For some, summer is a time of relaxation and rejuvenation, a time to vacation or seek reprieve from another busy year gone by. Summer is also a time for wearing sandals instead of socks, shorts instead of pants and flowing summer dresses instead of sweaters and coats. Protecting and renewing the skin becomes more important and pedicures become priority. Humidity can do a number on hairdos, making products and styling a summer necessity.
Being in the river delta, New Orleans has always been a place where people have had to deal with the charms of the summer heat, and fortunately the city is full of health and beauty experts well versed in both beauty and relaxation. From specialized beauty and blowdry bars to full-service spas, there’s something for everyone and a treatment or service for every need.
A full-service spa, the recently rebranded Waldorf Astoria Spa New Orleans at the Roosevelt Hotel is proud to introduce some exclusive lines to the city, such as French luxury line Carita, organic and vegan Osea skincare and Kevyn Aucoin make-up.
In celebrating the 120-year anniversary of the hotel, the spa is offering a 30-minute Carita facial with a free gift, rosé champagne and lavender macaroons. This summer, the spa invites locals to enjoy a “staycation”– book any 50-minute service and enjoy the spa facilities and hotel pool for the whole day.
“One of our new services is ‘Sun Undone,’ a body wrap for those who’ve been exposed to too much sun,” says Jill Haidler, Spa Direction. “This service cools the skin and wraps it in Osea products. It’s awesome for summer and even nice when you’re not burned but need a cooling treatment.”
Lovejoy Day Spa is located in the heart of Old Metairie, and new owner Jackie White is continuing the same level of supreme customer care for which the spa has always been known.
“We pride ourselves in offering a calm, healing atmosphere to our guests,” says White. “Experiencing is believing – once you have one of our top-rated spa services, all nervousness and worries exit your body leaving you relaxed and with an open mind.” Lovejoy Day Spa offers an array of services including natural nail manicures and pedicures, facial and body waxing, therapeutic massage and skincare services with signature Dr. Murad facial treatments.
Lovejoy Day Spa
According to White, skin damage and dryness tend to be the leading issues that summer sun’s harmful rays bring. Lovejoy offers a number of hydrating facials and soothing body treatments to combat the sun’s effects.
Located Uptown in the Riverbend area, LeVisage Day Spa is offering a number of summer specials for those seeking revitalization. Balancing a peaceful atmosphere with vibrant energy, LeVisage offers facials, manicures and pedicures, massages, body treatments, make-up, waxing and more.
In the month of July, LeVisage will be offering 30 percent off boutique items, and in August, the spa will offer a back-to-school promotion of 30-minute facials for teens. Sun block protection is a big emphasis this season, and offerings include a Jane Marini anti-oxidant sunblock (45 SPF) in cream form as well as a 50 SPF powder sunblock for more active individuals. Additionally, body exfoliation treatments help keep the skin hydrated and protected from the environment. LeVisage experts advise a daily routine of Vitamin C and antioxidants before and after sun exposure.
On the Northshore, The Spa at Stone Creek is making a splash in Covington, having been recently voted the Northshore’s Best Day Spa for the fourth consecutive year by readers of Sophisticated Woman.
According to Katie Santangelo, Spa Director, DemAware Corrective Peels are a popular featured service. The peels are formulated to remove old, rough surfaces of the skin and jumpstart its natural renewal process.
“We have peels to improve skin color, hyper-pigmentation and lightening,” says Santangelo. “We also feature peels for fine lines and wrinkles and peels to control blackheads and breakouts.”
Santangelo also emphasizes the popular Creekside Retreats, during which customers choose two one-hour services (massages, facials and body services) and also receive a Stone Creek manicure and pedicure. Additionally, club access, lunch and all gratuities are included.
Also on the Northshore, the O Spa at Franco’s brings a host of customizable and specialty services to Mandeville.
“We do facials, massage, body treatments, nails, makeup – pretty much everything but hair, but of course there’s a salon across the hall,” says Amy Boothe, Spa Director. Located within the Franco’s Health Club, O Spa gives the option of a getaway by allowing club access, including enjoying the Jacuzzi and pool as well as the grill and Starbucks.
“Our unique nail bar sets us apart,” says Boothe. The mirrored, round bar is inspired by those in New York. “We can have up to four people at the bar with technicians on the other side doing nail service. Customers can sit together and have a mimosa,” she says.
In addition to being both a salon and spa, H2O Salon and Spa also features Just Blow Dry, a blow dry bar located above H2O. The full-service company offers services from head to toe with hair artistry, make-up, massages, waxing, manis and pedis, products, parties and more. A one-stop shop, H2O allows customers a full day of pampering services.
Designed to meet your lifestyle, availability and request, H2O offers up to five levels of service providers based upon education, experience and reputation. For new guests, consultations are a great idea, ensuring customers understand their investment level, commitment to maintenance and what results can be expected. Returning guests may want to consider trying something new, including the popular-for-summer HydraFacial from the Skin Clinic.
If massage and facials are all you’re after, Massage Envy presents a unique experience, something a bit different from your typical day spa. The membership-based approach allows customers the ability to receive a massage for about 50 percent less than other spas, according to Brian Grenrood, owner of two local locations and Regional Developer for the franchise.
“We employ licensed massage therapists and specialize in a customized experience. We don’t just present a menu; we find out why you’re here, whether it be stress, pain or simply relaxation,” says Grenrood. Massage therapists at Massage Envy then design a treatment plan unique to the customer.
Massage Envy
“Our membership approach is designed to make therapeutic, professional massage affordable and convenient. We are open until about 10 p.m. nights and weekends, and have enough rooms and therapists to make it usually accommodate even same-day requests,” Grenrood says.
Hair is the focus of BLEU, a Blowdry Bar. Owner Emily Cheramie likes to keep it simple. “No color or cuts. Only fabulous blowouts for $35 and up,” she says. A new concept, BLEU is a blowout-focused salon located in Old Metairie. Clients looking for a little extra can choose from add-on services including scalp massages and treatments, restoring masks and makeup and lash applications.
Cheramie offers advice on what to do in the summer heat. “Try to embrace casual, carefree styles such as a low fishtail braid or experiment with colorful bobby pins or head bands,” she says. “Summer heat brings dryness and your hair needs moisture to stay healthy. Masks and scalp treatments can give your hair that extra boost it needs.”
Bar Tabs are available for those who become addicted to the blowout service. Customers can purchase multiple blowouts at once and save some green. This summer, BLEU will begin offering Great Lengths hair extensions, which are expertly installed and last up to three to five months.
As humidity rises, Salon M rises to the occasion. Located on Canal Street in Mid-City, Salon M offers hair and makeup services, both of which can be tailored to meet the challenges New Orleans’ humidity can present.
“Oribe has a wonderful product called Impermeable, which is beneficial because it gives your hair a protective barrier from humidity,” says manager Celeste Valotta. “For an island glam look, use Oribe’s Apres’ Beach. You’ll get a lot of shine and texture to your curls, and it is also another great product for humidity control.”
In addition to hair services and products, Salon M carries Façade makeup products, a line based in Houston that’s made with humidity in mind for the southern woman.
According to Valotta, perfection is the salon’s obsession. With two decades of experience, their salon experts will help decide the best look for your lifestyle and deliver the right services to achieve it.
Buff Beauty Bar, according to owners Catherine Alford and Sarah Duffy, is a beauty bar for beauty buffs. More than just cosmetics, Buff Beauty Bar offers manis and pedis, facial peels, waxing, eyelash extensions, spray tans and blowouts. They retail all of their product lines used in services, which include Kevin Murphy, Moroccan Oil, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare and Spa Ritual in addition to accessories such as Krewe du Optic sunglasses and Flying Fox handbags and tees.
Buff Beauty Bar
Open seven days a week and with online booking, Buff Beauty Bar is available for routine maintenance services as well as special events.
“Because we do blowouts, makeup, nails and more, just bring your dress and you are ready to go,” say Alford and Duffy. Party friendly, their downtown location can accommodate larger groups. “It’s a fun place to come in and get pampered while drinking a complimentary glass of champagne, wine, or a mimosa,” they say.
Located on Magazine Street, inside Angelique Shoe, Tisa’s Beauty Bar is a popular Uptown destination for makeup lessons in addition to special event makeup. With 25 years of experience, owner Tisa Camet knows makeup.
“Mostly I do makeup lessons,” says Camet. “Clients bring in what they currently use, and I’ll go through it with them. We’ll toss some things out and we’ll add a few necessities to their treatment or vanity.”
Tisa’s Beauty Bar features mineral makeup line TRUE, popular on the West Coast yet hard to find regionally. According to Camet, the longwearing mineral line is nourishing to the skin, has an SPF and is quick and easy to apply. Tisa’s also stocks pure and organic products.
In addition to Tisa’s Beauty Bar, Camet is available for special events on location. Well known for her beauty abilities, Camet is all about helping individuals get through the day polished, beautiful and luminous.
BLEU, a Blow Dry Bar: 701 Metairie Road, Suite 112-2A, Metairie, 309-5999, BleuABlowdryBar.com
Buff Beauty Bar: 720 Carondelet St., 522-2833, BuffBeautyBar.com
H2O Salon & Spa: 441 Metairie Road, Metairie, 835-4377, H2OSalon-Spa.com
Le Visage Day Spa: 8110 Hampson St., 265-8018
Lovejoy Day Spa: 200 Metairie Road, Metairie, 828-1997, LoveJoyDaySpa.com
Massage Envy: Multiple local locations, MassageEnvy.com
O Spa: Franco’s Athletic Club: 100 Bon Temps Roule, Mandeville, (985) 792-0270, MyFrancos.com/OSpa
Salon M: 4336 Canal St., 304-6525, SalonMNo.com
Stone Creek Club and Spa: 1201 Ochsner Blvd., Covington, (985) 801-7100, StoneCreekClubAndSpa.com
Tisa’s Beauty Bar: Angelique Shoe, 5421 Magazine St., 891-8992
Waldorf Astoria Spa New Orleans: Roosevelt Hotel, 130 Roosevelt Way, 335-3192, TheRooseveltNewOrleans.com/health-beauty/waldorf-astoria-spa.html
