Many times a new client may feel nervous about the mysteries of the spa world.
Have no fear, I will explain what to expect and show you that it’s really going to be a lot of FUN!
Q&A
Q. I have never been to a spa before, what should I expect?
A. First and foremost, you should always feel comfortable. A spa is a pleasant, relaxing place for you to unwind and learn ways to live a more balanced life.
When you first visit Vanities Spa, I might ask you to fill out a confidential consultation form. This will tell me about your general health and will alert me to any conditions that could affect your treatment. It’s also a nice way for you to transition from the hectic outside world to the more serene spa world!
After we get the ‘administrative’ work done, I will lead you to the treatment area and give you instructions on where to put your clothes, explain how to prepare for your service, show you where the bathroom is (very important!), and then leave the room so that you can get ready.
During the treatment, talk is generally kept to a minimum. However, if you want to chat, please feel free. If I get a little too chatty for you, PLEASE do not hesitate to say so. Trust me, it's not offensive. I want your experience to be a happy one!
After your spa service is complete, I will give you a gentle awakening message and leave the room while you “take your time coming back to earth”! I will meet you in the front retail area and maybe we will discuss my product recommendations for you, so you can extend your spa results at home!
You and I will conclude your Vanities Spa experience where we began - at the welcome desk where I will ask if you would like to book again next month. Of course you will say “Yes”, and we will part ways with pleasant thoughts of anticipating a beautiful Vanities Spa Experience together in the very near future!
Q. Will my face be red and splotchy after a facial?
A. In a word, NO! Not here. Your Vantastic Facial is custom-designed for your skin condition. Remember the consultation form? Those questions will tell me how sensitive your skin is and I will carefully choose products that will actually reduce redness and inflammation! In fact, a Vanities Spa facial can even help skins suffering from Rosacea!
Q. Should I have a facial if my skin is breaking out, or wait until it’s cleared?
A. YES! Many times people become embarrassed when their skin is breaking out and don’t want a professional to see them in that condition. But I think you should definitely have a facial if you have any skin problems, including acne. One of the benefits of a good facial is healing, and that includes pimple breakouts. I have a host of potions that are specifically designed to heal breakouts and acne, and will definitely speed their clearing. PLUS, one of the main triggers of acne is STRESS - so a therapeutically relaxing Vantastic Facial will serve to heal the acne topically and heal the host internally, as well!
Q. I want my skin to look better, but I "can't afford it". What can I do?
A. I love this question! My question back to this one is, "How many purses do you buy in a year? How many shoes? How many movie tickets or restaurant meals?" You see, we all buy what we want, if we want it. So, if you are a person who does have the income to shop for extra shoes, clothes, and other non-life-essential items, you probably have enough money to afford taking care of #1 ... that's YOU, by the way! Tell Ferragamo "Not this time. THIS time, it's time for ME!"
Q. I would like to try a massage but I am modest and a little shy about my body. What are my options?
A. Have no fear, I understand completely. While you will step out of your street clothes in order to receive your spa treatments, I always take your level of modesty into consideration before beginning any service.
Before a spa treatment, I will leave the treatment room while you undress to your bottom underwear. During the service, you are covered up with a very cozy sheet and blanket, and only the area being worked on is uncovered. Private areas are NEVER exposed.
A great option for those who would like to experience the benefits of a massage - and keep their clothes on - is CHAIR MASSAGE! This special massage chair (it looks nothing like a regular sitting chair) allows the massage therapist to give a back, neck and arm massage while the client stays fully clothed! Prices are generally a dollar per minute, so you could try a 5-minute massage or a 20-minute massage and not get undressed or have your hair messed - and no oils!
Another massively therapeutic technique that’s performed clothed is Thai Massage! Also called “lazy man’s Yoga”, this amazing series of movements will release and melt years of built up tension. It is surprising what our bodies can do when we just let go. I was trained by Michael Buck, who is a Thai Master! It was a three-day intensive class and we had EVERY type of body in that class - short ones, tall ones, fat ones, skinny ones, old ones, young ones, flexible ones, and stiff ones! By the end of day three we were taking each other's legs over heads! (No, I won't try that move on you first day out!) From the "I CAN'T DO THIS" came "Hey! Yes I CAN!!!" It was an amazing experience and SO beneficial for the body and mind. Wow!
Q. I have read a lot about waxing to remove unwanted hair. Does it hurt? How do I get started?
A. Waxing - done by a trained & licensed professional - should be a pleasant and easy experience. I actually have clients who will take a nap during their leg waxing! With that in mind however, please know that topical creams (including OTC moisturizers) and medications can affect the results of waxing, so PLEASE be honest if any of the following pertains to you. Trust me, you do not want the skin to lift off causing a scab to form - not a nice look on the eyebrows or lips ... or other places! Even under the best circumstances some clients may experience a pinkness or redness to the affected area which dissipates by the next day; small bumps; bruising. But in my 20+ years of waxing most clients enjoy being hair-free and smooth for nearly a month ... without stubble! Try it, you'll like it!
Some tips to help ease the process:
- Let your body hair grow to a length of 1/4”. That usually means one month from the last time you shaved.
- Schedule your waxing appointment the week after your period.
- Keep the caffeine intake to a minimum the day of your appointment, and preferably no alcohol the day before or the day of, as well.
- NO SMOKING before your waxing appointment. Nicotine is a stimulant and will only INCREASE your pain and suffering.
- If you are really worried, you can take a pain reliever 30-minutes before the appointment, or drink 8 ounces of Apple Juice.
- If you are prone to having hives after waxing you can also try taking a benadryl before your appointment.
BEFORE YOUR WAXING APPOINTMENT BE SURE YOU HAVE NOT:
- gotten a glycolic acid peel or other AHA treatment or microdermabrasion, or any other exfoliating procedure at home or elsewhere.
- been exposed to sun or tanning beds
- shaved, scrubbed or picked, or experienced any recent peeling or irritation.
WARNING: If you are diabetic, or currently using any of the following prescription medications, you CANNOT receive waxing services. You must discontinue use of these medications for a minimum of three (3) months prior to waxing. The exception is Accutane; you must be off this medication a minimum of one (1) year prior to waxing.
- Accutane (Acne medication); Isotretinoin
- Adapalene (Acne medication)
- Differin (Acne medication)
- Retin A (Acne and Anti-aging medication); Renova; Tretinoin; Alustra; Avita
- Tazarac (Acne medication); Tazarotene
- Avage (See Tazorac - Acne medication)
- Prednisone
Additionally, if you are currently using any of the following, please know that these products can thin the skin, make the skin more sensitive, and create an environment where the skin is more vulnerable to lifting.
- Other Acne medications not listed abovelike Benzoyl Peroxide
- Hydroxy Acids (Glycolic, Lactic, Salicylic) - even the ones in name brand moisturizers and eye creams
- Oral Antibiotics
- Topical Antibiotics
- Retinol
- harsher exfoliants
- and eye "rejuvenating" products
Before your waxing appointment please read and agree to this statement:
"I have not applied topical cremes or gels containing AHA (glycolic or lactic acid), BHA (salicylic acid) or bleaching agents within the last 24 hours. I am not currently using Retin-A or any other topical Vitamin A product in the areas to be waxed. I am not taking Accutane. I understand that failure to inform Vanities Spa of any of the above may leave me subject to experiencing severe irritation, lifting of the skin, temporary darkening, peeling, scabbing, blotchiness and extreme sensitivity. I understand that some redness and sensitivity may result and I agree to avoid all active products, chemical treatments and sun exposure for 48 hours."
BRAZILIAN WAXING
"I understand that Brazilian Waxing can be a difficult and uncomfortable procedure. Since the hair that is removed is in a highly sensitive and rather thin (the labia) area of the body, sometimes the skin may become lifted or slightly abraded or bruised. Some people are prone to ingrown hairs and, on rare occasions, an ingrown can turn into a cyst. If this occurs, you should seek medical attention. Every precaution is taken to make sure this service is as efficient and safe as possible.
I agree not to engage in sexual activity or take any hot baths or showers for 24 hours following a Brazilian Wax."
UPDATE - I NO LONGER OFFER BRAZILIANS.
SO NOW YOU ARE WELL INFORMED WHEN YOU HAVE IT DONE SOME WHERE ELSE.
Well, if I haven't scared you off with the legal stuff, then, let's get waxing!
It really is a fast, easy and effective method of removing unwanted hair, loved by people around the world!
TIPS on Tips
The subject of tipping comes up frequently so I thought it would be nice to talk about it here. Generally, tips at a spa are 15-20% just like in restaurants. When I tip at a restaurant, I tip 10% if the service was poor, 15% if it was average; and 20% if it was memorable.
Of course, a tip is a personal decision. No one should feel forced into tipping - a tip is just a nice way of saying “You did a Vantastic job and I feel wonderful.”
GRATUITY: a gift of money, over and above payment due for service. Something given without claim or demand.
Lately, many spas have adopted the trend of not only deducting 10 minutes off your 60-minute hour (and charging twice as much), but automatically including an 18-20% tip on the bill ... get this ... as a "courtesy"! (A courtesy to whom?)
I believe this is unethical and flat out wrong - bordering on illegal! A tip is always the client’s prerogative.
Of course, a tip is a personal decision. No one should feel forced into tipping - a tip is just a nice way of saying “You did a Vantastic job and I feel wonderful.”
GRATUITY: a gift of money, over and above payment due for service. Something given without claim or demand.
Lately, many spas have adopted the trend of not only deducting 10 minutes off your 60-minute hour (and charging twice as much), but automatically including an 18-20% tip on the bill ... get this ... as a "courtesy"! (A courtesy to whom?)
I believe this is unethical and flat out wrong - bordering on illegal! A tip is always the client’s prerogative.
Getting Married Soon?
Let Vanities Spa get you ready and relaxed for the BIG day!
From guiding you to the perfect non-smudge lipstick to de-fuzzing you for the honeymoon to those last few moments of relaxation before you say, "I do", we can offer you a cozy, personalized haven for your pre-wedding preparations.
Since Vanities is your private spa, you can bring a small wedding party and have the whole space to yourselves for the day! We have two treatment rooms, so while two of you are enjoying spa services the others can chat and sip and nibble. It's FUN!
COMING SOON ... a Your Big Day Checklist ... when to begin with treatments so that you enter marriage smooth, radiant, and ready for LOVE!
My Top Tips:
> Have every female in the party wear WATERPROOF mascara - there will be tears of joy!
> Have the ladies wear one of those "last all day" lipsticks from L'Oreal or Cover Girl - so everyone can smooch and drink without leaving lipstick marks!
> The Bride should have her eyelashes tinted black before the wedding so you can gaze into his eyes honeymoon morning without raccoon rings under yours!
> The Bride should consider underarm and bikini waxing pre-wedding so she will be super-smooth and razor-free for the honeymoon!
From guiding you to the perfect non-smudge lipstick to de-fuzzing you for the honeymoon to those last few moments of relaxation before you say, "I do", we can offer you a cozy, personalized haven for your pre-wedding preparations.
Since Vanities is your private spa, you can bring a small wedding party and have the whole space to yourselves for the day! We have two treatment rooms, so while two of you are enjoying spa services the others can chat and sip and nibble. It's FUN!
COMING SOON ... a Your Big Day Checklist ... when to begin with treatments so that you enter marriage smooth, radiant, and ready for LOVE!
My Top Tips:
> Have every female in the party wear WATERPROOF mascara - there will be tears of joy!
> Have the ladies wear one of those "last all day" lipsticks from L'Oreal or Cover Girl - so everyone can smooch and drink without leaving lipstick marks!
> The Bride should have her eyelashes tinted black before the wedding so you can gaze into his eyes honeymoon morning without raccoon rings under yours!
> The Bride should consider underarm and bikini waxing pre-wedding so she will be super-smooth and razor-free for the honeymoon!
