Taking a “Good Rubdown” to the Next Level: an Introduction to Massage Therapy

By Carrie Ellis 

Everyone loves a good massage. Whether you are getting it in bed from your spouse, on the shoulders by one of your children or a considerate co-worker, or lying on a padded table having your entire body eased and relaxed by a professional, a massage is one of the most simultaneously luxurious and beneficial types of touch that you can find. Massages treat a variety of symptoms and come with a multitude of benefits, including. There are ten main types of massages, which address the three main areas health, fitness and mental well being. A good massage will can help you:

 

• Stomp Stress The act of being massaged is inherently relaxing. In fact, most professional masseuses spend the first five to ten minutes of the massage teaching your body and your muscles how to relax so that the rest of the massage will be effective. Getting a massage demands that you remain calm and still, which helps people who have trouble leaving work behind or settling down when they have left the office. It also helps decrease depression levels and gives you a healthy influx of endorphins that leave you feeling energized and invigorated.  
• Fight Physical Ailments and Issues Certain types of massage have been shown to enhance the effectiveness of your immune system, decrease recovery time following surgery and diminish the visibility of stretch marks and scar tissue. Some even can make labor pains less severe! Massage not only enables you to expend less energy on worry and stress, leaving more energy for healing, but it actually stimulates the healing process.  
• Enrich Every Exercise Massage has long been the exclusive area of athletes when it comes to the effects of massage on fitness. However, some types of massage are actually a type of passive workout – you can tell because you might be sore the next morning. Massage is a good way to exercise and strengthen weak muscles that cannot be exercised due to pain, injury or atrophying. It also increases joint flexibility, thereby decreasing the likelihood of a physical injury and improving sports performance.

 

There are thousands of different techniques when it comes to massage, but ten types of massage are commonly offered at spas. Certain spas focus more on certain aspects of massage, such as aromatherapy, the use of botanical or herbal ingredients in products, or the physical benefits of the treatments. The spa you choose and the type of massage you choose will be largely determined by your goals for your massage. Fortunately, you have a lot to choose from, and every spa puts its own spin on these ten classics.

 

• Swedish Massage This technique uses long strokes, kneading motions and circular movements to relax muscles and work out “kinks” that may have developed due to sitting too long at a desk, habitually tensing muscles or just plain over- or under-use. To help the hands glide over the skin more easily, Swedish massage is generally conducted naked or nearly naked (covered by a towel or sheet) and with the aid of massage lotions or oils.  
• Aromatherapy MassageAromatherapy massage can be almost any type of massage accompanied by a scent or scents designed to accomplish an additional purpose in addition to loosening your muscles. For example, you might get a Swedish massage with lavender essential oils if you wanted to calm down and de-stress. Aromatherapy can help energize you, relax you, calm you or balance your body, mind and nerves.
• Hot Stone Massage Hot stone massages involve the careful placement of heated, smooth stones on the body. These stones may be gently pressed to create a light massage, or they may simply be placed and left on the body. Hot stone massage loosens tight muscles and is believed to “balance energy centers” in the body, meaning that it can help strengthen your immune system and clear your mind by bringing your body and mind back to center. This is a very light massage, though, and will not necessarily straighten out knotted or sore muscles.  
• Deep Tissue A deep tissue massage can be downright painful, but the payoff is incredible. This method of massage targets muscles and connective tissues by using slow, hard strokes to create friction inside the body and rub the muscles into smooth bands as they should be. It can help soothe and correct chronically tight muscles over time, but you may feel sore the next morning.  
• Shiatsu Shiatsu is a Japanese massage technique that involves finger pressure on areas of the body usually targeted in acupuncture. It is believed to increase energy flow through the body, which helps you regain mental and physical balance.  
• Reflexology Most people recognize reflexology as a foot massage. However, trained reflexologists actually focus on parts of the foot that support other parts of the body. This enables the technician to actually strengthen your organs and even improve your balance all through your feet.  
• Sports Massage Sports massage is not just for athletes. It is for anyone who is physically active or desires to be physically active. It is much similar to Swedish massage, but the movements are faster and it involves a lot more stretching and flexibility.  
• Thai Thai massage is very similar to shiatsu massage, but it is much more active. The massage technician actually bends, contorts and stretches your body into a wide assortment of positions. Many people compare this massage to yoga but without the “work” involved in a yoga class.  
• Pregnancy Massage Pregnancy massage is customized to each woman. It can decrease stress, swelling, and aches and pains, as well as potentially shortening labor. Most pregnancy masseuses know several different massage techniques and combine them to get the best results for the pregnant woman.  
• Back Massage Back massage is only a separate category of massage from Swedish massage because it is a common part of many workplaces’ employee services. Back massages are performed through the clothing, often on a seated instead of reclining subject. They focus exclusively on the back and shoulders, and require the technician to understand how to work through and with clothes as well as skin and muscle.

 

Knowing your massages makes selecting a service much easier. While spas will eagerly recommend services for you – and they generally make good recommendations – knowing what to expect out of a massage can be highly beneficial and even help you get better results. Be sure to ask about a spa’s technicians and favored techniques as well as any anomalies that might be unique to a particular spa when it comes to certain techniques. For example, one massage therapist may be skilled in a variety of massage techniques, but prefer one or two as more effective in his or her personal viewpoint. Generally, if you work with the massage therapist to establish what type of massage they think will help your personal condition or issue – be it stress, tension or general irritability – you will have a better overall experience.  This was made very clear to me at a spa recently when I disputed the recommendation of the therapist to do a deep tissue massage. He proceeded to do a Swedish massage with a deep tissue twist, which while accommodating of him, was fairly unpleasant for me! Had I been aware that this was his focus and specialty instead of just a slightly more expensive preference on the spa “menu,” he and I could have found another technician that would have provided a more pleasant experience. Working with the professionals at the spa and being willing to voice preferences – when you have them – will help you get the most out of your massage and enjoy every second of the experience.

 

Industry Events

Galleries of industry events from around Atlanta.  Please submit your information on upcoming events to editor@atlsalonandspa.com.

 Click on photo thumbnail to launch viewer.

 Urban Chic Catalyst fundraiser at the fox theatre 

 

Grand opening celebration of Dragonfly salon.  Images courtesy Caren West Public Relations.

Beauty Business Spotlight: Riley Salon

After more than 30 years of combined styling for landmark Atlanta

salons, Tony and Heather Riley chose, in 2004, to strike out on

their own with Riley Salon. Throughout their respective careers, the

couple has traveled the globe chasing the latest in hair cutting

and coloring techniques and now passes that knowledge on to the

talented younger stylists employed by the salon. The Riley’s numerous

visits overseas for expert training shows in their salon specialities,

including a unique French hair cutting technique and balayage—a

hair painting craft in which the stylist hand paints the color directly

onto the hair without the use of foils. “We bring in our hair dressers

and train them in the techniques we learned as we traveled,” Riley

says. “We have a wonderful group of stylists that will only settle for the

best service available.”

For clients, Riley says the in house training by stylists with extensive

national and international knowledge means a more consistent

experience based on a family and team oriented salon atmosphere.

“We want to grow the same type of family culture we experienced in

the salons where we built our careers,” Riley says. At this time, the full

service salon family is five stylists strong with a facial hair threading

specialist and a chemical hair straightening expert on staff. Makeup

services and hair extensions coming this winter. Despite the salon’s

impressive master stylists, Riley says he works hard to make the salon

a personal experience and a relaxing place for each client to spend

an afternoon.

“We’re the best salon in our area,” Riley says. “Our clients get the most

attention and the most up-to-date styles out there.” To that end, Riley

says he hopes the salon will expand just as the Dunwoody community

he and Heather have come to love has. “We live right down the street

from the salon, so we were looking for a location we could grow into

and grow up with,” Riley says. “We’re not

going anywhere, and I’m always at the salon

if anyone ever has any questions or just

needs to speak with me.” With that kind of

commitment, the plan for expansion is sure

to be a success.

 

 

Riley Salon

5484 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd.

Dunwoody, GA 30338

770.395.1202

rileysalon.com

Behind the Scenes

Industry insiders take us behind the scenes of this issues Atlanta Salon & Spa

Tans & Teens: Alternatives to the Indoor Tanning Bed

Master Make up Tips

Makeup by Crystal J. for Make Up Forever - www.crystaljmakeup.com 

Model Megan/Elite Atlanta

Put On Your Day Face

Step One

Clean and Moisturize

 

Step Two

Start by applying a primer to ensure a smooth matte finish

{Make Up Forever-All Mat-Face Matifying Primer} {aDesign-Foundation}

 

Step Three

Next, apply a layer of foundation, using a simple foundation brush

{Benefit-Playstix} {aDesign-Foundation}

 

Step Four

Add highlights to the highpoints of the face (i.e. cheek bones, nose, chin)

{Sila-All Over Shimmer} {aDesign-Foundation}

 

Step Five

Blend. Using the same brush, start in the center and blend outward.

{aDesign-Foundation}

 

Step Six

Set the foundation with a “big fluffy brush” and pressed powder. The key is to use as little as possible.

{aDesign-XL Powder} {Make Up Forever-Shine On Pressed Powder}

 

Now for the fun stuff…

 

Step Seven

Prime both eyelids to prevent fading and creasing.

{Benefit-Boing}

 

Step Eight

Apply a warm gold eye shadow to the lid and a soft brown to the lash line (upper and lower)..

{Make Up Forever-#} {Make Up Forever-#} {aDesign-Eye}

Step Nine

Soften and blend so that it becomes a soft wash of color.

{aDesign-Eye}

 

Step Ten

Apply one coat of mascara.

{Face Atelier-Sculpt}

 

Step Eleven

Finish by applying a subtle gloss.

{Nars-Turkish Delight} {aDesign-Lip}

 

Helpful Tip: “Foundation is the best eraser known to man; just in case you ever have a mascara oopsy.”

Put On Your Evening Face

Step One

Clean and Moisturize

 

Step Two

Start by applying a primer to ensure a smooth matte finish

{Make Up Forever-All Mat-Face Matifying Primer} {aDesign-Foundation}

 

Step Three

Next, apply a layer of foundation, using a simple foundation brush

{Benefit-Playstix} {aDesign-Foundation}

 

Step Four

Add highlights to the highpoints of the face (i.e. cheek bones, nose, chin)

{Sila-All Over Shimmer} {aDesign-Foundation}

 

Step Five

Blend. Using the same brush, start in the center and blend outward.

{aDesign-Foundation}

 

Step Six

Set the foundation with a “big fluffy brush” and pressed powder. The key is to use as little as possible.

{aDesign-XL Powder} {Make Up Forever-Shine On Pressed Powder}

 

Now for what sets this look apart stuff…

 

Step Seven

Add a warm bronze to the cheekbones.

{Benefits-Dallas} {aDesign-Foundation}

 

Step Eight

Prime both eyelids to prevent fading and creasing.

{Benefit-Boing}

 

Step Nine

Apply a warm gold eye shadow to the lid and a chocolate brown to the lash line (upper and lower), outer corner, and crease.

{Make Up Forever-#} {Make Up Forever-#} {aDesign-Eye} {Face Atelier-#12}

 

Step Ten

Place a highlight just below the brow using a light gold eyeshadow.

{Make Up Forever-#} {Face Atelier-#12}

 

Step Eleven

Soften and blend so that it becomes a soft wash of color.

{aDesign-Eye}

 

Step Twelve

Apply two coats of mascara.

{Face Atelier-Sculpt}

 

Step Thirteen

Add color to your lips. Outline and the fill to provide an anchor for your lip color.

Important Note: “With these bright color, it’s important to stick to your natural lip line….prevents bleeding.”

{Sephora-#19-Lip Pencil}

 

Step Fourteen

Gloss it. Add gloss for a pretty and eye-catching shine. This also gives the illusion of fullness.

{Make Up Forever-#}

Cool as a Cucumber: Beach-Proof Looks for Fun in the Sun

Cool as a Cucumber: Beach-Proof Looks for Fun in the Sun

How to beach-proof your look for the hottest season

 

Summer is just around the corner, and if you have been working that New Year’s Resolution then you probably cannot wait to show off your new beach body. However, with summer fun and sun come some serious hair issues, and few things distract from your rock-hard abs more than a major case of beach-head. Fortunately, summer is the time for new beginnings and a new look, so do not be afraid to lose your winter locks and try something brighter and bouncier with your tresses. Being at the beach or in the pool requires a natural look, so make sure that your hairstyle can accommodate the requirements of surf and sun without making you look like a prima Donna who has to run to the mirror or the beach bag every ten minutes for a touch-up.

 

The first thing to do before you choose your new style is to evaluate your beach hair issues. Spending time outdoors on the sand comes with three major hair styling nightmares: Heat, salt and wind damage. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to deal with these issues regardless of your ultimate hairstyle decision. Determine an attack plan that works for you, then pick your style around what hair maintenance regimen makes you comfortable.

 

Beating the heat. Sun and heat are very hard on your hair, and can lead to color fading, split ends and generally dried-out, unstylable hair. Extreme heat actually breaks the bonds that holds your hair together in one smooth, sinuous piece and allows strands of hair to release color and moisture far more easily than they normally would. To fight the heat, you have several alternatives. You can do all of them or just some of them, but neglecting temperature control entirely will leave you with badly damaged, ugly hair by the end of the summer season.

• Shampoo 2-3 times per week.You should continue to condition every day, but avoid shampooing, which strips your hair and can make it even more susceptible to sun-damage. Also, when you condition, do not wash your hair entirely clean of the treatment. Instead, leave a little in if you are heading out for the beach. The conditioner will help your hair retain moisture and shield it from the sun. It is also a good idea to avoid shampoos with the ingredient lauryl sulfate (also called laureth sulfate). This ingredient makes shampoos foam, which makes you feel like you are cleaning your hair more thoroughly. In reality, however, this compound does little for the health of your hair and strips the outer layers of each strand completely off.
• Sleep and play in conditioner.Whether you just leave a little in when you are done rinsing your hair in the shower or you add an additional leave-in condition to your summertime hair routine, conditioner is the key to beating the heat. Avoid mist-on conditioners, which require constant refreshing and literally burn off in the sun, sometimes taking color and moisture with them.
• Wear a hat.If it’s convenient and the style suits you, consider a sun hat. Not only will it protect your hair, but it will shield your face from the sun as well as save you from that funky sunglasses tan.

 

Wave goodbye to wind-damaged styles. That pleasant offshore breeze is perfect for flying kites and building bonfires, but it can destroy your look completely if you do not have a resilient and flexible summer style. Instead of spending your time worrying about keeping your tresses in tact, adopt a fun, playful summer style that begs to be tousled and played with. You will feel more relaxed, look more natural and get a lot more fun out of every minute when you know your messy hair looks just as beautiful and glamorous as it did when every strand was in place.

 

• Pull it back.If you love your medium-long to long hair and do not want to change your overall look too dramatically for summer, then a ponytail may be the best look for you. This look enables you to control the tangles and keeps you looking fresh and styled even after jumping in and out of the water or chasing a Frisbee down the beach. Work conditioner through your hair before you pull it up to help keep it smooth as you go in and out of the water, and pull out and dry some curls or tendrils to look attractively natural and casual when you are ready to hit the tiki bar for drinks and dancing.
•  Comb it out.If you have short to medium length hair, then you may be able to work wonder with a little conditioner finger combing. Running your hands through severely tangled hair will break it, but shorter hair is less likely to tangle and snap, so you can keep things looking bouncy and beautiful finger-combing or, if you have the time, running a comb or a spiny brush through your locks.
• Keep up with your clips.Bright, jeweled or flowered clips make a casual, wind-blown hairstyle immediately romantic and exotic. Use the clips to pin back bangs or to hold a high bun in place. They not only distract from any frizz that you may have accumulated over the course of the day, but they add sparkle and character to any outfit.

Swim with style. Salt water is just plain bad for your look. It clumps your hair together, makes it appear grey and sticky, and can even result in serious tangles and dreadlocks that have to be cut out. Fortunately, you do not have to stay high and dry in order to keep your look looking perfectly “beachy.” Instead, take some precautions ahead of time to insure that you do not have to deal with salt and swim damage, but rather look even better coming out than you did going in.

• Prepare your hair.We’ve already emphasized the importance of conditioning throughout the day. If you are going to swim, this is vitally important, particularly if you are not a natural blond. Salt, sun and swimming will snap your hair into pieces if you do not give it the proper weapons to defend itself.
• Rinse thoroughly.Take a second to hit the beach shower – even if its cold – and rinse as much salt water as possible out of your hair. It will keep your locks from getting sticky and help you maintain whatever style you are using at the time.

 

Expert Advice on Summoning Your Summer Style

 

Now that you have an arsenal of personal hair protection tips, it’s time to think about “Summer Style.” Picking a summer haircut is an exciting process, and you will need to consider what you plan on doing with your summer while you make this decision. Richie Arpino, owner of Richie Arpino Salon in Atlanta, Ga., has spent many years watching summer trends and styles as he has cut, styled and photographed his way through various hair fashions and trends. “In the summer,” Arpino observes, “people tend to go for a shorter, maintenance free cut that might last six to eight weeks instead of four.” This extended period allows for vacations, holidays and the inevitable beach-bound bustle that accompanies this season. The good news for everyone is this: going low-maintenance for the summer not only lets you indulge and express your natural beauty, but it also frees up your budget to really take care of your hair before the surf and sun season begins.

 

There are several different approaches that you can take toward your summer “do,” but they all start in the same place: a good, deep conditioning treatment and a bottle of leave-in conditioner for your purse. While Arpino emphasizes that deep conditioning should always play an important role in your hair regimen, it is most important before you head out to subject your hair to sun, salt, wind and sand. Just like you have been training your abs for that bikini, you need to train your hair to respond to the bikini environment. At your next hair appointment, request a deep conditioning treatment to help strengthen and fortify your hair. This way, it will be healthy and resilient by the time you are ready to hit the poolside or the waves.

 

Whether you plan to keep your style roughly the same or change it up a little, Arpino recommends considering the following options if you want to be able to get in and out of the water with little hair hassle:

 

• Add some layers.Whether you go short or leave it shoulder length or a little longer, layers give you a natural, tousled look at they dry. They do not require much more than a quick finger-comb and a little gel to whip them right back into shape once you emerge from your ocean frolic.At the salon, ask for a short, layered haircut that is low-maintenance and requires no flat-ironing. Bring a picture in so that you and your stylist both understand what you are asking for when you say “short.”
• Slick it quick.If layers are not your thing, a long, slick bob with or without bangs requires next to no styling and can be tamed or tailored to fit your mood with just a brush and a little gel to calm any humidity-related frizz. “You can always put this cut in a little pony tail if you want it out of your way,” Arpino adds.At the salon, ask for a long, slick bob. Be clear about how long you want your hair and how you would like to style it. Also indicate whether or not you want bangs, which can be good for styling because they make many casual updo’s look more deliberate. As with the short cut, a picture will help your stylist get on the same page with you about what you mean by “long.”
• Avoid overall processing.If you already have processed hair and are worried about the effect that sun and salt water or chlorine will have on it, you should be! Processed hair tangles, breaks, stretches and shreds far more easily than hair that is in or near to its natural state. The sun will lighten your hair over the course of the summer, so if you are already blonde, consider some low lights rather than an additional bleaching. This will give your hair some “rest and relaxation” just like you will be getting, and over the course of the summer the sun exposure will lighten all of it up anyway.If you are a brunette who likes to go blonde for summer, then try some subtle highlights and let the sun do the rest. “After all,” laughs Arpino, “anything other than subtle highlights will probably go white anyway, so I would suggest subtle highlights and then let the sun do the rest.”

 

The final key to beach-proof hair is simple: be prepared. While you certainly do not want to spend your time at the beach primping and checking yourself out in a hand mirror, throwing a few hair care items into your beach bag will save you and your hair from a fashion disaster. Here are several items that you might want to include in your tote bag along with the latest chick lit:

 

• Smooth IT, Silk IT or Long & Strong conditioning productsAll of these products help keep hair from tangling and maintain firm control over your tresses while you are out having a ball. Smooth IT is a leave-in conditioner with a bit of gel for hold (this would be perfect for that short, layered cut). Silk IT is a softening defense system for the hair that keeps it from splitting and fraying when exposed to sun and harsh chemicals in pool water. Long & Strong is a de-tangler and a leave-in conditioner that helps keep your hair from breaking off, a particularly common problem when you are repeated brushing or combing damp hair. When hair is wet, it is far more elastic than when it is dry. Excessive combing while hair is partially wet and partially dry can stretch and break strands of hair, leading to an uneven, ragged look.
• Sun protectionJust as you shield your skin from the sun in order to avoid skin cancer and wrinkling, you should also protect your hair. Sunlight dries out hair, bleaches out color and causes the strands of hair to become brittle. A spray-on sun lotion for your hair will help preserve the look of your cut and color while you are on the beach or in the pool.
• GelIf you only bring one thing to the beach with you, make it a small tube of hair gel with built-in SPF, says Arpino. The gel will help you simultaneously style and defend your hair as the day goes by, making it still-manageable by nightfall and preventing you from looking as if you just got attacked by an electric jellyfish.
• Clips, flowers and hair sticksSometimes your time at the beach will get the best of your hair. When this happens, the easiest way to camouflage the problem is to slick it down or “stick” it up. Use bejeweled clips or flowers to dress up a ponytail or a high bun. If you have short hair, slick it down with some gel and then place a large flower behind your ear to finish the look. If your hair is too long or too tangled for these looks, then use a pair of glitzy hair sticks to decorate a loose bun.

 

In the end, your hair will only be “beach-proof” if you feel like you are beach proof. Any style – classic, modern or just plain funky – relies largely on the confidence of the wearer in order to succeed. By being prepared for the beach, you can make sure that you look and feel your best – hair and all – throughout your entire vacation. 

The Science of Spa Therapy: What to Do, and Why it Works

By Carrie Ellis

 

As you head into a spa, you probably are thinking about a lot of things. What will I be doing first? Can I get a copy of that pleasant waterfall music? How much will all this cost? I can’t wait to relax…there are lots of reasons that people go to spas, and there are many different kinds of spas that provide a variety of enjoyable and relaxing experiences. However, while most people love the way a spa treatment or a spa day makes them feel, they do not really know why they walk out feeling so wonderful. Sure, they have just been pampered and petted for between 30 minutes and five hours, but is that really the only thing a spa is good for? Of course not. There is a vast array of solidly scientific and medical reasons that you actually do owe it to yourself to go to a spa regularly. In order to be sure that you are getting the best benefits and results possible, however, you need to know what your options are when it comes to spas, and what treatments are best for you.

 

There are four main types of spas. They are:

 

• Day Spas Day spas offer salon services ranging from 30 minutes to a full day’s worth of treatments. You can usually purchase one or more treatments at a time, and they often take walk-ins and well as scheduled appointments. A day spa is perfect if you only have a short window of time for a treatment, or if you like to get the same treatment on a regular schedule. Day spas often offer trimming wraps, facials, manicures and pedicures, a variety of massage services and techniques and makeup design.  
• Destination Spas Destination spas come with a goal. These retreats are designed to help you lead a healthier lifestyle by immersing you in the habits and routines that will best help you develop a good dietary, exercise and health regimen. Generally they have a minimum stay of three days, and some people stay at destination spas for several weeks or even months. These spas focus on diet, exercise and education so that you can return home and keep your healthy habits in tact. Many people make destination spas a regular part of their health routine and go at least once a year for a week or longer.  
• Resort Spas Resort spas are a lot like day spas, but they are located at high end resorts and hotels. They often are slightly more oriented toward romance than health or relaxation because often couples travel together and a spa experience is a good way to unwind. They often offer more group-oriented treatments like shared baths, massage lessons, massages or even fun events like mud masks and chocolate facials in which one partner helps the trained spa professional administer the treatment to the other partner.   
• Medical Spas Medical spas offer treatments that require the supervision of a doctor. These treatments are usually cosmetic, and include laser resurfacing, botox, laser hair removal and some types of slimming wraps. Some medical spas even offer limited varieties of cosmetic surgery, depending on their staff’s cumulative abilities.

 

Ultimately, spas are intended to pamper, but the type of pampering that you receive can influence the effectiveness not only of the spa treatment, but can even alter your body’s reaction to physical events like pregnancy, migraines and chronic fatigue. Spas that are health and nature oriented in particular can help you design dietary regimens that will give you more energy and fortify your immune system against a number of physical and problems, including ADD and even a lack of exercise.

 

When you are choosing a spa, you need to factor in your own habits and your availability when it comes to getting treated. If you are interested in weight loss, for example, then a destination spa can help you totally alter your eating habits in a supportive environment before you return home to confront your own unhealthy pantry. On the other hand, if you experience serious stress at work, a bi-weekly or monthly massage during your lunch break could dramatically lesson your tension, thereby increasing productivity. If your main goal is to recover from jet lag quickly or to enjoy a loved one’s company, then a resort spa will be perfect if you have an extra hour or so for a massage or other spa experience. Finally, medical spas are perfect for cosmetic procedures that you may find a little intimidating and make you want a little extra support, like pleasant music, helpful technicians and even a pre- or post-procedure facial or other treatment to ease your potentially stinging skin. Pick your spa according to your personal preferences and your physical needs, and you will not only enjoy your spa experience, but reap significant, long-term benefits as well. 

 

Taking a Spa Day on a Budget: Cutting Corners Without Leaving Luxury Behind

By Carole VanSickle

 

 

When you think of taking a spa day, you probably envision lying in a steaming tub with cucumbers on your eyes and rose petals floating in the water. In your mind, you’re totally relaxed, having been rubbed, oiled, trimmed, painted and beautified in general. When you leave, you experience a sense of lightness and you feel refreshed and lovely. Being spoiled every once in a while can put a real spring in your step, help you return to work the next day with focus and determination, and dramatically lighten any loads you feel you are bearing.

 

However, many people think that spa treatments are completely out of their reach right now because they are saving pennies and piling up reserves because of the grim forecast for 2009’s economy. Fortunately, these people are dead wrong – regardless of your political and economic opinions. The right type of spa treatments can be easy on your wallet and even increase your odds of getting that well-deserved promotion, raise or new job. To get the most for your money and the best pampering for each buck, consider these three oh-so-luxurious economically responsible spa treatments.

 

Tidy Up Your Tootsies with a Manicure and Pedicure

A manicure and/or a pedicure is a great way to indulge without spending a fortune. One of the best things about any spa day is the massage, but many people do not want to get a massage and have (as they see it) nothing to “show” for it at the end. If you are this type of person, then a “mani-pedi” is the ideal solution. You get not one but two mini-massages as the technician washes, rubs, softens and buffs your hands and feet, and then on top of that you have a beautiful, professionally done set of fingers and toes that make you look well-groomed, extremely orderly and highly put together, which is essential for any job interview.

 

Some other advantages of the mani-pedi mix:

 

• They are relatively inexpensive, even at luxury spas.For example, Jolie Spa of Atlanta, rated one of the 40 most luxurious day spas in North America, offers a manicure for 20 dollars and pedicures starting at 40. You can add a variety of other treatments for anywhere from 10 to 60 dollars. This is no more expensive that a manicure-pedicure combination at a streetside salon, and at this Halycon-sponsored spa, you will enjoy “a private sanctuary where [you] can relax and escape the chaos of everyday life” while you are being pampered and catered to by a calm and considerate staff who has been professionally trained in luxury-oriented service.
• They are easy to maintain.If you purchase a bottle of matching polish and a foot buffer (total of about 10 dollars) you can maintain your professionally styled look for well over a month. Unlike steam baths and other more opulent spa treatments that require regular visits, a mani-pedi is a constant, visible reminder of the wonderful day  you had, and will make you feel a bit lighter and (let’s face it) better looking and more confident each time you admire those elegant fingers and toes. 

 

Feel Great With a Facial

 

Facials come in literally every shape and color, and there are few things more fun than having someone locate an issue with your skin, then fix it on the spot. You’ll come out glowing, having enjoyed a customized service that comes with a soothing face, neck and shoulder rub in nearly all cases. Nearly all spas incorporate aromatherapy into their facials by using essential oils in some form or fashion, and you will have the pleasure and satisfaction of knowing that you are guaranteed to come out of there glowing. Getting a facial in a real day spa also comes with the same luxurious atmosphere that any other treatment gets, and you will have at least 30 minutes of undivided attention from a trained technician whose sole goal for that time is to make you as happy and comfortable as possible.

 

Here are just a few things that make a facial a great investment when you are pinching pennies:

 

• You get double the benefits for half the price.While a regular massage also lasts about 30 minutes and tends to cost twice as much, a facial incorporates a massage on the parts of your body that first start to feel the strain when you are stressed (your face, neck and shoulders) and also forces you to relax. The treatments are soothing as well as effective, and you get immediate results that will last you for at least a month. Spas like the Mind & Body Day Spa on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta add the additional luxury of a one-on-one consultation before you begin your facial treatment. This not only helps insure that you are getting the best treatment for your face, they explain, but also is just plain fun, as custom beauty treatments and analyses always are.
• Facials refine your ability to focus.In tough times, people have trouble slowing down. They are always thinking ahead to the next potential problem. When you get a facial, you have to slow down – after all, there is a soothing mask on your eyes, pleasant music playing and highly effective creams, muds and gels doing wonderful things to your face. The 30 minutes it takes you to get a facial will help you remember how to calm down and take things one step at a time.
• You can recreate the experience at home.Most spas promote their products after you finish a treatment. By purchasing the products that you used in your facial, you can replicate the experience at home for a fraction of the cost, and use the experience to help you focus and relax at home. Instead of just getting one day of good out of your facial, you can use the memory to get the same results at home.

 

Like manicures and pedicures, facials are available at many salons. However, salons often take advantage of the misconception that spa-quality facials are out of most people’s price range and charge outrageous amounts for treatments you could get just as easily from the drug store. If you are going to get a facial, then treat yourself to one at a day spa like Atlanta’s Spa Sydell or the Natural Body Spa and Shoppe. Both of these luxury spas have facial services starting at around 55 dollars, which is less than I was quoted at a Marietta hair salon by a stylist doing my hair and the same as I was offered for a “natural facial” in a streetside nail salon. Because truly spa-oriented services focus on ambience as well as the service itself, you will always get more for your money when you go to a designated spa.