Westwood, NJ Spa and Massage

Housed within the intimate confines of the historic John G. Benson House, D2 Day Spa matches its cozy Dutch Colonial surroundings with signature massages that earned it a spot in the 2012 edition of InStyle's Beauty Black Book. The spa's team of seven nationally certified therapists customize massages to each client, soothing irritated tissue with gentle Swedish strokes or loosening up sluggish circulation with hot and cold stone therapy. Therapists also bring pairs together during their signature couples massages, which treat side-by-side spouses, friends, or off-duty firemen to bonding experiences ranging from aromatherapy-aided massages to red sea salt back exfoliations and steamy hot towel treatments.

Overhead lights shine down on Allure Day Spa & Salon, illuminating earthen clay tiles and walls the color of saffron. In these cozy, rustic environs, Allure owner and operator Monica Laratta manages a highly trained contingent of stylists, aestheticians, and massage therapists using her 20 years of industry experience. Decorative wall mirrors record the transformation of bland tresses into stylish and colorful dos with the help of products by AG Hair and TIGI. Elsewhere in the salon, essie and OPI nail polishes brighten fingers and toes. Likewise, spray tans and facials brighten complexions, and waxing nixes unwanted hair from lips, eyebrows, or misbehaving Chia pets.

Harmony Heals is owned by Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals member Melissa Stein, who uses her trained hands to thwart tension and help her clients find physical and mental serenity. Her specialty is classic Swedish massage, during which she employs long, flowing strokes to gradually relax both the superficial muscles and the nervous system, and often incorporates light lotion or oil to reduce friction and soften the skin. Unlike some massage therapists who augment their services with the sounds of howler monkeys playing in their natural habitat, Melissa plays soothing music during each of her massages, and invites clients to disrobe to their desired comfort level rather than donning the traditional backless hot-dog costume.

A passion for wellness powers Jill Breier morning, noon, and night, whether she’s volunteering at Red Cross blood drives or the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer or performing therapeutic massages. This certified massage therapist draws upon training from the Essex Group Institute for Massage and Bodywork as she tailors her techniques to the needs of each client, including moms-to-be and cancer patients.

Jill's Swedish massages teem with circular friction, gentle taps, and strokes that glide across the body, whereas her foot-reflexology sessions apply pressure solely on the soles to stimulate body organs and recount how each little piggy went to the market. Aromatherapy and hot-stone sessions draw on soothing basalt stones and oils, which come in calming scents such as lavender and energizing scents such as eucalyptus, to invigorate the senses. When customizing a massage to an individual client's needs, Jill and her team use a holistic approach to ease pain, promote mobility, and enhance the flow of nutrient-rich blood, leaving bodies as charged up as Edison's Roomba.

At A Good Life Massage Therapy, certified massage therapist Danielle DeLeonardo is committed to easing clients' stress and tension. She schedules morning, afternoon, and evening appointments 7 days a week, loosening muscles with eight different types of massages and body-balancing reflexology sessions. During relaxing aromatherapy massages, DeLeonardo employs fragrant Young Living essential oils that have been harvested from shrubs, flowers, and trees. She addresses the discomforts of mothers-to-be with prenatal massages, and performs corporate massages that can increase employees' productivity and decrease offices' paper-airplane traffic.

Though Deja vu Salon & Spa touts a broad selection of face and body treatments, many of them aim to improve the appearance and condition of skin. Aestheticians unearth fresher faces with glycolic acid, a solution that also resurfaces in pedicures designed to dissolve calluses and rough patches from feet. Patrons can opt to defuzz skin with waxing or Candela laser treatments, and spa packages introduce purifying back treatments and body polishes. Additionally, a salon boasts stylists well-versed in both curling hair with permanent waves and smoothing strands with relaxers.