Is getting your child’s hair cut a chore? Most squirm around in those big salon chairs and claim how it is so unnecessary. That will all change once they start going gray and they’ll be happy to sit in those comfy chairs for hours on end. But I digress… Let the professionals help and your child’s haircut could go towards a great cause. We’ve told you about Hair2Help’s mission and their great spa day event but now they are offering free hair cuts for kids when you make a donation to their charity, which supports cancer patients and their caretakers.

Bring your children, ages 4-10, to the James Corbett Studio in Union Square, NYC for a Holiday Haircut and Priti Princess non-toxic manicure in exchange for a 100% tax-deductible donation.

The goal of the day is to help raise money for those who are battling cancer. Your child will have the opportunity to make get well cards for patients at the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge.

For more information visit the Hair2Help website, or to get involved, please contact James@Hair2Help.org or call 212.388.1296.

If you’re in New York visit Sunday November 13, 2011 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the James Corbett Studio. The address is:

32 Union Square East #311
New York, NY 10003

Here’s the invite:

It’s no secret: my favorite part of my job is the fact that I get to go to the spa. I feel quite lucky to be able to experience the wellness benefits of the spa lifestyle in such a capacity, learning hands-on about the best spas and treatments in existence. Which brings me to my second favorite part of my job: getting to share my experiences with you. Over the past 2 years I’ve done a good deal of spa-dventuring around NYC, so with Spa Week launching Monday and everyone asking me where I recommend, I put together this list of 28 of my favorites (is that too many to call favorites?) in Manhattan, where I spa most frequently.

Enjoy these gems located in my favorite city on earth, and if you still haven’t booked your $50 treatments for next week, do so immediately! I cannot urge you enough to take advantage of the incredible Spa Week price point.

Click for the full New York Spa Week Directory for phone numbers, websites and more info, and to see which $50 treatments each spa is offering this Fall.

1. Albina’Spa – It’s a lofty, open space with exposed brick and lots of plants that makes you feel like you’re hanging in your cool friend’s very zen living room. Albina’s the Spa Week office go-to for eyelash extensions. Midtown East

2. completely bare – It’s possible that I’ve been to cb more than any other spa in the city. Their Brazilian waxes are gentle and exquisitely executed – they use an “ouch-less” wax and I’ll say that it is less-ouchy than most. Their laser hair removal is second to none. Also, I recently fell in lurve with their Completely Bronzed sunless tan. Heyyy spray-vacay. Rockafeller Plaza, Midtown East, NoHo

3. Deva Spa – Located a level beneath SoHo, this spa has always come highly recommended by me. They have a beautiful canopied couples room with a private whirlpool.  One of our readers said she got “absolutely the most luxurious pedicure and foot massage ever!” at Deva. Also the location of our I Get Naked At The Spa music video. SoHo

4. Dorit Baxter – With over 30 years experience, Dorit’s little spa in midtown is cozy and a classic affordable choice for New Yorkers. I thoroughly AMEN’d their Smoothing Sea Salt Body Scrub. Midtown

5. Dyanna Body Nail Salon – Dyanna is actually where I personally go for my bikini waxes. Their staff of Russian waxing specialists rocks; I don’t even make an appointment, I’ll trust whoever is available. Speedy and GOOD. Also, I’ve had unique facials (like a Caviar facial) and body wraps at Dyanna – they are full service. Flatiron

6. Enliven BodyWorks - I had the Thai Bomb Massage here, and as a big fan of thorough, firm massages, this was everything I needed. They’re offering it for Spa Week and I’d recommend it to any frazzled New Yorker who needs the stress kicked outta them in Midtown East. Check it out on Live Spa TV. Midtown East

7. exhale mindbodyspa – What can I say, this place is just a phenomenal purveyor of the wellness lifestyle. Between their signature Core Fusion classes and variety of exceptional spa therapies, I only wish I had time to become one of exhale’s many cult followers. Meatpacking, Gramercy, Central Park South, Upper East Side

8. face to face nyc - There’s a lot more to this spa than being ridiculously, ridiculously good looking. Owner Enrique Ramirez and his team run the sexiest spa in NYC, which caters to both men and women. They are offering autumn-themed facials and scrubs (catch the review and livestream from last year – both were great). Also, for your sexy sparkly fix, they’re offering FREE Vajazzle or Pejazzle (click for our Pejazzle photo shoot) with your bikini wax. Flatiron/Chelsea

9. Fine Living New York Ayurveda - Remember the singing lady in the Fall promo video? Shree is my spa starlet, and she can be found at the fine space of Fine Living. With the mission of bringing the Ayurvedic lifestyle to the next generation in NYC, this spa truly delivers and provides unusual treatments you won’t find at many other spas, like Shiro-Pada-Abhyanga Head and Foot Massage. Union Square

10. Graceful Services - Forcefully strong yet equally graceful hands are a priceless commodity in this industry. The  flocks of suited men and women I saw coming and going during my visit are a sign that this no-frills 2nd floor spa is no secret to midtown professionals seeking top-quality services. Midtown East

11. Heaven E Beauty Spa - Ooooh, heaven is a place in Chinatown. From the outside you might think it’s a stereotypical Chinatown massage parlor, but au contraire! I could write a book about how pleasantly surprised I was— how pretty it is inside, the cutting edge spa technology they have (The ME K3 machine made me look 21 again), and the fantastic services they provide. Chinatown

12. Laser Cosmetica – With locations around New York, I’d recommend this spot for a photofacial – check out my photofacial video. I was thrilled with the results, and really felt and saw a difference that in my skin both immediately and over the next week or two. Flatiron, Midtown East, Midtown, Tribeca

13. Lia Schorr Day Spa - There’s a soft spot in my heart, and on my face, for the sweet Lia Schorr, owner of both her Day Spa and the Lia Schorr Institute, where she’s taught multi-generations her skincare secrets. Try this place for very thorough facials – like the 70 minute deep pore cleansing one they’re offering this Spa Week. Midtown East

14. LING Skin Care - For intensive facial needs like Quadra Peels and Oxygen Plasma rejvenations, visit LING. Ling Chan has been a facial expert since ’76, and her namesake skincare line is trusted by many celebrities. And spa-lebrities like myself. If you have 4.5 minutes, watch this. Union Square

15. Mezzanine Spa – Great for both facials and massages (click for Live Spa TV of each), this spa is a place I’d recommend to anyone looking for exceptional services in the heart of Soho. Downstairs there’s a dermatologist, which makes for easy referrals should your skin require more attention that just a facial and you didn’t realize it. SoHo

16. Perricone MD Facial Salon – I’ve all but written a Broadway musical about Estella, the woman who did my favorite facial ever. Dr. Perricone, a member of Spa Week Daily’s expert panel, not only pushes out books, tweets and products to make skin glow, he’s also offering a $50 facial and Electro-Stim Eye Lift next week at his UES flagship. Upper East Side

17. Randee Elaine - “90 minutes” is always a good thing to see in front of your $50 Spa Week treatment, especially when it includes both a body wrap and a deep pore facial. It’s a no-frills kind of spa but if the sports massage I had there is any indication, holy wow they are GOOD. West Village

18. Russian & Turkish Baths - Every time I go I have a grand old time. For over 100 years, it’s been a gathering spot those who cherish the bathhouse therapies and sense of community. After visiting with my boyfriend, I suggested it as a steamy spa date idea. Try for an all-day Spa Week adventure! East Village

19. Smooth Synergy – With a focus on thoroughly executed treatments, I’ve been here for many treatments, including when they chiseled and contoured by body with Lipomassage by Endermoligie (click for a video and more on Smooth Synergy). PS. Miley Cirus once got a spray tan here. Midtown East

20. SmoothMED – Lip plumping and Botox brow lifts… My little secrets. Shhhhh. Midtown East

21. Spa Martier - Gosh this place is full of FUN. Let’s see, they do 24 Karat Gold Facials, it was the gorgeous location of our Wanderlust Photo Shoot, AND they did this sweet  P-P-P-Poker Hand Manicure that lasted 3 weeks. Midtown East

22. Spa Merge - Probably my most frequently recommended of all spas on this list. They simply deliver with tremendous service each and every time, and although it’s a big spa and part of The Hilton, it remains intimate with non cookie-cutter services. I’ve tried multiple facials, bath soaks, massages… and I was thrilled to introduce it to over 80 new women at our Hot Mom Spa Night. Midtown

23. Supple Spa – With rooms called Tokyo, Sunset, Kaleidescope… this red-lit spa is couples treatment paradise! But still good if you’re flying solo. See why my spa date Lisa Gardner could hardly form complete sentences after our couples massage there. Flatiron

24. The Back Room Hand & Hoot Spa at Carol’s Daughter – I don’t usually travel so far north, but I couldn’t help but take my mom Carol here for her birthday last year. This place is full of character. And I’m really jealous that Carol’s Daughter has nearly 700,000 Facebook Likes. Harlem

25. The Salon & Spa at Saks Fifth Avenue - Shop till you drop… onto the massage table. The spa is just as high-end as the Saks clientele. And Victor gives amazing massages. Midtown

26. The Village Wellness Project - This is where I discovered the painkilling wonders of cupping and gua sha. It’s a tiny little wellness spa with a large variety of holistic healing services. Greenwich Village

27. Tribeca Spa of Tranquility – Their 70 minute Korean body scrub has been raved about by many as the scrub of a lifetime. I love visiting this spa because of the services, but also the calmness that settles around it down in Tribeca. Tribeca

28. Vada Spa & Laser Center – Home of my first Reiki experience! This Spa Week I recommend their massage or Shellac manicure. West Village

Again, here is the FULL NYC LIST. Good luck choosing – tweet me at @SPAWEEK or @michellejoni if you would like any more specific recommendations! xx

beautiful city skyline photo c/o W Hotels, taxi image via wired.com

Long before my Spa Week days, I had a gig interning in the Public Relations department at Saks Fifth Avenue. One of my jobs was to help coordinate any filming production that went on in the flagship store, from news segments to movie scenes. (And psst, that was when they were filming the first Sex and The City movie!) While that was fun and all, I’ve never enjoyed a filming at Saks quite as much I did the other week, when I received an hour-long Aromatherapy Massage from Victor at Halcyon Days Salon & Spa, nestled quietly beneath the hubbub of the famous department store.

But before I introduce you to Victor, let me introduce you to the spa. Halcyon, which translates from ancient Greek to “calm, peaceful days”, has some of the most elegant spa destinations in North America, 13 of which are participating in Spa Week this season. The particular one I visited at Saks Fifth Avenue is a sweeping space with an enormous salon, a spa cafe, men’s and women’s locker rooms, a few different lounge areas, and 10 treatment rooms. Beautiful plush blankets, rather than just towels, added a rich touch to the decor and comfort.

Now, Victor: The man was built to give massages. I liked his demeanor, his accent, the cup of orange-flavored water he poured me, and most of all, his big strong HANDS. Using a variety of techniques, Victor kneaded the stress out of me from top to toe. Penetrating deep into my muscles, he dug his fingers into just the right body parts. My neck and my calves were particularly memorable. This aromatherapy session used a variety of different scents. As you see in the video, when it got to my neck and head part, he asked which essential oil I preferred: Chinese Jasmine or Organic Ginger. I chose ginger, which really helped open up my sinuses. It was an outstanding massage that hit all the marks, knots, and shopping kinks.

So, as I found out upon leaving, this particular Halcyon location booked up for Spa Week next week within just a couple days of the $50 Directory launch! (This is not uncommon.) However, they had said they were working on getting more therapists and estheticians in for Spa Week to accommodate more clients! So give them a call and see if anything is open for next week. Seriously.

If you’re located elsewhere, here’s the rundown on the other Halcyon locations:

There are six Halcyon Saks Fifth Avenue locations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, and Michigan. You can also find Halcyon Days Salon and Spa at Neiman Marcus NorthPark in Dallas, Texas. The company also goes under other aliases: Kiva Day Spa in Chicago, Illinois. Philipes Day Spa & Cosmetique in Indiana, Indianapolis. Essentiels Day Spa in Boulder, Colorado. Charles Grayson Spa & Salon in Charlotte, North Carolina. Stonewater Spa & Boutique in Missouri and Florida.

$50 Spa Week treatment options include:

50 Min Aromatic Well-Being Facial
50 Min Therapeutic Full Body Massage
70 Min Featured Pumpkin Manicure + Pedicure Retreat

The Salon & Spa at Saks Fifth Avenue
611 Fifth Avenue at 50th Street
New York, NY 10022
212.940.4000

I can remember the best tan of my life very clearly. It was Spring Break in Acapulco, Sophomore year of college. Every day from the moment I peeled myself out of that cheap hotel bed until the sun went down, I werked it on the beach, dousing myself in Amazing Maui Babe, flipping every half hour, and turning my chair like clockwork to exalt the sun as it moved across the sky. Making my sunsoaked days even sunnier (besides those strongggg Miami Vices) were the hands of my personal Acapulco beach massage therapist. Yes, that’s right, on the first day laying out, an Acapulco native came by offering an hour-long massage for $30 (I know, better than Spa Week!)… and you better believe I said YES.

And then, every single day of vacation, as if I was prepping for a future job at Spa Week or something, I took advantage of her hour-long, oil-soaked services, illuminating my tan even more. Until I looked like this (tattoo is fake, tan is real):

Well, those days are over. I no longer have the patience – nor the ignorance – to want to lay in the sun for 8 hours a day all week. I am now an advocate of faking it and not getting skin cancer. Which leads me to the SECOND best tan of my life: completely bare spa‘s new Completely Bronzed Spray Tan, one of their $50 Spa Week treatments this Fall.

Completely Bronzed is an odorless spray tan that, as you can see in the video, is applied by a technician rather than just a misting machine. Unlike most other spray tans, it dries within four hours, so you can shower faster than the time it would take you to get to Acapulco. It also has a bronzer, so until you DO take that shower, you will be extra brown.

BEFORE the shower...

Or… in my case the first time I tried it… orange! —>

BUT, thankfully the orange only lasted until I showered, and then I turned to a beautiful state of bronze. The second time I got Completely Bronzed, I asked them go a little lighter on the face, and there was NO such orange at all. However, it wouldn’t have even been so bad if I was, because I only looked like an oompa loompa that one night.

In fact, I loved the tan SO much the first time, that I went back to cb a second time before a friend’s wedding in Cape Cod!

Now I know you have two main questions: 1, how good is the GOOD part of the tan, and 2, what is the DURATION like?

To answer your first question – it was extremely even. A very rich, natural-looking color, and it did precisely what it’s meant to do: make you look great in person, and even more notably, in photos. It was THIS good (yellow dress was from the second time with the lighter face, others are from the first tan):

(Yes, that’s me in the middle blending in with those mahogany walls.)

And now… THE DURATION:

• The first FOUR days (starting from when you shower) are amazing. That is broken down as such: The first two you look like you are still on vacation, the second two you look like you just got back from vacation. If you wash your face like a good spa girl (or boy), your face will get lighter faster than the rest.
• Over the next 1 or 2 days, you will start to “chip.” It’s the sunless equivalent to peeling. It’s not that cute when you notice it, but you still maintain some sexy color throughout your body.
• After that, it’s all downhill. You want to make sure you do NOT have a bikini party anytime between 6-12 days after your tan. You’ll be spotty and uneven.

To make the spotty, chipping period less unfortunate looking, you’ll want to exfoliate your body each day as soon as you decide your tan is ready to POOF be-gone. This time it took a solid 14 days to fully fade away. Last time, I got a body scrub at Le Merigot Santa Monica to finish off the last of it so it was a little bit quicker. (Side note: sweet excuse for a scrub!)

Completely bare, helmed by ex-NY housewife Cindy Barshop, is rapidly expanding and has Spa Week locations in California, Georgia, Texas and New York. In addition to Completely Bronzed, they are also offering laser hair removal for basic bikini or a brazilian wax for $50. Check out spaweek.com for completely bare locations near you.

And if you want to tell your friends you were in St. Tropez last week, your secret is safe with me!

Disclosure: Treatments were comped in exchange for video coverage and editorial consideration.