Affordable Spas – Tips to save
Christina Critchell thought she understood how to operate the Vishy shower while visiting a high-end spa. But when a blast of water blew her towel across the room, she had to bare the consequences.
The awkward experience revealed that Critchell’s listening skills had been on vacation. “They were explaining it to me, but maybe I was just tuning it out,” Critchell said. “I thought I was well-versed in the spa world, but they said, ‘You could have worn your bathing suit.’ ”
Critchell now knows plenty about the spa life, as she manages day-to-day operations at the Oxford Club in LoDo.
Want to get the most from the experience? “Don’t overthink it,” Critchell says. Building up too many expectations can downgrade the experience.
Banish stress ahead of time by kicking back with a cup of tea or a glass of Champagne just before a treatment, she suggests.
Even with an economic slump, consumer demand boosted spa employment numbers last year, according to the 2008 U.S. Spa Industry Update.
It took 67 years before Mary Kotsay stepped into day-spa serenity. Determined to compare home facials with the real deal, the Westminster resident booked an appointment with the Spa at Five Parks, in Arvada. She was hooked instantly.
It may be a splurge, but Kotsay is making room in her budget. “I’m on a fixed income, but I like to go about twice a month,” she said. “I felt younger.”
A few tips from Critchell for first-timers to the spa:
* Arrive early: Get there before the scheduled appointment. Running late could mean an extra charge.
* What to wear under the robe: Dress to your comfort level. From massages to total body mud baths, inhibitions only detract from the indulgence factor. Disposable bathing suits are available at some spas.
* Gratuities: The standard is 15 percent to 20 percent, depending on level of satisfaction. When buying a package, read the fine print – gratuities are often included.
* Avoid the burn: Salt scrubs and shaving don’t go together. Give legs a break by shaving the day before a salt scrub.
Discounts
Looking for discounts on a spa-like facial? Consider beauty schools, which offer treatments at a fraction of the cost. A few to consider:
* Aveda Institute Denver, 303-567-7500
* Heritage Education, Denver, 303-729-2644
* Regency Beauty Institute, Westminster, 720- 214-1750
Heading to the spa? Here are a few terms of the trade
* Bindi: Combine the likes of light massage, body work and exfoliation for a well-rounded treatment.
* Sugaring: Remove unsightly hairs with a sticky sugar solution.
* Eyebrow threading: Looking for thinner brows? This ancient method yanks hair at the root with a cotton thread. It originates from the Middle East and Asia.
* European facial: Type of massage applied to the face, scalp, hands and arms. Gentle cleansing with steam helps open the pores and chases away dirt and grime. It stimulates collagen and elasticity.
* Oxygen facial: Oxygen sprayed onto the face during a facial to hydrate and perfect the look of aging skin. The jury’s still out on whether it’s a skin-care panacea.
* Kneipp baths: How about a plunge into the icy-cold Danube? The treatment originated in Germany but now has a more gentle approach; it’s now just a dip into warm and cold waters.
* Sweat lodge: A meditative practice used in American Indian cultures. Intense heat from a sauna- like tent helps the body sweat out impurities. It’s said to help promote clarity and focus.
* Caldarium: The hottest seat in the bathhouse – in Roman times, that is. Today, steam is heat used to detoxify the body. A pool may or may not be used.
* Moore mud wrap: Get painted in mud. Used with steam to detoxify the body and bring on a deepened state of relaxation, it helps with skin conditions, aches and pains.
* Parafango: It’s part paraffin wax, part volcanic mud and helps ease aches and pains when applied to the body. Some claim it helps with rheumatism and arthritis.
* Dry brush: A natural-bristle brush is used to stroke the skin, exfoliating and increasing movement of lymphatic fluid. It’s often used be- fore an herbal steam or mud bath.
