Ann Arbor Spa and Massage

Jessica Elkins's eponymous spa is a tribute to her love of plants, nature, and beauty. During her aesthetics training, Jessica worked in the bodycare department of a natural-foods market, assisting clients as they selected lotions, rinses, or cucumbers. She then turned her attention to biochemistry, a field of study that explores the chemical processes in living organisms. By learning how cellular components interact, Jessica broadened her ability to resolve or diminish skin conditions with specific products. At the spa, Jessica works alongside aestheticians who perform custom facials with natural ingredients from Europe or minerals from the mines of Moria. Wax technicians specialize in Brazilian and eyebrow services, and cosmetologists perform makeup applications with mineral pigments.

The beauty experts at Advanced Esthetics draw from more than 50 years of combined experience to deliver a gamut of beautifying services. After a complimentary consultation to determine the best approach for issues such as rosacea, fine lines, or skin laxity, a licensed aesthetician may recommend a rejuvenating, saline-based JetPeel or a noninvasive radio-frequency treatment to enhance both collagen growth and the ability to tune out infomercials. Advanced Esthetics' master skin technicians can also reduce spider veins and lift unwanted hair, and a team of licensed massage therapists eases tension and stress with long, gliding Swedish strokes.

Within Shear Style's cozy, welcoming atmosphere, owner Kim Wolf leads a team of beauty experts in customizing treatments for hair and nails. Kim draws upon 30 years as a master stylist, specializing in cuts, color services, and feather extensions that can help to break the ice with a new pet parakeet. The family-friendly salon boasts a tropical mural, paintings of palm trees, and a trickling waterfall next to the fireplace, along with a children's play area to keep youngsters occupied.

Under the expertise of owner and board-certified aesthetician Nancy Young, skincare professionals at Delicate Beauty Therapeutic Spa use zone-by-zone facial mapping to create custom skin therapy. With high-end Dermalogica products in tow, Delicate Beauty’s staffers fight a variety of dermal foes, including acne blemishes, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and scars in the shape of ATM PINs. Using a blend of antioxidants, glycolic acids, and fruit acids, treatments such as advanced rejuvenating chemical peels strip away the exterior layer of skin to promote collagen production and unearth healthier new skin. Other skin-therapy treatments diminish hyperpigmentation or slow the process of aging. Not only do the specialty treatments leave skin smoother, but the light-based hair-removal services contribute to a sleeker façade.

Certified massage therapist Kimberly Beneke has trained in multiple massage modalities, which she uses to help her clients to achieve relaxation and chronic pain relief. She studied at the Ann Arbor Institute of Massage Therapy, earning certifications in neuromuscular massage, myofascial-release therapy, Swedish massage, prenatal massage, and bubble-wrap-popping therapy. Kimberly customizes sessions to each client’s needs and crippling moisturizer phobias, integrating techniques from various massage forms into the treatment. She is a member of the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals and strives to continue her education by constantly learning new techniques and pursuing additional certifications.

Seasoned stylist Christina Heinen and her staff don't chalk their friendly nature up to mere professionalism—they sincerely enjoys the time they spends making their clients beautiful. Christina and her talented staff of stylists and aestheticians renovate women's and men's ‘dos with masterfully executed salon services.

Their haircuts, coloring services, and Noir keratin smoothing treatments prompt an instant onslaught of double takes from onlookers and aimless hairnets. Brow and facial waxes de-fuzz mugs for professional makeup applications, and spray tans prep bodies for the beach or provide camouflage for pilfered Olympic gold medals. In addition to their regular beauty-boosting appointments, the stylists host glamour parties, where they gussy up guests with eye-catching hair and makeup before releasing them into the wild for bachelorette parties and nights on the town.