Emmaus, PA Spa and Massage

After owning and operating salons and spas in Mercer County for more than 25 years, stylist Robert Cacciabaudo—whose looks have graced the pages of Glamour, Elle, and Philadelphia magazines—envisioned a tranquil beauty oasis where customers could enjoy cutting-edge hair services and relaxing spa services under one roof. His dream became a reality in 2002: On the first floor of a renovated, two-story building outfitted with elegant French-country décor, a hair salon blends classic style with the latest beauty trends and technologies. On the second floor, private treatment rooms host nail services, waxing, massages, Dermalogica facials, and Mac makeup applications.

When Michelle Parkes opened Core Salon & Spa, she didn't want just another cookie-cutter business. After spending two years as a national educator for Paul Brown Hawaii and 25 years working for other owners, she decided she wanted to do a salon her way. Her way was to surround herself with an unparalleled group of stylists, support staff, and a moat to guard against invading paparazzi. The end result was Core Salon & Spa, a beauty center manned by skilled stylists that use quality products from brands such as Yon-Ka, L'Oreal Professionnel, and Kevin Murphy.

Glow Skincare at Platinum Salon enlists an aesthetically trained registered nurse an experienced aesthetician to wage war on epidermal imperfections under the medical direction of board-certified Dr. J.D. Rosdeutscher. Streams of pressurized air pour over complexions during the oxygen facial to help spur collagen growth and blow away clingy blemishes. Afterwards, the aestheticians trace a crystal-free diamond tip across faces to exfoliate the skin during the microdermabrasion treatment that can thwart signs of aging by targeting fine lines, pigmentation, and the foot prints left by Father Time's messenger crows.

The trickling waters of the Delaware River—located just outside the door of Belvidere Day Spa—give way to waves of relaxation as stylists and aestheticians pamper bodies with beauty, skincare, and massage services. Shears sing out in staccato clips as stylists inspire despondent scalps with fashionable cuts, ammonia-free organic color, and papier-mâché crowns of self-help essays. Facials tackle acne and signs of aging with Éminence and Puramed products, and strips of wax form frizzless runways on legs, arms, faces, and torsos. On the other side of the spa, nail technicians polish natural and acrylic nails, and licensed massage therapists extract stress from muscles.