Because my doctor and I don’t seem to be able to get my blood pressure under control yet in spite of quadrupling the amount of medication I started taking about 6 weeks ago and because of some other things, I’ve been really stressed out this winter. For decades, I have been running just about every day, but this winter I lapsed a bit. I’m trying to get back into my regular jogging routine because I feel much better when I do it. Where is that warm spring sunshine that makes jogging outdoors so much easier to do?
Today (Tuesday) I went jogging in the ‘hood, carrying my pepper spray since there have been quite a few coyote sightings. It was cold, but the sun was shining, and I had a good run. As a reward, I decided to finally take advantage of a Living Social beauty services deal that I bought in December but forgot about. It was for a regular manicure and pedicure at a day spa that I was unfamiliar with called Spalenza at 75 Newbury St. Danvers MA, located just beyond Costco on Route 1 North in the strip mall with Cookie Monstah and Michaud autos. Previously located in nearby Peabody, Spalenza moved to this new location in September 2017.
When I arrived, I met Laura who in addition to doing nails is a makeup artist, hair stylist and colorist. Check out the gorgeous color she did for Justin!!
I was curious about the name, Spalenza, and I asked Laura how the name of the salon/day spa came to be. She told me it was the owner’s name. What a coincidence! Spa-lenza, lol.
Overview
Spalenza is a full service salon and day spa. You can check out the complete list of services and pricing here. They provide services for:
- hair: color, cut, fancy ‘do’s for big events etc.
- nails: basic manicures/pedicures, spa manicures/pedicures, shellac
- makeup application
- lashes and brows: tints, fills, extensions
- facials: various facials using Aveda products, peels, microdermabrasion, and now Spalenza is offering the Hydrofacial
- massage: Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, Ashiatsu – walking on the back with bare feet!
- waxing
- body exfoliation
- laser treatments: hyperpigmentation, spider veins, hair removal, laser facial, and tattoo removal.
The salon offers different packages as well as individual services: half day, mother/daughter and men’s packages. They sell Aveda products at the salon if you want to pick up something that you tried during the service.
The salon is spacious with a separate room for hair styling, and an even larger room for nails, makeup, a restful lounge with massage chairs, and separate rooms off of it for massage and facials.
The vibe is quiet and calm. There are water fountains that provide a relaxing background sound as well as traditional spa music playing.
There was refreshing cucumber water available in attractive containers, and there was Keurig with coffee and tea where you check in.
Importantly, everything was new and spotlessly clean!
My Mani/Pedi
The Living Social certificate that I bought cost $39 for the Basic Mani/Pedi that is typically priced at $55. Frankly, I wonder if Laura upgraded me to the Spa Mani/Pedi because it seemed so “extra”!
During the pedi, I sat in a massage chair that was lightyears better than the massage chairs at the nail salon I had been going to for years. This chair actually felt like a real massage. It was heaven.
Laura trimmed and shaped my toenails that definitely needed a professional touch. The peppermint sugar scrub that she used on my feet and legs smelled divine and worked so well. Laura gave me a foot and lower leg massage that was fabulous, especially after jogging a couple of miles.
I brought my own polish with me so that I’d be able to do touchups at home if need be. On my toes, Laura applied one of my favorites, OPI Malaga Wine polish. I bought this shade about 3 or 4 years ago, but it’s still the right consistency. I love this deep red wine cream polish especially for winter, and around here, it’s still winter.
We moved over to a big table under a beautiful crystal chandelier for my manicure. A couple of days before, I managed to jam my thumb and index finger into something, and I split my thumb nail and cracked off a piece of my thumb and index nails. I had tried to even out the injured nails myself, but I was thrilled that Laura fixed the botch job I had done. After soaking my nails, Laura gave me a hand massage too.
I wanted my mani to be a little springier looking than my toes, so I brought Zoya Paloma, a cool-toned deep fuchsia jelly that’s sheer but buildable. Laura mentioned that they don’t usually use jellies, but she was happy to accommodate my preference. In fact, she applied 3 coats of Paloma to deepen the color. I find that jellies often require more coats than a cream for the color to develop. I love the look of a squishy jelly polish!
The only thing that I noticed about my mani hours after leaving the salon was that the jelly polish had shrunk a bit. I think that was the result of me sitting under the dryer for 18 minutes, three full cycles of the dryer, one for each coat. I think the heat and UV light caused the polish to shrink. Oh well. I’ll know for the next time.
I really had fun at Spalenza. Laura and I had a nice chat during the mani/pedi. I spent a total of two hours of relaxing time there. I wasn’t in a hurry, and the folks at Spalenza weren’t pushing me out the door at all. But if you or I were on a schedule, the mani/pedi wouldn’t take that long. I wasn’t in a rush, and I really enjoyed meeting everybody, looking around, and just hanging out.
I definitely plan to go back to Spalenza. I’m done with my old nail salon. On my agenda for next time is a Swedish massage to see if that will help me relax even more. I also would like to try one of their facials in the future.
Although most of you don’t live near me, I still wanted to get the word out about my chill afternoon at Spalenza!
When was the last time you got your nails done? Is it something you do all the time or as a treat?
Holy cow! Justin looks just like my son from that angle. Same colors, same beard and part from the color same hairstyle!
What a coincidence, Helena! Your son must be a good looking young man 🙂
I hope that you and your doctor are able to regulate and lower your blood pressure quickly, Allison! What a beautiful mani and pedi!
Thanks, Helen, my guess is that it won’t happen so easily. We’ve been working on it since early December. I’m going to the supermarket, and I’m going to start mainlining celery and see if that helps!
As soon as it warms up a bit I will head to my favorite salon for a pedicure. During the winter months I always do my own. I don’t usually get manis as I prefer to do my own. Years ago I went every two weeks for my gel nails. That was always a treat. The colors you picked are beautiful.
I was hoping to wait till it warmed up to possible sandals weather to get my pedicure, but my coupon was about to expire. That’s great that you like to do your own manis. I do my own most of the time, but I’m so terrible at it! I saved the brush from the Liquid Palisade that dried up, and I hope keeping that brush on hand will make it do a clean up right afterwards. How do you keep from getting the polish on your skin? You’re probably more coordinated than I am!
That place looks amazing and that guy’s hair is DOPE!
Laura did a great job on Justin’s hair! It was gorgeous!
I would love to spend the day at a spa getting pampered. Sadly I don’t know of any within 3 hours from where I live.
Wow, you must live really far out in the countryside!
I hope you get your blood pressure under control. I like the industrial and modern vibe of the salon you visited!
Thanks, Kathryne, me too! It was a nice salon especially for the exurban area that I live in. I had a fun time even tho it was just a mani/pedi
Looks like a great place, I need a professional spa day so bad!
I was amazed that I milked a mani/pedi into a 2 hour relaxation time! You should try to make the time to go a spa!
Ooh, looks like a great experience!
FUN! I love Justin’s hair! I am the same as you, I love dark colors on my toes and you picked a fabulous shade!
Justin was rockin’ those bright shades! And thanks, dark toes really stand out
This looks like an amazing place to go to for some relaxation! Whenever I’m at an Aveda Salon or Spa, the scent alone just instantly makes me relax!! Looks fantastic!
You’re right, Christine, about the Aveda scent – so herbal and wonderful!
I’ve honestly never had a pro mani/pedi! It looks like you had fun!
Kerry, you don’t need a pro mani/pedi coz you’re so skilled yourself! I did have fun