Manchester, MO Spa and Massage

Clara Hoffmeier at Health & Harmony Massage Therapy has a passion for massage therapy forged in personal experience. Back in the 80s, she sat at a desk at AT&T for long hours every day, perhaps wondering when the Internet would be invented. The discomfort caused by this sedentary routine, coupled with personal inspiration from the power of touch her ailing mother extolled, eventually motivated her to study at the Healing Arts Center. Today, at her studio, she uses that foundation of inspiration and education to mitigate tension in muscles and pamper clients with body and spa treatments. Along with massages, she and her staff render waxing services, detoxifying sea mud wraps, and eyelashes tinting.

Five therapists man an intimate neighborhood practice in southern St. Louis, relaxing clients inside a sunny storefront or bringing their chairs to corporate events and parties. The quintet capably treats varying conditions by employing a host of modalities, including deep-tissue massage for chronic pain, prenatal massage for mother-and-child wellness, and hot-stone massage for slowly immunizing the body against magma. As the pressure of thumbs penetrates the skin, body treatments, such as the seaweed-algae mask and the Dead Sea–mud mask, replenish dermal surfaces with organic goodies and help revitalize all of the body's tissues.

The staff at Shear-Lock Combs West takes the mystery of out fixing hair and skin issues. Scissors tear through split ends and unwanted length in a single snip, and facials gently erase acne and fine lines. The beauty pros also apply glamorous makeup that can last through weddings, dances, and triathlons. In addition to this meticulous attention to the face, Shear-Lock ensures the rest of the body isn't neglected with a host of full-body treatments. They offer chair and full-body massages, waxing for the bikini zone and legs, and give skin a sun-kissed glow with custom spray-tan formulas.

At ColorFX, skilled stylists and aestheticians execute a slew of services with a special focus on color and color correction. The friendly staff also treats feet to pedicures and hands to a variety of manicures, including hot-oil manicures, and nail art. To keep up on the latest trends and to prevent hair from devouring clients à la Cousin Itt of the Addams Family, the experienced stylists participate in continuous training and education.

Led by Steven and Markita Holloway, the team at Studio 6 Salon & Spa works together to provide budget-friendly beautification services that have caught the attention of magazines such as Essence and Salon Sense. Stylists craft the latest hair designs, ranging from spiral perms to bonded or sewn-in weaves. The spa's tranquil, sea-green-toned ambiance, abundance of plants, and comfortable armchairs create a relaxing background for mani-pedis as well as facials, body wraps, and waxing services.

Couples can enjoy an aromatherapy or hot-stone massage together in a private room. For larger groups, the crew offers spa packages or parties for little princesses complete with wands, robes, and pointers on how to dance in glass slippers.