Skin Care in Belmont

Having begun as a single tanning shop in Greenville during the autumn of 1990, Ultratan has since blossomed into more than 70 locations throughout the Carolinas and Georgia due to its popularity and commitment to quality service. Over the years, the collection of spas has accumulated numerous awards such as Best Tanning Salon from the Daily Gamecock for providing the best equipment in both tanning beds and spray-tan technology. As a member of the International Smart Tan Network, its commitment to safe tans also encompasses a passion for keeping their customers educated about responsible tanning routines and never tanning without a helmet.

To call The Body Shop a mere skin and body care store is to miss half of what makes it special. Late founder Dame Anita Roddick was a pioneer for ethical business practices; upon opening her first store in Brighton, England, in 1976, she developed company values such as "Defend human rights" and "Protect our planet." She somehow balanced principles and profit, partnering in global campaigns with UNICEF, Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and the United Nations, all while expanding her brand into 2,500 locations in 60 international markets. After her death in 2007, then-British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, “She campaigned for green issues for many years before it became fashionable to do so and inspired millions to the cause by bringing sustainable products to a mass market. . . . She was an inspiration.”

Indeed, the Body Shop exhibits an eco-friendliness that's hard to come by in a company of its size. Its products have been fair-trade since 1987, and its Against Animal Testing movement led to a UK-wide ban of animal testing of cosmetics. The products are made from ingredients harvested from around the world: shea butter from Ghana goes into body scrubs and butters, and Indian artisans craft wooden massagers and tote bags that are screenprinted by hand. But all that isn't to say the company's production practices overshadow its final products. Skincare treatments such as the Blue Corn 3-in-1 deep-cleansing scrub mask often appear in Allure, Marie Claire, and other national publications.

Through the art of cosmetics, Dulcet & Bella Makeup Bar seeks to empower its clients by helping them discover their inner and outer beauty. The professional makeup experts provide one-on-one consultations that help them craft foundations customized to each individual’s skin tone, and plan a dramatic or natural look that brings out their best features and obscures their extra eyes. Makeup arsenals in hand, the crew provides their services for occasions that range from bachelorette and bridal parties to photo shoots, birthdays, and fashion shows.

Each facial starts with a complimentary face-mapping. A skilled technician will analyze 14 distinct zones around the face and neck. Within 10 minutes, a complete picture of your face's topography and climate patterns along with a rough indication of north will be hashed out by a thorough derma-cartographer. Use the data to help make the decision of which customized facial is right for you; use the computerized model to see what you would look like if the Treaty of Versailles divvied up your forehead.

The brick stoop and fireplace of Urban.i Salon exude the comfort of a boutique establishment. But the white-leather furniture; dark, coffee-toned floors; and dimly glowing chandeliers recall the modernity of an urban salon. Guests revel in the homey-yet-chic aesthetic as a staff of stylists, aestheticians, and giant walking scissors create stylish new looks via haircuts, highlights, and straightening treatments. These sessions are supported by some of the cosmetic industry's most renowned products, including the Phyto haircare system and Dermalogica's skincare line.

Though aesthetician Misty Stinson brings 30 years of experience to Skin Oasis, her appetite for learning has yet to subside. She continues to hone her skills and keep tabs on the beauty industry's latest techniques and products, bringing them into her serene Dilworth spa to help to revivify her clients’ skin.

Of the many lessons she has learned over the years, Misty seems to hold one in the highest esteem: no two bodies are the same. Her custom services account for individual skin types and evince her breadth of knowledge; ear candling and Japanese reiki, for example, are two areas in which she boasts special certifications. Misty’s implements prove a worthy match for her expertise. She brandishes paraben-free Image Skincare products as she exfoliates skin, combats blemishes, and waxes away unwanted hair and clingy flannel shirts.

Stepping into South Beach Tanning Company feels like stepping into a chic, South Beach salon. Established in 2003, the franchise adorns each of its locations with eclectic, art deco touches set into bright-purple, orange, and yellow walls. Five levels of UV beds let clients customize their tanning experience and feature luxurious touches such as surround-sound stereo systems, cooling fans, and headrests made from clouds. The salon also houses a VersaSpa UV-free system that delivers hydrating spray tans in just 46 seconds.