Beauty & Spas in Covington

When Elle · A Clinical Day Spa first opened in 1997, its therapists specialized exclusively in massage. But soon, they saw that what the average guest needed most was not a standalone massage appointment, but an immersive, multifaceted experience that could undo the stress that bombards them on a daily basis. Owners Leigh Shaw and Polly Tabares, who have experience in the spa industry and the fields of dermatology and plastic surgery, rethought their approach and expanded their services into both traditional spa therapies and med-spa treatments.

Today, Leigh and Polly oversee everything from body wraps and facials to Botox injections and prescription skincare. They also maintain a stash of products for at-home care, stocking lines such as Dermalogica and bareMinerals by Bare Escentuals. For frequent guests, they coordinate VIP memberships that offer perks such as service discounts and massages that harness the rejuvenating power of phoenix tears.

As a former model, The New Look For You founder Mimi Lee-Grier knows beauty isn’t as easy as magazines make it look. But she also knows the behind-the-scenes tricks that make it seem so effortless. Permanent cosmetics, eyelash extensions, and eyebrow tinting are three low-maintenance methods she uses to make eyes bigger, lips fuller, and lashes more seductive—effects that won’t smear or fade while swimming, crying, or both. She also reconditions skin with facials, uses her oil-painter’s hand to apply traditional makeup, and swaddles guests in the deep heat of infrared body wraps.

Desert Sun Tanning's FormoStar body wraps radiate infrared heat onto the limbs and torso in order to boost metabolism and accelerate the burning of fat. During the 50-minute treatment, clients can adjust the body wrap's temperature to suit their levels of heat tolerance and pyromania. The heat from the wrap helps alleviate muscle pain, promotes calorie burning without muscle or lung fatigue, and stimulates the lymphatic system. The sweating that the treatment induces in users is also thought to exfoliate away dead skin cells.

Under the expert guidance of Dr. Cynthia L. Cote, the staff at MD Cote Medical, Laser & Spa harness the FDA-approved Zerona cold-laser technology, designed to reduce corporeal circumferences by an average of 3.5 inches. During each session, clients relax beneath a beam-slinging apparatus for 40 minutes as it glides low-light lasers over their waistline, back, hips, and thighs, emulsifying adipose tissue so that fat can sneak its way out of the body. The disintegrated lipid depots can then be absorbed by the body’s obsessively tidy lymphatic system and expelled through the body’s natural detoxification process and complex system of water-slides. The noninvasive treatment does not require any recovery time.

Healthy, beautiful hands are the primary concern at Nails Design, where manicurists combat ragged cuticles and dry skin with extra-careful attention. Pumice stones and sea salt slough away rough patches on heels, and hand, arm, and foot massages help combat soreness brought on by months of literally crawling out of bed. While the staff is committed to safeguarding the health of natural nails, they also excel at applying acrylic tips, often enhanced by vibrant hand-painted designs that incorporate everything from animal prints to holiday motifs. Beyond nails, the spa further beautifies bodies with waxing and facials, as well as eyelash extensions in a variety of colors.