Oakland Beauty and Salons

The Pure Skin's experienced owner and aesthetician, Renata Martins, specializes in Brazilian-style waxing but takes pride in her ability to restore radiance in a variety of ways. Have your pores prettified during The Pure Skin facial, a 60-minute customized treatment that cleanses, tones, steams, and exfoliates, finished with a relaxing neck and shoulder massage ($85), or use this Groupon toward a more intensive 75-minute Ultrasonic Beautifying Facial geared to improve the appearance and health of mature skin ($115). Limb paddles are pampered during soothing and exfoliating hand and foot treatments, both of which include hydrating masks and luxurious massages ($35/hand, $45/foot). Unwanted hairs can be weeded from nearly any bodily zone with Renata's prided waxing treatments ($10–$65). The Pure Spa uses a combination of hard and soft waxes depending on the treatment area, ensuring proper precision and minimal discomfort.

Laser Genesis facials harness the crystalline power of laser technology to stimulate collagen across the face's entire topography. The brisk, 30-minute laser treatment is a non-ablative form of photorejuvenation that turns dull skull masks vibrant and puts a flush back into pallid cheekbone padding. Results are evident after just one treatment, reducing pore size and exfoliating the skin into a glowing head beacon. Repeated treatments further dim fine lines, reduce redness, and fade scars like the memory of a lost love handle; meanwhile, facial veins and uneven skin texture become smoother than jazz. The quick procedure typically has no downtime.

Led by Adelice and Daniel Miller, Salon DNA's team of professionals rejuvenate clients from head to toe with services ranging from haircuts to pedicures. With more than three decades of combined experience in Brazil, London, and Beverly Hills, the staff have worked with a variety of clients with uniquely wavy hair, highly sensitive skin, and requests for their chest hair to be waxed into a portrait of Pelé. The salon's large windows bring in ample sunlight, which glistens off hardwood floors and white furnishings to nourish delicate floral arrangements.

At The Maas Clinic, visitors can acquire smooth and hairless skin without time-consuming maintenance or rubbing up against a sappy pine tree. The laser treatments can be applied to the lips, chin, underarms, bikini line, happy trail, ears, front and back of neck, shoulder tops, and sideburns. Also, a Brazilian or full shoulder treatment can be had for an additional $250. Treatments utilize the state-of-the-art Lumenis LightSheer laser to apply pulses of heat that damage hair follicles and hinder their ability to re-grow, while using contact-cooling technology to keep skin tear-free.

As a Paul Mitchell partner school, San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology arms its students with top-notch beauty industry knowledge. Right when students are bursting with know-how, but just before they start their careers in salons and spas, they break out of the classroom to pamper clients. They run through a retinue of treatments, including hair services such as updos and highlights, skin treatments in the form of anti-aging facials, and makeup services.

With the peak of summer heat upcoming, there's no finer time to pave the way toward fewer shaves. Stop into Pretty Parlor to beautify your southern hemisphere with a 15-minute basic bikini wax ($25) or go for the gusto with a full 30-minute Brazilian ($60). The parlor also offers a variety of services for facially aesthetic brilliance, including lip or chin waxes ($10 each) and mood-altering eyebrow waxes ($15). Owner Sarah D. LaShelle, who has been wicking away follicles for eight years, will happily tailor the session to your skin type, addressing any issues or concerns before sending you home smooth and with complimentary wax balm. For a full list of pricing and services, check out the Pretty Parlor website.