Relax; it's the perfect pampering place.Byline: Best of ... by The Register-Guard Team Best of ... is so relaxed, it can hardly lift its collective hands to the keyboard to type after an exhaustive search for the perfect day spa. After manicures and pedicures, facials and massages, herbal teas and aromatherapies, and enough masks, tonics and lotions to saturate sat·u·rate v. Abbr. sat. 1. To imbue or impregnate thoroughly. 2. To soak, fill, or load to capacity. 3. To cause a substance to unite with the greatest possible amount of another substance. an entire newsroom, we can report that we are smitten with Gervais Salon and Spa, the beautifying boutique at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Lincoln Street. We recognize that a day spa lives and dies by the relationships clients build with the estheticians and therapists who perform their soothing ministrations, and that each spa will have unique products that attract devoted followings. But ambience, attitude and attention to detail kept us coming back to Gervais. On our also-ran list: The Pearl, for its charming ambience and its 18 different massage options, including Reiki Reiki Definition Reiki is a form of therapy that uses simple hands-on, no-touch, and visualization techniques, with the goal of improving the flow of life energy in a person. , Swedish, deep tissue, trigger point, hot rocks, myofacial, Shiatsu Shiatsu Definition Shiatsu is a manipulative therapy developed in Japan and incorporating techniques of anma (Japanese traditional massage), acupressure, stretching, and Western massage. , even acupressure acupressure or shiatsu Alternative-medicine practice in which pressure is applied to points on the body aligned along 12 main meridians (pathways), usually for a short time, to improve the flow of vital force (qi). . The Health Spa, formerly Rejuvenation Rejuvenation Aeson in extreme old age, restored to youth by Medea. [Rom. Myth.: LLEI, I: 322] apples of perpetual youth by tasting the golden apples kept by Idhunn, the gods preserved their youth. [Scand. Myth. , gets points for transforming the space on West 11th Avenue that used to be Doc's Pad from dim bar to inviting salon, complete with soft green chaise longues in the lobby. Chicara at the Oakway Center gets bonus points for not pushing their products. We liked the simple "did you have questions?" from a staffer following a recent facial. And Bello, tucked into Reed and Cross on Oakway Road offers an intriguing treatment we're saving for the January doldrums. Called Glow, it involves a full-body exfoliation exfoliation /ex·fo·li·a·tion/ (eks-fo?le-a´shun) 1. a falling off in scales or layers. 2. the removal of scales or flakes from the surface of the skin. 3. , a shower, "a buttery, warm cocoon moisturizer mois·tur·iz·er n. A cosmetic lotion or cream applied to the skin to counter dryness. moisturizer n → crema hidratante moisturizer moist n ," a scalp and foot massage and a dusting with luminous golden powder. If the sun won't shine, then one of us will have to. But for sheer escapism es·cap·ism n. The tendency to escape from daily reality or routine by indulging in daydreaming, fantasy, or entertainment. and self-indulgent relaxation, Gervais has it over all the others. Step inside and it feels as if time slows down. It starts from the moment they offer you a cup of soothing herbal tea and lasts until the post-facial hot foot soak, where you can take your sweet time preparing to step back out into the rest of the day, and where they have thoughtfully left you a cool glass of water and a tasty mint. The hushed voices of the staff suggest ritual and respect for the process. All day spas offer gift certificates, which come in handy Verb 1. come in handy - be useful for a certain purpose be - have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun); "John is rich"; "This is not a good answer" this time of year. And while some of their services are impossibly extravagant (who has $415 and six hours to spare for a one-of-everything experience), others fit well within the budget. We suggest a gift certificate for a pedicure. Feet take a pounding and rarely get caressed. Gervais' delectable version includes a warm paraffin wax dip that must be experienced to be believed: 75 minutes, $55. And if you don't feel like indulging someone else, Team Best of ... says it's perfectly OK to indulge yourself. Soothing and yet invigorating in·vig·or·ate tr.v. in·vig·or·at·ed, in·vig·or·at·ing, in·vig·or·ates To impart vigor, strength, or vitality to; animate: "A few whiffs of the raw, strong scent of phlox invigorated her" , Best of ... leaves you tingling all over. For more stimulation, visit our online archive at www .registerguard.com/bestof. BEST DAY SPA Gervais Salon and Spa Where: 301 W. Fifth Ave. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; telephone ahead for appointments CAPTION(S): Koki Wilson relaxes in the Gervais transition area while enjoying a foot soak, heated neck wrap and herbal tea. |
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