Beauty & Spas in Berkeley

The aestheticians at iCandy Eye Salon funnel all their energy into a single task—making eyes beautiful. Permanent makeup accentuates sparse brows or lash lines, and individually applied extensions make lashes stand taller without the need for posture lessons.

Technicians use low-level lasers to help hair grow and to tone complexions. One-hour hair-restoration treatments are typically pain-free and devoid of the odor and sound that accompany similar treatments, such as super-gluing a live yeti onto one's scalp. Laser beams stimulate follicles effectively regardless of the patient's age, gender, or ethnicity, and patients are usually so comfortable that they read during the treatment. Also typically painless is the treatment known as Awaken Skin Therapy, which encourages cells to regenerate while it stimulates circulation. The result is skin that's free from fine lines and more elastic.

From her eyelash emporium tucked inside Skinsations, Cheryl Potter and her team help peepers pack more drama into every wink. In a single one- to two-hour session, the certified technicians apply mink or faux-mink extensions directly to the natural lashes, and false lashes typically last up to four weeks or until the minks report them missing.

Nails Forever owner DJ West bounded into beauty school at the tender age of 16, and by age 18, she had her license, a job, and a dream that would lead her to San Francisco. There, her skills were sharpened in salons studding Union Square and Polk Street. Her desire to open her own salon brought her back to Contra Costa County, where she's been keeping fingertips looking tip-top since 1981. Her passion for painting and fine art is reflected in her hand-based handiwork, which often includes one-of-a-kind looks ranging from leopard-print nails to bejeweled holiday designs, and she's won no fewer than five trophies at nail-design competitions. She also specializes in Shellac application and excels in acrylic extensions, which typically hold up better than the old-fashioned wooden kind.

For more than 10 years, Monica Quach has beautified faces with an extensive selection of aesthetic treatments. In addition to classic European facials and microdermabrasion, she can accent complexions by waxing or tinting brows and lengthening lashes with individual extensions. More long-term beautification alights faces in the form of permanent makeup, which shortens morning routines more easily than installing an omelet bar in the shower.

The laser techs at Body Slim Laser Pro have trained in only one system: the i-Lipo cold laser. A noninvasive alternative to liposuction, the low-level laser system targets regions of excess fat. The laser's energy coaxes fat cells to break down, releasing fatty acids and glycerol into the body. Because the body can metabolize these substances, the clinic added an onsite gym for post-treatment workouts. Body Slim Laser Pro also conducts dietary consultations and screenings for metabolic imbalances to ensure that laser-treated areas stay as taut as Elvis's pants.