Beauty & Spas in Laurel

Scents of Serenity owner Melanie Mueller believes that putting your best face forward means using organic and natural skincare products. That's why her team of aestheticians employs the Éminence Organic Skin Care line, whose concoctions are free of artificial colors, synthetic perfumes, and harsh chemicals, such as parabens and Twinkie filling. Guests can wander to the spa's cozy lobby to purchase many of these elixirs, strolling across hardwood floors to a centerpiece shelf stocked with bottles, creams, and the emerald leaves of aloe plants.

Mueller's team is an educated bunch; all aestheticians are licensed by the Virginia Board of Cosmetology, and all massage therapists are certified through the Virginia Board of Nursing, as well as the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. They dole out a variety of kneading techniques—from aromatherapy to hot stone—in treatment rooms canopied by cream-colored drapes and strings of luminescent orbs that melt into butter every time a patron says "ahhh."

The medical technicians at Eastern Virginia Medical and da Vinci Spa know that losing weight is tricky, and keeping it off is even trickier. That's why they base their medically certified weight loss programs and treatments around equal parts science and support. From low-calorie diets and weight-loss counseling to B12 injections and appetite suppressants, treatments helps clients change their lifestyles while simultaneously shedding inches. While weight-loss programs take effect, spa technicians also assist with other aesthetic matters. Body wraps contour bodies with the help of infrared heat, and their Smart Lipo system harnesses the power of ultrasonic energy, which busts up the cellular fat stores without the need for invasive treatments. In addition to helping patients lose weight, they also maintain appearances with laser hair removal sessions and brighten smiles with teeth whitening treatments powered by UV light.

Driven by the desire to enhance her patrons’ natural beauty, seasoned aesthetician Nichole Perry gussies up faces and bodies via a host of pampering services. She restores radiance to dulled complexions with an anti-aging MAX facial forged from plant-derived stem cells, and her waxing services prepare legs for strutting about town nude, as the rest of the body unknowingly slumbers. A master of accentuating each patron’s most striking features, Nichole also performs makeup applications for special occasions such as weddings or graduations.

Makeup artist Tish Perkins's resumé sparkles with accomplishments, from working as a member of the Glam Squad for the 2011 Miss Black USA Pageant to earning Go Pretty's first annual Beauty Pro Award. Though these recent praises have gained her a lot of attention, Perkins has stayed focused on her passion: bringing out her clients' natural beauty with traditional and airbrush makeup. Whether dolling up faces for a boudoir shoot or applying jewels to an Indian bride, Perkins relies on her seven years of experience to work on any skin tone. Perkins is also a trained eyelash extensionist, using strip lashes, clusters, and semi-permanent lash extensions to define lash lines. By applying one strand at a time, she is able to build upon sparse lids until they resemble the glamorous lashes of a movie star or reach the football-size lengths that comprise a giraffe's main form of self-defense.