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Spring Spa Renewal
By Lani West
If “spring break” makes you think of crowded beaches and confetti-throwing cruises, think again. You don’t have to venture to exotic ports of call for the ultimate spa experience.
Simply look to your own backyard for some of the best spas in the country… right here in Michigan.
Leave the suitcases at home. Check in for a day at one of these hot spas in a city near you. And say good-bye to winter blahs.
Splash of Color
Taking feng shui to the next level, Bellanina Day Spa in Ann Arbor offers a world of captivating color and soothing sounds. Owner Nina Howard says, “Our mission is to relax the body and renew the spirit,” with a strong emphasis on ambiance being vital to healing.
Reds and ambers enhance areas where “upbeat services” like nail care are performed. Blues, purples and aquas calm and restore where relaxation is desired.
Howard suggests a Hydro-Spa Rejuvenation Treatment for spring. The process is performed while guests lie on a hydro treatment table.
eginning with body exfoliation, a choice of either Rosemary Mint Sea Salt Scrub or Aqua Sea Body Scrub is rinsed away by a gentle Vichy shower. The Earth and Sea Mud Body Masque deeply detoxifies skin during a full-body aromatherapy steam and a scalp massage. Finish up with a 30-minute Color Therapy Hydro Spa Soak; color your soak yellow to simulate sunshine or blue to emulate the ocean.
Before leaving Bellanina, check out the art gallery and original abstract paintings by Howard herself. For more about the Aroma Oxygen Bar, “Beauty from Within,” Violet Clay Envelopment, and other services, call 734-327-1000.
Head to Toe
Complete care is the house specialty at Heidi Christine’s Salons. These award-winning salons have received “Hair Dresser of the Year,” “ Colorist of the Year and “Makeover Award” accolades. But it’s so much more…
“We strive to treat a client’s ‘whole self,’” says Patty Elzinga, co-owner of Heidi Christine’s Salons.
“Not only do our services keep a member looking good, but they offer members better health and stress relief. And taking care of yourself is one of the best things you can do for physical and mental well-being.”
Bask in healthful luxury with the Crème De La Crème all-day package. An exfoliating body polish is followed by a stress-relieving herbal wrap and a refreshing facial. A full-body massage relaxes deep down. And a rich, rewarding mask is applied to feet and hands for the spa-style pedicure and manicure. Hair consultation and make-up are included. Even lunch.
Don’t have all day? Get a half order of pampering, with a 2-1/2-hour session starting with a simultaneous facial mask, seaweed hair mask, and body polishing treatment… followed by deep cleansing and a one-hour warm oil massage.
Fortunately, there are three Heidi Christine’s Salons… in Ada (616-676-3304), in Dutton (616-656-8961), and in Center Pointe Mall, Grand Rapids (616-989-9476). So, say good-bye to scraggly toes and stressed out hair forever!
Dream Day
Skip the trip to Hollywood. Tamara Friedman, owner of Tamara Spa in Farmington Hills, has been searching the globe for the most desirable spa amenities for 25 years. She’s been rated by Allure Magazine, Cosmopolitan and O Magazine as one of the best in the business.
“I travel all over the world to make sure we offer the latest and greatest in the industry,” says Friedman, who was among the first to bring permanent make-up to the Metro-Detroit area.
Another rare find is the Rain Forest Tranquility Capsule, a luxurious treatment that took years to create. A $1 million renovation later, clients are now treated to a bathhouse sanctuary and a therapeutic circular path through each ritual step. Guests enter an oversized capsule filled with Eucalyptus-enriched steam. Then, rainfall shower-heads provide a steady stream of warm water to caress the entire body. Next, while comfortably resting on a bench, legs and feet up on a pedestal, cool water regulates body temperature. Or, alternate hot-and-cool water benefits circulation.
Throughout the Tranquility Capsule, guests are gently sprinkled with rainforest showers. The journey ends in the relaxation lounge before moving on to the next spa service.
“Don’t just dream it. Do it!” says Friedman. “This spring, do something special for yourself. It’s something you won’t regret, and a great investment in your future health.”
Tamara Spa designs special spa days for groups or individuals. Call 248-855-0474 for an appointment.
Spring Skin
 As previously reported in Healing Garden, traditional medicine uses holistic healing more than ever. Just ask Michael H. Freedland, M.D., Medical Director of Visage Spa in Bloomfield Hills.
Freedland wanted cosmetic surgery patients to have a “continuum of skin care before, during and after plastic surgery.” Considered “The Midwest’s Premier Medical Day Spa” by Travel & Leisure, Visage Spa features advanced skin care, as well as massage therapy, hair and make-up, and even Chocolate Mint Cellulite Body Therapy. Yumm.
To prepare for warmer weather and showing some skin, Freedland suggests the Hydrating Facial and Island Body Wrap. While resting on a waterbed, products from Fiji with coconut oils give clients a sense of “drifting away.”
Just-for-men pampering includes facials and body, hand and foot treatments. Men’s products do not have heavy fragrances, nor do they require too many steps for home use.
“We integrate traditional spa and medical aesthetic services with innovative treatments,” says Freedland, “for a unique total body wellness experience.”
Call 248-901-0022 for prescription-strength, all-over skin care.
April is Stress Awareness Month, the perfect time to decompress from winter and start feeling better about warm days ahead. Michigan day spas are affordable, approachable… and not a cartoon character in sight. |
