North Valley, NM Spa and Massage

Genesis Health Spa's professionals promote health, beauty, and wellbeing through treatments that are highly customized and performed in a relaxing environment. Along with facial, massage, and waxing services, the spa employs an experienced makeup artist to revamp exteriors with Jane Iredale mineral cosmetics during makeup applications, lessons, and special-occasion services for brides or eccentric ex-vaudevillians. For treatments in the tradition of oriental medicine, Dr. Heather Jones helps to balance body and mind with holistic Eastern healing methods. Acupuncture, cupping, and herbal medicine are just a few of the services offered to help alleviate bodily ailments without prescription drugs or a steady diet of sunshine, along with lesser-known services include Gua Sha––a massage-like technique that aims to release muscular tension by gently scraping animal horn, jade, or ceramic across troubled areas to release tightness.

More than 60 Merle Norman–brand skincare and cosmetic products line the shelves of this Albuquerque hub to aide its staff of beauty advisors as they customize services for each client. The company regularly churns out new facial products that mute fine lines, quench dry skin, and teach freckles to plot out marching-band formations. The company also manufactures nine lines of foundation that beauty advisors pull from to perform complimentary cosmetics trials. During these trials, the advisors explain each step of the makeup-application process so clients can replicate looks at home or on bored pumpkins waiting for the Halloween carving season. Merle Norman Cosmetics & Spa’s team also specializes in waxing, chemical peels, and haircare.

Clients can put their skin care needs in the able hands of esthetician and spa owner, Brenda Shepard Thompson. Her customized facials clean deep down into pores and refresh tired mugs with Osmosis Organic MediFacial Masks and products. Each service, including the teen clean clarifying facial, gentleman's facial, and back treatment include a thorough skin analysis, steam, extractions if necessary, and relaxing massages from her assistants, the Hamburger Helper and Thing. Brenda is also known for removing unwanted hair from hair to fuzzy piggy toes.

Keith West-Harrison can't squeeze his job title on one line of a resume. Yes, he's an aesthetician. But he's also a lifestyle coach, celebrity beauty advisor, humanitarian, and self-proclaimed "eco-urban shaman." In 2009, New Mexico Business Weekly included Keith's name on its annual "40 Under Forty" list, celebrating his entrepreneurial excellence and achievements at his airy, urban spa, Great Face and Body.

Amid gleaming hardwood floors, international decorations, and lots of black leather, the team at Great Face and Body caters to the skin needs of all ages. Specialists freshen frontages with both preventative and restorative facials, ranging from 20-Something treatments to the None-of-Your-Damn-Business facial for clients 60 or older. Services employ only organic and sustainable beauty products, which Keith and his posse develop and handcraft in the store using many locally cultivated ingredients. This commitment to eco-friendly practices has earned them accolades such as DAYSPA Magazine's title of Top Green Spa of 2013. The spa also integrates 5,000-year-old Native American, African, and Ayurvedic wellness principles to provide a challenging tongue twister to any reporters who stop by for interviews.