Millbrae, CA Spa and Massage

An entirely female cast of massage therapists runs the show at Jin Healing For Women, where they undo the stress of everyday life with tailored massage treatments. The team’s ache-alleviating repertoire includes deep-tissue and Swedish oil massages that knead superficial layers of muscle to produce multiple benefits, including reducing pain, defusing stress, and strengthening the body’s ability to fight diseases and body-snatcher invasions. Although there isn't a “No Boys Allowed” treehouse sign hanging on the spa’s front door, the sentiment still applies; Jin Healing was created specifically to instill comfort in and serve the needs of women.

Sol Y Luna Spa takes care of clients with carefully administered services powered by products from OPI, SpaRitual, and Éminence. During french pedicures and other luxurious nail treatments, cushioned maroon chairs raise digits above pristine tubs of soothing warm water. An array of waxing, sugaring, and threading regimens help to prune the bodily locks of both men and women, and massages in styles such as hot stone, Swedish, and aromatherapy assuage muscle aches and pains. Technicians also cleanse and hydrate skin with facial services and complementary front-row tickets to the local killer-whale show.

At Plumberry Nail Spa, adroit aestheticians buff and pamper extremities with a mélange of eco-friendly and vegan spa products, as well as options from traditional salon brands. Sunlight streams in through large angled windows as clients recline on cushioned leather chairs and sip organic herbal teas. Manicures and pedicures each proffer a host of cosseting elements, from a callus-banishing lavender-aloe-vera exfoliating scrub to hot-towel wraps that open pores and expel toxins. During multistep European facials, organic ingredients imported directly from Hungary coddle frontispieces with potent concentrations of aromatics and nutrients. Plumberry also prioritizes hygiene by swapping traditional jet tubs for pedicure bowls and using fresh files and pumice bars on each client, which can be taken home after the nail service to maintain salon results or serve as backup lemon zesters. Artwork from Bay Area artists, illuminated by petite dangling lights, adorns the lavender walls and amuses eyes during beauty treatments.

Plumberry aims to tread lightly on the earth by using recycled packaging materials and energy-efficient appliances, as well as recycling and composting onsite. Its natural nail polish and organic skincare products eschew parabens, formaldehyde compounds, and eldritch curses.

As music plays, white scrims separate Pure Envy Spa Bar’s pedicure stations, where stenciled portraits of Audrey Hepburn hang on sea-green walls. There, visitors plunge feet into baths of dutch cocoa, milk and honey, or water spiked with floating lime slices and mint leaves. Nailcare services are far from the only treatments available—a variety of facials soothe different skin types, and hot stones and oils facilitate massages. Waxing helps remove undesired hair more efficiently than trying to shave with a vegetable peeler. The spa boutique also sells OPI polishes, Yon-Ka Paris skincare products, and gift cards.

Almost as long as the list of ingredients that Simply Green Day Spa’s organic nail polishes include is the list of common polish chemicals that they don’t. The colorful hues from SpaRitual and Butter London eschew DBA, toluene, formaldehyde, parabens, and phtalates—and none were tested on animals. By using products such as these, Simply Green simultaneously nurtures both its clients and the environment. While nail technicians wield the nontoxic polishes and acetone-free polish remover, augmenting mani-pedis with sugar and salt scrubs and hot-stone massages, skincare experts turn to natural facial treatments. Antioxidants from blueberries and vitamin C set to work on blemishes along with exfoliation, masks, and steam, which helps patrons clear their clogged pores without trying to suck out dirt with a Shop-Vac.

Simply Green Day Spa’s staff also eases aches and stress with Swedish, deep-tissue, and prenatal massages. After a thorough coddling, waxing specialists banish leg hair or evict unwanted fuzz from the face, leaving patrons completely made over. Setting the stage for these transformations, Simply Green’s decor lives up to its name’s other meaning with plush green armchairs arranged amid sage-green walls, a rock fountain, and sweeping white curtains.

Inside A Cut Above Hair Salon, Laura of Lovely Looks by Laura adds finishing touches to her clients' looks with eyelash extensions, waxes, and spray tans. During eyelash-extension appointments, Laura bonds 35 to 40 extensions to individual lashes for a look that lasts up to three weeks. To keep up looks, Laura also offers touchup appointments to fill in any missing extensions after two weeks.