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.

Ominous gray rain clouds covered the skies of NYC last week, but things were looking mighty bright inside of Laser Cosmetica… especially when the lights started flashing onto my sun-damaged face, zapping it into instant, even-toned obedience.

If you’re tuned into the hot medi-spa treatments and facilities out there, you’ve certainly heard of Laser Cosmetica, a prestigious mecca for all things laser hair removal and skin rejuvenation with locations throughout New York. One of the three treatments they’re offering during Spa Week for $50 this October is a Photo Facial, normally costing $495. With a 90%  savings, I had to go investigate!

The goal of a Photo Facial is to get rid of discoloration, even out skin tone, tighten your skin and reverse the signs of sun damage. It serves to give your skin an instant and lasting boost of smooth, vibrant texture.

As you’ll see in the video, it didn’t hurt, and I was extremely impressed with the results that immediately followed. It wasn’t at all red or dry like they said it might be – although more sensitive skin types should be prepared for this. It’s now eight days later, and what I’m most excited about is that I’ve seen a general improvement in my skin’s evenness. Some of the veiny, blemishy redness in my cheeks and nose (I blame summer) has significantly decreased. It’s amazing how such a quick (about 20 minute) procedure with no extractions, no exfoliants… no creams, no toners, not a speck of 24 karat gold… can produce such awesome results. Facial of the future… I think so!

Check out some of these Photo Facial Before & Afters from Laser Cosmetica’s clients:

And to formally answer any remaining questions you may have after watching the video, I’ll leave it to the authorities at Laser Cosmetica who explain it best. This Q&A is taken from their website:

What are Photo Facials?
Photo Facials are a revolutionary advance in laser cosmetics that removes discoloration and textural irregularities, resulting in the appearance of healthier, more vibrant skin.

Who should get treatment for Photo Facials?
If you suffer from photo damage, sun damage, or other environmental damage, Photo Facial works exceptional well at removing discoloration, improving skin texture and tone while providing a slight skin tightening effect to the skin. Years of sun bathing and exposure to the natural elements can be removed after a short, no down time protocol.

How frequently do I need treatments?
A typical protocol would be five sessions, spaced three to four weeks apart. For discrete vascular areas such as spider veins and broken capillaries, a more aggressive approach may be determined.

How does a Photo Facial rejuvenate my skin?
Photo Facial uses gentle light and thermal energy to promote collagen production in the dermis and restore skin to a more youthful state, through wrinkle reduction. Brown spots (pigmented imperfections) from sun damage and aging, red blotching from spider vessels or rosacea (vascular imperfections), and rough porous skin texture will improve over a treatment series. Treatments consistently achieve visible improvement with little discomfort. Studies have concluded that flushing, redness and symptoms of rosacea improve more than 75% on average.

Does the treatment hurt?
There is little to no discomfort involved in the photo rejuvenation process. Our systems employ a chill tip that minimizes any discomfort. We offer a host of pre and post laser topicals to help alleviate any pain, or irritation.

What happens after each treatment?
Temporary pinkness of the skin can last a very short time (minutes, hours, a day) but the improvement in pigment and vascular irregularities can often be appreciated by the time you return for your next treatment. Brown spots and freckles temporarily become darker before they lighten. Particularly sensitive areas may crust.

Is photo rejuvenation safe?
Treatment is very safe for the skin. There are no long term health hazards from light or thermal energy used. Both have been used for decades in medicine, surgery, and aesthetics without adversity.

What kind of results can I expect from Photo Facialtreatment?
Each treatment will result in gradual lightening and improvement of pigmented and vascular imperfections. Skin tightening textural improvements are realized towards the end of the treatment series.

4 Laser Cosmetica locations in NYC – call 866.481.6788
110 E 40th Street, Suite 407
18 West 23rd Street, 2nd floor
57 W 57th Street, Suite 1209
160 Broadway NE, 6th Floor

In Great Neck – call 800.231.3830
833 Northern Boulevard, Suite 240

In White Plains – call 866.481.6788
10 Chester Avenue, First Floor

www.lasercosmetica.com

Available $50 Spa Week Treatments Oct 10-16:

• Photofacial
• Microdermabrasion or Glycolic Peel
• Laser Hair Removal Choice of Lip, Chin, Underarm or Regular Bikini

SHHHH… do you know my little secret? Well, if you saw this season’s promo video below (or have watched my Live Spa TV segment about plastic surgery on the go), you know that I mayyyyyy occasionally get my upper lip plumped. The lovely Dr. Berdy over at SmoothMED in NYC numbs me up, injects a 1/4 syringe of Prevelle, and VIOLA, volume. Addicted, maybe slightly! It’s just an ever-so-subtle adjustment that gives me that extra kissable fullness I crave, and I’ve yet to find a down-side. The procedure takes all of 10 minutes, lasts 2-3 months, you don’t even need an appointment, and during Spa Week you can try it for just $50 (as opposed to the usual $200).

Well, our Gorgeous on a Dime’r Jenna has a little bit of a different perspective on things. And that is fair – it’s one of the reasons we love having various voices here – you will not always agree with me! Check out her feelings on her thin lips and her secret to getting the plump look, sans injectibles.

By Jenna Nicole Levine, Woman Around Town

On more than one occasion I have alluded to the fact that due to my thin lips, I tend to wear lipstick on my teeth. Full sexy lips have become a standard with celebrities like Angelia Jolie, and Kim Kardashian being the beauty ideal. The full sexy pout these celebrities sport on the red carpet leaves women worldwide (and me) searching for a way to replicate their flawless appearance. Both surgical and non surgical lip enhancement has become a booming industry with procedures such as collagen and restaylne injection increasing in popularity. These procedures are effective, but can cost thousands of dollars on a yearly basis. (When it’s not Spa Week, that SmoothMED procedure at $200 a pop, 5-6 times a year, really adds up.) Additionally, you run the risk of infection, allergic reaction, and the possibility of looking more like Lisa Rinna than Angelina.

Many of us have been suckered into the trap that is plumping lip gloss. These glosses promise us full sexy lips; however either they do virtually nothing, or the ingredients mainly act as an irritant which will cause lip tissue to plump, but may leave the area around the lips itchy, blotchy and red. To boot, these glosses can run upwards of $40 for a single tube.

JENNA’S SMOKE AND MIRRORS LIP PLUMPING:

Instead of purchasing a high cost gloss that creates full lips by creating an allergic reaction, use the magic of makeup to create an illusion.

Your first step in using makeup to create a full pout is selecting a color that is similar to your own lips. The color similarity not only enhances your natural beauty, but will create the illusion of enhanced size. After applying one coat of lipstick select a lip pencil in the same color family as your lipstick and line only the outer edges of your lips. Be careful not to go outside of your lip line as this will only make your lips look unnatural. Lastly, apply a high shine gloss or a dab of Vaseline. The light will reflect off of the shine creating a fuller lip. If you are in a rush, simply using a high shine gloss will help lips appear a bit fuller.

So, what is your trick to fuller lips? Do you have a gloss that really works? Or would you get them plumped professionally, or stick to lip pencil and Vaseline?