While May 13 is the day most folks set aside for spoiling Mom, smart women know they deserve the royal treatment every day of the year. What better way to be pampered than heading to the spa for a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure! ❧ We sent several Atlanta moms to experience indulgent services at some of the area’s favorite spas, as well as less expensive offerings at local cosmetology and massage schools. See what they thought about their visits and what you can expect if you go.

SPA EXPERIENCE

Half-a-Day Spa Treatment at Spa Sydell

Locations: There are eight locations in metro Atlanta. I visited the Midtown location, 1745 Peachtree St. NE, Ste. M, Atlanta; 404-255-7727, www.spasydell.com

Cost: $170 for two of three treatments (Sydell facial, body massage or manicure and signature pedicure with spa hand treatment). I chose the facial and mani/pedi combo.

Duration: 3 hours, including a 60-minute facial and 2 hours for nail services.

On the Menu: Spa Sydell offers a full range of skin care, nail, massage and other body treatments, including body polishes and wraps.

The Setting: The first thing I noticed about the spa was its warm and relaxing feel (there’s nothing worse than a chilly spa!). After I checked in, I was directed upstairs to the client waiting area and offered water and a robe. Somewhat surprisingly to me, there were several robed men and women waiting for services in the same room.

The Experience: The facial started off with steam, followed by a cleansing, toning, exfoliation and extraction (a technique used to cleanse the pores by removing blackheads). I soon discovered that extraction can be painful (yes, I shed tears!). I was assured the first time is the worst and the rest of the experience would be more soothing. The esthetician applied a camphor and peppermint mask and gave me (this is the best part) a mini leg, foot, arm, hand, head, neck and shoulder massage. After a final cleansing, I was off to my next treatment. I spent just a few moments back in the waiting room before I met the man who would do my nails (another first for me!). My pedicure started off with a footbath and a mud mask for my feet. The esthetician was gentle and attentive (he was particularly helpful picking out a sassy shade of polish called Cajun Shrimp). My manicure was fairly standard except for one extra treat, a paraffin wax treatment. It left my hands deliciously soft, with a lingering scent of fresh peaches. After a final check out, it was back outside to a wet and windy day. While Spa Sydell isn’t a complete escape from the outside world, my visit there left me feeling both calm and invigorated.

– Amanda Jean Clothier

The Spoiler Half-Day Spa Package at the International School of Skin & Nailcare

Location: 5600 Roswell Road NE, Atlanta (I-285, Exit 25 and Roswell Road in The Prado); 404-843-1005 ext. 2, www.skin-nails.com

Cost: $68.

Duration: 3 hours

On the Menu: Spa services are performed by students and are supervised by licensed instructors. Menu items range from nail care to skin peels, facials, massages, waxing, and lash and brow tinting. State-of-the-art therapies include microdermabrasion, light therapy and microcurrent, as well as detox wraps, cellulite treatments, body polishes, sunless tan body tinting and special event make-up application.

The Setting: I expected to walk into a “spa sanctuary” – perhaps a marble waterfall or the scent of lavender wafting through the air – but quickly learned that the location is exactly what its name suggests, a school. In spite of the underwhelming entryway, I experienced the same level of bliss from the two estheticians who pampered me as I did from the posh resort spa I visited last summer. In fact, the students were very serious about my skincare treatments, regarding them as an ongoing necessity vs. an act of self-indulgence.

The Experience: The first part of my Teaser Package began with a relaxation massage. Sonya, a lovely student just three weeks shy of graduation, escorted me to a private room not unlike a doctor’s office. You could hear chitchat in the distance as well as nice New Age music playing softly overhead. Sonya exfoliated my back with an herbal shower gel combined with sea salts. She then applied three sets of steamed towels on my back to relax my muscles while offering an invigorating hand, foot and back massage. This was followed by a mint-scented witch hazel masque and an avocado-based moisturizing treatment. My tension faded as she worked in and around my toes, heels and shoulder blades. (Am I a busy mom with two small children? I forget.)

The second portion of the package entailed a European facial, a wonderful treatment offering instantly visible results and intense relaxation. Alicia, my second esthetician, was also very impressive. She cleansed and exfoliated my face, then massaged it carefully while steam gently penetrated my pores. About 30 minutes into this sleep-inducing pleasure, she analyzed my skin and made helpful recommendations about products that would benefit my skin type. My facial also included a Collastin & Jojoba treatment followed by a daytime make-up application. I resurfaced later completely refreshed, my skin glowing and renewed.

– Kendall Nelson
 

FACIAL

Advanced Anti-Aging Facial at Spa OM Magie

Location: 56 E. Andrews Drive, Suite 11, Atlanta (corner of East Andrews and Cains Hill); 404-814-2444, www.ommagie.com

Cost: $150

Duration: 90 minutes

On the Menu: Several types of facials are offered, including a purifying/detoxifying facial and facials for teenagers. Swedish and therapeutic massages are just two of several types offered. Packages combining facials or body wraps, and massages are available, too, as are belly-dancing classes. Life Design Group offers spa medical services, including Botox and Lipo Dissolve.

The Setting: Spanish-style music playing softly in the background enticed me to relax the moment I walked in. Filling out the forms for my spa treatment was enjoyable as I nibbled on homemade miniature cookies. I felt like a queen when the glass of water I requested was served to me in a beautiful goblet on a gold-plated platter.

The Experience: I prepared for my facial by donning a towel and lying face up on a facial table. My stress melted away as the heated table loosened my tense muscles. The classical music softly playing in the background evoked thoughts of the beach as I settled in and my esthetician, Maryam, began my facial. Facials are customized for each client after a thorough examination of the client’s skin under a magnifying glass. Maryam made treatment recommendations and the facial began. Her expertise was evident as she gently massaged and soothed different products on my face. She was sensitive enough to let me relax and enjoy the soft music, only interrupting to briefly explain different steps. Near the end, Maryam gave me a relaxing shoulder rub to remove any lingering tension. After my facial, my skin was softer than ever and a few smile lines had miraculously disappeared.

– Rebecca Mathis

60-Minute Facial at Aveda Institutes

Location: 3402 Piedmont Road, Atlanta; 404-649-7119, www.avedainstitutes.com

Cost: $35

Duration: 60 minutes

On the Menu: Facials, make-up services, aqua polish, body polish, body wraps, hair care services, including coloring, manicures, pedicures and waxing.

The Setting: Aveda Institutes is a school where students perform services on clients with instructor oversight.

The Experience: As I entered the building I heard party music playing on the speakers. The brightly lit lobby looked like a cosmetics store with shelves of products lining one wall, which separated the lobby from the manicure stations. My esthetician, Dy’var, greeted me warmly and gave me a tour of the school before my services.

The atmosphere in the treatment rooms was much more serene than the lobby. Once in my facial room, I changed into a towel and enjoyed a warm footbath fragranced with essential oils. Classical music played over the speakers and was a bit loud. If the music were a little softer, I could have relaxed more quickly. Dy’var made recommendations for my facial treatment after asking me questions and examining my skin under a magnifying glass. I almost forgot Dy’var was a student because she so confidently gave explanations of each step of the facial. The facial was very relaxing and my face felt refreshed and pretty. Afterward, I was treated to a wonderful arm and hand massage.

– RM
 

Manicure/Pedicure

Signature Manicure/Pedicure Package at Sugarcoat Beauty

Location: 256 Pharr Road NE, Atlanta; 404-814-2121, www.sugarcoatbeauty.com

Cost: $56

Duration: 90 minutes

On the Menu: Sugarcoat specializes in treatments for hands and feet, with a tasty menu of services to suit all ages, from ’tweens to seniors: polish changes, basic manicures and pedicures, plus add-ons like hand and foot massages, paraffin dips and scrubs.

The Setting: Sugarcoat has a bright, clean and spacious setting. The environment is friendly and relaxing. Instead of individual chairs, there’s a full-length pedicure bench furnished with cushions; manicures are performed at a long, tiled table.

The Experience: Complimentary valet parking got my visit to Sugarcoat off to a flying start. At seven months pregnant, with an 11-month-old baby currently running me ragged, I was hoping for a pampering experience and received more than my money’s worth. The salon itself was very comfortable and spotlessly clean; Sugarcoat takes hygiene very seriously – all implements are disinfected and baked before use and presented in sealed packets. Customers even receive a personalized pouch containing a brand-new nail file, buffer, toe separators, birchwood sticks and a pumice stone to bring back on their next visit, so you can be assured they’re never shared. Marion Broussard, my nail technician, was professional, unobtrusive, easy on my hands and gentle on my tired feet. She even knew which spots to avoid massaging so as not to bring on contractions! Sugarcoat’s signature leg and foot “sweet cheeks” sugar scrub was a particular highlight – so simple, but it felt so good! Treatments are a tad on the pricey side, but you won’t be disappointed by what was, at least for me, unequivocally the best manicure and pedicure around.

– Sam Molineaux
 

Massage

One-Hour Massage at Skincare By Gabriela

Locations: My visit was at the East Cobb location, 3162 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta; 770-641-1888. There are two additional locations: 286 Village Parkway, Marietta; and 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Woodstock. www.skincarebygabriela.com

Cost: $78

Duration: 50 minutes

On the Menu: Hot stone massage, therapeutic massage, reflexology, spa treatment with reflexology, full-body exfoliation, cellulite reduction treatment, full-service facial treatments, including microdermabrasion, peels, lash and brow tinting and waxing. There’s also a full line of skincare products created by owner Gabriela Voiculescu.

The Setting: The spa is located in a quaint plaza off Johnson Ferry Road. When you enter the spa, there is a small waiting area with a doorway to the reception and checkout area. It is quiet and peaceful, with gentle music playing in the background.

The Experience: I was greeted at the door by both the receptionist and the masseuse/esthetician, who were pleasant and welcoming. I was led down a hallway into an all-white treatment room with somewhat dimmed lighting and soft acoustic music. My masseuse/esthetician, Rachel, then explained the procedure to me. She asked about any problem areas I might have before beginning the Swedish-style massage (light and soft). I emerged relaxed from the room after she was finished and was handed a glass of water to rejuvenate me. The most notable part of the experience was the aromatic smells of the products she used, specifically designed by Gabriela. They were light and fragrant with a pleasing texture and added a positive element to the experience.

– Stephanie Hammell

One-Hour Massage at Atlanta School of Massage

Location: 2 Dunwoody Park, Atlanta; 770-677-0300, www.atlantaschoolofmassage.com

Cost: $40

Duration: The massage was 50 of the 60 minutes, with 10 minutes allotted to get to know your problem areas and for dressing. The school is very strict on keeping within the 60-minute time frame. They are prompt to take you in and will finish on time.

On the Menu: Body polishing, reflexology massages, spa treatments ($45-$55), Vichy shower ($10) and professional massages ($35 for 30 minutes, $100 for two hours). The School of Aesthetics offers facials, microdermabrasion, make-up applications and more.

The Setting: The school is pleasant with a somewhat sterile feel to it. There is no separate waiting room, and you won’t find waterfalls or enviroscapes. There is pleasant music and the room is well lit. The treatment areas are minimal in décor with side-by-side rooms for massages, yet the spaces are quiet enough for the service. The staff was pleasant and made the experience enjoyable.

The Experience: A student host took me to my room and introduced me to my masseuse, Michael, who quizzed me about my problem areas so he could work on what was important to me. The only time I came out of my relaxation state was when the supervising instructor came in to observe. Not a big distraction, just noticeable. Michael was a little nervous at first but did a good job, spending equal amounts of time on all areas during the full-body massage – enough to put me into twilight!

– SH