With mini spa treatments galore, sweets to your heart’s content and a swank downtown Los Angeles loft setting, who wouldn’t enjoy being a girl at the Pamper Yourself Fabulous event last week? We were lucky enough to be one of the 100+ attendees at this sold-out spa day, a girls’ day out unlike any other. No sample sales to stress over or wine tastings to get sloppy during, it’s all about rest and relaxation here. For $165 a ticket (10% of the proceeds benefit the charity Step Up Womens Network), we were treated to our choice of three mini spa treatments (each about 15-20 minutes long) from some of the hottest L.A. spas and salons, which most likely charge a pretty penny for their regular services.

Even though there was the downtown hair salon Neihule offering haircuts and styling, a spray-on bronzing by E! reality TV show/tanning salon Sunset Tan and a cold stone facial massage by Cote D’Azur, we opted for the simpler treatments, plus we just got our hair done recently.

Nope, instead we enjoyed a quickie makeover by Artform Studio where the makeup artist showed us the joys of shiny pink lip gloss. We then passed out during a hand and foot massage at El Leon Spa and got polished up with a little eyebrow shaping by Christopher Watt Esthetics.

And, yup, the treatments were a bit short, offering only a taste of what you could get if you paid for the regular service. But this was also a good way to sample something you otherwise would have overlooked for fear of trying something new.

For nosh, there really wasn’t any food per se. Ciudad was touted as providing the eats when really it was only mini gazpacho and chips and dip. We were sooo hungry! And since our stomach was fairly empty save for the yummy Moonpillows dark chocolate cherry mochi and ooh the white chocolate lemon ones, we thought it wise to stay away from the “champagne,” which was actually something called Nuvo pink sparkling vodka.
Because the event only allowed about a hundred women in the Ford Brady Loft, a renovated downtown theatre space now used for events, it was easy to get around and sign up for the treatments, they didn’t run out of snacks and there was plenty of cabana seating to rest between appointments.

And even though that price of admission for a day of indulgence may make the frugal among us cringe, you should know that the goody bag that we got after the event was filled with a bounty of products that probably equaled what we paid to attend. And it’s not the sort of goody bag filled with 80% of things you’d end up trashing, rather this one had the good stuff, like OPI nail polish, Philosophy’s Grace body gel, Hemp hair products and luxurious bath salts.

If you are the type of girl who likes to treat yourself, this is an event you may want to check out next time it rolls into town.

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10 Affordable Spa Vacation Deals

If a spa vacation is on your wish list but you’re not sure you can afford it, think again. There are a number of inspirational spas, transformational spas, and — yes — affordable spa deals options out there. One of the easiest ways to book a spa escape on a budget is to check into a local hotel or resort spa for a long weekend (or longer). Many offer special spa-themed packages and last-minute spa deals that in-the-know locals can cash in on. But if getting away from it all is more your style, you can find lower-cost options for that, too.

“Affordable,” of course, is a relative term. So in this list you’ll find 7 weeklong spa experiences — from soaking in hot springs to fitness retreats offering ultra-healthy cuisine to all-inclusive stays at destination spas — chosen to fit almost any budget.

While cost was definitely a driving factor, ambience and the quality of the spa treatments, activities, and food were also considered in compiling this selection. They’re arranged according to price, from least to most expensive — with a cap of $3,000 for a weeklong stay. (And just in case you can’t quite carve out a full week away, the nightly rates are listed, as well.) Read on to find out where to get the most bang for your buck.

OJO CALIENTE MINERAL SPRINGS RESORT & SPA, OJO CALIENTE, NEW MEXICO

I found this hot springs spa years ago when a friend of mine, living in Taos at the time, insisted I visit. We spent the afternoon (a day pass is $16) lounging in mineral pools containing arsenic (good for skin conditions and arthritis) and lithium (aids digestion and eases depression), sipping spring water, and spreading mud on our bodies then drying in the sun. It was blissful. In addition to 10 mineral pools, the 1,100-acre property has a historic hotel, a restaurant, and a full-fl edged spa. (Massages begin at $80 for 50 minutes and must be booked in advance.)

PRICE: From $109 per night; seven-night stays from $783.

GLEN IVY HOT SPRINGS SPA, CORONA, CALIFORNIA

The Native Americans were the first to enjoy these sacred waters, followed by the Spaniards, and by the 1890s the place had mushroomed into a health haven. Today, guests book into local hotels (accommodations are not available on-site) and then head to Glen Ivy’s spa playground (day admission is $35 on weekdays, $48 on weekends). A selection of soak-supplementing options are available: the legendary Glen Ivy Club Mud, where you can cover yourself in red clay (great for drawing impurities out of the pores and tightening the skin); a grotto for slathering on a hydrating body masque ($25); a wide variety of massages and facials (from $125); and a café serving tasty, healthy dishes made with local ingredients.

PRICE: Area hotels from $124 per night; packages that include seven days admission to Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa and seven nights accommodations from $892.

KRIPALU CENTER, STOCKBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS

When it comes to yoga, there are few, if any, retreat centers in the U.S. that can boast more offerings and renowned instructors than the Kripalu Center. (Each year, Kripalu’s 700 yogacentric programs attract more than 28,000 participants.) Its location — 150 wooded acres with a private lake and miles of trails — provides the ultimate setting for peaceful walks and meditative contemplation between yoga sessions, which are held three times a day: early morning, midday, and late afternoon. In between, there’s hiking and canoeing as well as workshops on topics like nutrition and creative writing. Ayurveda, India’s ancient science of holistic medicine, is practiced here and incorporated into everything from daily rituals (awaken before sunrise and give thanks before bed, for example) to therapeutic treatments like massage, nasal cleansing, and herbal detoxification sessions (spa treatments from $35).

PRICE: Dormitory accommodations from $155 per night (twonight minimum); seven-night stays from $1,106.

THE OAKS AT OJAI, OJAI, CALIFORNIA

Founded by legendary fitness buff Sheila Cluff, who still personally leads some of the activities and classes, The Oaks at Ojai celebrated its 30th birthday in 2007. Not surprisingly, there’s a cornucopia of get-in-shape classes, from aqua aerobics to core conditioning with hula hoops to belly dancing. New mission-style spa suites featuring hand-carved headboards and spacious jet tubs in the bathrooms add a feeling of luxury, and select spa treatments benefit from local ingredients, such as the Ojai Olive Oil Body Souffl é ($125, 75 minutes) that uses oil pressed from olives gathered in nearby groves. But it’s the 1,000-calorie-a-day spa cuisine that attracts the majority of guests — many who come with a holy grail weight-loss spa focus. Hikes and walks are popular, too — not to mention gorgeous — amid flowering citrus trees, lavender, and aloe.

PRICE: From $185 per night; seven-night stays from $1,295.

NEW AGE HEALTH SPA, NEVERSINK, NEW YORK

Just two hours from Manhattan in the Catskill Mountains, New Age Health Spa sits on 280 wooded acres combining lovely nature trails with spiritual, New Agey offerings like tarot card readings and a plethora of yoga, tai chi, and meditation classes. Native American rituals are the highlight of the spa menu: Try the Native Sun Purification ($95, 50 minutes), a spa hair treatment using traditional herbs grown in the spa’s greenhouse, or the complimentary Sweat Lodge Ceremony that is offered from April to November on the Saturday evening closest to the full moon.

PRICE: From $209 per night (two-night minimum); sevennight stays from $1,589.

PRICE: From $130 per night; six-night Detox Program from $1,699.

COPPERHOOD INN & SPA, SHANDAKEN, NEW YORK

This intimate destination spa — just 17 rooms — offers an old-Europe feel. Think gilded frames, marble, and wingback chairs. Hiking is the big draw, particularly in autumn’s glorious foliage, but yoga, meditation, and spa treatments (from $60) are popular, as well. Rooms are cozy, and afternoon tea is served daily in front of a fireplace — or on a wraparound deck with Adirondack chairs during the warmer months. The cuisine excludes red meat and instead features local ingredients like free-range chicken, cheese, and seasonal produce.

PRICE: From $325 per night (two-night minimum); seven-night stays from $2,240.

  

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It’s hard to feel completely liberated from work and family stresses if you’re facing a set of new ones, like whether you’re overdressed for your massage or undertipping an aesthetician. Sidestep these little land mines so that nothing sabotages your spa experience.

Take It All Off (Or Don’t)
You’re led into a changing room, handed a robe, and told to undress…um, all the way? For massages and body treatments, ideally you disrobe completely (that means underwear, too). Most spas offer paper panties to wear during body treatments (like scrubs, wraps, or self-tanning)—they don’t cover much, but enough to provide a modicum of modesty. “You should undress only to your level of comfort, though,” says Bambi Montgomery, owner of Honey Child Salon and Spa in Chicago and Hive in Los Cabos, Mexico. “We have some clients who bring a bathing suit when they’re getting a scrub or wrap.” You can also request a same-sex therapist when you book your appointment if that makes you feel more at ease. And you’ll never be completely exposed. “Massage therapists and aestheticians are well trained in the art of draping, so they’ll uncover only areas they’re working on,” says Lynne Walker McNees, president of the International Spa Association. If getting anywhere close to naked with a stranger (no matter how adept at draping) is not your idea of a relaxing experience—but you still want some spa pampering—consider Thai massage or shiatsu, for which you wear your own loose-fitting clothes. For a facial, take off your bra (or at least lower the straps) before you slip into a robe, so it doesn’t interfere with the neck and shoulder massage.

“Do You Want Microdermabrasion with That?”
Spa prices don’t always include add-ons (an enzyme peel here, an oxygen blast there) offered during the course of the treatment. When you book a facial (body services, like massages and scrubs, are less likely to involve extras), ask if it’s all-inclusive. More and more spas, like Remède (spas in New York City, San Francisco, and Aspen), let you book time (30, 60, or 90 minutes) and then customize the facial for your skin—with no extra charges for any of the creams or masks they deem appropriate. If you’re going to a spa that has a more à la carte menu, describe your skin concerns when you book the appointment, and ask what add-ons (at what prices) the aesthetician might suggest once she sees you. Then decide ahead of time how much more (if anything) you might be willing to tack on to the base price. Once you’re in the treatment room and the aesthetician starts prescribing an extra this or that, you can announce up front what your budget is. “Just be forthright and say, ‘I want the best for my skin, but this is how much I can spend today,’” says Jaeger.

The Hard Sell
When you go in for a facial (or sometimes a body treatment), you will likely encounter some form of a product pitch—so be prepared. “If the aesthetician starts mentioning products during your service, just say, ‘I’m happy to hear your recommendations, but I’m really here to relax, so please save them for the end,’” suggests Ufland. After your service, if you don’t want to purchase anything, ask the aesthetician to write down the products she’s recommended (if she hasn’t done so already), and let her know that
you’ll think it over. “Once you say you’re not interested right now, they shouldn’t say another word,” says Ufland. “If they push it, I’d tell the spa manager.”

The Chatterbox
If an aesthetician is giving you an earful about her family, her friends, her thoughts on global warming, take the most direct route. “Say, ‘Actually, it’s been a hectic day, and I was really looking forward to just being quiet during the treatment,’” Jaeger suggests.

Where Am I?
To ensure you don’t find yourself shuffling down a dimly lit hall alone in your terry robe and slippers, always ask the person who first directs you to the changing room where you’re supposed to go afterward. She’ll either wait for you outside or give you specific directions on how to get to your next destination.

The Tipping Point
Especially if you’ve had more than one service, divvying up the tip can be a challenge—which is why spa owners tell us they’re happy to take over. “Tell us what percentage you want to tip, and we’ll add it to your bill and distribute it to everyone for you,” says Olga Lorencin-Northrup, owner of Kinara Spa in Los Angeles. (Your massage therapist or aesthetician will likely be with a new client by the time you’re ready to leave, so it wouldn’t be possible to hand her a tip in person anyway.) The standard is usually 18 percent, 20 percent if you were particularly impressed with the service. It doesn’t hurt to ask whether gratuity is included, though. Some spas, like the Spa at Yellow Creek in Bath, Ohio, include it in the price of the treatment

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Elements Spa and Salon is part of the Beauty Collection, the cosmetics and skin care product mecca at The Farmers Market. Element’s specialize in salon services for men and women, and also offers facials, waxing and body treatments. One benefit of visiting a beauty salon that’s attached to a comprehensive upscale beauty supply story is that your aesthetician has a virtually limitless selection of product lines to choose from, making it easy to find the potions best suited to your complexion.

After we had grabbed some water and a decaf vanilla latte from the dizzying array of hot coffee beverages available, Rosalina got us settled in a treatment room. For our customized facial, she used products from several different lines, including Dermalogica and Dr. Brandt, and focused her efforts on hydration. Rosalina started with a very gentle cleanser and exfoliant, and then massaged the face and décolleté with aloe vera gel in preparation for extractions (which were surprisingly painless). Next came a deeply hydrating masque, and then more layers of moisturizer. The entire treatment was quite pleasant; it never felt particularly intense. That’s why we were surprised at just how fabulous our skin looked afterward – we had the youthful, radiant glow that we’ve come to expect from more concentrated anti-aging skin care treatments. The price was right, too: Elements’ facials start at just $75 for one hour.

Elements Spa and Salon (at the Beauty Collection)

110 S. Fairfax Ave. Ste. A16

Los Angeles, CA 90036

323.930.0300

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