Forest Acres, SC Beauty and Salons

Plush robes and slippers, a warm plunge shower, chilled fruit, and glasses of wine—these are all the trademark amenities of All About U. Guests can drop in for a pedicure with a foaming foot soak, or spend a full day at the spa, dissolving tension with body treatments ranging from a four-hands massage to a body wrap that pairs customized-aroma body butter with a mask of plant extracts. Skincare experts harness the enigmatic powers of Dead Sea minerals, green papaya, and vitamin C, and they also treat backs to facials, readying them for strapless dresses or practice streaks at a nudist colony.

In addition to spa services, All About U transforms manes. Its stylists add dimension to tresses with highlights, enhance them with weaves, and create tidy dreadlocks. The spa’s Boyz II Men full-service barbershop handles buzz cuts and razor tape shaves, augmenting their services with hot-towel facials and shoulder massages that ease clients into a zen-like state previously thought attainable only by three-toed sloths.

Dr. Oliver Simmons performs surgical procedures and oversees med-spa therapies by drawing upon years of professional experience, including a fellowship in craniofacial and microvascular surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Simmons and his team use clinical-grade treatments to perform tummy tucks, Botox, and microdermabrasions, among many other procedures. The office is decorated with curlicue wall designs, bouquets laced with peacock feathers, and floral paintings that sprouted from frequently watered easels.

Licensed aesthetician Gloria Edlam has been restoring a healthy glow to her clients’ skin for more than 9 years. At her station in Studio Fringe, she customizes each microdermabrasion treatment, facial peel, and mask to meet the skincare needs of each client.

Owner Artana, her two sisters, and the trained stylists at Shear Xpectations help to curate chic appearances during beautifying services. Touting expertise in hair, waxing, facials, and massage, the seasoned staff helps anchor results with products from Aveda, Dermalogica, and TIGI. An online portfolio showcases the crew's work with snapshots of its skillful ’dos, which have the power to coax compliments from friends, strangers, and the insides of hats. Each sessions unfolds inside the salon's casual space, which boasts wood floors, track lighting, and dangling glass lights.

In a vintage brick building constructed in the 1930s, Ara Bella Salon’s staff renovates styles and sets minds at ease with an array of services for hair, nails, and body. Beauticians sculpt new hairstyles for men, women, and children and pair manicures and pedicures with nourishing paraffin treatments. To make a day of it, massage therapists knead weary muscles for up to 90 minutes per session, and skincare experts remove unwanted facial fuzz with precise waxing. To celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays and bridal showers, guests can indulge in packages that include spa pedicures and updos.