I am looking to get a gift certificate, for a friend, to a spa in her area. However, I don't know where to start. She lives near LAX so a salon around that area or nearby would work. I prefer a place that has a website so I can check it out online. I am looking for one that does massages, nails, facials, etc. If anyone lives in or near this area and knows of a place let me know. If you have been to the place also let me know how you liked it.
Thanks!
A spa gift certificate is a great gift, if you are sure that she will use it. If your friend has a regular day spa that she goes to, then I would call them directly. If you are not sure, then I would recommend La Costa Spa & Resort in Escondido My absolute favorite http://www.lacosta.com/spa/default.asp. A little far and a little pricey, but you feel like you have really gotten away.
Before buying a gift certificate most are non refundable I would probably go with an American Express Gift Card and send a spa brochure for La Costa or if you prefer a day spa. I like the dtox day spa. Here is their website link where you can take a tour http://www.dtoxdayspa.com/spatour/. Make sure you tell them you found out about them from Spavelous. You can by a gift certificate on line at their web site, but I prefer to do it by phone.
Presented By Spavelous
Friday, June 29, 2007
Are there any good day spas in Center City in Philadelphia?
There are many Great Spas in Center City, you may need to take a look at what services you are looking for, your requirement for a changing room, steam room, hair, nail, shower facilities and your budget. Spavelous is a great place to start. Go to the spa explorer area
Monday, June 25, 2007
Spa day ideas????
I'm having a spa day party with my friends. Does any one know any good ideas for facials or manicures or pedicures???? THANKS!
You did not say your age or the theme for your party, so this was a little hard for me. Since you are a future pastry chef, I thought that having a chocolate spa party might be fun for you and can be set up for any age. I like to use sugar free chocolate, but you can use what works best for you.
You didn’t ask for ideas about decorating, invitations, party activities, so I will just provide you with a few recipes based on the chocolate theme:
Have a Chocolate fountain, or chocolate fondue. For beverages you can go with chocolate shakes, chocolate smoothies, and hot chocolate. You get the idea.
You can use the same recipe for Manicures and Pedicures:
Milk Chocolate Pedicure
Treat your guests to the sweetest indulgence, a milk chocolate pedicure.
Chocolate Pedicure Ingredients:
Foot & Hand Soak
• 1 Ounce Whole Milk Powder
• 1 Ounce Cocoa Powder
Foot & Hand Scrub
• 1 Ounce Raw Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1 Teaspoon Nutmeg
• 2 Tablespoons Oil
Moisturizer
• Container of Cocoa Butter
Other items needed
• Basic Pedicure Products
Sprinkle whole milk powder and cocoa powder into foot or hand soak. Combine raw sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg and mix with oil to create an exfoliating paste. For a cooling effect you can add peppermint or for a relaxing effect add lavender.
1. Remove old polish with cotton or gauze (preferred).
2. File toe nails with a heavy duty nail file straight across to prevent hangnails.
3. Fill pedicure tubs with warm water and add whole milk and cocoa powders.
4. Guests should soak feet for 5- 10 minutes.
5. Exfoliate Legs, arms and feet with cinnamon, nutmeg, oil scrub. Put feet back into tub.
6. Massage feet with cocoa butter. Wipe with warm, wet towel.
7. Towel dry feet.
8. Gently push back cuticles with an orange stick
9. File and buff away ridges and discoloration
10. Apply base coat to give a smooth surface
11. Apply two thin coats of polish
12. Seal with top coat
13. Stay still for 30 minutes so polish doesn't smudge
Chocolate Facial:
First cleanse and exfoliate face
Use any liquid facial cleanser mix with a little baking soda to be your scrub, wash face as usual.
Facial Mask:
1/2 cup cocoa powder
4 tablespoons heavy cream
3 teaspoons cottage cheese
3 teaspoons ripe avocados
¼ cup honey
3 tablespoons oatmeal, powder
Directions:
1. In a bowl, mix ingredients together.
2. Apply to face.
3. Leave on face for ten minutes.
4. When taking off the facial, try patting the face with a warm washcloth to dampen before removing.
5. Apply moisturizer.
Have Fun! For Professional Spa Services and information about day spas and spa parties visit me at Spavelous
You did not say your age or the theme for your party, so this was a little hard for me. Since you are a future pastry chef, I thought that having a chocolate spa party might be fun for you and can be set up for any age. I like to use sugar free chocolate, but you can use what works best for you.
You didn’t ask for ideas about decorating, invitations, party activities, so I will just provide you with a few recipes based on the chocolate theme:
Have a Chocolate fountain, or chocolate fondue. For beverages you can go with chocolate shakes, chocolate smoothies, and hot chocolate. You get the idea.
You can use the same recipe for Manicures and Pedicures:
Milk Chocolate Pedicure
Treat your guests to the sweetest indulgence, a milk chocolate pedicure.
Chocolate Pedicure Ingredients:
Foot & Hand Soak
• 1 Ounce Whole Milk Powder
• 1 Ounce Cocoa Powder
Foot & Hand Scrub
• 1 Ounce Raw Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1 Teaspoon Nutmeg
• 2 Tablespoons Oil
Moisturizer
• Container of Cocoa Butter
Other items needed
• Basic Pedicure Products
Sprinkle whole milk powder and cocoa powder into foot or hand soak. Combine raw sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg and mix with oil to create an exfoliating paste. For a cooling effect you can add peppermint or for a relaxing effect add lavender.
1. Remove old polish with cotton or gauze (preferred).
2. File toe nails with a heavy duty nail file straight across to prevent hangnails.
3. Fill pedicure tubs with warm water and add whole milk and cocoa powders.
4. Guests should soak feet for 5- 10 minutes.
5. Exfoliate Legs, arms and feet with cinnamon, nutmeg, oil scrub. Put feet back into tub.
6. Massage feet with cocoa butter. Wipe with warm, wet towel.
7. Towel dry feet.
8. Gently push back cuticles with an orange stick
9. File and buff away ridges and discoloration
10. Apply base coat to give a smooth surface
11. Apply two thin coats of polish
12. Seal with top coat
13. Stay still for 30 minutes so polish doesn't smudge
Chocolate Facial:
First cleanse and exfoliate face
Use any liquid facial cleanser mix with a little baking soda to be your scrub, wash face as usual.
Facial Mask:
1/2 cup cocoa powder
4 tablespoons heavy cream
3 teaspoons cottage cheese
3 teaspoons ripe avocados
¼ cup honey
3 tablespoons oatmeal, powder
Directions:
1. In a bowl, mix ingredients together.
2. Apply to face.
3. Leave on face for ten minutes.
4. When taking off the facial, try patting the face with a warm washcloth to dampen before removing.
5. Apply moisturizer.
Have Fun! For Professional Spa Services and information about day spas and spa parties visit me at Spavelous
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Where can I find blankets like they use at day spas?
I recently had a facial and they placed a great blanket on top of me, it was white, heavy and thick. I would love to have one on my bed at home!
Dear HolisterMom,
Each spa has a different supplier of blankets and spa products. Call the spa and ask them who the manufacturer of the blanket is. You may find out that the spa can order you the blanket in the size that is right for your bed. Most massage and facial tables use twin size blankets.
Spavelous
Dear HolisterMom,
Each spa has a different supplier of blankets and spa products. Call the spa and ask them who the manufacturer of the blanket is. You may find out that the spa can order you the blanket in the size that is right for your bed. Most massage and facial tables use twin size blankets.
Spavelous
Does anyone know of any good spa getaways in or around Connecticut?
Preferably reasonably priced. Thanks!
Dear hope4hmnity,
There are many wonderful day spas and stay spas in Ct. A few of my favorites are very expensive like the Mayflower Inn and Spa. For Affordable stay spas I would recommend the following two: The Spa at Grand Lake, is an 85-acre country retreat Lebanon, CT Day Spas, Very Affordable
By the Sea Inn & Spa, is housed in a 19th century Victorian mansion renovated to accommodate the operating needs of a modern day inn and spa. If you want more of a day spa check. Enjoy your spa getaway!
Spavelous
Dear hope4hmnity,
There are many wonderful day spas and stay spas in Ct. A few of my favorites are very expensive like the Mayflower Inn and Spa. For Affordable stay spas I would recommend the following two: The Spa at Grand Lake, is an 85-acre country retreat Lebanon, CT Day Spas, Very Affordable
By the Sea Inn & Spa, is housed in a 19th century Victorian mansion renovated to accommodate the operating needs of a modern day inn and spa. If you want more of a day spa check. Enjoy your spa getaway!
Spavelous
Friday, June 8, 2007
How do you find a weightloss spa/ fat farm?
I have been watching Inside Brookhaven a lot lately. I am obviously not big enough to go to a place like that, but i would like to prevent that from happening. I was doing really well at staying at a comfortable weight until my mom died a year and a half ago. When she died I lost control of my eating. I need some help to get back on track. My husband wants to help me but I don't know how to tell him how to help me because I don't know how to help myself.
Basically I think I need to go away for a couple of weeks and be focused on getting my eating under control and getting back my motivation to exercise.
Can anyone tell me how do I go about finding a spa to go to that is in California?
Dear Rachel,
I am very sorry to hear about your loss. You may need to look at the emotional causes of why you are eating. You have targeted the event, now you need to identify the emotions and how food plays a role as a comfort. Once you can find the cause (stress, depression, loneliness, anger, grief) and not the symptom, you will be ready for the physical. All of that aside, you have not indicated what area of California or price, so I will give you a few to look at. First, http://www.bodymakeovers.com Michael Thurmond’s 6 week body makeover. He places an emphasis on exercise and a holistic approach. This is a very pricey program about $5500 per week. Less if you just want the nutritional part.
The Spa Body makeover experience is with the Lowes Santa Monica Hotel.Rancho La Puerta, Baja CA, http://www.rancholapuerta.com Daily activities and low-fat, low-calorie cuisine usually result in healthful weight loss over the course of the week’s program.
The Oaks at Ojai, Ojai, CA, http://www.oaksspa.com/index_d.html Low calorie spa cuisine and wide variety of workout sessions are designed to help our guests lose weight and drop inches. Cost is roughly $1260 for 7 nights
www.spavelous.com
Basically I think I need to go away for a couple of weeks and be focused on getting my eating under control and getting back my motivation to exercise.
Can anyone tell me how do I go about finding a spa to go to that is in California?
Dear Rachel,
I am very sorry to hear about your loss. You may need to look at the emotional causes of why you are eating. You have targeted the event, now you need to identify the emotions and how food plays a role as a comfort. Once you can find the cause (stress, depression, loneliness, anger, grief) and not the symptom, you will be ready for the physical. All of that aside, you have not indicated what area of California or price, so I will give you a few to look at. First, http://www.bodymakeovers.com Michael Thurmond’s 6 week body makeover. He places an emphasis on exercise and a holistic approach. This is a very pricey program about $5500 per week. Less if you just want the nutritional part.
The Spa Body makeover experience is with the Lowes Santa Monica Hotel.Rancho La Puerta, Baja CA, http://www.rancholapuerta.com Daily activities and low-fat, low-calorie cuisine usually result in healthful weight loss over the course of the week’s program.
The Oaks at Ojai, Ojai, CA, http://www.oaksspa.com/index_d.html Low calorie spa cuisine and wide variety of workout sessions are designed to help our guests lose weight and drop inches. Cost is roughly $1260 for 7 nights
www.spavelous.com
Has anyone stayed at the Westin Resort and Spa in Maui? If so, recommend?
Yes, it is a very nice Resort, one of my favorites for Maui. Nice beach and pools. We had an ocean view room so the view was wonderful at sunset. Restaurants were ok, Most of the time I went into Lahaina for a good restaurant, or tried the other resorts. Music plays very loud at night throughout the courtyard area so you can hear it in your room. You may find the music distracting and it can take away from quiet evenings. The spa was wonderful!
www.spavelous.com
www.spavelous.com
How do I find a clean nail salon or spa in my area?
To minimize the risk of another infection, You can check with the state board of cosmetology to see if there are any complaints against an establishment. You may also check with the Better Business Bureau. Often you can run these checks online. To insure you're safe, make sure your salon follows the following procedures and inspect everything prior to your service. Here are a few safe guards that can help you in the future. Prior to your visit go to the salon and briefly meet the nail tech and ask questions about safety and sanitation. They should have all implements kept in a proper sanitation solution. Clean equipment should be kept separate from used equipment and should not just taken out of a drawer. Ask if you can supply your own equipment if they do not have disposable single use equipment. Observe how they clean the pedicure chairs between uses. It should not be just a wipe out with a spray. The disinfectant must be run through the jet system.
In addition, Review the following key points:
As previously discussed, bring Your Own Tools to the Salon. It is a Spavelous idea to purchase your own nail tools, both steel instruments (make sure that you keep them clean and sanitized) and non-metal tools like pedi stones and pedi files.
Have your cuticles pushed back not cut. Your cuticles naturally protect your nail bed from bacteria. It is best that cuticles are pushed back with an orange stick with its tip covered in a piece of cotton. Orange Sticks should be disposed of after each use. They should not be sharpened and used on another guest.
Do not allow credo blades, razors, callus graters and cuticle cutters to be used during a visit. These implements can cut skin allowing bacteria to enter.
Inspect the Salon. Look around the salon. If there are signs of lack of cleanliness like dust, debris or nail clippings on the floor ,that's a warning sign that cleanliness is not important to them. Check for the salon's license, which should be posted on the wall along with the technician's licenses.
Inspect Sterilization Techniques. Many salons use UV sterilizers, they are a small white electrical box with a lamp inside, to sterilize tools. These do not kill bacteria. The best way to sterilize tools is with an autoclave or disinfectant labeled "tuberculocidal." Disinfectant is the turquoise-colored water in glasses . They should have these at every station and put metal implements in it between use. If you're really concerned about sterilization, ask to see the bottle the disinfectant comes in and make sure it's properly labeled.
To locate spas in your area check www.spavelous.com
In addition, Review the following key points:
As previously discussed, bring Your Own Tools to the Salon. It is a Spavelous idea to purchase your own nail tools, both steel instruments (make sure that you keep them clean and sanitized) and non-metal tools like pedi stones and pedi files.
Have your cuticles pushed back not cut. Your cuticles naturally protect your nail bed from bacteria. It is best that cuticles are pushed back with an orange stick with its tip covered in a piece of cotton. Orange Sticks should be disposed of after each use. They should not be sharpened and used on another guest.
Do not allow credo blades, razors, callus graters and cuticle cutters to be used during a visit. These implements can cut skin allowing bacteria to enter.
Inspect the Salon. Look around the salon. If there are signs of lack of cleanliness like dust, debris or nail clippings on the floor ,that's a warning sign that cleanliness is not important to them. Check for the salon's license, which should be posted on the wall along with the technician's licenses.
Inspect Sterilization Techniques. Many salons use UV sterilizers, they are a small white electrical box with a lamp inside, to sterilize tools. These do not kill bacteria. The best way to sterilize tools is with an autoclave or disinfectant labeled "tuberculocidal." Disinfectant is the turquoise-colored water in glasses . They should have these at every station and put metal implements in it between use. If you're really concerned about sterilization, ask to see the bottle the disinfectant comes in and make sure it's properly labeled.
To locate spas in your area check www.spavelous.com
What is the best kind of massage to get at a spa?
You should visit www.spavelous.com under Spavelous Spa Terminology to find definitions of the different types of massages. The best massage for each person is different. Hot stone massage is a great massage if you tend to have cold hands, cold feet and like heat. This massage is a routine, so if you have more specific problem areas that you need worked out, this may not be for you. If you have a lot of red in your skin or hair or tend to be too warm, or have a heat sensitivity you may not enjoy hot stones. A wrap is not a massage, it is a treatment. They apply product to your skin and then cocoon you up in blankets or a heat pad. If you are claustrophobic, have high blood pressure or are pregnant, this is not for you. A scrub is also not a massage. They rub a scrub on your body to exfoliate dry dead skin.
Costs of massages vary by area and type of spa. Most resorts charge $125 - $190 for 60 to 90 minutes. Usually they are higher priced then day spas because it includes, steam room, jacuzzi, shower facilities relaxation areas, and fitness classes. You may want to review spa etiquette so you will know what questions to ask when you book your services. Relax and have fun.
www.spavelous.com
Costs of massages vary by area and type of spa. Most resorts charge $125 - $190 for 60 to 90 minutes. Usually they are higher priced then day spas because it includes, steam room, jacuzzi, shower facilities relaxation areas, and fitness classes. You may want to review spa etiquette so you will know what questions to ask when you book your services. Relax and have fun.
www.spavelous.com
What do i do when i get a tan frm a tanning spa?
Spavelous Sunless Summertime Tans.
The healthiest way to go is to use a sunless tanner. Now I know what you are thinking; a streaky orange tan is not for you, but the ones on the market today are not the same your mother used! New formulas and creative ways to apply them allow for the color you desire without the streaky mess. While you can purchase many sunless products at the store and apply it yourself, for best results I recommend that you have it done at a professional spa. The spa person is properly trained in the use of the self tanners. These professionals will insure that your skin has been properly prepared to receive the tanning products and that it has been evenly applied. Some Sunless tans are done by lights or beds that you either lie down on or stand up in. Some are spray on where you enter a booth and the jets spray you, and some are airbrushed on. Here is a video that will show you what to expect.
Watch Video on How to Fake the Perfect Tan
http://www.webmd.com/video/healthy-alternative-tanning
www.spavelous.com
The healthiest way to go is to use a sunless tanner. Now I know what you are thinking; a streaky orange tan is not for you, but the ones on the market today are not the same your mother used! New formulas and creative ways to apply them allow for the color you desire without the streaky mess. While you can purchase many sunless products at the store and apply it yourself, for best results I recommend that you have it done at a professional spa. The spa person is properly trained in the use of the self tanners. These professionals will insure that your skin has been properly prepared to receive the tanning products and that it has been evenly applied. Some Sunless tans are done by lights or beds that you either lie down on or stand up in. Some are spray on where you enter a booth and the jets spray you, and some are airbrushed on. Here is a video that will show you what to expect.
Watch Video on How to Fake the Perfect Tan
http://www.webmd.com/video/healthy-alternative-tanning
www.spavelous.com
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