Before battle, Samurai warriors gentle exfoliated and deeply cleansed their pores so they could slay foes with one sexy glance. Become an aesthetic warrior with today's Groupon. For $50, you get either a zen facial with anti-aging vitamin-C treatment ($95 value) or a 90-minute Swedish massage (a $110 value) from Sensia Studio & Japanese Day Spa (up to a $110 value).

A convenient jaunt off the West Loop Freeway, Sensia's calming studio shines with sea-grass floors and billowing reams of draped gauze. Beyond the authentic rock garden, a monk bangs a gong to acknowledge your presence, and then the aesthetician will see you.

A one-hour Zen facial uses steam, exfoliants, and deep cleansers to extract oils, toxins, and lodged Lego pieces from your face. Sensia's dermatologically trained beauty handlers will gently massage your face and then apply a collagen-perking vitamin-C mask to lift away wrinkles and fine lines of weary. The mask imbues the skin with brightness and clarity similar to high-end plasma-screen televisions.

If you choose the Swedish massage, Sensia's registered massage therapists will apply the discipline of healing kneading: Swedish, using long movements to improve blood flow and stimulate the lymphatic system. Sensia partners all of its massages with aromatherapy, using scents and herbs to pique the body's senses and awaken its internal immunity, and with this Groupon will provide the added relaxation of hot stones.

Reviews

Five Yelpers give Sensia Studio a solid three stars, while five Judy's Book reviewers give it four. Citysearchers rate it a near-perfect 4.5:

• My face has never been so squeaky-clean, and the redness from the extractions was gone by the time I got home...I have very sensitive skin, so this is a feat in and of itself!...my facial and peel were everything they're supposed to be -- cleansing, renewing, relaxing, etc. – mt007, Citysearch
• My wife particularly enjoyed the warm stone massage, and she said the spa was very clean and welcoming. The expeience [sic] was wonderful from the beginning, and I hope to go to sensia with my wife next time for one of those wonderful massages. – David S., Judy's Book
• This wonderfully peacefull [sic] and serene place gonna make you releax [sic] and unwind with their professional, frendly [sic] staff. – Frederic J., Judy's Book