Paraffin in San Marcos

When first meeting clients, licensed massage therapist Stacey Allen goes over their health histories and asks them what their goals are. She does this as a way of engaging the client, but she can usually sense their aches just by watching them walk into the studio. A patient may complain, for example, of chronic neck pain, but Stacey notices something off in his gait. Then she learns of an old knee injury. Working over the client's body, she can tell that though his knee has healed, his body hasn't let go of the tension that resulted from compensating for the injury. And so she sets to work, gradually undoing the deep-set tension reaching from the knee to the neck. Stacey gives every client this depth of individualized treatment, drawing upon massage modalities that include therapeutic, Swedish, sports, and deep-tissue work. Her journey into massage therapy started somewhat by happenstance?as a bookkeeper, she'd often greet coworkers with a quick shoulder massage, which became her form of a handshake. When the economy slowed, she decided to expand her repertoire and study massage. Naming her practice after a mentor's mantra, "We heal from within," Stacey puts guests at ease with relaxing spa music, Tempur-Pedic table toppers, and candles scented like a mother's love.

Located in Vista, New U Rejuvenation Center is both a fitness and wellness center under one spacious roof. For fitness, clients can come in for whole-body-vibration fitness sessions, which are said to achieve results in a shorter amount of time than traditional workouts. The center also features personal training with certified trainers and group-fitness classes such as Zumba and ab classes centered around hip-hop or music by The Chipmunks. Wellness services abound here??there are massage services, nutritional programs, an oxygen bar, and an infrared jade sauna, believed to be able to burn calories while detoxifying the body. Members can try a detoxing ionic footbath, or come in for one of the beauty treatments available from licensed aestheticians, such as a pedicure, bikini waxing, or a facial.

At Modern Hair Nails & Spa, stylists, nail technicians, and aestheticians offer a range of treatments designed to keep their clientele looking spruce from head to toe. Services include mani-pedis, waxing, hair color and styling, and a variety of facials for men and women.

When Kali needs to get rid of unwanted hair, she has plenty of tools to turn to. The waxing expert uses hard wax for the most sensitive parts of the body, including the bikini area. Creamy strip wax, on the other hand, removes hair from the legs, back, and other large body parts. Kali can even swipe hair away from the face, using her steady hands to transform eyebrows into perfect arches or fierce-looking lightning bolts.

At Cristian Belle Salon, the newly remodeled space's sunny yellow walls promptly greet guests, but a warm smile from the staff is never far behind. Friendly stylists straighten and snip tresses into complementing 'dos before sculpting hair with Moroccanoil, Mensdept. and Enjoy haircare products. After acrylic and Shellac polishes are layered onto freshly manicured hands, technicians dress them up with coats of glitter and such intricate images as Picasso break dancing. Sunless-tanning and skincare services are available, and Cristian Belle Salon encourages clients to visit the boutique area to try on trendy scarves and funky jewelry.

Even though pink is her favorite color, salon owner Kat Daniels designed her salon to cater to the pampering needs of both men and women. The result is a cozy, balanced mix of masculine and feminine elements, including mocha-tinted walls, sleek styling chairs, animal-print accents, and the occasional tasteful pop of fuchsia. Ladies and gents can both appreciate the attention to detail Kat and her staff bring to haircuts, mani-pedis, and skin services such as microcurrent facials, as well as the shop's arsenal of top-of-the-line products bearing names such as Redken, Pureology, and Dermalogica. The staff goes above and beyond with indulgent extras such as head, neck, and shoulder massages and men's hot-towel treatments, but above all else, they pride themselves on creating a peaceful, quiet atmosphere where clients can escape from day-to-day stress and door-to-door salesmen.