Robertsville, NJ Spa and Massage

Salon Soleil Nails & Spa's nail techs wield OPI lacquers, ibd gels, and LCN nail toppers, which are made from a gel-like, light-cured resin that does not discolor natural nails. Nearby, hairstylists update 'dos with Matrix color and perm haircare, and massage therapists dole out Swedish, deep-tissue, and aromatherapy massages while using Spa Organics lotions that are infused with natural ingredients such as raw emotion. The beauty haven also boasts a private treatment room dedicated to waxing, and leather pedicure thrones that are regularly spit-shined with hospital-grade disinfectants.

Dramatic, crystalline chandeliers dominate the interior of Valina Salon and Day Spa, a space that melds upscale aesthetics with approachable service. Beneath arrangements of inverted cones and ringed spheres, the technicians and stylists nourish and beautify bodies with Aveda botanical products. Cooling tones of white and periwinkle surround the salon section, where strands soak up deep-conditioning treatments or undergo stylistic transformations via cuts and color services.

The spa section favors textured white walls and buttery woods, which surround plush leather pedi-thrones and med-spa rooms outfitted with precision microdermabrasion equipment. Aromatherapy is incorporated into many services, from Swedish massages to spa manicures, in order to give the nostrils something to flare about. Regardless of the reason for swinging by the space, clients are encouraged to sink into plush violet benches as they await their service.

At an early age, Kathy Bocklage realized that her sense of empathy left her destined for a career easing the pain of others. She didn't know exactly how she would go about it, though, until she learned about massage therapy from an acquaintance. With his encouragement, she enrolled in massage school. At Therapeutic Touch by Kathy, she puts her sympathetic touch and newfound massage skills to use dispelling tension and pain from backs. Among her specialties are hot-stone therapy, which encourages mental and physical relaxation, and myofascial massage, which releases stress caused by misalignment or jobs hunching over next to celebrities to make them appear taller.

When it comes to relaxation, Lisa K. Girandola offers a variety of options for pampering her patrons. She and her staff promote inner calm and relaxed muscles by ushering clients through 14 types of massages and 15 ways of smashing an alarm clock. Cold, clinical technology is nowhere to be found during facial and skin services. Instead, fruit and lavender peels and masks replace lasers and harsh chemicals during the spa's sea facials, herbal facials, and optimum rejuvenation treatments. In addition to beautifying and relaxing physiques, Lisa nurtures spiritual sides by attempting to balance chakras and leading students through three levels of reiki-attunement classes.

Andrea Carangelo viewed her brother, Mark, as a miracle worker. She watched as he used his skills with massage to help people manage the pain of multiple sclerosis. Later in life, she experienced an injury so intense that she couldn’t walk—a back surgery damaged her femoral nerve—and it was her brother’s massage work that helped her regain use of her leg.

Those memories remain with her today, guiding her vision for Massage Therapy & Wellness Center. Andrea draws upon more than 10 modalities—her specialties being warm-bamboo and hot-stone massage—as well as upgrades such as aromatherapy to tailor each of her 60- to 120-minute custom massages. After leading a consultation to identify her client's concerns, she keeps communication open throughout the session, explaining every technique she uses and tapping tension-releasing commands to muscles via Morse code. She typically applies a light oil or gel to enhance bodywork, and for especially intense problem spots, she may apply Prossage ointment to radiate warmth deep into tissue layers. Her studio augments the relaxing effects of massage by surrounding clients in soft lighting and calming music.

Licensed aesthetician and The Spa at Centrex owner Yvonne Semente runs a one-woman glamour show, transforming clients with luscious eyelash extensions, facial treatments, and waxing services. Eyelashes are Yvonne's specialty, and she has spent almost every day for the past three years painstakingly applying her clients' lavish new fringe lash by lash, discarding any falsie that doesn't meet her rigorous standards for flirtation fluttering. As the spa’s only employee, Yvonne also funnels her 10 years of aesthetic expertise into acne and anti-aging facial treatments, chemical peels, waxing, and microdermabrasion.