Pampering Yourself

Everything about summer lends itself to an excuse to indulge in a little self-pampering. With its skin-revealing clothing and shoes, skin- and hair-damaging sun rays and a designation as the vacation and staycation time of year, the season makes a visit to the spa, salon or clinic a no-brainer. If you’re looking for ways to renew your look and feel, you’ll find endless options across the metro area in summer – everything from hair and skin treatments to massage, manicures and pedicures, waxes, spray tanning and more. Not sure what would best suit your pampering style? Local professionals have a number of tips on what services to get, what results to expect, and how to find what you’re looking for.

At Southern Swings Nail Bar & Day Spa, owner Brandi Holstead aims to bring new meaning to the term southern hospitality, where they serve up pedicures to guests being pampered from porch swings. With rustic, southern farmhouse décor, the nail bar claims to be the only place you can swing while receiving a pedicure. A summer top-seller at Southern Swings is the hydrating Honey & Goat Milk pedicure.

“The antioxidants, nutrients, enzymes and other healing components found in honey combine to create a fantastic pampering and beauty treatment. Honey is also a natural moisturizer, perfect for those tired and dry toes,” says Holstead.
In addition to manicures and pedicures, other services offered at Southern Swings include haircuts, blowouts, brows, waxing and airbrush tanning. In July and August, the day spa will offer 10 percent off of any waxing service, which includes a full menu of waxing options.

Hair can be a constant struggle during the humid summer months, and local salons are familiar with the drill. Frizz is a common problem, and there’s nothing worse than spending time on the perfect hairdo just to walk outside and have it turn into a wiry mess. At Blo Blow Dry Bar, stylists are on hand to help sculpt a stylish, weather-resistant ’do while recommending products that can help from home.

“We do not do haircuts or coloring; our main focus is blow outs – a washing and styling treatment. After a thorough shampoo and blow out, we create whatever look our guests want, from beautiful volume, beachy waves and sleek, straight locks to something as simple as pony tails,” says Owner Roy Lacoste.

Blo uses and sells Color Wow and Unite hair products, many of which they reference as a “must” for summer. One such product is Color Wow’s Dream Coat, an anti-humidity hair seal that acts as a raincoat for your hair and lasts three to four shampoos, according to Lacoste.

At The Doll House Hair and Beauty Salon keratin treatments see a big uptick in summer. According to owner and hairstylist Liz Duboue, the treatments can help tame frizz four to six weeks or even up to three to five months depending on what the client wants. Haircuts and hair color are the specialty at The Doll House, which opened in 2011.

“It is important to pamper yourself because when you look good, you feel good. Sometimes something as small as a haircut can give you that extra push of confidence you need for a big date or job interview,” says Duboue.

Transparency is important at The Doll House, which offers free consultations before a service to go over client goals and any required home maintenance or return visits.

“The goal is always to make the client feel comfortable and confident in whatever services they’re having done,” says Duboue.

While looking good in order to feel good is one approach to pampering, actually feeling good to feel good is another, hence the massage.

“One hour of massage is equivalent to eight hours of sleep. Overall health and performance is proven to be better when we take care of ourselves and take periodic breaks from our hectic lifestyles,” says Erin Warner, Owner of The Woodhouse Day Spa New Orleans, Slidell and Baton Rouge. According to Warner, massage is the top service at The Woodhouse, as stress relief is sought year-round.

In summer, the spa sees a rise in exfoliating body scrubs performed in its Vichy shower. Also popular is The Woodhouse Day Spa’s HydraFacial, which exfoliates with non-invasive glycolic and salicylic acid and nourishes with antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid.

“The HydraFacial shows immediate results,” says Warner. For the 4th of July, The Woodhouse Day Spa will feature its twice-yearly “7 for 5 Special:” seven treatments for the price of five.

Belladonna has made a few changes recently, receiving a renovation and beginning its first-ever membership program, which includes a monthly massage, facial or mani-pedi, and other perks, such as access to the spa’s salons, private lounges, saunas, showers and tea garden.

“During the summer months, everyone is trying to escape the heat and prep for increased sun exposure,” says General Manager Emily Fevrier. Refreshing body treatments like salt scrubs and seaweed wraps are some of the most sought services to combat the sun’s negative effects. “Body scrubs allow your skin to better absorb daily moisturizers, which are crucial in keeping skin hydrated during the sunny summer months,” says Fevrier.

Fevrier recommends taking advantage of New Orleans’ slow summer pace by fitting in the self-care we often neglect in busier months. To that end, the full-service day spa offers full- and half-day wellness retreats for relaxation and rejuvenation.

SPAFOO

On-demand services are becoming standard in this era of convenience and advanced technology, and the beauty industry is seeing benefits. Whereas Uber brings you a ride and Waitr brings you dinner, Spafoo is the latest app to bring you beauty services when and where you need them.

“Pampering isn’t having to go out into the heat to get your beauty on,” says Co-Founder Alicia Reynaud. Simply download the app, register, select a service and send a request. Once a service provider accepts your request, you’ll have a licensed, professional stylist, manicurist, makeup artist, men’s groomer, massage therapist or even personal trainer headed your way.

“Spafoo is a convenient service for busy professionals, stay-at-home parents and staycationers/vacationers who want pampering without the hassle,” says Reynaud. Services can even be provided at your office or hotel.

In addition to nails, hair and relaxation, another way people like to treat themselves is with products, treatments and procedures that reverse the signs of aging. At Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Sean Weiss is sought by those looking for balance and proportion through facial aesthetic enhancements.

“During the summer months, low downtime procedures are most popular for those who are on the go. This includes non-surgical sculpting of the neck and jawline with therapies such as ThermiTight, microneedling and Kybella,” says Dr. Weiss.

Other popular treatments include injectable fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane, Sculptra and Radiesse for enhancing the cheeks, eyelids, brows and even the nose. Wrinkle reduction through Botox Cosmetic, Dysport or Xeomin is also popular for self-pamperers.

During July, Dr. Weiss is offering St. Charles Avenue readers special discounts on services with details at SeanWeissMD.com/StCharlesAvenue.

Note: St. Charles Avenue magazine doesn’t advocate plastic surgery except under certain conditions. Please consult your doctor before undertaking any medical procedure.

Belladonna

Blo

The Doll House Hair & Beauty Salon

Southern Swings Nail Bar & Day Spa

Spafoo

Dr. Sean Weiss – Facial Plastic Surgery

The Woodhouse Day Spa