Beauty & Spas in North Carolina

Since childhood, Dr. Christian D. Werness has dreamed of bridging the gap between traditional and complementary medicine. He envisions a world where pain prescriptions are fewer and farther between and where those prescriptions are always legible. At HealthSource of Chapel Hill, Dr. Werness—who holds a doctor of chiropractic degree from Life University in Atlanta—strives to make that dream a reality, treating chronic discomfort and injuries with a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach. Dr. Werness's current team practices a system of care called progressive rehab, which helps to heal ailments through measures such as massage therapy, rehabilitation, and physician-grade nutritional supplements. Having served as a treating chiropractor for the Atlanta Falcons, Dr. Werness also specializes in sports-related ailments.

To call The Body Shop a mere skin and body care store is to miss half of what makes it special. Late founder Dame Anita Roddick was a pioneer for ethical business practices; upon opening her first store in Brighton, England, in 1976, she developed company values such as "Defend human rights" and "Protect our planet." She somehow balanced principles and profit, partnering in global campaigns with UNICEF, Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and the United Nations, all while expanding her brand into 2,500 locations in 60 international markets. After her death in 2007, then-British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, “She campaigned for green issues for many years before it became fashionable to do so and inspired millions to the cause by bringing sustainable products to a mass market. . . . She was an inspiration.”

Indeed, the Body Shop exhibits an eco-friendliness that's hard to come by in a company of its size. Its products have been fair-trade since 1987, and its Against Animal Testing movement led to a UK-wide ban of animal testing of cosmetics. The products are made from ingredients harvested from around the world: shea butter from Ghana goes into body scrubs and butters, and Indian artisans craft wooden massagers and tote bags that are screenprinted by hand. But all that isn't to say the company's production practices overshadow its final products. Skincare treatments such as the Blue Corn 3-in-1 deep-cleansing scrub mask often appear in Allure, Marie Claire, and other national publications.

Earthy tones, water fountains, and soothing music create a tranquil environment at Mountain Oasis Day Spa, where a trio of licensed professionals—an asthetician, an acupuncturist, and a massage therapist—applies their skills and know-how. To compliment the serene ambiance, an outdoor garden welcomes those that would like to take a minute to relax or nibble on leaves after a spa session. For holistic healing, the spa offers a full menu of massage, Chinese medicine, and acupuncture services. Their mani-pedis and waxing services beautify bodies, and the staff revitalizes visages with facials and LashDip treatments, a semi-permanent mascara application that lasts up to six weeks.

Having begun as a single tanning shop in Greenville during the autumn of 1990, Ultratan has since blossomed into more than 70 locations throughout the Carolinas and Georgia due to its popularity and commitment to quality service. Over the years, the collection of spas has accumulated numerous awards such as Best Tanning Salon from the Daily Gamecock for providing the best equipment in both tanning beds and spray-tan technology. As a member of the International Smart Tan Network, its commitment to safe tans also encompasses a passion for keeping their customers educated about responsible tanning routines and never tanning without a helmet.

Armed with current techniques for properly maintaining noggin lawns, Regis Salon’s network of stores keeps clients’ hair in order as dictated by the latest trends. Within this caravan of hair bazaars, customers’ wild manes are tamed by skillful stylists. Use your Groupon toward a shampoo, cut, and style ($31–$38) and lean back and dream of break-dancing Stay Puft Marshmallow Men as a stylist carefully cleanses hair with shampoo and conditioner and then clips it into stylish head-hedges that beautifully complement scalp-garden pathways. Afterward, the hair that’s left behind will receive a loving condition for a style that gleams and glitters like a ruby-encrusted bowling ball. During the treatment, stylists offer helpful tips and tricks to help clients care for hair at home. If a shampoo and cut isn't your cup of sports drink, put your Groupon toward the cost of another service, such as hair coloring ($60–$70), highlights ($80–$90), or a perm ($75–$85). Prices vary by location.

For a self-described "mini medi spa," Lavish Medical Aesthetics & Day Spa has a pretty comprehensive roster of services. First there are the facials, which employ Dermalogica products, LED lamps, and microcurrent probes to tighten slack skin and tone complexions. For more thorough exfoliation, the center wields derma blades, microdermabrasion wands, and chemical peels. Then there are the nail services, which can include add-ons such as paraffin and long-lasting Shellac gel polish. The body gets its fair share of attention, too; after undergoing laser hair removal, electrolysis, or waxing, clients can indulge in a salt glow or a back facial that uses hot rocks imported from the sun’s cobblestone streets.

Armed with more than 20 years of beautifying experience and ready-to-fire bottles of Redken products, Beverly Booe of Bello Salon gussies up headscapes with precision cuts and vibrant salon treatments. She and her stylists can tame locks with formaldehyde-free keratin treatments or crank up the volume with sprays and conditioners from Michael O'Rourke. Mineral makeup for weddings or jaunts to the grocery store showcase facial features like a dating website for Mr. Potato Heads.