Beauty & Spas in East Lansing

When the Douglas J Aveda Institute opened in Knoxville in 2011, it joined a family of institutes and salons that Douglas Weaver started in the 1960s. Here, Aveda students pursue certification in cosmetology and esthiology while practicing their craft on real clients under the supervision of licensed educators. And because students perform the services, the rates are lower than at traditional salons. The Knoxville treatment menu includes hair design—cuts, color, retexturizing—as well as Aveda’s Elemental Nature facials, pedicures, and manicures.

The Institute is inside the historic S&W Grand building, a handsome art-deco landmark that, like a compassionate fairy-tale prince, is equally handsome on the inside. The spa rooms have a rustic balance of exposed brick and wood paneling, and the salon’s geometric light fixtures gleam upon checkerboard tile floors and industrial shelving lined with Aveda’s signature products.

The Douglas J Aveda Institute is a beauty school that will smooth and soothe whatever section of your surface area aches for tending, from your freshly sore Olive Oyl tattoo to the love-bite scars from your pet gull. During your session, the institute’s future superstar stylists and cosmetologists will tend to you with incredible detail while using Aveda's plant-based, bio-safe products. A botanical hair and scalp therapy douses sun-dried follicles with a deep moisturizing and strengthening hair and scalp treatment, followed by a scalp and neck massage, shampoo, and blow-dry ($37+). Otherwise, put your best face forward with an elemental nature self-renewal facial ($37 for 60 minutes, $42 for 90 minutes) or a makeup application ($22). Pamper your handy arm paddles and toe holsters with an elemental nature manicure ($24) and pedicure ($35). Maintain the grounds of your scalp lawn with a haircut and thermal style ($34), and pull weeds from facial areas with a waxing ($11–$60+).

Owner and licensed massage therapist Juan Medina's commitment to comfort adds a personal touch to MiStar Massage, which he named after his daughters, Miya and Starla. As a military veteran, Medina approaches healing with compassion and diligence, personally consulting with clients to identify their individual treatment goals before kneading muscles with fully body, clinical, and trigger point massages. The private treatment room at MiStar exudes a vibrant personality, with bold crimson walls bedecked with a Spanish guitar, Russian nesting dolls, and other multicultural artwork. To personalize each treatment, Medina encourages guests to bring their own iPod or organ grinder monkey along to play their preferred music.

A certified massage therapist helms CitySpa Massage & Bodywork, customizing treatments to each and every clients' individual needs. Swedish massage, denoted by its light to medium pressure and long, fluid strokes, can purge tension and stress from muscles. CitySpa offers a myriad techniques such as positional release, trigger-point therapy, or deep-pressure massage, each perfect for dissipating specific bodily aches. Body wraps and facials fortified with Cures by Avancé products heighten relaxation even more, but not quite as much as the spa's pampering packages, which include a massage and a facial.

High-tech tanning equipment and an amiable and knowledgeable staff greet clients at VIP Tanning, a go-to indoor-tanning emporium in business more than 20 years. Here, customers can refill their vitamin D reserves from UV beds or standup booths, or bask in a nonstreaking, UV-free sunless tan from the Mystic Tan system.

After taking time off to nurture her new beautiful family, licensed nail technician Candice Tess has found herself freshly enthused to bring out the beauty in others. In her cozy chair, Candice decorates nail billboards with acrylic and shellac polishes, and rehabs cuticles with therapeutic paraffin wax treatments. Patrons can also solicit the salon's other dynamic services such as hair styling, waxing, massage, and rock-paper-scissor coaching.