Beauty & Spas in Sun Lakes

Both women and men turn to one of Madison Avenue Salon & Day Spa's three locations when they need treatments capable of instilling relaxation while rejuvenating looks. In the spa, massage therapists extract tension with hands and hot stones and aestheticians apply nutrient-rich Dermalogica products that, like a shoddily built waterbed, hydrate the skin. The salon side of their operation boasts a large team of stylists, who keep current on both office-ready and avant-garde looks with continuing education from Redken.

Selecting Goldwell, Moroccanoil, and TIGI products from their granite-topped stations, Epic Salon's hairstylists put the finishing touches on new haircuts, freshened colors, or newly straightened locks. In addition to elevating clients’ appearances with services such as keratin treatments and highlights, the stylists literally take hair to new heights by deftly twirling strands into elegant updos and stretch styles downward with Great Lengths hair extensions, which boast a texture even nicer than al dente spaghetti. The salon's aestheticians wax away unwanted body hair, treat cheeks to classic European facials, and reveal radiant skin with Jessner, retinol, and TCA peels.

Guided by her passion for hairstyling, Lauren Simpson turned a private suite inside Style de Vida Salon Spa Studios into her own personal coifing station—A Chemical Romance Salon. It's here that she transforms manes with modest or dramatic snips and a rainbow of color services, including creative hues, highlights, and comforting night-lights. Dry or frizzy hair are no match for her deep-conditioning or Brazilian blowout treatments, while ’dos in need of unusual flair latch onto feather extensions or hair bling. Lauren proudly posts the results of her work online, where would-be patrons can assess her skills.

As a registered nurse and licensed aesthetician, Rita Lewis combines her medical-assessment skills with her savvy for modern beauty procedures. At Body Kitchen Med Spa Aesthetic Studio, she helps clients fight excess inches as well as signs of aging with laser treatments, ultrasound energy, and cosmetic injections. Chemical peels strip away sunspots and acne scars, revealing soft, flower-petal-like skin.

Brandi Nuttall, the owner of Dolce Salon & Spa, must believe that you can never have too much of a good thing. Expanding upon her first and second Dolce locations, which measure in at 12,000 and 13,000 square feet, respectively, she opened the third hub in 2007. The 30,000-square-foot behemoth houses 62 styling stations, 21 spa rooms, 14 pedicure thrones, a makeup counter, a brow bar, and manicure stations. All three locations boast the same services—though at different scales—as well as men’s hair and spa treatments and bridal styling. Unlike hotels that charge extra for doorknobs and oxygen, the salons have a generous streak. They provide hairstyling services to those who donate to Locks of Love, spa services to local foster children, and hair clippings to areas affected by oil spills.

Bossa Nova's menu of services has haircuts, hair coloring, extensions, peels, makeup, facials, and more. Refresh skin with a 30-minute Half Nelson microdermabrasion ($55) or a 60-minute hydrating and nourishing That Gal facial treatment ($100). A partial highlight ($85+) or their newly added rejuvenating massage ($55) can amply primp anybody prior to prom, a bridal shower, or a home fumigation. Salon Bossa Nova has a positive and professional environment where skilled stylists mold hair lawns into marvelously coiffed creations. Men’s cuts range from $30 to $40, while women’s cuts are $45 to $65.