Regional Master Esthertician Lita Coder applies a a facial made with fruit for hydration to Hand & Stone patron Yancy Native. (Photo by Jay Paul)
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa at 10 Nansemond St., offers a variety of restorative and body care services, including six choices of massages, two categories of facials (signature and exceptional) exfoliations and peels.
“Our atmosphere is very relaxing, and everything is customizable,” says Andrew Elsbury, franchise owner. “The client will leave a lot more relaxed and recovered.”
Each service is tailored to the client’s needs, including massage pressure, table temperature and lighting. New clients fill out a questionnaire that will allow the massage therapist or esthetician to decide what service will most benefit the client.
Hot stone therapy is their signature service, followed by sports and deep tissue massage. “We determine what the client is looking for so that we can schedule them with the right therapist,” Elsbury says.
Skin care services are also popular, which cover everything from facials to microdermabrasion. Estheticians use medical spa-quality products. The spa also offers hair removal and other spa enhancements including aromatherapy, peppermint scalp massage and cold stone face massage.
Spa membership offers specials throughout the year. Members receive a free add-on to any service for their birthday or through earning points for regular service. The membership is accepted at any of their locations across the country.
“We have awesome service. We strive to be the best from the very beginning, and keep training our therapists and estheticians to do the best work,” Elsbury says.
They have introductory offers for new clients, listed on their website, handandstone.com. Their Black Friday special features a buy one get one free gift card, an offer available to all clients and upgraded for members. Appointments can be made online or by phone at 823-7600. Walk-ins are welcome and the spa is open daily, with extended hours.
Janice Bonner Powell, owner of Main Street Spa & Wellness Center, gives Shaniqua Eppes a treatment. (Photo by Jay Paul)
Main Street Spa & Wellness Center
Located through a bright red door at 3037 W. Cary St., Suite A, Main Street Spa & Wellness Center wants its clients to experience relaxation that is in tune with innovation, luxury and nature. Celebrating 15 years of service in February 2017, vitality and healing are at the core of their practice, and teaching clients how to care for their bodies and making a lifestyle change are a major part of their mission.
“The spa is truly for me and [for] each person that walks through the door, [the place] ‘where rejuvenation begins,’ ” says Janice Bonner Powell, spa president.
Main Street offers massages and facials, but goes beyond the basics to heal the entire body. Its services include body wraps that promote relaxation and health through aromatherapy, skin refinement, detox body wraps for weight loss and waxing. It also performs colon hydrotherapy (called colonics), described as an “internal bath” that will flush toxins from the body and restore the muscle tone of the colon for optimal health.
There’s also a blood type protocol available that the spa and wellness center says allows clients to learn about what lifestyle and diet practices will work best for them based on their blood type.
“These services are a marriage of wellness. Each one individualy and combined, offer a cleansing of the mind, body and spirit,” Powell says. The most popular services are colonics and detox body wraps used for weight loss.
They offer individual and customized wellness packages. You can buy a service series at a discount. Daily and last-minute deals can be found at mainstreetspa.org.
“To prepare for an appointment, clients should come with an expectancy to experience a journey of wellness,” Powell says. “My business is my passion and I’m thankful for every opportunity to express my gratitude and love for the spa industry and this magnificent journey of wellness.”
Expectant mother Sarah Chawla enjoys a manicure. (Photo by Jay Paul)
Perception Organic Spa
Perception Organic Spa is loyal to its green nature by offering services that are certified organic and only uses products that have not been tested on animals and are free of preservatives, dyes, surfactants and synthetic fragrances.
“We believe that everything organic for your body is the best way to go, so no harsh chemicals, to get the most health benefit,” spa manager Mateen Khan says.
When clients enter the spa at 2902 W. Cary St., they may notice an absence of harsh aroma. The spa has a serene, earthy environment. The staff is friendly and warm, which puts clients at ease. Complimentary organic herbal teas, coffee and wine are always available.
“From the minute that you walk in through the door to the minute that you leave, everything is all about relaxing you; your body and mind are completely soothed,” Khan says.
Perception offers a range of services. Their most popular are manicures and pedicures. Nail care, manicures and pedicures feature homemade products. Another popular offering is the rebalance day package, which ensures head-to-toe relaxation and includes lunch. There’s also waxing, eyelash extensions, eyebrow and eyelash tinting, and organic tanning.
Three membership options allow patrons to save on regular treatments. If a group spa day is on the schedule, the spa can accommodate up to six guests and the services are customizable.
“On top of that, we can get you champagne, strawberries. Any kind of extras that will enhance you’re experience, we will add,” Khan says.
Appointments can be made by phone, 855-1989, or through their website, perceptionorganicspa.com.
Photo by Jay Paul
Sacred Waters Holistic Spa & Boutique
Sacred Waters Holistic Spa & Boutique at 3319 W. Cary St., takes care of clients in a whole, natural way, which always includes free hugs and a bubbly, warm welcome.
Owners Camille Bird and wife, Angela Stiens, founded the spa to fulfill their dream of a business that offers certified pure organic, full-body care.
“We sell comfort and availability,” says Bird. “We don’t just massage the body without taking care of the mind and spirit as well.”
Sacred Waters does not charge for massage upgrades, including hot stones, essential oils, hot towels, and aromatherapy. “Taking care of someone doesn’t have to be expensive,” Bird says. “Consistent pricing is our thing.”
Their most popular service is a 90-minute massage with aromatherapy. Massages can range from 30 minutes to two hours, and include therapeutic, Reiki and cupping methods. Therapeutic massages are tailored to the client’s needs for full-body restoration. Reiki is a one-hour session. It’s a 2,500 year-old Tibetan technique that focuses on centering the chakra system by promoting full relaxation and healing. Cupping is becoming more popular since the Summer Olympics, Bird says, since it is a method that has a multitude of benefits such as promoting blood flow and relieving tight muscles and connective tissues.
Skin care is also offered. Esthetician Jesi Pair performs facial services, including men’s, and waxing packages.
Downstairs, the boutique is manned by Stiens and offers “gorgeous little pieces and handsome bits,” says Bird. Products include handmade soap, local jewelry, certified pure organic essential oils and custom body care products.
Four therapists, including Bird and Stiens, are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Booking is available online at sacredwatersrva.com. Same-day appointments can be made and any questions will be answered by Bird by phone or text at 402-525-1670.
For updates on the spa and new arrivals, follow Sacred Waters Holistic Spa & Boutique on social media.
Daniella Tsamouras, owner of Spa310, treats Diane Golfman’s skin with a laser. (Photo by Jay Paul)
Spa310
Offering everything from salon services to tattoo removal, Spa310 is the definition of full-body care.
Its owner, Daniella Tsamouras, takes prides in her business in being unique and diverse in its offerings. “I wanted to bridge the therapeutic with the medical,” she says.
Spa offerings include hair, skin and new nail care services. On the medical side, Spa310 offers tattoo removal, an array of skin care, Botox, dermal fillers and laser hair removal. A physician oversees the medical practices, including more than 20 different chemical peels.
Walking through the doors, a guest is immediately greeted by friendly staff. The walls are covered in pharmaceutical grade and natural hair and skin care products, which they also use in-house, wafting a tranquil smell throughout the air.
“[The hair and skin care products are] hand-selected. [They’re] not something you’re going to find at most of your general spas,” Tsamouras says.
Tsamouras is a master esthetician and is serving her second term as the esthetician representative on the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology. Keeping her staff updated and educated on their respective practices is a priority here.
“Education is mandatory to keep the staff current,” she says. Staff members receive 25 to 30 hours per year in education.
The spa is located at 3500 W. Cary St. Specials are regularly updated and offered on social media. Spa310 has annual specials on gift certificates on Black Friday and creative offers for the 12 Days of Christmas.
Appointments can be made on their website at spa310.com, via email at spa3ten@gmail.com or by phone at 562-7880.
