There’s a scene in the movie Sex and The City where a bathing suit-clad Miranda Hobbes is berated by the girls for her lack of hair removal prowess in the bikini area. Shortly after, her marriage crumbles and her life falls apart.

Coincidence?

Just in case, here’s the scoop on hair removal methods beyond the old razor.

Sugaring

It may last a lifetime on your hips, but applied to your calves and thighs, sugar may just be a sweet way to remove hair. Sugaring is an ancient middle-eastern method that is gaining popularity in Tampa Bay.

This hair-removal process typically uses a paste or gel crafted of natural ingredients such as sugar, water, and lemon juice. Similar to waxing, hair is removed from the root with results lasting up to six weeks. Unlike waxing, the sugaring process can be done on larger areas of hair at a time, purportedly making hair removal faster.

Whether you opt for a salon treatment or you’re brave enough to try the treatment at home, you’ll need about five days of hair growth to make the process a success. At Belmora Spa and Salon (1213 W Fletcher Ave., Tampa) the Brazilian ($65) is the most popular sugaring treatment on the menu, says esthetician Heidi Arington. “It’s less painful than traditional wax and it doesn’t rip the skin,” she said.

Prefer to do it yourself? Head to shobha.com and pick up their signature sugaring kit for $30.

Waxing

The gold standard of hair removal is waxing, which can last up to eight weeks and can be used on most any part of the body that sports unwanted hair. Loyalists swear that with repeated waxing treatments, hair growth is visibly reduced.

While some say that waxing may be uncomfortable, fans say it’s no sweat. South Tampa’s Awa Spa and Wellness Sanctuary (5820 South MacDill Ave., Tampa) is popular for its Brazilian waxes ($45 to $55). At Kennedy Salon and Day Spa (220 N Howard Ave., Tampa), both women and men go for waxing.

Threading

Another age-old treatment experiencing new popularity is threading, most often used to remove unwanted hair on the brows, upper lip or chin area. The process involves the use of a thin, twisted cotton thread which is rolled over the hairline, removing unwanted hair at the follicle level.

Threading is ideal for those with very fine hair or those with sensitive skin because the top layer of skin is not traumatized. In fact, many salons and spas recommend threading to clients on certain medications or skin care regimes that include the use of alpha hydroxy acids.

And it’s affordable. At Paris Salon and Day Spa (3115 W Bay to Bay Blvd., Tampa), threading is on the menu for $18. If you prefer to do-it-yourself (and like pain) try the Lindo Twist-n-Roll Tweezers ($12.99 ).

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Erin has never been girly. She likes dolls and the color pink, but if there’s ever a choice between a football and a pair of ballet shoes, she goes for the pigskin every time. So when we were invited to her cousin’s 7th birthday party last week at this brand new boutique nail spa that’s exclusively for kids, I thought she’d be entertained, but not excited. But when we arrived, there were butterfly stickers and tiny pedicure stations. A karoke machine that played Bippidy-Boppidy-Boo. Ten minutes in, my little tomboy was air-waving her pink fingernails and having a pillow fight with cotton strips laced between her toes.

The place? Spa-di-da, a newly opened, very pink day spa in Staten Island that completely caters to kids’ parties and mother-daughter days of beauty. A two-hour party starts at $359. The girls get manicures, pedicures, pizza and cake. They can be-dazzle their own T-shirts, snack on cupcakes and sparkling cider and really experience a true trip to the salon. A tiny purse full of pink and purple nail polishes and glittery emery boards is the take-home favor.

Just enough pink accessories to turn Erin off football for good.

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Sedona’s Mii amo Luxury Spa Named for World’s Best Spa Therapists

Mii amo wins 2009 ‘Best Therapists’ award from Tatler Magazine. Mii amo at Sedona’s luxury Enchantment Resort is a haven for the Best Spa Therapists in the World.

Tatler, one of Britain’s most prestigious magazines, named Mii amo, a destination spa at Enchantment, as having the best therapists in the world at its third annual spa awards ceremony. The award was presented in London at The Dorchester, Park Lane on May 5th by Melinda Stevens, Tatler’s travel editor.

Since opening eight years ago as the first destination spa within a world class resort, Mii amo has attracted highly trained and gifted spa therapists who are drawn to Boynton Canyon’s sacred energy and the spiritual nature of Sedona. Mii amo was also the first spa to offer full 60- and 90-minute treatments; additional time was built into the appointment to allow for pre- and post-treatment interaction between guest and therapist.

“Each Mii amo therapist brings unique qualities to the spa, and we are able to support and nurture our spa staff in order for them to thrive in Mii amo’s healing environment,” said Mark Grenoble, president of Enchantment Group, Mii amo’s management company. “Our guests continually tell us how their lives have been transformed during their Journey. You find what you are looking for at Mii amo, and our therapists are the key factor in positively affecting our guests’ lives.”

Tatler, a stylish and indispensable guide to Britain’s high society since 1901, visits over 100 spas in the world to find the winners of their five annual awards. Categories include Spa of the Year, Smartest Escape, Most Exciting Discovery, Hardcore Turnaround and Best Therapists.

Mii amo, a Yuman word for “passage” or “journey,” promotes personal transformation through mind, body and spiritual therapies, which range from Ayurvedic Balance to Watsu. The 24,000-square-foot spa in Sedona, Arizona, designed by Gluckman Mayner Architects, harmonizes with the Native American aesthetic and the surrounding red rock canyon, which are both integral to the Mii amo experience. The intimate Mii amo spa village, which offers 3-, 4- and 7-night all-inclusive packages, features 14 guest rooms and two suites; 25 treatment areas, many with views of Boynton Canyon; private outdoor treatment areas; indoor and outdoor pools; library; retail boutique and Mii amo cafe.

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Tips for Getting the Best Spa Experience

Anyone can schedule a massage or make an appointment to get a toenail touch-up. Coming away from every spa trip relaxed and ready to face the world requires a little preparation. Here are a few tips to help you master the pampering process.

* 1. Leave the kiddies at home. Most spas are considered an adult environment and do not permit children to tag along for spa services. When developing your spa budget, consider the cost of a babysitter. Some spas, such as Cloud 9 and Spa Royale, offer mini-services for kids. Contact each spa for age limits and the services they have available for kids.

* 2. Silence your cell phone. Just as you would at the movies or in church, don’t forget to turn off your cell phone; no one wants their massage-turned-nap interrupted by the outside world by your BlackBerry. Better yet, many spas recommend leaving the cell phone at home.

* 3. Arrive early. Getting into relaxation mode early can be important for every spa-goer, particularly first-timers. Showing up to your appointment ten minutes ahead of time gives you a chance to meet your therapist or spa technician, fill out paper work and get comfortable in a new environment. Being late, however, will often result in cancellation, although you’ll still be charged for the appointment. Check with each spa for its late arrival policies.

* 4. Give graciously. Many people are unsure of how to tip for most services, including after a massage or facial. Generally, spas recommend tipping 15-20 percent and can include the tip in your bill if requested. If your spa experience wasn’t everything you hoped for, note your personal preferences to the technician or therapist the next time you make a visit.

* 5. Wear comfortable, loose clothing. When getting ready for your spa time, dress in the spirit of the day: comfortably. Most spas will have you undress for a facial or massage and you’ll spend the rest of your time in a luxuriously fluffy robe. For facials, show up clean-faced or the spa can take off your makeup. If it’s your first time, make your appointment up to a week in advance of a big event to prepare for any unexpected skin reactions.

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It’s riposo in Italian, reposin French and the Swedes call it vila. But nothing says ‘rest’ like a muscle-relaxing, sleep-inducing massage.

This spring, give yourself much-needed R&R with a spa day full of pampering. If you’re already a spa regular, try out a new regimen, such as a hot stone massage or lemon facial. Whether it’s a cleansing scrub, a pedicure or a massage, giving your body a little TLC can be one of the best gifts you can give to yourself

Sensational Skin

A cleansing scrub here, a dash of exfoliation there. There are a variety of ways to pamper yourself, but a simple facial can be a relaxing way to make your face truly glow.

“A lot of people overlook the skin, although it’s the largest organ. It’s kind of hard to replace that,” says Utopia Chalet director, Kevin Lee. “Facials are always nice because you get your face cleansed and a light pressure massage.” And while you can get the same feel from the products Utopia Chalet sells, such as masques, moisturizers and cleansers, you may not get the same results: Utopia Chalet spa technicians offer specialty services, including a process called “face mapping” that pinpoints the areas of the face most in need of a little extra care. A 30-60 minute facial ranges in price from $40 for an on-the-go refresher, to $450, for six weeks of skin brightening treatments. Lee also recommends spa body treatments, such as the salt glow or herbal lemon wrap that can act like a facial for your body. “It’s a complete body exfoliation that removes the dull skin and gives you a fresh look,” he says. Manage those Muscles

Just hearing the word massage can be enough to ooh and aah you to the spa. Whether you’re experiencing a tense week or just need a little rest, there’s a soothing massage for every mangled muscle and sore spot of skin. Spa Royale offers a variety of massages, from the signature, or Swedish, massage — considered “the” spa massage with long soothing strokes — to deep tissue and mommy-to-be services. If more is better, then the four-handed massage is the way to go, with customers receiving the attention of two massage therapists for an hour. “My favorite is the combination massage-facial,” says Casey Slimak, Spa Royale’s quality control manager. “We keep you on the same heated table, and you just get so completely relaxed.” Cloud 9 co-owner Shannon Haas prefers her spa’s newest massage, the relaxation journey. With nearly two hours of massage, the customer receives special attention to the hands, feet and scalp, in addition to traditionally massaged areas. “If people are looking for the piece de resistance at our spa, it would be the relaxation journey massage.” Massage services at Cloud 9 start at $40 and last from 25 to 80 minutes. With massage as its most requested service, Spa Royale offers nine for under $100, including a 25-minute stressless express service for $40.

Packing It All In

A facial is great, a massage is so relaxing and fingernails are always craving a little TLC. With multiple packages offered around town, you can get the best of all three or more on the same day. Andrea Silvia, owner of Touch of Heaven Day Spa, says a package is the best way to pamper yourself. “You want to hit all the areas. We have spa packages that include facials, massages, manicures, pedicures, body treatments and lunch.” Silvia recommends coming with a friend to really have fun, and says the Treatment Pamper Sampler is the best way to try something new. Customers choose three out of eight different services, and receive half an hour of each, for less than $100. Team Tranquility

If we all need a little time for ourselves, why not enjoy that time together? Spas offer opportunities for friends, families, mothers and daughters, and even couples, to enjoy their spa time side-by-side. Cloud 9, for example, has 23 different treatment areas to accommodate groups as large as 24 people. Since opening in 2000, the spa has offered groups the opportunity to pamper as a party with a refreshment bar, private rooms and catering services. They’ve reserved Mondays just for group gatherings. Cloud 9’s services range from $30 for a basic manicure to $140 for the luxurious relaxation journey massage.

Feeling Your Best on a Budget

Everyone’s ready to be treated like royalty, but maybe not on a queen’s budget. Professional training schools in the area provide less expensive options for professional spa treatments. At the Florida School of Massage, for instance, customers can receive an hour-long massage from an advanced student, supervised by an instructor, for less than $30. The school also offers in-home therapeutic massages by licensed massage therapists.

Or, visit The Salon Professional Academy of Gainesville to receive a variety of relaxing salon treatments. Clients can get a facial, manicure, pedicure, or makeover for less than $30 from students under the supervision of licensed professionals.

Want to pamper yourself in the comfort of your home? Many spas, including Spa Royale and Utopia Chalet, offer great products to give you a spa-like pick-me-up at home, including bath soaks, lotions and exfoliating products.

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The lowdown: Willow Stream Spa — which boasts a Mobil four-star spa award — is clearly designed to be grand. A domed skylight floods the 25,000-square-foot, tri-level facility with natural light, and a bubbling fountain anchors the space, providing a subtle, soothing background sound that’s audible everywhere except the treatment rooms, where guests select their own soundtrack.

Guests make many choices at Willow Stream, where the motto is ”find your energy.” Grounded in the concept of self-directed wellness, spagoers might be asked to select the scent for their massage or a tarot card that might provide a clue to the body’s subconscious needs. But don’t worry — it’s not all up to you. The toughest task is choosing from a broad range of treatments that include seasonal, international, sports-inspired and water-based experiences, most of which can be customized. Once that selection has been made, the staff makes every effort to provide an effortless experience.

The ‘hood: Just minutes from busy Biscayne Boulevard and the Aventura Mall, the 300-acre Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club is a quiet, meticulously landscaped oasis that feels removed from the city. Valet parking is complimentary for spa guests.

The vibe: If walls could talk, these would ask how they could serve you. From the attentiveness of the always-nearby staff to the thoughtful design of the treatment rooms and common areas (where everything from bath products to snacks is copiously and continuously replenished), the entire spa reflects a commitment to enhance the experience and pamper the guests.

The highlights: With packages like the Up To Par Body Experience for golfers (60 minutes, $159) and the Jet Lag Recovery (90 minutes, $209), Willow Stream has a treatment for everyone. Bound to be a hit with just about anyone, however, is the Royal Javanese Lulur (120 minutes, $299). Traditionally performed on brides-to-be from royal families in Indonesia, the ritual begins with an aromatic petal bath, transitions to a yogurt scrub that exfoliates and cleanses the body, and ends with a Balinese massage.

Though less exotic, the customized anti-aging (90 minutes, $239) and deep cleansing (60 minutes, $129) facials provide precise, targeted results. Willow Stream also offers a slew of companion treatments and salon services.

The sweet deal: Book any signature treatment (60 minutes or more, excluding salon) and then select a free express manicure, pedicure, facial or massage. Valid through May 22.

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Nothing says “girl bonding” like a spa day. This time, I did the bonding with my flesh-and-blood girls.

My daughters are young — ages 4 and 7 — which might seem too young for such indulgence.

But in the middle of a family vacation to Cape Cod, Mommy liked the idea of visiting the Cape Codder Beach Resort and its Beach Plum Spa — with its specialty mother-daughter services.

The Beach Plum began catering to this crowd when it opened seven years ago. It now has two other locations with Kids Spa Menus at inns in Massachusetts. Statistics from the International Spa Association confirm the trend, showing 17 percent of U.S. spas offer packages for children under 13.

I don’t think of myself as one of these moms who treats her children as entitled equals. But this proved to be a great way to spend the day, even if it wasn’t cheap at $45 a pedicure.

I put on a plush spa robe and sipped an herbal tea. My girls didn’t fare quite as well; maybe they’re younger than the typical “daughter” clients — although I was assured they were not when making the reservations — but the best that could be done for a robe for 7-year-old Isabella was one of the strapless half-robes that women typically wear for facials. Little Ava just stayed in her T-shirt and skirt.

It seemed best to separate the two sisters if I were going to actually get any relaxing done, since when they were together, they were positively giddy. For our first treatments, I decided to take Ava with me for side-by-side, 50-minute massages, while Isabella had her toes done.

We went into the dimly lit massage room and nestled into preheated sheets on the massage tables. But at that moment when I should have let out a long sigh of relief, panic set in.

Would my always-on-the-go, constantly chattering daughter sit still for 50 minutes?! I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of that before we got to this point.

“Ava,” I reminded her, “you have to sit still.”

She giggled. Oh great, I thought.

But I need not have worried. Turns out, she can relax and be calm under the right conditions.

In the pedicure room, Isabella was finishing up her chocolate-themed treatment. The best part was the fizzy chocolate ball (a Me!-branded moisturizing ice-cream ball that’s catching on in the beauty business) that made the room smell good and her feet feel better.

Her freshly painted toenails were jazzed up with a faux-jeweled toe ring that she couldn’t wait to show off to her sister. She also noted — several times — that she sipped hot chocolate during the treatment.

That’s pampering.

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As part of my adventure in pain relief, I stopped in for a soothing massage at La Papillon Day Spa early last week and, while there, I found out about a nifty package spa owner, LaVerne Mordus, created that combines wine tourism, gourmet food and pampering. And since today marks the beginning of National Tourism Week, I thought it an ideal time to mention it.

Here’s how it works:

1. A limousine picks you up from La Papillon (yes,
Francophiles, Mordus uses “la” instead of “le” to emphasize that the business is woman owned and operated) and whisks you off to our wine country back roads where you will tour and taste leisurely at boutique wineries selected from among Ferrari-Carano, Bella Zichichi Family, Michel Schlumberger, Dry Creek, Lambert Bridge, Twomey, Rochioli Vineyards, Camellia and Rued.

2. During the tour, a gourmet, picnic lunch is provided by local deli and caterer, Sally Tomatoes. Sandwich choices include veggie, roast turkey, roast beef, corned beef or ham. Salads include Italian chicken, chicken Waldorf and balsamic roasted vegetable. Beverages are a variety of soft drinks and water.

3. The limousine returns you to La Papillon, where you end your day with a relaxing massage (Swedish, okazaki, deep tissue, acupressure and more) or facial.

This is a full-day experience priced at $300 per person or $550 per couple, including wine touring via limousine, lunch and spa treatment. This sounds like a superb deal for those who have retained their jobs during this recession; taking part would boost several local businesses, too. 

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This year will be my third Mother’s Day as a mom, and I’m really starting to get the hang of it. When my husband asked me what our toddler should get me for my special day, I said “spa treatment” without missing a beat.

One of my favorite spots for relaxing and de-stressing is South Lake Union’s Vida Spa, and they’re offering a slew of specials right now that are easy on the pocketbook and perfect Mother’s Day gift ideas.

Vida is hosting a catered Mother Daughter Spa Day on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10. Book a 60-minute facial or massage and enjoy a complimentary brunch featuring foods tailored to your specific Ayurvedic body type, as well as a gift card for a free eyebrow shape ($25 value). Space is limited, so reserve your appointment now.

If you’re plagued by insomnia like I am, give the Nidra Sleep Treatment (60 minutes for $135) a try. The Nidra Sleep Treatment involves an aromatherapy massage that focuses on the scalp, temples, neck and shoulders.

Trained therapists customize a sleep prescription based on your dosha (body type) and you leave with an eye pillow and lavender bath salts to continue the relaxation at home. Book your appointment in the evening so you can roll home and right into bed for some sweet slumber.

Need a quick and affordable targeted treatment? Pick from Vida’s three 30-minute. $50 De-Stress Express services. Options include the Tension Target Massage, the Hand and Foot Therapy and the 30-minute Facial.

Offers cannot be combined. 

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