Spa in Smyrna

Merle Norman Day Spa and Boutique's beauty specialists are the three graces of the Merle Norman brand, whose American-made tonics have nourished skin since 1931. Owner Shannon Burroughs Mangrum leads the trio with more than a decade of experience and two diplomas folded into an imposing origami saber. Relying on her clinical aesthetics degree from Jon Nave University, she safely blends rejuvenating chemical compounds into five types of facial peels, and mans mechanical devices that gently exfoliate dead skin or cover it in bronzer. Her degree in permanent cosmetics from the Texas Institute of Permanent Cosmetics focused on the OSHA and CDC safety guidelines for an art that helps those with allergies, loss of motor abilities, or a lack of free time create enduring beauty. Associate Alyssa lends her nimble fingers to more conventional makeovers that will wash off after nights out under a waterfall, as well as treatments that create smooth skin all over the body and relaxed muscles underneath.

Under the salon’s contrasting tones of bubblegum and black licorice, the team at The Beauty Bar Salon & Boutique works to treat clients with a complete menu of salon services. Owner Tia Gunn leads the team while lending her expertise in the areas of coloring, cutting, styling, and applying extensions. In addition to providing hair services for both men and women, the specialists offer skincare services to cleanse and nourish pores, nail services to brighten hands, and waxing services to show dolphins the real masters of the sea.

Dermea Laser Skin Care is not a spa. It’s not a salon. And it’s definitely not one of those places where they make mediocre burgers but people still go because the servers pretend to be rude to you. But it is the aesthetics branch of Get Well Clinics, which means it relies on medical-grade equipment and procedures to remove body hair and refresh the skin. One such piece of equipment is the LightSheer diode laser system, a popular machine that can remove hair from all six types of skin on the Fitzpatrick scale. Another is the microdermabrasion machine, which reduces the appearance of wrinkles, acne, and scars, especially when it’s coupled with the alpha-hydroxy acids of the clinic’s glycolic peels.

Licensed massage therapist Lisa Ambuehl believes too many people rely on medication to get rid of pain. With multiple massage modalities at her disposal, she aims to help clients kick pills to the curb by increasing blood circulation and releasing entrenched toxins. Strokes modulate between gentle and flowing to firm, deep-tissue kneading—both of which can help minds forget stress triggers without erasing video game cheat codes.

The Spa at Merle Norman deploys its epidermis-doting expert Jennifer Chaney to dole out personalized pampering based on skin type and lifestyle analysis. Suitable for all skin types and credit histories, the 75-minute Pamper Me facial rehydrates dry facial husks and exfoliates blemish-prickled pores with a regiment of customized pampering. After a deep-down refreshing cleanse, de-funked faces are steamed, masked, and masterfully moisturized, leaving each one as irresistibly smooth as a freshly buttered gazing ball. A face, décolleté, and hand massage rounds out the visage-improving romp, and Jennifer will also suggest the proper domicile upkeep for retaining revived guises.

Inside this relaxing oasis, a team of beauty experts pampers clients from head to toe with invigorating treatments for the skin, body, and hair. Aestheticians tailor facials to counter skin-specific woes, keeping faces smooth with add-ons such as enzyme masks, glycolic peels, or waxing. During massage sessions, therapists soothe muscle aches with Swedish, sports, or four-handed massage therapy, which enlists the help of either two therapists or one well-trained dog. Split ends hit the floor in the salon, where talented stylists turn out freshly cut, colored, and styled coifs. Beyond these three pillars of beauty, Cottage Spa also tends to nails with a coat of vibrant polish or long-lasting gel.

Dr. Margaret Smiechowski designed Serenity Salt with temperatures and humidity levels that mimic those of natural salt caves in the Ukraine, where salt therapy originated. In this cave, though, soothing music fills the air, and the walls, floors, and even the air are awash in pure, pink-hued Himalayan salt rather than Ukrainian sodium chloride. An estimated 12,000 pounds of Himalayan salt encompasses the room, bearing 84 minerals and trace elements. All of them enrich skin and flow through respiratory systems, killing bacteria and fighting ailments that range from allergies or bronchitis to depression.