Emeryville, CA Beauty and Salons

The technicians at Bisou Nail Lounge go above and beyond to create works of nail art using gel paint, jewels, and glitter polish. But before intricate designs of butterflies and Gary Busey on a steed are handcrafted, digits are refreshed with organic and eco-friendly products during mani-pedis. A volcanic clay mask and Dead Sea salt scrub help to purify the skin while cabernet grape extract oil and the salon's own line of organic coca butter nourish and moisturize. Harsh chemicals are also exempt from Bisou's footsoaks, enhanced with limes, rose petals, and mint leaves floating in a non-whirlpool, stainless steel bowl, and UV-gels from Bella Forma, Calgel, Bio Sculpture, or Crystal Nails provide chip-resistant polish that is acid-free. The salon's earth-friendly ways are also showcased during Nova eyelash extension services as technicians carefully use a formaldehyde-free adhesive to adhere tree-sized extensions to existing lashes.

Bisou's attention to details can also be seen in the intimate salon's décor, a country French theme complete with pale pink wall colors, a gold chandelier, and plush, floral-covered furnishings.

Cocoon Bare’s team of spa technicians understands that a good waxing treatment has two things going for it: precision and speed. That’s why their Brazilian waxes typically take only 15 minutes and leave behind a wide variety of custom shapes and designs. Their threading services offer an even more precise means of shaping eyebrows and removing hair from sensitive complexions. When they aren’t sculpting bushy areas into triangles or iconic skylines, they airbrush skin with natural tanning solutions that result in an even glow.

At Isis Skin & Body, medical director Dr. Noha Aboelata grants her patients' desires for beauty with a gentle touch, exclusively performing noninvasive rejuvenation treatments that employ the latest advancements in aesthetic upkeep. The practice is split between laser-based and topical therapies that both remediate existing problems and stimulate of the body's natural healing mechanisms.

Lasers earn their keep and daily continental breakfasts with work in three principle areas: routing unwanted hair, healing nail fungus, and helping to firm and smooth contours all over the body. To ensure topical treatments are safe for all skin types, Dr. Aboelata handpicks the products used in each service, which range from custom acne-scar treatments to eight types of chemical peels. Online forms dotting the company's website encourage curious visitors to start their restorative journey with a free analysis by identifying their skin and body concerns from a list that will help the staff to suggest a fitting course of treatment.

In tribute to its eponymous Egyptian goddess, the white and gold spa takes rich decorating cues from ancient palace-inspired aesthetics and the advice of style-blogging mummies. Columns capped with gold lotuses rise up to the entry hall's high ceiling, and gilded folding screens backdrop chaise lounges covered in bolts of lustrous, eggshell-colored cloth.

The floor-to-ceiling front window at Topps Salon Day Spa lets in natural sunlight that bounces off the pale-yellow walls and light wooden floors. Upon entering the airy salon, guests see shelves full of pink, purple, and green Pureology bottles—with a few products by American Crew and Framesi sprinkled in—as well as a counter with complimentary coffee. A row of six styling chair lies to the left, where staff draw on their certifications and training in Brazilian Blowout, Vidal Sassoon, and Framesi to revamp hair.

In the day spa, aestheticians wax away unwanted hair and rejuvenate skin with facials for both men and women, while massage therapists relieve aches with Swedish and shiatsu massages. Nail technicians contribute manicures and pedicures topped off with OPI polish, or create nail art recreating each scene from the Bayeux Tapestry.

Inside private rooms bathed in earthy hues and filled with simple furnishings, Body Techniques' staff treats patients with holistic services designed to soothe the body and mind. The studio's massage-therapy sessions, acupuncture treatments, and stress-management programs aim to reduce stress and bolster bodily health without relying on medications or itchy cybernetic implants. Body Techniques' owners draw on more than 30 years of industry experience as they personally interview, screen, and train each staff member. The clinic's healing hands can travel to corporate clients and offices to conduct onsite massages, lead health-education classes, and imitate ocean-wave sounds for noontime naps.

About Beauty’s experienced staff stays up-to-date on current beauty trends to help spruce up men's and women's hair, skin, and nails. Equipped with products from brands such as Nexus, Redken, and TIGI, stylists slice strands during haircuts that include soothing scalp massages, conditioning, and secret Morse-code messages hidden in the scissors' snips. A full roster of customized skin care services swathes visages in cleansing treatments, such as botanical extracts, seaweed products, and aromatherapy masks. During their stay, clients can anchor their submarines in About Beauty's free, nearby parking spaces.