Now you may not have to sacrifice your bathroom tissue for some deep tissue. SpaForever in Bucktown offers heavenly treatments for down-to-earth prices. Relax in the minimalist lounge before heading to a serene and stylish private room with customized music that fits your mood. You can even bring your own tunes and listen through individual iPod speakers.

Your massage, facial, and/or treatment is designed specifically for your needs, utilizing high-quality, hypo-allergenic products. Several of the services—including issue-specific facials and massages of different styles and focuses—run for less than $100. Forget all about those bulky bags with a Swedish, deep-tissue, or relaxation massage. And save the cucumbers for your salads; SpaForever offers facials that are ideal for sun-damaged, teenage, fine-lined, or inflamed skin. The helpful staff will even tell you how to keep that skin healthy and glowing once you get home.

Feeling refreshed and looking revitalized, you might just pick up more than produce on your next trip to the grocery store.

Photo credit: SpaForever

SpaForever: 1917 N Damen Ave; 773-394-0000
Mon, Wed – Fri: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tues: 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sat: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sun: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Street parking
Public trans: Bus # 50, 73
http://www.spaforever.com/

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

Your boyfriend’s a great guy, isn’t he? He’d probably give you the shirt off his back. But if that back of his is a little too hairy for your tastes, you might consider buying him an iShave for his next holiday present.

In May, Gre’Jon, LLC of Huntley, Illinois (a little over an hour west of Chicago) launched an extendable ergonomic shaver that can reach all parts of the back with very little effort. Contrary to what they may have you believe, many men are quite conscious of their own appearance and body, and they certainly wouldn’t feel comfortable asking a stranger to look at and remove their unsightly back hair. The iShave allows men to do it themselves and in the privacy of their own homes, easily and comfortably.

For $29.95 (plus shipping), the iShave comes with a pre-loaded blade and two disposable replacement ones. Additional disposable blades can be purchased as needed. The blades are nice and wide so guys can save time, and they’ve been designed to shave with minimal downward pressure.

As for me… well, it takes me long enough to shave my face and my head, so I think I’ll leave my back alone for now. That is, until my vanity gets the best of me.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) SFBart

Gre’Jon, LLC: Huntley, IL; 866-6-iShave (866-647-4283)
http://www.ishave.biz/

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

Spas all over the city are now offering some post-reveling recuperation like Luxe in Roscoe Village. The head-to-toe revamp at this full-service beauty spot is simply called the “hangover facial.” The relaxing session here starts with a foot soak next to a cozy fireplace. Then, the skin care specialist begins a manual, lymphatic drainage technique to help release toxins. Cold stone therapy is then applied to increase blood circulation. And to top it all off, reflexology is also offered for the feet. This hour-long respite will cost you $110. Additional treatments include lash tinting, waxing, skin brightening, hydrating peels, body buffing, and masques made with lavender rose, vitamin C, and papaya. Also, women will love their custom-blended cosmetics including shadows, powders, bronzers, and lipsticks.

A couple years ago, Dayna Delaurentes opened Urban Spa Chic, where all of the services are customized to whatever your individual needs are. However, even though you can create your very own “spa day,” one pre-planned package here can be perfect after a long night out: the “After Hours.” This treatment lasts about an hour and a half and costs $110, including a 30-minute body massage, a pedicure that focuses on the balls of the feet (and where your toes got squished by those dancing shoes), and then a “Bye Bye Bags” eye treatment that is geared toward dark circles and puffiness under the eyes. You’ll come out feeling rejuvenated, revived, and refreshed. (Reservations are recommended; guests must call ahead to bring children.) Want to share the love? Urban Spa Chic will rent out the entire spa for a few hours or all-day events.

Finally, Bliss has locations all across the country, but their Chicago outpost can be found in the W Hotel on Lake Shore Drive, where a beautician scrubs, hydrates, and massages your skin with strange but surprisingly beneficial ingredients like sesame or chocolate. This 9,600-square-feet space envelops 16 treatment rooms, where you can enjoy specialties like the Hot Cream Manicure, the Plum Plum Pedicure, or the Quadruple Thighpass. You can even enjoy brownies while you pass the time in the waiting room! As you can tell, Bliss is all about serious skin care with a fun attitude. The day-after remedy here is called “the Hangover Herbie.” It starts by being rubbed with rosemary oil and getting wrapped in a mylar blanket to help detoxify. A masque is then applied to hydrate and revitalize the complexion. While that dries and soft jazz plays in the background, the technician gives an intense 15-minute foot massage. After the masque is removed, the face is sprayed with oxygen to activate the vitamins in the skin, increase circulation, and kill surface bacteria. It retails for $215, and it’s a 105-minute treatment. Unfortunately, you will have to leave and face the non-pampering world at some point, but not without a green tea supplement, which will help replenish the nutrients back into your body so you’ll be back and ready to hit the town again.

Photo credit: Wikipedia, RK Catch (c/o Flickr)

Luxe A Salon & Spa: 2109 W Belmont Ave; 773-665-2049
Tues, Thurs: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Weds: 3:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Fri: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Street parking available
Public trans: Bus # 50, 77
http://www.luxeasalon.com/

Urban Spa Chic: 1401 W Hubbard St (2nd floor); 312-492-8050
Tues – Weds: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Thurs: 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Fri: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sat: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sun: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Street parking available (free after 4:00 p.m.)
Public trans: Bus # 9, X9, 65
http://www.urbanspachic.com/

Bliss @ W Hotel: 644 N Lake Shore Dr; 312-201-9545
Sun – Sat: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Parking pay lot, valet available
Public trans: Bus # 2, 3, 3X, 29, 65, 66, 124, 157
http://www.blissworld.com/

Post from: The Chicago Traveler