From Fall-Winter 2007
* The Spa by Whole Foods Market
11700 Preston Rd.
214-361-8887
www.wholefoodsdfw.com
Ann Webb Customized Facial
$65 for 50 minutes
As part of its “buy local” campaign, Whole Foods recently added Skin by Ann Webb to its lineup of spa products. The Austin-based aesthetician uses pharmaceutical-grade ingredients in her all-natural—and affordable—cleansers, exfoliants, and moisturizers. This facial is more like an enzyme peel, adjusted for strength based on skin type and lifestyle. After being tucked in with warm blankets, our facialist assessed our skin—she noticed a bit of dermatitis on our chin—and went to work. Products were gently applied and wiped away, and a refreshing, cool cucumber mist and pure oxygen spray kept our face hydrated between applications. For that pesky redness on our chin, our aesthetician used Olive Oil Therapy, which is marketed as an eye cream but works wonders on other areas. While the potions were penetrating, we were treated to a head, neck, and scalp massage. Nearly an hour later, we emerged radiant and rejuvenated.
* Solare Day Spa and Cafe
4851 Legacy Dr., Ste. 606, Frisco
972-712-3030
www.solarespa.com
Aqua Leche
$290 for 120 minutes
This shockingly cute respite in a suburban shopping center has become a destination for locals looking to get away for a while. With four delectable treatments designed specifically for celebration, it’s easy to spend a half-day escaping the doldrums of daily life. After a yummy lunch—chumash taco, crab melt, and two freshly made elixirs from the juice bar—we bundled up in ridiculously soft robes and prepared to be rubbed down in a room specially designed for two. It was hard to keep from napping during the customized milk-lotion massage. (We were asked ahead of time about pressure and problem areas.) Then it was time for a dip in the made-for-two tub filled with milk bath salts and rose petals. With flickering candles and complimentary champagne, it wasn’t hard to feel celebratory. A fruit and cheese plate served in a private dining room was a serene and sumptuous ending.
* Lancôme The Boutique
1030 NorthPark Center
214-750-9364
www.lancome-usa.com
The Lancôme Indulgence:
The Ultimate Pampering Facial
$125 for 90 minutes
Whisked away to a hip, modern treatment room, a comfy, warmed chair put us at ease, and nature-inspired music encouraged our mental escape from the day. Post skin assessment and face cleansing, we were gently exfoliated and steamed—during which our hands and arms were massaged—then moisturized with serums activated with a high-frequency machine. In our mindless state we weren’t all together attentive, but it seemed as though we were pampered with every product possible—each of which has a delightfully fresh, almost rosy scent. After a stress-busting facial massage focusing on pressure points, our face was covered with a refreshing masque, and our legs and feet were treated to the same gentle rub—invigorating for post-treatment shopping. If your skin is on the sensitive side, mention it to the aesthetician. The high volume of product left us a little dry.
* Coldwater Creek, The Spa
422 Grand Ave. W., Southlake
817-251-9382
www.coldwatercreekthespa.com
The Ultimate Pedicure
$65 for 75 minutes
This treatment is touted as “a vacation for overstressed feet,” and we weren’t fooling anyone when we arrived wearing court shoes and carrying a tennis racket. So job one was heading to the surprisingly serene locker room to trade our clothes for a supersized terrycloth robe. Then the pedicurist gave us the once-over to determine the appropriate course of action. Once reclined under a down comforter, we were treated to a mineral food soak, followed by a smoothing sugar exfoliant. A warming, nourishing clay masque was then applied, after which we received a soothing massage. As our toes were buffed, groomed, and painted a delicate champagne color, we nearly drifted off. Afterward, we sipped tea in a cushy chair—a perfect transition before returning to the real world.
* Riviera Spa
4445 Travis St., Ste. 102
214-521-2112
www.rivieraspadallas.com
Chocolate Cake Pedicure
$80 for 80 minutes
Tucked along Travis Street is the Riviera Spa, a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of Knox-Henderson. The space is intimate and cozy—perfect for bringing a friend. And what better way to catch up than with the Chocolate Cake Pedicure? This decadent treatment starts with a slice of chocolate cake drizzled with raspberry sauce. While we nibbled, our toenails were trimmed, filed, and buffed, and our feet were pampered with a decadent chocolate scrub and masque. After our legs were wiped clean with warm towels, our feet were dipped into sweetly scented paraffin for extra softening. The crème de la crème was a deep massage (no idle leg rubbing here) followed by a polish application. You could almost say it was the icing on the cake.
* The Face & Body Day Spa
1221 Legacy Dr., Frisco
972-668-6108
www.faceandbodyspas.com
Inhale to Exhale Journey
$235 for 120 minutes
This relaxing ritual starts solo in a steam room, to open pores and flush away impurities. After 10 minutes, we stepped out of the private enclave and climbed onto the bed. Our therapist quickly dry-brushed our bodies to exfoliate the skin while increasing circulation. We were then refreshed with a light, rose-scented full-body spray, before the technician began applying a foaming sugar scrub. After we were buffed free of any remaining dead skin, we headed back into the steam room-cum-shower to rinse off. Toweled dry, we nestled back into bed, prepared with mounds of warm, fresh blankets.
The therapist then applied a muscle comfort oil, which soaked into our thirsty pores while we were wrapped tightly in the heated covers. It was almost claustrophobic, but we were quickly distracted by the slow, deep scalp massage, followed by a moisturizing foot rub. The next hour slipped by in a warm, massage-induced haze. The deep-tissue work was sublime, making for a journey we can’t wait to take again.
* Cooper Aerobic Center at
Craig Ranch Fitness Center and Day Spa
7910 Collin McKinney Pkwy., McKinney
214-383-1010
www.cooperspa.com
Pearfect Body Scrub
$115 for 50 minutes
The Cooper spa at Craig Ranch feels like a faraway resort, with comfortable Texas-chic decor. In addition to spa facilities, the campus boasts an Olympic-size swimming pool, three tennis courts, basketball court, beach volleyball, track—and a panoramic view of the property’s “backyard.” Nice.
Before the treatment, we slipped into a plush robe and stepped into the transitional room, where we discovered leather recliners vibrating to the sounds of relaxing music. The mouthwatering pear scrub—an organic concoction of chopped pears, green apples, and sugar cane—is loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants, which are absorbed quickly when rubbed right into the skin. After the scrub, we rinsed off in a warm shower before crawling back into bed for a relaxing 25-minute massage. A complimentary soufflé was a sweet send-off.
* Salon at Eaton Court
202 S. Austin Dr., Allen
972-727-2333
www.eatoncourt.com
Sonya Dakar UltraLuxe
(Snake Venom) Facial
$185 for 60 minutes
One hour is all you need to experience total rejuvenation. Though Eaton Court has an array of customizable facials, we chose to address aging, because it’s never too early to start preventive practices. Lighting, music, and a heated bed set the mood; a constant flow of steam was all the assurance we needed to let go and enjoy.
The UltraLuxe facial is designed around a new Nonaplex™ technology that uses faux snake venom as an anti-aging complex. During the enzyme peel, we experienced a tingling sensation, but it quickly subsided. While the masque was working its magic, we were treated to a relaxing neck, shoulder, hand, and foot massage, followed by heated gloves and footies. The finishing touch was 365 Day sunscreen.
The scent of lavender brought us out of our deep mental slumber, and when we opened our eyes to see tree branches dancing through the stained-glass skylight, we felt as though everything was right with the world.
