Morganton, NC Spa and Massage

Zen Massage's licensed therapists run their nimble fingers across backs and shoulders, healing fatigued muscles with eight massage modalities inspired by Eastern and Western traditions. While gliding strokes promote overall relaxation, firm taps hone in on stubborn knots in upper backs and rough-hewn peg legs. Zen Swedish and deep-tissue massages penetrate muscles with varying degrees of pressure, and neuromuscular therapy stimulates specific trigger points to call a truce between bickering body systems. A reiki energy treatment or blend of pure, essential aromatherapy oils coddles the senses while soothing strokes bring peace to beleaguered muscles.

Unruly curls can find a place to belong under the auspices of the Ouidad-trained staff at Alter Ego Salon & Day Spa. Healthy, manageable curls result from use of the trademark Carving & Slicing technique that maintains and enhances the natural pattern of spirographical locks. As one of the salon’s Ouidad-certified stylists, owner Jennifer Godfrey finds that helping clients love their curls has been one of the most rewarding parts of her 12-year experience. Aside from helping ringlets stay as twisty as the nationally treasured curly fry, Godfrey and her staff tend to various hair types to cut, color, or chemically treat strands. On top of a spread of classic salon services, Alter Ego's nailcare maintains healthy hand appearance, and special children’s mani-pedis keeps little ones' claws sharp to guard against impending scratch-n-sniff pop quizzes.

Idolize Brows & Beauty's threading experts shape and manage facial hair without chemicals or blades. Their gentle threading treatments precisely shape eyebrows or completely banish hair from the chin, sideburns, cheeks, or neck. Beyond their string-centered services, the aestheticians also offer eyelash extensions in three different lengths.

As visitors to Spa Theology slip into plush robes and slippers and nibble organic treats in the relaxation lounge, stress falls away—so does the rest of the outside world. Evoking a secluded country farmhouse perpetually filled with warm, late-afternoon light and truckloads of all-organic crops, the spa spirits guests away to a realm of rough brick walls, creamy curtains, and recessed nooks glowing with tea lights. Once pamperees have reached at least a level eight on the ahhmeter, they're ushered into a treatment room to be plied with only botanically-based, paraben-free salves. Treatments can also be tweaked to include soul-relaxing Polynesian rituals or Reiki energy healing.

Abi Goldberg wanted to open her own spa to honor her entrepreneurial father's memory after he passed away. In 2012, Abi used her family's business instincts to rebrand her salon. Chroma, formerly La Chique, now features industrial chic decor with aqua-colored accents for a more modern, serene setting. Clients can still count on pampering Image Skincare facials and customized cuts, as well as wine and beer to sip or pour out in respect for recently lost locks. Abi also maintains the boutique's stock of handcrafted jewelry and accessories she personally selects from expos in New York and Atlanta.

While a husband’s compliment may turn his wife’s day around, very rarely does it turn into a business. But that’s what happened when Pat Helmandollar’s husband called her a savvy business woman. Since 1967, Helmandollar has used her beauty savvy to work inside salons, own three businesses, teach stylists from all over the world, and helm a team of licensed beauty professionals.

Stylists cut and color hair or add texture, hair extensions, or hair tinsel that decorates strands and gives cats something else to eat. Alternatively, estheticians can remove tension in the face with heated basalt stones and cold marble stones or render a customized chemical peel to get rid of dead skin cells and smoothen skin. Massage therapists balance chakras by blending visualization and touch or add luxury to massages by laying down a literal bed of roses for clients to rest upon in candlelight, rather than the more common industrial torch light used in other salons.

Aside from using their relaxation- and beauty-inducing treatments as a tonic for stress, the salon and day spa also contributes to non-profit causes. Savvy makes donations to the Make A Wish Foundation and rewards clients who give more than $5 worth of monetary or toy donations by entering them into a drawing for one gratis service per month for an entire year.