Dolores de alba, owner and esthetician

dolores de alba has a humility, warmth and lightheartedness that belies her extensive training and expertise in the field of skincare, brow shaping, body treatments and intuitive healing magic.  as an internationally-trained esthetician and educator, dolores spent the early years of her career learning from the best skincare educators and mentors around the world.

dolores’ passion for skin care and wellness was truly ignited while she was living abroad in italy and attended the dora bruschi scuola di estetica for advanced training. dolores fell in love with the european approach to skin and beauty, especially as it relates to an inner and outer radiance that comes from overall well-being. after just a short time with dolores, one can’t help but notice that her “joie de vivre” radiates through every cell of her being as she gives you her signature “wink” and swears that embracing joyful moments in each day is the real secret to her seemingly ageless beauty.

after her time in italy and visiting family on the east coast, dolores headed back to san francisco and her position at a prominent downtown spa for several months before she encountered the man she would marry.  while in san francisco, dolores began to develop her skills as an educator, helping other spa owners develop their spa treatment menus and choosing products.  within a few months after being back in san francisco, dolores met her “was-bund” and followed her heart to be with james in a hip little part of hollywood. dolores quickly landed a position at one of la’s exclusive spas where she trained under hollywood’s most prominent estheticians and brow shaping experts.

during her time in hollywood, dolores perfected her trade on a highly discriminating clientele including top celebrities.  “spa savvy women who frequent exclusive spas and salons want exceptional results and a highly personalized beauty regime.  as an esthetician for this caliber of clientele, i began my journey into discovering what women (and truly everyone) wants – ultimate age-defying pampering, discretion and both products and treatments that deliver dramatic results.”

dolores and james loved the fun and sparkle of la, but always had aspirations to one day move back up north and own a skincare and wellness retreat sanctuary that would redefine the term ‘day spa.’  in 2004, this dynamic duo decided to follow their dream of living in wine country and created a special boutique spa that focuses on beauty, skincare and wellness treatments.  blush opened to rave reviews and quickly developed an impressive roster of loyal clientele, won several awards throughout the bay area and catered to a growing clientele, some of whom regularly travel from san francisco to the east coast to enjoy the incomparable level of service and attention that they receive at blush.

since then, dolores’ story hit an unexpected plot twist after the loss of her dad and the closing chapter of her 20+ year love story. de alba now notes how grateful she is for this turning point that moved her into a deep, healing journey that helped her rediscover her inner strength, wisdom, grace and began her solo quest to manifest her dream holistic spa and wellness haven. And oila! the new, fabulous blush a day spa was co-created with her incredibly talented friend and interior designer and her amazing blush tribe of highly skilled estheticians, body workers, healers and her superstar manager, angela.

as a longtime skincare educator at world-renowned resorts including miraval, caesars, carneros inn and rancho santa fe, dolores has been exposed to some of the world’s best treatments and products and brings them back to blush.  best known for her amazing brow shaping, result-oriented facials that include gentle but thorough extractions, exquisite healing therapies and anti-aging treatments, dolores feels confident in promising her clients superior results. and now added to that repertoire of accolades is the magical wellness experiences that guests enjoy with her team of body workers and energy healers, solidifying blush’s award winning reputation as wine country’s best day spa.

despite her philosophy of providing an experience of lush exclusivity for every client who visits blush, dolores is equally committed to making beauty available for everyone.   while many of the products and treatments she offers are sold to celebrity clientele in ny and la for quadruple her price, dolores’ brows have increased by $5 in 20 years - “everyone deserves to feel good about themselves; to experience radiant, glowing skin or even just to have great brows. i want to make it accessible.” she stands behind this belief by frequently featuring specials that offer everyone the opportunity to indulge in pampering with unique spa packages, spa parties, wellness experiences and frequently discounted series of innovative treatments such as the revolutionary max+ light therapy treatment, hydrafacials, endermologie and more.

over the years, her greatest accolades have come from magazine beauty editors, who get facials for a living.  frequently, these experienced and demanding clients leave a treatment with dolores or one of her blush tribe and rave that they’ve never had a better facial:  fewer lines, diminished acne,  less redness, a reduced appearance of sun damage, a smooth and re-sculpted face even after one treatment.

after more than 28 years in the industry, it still makes my day when i see a client’s delight in their newly glowing skin or to hear how much our products or treatments have changed their life.” dolores’ clients come back again and again for an extra boost of therapeutic beauty, wellness and a large dose of feeling fabulous (along with a dash of lighthearted laughs and smiles)