus), large showers and lockers. Then come kitten-soft robes and Oka B slippers — anti-microbial vegan slides with raised nubs in the foot bed that massage your arches.

As a first course, take in the candlelit relaxation room. You can unwind pre-treatment with minted water or herbal tea and dip into apothecary jars full of nuts, raisins and banana chips.

Then, you'll be collected and tucked into a dangerously comfortable treatment bed. This is the point when therapist Ludmilla Toppi explains two things. The first is that she'll be rehydrating your skin and improving its texture. And the second is to clear up a common misconception: "Most people think I'm going to paint their faces with actual caviar." But there will be no tin of sevruga: The spa's aestheticians use Kerstin Florian products, a swanky American line that harvests natural ingredients, including the fancy fish eggs.

The process begins with a steam-activated pineapple enzyme peel to slough off dead skin cells and promote the creation on new ones. As the natural peel starts to hum (not tingle), you'll start drifting off. By the time you're fit with a "Biomatrix" mask — a "pancake" infused with mineral-rich seaweed — you'll be so near sleep that you'll barely remember the massages on your face, hands and feet.

But wake up or you'll miss the application of the Dream Cream itself, a tiny ampule of protein-packed, fish oil-filled, honey-colored serum. Toppi explains the contents are sensitive to air and are active for only a week. It might not look like a blini, but it sure seems posh.

It also seems effective: The result is blotch-free, rejuvenated skin. You may never want to put caviar in your mouth again — just on your cheeks.

Make Edible Arrangements
As Mother's Day approaches, think about skipping the champagne brunch and, instead, feed Mom's skin with a food-inspired treatment:
» Elizabeth Arden (Six area locations). The well-respected chain offers a Cream and Sugar body scrub (50 min./$100), and promotions such as pomegranate and lime pedicures.
» Mint Fitness (1724 California St. NW; 202-328-6468). The Seasonal Facial (35 min./$60) uses good-enough-to-eat ingredients.
» Nusta Spa (1129 20th St. NW; 202-530-5700; Nustaspa.com) The Provence Facial (50 min./$110) uses olive oil-based products from France to boost smoothness.
» Sports Club/LA (22nd and M streets NW; 202-974-6600) A soy balm provides dry skin relief treatment (80 min./$188).
» Trendz Rejuvenating Spa (8716 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring; 301-585-0888) Antioxidants are the key to the detoxifying Chocolate Body Wrap (80 min./$100).

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