Beauty & Spas in Auburn

In as little as 12 minutes, patrons can bronze their bodies in Tanning Haven’s Matrix bed. It is outfitted with more than 22,000 watts and six facial tanners. Less intense tanning options, such as base beds and standup beds, are also available and allow clients to relax for up to 25 minutes each session. For those wanting a glow sans UV rays, an airbrush tan or dip in a bath of melted pennies does the trick.

A graduate of the Indiana University School of Dentistry, Dr. Kimbra Druley captains the Grabill dental frigate in treating customers to the toothy triad of an exam (a $37 value), x-rays (a $50 value), and a thorough cleaning (a $68 value). After an initial maw investigation, a periodontal probe clears a season's worth of plaque and splattered bugs from smiles, boosting sparkle, health, and slippery-smoothness. A series of safe, low-radiation x-rays then exposes mobster molars smuggling bits of spinach in hidden crevices. From the resulting images, experts can identify potential problems such as decay or abscesses and make proper recommendations for additional care.

Eyes by India first opened its doors in Indiana to provide threading as an alternative to waxing. Threading is more precise than waxing and causes less pain, redness, and burning when removing unwanted fuzz. Now with nine locations in two states, Eyes by India’s staff of specialist completes more than 100 hours of training in threading and service etiquette before applying those skills to patrons’ faces at work and image-conscious teddy bears at home.

During appointments, cotton thread twists over hair, tweaking hair- and brow lines or removing all traces of fuzz on the neck, chin, or upper lip.

Melinda Smith started dreaming about feet in high school. Confused by the recurring visions, she asked a teacher for advice and began to study reflexology—the practice of gently massaging pressure points along the feet in order to promote well-being across the entire body. Melinda’s first encounter with the healing bodywork technique cemented her resolve to study massage therapy, and she eventually founded her own studio with numerous modalities on the menu.

The spa includes four private treatment rooms, each of which is designed to channel one of the four elements (earth, fire, air, and water) that Aristotle discovered with his particle accelerator. The rooms’ different energies serve different purposes—with the earth room aimed at relaxing minds and the fire room intended to cultivate inner strength. Outside these rooms, the spa's aestheticians and technicians incorporate botanically derived Aveda products into skincare treatments and paint nails with chip-resistant OPI gel polishes.

Bill and Amy Zemaitis, the co-owners and creators of Elevation 138, oversee a team of impeccably trained stylists and technicians specializing in hair, nail, and facial-waxing services. With help from high-end Redken and Pureology products, salon artists grant hairdos renewed reasons to frolic in the breeze, shimmer in the sun, and stick to freshly applied lip gloss. Chocolate-brown walls enclose pedicure-seeking patrons as they sink into cushioned massage chairs for Shellac or traditional polish applications. The salon's earth-toned walls, architectural columns, and mouldings contribute to an upscale, yet serene, atmosphere. Like a mother's advice or a neighbor's Sunday paper, consultations are always free.

Auburn Massage Centre was established in 2007 by co-founders Laura Buchs-Hall and Sarah Lapadot in an effort to share the healing powers of massage therapy and bodywork. During the past five years, AMC's staff has continued to bloom alongside its selection of services, which now range from standard massages to skincare treatments for faces, hands, and feet. Clients can also explore the facility's gym memberships, tanning plans, and sauna, where warm temperatures help melt away stress and hard candies hidden inside clenched fists.