A natural love of science, health and beauty led Rose Ann Linkens to become an internationally board-certified esthetician, trained and licensed aromatherapist and massage therapist. The owner of Restoration Spa, in Lancaster, she takes special care to rejuvenate mind, body and soul in a comfortable, inviting boutique setting.

Although she graduated from the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science—now Philadelphia University—with a degree in clothing design and marketing, Linkens gathered inspiration from the work of her mother, Kay Acuazzo—a master esthetician who began her work as the receptionist for her husband’s salon. After adding a makeup collection to the line of salon products they sold, she became interested in skin care. Acuazzo shares, “The people who were coming in for makeup had bad skin. I started researching skincare products, developed an interest in cosmetology and attended educational courses to become a licensed esthetician.”

Linkens’ interest was sparked when her mother arrived home from an Eve Taylor aromatherapy training course in Europe with Taylor’s book Face, Figure and Fashion. “My mom went to Europe to receive education in aromatherapy because training classes were not available in the U.S. When she described the latest training she received, and shared the book with me, I thought, ‘This is what I want to be when I grow up!’” shares Linkens. Fascinated by the science behind beauty products and the inner-connectedness of health, nutrition and beauty, Linkens’ main interest became aromatherapy.

Both Linkens and Acuazzo are certified by CIDESCO (the Comité International d'Esthétique et de Cosmétologie), the world’s major international beauty therapy association. With an interest in furthering their own education, the mother-daughter team brought European trainers to the U.S. Moreover, in addition to providing quality services at the spa, Linkens is respected and recognized as an expert in her field and teaches/lectures at national events.

Restoration Spa offers an artisanal aromatic experience. By using her educational background and an innate sense for blending oils, Linkens creates essential oil blends for her clients, whom she truly cares about. People matter to her. “At Restoration Spa, we focus on the mind-body connection, and our thrust is to combine elements to achieve a therapeutic and relaxing experience,” relates Linkens. “We specialize in assisting people who have challenging skin types because we want to help them get their bodies back into balance. Our services are based on a strong foundation of therapeutic methods and aromatherapy products.”

The spa menu includes facial services, custom blended oils and skincare products, massage and bodywork. The newest bodywork regimen is the Infra-Slim, a full-body lymphatic drainage treatment.

“Aromatherapy is a minimalist art. We respect nature and honor the potent and powerful effect essential oils can have on the human body,” enthuses Linkens.

Restoration Spa is located at 235 N. Duke St., in Lancaster. For more information, call 717-290-1677, email [email protected] or visit RestorationSpa.net.

Gisele Siebold is a contributing writer to Natural Awakenings, Lancaster-Berks edition. Connect with her at [email protected].