The Chicago Traveler » salon

Pelle Sana Salon

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:34 +0000

Sharing is caring. But sometimes, you need a little Me Time. Or a lot of Me Time. Either way, Beth Bialko at Pelle Sana Salon has got what you—and only YOU—need.

Bialko is a licensed Esthetic instructor and worked as an educator with the International Dermal Institute and Dermalogica, Inc., so she knows her stuff. And she’ll get to know you too via questions about your health, stress levels, current skin products, and more. You’ll then receive a personalized session with all the right cleansers, masks, and creams that will treat all your problem areas. Afterward, Beth will give you instructions on how to maintain that great look and feel on your own.

Did I mention that this all takes place in the salon’s one treatment room? That’s right, one. That means no waiting in line, no distractions, no “I’ll be right back” while your therapist treats 15 other patients. It’s all about you.

Be sure to share Pelle Sana with all your friends… or not.

Pelle Sana Salon: 2480 N Lincoln Ave; 773-528-2100
Tues – Sat by appointment only
Street parking
Public trans: Bus # 8, 11, 74 or Brown/Purple/Red Line train (Fullerton)
http://www.pellesanasalon.com/

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

Hangover Helpers

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:00:00 +0000

Have you ever been out a little too late? Maybe partied a little too hard? That next morning can be awfully rough.

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

Ruby Room

Sat, 12 May 2007 18:25:00 +0000

I was born and raised here in the Windy City, but even I’ll admit that it can get a little hectic sometimes. The hustle and bustle of Chicago’s urban streets could have you searching for a quiet oasis. At first glance, the Ruby Room might look like an average spa where you can get typical beauty treatments like hair stylings, manicures, and massages. But here, you can beautify your inner self as well. Here, the concept is “healing from within.”

The “spa for the spirit” is dedicated to teaching people about wellness and creating a lifestyle that suits and comforts them. The owners started the business as a single floor in a three-flat, but it has grown into a spa, beauty salon, boutique, yoga studio, healing center, and sanctuary. Customers can also find a dental studio, a Chinese herbal tonic elixir bar, and a flower essence bar. The more adventurous can have their chi cleansed through intuitive healing and numerology, pick up a health-and-wellness book at the apothecary, or get a facial at the rejuvenation spa. The outdoor meditation garden and eight overnight suites also provide a truly relaxing retreat.

At the crystal bar, the staff will assist you in choosing out crystals which will heal and protect you. As you look over the assortment of crystals, you can reach out and select those that appeal most to you (for whatever reason). The spa employees will then explain why you may have been drawn to that crystal and what its attributes are.

Guests can reserve individual appointments, couples treatments, healing parties, and workshops for corporate groups. Services are available for men, women, children, and even a few pets.

Photo credit: (c/o SXC) cynthia berridge

Ruby Room: 1743-45 W Division St; 773-235-2323
Mon – Fri: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sat: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sun: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Street parking available
Public Trans: Bus #9, 70 or Blue Line train (Division)

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

Capoeira

Thu, 03 May 2007 18:45:00 +0000

Exercising is never easy, but it should be fun. If you’re tired of squatting and crunching, maybe you’d like to try a combination of dance and martial arts called capoeira. “Capoeira is a mixture of martial arts, dance, theatrics… It’s hard to compare with other things because it’s so unique,” says Tinte Forte, a capoeira instructor.

Soulistic Studio & Spa offers services like massage and reflexology treatments, but also provides classes in boxing, Pilates, yoga, and capoeira. The fight-like dancing was popular among African slaves who used it as a form of artistic expression as well as self-defense. Music, history, culture, and movements all combine to help participants of all different ethnic backgrounds exercise and express themselves. With swinging arms and swift kicks, the energy and mobility required to perform the dance provide a unique workout. The smooth movements can be performed as a group or one-on-one. Don’t be intimidated by the handstands and seemingly impossible high kicks! Just a little bit of practice goes a long way.

Soulistic Studio & Spa: 805 N Milwaukee Ave (Suite 200); 312-226-7685
Hours and class times vary by season
Street parking available
Public Trans: Bus #56, 66 or Blue Line train (Chicago)
http://www.soulisticstudiospa.com/

Post from: The Chicago Traveler