People...I need Spa help! UPDATE post #10

[scarlett873]

pssst...J-Kim...this is Spa Talk. You may want to avert your eyes

Ok...for our anniversary, DH gave me a $100 gift certificate to a local spa. (I think i'll keep him for awhile ) I've never done the spa thing, so i'm not sure what to pick! I've only had my very first manicure, EVER, a few months ago. So i'm pretty new to the whole spoiling myself thing...

Has anyone ever had any of the spa treatments from an Aveda spa?

If you have used an Aveda spa before, do they try and sell you the stuff afterwards?

They have a package for $150 that includes the following:

Elemental Nature Facial Treatments
Pure Focus
30 minutes of dedication to your choice of skin exfoliation, face and neck massage or corrective techniques for stressed skin. Best for busy people who need a quick fix!

Elemental Nature Massage (30 minutes)
A personalized massage experience based upon the Aveda Elemental Nature philosophy and your favorite Aveda aromas. Depending upon your needs, a variety of massage techniques will be utilized, including but not limited to Swedish, deep tissue, acupressure, energy work, pregnancy massage and foot reflexology.

Infinity and Air—slow, warming and deep massage to help with stress and over-worked muscles
Fire—cooling, rhythmic massage techniques to refresh overheated and tense muscles and mental irritability
Water and Earth—fast-paced, intense techniques to awaken sluggish muscles and stimulate circulation

Essential Manicure/Pedicure (package includes both a mani and a pedi)
The Essential Manicure or Pedicure includes maintenance of the nails, exfoliation of the hands or feet, a soothing massage complete with your choice of polish. 30 minutes


What the heck do they do when they do a facial? Is that where you rest with goop on your face and cucumbers over your eyes?

I'm leaning towards the package, but they've got some other treatments that are intriguing...

Caribbean Therapy™ Body Treatment
A rejuvenating and nurturing spa treatment that uses the healing touch and plant ingredients from the Caribbean to create inner calm and renew the body and senses. The treatment begins with a dry exfoliation, followed by a warm, seaweed back and foot masque to smooth and detoxify. A restorative scalp, face and body massage complete this island-inspired experience. 60 minutes.

I could add on a mani and a pedi to that one...

HELP!!! What would you do?? List of Rain Spa Services

(there will be NO waxing services done to this body so don't even suggest them! )

 

[JCandKT]

Are you going to the Aveda spa at the Castleton Mall?

 

[scarlett873]

Are you going to the Aveda spa at the Castleton Mall?

No...it's the new one in the Hamilton Town Center mall

 

[daneenm]

Never been to an Aveda spa, but the few times I have been to other spas, I prefer...

• Facial (not a heavy duty one)
• Massage (if you are not used to them, do the relaxing version, not deep tissue [I happen to really like deep tissue]
• Pedicure (I don't love manicures and I ruin them in no time, besides there is almost nothing like having your feet rubbed )

By the descriptions you have posted, they look like good choices to me. Just be sure to be specific about what you want (too much pressure, not enough pressure, etc)...I am always uncomfortable speaking up, but did learn that I need to and the person doing your treatment, prefers that you do.

Have a great time! I actually got a spa trip for my birthday this year so it is fresh in my mind.

--Daneen

 

[DVCsince02]

I'm a spa snob... I'm totally into getting pampered.

If it's your first time, I would recommend a facial, massage, mani and pedi. The facial is amazing. Creams and lotions are slathered across your face, neck and upper chest and shoulders. They all get massaged in and wiped away leaving your skin feeling so soft for days.

Massages are also wonderful, but I caution you if it's your first. Be sure to communicate to your therapist that it's your first time. Let them start gently and tell them if they are too hard to too soft or if you have tender areas or want a specific area worked more or less. The therapist wants you to enjoy the treatment, so don't be afraid to speak up.

A mani and pedi are a great way to end your day of pampering.

Let us know how it goes!

 

[scarlett873]

I'm a spa snob... I'm totally into getting pampered.

If it's your first time, I would recommend a facial, massage, mani and pedi. The facial is amazing. Creams and lotions are slathered across your face, neck and upper chest and shoulders. They all get massaged in and wiped away leaving your skin feeling so soft for days.

Massages are also wonderful, but I caution you if it's your first. Be sure to communicate to your therapist that it's your first time. Let them start gently and tell them if they are too hard to too soft or if you have tender areas or want a specific area worked more or less. The therapist wants you to enjoy the treatment, so don't be afraid to speak up.

A mani and pedi are a great way to end your day of pampering.

Let us know how it goes!

Haven't you had that baby yet?

Thanks for the advice so far! I'm taking a few days off from work next week so i'll schedule my pampering day for then!

If anyone else has experience with Aveda, let me know! I'd like to know what i'm walking into...if it'll be a hard sell after the fact or not...

 

[JCandKT]

If it's the same as the Castleton Mall Aveda... it's a training school... so take that into account.

Definitely do an Aveda Facial. At Castleton, they bring you into this beautiful room to do it... and it's amazing...

I hope you have a great time! ENJOY!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I've done Aveda before here in LA - very nice. All spas will tell you what they use on you, but good spas won't pressure. That takes from the client's spa experience. Doesn't mean you won't end up buying something - I always do (but it's not usually something they used on me)!

Aveda products are very nice. They sell the Carribean soak for a pretty good price - save the money on the spa experience and use it in your own tub - really nice.

Do what DVC Since 02 says and do the basic 4. Then, once you are confortable and hooked, get the scrubs and the wet room treatments (my personal faves at any spa). Facials don't usually have a ton of downtime - the esthetician is usually doing something to you at all times. If it is a moment when the cream has to sit on the skin to absorb or treat, they are usually doing some kind of scalp massage or something.

You will love it all!

 

[Kimberle]

Hi Brandie!

I've had facials and am not crazy about them. They kindof hurt, especially if you have sensitive skin. They use this "thing" that sort of sucks out your pours.

Spa manicures and pedicures are different then the store front kind. They are more "pampering".

What I REALLY LOVE is the hot stone massage. It is wonderful. They use lots of oils and such on your skin and massage you with hot stones (they don't burn). You feel so relaxed when done.

Enjoy!

 

[scarlett873]

Oh....DH has created a monster!!!

I had my spa appointment this morning. It was heavenly!! The mani and pedi were alright, but the massage and facial were divine!!!

I do know that 30 minutes is just not long enough for a massage though...I think next time, I would like to try a hot stone massage!

Aveda was wonderful...no high-pressure sales afterwards at all. The gal who did my facial brought me a sheet of paper with the names of the products that she used, but that was it.

I'm hoping to splurge for a massage when we go on the podcast cruise!!!

 

[exwdwcm]

i love facials and massages. i have large pores, so i really like having an extraction done (the painful part where they squeeze your pores to clean them out- feels like someone trying to pop a zit all over your face multiple times). it hurts, but gives me a nice clean feeling! It's worth it. folks are right on the massage, don't be afraid to speak up if it is getting too rough for you.

those are my two favorite treatments. I've tried a body wrap and just wasn't that impressed (at Mandalay Bay in Vegas). A good hour long facial is great if you find the right place. of course a great mani/pedi is always a must too.

i just started a job at a aesthetic laser distributor so i am hoping to volunteer for some workshops for the demonstrations.......maybe some free resurfacing!! lol i still have that stupid pregnancy mask leftover!

 

[MerriePoppins]

Oh....DH has created a monster!!!

I had my spa appointment this morning. It was heavenly!! The mani and pedi were alright, but the massage and facial were divine!!!

I do know that 30 minutes is just not long enough for a massage though...I think next time, I would like to try a hot stone massage!

Aveda was wonderful...no high-pressure sales afterwards at all. The gal who did my facial brought me a sheet of paper with the names of the products that she used, but that was it.

I'm hoping to splurge for a massage when we go on the podcast cruise!!!

Brandie
Glad you enjoyed your day !!!!

Absolutely go for 60 minutes next time.....and try the deep massage.

Having a sweet guy spoiling you is pretty awesome, isn't it ?!

 

[thatslygirl]

I'm hoping to splurge for a massage when we go on the podcast cruise!!!

I'm glad you had a great spa day, scarlett873! I work as a Spa Concierge at a high-end hotel, so if you have any questions about spas or services in general, I can try to answer them. If you are trying to book a massage on a cruise, I would recommend booking an early morning time slot. I have talked to massage therapists who have worked on cruise lines. They tell me that the job has its perks (free food and room/board) but at the same time, working on a cruise ship is a 24/7 job and it can get hectic. At a regular spa, technicians generally have about 10-15 minutes to turn down the room for the next guests, whereas on a cruise, they have 5 minutes of prep time between guests (not to mention the guest is so relaxed they take their sweet time getting off the table).

If you book an early morning time slot, the therapist is feeling more energized and refreshed, compared to getting an appointment in the late afternoon, when they may have already had six appointments and haven't even gotten a chance to eat yet.

Hot stone massage is great, especially if you work at a computer and have a lot of tension in your shoulders. Another thing you can do is get a body scrub before your massage. The oils from the scrub plus the massage oils makes your skin soooo soft!