Beauty & Spas in Los Altos

At Botanolution, plants aren't just for decoration: they're building blocks of beauty and health. Botanical essences infuse each of the company's handmade lotions, masks, and scrubs, which eschew parabens and synthetic dyes in favor of natural and organic substances. Instead of greeting shoppers with bleats and roars, Botanolution honors the earth's fauna by opposing animal testing and embracing vegan-friendly ingredients, such as hemp seed and shea butter. The company also opens its heart to humans by donating the profits from its bath salts to the Stanford Autism Center at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.

Like a flu shot during a mud bath, Raquel's Skincare & Waxing flaunts clinically oriented care amid lavish spa amenities. To this end, the spa merges pharmaceutical-grade skincare products with steam treatments, vitamin B5 masks, and massages to infuse focused skin rejuvenation with luxury. The menu of facial, microdermabrasion, and MicroPhototherapy treatments harnesses effective technology to address a full spectrum of epidermal needs, and Brazilian waxing and other hair-removal services call on French-imported hard waxes that are gentler on the skin.

At recently opened Rock Paper Scissors, owner and head stylist Kelsey Gallegos exercises artistic license over coifs, backed by extra training in Bumble and bumble, Redken, and AG hair products, to name a few. Her team of stylists boasts similar expertise in myriad specialties, allowing clients to pair up with an authority fitted to their needs. Beautifiers bend serums from AG, DermOrganic, and It's a 10 to their will as they shear and highlight tresses or sculpt one of their signature updos for wedding days or anniversaries with probation officers.

The salon's decor mirrors the creative whimsy with which staffers approach hair. Walls alternate between vibrant-yellow and deep-purple hues, complimented by a tree in bloom splashed across several paintings. Colorful abstract artwork emblazons other walls, one hung with a black-and-white photo of the vintage salon experience, which historically included black-and-white hairdos.

The relaxation gurus of Rejuvenescence send serenity blooming through the veins of stressed clients with a range of relaxing aesthetic treatments. Body wraps conjure healthy, glowing complexions with such nourishing ingredients as apricot kernels, blueberries, and clay made from volcanic ash. Harnessing microdermabrasion equipment and phototherapy treatments, facials let patrons strut out of rooms free of sunspots, dry skin, and fine lines from visits to the National Corduroy Museum. The haven's menu is completed by massages doled out in 60- or 90-minute increments and augmented by custom blends of essential oil and digital back warmers.

Uni Spa’s burnt-orange walls surround styling stations where hairstylists perform custom haircuts and hair-color treatments. Along with hair services, the staff offers a full menu of spa services that includes eyelash extensions, massages, facials, and waxes for both women and men. To thicken manes, they outfit heads with completely natural Indian Remy hair extensions. Spa professionals install the extensions without glue, braids, or clothespins, creating a natural look that lasts up to four months.

The brainchild of glamor expert Nicole Zammit, Beauty Queen Salon envelops guests in a cozy and inviting environment where each head of hair is lavished with personalized attention and upscale Pravana Perfection products. Stylists give unhurried attention to each salon service, throwing in free shampoos with every cut and style. They also create elegant updos for clients on their way to special events, and Nicole flexes her licensed esthetician muscles with a professional makeup application to bestow rosier cheeks or droopier zombie eyes.