Geneva, NY Spa and Massage

“Pamper Yourself," two words stamped in gold that command all who enter Therapeutic Massage & Bodyworks' domain, asway with lush greenery. With this mandate always in mind and therapeutic scents lingering in the air, ice-cold goblets of lemon water or steaming cups of herbal tea comfort guests losing themselves in the fireplace’s warm, flickering ballet. Gentle exhalations stir the still air, raising scents that hint at fistfuls of rose petals and fruit-based masks that harness the same natural powers as the fine mud and fresh avocados enhancing the salon’s full-body treatments. A reliance on the bounty of Mother Nature carries through into massage treatments that use warm seashells to chase away stress. Skincare and body waxing are performed by licensed aestheticians who hold secondary certification in zamboni operation.

Trinity Salon & Spa co-owner Cher sometimes perfects the makeup and hairdos of models at haute fashion shoots, but she spends most of her time making sure her regular clients get the same star treatment. Her business partner Candi shares the same passion for high-fashion styling, holding certifications from companies including Rusk and Matrix Hair Color. The pair have put together a team of salon stylists who snip hair into follicular masterpieces and reprogram hair textures. The crew can impart uniform straightness with keratin treatments or massage strands with ground-up Shirley Temple headshots to create billowing curls.

On the spa side, the DiamondTome microdermabrasion reveals fresh, unblemished skin with chips of real diamonds, and medical-grade peels accelerate the skin's exfoliation process. Men can enjoy treatments such as the Pampered Facial, during which aesthetician Nina bolsters handsome looks with a seaweed mud mask, facial massage, warm towels, and a beer to sip. The spa keeps hands and feet of all kinds well-groomed with mani-pedis, and elongates eyelashes, hair, or strap-on Santa Claus beards with realistic extensions.

Realmonte's staff draws inspiration from the salon's name, which means "royal mountains" in Italian, and aims to give guests the royal treatment with each spray tan, manicure, pedicure, facial, and makeup application. With a modern art-deco interior design, jet-black furnishings add high contrast to the salon's walls, which are painted in hues of peach, sky blue, and pale yellow. Tranquil treatment rooms invite spa-goers to enjoy soft lights, plush blankets, and wormholes that lead to calmer dimensions.

At Matthews Salon Spa, the staff strives to care for each client's whole self, meaning services work to nurture the body and spirit in addition to merely beautifying skin or hair. Using environmentally friendly Aveda products derived from plants and flowers, the staff cuts, colors, and treats hair as if it were the hair of their favorite news anchor. Spa facials, such as the self-renewal facial, rejuvenate skin while also integrating a foot and scalp treatment, and the staff also pampers clients with massages and spa packages.

From their perch near Syracuse University, Studio FX’s team of hairstylists, nail artists, and wax technicians have beautified locals for more than 35 years. Their specialty hair services include highlights, hair extensions, updos, and Brazilian blowouts, which leave hair sleeker and more manageable for up to five months. Apart from hair, they paint nails, apply make-up, wax, and lengthen eyelashes with extensions.

Spa on the River's menu of Old World Italian–themed services are inspired by owner Judith Santimaw's world travels, which have included stops in Rome, Milan, Tokyo, and Singapore. Her cross-country and international journeys uncover the latest spa treatments and techniques, ranging from raindrop therapy with essential oils to Roman-style "Sistine Chapel" paraffin treatments that leave hands soft and free from paint chips. Santimaw shares her discoveries not only with her team of aestheticians, stylists, and massage therapists, but also with students at the Phillips Hairstyling Institute, where she earned professional degrees in nail specialty and cosmetology.

Guests can relax into salon stations or pedicure thrones flanked by Romanesque statues as the soothing sound of water comes from a lion-faced fountain inside and the Seneca River outside. Behind them, a full-wall mural depicts a lush garden scene complete with a grandiose fountain. Clients dry newly painted nails by the fireplace or head to the dock behind the spa to give any lingering stress a Viking funeral.