Springtime Maintenance in Boston

Now that it's time to expose those shoulders, arms, and legs after a long season of sweaters and tights, you better get that skin as smooth and toned as possible. The Daryl Christopher spa offers a body facial that includes an aromatherapy steam shower, a full body scrub, a detox treatment, and a rubdown with vitamin E. [link]

Boston in general and Newbury Street specifically has an incredible number of top notch salons giving great facials. We like Bella Sante because they offer more specialized facials, including a blueberry enzyme facial for dull skin, and an oxygenating sea-foam facial for problem complexions. We also like that children are not allowed, and … all customers must silence their cell phones upon entering. Complimentary tea and fruit are served in the waiting area. [link]

Fix up your color, or try out a new cut for the warmer weather ahead. We recommend James Joseph for their superior stylists. Though it can be pricey, and the place is no intimate boutique salon, the workers are trained on specific hair types and have done work on runway shows and fashion mags. [link]

It's usually a good idea at the beginning of a season to get new makeup and beauty loot. For one thing, it's fun to try new stuff. More importantly, bacteria builds up on makeup brushes and mascaras quicker than you'd imagine. We like Beauty Mark because they carry independent and small brands that we can't find in Sephora or the drug … store. [link]

Get your toes ready for peep-toe spring flats and slingback sandals by enduring a thorough pedicure at Wet Paint Nail Spa. Their $40 classic pedicure seems a bit dear, but they spend an hour buffing, scrubbing, and primping your feet. You can also get the $55 posh pedicure or the $20 express, depending on how much time you have. [link]

With a little over a month before bathing-suit season, you don't have much time to transform yourself into a beautiful personification of oppressive female body issues. Boston Body offers excellent yoga and pilates training in both private and group sessions. [link]

There are better shoe stores in Boston for high-end picks, but if you want a wide variety -- from designer heels to casual sandals and sneaks -- we recommend the Tannery. They also have frequent sales and a small clothing selection. [link]

6 Church St
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 576-6468



Classier than the city's chain stores, Mint Julep's clothes are gorgeous and all originals. We figure it's always … better to spend a little more for a unique dress that won't fall apart on the tenth wash. Mint Julep stocks designers like Ben Sherman, Tibi, and Ella Moss among many others. They now have two locations, one in Harvard Square and one in Brookline. [link]

It can be scary exposing your pasty albino-fish skin to the world in the first few weeks of spring, and though we don't recommend extensive tanning at salons, … it's not so bad to get a good base going. Perfect Tan offers good rates, 19 tanning beds so you'll never have to wait, and spray tanning for those who aren't so into skin cancer. [link]

The actual salon here is nothing to write home about, but they have one of the most famous waxers in all of Boston: Arwen, a skilled transsexual formerly known as … Austen. Her clients rave about her no-nonsense and (relatively) painless bikini and eyebrow waxes. The famed esthetician has been featured in Boston Magazine, Allure, and InStyle, and she has won numerous "Best of Boston" awards for her skills. [link]