Dermalounge

Athena gave me a pretty extensive facial here. The extractions were the most painful I have ever experienced. However, the facial here included more massage and more pampering than your usual skincare joint. My hour at Dermalounge started off very decadent and relaxing. Suddenly, I entered the house of extraction pain and squirmed almost the entire time. Once the extractions were over, the facial became relaxing again. I've had extractions before, but never like these. My skin did glow after the appointment and overall I was satisfied with the results I received for the money I spent.

Giovanni & Pileggi

It's difficult to find a great color and cut in Philly. I've found it here. I only go here when I am in town visiting my parents, so I can't vouch for specific stylists. However, I've had services done by a handful of stylists at G&P and the results were always decent to good. Their staff of skilled stylists ensure you will never get a bad haircut.

Caveat: I wouldn't recommend this place if you want to get services done on a Saturday. They are normally overbooked and the atmosphere feels rushed. The stylist will cut your hair, but an assistant will both color it and blow it dry. If you go during the week, you will get the individual attention you are already paying for.

Bathhouse

The BEST spa on the Vegas strip by FAR. I cannot recommend Bathhouse highly enough. It is a modern oasis in The Hotel. I had a body wrap and a facial here. Both services were top notch. I also spent the day using the facilities, all of which were clean and not all that crowded. This spa is as pricey as all of the other Vegas spas, but at least here the quality *almost* matches the exorbitant prices. This is also one of the few spas in Vegas where you won't feel rushed (especially if you go during the week). In Vegas, I treat myself no matter what. You should too.

Blue Bottle Coffee

1. Put baby in car seat and carry her down two sets of stairs.
2. Place car seat in back of car.
3. Drive from Potrero Hill to Hayes Valley.
4. Circle for parking, or find a spot in one of the alleys.
5. Pick baby out of the backseat.
6. Open the super complicated Bugaboo Chameleon stroller and attach all components.
7. Feed meter.
8. Walk a few blocks to Blue Bottle for the New Orleans style iced coffee.
9. Do the reverse of all of the following and head home.

IT'S THAT GOOD, BABY!!!

Hair Play & Joe Hamer Academy

I've been going to Hairplay ever since I moved to San Francisco. All of the stylists are decent, but Matthew is the best. I recently chopped all of my long hair off, and his results were fantastic. I think you need to develop a relationship with the stylists here to make sure you aren't passed around too much (i.e. a different person is shampooing you or doing your blowout). I also recommend going during the week if at all possible. Hairplay does seem to overbook their stylists and I always see a lot of them running late. I've learned to navigate the system here and it has been worth it.

For thermal straightening, Annaleice is tops. She really takes the time to make sure your hair responds to the treatment perfectly! She is a complete doll and a pleasure to be around. Highly recommended!

Bellapelle Skin Studio

BellaPelle offers East Coast style waxing in San Francisco. I've been going to Shelley for almost five years now. She offers the best brow wax this side of the Rocky Mountains. I'm super picky when it comes to my brows, and her results are perfectly consistent each and every time. Shelley is so warm and sweet; Bellapelle is her baby and she treats it as such. I can't recommend her highly enough.

I've also had a facial with Leisa, who is excellent and knowledgeable as well. I also highly recommend BellaPelle for skincare services. The products they sell are worth checking out as well. I had a makeup consultation with Leah and am now using their mineral makeup. Their cleansers and serums are among the best, and are reasonably priced.

The decor is bright and airy. The Maiden Lane location was worth the wait; it's beautiful! Finally, the receptionists are welcoming, friendly, and not at all snooty. This place is just bursting with positive energy.

SKIN Medical Spa

SKIN is not your average spa. They offer aggressive medical grade treatments in a spa-like atmosphere. I've had laser hair removal treatments with Sandy. I've also had the PDT/blu light therapy with Dr. Colvin, who is knowledgeable and kind. I had some side effects with the procedure and the staff went above and beyond to make sure I was ok. I really appreciated their caring attitude. The procedure cleared up my acne, fine lines, and freckles. I was very satisfied. Dr. Colvin also recommended the Obagi system, and the results were phenomenal. I'll be back for some much needed skin TLC once I have my baby and can have more aggressive treatments again.

Rescue Beauty Lounge

Rescue Beauty Lounge has the BEST selection of nail polish EVER. They have their own line of polishes, and all of the colors are perfect. If you are looking for a pale pink, they have the most beautiful pale pinks you have ever seen, "Lulu" and "Pink B Cause". If you are looking for a dark color, they have choices beyond the cliche and outdated OPI Lincoln Park After Dark-- I like "Film Noir" and "Black Russian." Seriously, the color selection is amazing. I even have polish sent to me in SF to be used on my mani/pedis here. My new fav is "Concrete Jungle"-- the most beautiful silvery grey.

The mani/pedis at RBL are amazing. Super pricey, but then again I do believe you get what you pay for. If I lived in NY, this would be my go to place.

Imperial Spa

First things first. I am comfortable being naked. When I go to the spa, I have absolutely no qualms about getting into and out of the tubs in the buff. Changing is no problem for me. Neither are showers. I'll sit in the steam room naked. I'll sit in the sauna naked. You get the picture. BUT, I always have my trusty little towel to cover me up through the hallways, etc.

At Imperial Spa you can expect to be NAKED NAKED. I cannot emphasize this enough. Saying that you need to be comfortable with nudity would be an understatement to most western women.

That would explain why this spa was filled with mostly asian women when I went there a few weeks ago. Expect to be in the buff the entire time. I used the tubs and then had the scrub/massage combo. And again, my experience with scrubs normally involves draping, the person holding up towels and not looking, etc. This is how most high end spas do it.

At Imperial you can expect to be scrubbed like a dog. The attendants flip you every which way as you lay on a plastic covered table. I cringed at one point because I knew the woman next to me could practically see me spread eagle if she wanted to. OH WELL! That's how it's done here. The massage component was a tad weird; I'd bet these women aren't licensed. BUT you're skin will be so ridiculously soft from the scrub and you won't care. My behind is as smooth as a baby's. Cheap and TOTALLY worth it! Just don't expect posh or any sense of "propriety" in the scrub room. You will be doused like a dog.

Suchada Thai Massage

Incredible. I've been to Suchada twice (it's just down the HUGE hill from my house). I'm now a convert; I like Thai massage better than swedish. They really work you over here, absolutely no frou frou-ness. Both masseuses relentlessly worked me over for the entire hour. Also, I am all about intuition, and after working on my back, my masseuse this week asked me how old my baby was. What?! I hadn't written this on the client info card, and I'm 5'8 and about 112 lbs, so she couldn't have deduced it from my body. So whoa. Kudos to her for figuring out exactly how my upper back was strained and fixing it.

I may make this a weekly thing. I love it here.