Facials--Buy One Get One 1/2 Off

Tanja at Los Gatos Nail Works has a Mother's Day special running now through Mother's Day (May 10). If you purchase one facial ($90 for 1 1/2 hours) you can get a second at 50% off. This is a great deal. I have never been a fan of facials until I came here. I purchased this gift certificate at our school auction and finally used it a month ago and now I am a believer! I was a little afraid to go---the few facials I've had in the past were a bit painful. But Tanja was great!

Her space is like a little sanctuary tucked in the back of a cute nail salon in Los Gatos. She provides the usual facial services (mask, steam, cleaning of the pores, etc.) but also includes a wonderful head, neck, arm and leg massage. She is very friendly and made me feel instantly at ease. When she asked me about my usual skin care routine, I felt totally comfortable telling her that I really didn't have one. And when she asked what products I used, I felt at ease to admit that my arsenal of creams and lotions can be purchased at your local Longs. She was totally cool and didn't give me any attitude about my love for Oil of Olay products. I knew I had found a kindred spirit when she agreed that Revlon lipsticks were great. So ladies, pass this information on to your husbands. You deserve a fantastic facial (or two)!

You can reach her at Los Gatos Nail Works, 140 West Main St. Los Gatos, CA. Phone: 354-6245.

Lice Removal Service

Seems that more and more people are facing the battle of the bugs. Unfortunately, I am on round two and this time my daughter has become the hostess with the mostess.  She has thick, medium length hair and those critters were having a party in there.   I did my usual lice routine but figured I could use a little assistance this go around.  

I ended up taking her to Hair Care Therapy on Saratoga Ave. in Saratoga. They charge $25 to inspect the hair and if they find anything they apply that amount towards the $89 treatment. They recommend 3-4 treatments.   This seems pretty costly to me but given their booked up schedule, many are willing to shell out the bucks in order to avoid the ordeal themselves.  They did tell me that some insurance companies will cover the treatment (keep your fingers crossed that Aetna does).  They will even help submit the claim for you.

Our experience was this--two technicians inspected my daughters hair and spent 30 minutes going through it strand by strand.  They did find a few nits (I had already treated her twice--once with LiceFree available at Wholefoods and once with Cetaphil--yep the dry skin lotion). They said I did a good job and that these nits were just a few remnants.  I opted to go ahead and have her treated.  They spent another 40 minutes applying their own treatment shampoo and combing through her hair.  She left the "salon" with her hair slicked back in a ponytail, smelling strongly of some type of tea tree oil concoction.  I'm hoping that this is the last of it for me!  

Pampering on a Budget

Go to Gal, Tracy has me hooked on the Health Massage Center.  After listening to her enthusiastic description,  I knew I had to give it a try.  (This was two months ago and now I am a regular!)  Ask for Gerrie (female) she is great! For $20 you get an hour foot massage, which get this, starts at your head and ends with 15 minutes of an upper back massage (in one of those massage chairs). It is fantastic! The place is very clean and the chairs are comfortable. They do a very good job at creating a relaxing atmosphere (the lights are dim, soft music plays in the background and everyone whispers). And again it is only 20 BUCKS!!  

Anyway, the foot massage begins with your feet being placed in what looks like a mini wine barrel (with a plastic, disposable liner) filled with extremely hot water. As your feet get used to the water soak, the massage therapist begins with a scalp massage, which is great except for the one odd part (spoiler alert) where she sticks her fingers in your ears. I’m not sure what that is about, let’s just say I am not a fan and I warned you. Anyway, from your scalp they move on to rubbing your arms and then kneading your legs and working on your feet, topping it off with a nice back massage! If you want less time spent on your feet and for them to focus more on your back, you can do that too. They offer a 30 minute reflexology and 30 minute back massage (on a table that is curtained off).

So, if you need to get rid of some tension or just want to relax, visit the Health Massage Center, Saratoga, CA (253-2222), you’ll be pleasantly surprised!