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"Seattle: Body Treatments\\nJessica Farrell\\n\\n60 minutes, $85\\n\\n2810 Elliott Ave.\\n\\n206-217-1744\\n\\n\\n\\nWhen Farrell informed us that she \\\"loves doing neck work,\\\" we knew we were going to love her right back. She energetically dug into our tight shoulders before coaxing tension from the base of our skull. Her rhythmic kneading lulled us into a state of semiconsciousness until a loud conversation at the nearby front desk startled us awake. But thanks to the improved range of motion in our neck, we were willing (and able) to look beyond that hiccup.\\nBanya5 Scrub, $85 for 50 minutes\\n\\n217 Ninth Ave., N.\\n\\n206-262-1234\\n\\n\\n\\nRussia may be known for frigid winters, but this Russian bathhouse is decidedly hot. The *parilka*\u2014a traditional sauna cranked up to 220 degrees\u2014offered muscle-relaxing heat, although we preferred the more temperate Turkish steam room. We contemplated the icy plunge pool, but it was time for the spa's signature scrub. The honey, sea salt, and cocoa butter made our skin silken, and the pressure-point massage had us murmuring \\\"*da, da, da*.\\\"\\nFifty Minute Signature Scrub, $85 and up\\n\\n217 Ninth Ave. N.\\n\\n206-262-1234\\n\\n*Banya* is the Russian word for a steamy bathhouse, but the \\\"5\\\" in this spa's name must refer to the small percentage of skin that *doesn't* get scoured like an old borscht pot. Our treatment began kindly enough, with a delightful honey massage. Then our therapist switched gears, sprinkling coarse grains of salt all over our body and rubbing so furiously that we could hear the scratching sound. But after a trip to the sauna and a dip in the cold plunge pool, our tingling skin looked five times healthier.\\nBren Sullivan\\n\\nBikini wax, $45\\n\\n 7352 Thirty-fifth Ave., SW\\n\\n 206-938-5177\\n\\n\\n\\nA bikini wax is like a vaccination: unpleasant, but necessary when traveling to exotic destinations (or in our case, Florida). We told Sullivan that we wanted to be swimsuit-ready but not surgically bare for our upcoming vacation. She assured us she would tread lightly and placed a rose-scented cloth over our eyes to soften the glare of the overhead lights. After spritzing on jojoba oil, she applied a warm wax with scientific precision and removed it with speed and total control. She finished up with some light tweezing and a dose of lotion containing salicylic acid to prevent bumps. The session with Sullivan did the trick\u2014we were immune to ingrowns for weeks.\\nSpray Tan, $45\\n\\n2615 First Ave.\\n\\n206-374-8512\\n\\n\\n\\nGold may be the most prized color at the Olympic Games, but frankly, we've always preferred bronze. Using an aloe-rich tanning formula, the Bar's owner, Deana Finch, sprayed every inch of our skin, gently bending us at every angle\u2014even carefully lifting our bangs while she misted our face. Later that night, we watched as a subtle tan appeared before our very eyes\u2014a true winner.\\nWendy Smith\\n\\nSelf-tanning, $45\\n\\nBronzing, $58\\n\\nHouse calls only\\n\\n206-240-7883\\n\\n\\n\\nWe've stood naked in the shower thousands of times\u2014but never in the presence of a complete stranger. Still, Smith put us at ease by chatting warmly while she set up her tanning unit in our bathroom. She coated our feet with cream, then airbrushed us one vertical stripe at a time, assuring us that her aloe-rich formula would hydrate our skin and prevent an uneven finish. She was right. By day's end, we had a streak-free, dewy glow.\\nHolistic Massage, $110 and up\\n\\n1635 Eighth Ave.\\n\\n206-676-4500\\n\\nGeranium, lemongrass, and lavender oils boost circulation\u2014and spirits.\\nBrian Beneux\\n\\n30 Minute Sports Massage, $70\\n\\n1635 Eighth Ave.\\n\\n206-676-4500\\n\\nRunning in a relay race over meandering terrain had left us in serious need of some R &amp; R (rest and realignment). Beneux slicked his hands with organic olive oil and zeroed in on our most tenacious knots. We were back on track in just 30 minutes.\\nSequoia Leopold\\n\\nSpray Tan, $40\\n\\n123 Lake St. S.\\n\\n425-208-2284\\n\\nA former NFL cheerleader, Leopold has an eye\u2014and an arm\u2014for bronzing. Wielding a spray gun in one hand and a pink hair-dryer in the other, she rhythmically airbrushed us limb by limb, following each application of color with a warm blast of air. Next, she cleaned our hands with a makeup brush to prevent the tanning solution from pooling between our knuckles (\\\"a dead giveaway,\\\" she explained). We left with a uniform beachy hue that lingered for a week, which is definitely something to cheer about.\\nSabrina Steffens\\n\\nMassage, $106 and up\\n\\n2801 N.W. Market St.\\n\\n206-782-2898\\n\\nTension-melting rubdowns.\\nDanielle Lowinger\\n\\nMassage, $85 and up\\n\\n419 Queen Anne Ave., N.\\n\\n206-399-8568\\n\\nShe knows where to dig in and where to ease up.\\nSelf-tanning, $45\\n\\n1706 Bellevue Ave.\\n\\n206-322-6939\\n\\n\\n\\nWe booked an appointment herel for one reason: the promise of a super-speedy tan. It quickly became clear our spray tanner wouldn't disappoint when she hurried us into a private room and ordered us to strip bare. Before we knew it, we were standing spread-eagle while she airbrushed us with SunFX solution\u2014reportedly perfume- and alcohol-free\u2014which leaves skin feeling dewy, she explained, not dry. In less than ten minutes, we were out the door, and our bronze was the envy of all our friends. What a rush!\\nMassage, $85 for 90 minutes\\n\\nBy appointment only\\n\\n206-860-2669\\n\\n\\n\\nOur appointment with Pagel didn't start out well. Her studio was locked when we arrived, and it was ten minutes later before she got there, full of heartfelt apologies. We forgot all about this initial wrinkle, however, when she placed her hands on our neck and shoulders and started rubbing. Mingling Swedish, deep-tissue, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, and reflexology techniques, she gently probed our tender spots and carefully massaged the muscles in our \\\"mousing\\\" arm. While punctuality is ideal, this was one massage worth waiting for.\\nMaria Toro\\n\\nMassage, $90 and up\\n\\n311 W. McGraw St.\\n\\n206-941-8560\\n\\n\\n\\nWe had heard that Toro has a gift for massage, so we kept an open mind when she placed clear quartz on our palms \\\"for healing.\\\" Then she really got down to business, her hands traversing our body in strong, calculated movements. She used a pulsating motion that seemed to make our muscles vibrate, and increased the pressure on our perpetually tense neck. In no time at all, she had made us a believer.\\nAaron Smith\\n\\nThai Massage, $115 for 50 minutes\\n\\n6501 Railroad Ave. S.E.\\n\\nSnoqualmie, WA\\n\\n800-272-5474\\n\\nPerched on top of a waterfall and surrounded by pine trees, this popular retreat offers a Thai massage that's part rubdown, part yoga class, and part Outward Bound experience. Smith began by bending us into strange but effective positions while locating our tightest spots. His nimble hands found traction even through our clothes as he applied acupressure to our neck, shoulders, and legs. After a warm mineral bath, we felt energized enough to hike to the base of the waterfall. It turns out we are the outdoorsy type\u2014so long as there's a massage involved.\\nHeated Stone Massage, 50 minutes, $99\\n\\n6501 Railroad Ave. S.E.\\n\\nSnoqualmie, WA\\n\\n425-888-2556\\n\\n\\n\\nThe upscale Salish Lodge might look eerily familiar to fans of David Lynch's Twin Peaks (it appeared on the show as the Great Northern Lodge) but its exposed wood beams and crackling fireplaces create a feeling of wholesomeness. And the mountain itself was integrated into our massage\u2014our masseuse, Dee Reeder, kneaded our muscles with smooth, heated river stones and lavender-scented oil. By the time she placed small, warm pebbles between our toes, the only thing even remotely foreboding was the 30-minute drive back to Seattle.\\nJesse Dawn Bennett\\n\\nSpray Tan, $45\\n\\n901 Fairview Ave. N.\\n\\n206-838-8632\\n\\n\\n\\nSpray tanning always feels intimate, but when Bennett asked us to strip before our shade consultation, we felt exposed. That said, Bennett was so friendly\u2014peppering us with questions about our upcoming trip to Hawaii\u2014that the uncomfortable feeling soon passed. What lasted: a flattering tan, for a full week, plus some newfound confidence in our bikini.\\nThomasin Levin\\n\\nLip and brow sugar, $42\\n\\n4126 E. Madison St.\\n\\n206-948-5966\\n\\nWe'd heard such raves aboutthis wax-free spot that webooked a session\u2014ratherbrazenly\u2014for our face. Ourappointment got off to apromising start when Levinmixed up a concoction ofsugar, guar gum, and lemon,explaining that unliketraditional hot wax, \\\"sugaring,\\\"as it's called, doesn't tugon skin. The goo peeled offour hair without so much as apinch. But Levin disregardedour request to go easy on ourstrong brows, leaving themcartoonishly thin.\\nBikini Wax, $25 and up\\n\\n2120 Second Ave.\\n\\n206-448-7600\\n\\n\\n\\nWe aren't exactly waxing virgins, but considering how long it had been since we'd last tended to our bikini line, we were near born-again territory. Our aesthetician eased us in gently, making sure we knew her plan before one strip was ripped. She worked nimbly with both wax and tweezers, thoroughly removing hair from north to south, but stopping well short of Brazil. One glance at our new look and we headed home, feeling truly pure.\\nSmooth Skin Airbrush Tan, $110\\n\\n500 Pine St.\\n\\n206-628-2111\\n\\nSkin is buffed, then bronzed to perfection.\\nNancy Sleeth\\n\\nJet Lag Massage, $100\\n\\n14580 NE 145th St.\\n\\n 877-424-3930\\n\\n\\n\\nSleeth is like a detective for hidden tension. She drummed her fingers along our spine, locating tight areas and massaging them away. To stimulate circulation (\\\"Your ankles look a bit swollen\\\", she told us), she stroked each limb with a fruit-and-sage balm, then patted on a soothing eye cream to help eradicate puffiness and dark circles. When it comes to stress, we're happy Sleeth is on the case.\\nMango Peach Body Polish, $50\\n\\n16 W. Boston St.\\n\\n206-270-9465\\n\\n\\n\\nAt this time of year, we start to feel a bit rough around the edges. Jennifer McGrath was up to the challenge of smoothing us out, gently massaging a mixture of soapwort, jojoba granules, and mango and peach extracts on our skin. Working from toes to neck, she rubbed in the polish, wiping it off with wet, hot towels. In just 45 minutes, we were transformed from a diamond in the rough into a polished gem.\\nJill Helman\\n\\nSunless tanning, $45\\n\\n5505 30th Ave., NE\\n\\n206-525-7546\\n\\n\\n\\nWe had one request for Helman: Give us a subtle tan, not full-on cocoa color. She told us not to worry, spraying as we bent and twisted at her command. Before we left, she offered a few parting words: \\\"Take quick showers, avoid exfoliation, and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!\\\" For the next week, we basked in the many compliments on our gorgeous color.\\nLara Olsha\\n\\nWax, $40 and up\\n\\n3507 Evanston Ave., N.\\n\\n206-632-3602\\n\\nSugaring for the most sensitive skin types.\\nCrowning Glory Scalp Treatment, $55\\n\\n1525 Fourth Ave.\\n\\n206-624-1370\\n\\n\\n\\nSome people are crazy for foot massages, but we like our pampering from the neck up. Beginning with a shoulder massage that moved slowly north, our therapist drizzled warmed rosemary-and-ylang-ylang oils on our hairline, wrapped our head in a hot towel, and segued into a shoulder massage that sent us into a daze. The result: silky hair, a flake-free scalp, and total bliss.\\nSelf-tanning, $100\\n\\n1525 Fourth Ave.\\n\\n206-624-1370\\n\\n\\n\\nIn a city where the sun seldom shines, self-tanning treatments are equally rare. But Ummelina International Day Spa offers not only a fake-tan application, but also a fake sunny climate to go with it: wicker furniture and the sound of crickets chirping in place of the usual New Age plinking. After a seaweed-spiked salt scrub and a vigorous hydrating bath, our aesthetician rubbed on a generous layer of house-blended seaweed cream followed by tanning lotion. True, we got closer to Florida only by a couple of blocks, but the golden brown skin we woke up with the next morning was a pretty convincing souvenir.\\nSuzanne Mehl\\n\\n Misty Kolkowski\\n\\nAbhyanga Swedana (a four-handed massage and dry brushing), $350\\n\\n2125 Terry Ave.\\n\\n206-264-8111\\n\\nFinding one massage therapist who can tackle our stubborn knots is a challenge\u2014never mind two. But this duo worked in perfect unison, rotating our achy hips and stroking away the tension in our shoulders and back. Our pampering was briefly interrupted by a trip to the steam room; the small cedar cabinet was too hot, making us feel faint. Luckily, an invigorating dry rub restored our balance, leaving our head and body in mutually fine form.\\nDeb Hendriks\\n\\nWaxing, $42\\n\\n5915 Fifteenth Ave., NW\\n\\n206-789-2963\\n\\nBubbly drinks; stubble-free results.\\nKaren Jahn\\n\\nBikini Wax, $42\\n\\n5915 15th Ave., N.W.\\n\\n206-789-2963\\n\\n\\n\\nSome spas temper waxing anxiety with candles and soft music. The Wax Bar serves drinks. We sipped a raspberry beer in the lounge and felt at ease by the time Jahn smoothed on a pine-based wax. The shocking speed of each rip was sobering, and we gasped more than once during the session, but after five minutes, there was nothing left but a few strays that she whisked away with tweezers.\\nSheena Walker\\n\\nYuan Signature Massage, $109\\n\\n1032 106th Ave., NE\\n\\n425-449-8788\\n\\nWhen we called to book our appointment, the receptionist suggested we arrive an hour early to loll in the saltwater pools and sauna. No need to ask twice: We showed up and made a beeline for the steam room, where we stewed in a warm eucalyptus fog until our stress turned to vapor. Then Walker made our shoulders feel equally weightless. She zeroed in on our tightest spots, pressing, rubbing, and leaning into them until every knot relented. One quibble: Hallway racket repeatedly interrupted our pampering. Next time, we'll request a room removed from the hubbub."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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