Top Spa Package
Z Salon & Spa A hot-stone massage at
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If you’re ready for a day of indulgence, go no farther than Z Salon & Spa. Yes, there are two other locations around town, but only the original, on
As for the best day of gratifications, well, that’s up to you. “Even though we have spa packages, people can create their own, often doing a body massage, facial, manicure and pedicure,” says general manager Denise Zeydel.
Z Salon & Spa.
Here are a few that appeal to us: Take a special someone along and opt for the Just You and Me package, which is for two people and includes a scalp massage, customized facial, full-body massage, 20-minute reflexology treatment and lunch. Or opt for A Signature Experience, which allows you to pick from more in-depth signature massage, facial, pedicure and manicure treatments, with a lunch break in between. And for a half-day at the spa, consider Serenity, which gives you a choice of a facial or full-body massage, pedicure, manicure and, of course, lunch.
This is a no-tip spa, with all technicians on salary. Even when we try, our technicians refuse to take our tip.
Just You and Me, $450
A Signature Experience, $360
Serenity, $165
Top Contemporary Haircut
Hair by Bennie & Friends
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A salon, yes, but this Crescent Hill spot is also a design center, where stylists look you over head-to-toe, take note of characteristics such as wardrobe choices and posture, and then suggest a clipping that will create a customized image.
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Hair by Bennie & Friends’ Bennie Pollard. |
Bennie Pollard opened his namesake salon in 1992 and has since earned a reputation for cutting-edge hair design. In 2007, he won the hair industry “Oscar” at the North American Hairstyling Awards in the “contemporary classic” category; before that, he took home first in the “avant-garde” category in 2003. Pollard isn’t opposed to traditional haircuts; he simply favors punching up that Cleopatra bob or Mia Farrow pixie. And he and his staff will show you why.
Even Bennie’s digs are contemporary: side-by-side shotgun houses tastefully renovated and interconnected, with bold black-and-white decor highlighted by stainless steel. The color center resembles a sleek boardroom, with a large custom-built stainless-steel table, and all appointments conclude with a complimentary cosmetic touch-up. Our meeting adjourned with a complete fashion-forward look.
Haircut or style, by Bennie Pollard, $95; by a designer, $50; by a stylist, $40
Top Classic Haircut
The Chopping Block Day Spa & Salon
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You can drive right by The Chopping Block, the marigold-yellow colored house with black shutters that seamlessly blends in with the other residential properties in its St. Matthews neighborhood. But that’s part of the charm. Inside this converted house sits a full-service salon and spa. Blond wood floors and flesh-toned walls assure a comfy vibe, and we heard nary a techno-music peep. There was a leather footstool to kick back on for the hair wash, and friendly conversation, lots of friendly conversation.
Most importantly, we got the cut we requested, and you will too. What the Chopping Block lacks in flash and frills it more than makes up for in service and sensible scissors-work. Think Meg Ryan’s “shag” or Jennifer Aniston’s “long bob” — contoured layers, soft waves and other classic touches. The salon has excelled at traditional haircuts since it opened in 1985. It’s a neighborhood institution, and like any great haircut, it blends right in.
Women’s cut and style, $35 and up
Men’s cut and style, $22 and up
Cosmetic Application
Pure Image Apothecary and Spa Applying cosmetics at Pure Image Apothecary and Spa.
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Sure, Pure Image will deliver cosmetics to your door, but the real reason to patronize this boutique-style apothecary and petite spa
is visible when you walk in its door. Smack in the center stands a round table displaying makeup brands such as Smashbox, True and Ramy — in close proximity to comfortable stools and big mirrors. 
This is a great place to have makeup professionally applied. The basic 30-minute application is affordable, and we weren’t pressured to buy the salon’s products. The basic application focuses on customizing a personal look, with Pure Image’s makeup artists explaining their techniques and offering tips. For an extra fee, that session can be bumped up to 60 minutes and include a tutorial in self-application.
There are other packages adding services for children, massages and mini-facials, but we focused on our base and blush — and we got some master strokes.
Makeup application (30 minutes), $20; individual makeup lesson (1 hour), $60
Top Colorist
Jerry Heston Hairdressing
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At Heston’s you have a choice. You’ll be asked whether you want people to say, “I love your hair” or “I love your highlights.” Either wish will be fulfilled.
While Jerry Heston Hairdressing offers a full slate of hair services, its signature treatment is color. And whether you’re high on highlights or looking for a new hue on every strand, the staff here will know just where to add color and when you’ll need a touch-up.
“Our requests for hair color and chemical treatments have trampled the requests for cuts and style,” says co-owner Margaret Heston, whose husband Jerry is also a co-owner as well as the head stylist. She attributes the coloring craze to the Aveda Concept salon’s well-versed technicians and stylists. Here’s one of their tricks: The stylists use paper coloring strips instead of traditional foil for color treatments, allowing the pigments to be applied closer to the hair roots. The colorists favor the strips, Margaret Heston says, because they “like the ease and speed of one fold as opposed to four-to-five folds.”
Faster and better? Judging by the size of Heston’s of devoted clientele, it appears so.
Single Process: Retouches, $47.50 and up; root-to-/files/storyimages/treatments, $52.50 and up; added highlights, $22.50 and up
Double Process: “Virgin,” $80 and up; retouches, $60 and up
Top Manicure/Pedicure
The Light Touch
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The Light Touch doesn’t just “do” nails — unless, of course, your definition of nail service means extra pampering, polishing and privacy. When we indulged in a nail treatment at this St. Matthews spa, we were whisked upstairs and into a small, intimate room and placed in a chair so comfortable we could easily have fallen asleep. Pedicure clients receive a beverage to enjoy as the nail technician prepares a warm, sudsy footbath. Then they’re left alone to relax.
When she returns, toes get dried, scrubbed in sea salt and massaged with effervescent L’Occitane lotion. We dipped our feet three times in hot wax (paraffin helps moisturize the feet). Once the wax is peeled off, the cuticles get treated, the toes are filed and buffed, and nails are polished in an OPI or Essie color of your choice.
Manicures are performed in a slightly larger but still intimate room. Think of it as the pedicure, minus the paraffin. Better yet, turn your mind off and enjoy the rejuvenating experience, as well as your delightful new digits.
Manicure, $23 regular and $25 French
Pedicure with paraffin, $60; French pedicure, $65
Express manicures ($15) and pedicures ($40) also available
Top Facial
The Light Touch
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We know a lot of women who rave about the facials at this spa, and after experiencing one, we know why: It makes your skin positively glow — something to look forward to as one of those monumental birthdays draws near (you know, the ones that /files/storyimages/in a 0 or a 5).
Getting a facial at The Light Touch.
This spa opened in 1981 and has been growing ever since. Owner Brenda Light, who founded this St. Matthews business, says that every time a business closes in the shopping center where she’s located, Light Touch takes over the space. It now fills a generous 10,000 square feet, yet retains its intimate feel; you rarely see another client.
We’re not big drinkers, but we’re tempted by the Champagne Facial, during which the technician treats your skin with grape and Champagne oils, and even includes a glass of the bubbly as you relax in the waiting area before your treatment. We also craved the Cranberry Facial and took a dive for the Seaweed Facial, which rehydrates skin and feels cool and refreshing.
There are other offerings, including an Express Facial for $45, all of which will have people saying, “Here’s looking at you, kid.”
Customized Facial, $80; Seaweed, $85;
Top Massage
Elevation Salon & Day Spa
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Hands down — literally — Elevation Salon & Day Spa is the place to go for a fabulous, customized massage. Massage therapist Cathy Allen-Harris has a low-key, friendly vibe that made us instantly feel as if we were hanging out with our best friend. Her massage room is comfortable, private and set at the perfect temperature so you’re not too hot or too cold. (And for those who do frequent massages, you know that really does make a difference.) Best of all, she doesn’t limit her treatment to one specific type of massage.
“What I use is integrative therapies, so what I’ll do instead of all Swedish or deep-tissue is I just kind of use all the tools in my toolbox and see what the tissue itself needs. That’s creative therapy for a customized massage,” Allen-Harris says.
Elevation’s Cathy Allen-Harris.
Also fabulous is that her massage lasts a full hour, instead of the 50 minutes that some spas offer. If clients are in a rush, there is also the half-hour option where she focuses on the back, head, neck and shoulders — or that one particular sore spot.
“It’s whatever the client wants. I’ve even had clients bring in their own music for a completely personalized experience and they say afterward that they just loved it,” Allen-Harris says.
Whatever she calls it, we call it perfect. Allen-Harris is the only massage therapist at Elevation, so you are guaranteed to be in her good hands. Note: Elevation is considering a name change this fall, but Allen-Harris expects to remain with the business in its St. Matthews Station location.
Therapeutic/Relaxation Massage, one hour, $70
Therapeutic/Relaxation Massage, half-hour, $45
Top Spa for Men
Fritz’s
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Fritz’s is a favorite spot for men’s haircuts, but it doubles as a fabulous spa. Trust us — book a massage for that special guy in your life and he’ll be thrilled. We sent in a guinea pig and he raved about the massage services.
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Male pampering at Fritz’s. |
“Our massage therapists say they can’t do a full-body massage in 50 minutes, so our full-hour massage gives them that extra 10 minutes that a guest might not be getting somewhere else,” says owner Cindy Cameron. “It seems that everyone has one or two spots where the tension really builds up, and if someone works at a desk all day or overdoes it on the golf course or playing basketball, then they need therapeutic massage treatment.”
Cameron says her clients are considering massage therapy more frequently these days. “I find the women like massage because they want to de-stress,” she says, “but men do it for results. They want to fix that problem with their shoulder or their back from sports or work.”
Fritz’s has two massage rooms and one aesthetics room, where men undergo facials and body-waxing. “Waxing has become more popular in the last couple of years. Once the weather starts to warm up, guys want their shoulders and back waxed. Some do the chest as well. We can make it as painless as possible,” Cameron says.
Manicure and pedicure services are also offered, but, Cameron notes, “We call the manicure ‘cuticle detailing’ so it’s not as girly-sounding. Pedicures are done in a private room where the guy can watch a flat-panel TV during the treatment.”
What’s next for Fritz’s? Video games?
Massage, 60 minutes, $70 (other time frames available); waxing, $10 to $60
Top Spray Tan
Forget fake baking (aka tanning beds) — that’s so last year. This is the era of the spray tan and Mystic Tan has the market on the best spray-on tanning booths. We love that
And we love the
Here’s how it works. First you strip down to the level you’re comfortable with — swimsuit or nothing at all. We say do it in the buff because you’re in a private room and, hey, who wants tan lines? Then you put your hair in a net to protect it and slather protective cream onto any area you don’t want tanned — think palms of hands, fingernails, soles of your feet and between your toes. Then you step into the magic booth, wave your hand in front of the sensor, close your eyes, hold your breath and you’re misted from head to toe with a cool spray. An automated voice tells you to turn around and you’re misted once again and then you’re done. The tan appears in about eight hours and lasts for about a week.
Mystic Tan, $20
Top Salon Decor
David Scott Salon & Spa David Scott Salon & Spa’s Eckert.
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You’re more likely to catch men in hard hats than women seeking lowlights outside the new David Scott Salon. However, it’s fitting
that this recently opened salon is clustered amid downtown construction. As a new downtown emerges near 
The salon’s design signals a suave ambiance. Eckert worked with Stephen Tracy of Forza Architecture Inc. to convert 800 square feet into a contemporary, warm retreat with touches of global glam and luxury. Subtle and not-so-subtle surprises catch the eye, but never distract. The most striking piece is Eckert’s design muse, a huge “Forest Rain” marble slab from
The oversized leather chairs seemed unfamiliar to us, and we learned later that Eckert purchased them (along with sinks and vanities) in
The salon’s space forms one small circle — and you’re at the center of it all.
Top Hair Removal
Joseph’s Salon & Spa
(3938 Dutchmans Lane, 897-5369)
Some people go for electrolysis or laser hair removal, but we like to stick to our old favorite, waxing. It does the trick and gives us that nice oomph of brief pain that we feel is necessary for real beauty. 
In truth, Joseph’s manages to make waxing as nearly pain-free as possible. We had our eyebrows waxed and, honestly, didn’t feel a thing. You can also opt for lip, chin, arm, back, neck, leg or bikini waxing (now, bikini waxing does hurt a little bit more, but hey, what would you expect?).
Our technician told us the trick to lessening the pain is to take an aspirin a half hour before coming in for treatment. We love Joseph’s because it’s a great all-around salon and spa and because you can go for a quick wax job for the eyebrows or lip at the shampoo bowl — or you can ask for a private room, at no extra cost. Of course the more extensive waxing jobs such as legs or bikini are always done in private.
“We try to turn waxing into a procedure that’s much less invasive and more spa-like,” says owner Kelli Flint Campbell. And she reveals another tidbit: Men also visit the salon for waxing, mostly for their back and arms, especially bodybuilders.
Waxing, $15 to $80, based on the area treated
Beauty on a Budget
Loads of cash aren’t always required for a proper pampering.
Proving that you don’t need big bucks to get an A-list look, here are few of the best beauty deals in town:
• Louisville School of Massage (7410 New LaGrange Road, 429-0245). The school offers one-hour massage sessions for $35 at its student clinic. A caveat: Since massages are performed by students, clients cannot request a therapist’s gender.
• Luna Boutique (1310 Bardstown Road, 454-3838). This home to designer fashion and jewelry recently converted its second floor into a therapeutic massage studio. Full-body massages and hot-stone massages are available in 30-, 50-, 60- and 90-minute increments, starting at $35. Massages are $10 off on Mondays, and you can receive $10 off a session if you dine at the adjacent Avalon restaurant on the same day as your treatment.
• Sephora (7900 Shelbyville Road, 326-2966). The Oxmoor Center cosmetics shop stocks hard-to-come-by products and invites shoppers to indulge in complimentary skin care and make-up consultations, which include applications. Best yet, there’s no product purchase necessary for the services.
• Facelogic (10290 Shelbyville Road, 245-2500). This salon treats first-time clients to a 50-minute facial for $39. The spa-style facial includes skin analysis, cleansing, exfoliation, extractions, masque, and a hand, neck, shoulder and arm massage. For an additional $10 or less clients can add extra peels and masques. Those who join Facelogic’s membership program can lock in the $39 facial fee for the entire year.
• Take advantage of Louisville’s many cosmetology schools, where professional services are performed by advanced students and supervised by licensed instructors. Tr/files/storyimages/Setters’ Academy of Beauty Culture (7283 Dixie Hwy, 937-6816) offers haircuts and manicures for as little as $7. Highlights start at $25 while color starts at $20. Each Hair Design School (www.hairdesignschool.com) campus offers different services (walk-ins only) at varying prices. A basic shampoo, cut and blow-dry ranges from $11 to $14. Most hair color treatments start at $20, with highlights starting at $35. Manicures start at $7, while pedicures range in price from $15 to $20. Some campuses also perform facials, body waxing and makeup application.
— MWW
Massage Guide
Don’t know which massage is best for you?
Here’s a guide to help you make a hands-on decision.
Full-Body Massage This, the most basic of massages, is also often just what a body needs. It’s a therapeutic massage that is adjusted to your needs. If your shoulders are extra sore, you’ll get more attention paid to that tissue area. If it’s your lower back, well then, they’ll make it feel all better. A full-body massage includes legs, back, shoulders, arms, head and even fingers and toes during a complete rub down.
Hot-Stone Massage Warm lava stones calm your inner volcano during this treatment, holding their heat and relaxing muscles for a peaceful massage. Placed on your back, the stones are said to cleanse the lymph system and balance mind, body and soul. That’s a lot to ask from an inanimate object, but it could be hot stuff for people feeling stressed or fighting tight muscles.
Pregnancy Massage Massage isn’t recommended until the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, and then it’s a blissfully nurturing experience for the expectant mom. You will lie on a special table or pillow that has indentations for a pregnant belly and receive a light-to-moderate massage that relieves joint and muscle discomfort.
Aromatherapy Massage Every spa has a different version of this technique, but typically you’ll be offered a choice of essential oils for the rubdown — ranging from lavender to rose, or bergamot, or a custom bl/files/storyimages/from the spa. It is a soothing, pleasantly scented massage that can rejuvenate or improve circulation, depending on the essential oil used.
Deep-Tissue Massage This is the massage to ask for when your body is worn out from that marathon racquetball session or if you’ve simply been sitting at your computer for too long and your muscles are aching. This therapeutic treatment goes deep into the muscles to work out toxic build-up and helps with chronic problems such as carpal tunnel or back pain.
Swedish Massage This is a light-pressure massage that is perfect for anyone who wants to feel pampered without having the massage therapist dig too deeply into sore muscles. It is so relaxing that you might even fall asleep, and then wake up refreshed.
— THG
Salon FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions, Expertly Answered
Q: Salons always seem to push products. How can I avoid the product sales pitch?
A: You don’t need 45 products to make your hair successful. Robin Leachman, co-owner of Bellissima Salon, recommends asking for product samples as well as guarantees that you can bring back items you purchase if you’re unhappy. It’s pretty simple, says Leachman. “If you feel like you’re sitting in someone’s chair just so they can make money off of you, you’re in the wrong chair at the wrong salon.”
Q: How can I make the most of my salon visit?
A: Tony Williamson, owner/stylist at Headz Salon, recommends having an open mind. “Let the stylist do what they do,” he says. “At least listen to their opinion before saying no. After all, you wouldn’t tell a doctor how to treat you.”
Likewise, don’t try to be the stylist. “Clients often use terminology the wrong way,” says David Harned of Twisted Salon. “Someone might say they want layers, but they really want thinning. It can throw off our thought process. Instead, show me a picture.”
If you’re unsure about something, feel free to ask questions. Stylists encourage it.
Q: How do I get a coveted appointment?
A: “Nights and weekends are always the first appointments to go. We ask everyone to pre-book before they leave so it guarantees an appointment,” says Margaret Heston, a co-owner at Jerry Heston Hairdressing. “It’s easier to cancel and rebook an appointment than to fit in a last-minute appointment.”
Q: I want to break up with my stylist. Should I feel badly about telling her?
A: No. “If you were looking for a mortgage broker or attorney you’d shop around first, right? It’s the same thing,” says Bennie Pollard of Hair by Bennie & Friends. “Remember, it’s the stylist’s privilege to serve you. It’s not the other way around.”
Adds Leachman, “Some personalities don’t mesh. If I had somebody consistently not happy, I’d want them to try someone else in the salon to see if it works out better.”
Q: What should I be wary of when I visit a new salon?
A: Being ignored. You should always be greeted upon entering a salon. Also, note the salon’s cleanliness or lack of cleanliness. Yes, clippings will be on the floor, but are there piles of day-old hair?
Every appointment should begin with a consultation. “You should feel like your stylist has your undivided attention,” says Twisted Salon’s Larry Cox.
Q: Do I have to tip?
A: It's your choice whether to tip, how much and to whom. “Tips are part of our culture, accepted and appreciated, but never expected,” says Kelli Flint Campbell, the owner of Joseph’s Salon and Spa.
If multiple people worked on you and you’re uncertain how to divide the tips, ask the front desk for advice. No-tipping salons really mean it: You aren’t expected to leave anything extra.
Q: I hate my finished look. Can I ask them to fix it?
A: Yes. Don’t leave a salon unhappy. Particularly if color is the issue, it can many times be fixed immediately.
— MWW
