Elizabeth Arden revolutionized the world of beauty the way Coco Chanel did fashion. With a firm belief that beauty went beyond makeup, Arden opened her first salon with its eye-catching red door in New York in 1910 and went on to develop rouge, tinted powder, eye makeup and 108 skin care products by 1920. The second Elizabeth Arden salon opened in Washington, D.C. in 1914, with a total of 29 open worldwide by 1929. At the time of her death in 1966, her empire was worth $60 million.

The 32nd Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa opened Sept. 12 at The Bravern in Bellevue. This 6,000-square-foot spa features nine treatment rooms, manicure stations and pedicure thrones, makeup application and consultation areas, a hair salon and a retail area with an impressive array of product lines, including, of course, Elizabeth Arden.

The relaxation room is light, bright and — well, relaxing, in a nontraditional type of way. That is to say, it deviates from the standard dimly lit relaxation rooms one often sees in spas, where guests pad around quietly and speak in hushed tones. On one side of the room a few tables and chairs are set up for meals offered by Wild Ginger, should guests want to dine before or after a treatment; and on the other side is a comfortable seating area with complimentary coffee, tea and water.

The spa offers a thorough and decadent menu of services, with facials ranging from $75 for the Time Saver Facial to $180 for the Ultimate Arden Facial, which pairs a facial with a warm stone massage and lip or brow wax. Massages range from $75 for the 25-minute Time Saver Massage to $220 for the 110-minute Signature Stress Melter Ritual that includes an olive oil scrub, aromatherapeutic body wrap, and massage. Complimentary makeup touch-ups are offered with facials and other services based on availability. Custom-blended foundation is made to order and costs $62 for one ounce; free quarter-ounce samples are available as well.

The spa is offering a Warm Welcome Package that includes a signature massage or facial; a warm cream manicure or shampoo, blow-dry and finish; and a makeup refresher for $120 (normally a $141-$161 value) from now until November 15. Call 425-455-3700 for more information and to make an appointment.

The Red Door Spa is located at The Shops at The Bravern, 700 110th Ave. N.E., Bellevue, WA 98004; 425-455-3700. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.

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