Beauty & Spas in Washington

The holiday season is upon us, and as a result, your social calendar is jam-packed. If you’re too busy hopping from one soiree to the next to actually have time to, you know, curl your hair, then consider outsourcing some of your beautification rituals. You’ll look great in all the Facebook photos (which, let’s be honest, is kind of the point of all of this) and you may actually open up enough time in your schedule to take a nap. Swink Style Bar: You can only get away with tying your hair back and calling it “a messy bun” so many times before it gets old. Get a blowout ($35, or $20 on Tuesdays) or a drystyle ($35) for a glamorous look that will last for days. They also do makeup – a full makeup application is only $35. Wax Bar: It may not be bikini season, but if you don’t like to go au natural, hit up The Wax Bar to stay sleek and fuzz-free. Whether your eyebrows need a touch-up, you don’t feel like shaving or you want it all taken off, the aestheticians at The Wax Bar are pretty much the best in town, and it’s the only place you can take the edge off with a drink before your session. Atomic Cosmetics: When you want to look seriously glam, shop where the drag queens shop – Atomic Cosmetics in Capitol Hill. Their high-powered, all-natural cosmetics pack a serious punch, and you can get hands-on advice from makeup artists who know what it takes to look fierce. The Frock Shop, Velouria and Horseshoe: Sure, there are lots of big chains where you can find a pretty dress, but why not shop local and stand out from the crowd in something that unique? The Frock Shop in Phinney Ridge and Velouria and Horseshoe in Ballard are my favorite places to get a new outfit when I want to feel pretty. Healthy Nail Salon: The service is friendly, the prices are reasonable, they give you hot stone massages with most services and you get a little plate full of snacks as soon as you walk in. This is hands-down my favorite nail salon in Seattle. Ladywell Day Spa: No matter what you’re wearing or how you do your hair, if you’re relaxed and happy, you’ll look way better. So book some time at Ladywell Day Spa. Their labyrinth of baths and saunas will detoxify you and get you ready to look and feel radiant, especially when it’s freezing outside.

As heavenly as a spa day sounds, the bleak reality of carving out a chunk of time on a jam-packed calendar makes it impossible for most busy working women and men to relax and enjoy a day of pampering. Fortunately, more Seattle spas are offering options that make it easier to squeeze in some much-needed pamper time, as well as a few extra little perks that go a long way. At Hotel 1000’s inviting Spaahh, weekday “Glam and Go” express treatments make it possible to get a manicure, pedicure, massage, even a “Perfection Peel” over your lunch break. These 30-minute treatments are anything but a rush job, as the friendly, well-trained staff takes care to create a stress-free setting. Part of the relaxing experience is having a take-out lunch from the award-winning BOKA restaurant waiting for you at the end. There’s nothing better than showing off that new nail color while enjoying a flavorful salad Niçoise back at your desk. Lunch, as well as valet parking, is included in the price of service. Nourishment for your dry skin is the mission accomplished at the elegant Four Seasons Spa, located across from the Seattle Art Museum near Pike Place Market. Three seasonal Northwest scrubs are on offer for clients, using a mix of fragrant regional herbs and unusual ingredients like espresso beans, so they leave patrons feeling buttery soft and refreshed. If you’re tempted to linger in the tranquil waiting room, the inventive menu from nearby ART is available. Or, if you’ve got all day to spare, spend it at the spa and receive access to the hotel’s infinity pool and fitness center. Northwest-grown products are also a key part of the heartfelt mission at Elaia in the Hyatt’s Olive 8, Seattle’s first LEED-certified hotel. This eco-friendly spa focuses on relaxation and rejuvenation using organic products native to the region. Guests are encouraged to arrive early enough to take advantage of the calming environment in the lounge, which is always well-stocked with snacks, beverages and the latest magazines. An indoor pool and hot tub, as well as a work out facility, is made available to spa clients at Elaia, but it’s likely you’ll just want to relax and steam the day away. Or towel off and head back to work, refreshed and recharged.