Swedish Massage in Estelle

The massage therapists at Euphoric All Over Day Spa whisk their clients to quiet, comfortable rooms to perform about a half dozen massage modalities. Therapists can play soft music while rendering classic techniques such as Swedish and deep-tissue massages, or relaxing couples massages. The staff might also incorporate lotion or light oils, which lubricate the CD player so the soft music continues to play.

Three aestheticians, a massage therapist, a threading artist, three treatment rooms, and a treasure-trove of paraben-free skincare products await visitors at Esthetique Facial Spa—basically, everything that’s needed to tend to all skin types. Tucked beside the Whole Foods Market on Magazine Street, Esthetique Facial Spa and its savvy staff have welcomed clients to relax and rejuvenate since 2008. Makeup lessons with artist Elise Davis help patrons master crafting fresh new looks or using tried-and-true techniques, and fertility massage aims to restore balance in the reproductive system and help break up scar tissue.

One of New Orleans' only certified Ashiatsu Oriental Bar therapists, Sara Albee delivers deep-tissue massage strokes with her bare feet. During the 60-minute ashiatsu massage, Albee slowly glides her feet along the client’s back, gripping overhead parallel bars to help maintain balance, perfect Olympic dismounts, and distribute pressure. Her one- and two-footed strokes—meant to feel like a Swedish massage—can boost flexibility and circulation or alleviate neck and back pain, and three-footed strokes defy evolutionary theories. Ashiatsu is not recommended during pregnancy or soon after surgery; patients should contact the therapist with any health concerns.

I work with clients who are interested in improving their well-being and quality of life by working together with me to reduce pain, increase functionality, and/or balance vital energy. I believe every session is an opportunity to learn from each other about how we may create healing within ourselves.

At The Retreat Salon and Spa, they put their own decadent spin on other treatments, including a slew of nail services. Along with classic pedicures, manicures, and French manicures, the salon also offers a Cajun pedicure, which includes a mint mask and double exfoliation. As far as hands go, salon staff apply acrylic nails, paint on shellac polish, and nourish skin with rich paraffin wax.

Caviar and pearls are the ingredients for a classy date. At The Retreat, they’re also the ingredients for an exclusive anti-aging facial. The luxurious combination is the brainchild of owners Caroline, Cindy, and Linda, who also incorporate jasmine, ylang-ylang, roses, and a citrus blend into other facials they specially designed to combat rosacea, dry patches, or oily skin.

Balance Spa at the Loews is like a social mixer for spa services: East meets West, water meets air, modern science meets time-tested treatments. And all of these convergences happen under the skilled eyes of aestheticians. In four treatment rooms they apply self-heating mud-packs to the spine and feet while aromatherapy calms the senses. The sea's bounty also becomes apparent with Phytomer products made from underwater plants that combat aging and help reduce the depth of wrinkles to keep people from filling them in with cement. The East meets West massage, meanwhile, combines muscle-soothing techniques from both hemispheres, readying the mind for a rejuvenating facial that mixes glycolic acid and proteolytic enzymes. Afterward, clients can draw on age-old hubs of well-being: the hotel's pool, fitness and wellness center, sauna, and whirlpool.