For my Halloween treat, I got a pedicure today. Since my fave pedicure place is closed on Sundays, I went to the one by my house, Creative Nails at 71st and Georgetown. This place gives a good pedicure, but looks run down. The owners often have their kids there, and the kids have marked up the walls. If they would just paint the place it would look ten times better.
When I went today, there were only a few people there, but I got to wait in the massage chair for about 15 minutes before my pedicure. The chair I was sitting in had a new massager, which was nice. The quality of the pedicure was good, and my pedicurist used sea salt and lotion to massage my legs. She also did a good job of cleaning up my heels.
Creative Nails is not my top choice because of the surroundings, but it is a good and convenient place to go. Many salons are not open on Sundays, so this is a nice option. The cost of my pedicure was $25 plus tip, the average basic pedicure cost.
Service Quality Rating: 4 stars out of 5
"Spa Experience" Rating: 1.5 stars out of 5
Price: $$ (unless you include the 15 minute pre-pedi chair massage, then it would be $)
Price Guide
$ = less than $1 per minute (very budget friendly!)
$$ = about $1 per minute (reasonable)
$$$ = more than $1 per minute (an occasional treat)
$$$$ = about $1.50 per minute (only if I get a gift certificate or great coupon)
$$$$$ = more than $1.50 per minute (I'll be surprised if I ever get to go to one of these)
I am an Indianapolis native and I have frequented Indianapolis area spas for the past six years. Although I love a good massage, pedicure, or facial, I can't afford to spend loads of money on such things. That's why this blog will focus on reviews of moderately-priced spas and services, as well as feature sources for great spa deals. I have also added a Spa Tips feature. I hope my experiences will help you to find a spa you love!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Splash Salon - Facial
I kicked off my Fall Break today by going to Splash Salon on E. 82nd to get a facial. I purchased a gift certificate for a facial at Splash on livingsocial.com, a local business deal-a-day site. First of all, I highly recommend joining deal-a-day sites such as livingsocial.com and groupon.com. These sites email you a deal every day that you can purchase. The deals are services or store gift certificates for around 50% off or more. These sites offer lots of spa and salon deals, as well as deals for restaurants and other retailers. It's a great way to experience your city for low prices.
I called Splash to make my appointment about a week in advance. Although I was available all day Thursday or Friday, they only had Wednesday afternoon open, so I took that appointment. When I arrived at Splash I was greeted by . . . well, no one. The girl at the front desk was talking to a customer on the phone, however she did not pause to say "I'll be with you in a minute" or "Have a seat on the couch." After about 3 or 4 minutes of me standing there, a hair dresser who was cutting someone's hair beside the desk directed me to the waiting area. Shortly after, the receptionist came and got me and apologized for my wait. They did have an impressive array of beverages that were offered, and the salon was trendily decorated and attached to a boutique. Some of the decorating appeared to be in progress.
The receptionist led my through the boutique and the pedicure area to the facial room. The room was small, but seemed adequate. Sarah, my facialist, asked me to fill out a release form and asked me some thorough questions about my skin. She then left and allowed me to get ready for my facial. One nice spa touch was the heated slippers that were provided. Sarah came back in, turned on some piano music with nature sounds, and began my facial. She used a cleanser and exfoliator, which she massaged into my skin. Then she asked if I wanted extractions, which I did. If you have never had extractions done before, it is when a tool is used to press out the gunk in your pores. It can hurt a bit, especially on the nose. Sarah then applied a mask. During other facials I have had, the facialist used the 10-15 minutes of waiting for the mask to set as a time to do some neck, shoulder, and arm massage, however Sarah did not do this. At the end of the facial, Sarah applied a moisturizer and then left me to get dressed. As with a previous salon I reviewed, Splash did not have a mirror in the facial room. When I came out, Sarah led me to the front desk and I checked out.
The livingsocial.com gift certificate that I bought cost me $39, and the Splash facial is regularly priced at $75, so this was a good deal based on the original value. However, the service was average, and there were some key pieces missing that are available at other places. So I would say that the facial was worth the deal I got, and gave me the ability to experience a new salon, but I will not be in a hurry to go back.
Service Quality Rating: 3 stars out of 5
"Spa Experience" Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5
Price: $$$ - regularly charged price ($ - price I actually paid)
Price Guide
$ = less than $1 per minute (very budget friendly!)
$$ = about $1 per minute (reasonable)
$$$ = more than $1 per minute (an occasional treat)
$$$$ = about $1.50 per minute (only if I get a gift certificate or great coupon)
$$$$$ = more than $1.50 per minute (I'll be surprised if I ever get to go to one of these)
I called Splash to make my appointment about a week in advance. Although I was available all day Thursday or Friday, they only had Wednesday afternoon open, so I took that appointment. When I arrived at Splash I was greeted by . . . well, no one. The girl at the front desk was talking to a customer on the phone, however she did not pause to say "I'll be with you in a minute" or "Have a seat on the couch." After about 3 or 4 minutes of me standing there, a hair dresser who was cutting someone's hair beside the desk directed me to the waiting area. Shortly after, the receptionist came and got me and apologized for my wait. They did have an impressive array of beverages that were offered, and the salon was trendily decorated and attached to a boutique. Some of the decorating appeared to be in progress.
The receptionist led my through the boutique and the pedicure area to the facial room. The room was small, but seemed adequate. Sarah, my facialist, asked me to fill out a release form and asked me some thorough questions about my skin. She then left and allowed me to get ready for my facial. One nice spa touch was the heated slippers that were provided. Sarah came back in, turned on some piano music with nature sounds, and began my facial. She used a cleanser and exfoliator, which she massaged into my skin. Then she asked if I wanted extractions, which I did. If you have never had extractions done before, it is when a tool is used to press out the gunk in your pores. It can hurt a bit, especially on the nose. Sarah then applied a mask. During other facials I have had, the facialist used the 10-15 minutes of waiting for the mask to set as a time to do some neck, shoulder, and arm massage, however Sarah did not do this. At the end of the facial, Sarah applied a moisturizer and then left me to get dressed. As with a previous salon I reviewed, Splash did not have a mirror in the facial room. When I came out, Sarah led me to the front desk and I checked out.
The livingsocial.com gift certificate that I bought cost me $39, and the Splash facial is regularly priced at $75, so this was a good deal based on the original value. However, the service was average, and there were some key pieces missing that are available at other places. So I would say that the facial was worth the deal I got, and gave me the ability to experience a new salon, but I will not be in a hurry to go back.
Service Quality Rating: 3 stars out of 5
"Spa Experience" Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5
Price: $$$ - regularly charged price ($ - price I actually paid)
Price Guide
$ = less than $1 per minute (very budget friendly!)
$$ = about $1 per minute (reasonable)
$$$ = more than $1 per minute (an occasional treat)
$$$$ = about $1.50 per minute (only if I get a gift certificate or great coupon)
$$$$$ = more than $1.50 per minute (I'll be surprised if I ever get to go to one of these)
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Foot Finesse - Chinese Foot Massage
Hello friends! I just went to one of my regular places, Foot Finesse on 86th St across from North Central High School. I love this place because it is very well priced for a great massage. Contrary to it's name, at Foot Finesse you get a full body massage, not just a foot massage. Foot Finesse cuts out all the frills and just gives you a quality massage.
Foot Finesse is a walk-in place, but to avoid any wait, just call the day before or even a few hours before you want your appointment. Foot Finesse has three large rooms with several massage tables in each room. The tables are actually like big recliner chairs that they lay all the way down, and put an ottoman at the end. When they lead you to your chair, you take off your shoes and roll up your pant legs, and lay face up on the chair. For the first part of the massage, your feet will be soaking in water while they massage your face, head and arms. Then, your feet are removed from the water and you get a foot and leg massage. Finally, you turn over and they massage your back, neck, and backs of your legs. The massage style is a classic Chinese reflexology massage, and can be quite strong pressure. If the pressure is too strong you can tell them to go easier. My massage today was just the right pressure.
The atmosphere at Foot Finesse is quiet and calming, with dimmed lights and candles. There is calming music playing, however every time I have gone there it has been one of the two same CDs every time. That probably just means I go there too much :) Because there are multiple people in one room, you do hear people moving around and talking a bit, but everyone makes sure to be quiet so it is not too distracting. Because you don't have your own room, the price can be lower.
Speaking of price . . . at Foot Finesse there is only one main service offered, the Chinese reflexology foot massage for $25 for one hour (their menu offers a chair massage for $25 per half hour, but I have never seen anyone getting one of these). As you can see by my price chart below, this is a very good price per minute rate. The price is low because you are not paying for a private room or all those little spa extras. Also, the massage is done with your clothes on, which some people may not like as well, but I think it is just as good. I highly recommend this place for an inexpensive but quality massage.
Service Quality Rating: 4 stars out of 5
"Spa Experience" Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5
Price: $
Price Guide
$ = less than $1 per minute (very budget friendly!)
$$ = about $1 per minute (reasonable)
$$$ = more than $1 per minute (an occasional treat)
$$$$ = about $1.50 per minute (only if I get a gift certificate or great coupon)
$$$$$ = more than $1.50 per minute (I'll be surprised if I ever get to go to one of these)
Foot Finesse is a walk-in place, but to avoid any wait, just call the day before or even a few hours before you want your appointment. Foot Finesse has three large rooms with several massage tables in each room. The tables are actually like big recliner chairs that they lay all the way down, and put an ottoman at the end. When they lead you to your chair, you take off your shoes and roll up your pant legs, and lay face up on the chair. For the first part of the massage, your feet will be soaking in water while they massage your face, head and arms. Then, your feet are removed from the water and you get a foot and leg massage. Finally, you turn over and they massage your back, neck, and backs of your legs. The massage style is a classic Chinese reflexology massage, and can be quite strong pressure. If the pressure is too strong you can tell them to go easier. My massage today was just the right pressure.
The atmosphere at Foot Finesse is quiet and calming, with dimmed lights and candles. There is calming music playing, however every time I have gone there it has been one of the two same CDs every time. That probably just means I go there too much :) Because there are multiple people in one room, you do hear people moving around and talking a bit, but everyone makes sure to be quiet so it is not too distracting. Because you don't have your own room, the price can be lower.
Speaking of price . . . at Foot Finesse there is only one main service offered, the Chinese reflexology foot massage for $25 for one hour (their menu offers a chair massage for $25 per half hour, but I have never seen anyone getting one of these). As you can see by my price chart below, this is a very good price per minute rate. The price is low because you are not paying for a private room or all those little spa extras. Also, the massage is done with your clothes on, which some people may not like as well, but I think it is just as good. I highly recommend this place for an inexpensive but quality massage.
Service Quality Rating: 4 stars out of 5
"Spa Experience" Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5
Price: $
Price Guide
$ = less than $1 per minute (very budget friendly!)
$$ = about $1 per minute (reasonable)
$$$ = more than $1 per minute (an occasional treat)
$$$$ = about $1.50 per minute (only if I get a gift certificate or great coupon)
$$$$$ = more than $1.50 per minute (I'll be surprised if I ever get to go to one of these)
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