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does it take to set a mani-pedi apart from the

pack? How about a callous-softening mask, a hot

paraffin pedicure dip, and an orange sugar scrub

for your hands all while sitting in BallantyneVillage Nail Salon's airy spa-like space over-

looking Ballanryne (in a massage chair, of

course) with a free glass of wine in your hand?

Sound good so far? It gets better: the whole she-

bang-paraffin, scrub, and long lasting, expertly

applied polish included-is only $45. More for

your money, indeed.

14815 John J. Delaney t»: 704-369-5188

YOGA INSTRUCTORYogis flock to Melody White's invigorating class-

es at Laughing Buddha studio and the Harris Y

because they revitalize body and spirit. Also a pro-

fessional writer, White shares poignant thoughts

about life-who doesn't need positive words of

encouragement these days?-leavingyou with

lasting enlightenment long after you've rolled up

your mat.

BODY TREATMENTOnce one of the aestheticians at Shapes Salon& Spa gets her loofah on you for the HydrotoneCapsule at Shapes, you'll be saying sayonara to

dry, winter skin. During this fifty-minute treat-

ment ($85), you'll be scrubbed down, which

removes dead skin cells and invigorates the skin,

using essential oils (mmm, lavender). But it's

what comes next that you'll love-climb into one

of Shapes's state-of-the-art treatment capsules,

where you'll experience massaging water (similar

to a Vichy shower) and a steam room all in one.

The treatment is so relaxing that you may find

yourself nodding off to the sound of pulsing water

on your achy muscles.

8045 Providence Rd., 704-341-0922

FACIAL FOR LESSNeiman Marcus isn't usually

the place where you go looking for a bargain.

However, that's exactly what you'll find at the

luxury department store's cozy spa. Neiman's

in-house aesthetician provides deluxe facials in

a peaceful spa environment tucked away next to

the busy store's cosmetics department. Using

lines sold in the store, such as Amore Pacific and

72 CHARLOTTE • MAY 2009

Keihl's, the service is completely complimentary,

with the hope that you'll enjoy the results enough

to purchase the products.

SouthPark, 704-442-7900

MASSAGE FOR SORE MUSCLESFrank Miller at The Porch Swing Spa has been

a masseur for years, but only recently began

practicing Thai massage. After a certification trip

to Chiang Mai in Thailand last fall, Miller began

offering the Asian massage ($85). Perfect for

relaxing tense muscles, the treatment involves

stretching and deep-tissue massage. You'll be

pulled, pushed, and rubbed into a more centered

and limber you while listening to peaceful music

in the quiet spa setting. Miller is knowledgeable

and thorough in the treatment, which lasts for

two hours and covers your entire body.

The Porch Swing Spa, 2030 E. Seventh st.

704-376-8811

HAIR TREATMENTOnce you're seated in Jon Ric Hair Spa's spacioustreatment room and listening to a sophisticated

Euro-pop soundtrack, a specially trained stylist

will slowly massage a concentrated mixture of

Kerastase emollients onto dry, frizzy, or color-

treated hair during this $60 treatment. Long a

beauty must -do for stylish women on the left

coast, this spa ritual immerses clients in an ambi-

ence ofluxury and serenity. When you're finished,

you'll not only be more relaxed but your hair will

be noticeably sleeker and smoother.

Jon Ric Hair Spa, 4310 Sharon Rd., Ste. US704-362-6005

MEDITATION YOGA CLASSSangati Yoga and Massage offers healing-arts

services including therapeutic yoga and massage.

Teachers here celebrate anusara yoga's uplifting

philosophy and promote the style's precise align-

ment principles with lots of individual instruc-

tion. Couple that with the studio's intimate atmo-

sphere and Sangati's classes (eight-class pass for

$96) feel like a restorative retreat from everyday

stress. Check out the Mixed and Meditation class,

an energizing yoga practice and reflective guided

meditation, to rejuvenate your energy and focus.

2201 Park Rd., 704-334-3221

WAXERWhile other aestheticians eithermove too fast (ouch!) or too slow(does it really take that long to per-fect a brow?), BETH SOLOMON atCharles Grayson Spa has perfectedthe art of the elegant brow andbikini wax (she does Brazilians, too).Specialty Shops on the Park, 6401Morrison Blvd., 704-364-2944

COLORISTThe beauty of CARRIE SMITH's colorwork is that it blends so seamlesslywith your natural or previous colorthat two, three, even four monthsafter the highlight people will stiffcomment on how great your do'shue is. Smith truly has perfected theart of subtle highlights and coloring.J. Graham EtCo., 401 Hawthorne Ln.704-344-0224

FACIALISTROSIE BASTIDA at The Spa atBallantyne Resort analyzes everypore, wrinkle, and sunspot on yourface before suggesting a small buthighly effective skin-care arsenal foryou, which she then applies to yourface. The result: glowing, refreshedskin every time.14815 John J. Delaney Dr.704-369-5188

BLOWOUTGetting glossy hair that's full of bodytakes skill. Enter AMY SWANEY atShine Salon. The energetic ownerof the Plaza Midwood hair salon isarmed with a hair dryer and profes-sional styling products from linesincluding Kevin Murphy. The result?A fabulous blowout every time.Shine Salon, 1900 CommonwealthAve., 704-344-0338

PEDICURISTWhether you're looking for theglossiest polish in the most stylishcolor or simply need a relaxing footmassage, LEE TRAN at Polished NailBar's South Boulevard location doesit all. Complete with a soothing sea-salt soak, a rejuvenating exfoliatingrub, a relaxing lower leg and footmassage, and impeccable polish job,Tran will have your feet looking andfeeling stiletto-ready.Polished Nail Bar, 2041-F SouthBlvd., 704-954-0004

AESTHETICIANMaybe it's a facial. Or maybe it's abody wrap. Whatever it may be,PRITI PATEL at Shapes Salon & DaySpa can invigorate tired skin with agentle touch and keen eye for skindamage details. Your best bet: tryher body scrub to slough off dry,dead skin.Shapes Salon EtSpa, 8045Providence Rd., 704-341-0922

Clockwise from leftto right: Priti Patel,Amy Swaney, BethSolomon, Lee Tran,Rosie Bastida, and

Carrie Smith