splurges and Stealsspas can be expensive-a facial or massage can cost $100 or more.We tested lots of area spas to come up with these 30 treatmentsthat are worth the time and money.

Stocks are down. The economy's in re-cession. What's a stressed person to do?

Apparently, get a massage."Even though people are cutting back,

requests for massage therapists are in-creasing," says JoAnna Hawthorne ofthe Spa at Mint, in DC's Adams Morgan."Instead of traveling, people are findingit more economical to stay put and treatthemselves to a spa."

Some business has tapered off. Clientsare getting less-frequent facials. They're

opting for a 50-minute massage instead of80 minutes. There are fewer impulse buys,like $60 moisturizer, in spa boutiques.

Still, says Sue Page of Elizabeth ArdenRed Door Salon & Spa: "They won't giveup hair services or maintenance serviceslike waxing and pedicures."

While spa services aren't cheap-facialscan cost $120 or more-for some custom-ers the expense is relative. "People don'thave money for plastic surgery, so they'retrying to get quick fixes," saysSam Lane of

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EDITED BY SHERRI DALPHONSEI

Every treatmentat the new Blu Waterspa begins with afoot bath. Therapistscustom-mix the scrubsand masks used onhands and feet.

Shapes Salon & Day Spa in Virginia.Spas are trying to drum up business by

offering specialsand starting frequent-userclubs in which regulars earn points that areredeemable for discounts and free services.

No matter how stressed you are, youwant to spend wisely.We tested dozens ofarea spas,getting polished, pummeled, andpampered. We mostly chose spas geared torelaxation rather than medical spas.

Here are 30 experiences we felt wereworth the time and money. For full re-views of most every spa in this article-and reviews of spas we didn't feel wereworth the expense-go to washingto-nian.com/greatdayspas.

Best New Day spa in MarylandBlu water Day Spa, KensingtonThis spa has been open only since April

2008, so everything seems new and fresh.The changing area is beautiful-water inthe sink flows over river stones. There arelovely extras: Every guest gets a robe andslippers, and our tester's great facial-she »walked out glowing, and her pores lookedsmaller the next day-came with a terrific

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Rejuvenations in Herndonspecializes in massage-and its eight therapists, includingStacyClevenger,are all well trained.

eral couples the day our tester visited.Amenity Day Spa, 44365 Premier Pla-

za, Suite 120, Ashburn; 703-726-8100;amenitydayspa. com.

Best Spa Stimulus packageShapes Salon & Day Spa,Herndon and Fairfax StationThe federal government has nothing

on Shapes when it comes to encourag-ing spending. Its "stimulus" deals include$1-a-minute massages-a 50-minute mas-sage, normally $80, is $50; a free manicurewith every pedicure; and a buy-four-get-two-free special on massages and facials.Also check the spa's Web site for monthlycoupons. Popular massage therapists in-clude Sam Yoon in Fairfax Station and Es-telle Kuldell in Herndon.

Shapes Salon& DaySpa, 2435 CentrevilleRd., Herndon, 703-713-0222; 5622-KOx Rd., Fairfax Station, 703-250-0000;shapesdayspa.com.

Best BrowsBluemercury,Georgetown and Dupont CircleIt might be the quickest $35 you'll ever

spend, but Lance Etchison, spa director atthe Georgetown Bluemercury, will haveyour eyebrows groomed and ready in justa few minutes. He doesn't over-pluck-heleft the tops of our tester's arches alone, justcleaning up the lower line-and the result isnatural and polished.

Bluemercury,3059 M St., NW, 202-965-1300; 1619 Connecticut Ave., NW, 202-462-1300; bluemercury.com.

Andre Chreky, Downtown DCWaxing expert Anisa Ghafoorzai is fast

when it comes to bikini lines but takes spe-cial care with brows. Her elegant shaping,plucking, and snipping often earn her clientscompliments. One day every three months,waxing servicesare discounted 50 percent.

Andre Chreky the Salon Spa, 1604 KSt.,NW; 202-293-9393; andrechreky.com.

Erwin Gomez, GeorgetownStar brow and makeup man Erwin Gomez

has built a national reputation for his defttouch and effusive demeanor. His expertwaxi.ng,though, comes at a price: $75 for aninitial visit, $50 thereafter. The salon's otherbrow magician, Kari Slansky, has flownunder the radar but deserves a turn in thespotlight. It is easy to get an appointmentwith Slansky; she's quick and professional,and her rates-$45 for a first visit, $35 af-terward-seem reasonable by comparison.Also impressive: her eyebrow tinting ($40),which left our reviewer looking as if she'dgotten a good night's sleep.

ErwinGomezSalon& Spa,1519 WisconsinAve., NW; 202-333-7290; erwingomezs-alon.com.

Best waxingSisters3, ArlingtonThis bright Clarendon shop is owned by,

you guessed it, three sisters-Arlie Morgan,Abby Hayes, and Alexandra Fisher. Thewaxing is the most pain-free of any we'vefound, and the job is thorough. Appoint-ments can usually be booked just a day ortwo in advance, sometimes on the same day.

There's only one waxing room and a smallcurtained area for eyebrows. But it's pleas-ant and friendly and quick.

Sisters3 Boutique,2729 Wilson Blvd., Ar-lington; 703-525-3333; shopsisters3.com.

Best ThreadingNail Studio & Day Spa, RestonIstanbul native Lucy Yilmaz recently ren-

ovated her bright, modern salon, which ishome to eight other well-trained nail-and-brow technicians who practice the Persianart of threading. While the process is notwithout pain, the friendly, no-nonsensestaffis expert at creating beautifully sculpt-ed brows ($15) and removing unwantedfacial hair-often done while customersare getting a manicure.

NailStudio & DaySpa, 1484 North PointVillage Center, Reston; 703-481-6245;nailstudioanddayspa.com.

Best E-mail SpecialsFountains Day Spa, AlexandriaThis Old Town spa, in a lemon-yellow

rowhouse, has a cozy atmosphere you can'thelp but love. Comfy chairs in the waitingarea are a nice spot to sip tea-in ceramicmugs with saucers-or cucumber-infusedwater while waiting for your treatment. Werecommend the facials-especially thosedone by owner Suzanne Olsen. Need morereason to visit? Daily e-mail specials-youcan sign up at the front desk-offer 10 to25 percent off a variety of treatments.

Fountains Day Spa, 422 S. WashingtonSt., Alexandria; 703-549-1990; fountai-nsdayspa.net.

Most Earthy spaThe still Point, Takoma parkThis spa's decor is not at all slick; after

all, this is earthy, low-key Takoma Park. Ifyou leave a message asking for an appoint-ment, you may not hear back for hours.

If you're a regular at Elizabeth Arden RedDoor spa, this is not your kind of place. Buti.fyouprefer a "green" spawith natural treat-ments and down-to-earth specialists whonever push products, it's a great bet. Weespecially recommend massages by FannyMandleberger-60 minutes cost $80, 90minutes just $llO-and treatments at theSole Door, a room used for foot, hand, andleg treatments such as massagesand scrubs.

The Stillpoint, 7009 Carroll Ave., LowerLevel, Takoma Park; 301-920-0801; stillp-ointmindandbody. com.

Best spa Foodte Pap ilion Day Resort, WinchesterIn sleepy Winchester lies a gem-Le

Papillon Day Resort, a salon and spa thatunderstands the meaning of "day spa." You

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