Studies show that modulating one's facial expression instantly builds camaraderie, whether by laughing at a joke, frowning at a sad story, or making empathetic fish lips at an unemployed merman. Prep your kisser for many roles with today's Groupon: for $45, you get either a hot-stone facial (a $120 value) or a microdermabrasion facial treatment (a $125 value) at Merle Norman of Brentwood.

Merle Norman's team of aestheticians evict tension and stress from corporal residences with hot-stone and microdermabrasion facials. An affable aesthetician conducts a skin analysis on visages or Julia Louis-Dreyfus Halloween masks to prepare a customized hot-stone facial. Deep-cleansing ointments and exfoliants purify pores as face whisperers apply the moisturizing one-hour facial treatment, massaging shoulders and hands with heated stones while the treatment sets.

Microdermabrasion facials begin by gently stripping kissers of dry, flakey epidermises, safely balancing uneven tones and hues, diminishing scars and blemishes, and smoothing wrinkles. Pamperers knead hands and shoulders while cloaking naked faces in a nourishing mask and serum. Both facials conclude with a paraffin-wax hand treatment to soften calloused mitts, leaving skin smooth enough to sweat swatches of velvet.