Millcreek, UT Spa and Massage

Rain Salon & Spa’s stylists and therapists call upon the powers of Mother Nature—as embodied in plant-derived Aveda products—to repair damaged hair and untie knotted muscles. Provided they don’t have to use harsh chemicals, the stylists are always receptive to new technologies. Aveda delivers on this front with treatments such as the Smooth Infusion retexturizing system and a botanical renewal treatment that strengthens frizzy strands.

The spa’s therapists soothe backs and shoulders with 10 massage modalities, many of which come with enhancements such as Aveda blue oil and aromatherapy infused with clary sage. It’s not uncommon for other spa treatments to include more than meets the eye. Facials, for example, begin with a consultation and end with a makeup touchup. Similarly, complimentary beverages accompany nail treatments that refresh hands and feet with Caribbean aromas, OPI polishes, and freshly laundered sock puppets.

As a child, Erin Kump's favorite toy was the portable foot spa she used when giving her family members pedicures. Her favorite treats were the mud masks her mother would bring home for her from the drugstore. This interest in beauty blossomed into a career, and she became an aesthetician full time.

From their nook in Salon Rain & Day Spa, awash in soothing earth tones, Erin and her staff help work toward clients' aesthetic goals with a full roster of body treatments. Shelves brim with products from Image and HydroPeptide, which can be calibrated to help clear up acne, refresh lax skin, and empower patrons to fight signs of aging without drinking from fountains that conquistadors put their mouths all over. Beneath a sign reading “In the depths of the soul, everyone deserves to feel beautiful,” slow exhalations rustle the long leaves of live bamboo plants. Aestheticians slip past, leaving the scents of peppermint M’lis wraps and seasonal treatments in their wake.

State-licensed manicurist and nationally certified massage therapist Brenda Schulpius eases the chronic pain of fatigued muscles and occasional embarrassment of unkempt nails at Cosmic Touch Massage & Nails. She draws from 15 years of experience and an education from a COMTA-certified school and the Aveda Institute of Beauty and Wellness to deliver Swedish and therapeutic massage, targeted foot reflexology, and manicure and pedicure services. Shellac manicures are available to keep polished surfaces chip-free for up to 2 weeks or one tool-free attempt at carving your initials into a tree.

Inside this relaxing oasis, aestheticians and massage therapists infuse their treatments with mineral-rich elements of the Dead Sea. Its mud and salts exfoliate the skin during hammam-style scrubs, which also use olive-oil soaps to cleanse and moisturize. The mud is swept over faces during middle eastern facials, where it works to shrink pores and remove impurities. In addition to these nourishing treatments, the staff beautifies patrons with haircuts, Shellac manicures, and henna tattoos.

Located in a historic building in downtown Escondido with two floors and 11,000 square feet of space where romanesque white columns and archways, Renaissance paintings, and a sparkling chandelier invoke the parlor of an Italian palace. Relaxing music puts guests at ease as they sit in antique-style armchairs, awaiting custom facials, body treatments, and salon services performed with herbal and botanical products. Duos can de-stress together in the couples massage room, and a garden room allows humans to get the sun they need for their stalks to grow.

Within the deep-vanilla walls of A New U Salon & Spa, stylist Megan Gonzales sets up shop with all the necessary tools and brand-name hair potions needed to style, nourish, and transform her clients’ locks. Each of Megan’s treatments begins with an in-depth consultation, during which she discusses her subject's desired style, level of upkeep, and bridge clearance height before picking up her shears or coloring brush. Specializing in Redken color treatments, Megan refreshes hairstyles through her expertise in face-flattering cuts and subtle yet stylish hue transformations.