San Diego Magazine featuring Lorena Balensi’s story on how she merges her love for health, wellness, and community to evolve her business
San Diego is filled with inspiring women whose achievements, innovation, and leadership deserve to be recognized.
San Diego Magazine will host this event at Town and Country Resort, in honor of the changemakers and boundary-breakers working in the public eye and behind the scenes to transform their respective industries and communities.
We had the good fortune of connecting with Lorena Balensi and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lorena, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
.Throughout my travels and time living in France with my husband, Jean-Michel Balensi, we were always left astonished and amazed with the beautiful scenery and aesthetic. A short time after returning to live in San Diego we excitedly opened our own Mediterranean inspired spa and named it Balensi Spa! With commitment to stay true to our blended culture and love for french treatments such as the Vichy Shower from Vichy, France and the french skincare brands we love and are proud to carry at our Spa. Being able to create a safe space of relaxation for our clients and personally design the space of our Spa with gems from our trip across France is my dream come true therefore, this is what makes me happy every day! Everyday I live my dream as I step into work in our beloved San Diego and deliver my best self to my Balensi Spa family, regular, and new clients. San Diego is a hub for the entruepenal spirit and we are so happy to have the luxury to work and play in this beautiful city.
What should our readers know about your business?
When I began my venture with opening Balensi Spa I had two young boys I was raising and a vision. My vision and passion for wellness kept me motivated to open Balensi Spa. Navigating motherhood and the different aspects of being a new business owner was not easy. There was a lot to learn and I wanted to ensure I was doing everything correctly, effectively, and authentically to me. With the help of my husband, 25 years later I am proud to say I would not have done it any differently. My commitment to always staying up to date on facial and body treatments sets my business apart from others. Year after year I commit to being a lifelong learner. I owe it to my clients and myself to deliver the best treatments for them and their health. As a result of being in the health and wellness business for the past 25 years I decided to build my own skincare line: LBalensi Skincare. This took years of research on finding the correct and competent lab. I am always motivated to continue giving my clients the best services, products, and my best self. I strongly believe if you love what you do, you will continue to have motivation to do better or you will never have success at your craft. I believe my vivid passion for what I do is what has allowed me to overcome obstacles throughout the years.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting the area I would give them the gift of exploration, adventure, and relaxation in my sunny San Diego. We would start off at the historical Hotel Coronado. I love showing guests around the hotel because not only is it beautiful and well kept, but it is authentic San Diego history frozen in time located on a beautiful beach perfect for strolls. Next, I would take them to Little Italy for a Rose at my favorite restaurant Herb and Wood. Its inviting atmosphere is perfect for an evening glass of wine. On another day, we would go for a day of shopping at Fashion Valley mall. You’re bound to find what you’re looking for there with their numerous stores perfect for every aesthetic! I specifically enjoy grabbing lunch at True Food Kitchen for a tasty and healthy lunch located within Fashion Valley Mall. After that, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood in La Jolla has the best dinner options! There is no doubt San Diego has an array of culinary gems, but also nature reserves! Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve Trails are perfect for getting an exercise in with a beautiful view. After my bestie and I have finished up on a great trail walk we would stop at their Hotel Lodge for a tasty lunch. What a better way to finish off a week of fun than by visiting Balensi Spa for a Spa Day! I would treat my visiting friend to a Spa Day starting off with a Vichy shower followed by a hydrafacial. We would end the evening with San Diego’s greatest attraction: their views! Enjoying the view is perfect by renting a boat at the harbor within the San Diego Bay. There is no doubt San Diego is filled with numerous beautiful attractions and these are my favorite!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am a proud mother, wife, and business owner. With that said, my husband has been my biggest supporter and motivator. I credit his entrepreneurial spirit in assisting me with my business ventures such as Balensi Spa and my new skincare brand LBalensi Skincare.
Balensi Spa is one of San Diego’s beautiful, resort-style spas. Most people probably have no clue it even exists, being tucked away in an inconspicuous location behind downtown Chula Vista. Once you visit, you will immediately feel as though you’ve been transported to a luxurious day spa in the Mediterranean. And there is a reason for that.
The owners have spent much of their lives either living or visiting France and other European countries. Here they have taken notes on what the most prestigious spas have done to create the ultimate, luxuriating experience. They then took all the inspiration they gathered and created Balensi Spa.
The property itself that the spa is in was actually built in 1910! I’m all for historic preservation instead of tearing the lovely home down, so thank you to the owners for that! The owners then turned the backyard into a beautiful courtyard, with individual bungalows where the beauty services are held.
Beyond the aesthetics of the place, the technicians are very serious about skincare and the many awards on the wall prove it. Co-Owner, Lorena, has made the front cover of many magazines for her top of the line facials. She even has her own skin care line which can be purchased in their boutique!
One of their more unique offerings is the Body Scrub with Vishy Shower. I had never heard of a vishy shower before and I guess that is because it is mostly used in Europe! The Vichy Shower was designed in Vichy, France as one of the hydrokinetic treatments. The Vishy shower body treatment consists of a waterproof massage table and a set of many shower heads that rain down pressured water to your body, while you are lying on the table; providing a relaxing and therapeutic water massage.
The health benefits include: Relief of muscular tension, stimulation of circulation, deep relaxation , renewed energy, elimination of toxins. You lie comfortably on a bed situated under a rainbar with many rotating showerheads that cover the whole body with a warm shower. The body is exfoliated & jet temperature & strength regulated and guided by your therapist to areas holding tension. The perfect compliment to a massage.
Balensi Spa also has high-tech machines that aid in amazing facials such as the oxygen or hydra-facials. They also offer cellulite treatments, a sauna, massage offerings and more! Get ready to be pampered!
Even the locker room is fancy:
Before your treatment, you get to unwind and relax in the sauna:
A shot of me getting all dewy and prepping for my facial!
The courtyard where the treatment rooms are is a truly magical place and really makes you feel like you’ve transported to some exotic location: 
Here was my treatment room. They have a bunch of high-tech machines here to make your skin flawless!
I mean, look at one of the steps!
Husband and wife team Lorena and Jean-Michel: 
Their boutique:
Balensi skincare feature on FBIStyle
Mother's truly always know best. Be sure to check out what Lorena's best beauty secret is on Yahoo News!
We have Lorena quoted in a beauty blog "Changing Up Your Skincare for Fall"
The beauty advice Lorena provided for Real Simple 11 Avocados aren’t just for eating
Thank you @skinincmag for sharing that we have officially reopened our spa following quarantine! We are taking all precautions to keep our clients safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Temperatures will be taken before entering the spa and treatments rooms will be sanitized before and after each use. We are so excited to see you and welcome you back!
Thanks so much to Spy News Magazine for featuring our spa and skincare line! We are so proud of our owner, Lorena for using her wealth of knowledge to create a skincare line of high performance and cruelty free values!
Balensi’s Institute Skin Care & Spa, at last, introduces its signature line of beauty products after much demand among its clients at the popular Southern California spa. The collection is comprised of Cleansers/toners: Replenished mild wash, marine extract, and clarifying rosehip cleanser, Moisturizers: Intense hydrating Hyaluronic, and Blemish control, Serums: Super Antioxidant C + Ferulic, and pore minimizer, and Anti-Aging: Retinol rescue, Regenerating Stem Cell, Neck Renovator, and Grow Factor Age-Defying Biopeptide. Each product was meticulously formulated to effectively care, maintain or improve sensitive skin concerns.
Clinical esthetician Lorena Balensi, the founder of Balensi’s Institute Skin Care & Spa in California, conceived the products based on years of first-hand experience in caring and treating for the skin issues of her clients. She worked closely with chemists during a long process of research and development to come up with the precise blends of each product that addresses a range of skin issues from rejuvenation to reversing signs of aging. Her combinations of natural and advanced ingredients are hypoallergenic and ideal for all skin types. The resulting line of high-performance products contain no fillers and was cruelty-free tested to be safely mixed with each other for the maintenance and care of the skin.
Liz from Glossy.co interview Balensi Spa "Spas reopen with stringent safety protocols"
Happy to let you know that Lorena and Balensi Spa was mentioned by Advice Sisters online
Happy to announce that Lorena and Balensi Spa was mentioned online by Good Housekeeping.
Lorena Balensi and Balensi Spa was featured
online by Cultivated in “The Beauty & Wellness
Industry Sounds Off on Coping With The
Covid-19 Pandemic”
Lorena Balensi and Balensi Spa was featured
online by American Spa in “Inside An
Esthetician’s At-Home Spa Routine”
Balensi Spa story on eyelash.
SPA PROFILE: BALENSI'S INSTITUTE SKIN CARE & SPA
For those looking for a personalized and relaxing day spa experience in San Diego County, Balensi's Institute Skin Care & Spa offers an innovative menu of services, along with tranquil decor with Mediterranean accents surrounded by lush greenery.
Read More:
https://www.thespainsider.com/articles/spa-profile-balensis-institute-skin-care-spa
Lorena Balensi, a tenacious and enterprising woman in charge of Balensi Spa, was named woman of the month in May 2019 by the magazine Mujer Actual. Where Lorena was interviewed and we were able to learn about her story.
Join us to see this wonderful interview, where our dear Lorena Balensi tells how she exceeded herself personally and professionally, and how she became the full and successful woman she is now!
You can see the full article on this page, selecting the May 2019 edition
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Revista Mujer Actual. Entrevistando a Lorena Balensi, May 2019
Lorena Balensi, una mujer tenaz y emprendedora al frente de Balensi Spa, fue nombrada mujer del mes en Mayo del 2019 por la revista Mujer Actual. Donde Lorena fue entrevistada y pudimos conocer de su historia.
Acompañanos a ver esta maravillosa entrevista, donde nuestra querida Lorena Balensi cuenta como se supero personal y profesionalmente, y como es que llego a ser la mujer plena y exitosa que es ahora!
Puedes ver el articulo completo en esta pagina, seleccionando la edicion de Mayo del 2019:
Relájese y balensi’s lo rejuvenecerá
Es muy claro que una buena apariencia física dice mucho de uno como persona, así como sabemos que la cara, la piel y el cuerpo en general es la carta de presentación que nos llevará a conseguir muchas de nuestras metas, ya sea para atraer a la persona.
The 60 Second Parent
"My 17-year-old daughter keeps pleading with me to let her get a peel for her acne scars. She no longer has acne, but how safe and effective are peels?" - Read answer by Lorena Balensi by viewing the full article here
Balensi Spa In San Diego
Balensi Spa in Chula Vista recently asked me to check out their spa and get a facial. I cannot tell you how fabulous it was! It was a much-needed pleasure for myself both emotionally and physically. The spa itself has a calming coziness I have not seen in other Spas in San Diego. The décor and ambience of it speaks of both luxury and of my family’s country cabin.
Spa Week Luxe Award for "Best Facial"
Balensi’s Institute Skin Care & Spa in Chula Vista, CA, has been honored with the Spa Week Luxe Award for“Best Facial.” 619-476-0706, info@ balensispa.com
El beneficio del peeling
La piel latina siempre llama la atención, mucha gente gasta enormes cantidades en bronceados para lucir aquella tez luminosa.
El bronceado natural que además delata el origen étnico de una cultura llena de ritmo, es incomparable.
Made in the Shades
The shades of the American rainbow are getting darker. And speaking Spanish, too. As the country's Latino population continues to grow, America's typical, fresh-faced rosy look is being joined by the glowing shades of dark caramels and light browns.
Un bronceado perfecto
CHULA VISTA.- El tema del bronceado siempre es un trastorno. Siempre estamos leyendo y escuchando que ponerse bajo los rayos ultavioleta es peligrosísimo y que el costo de tener una piel dorada, a futuro puede convertirse en un dolor de cabeza.
Luzca mejor, de pies a cabeza
Muchas personas piensan que un tratamiento para mejorar su apariencia está muy por encima de su presupuesto. Pero la realidad es que usted no tiene que pagar miles de dólares para lucir bien. Sólo basta con visitar balensi’s Institute Skin.
Belleza, terapia y descanso
Hoy puede ser el día en que los problemas con el acné, manchas, arrugas, poros abiertos y exceso de vello pueden desaparecer. Acompañe cualquier tratamiento con un relajante masaje de aceites aromáticos, un tratamiento para celulitis.
