Our Experts

The Spa Junkie Experts are verified to be licensed and/or trained in at least one area of aesthetic expertise.  They are massage therapists, manicurists, reflexologists, facialists, or aestheticians.  In addition, our Spa Junkie experts must also undergo our own select reviewer training.  This ensures that the ratings given to day spas, medi-spas, salons, and products are determined on a similar and consistent basis.  Our experts do not review spa's or salons where they have worked previously or are currently working.  No advanced notice of a reviewer's arrival are given to the salon or spa owner so that the treatment and care used in our rating system is exactly the same as the treatment and care you can expect.  

SPA REVIEWS

EAST SIDE, NY - Double Chocolate Pedicure

Bliss Spa 47 

Do yourself a favor and arrive an hour before your massage/facial or nail treatment so you can take full advantage of a wonderful dry sauna.  We were a little disappointed that the wet sauna/steam room was not available when we arrived.  By way of reason, we were informed that a large party had booked it previously.  This was disappointing but not a fatal flaw. 

This spa is very “commercial” in appearance but it is also exceptionally clean.  Even the corners of the entranceway and sales displays are neatly appointed and spotless.  This is hard to do in a large and quite busy sales area.  

The waiting lounge is very nicely decorated and much less gimmicky than the front.  The cheese and crackers, snacks, fruited water and tea were appreciated and served on extremely clean dishware.  A covert inspection of the stacks of plates for our use surprisingly showed not one chip or discoloration.    

As to their spa treatments, while their facials are sublime and complete relaxation can be achieved through their deep tissue massage, they are more or less ordinary.  The true decadence, however, lies in their double chocolate pedicure. 

This is like no other experience and brings out the chocoholic in everyone.  This "chocolate" treatment has been copied at other salons, but it has been perfected here. 

First, your feet are soaked in a scented milk bath peppered with cocoa beans.  This may not be necessary but sets the mood.  Next, you are treated to a chocolate scented sugar scrub (what else) which truly and naturally exfoliates the feet and calves.  While you are catching the brief scents of cocoa from your feet, you are served hot cocoa and one of the best double fudge brownies I have ever experienced.  Let your arms droop as a chocolate scented lotion is then rubbed expertly into your feet and legs.  By the time you get to the actual pedicure, you could not care less.

The only criticism during this treatment is that they had a DVD running with a popular cable television program.  But they could not get the sound for the DVD to play on the headsets or live, and the headsets at my station for music were not working.  This would have been appreciated as my nail technician was in a very chatty mood.

However, when you are covered in chocolate on the outside and the lingering taste of fudge and hot cocoa has warmed you through and through, you hardly notice distractions.

Because of the level of sanitation, and the pure decadence of the treatment, this spa is awarded 2 Aromatherapy Candles.

POINT PLEASANT, NEW JERSEY

Salon Du Monde  -  

We visited Salon du Monde located on Arnold Avenue in Point Pleasant, New Jersey on numerous occasions, having a wide variety of services when determining their ranking for review. From the outside, this Spa looks quite small from the outside.  This is deceiving.  Upon entering the establishment, we  noted that it is sleek and spotlessly clean.

You are greeted at the reception desk by Bailey, who we found to be very friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating.  Her professional demeanor was very appreciated and often unique. While they offer a wide variety of services, surprisingly, they do not list a lot of "specialty" massages.  We soon discovered the reason.  Therapist, Lisa Muller personalizes each massage to your bodies needs.

Very often massages become "robotic" in nature, where each muscle group is handled in much the same way each time.  That is not the case at this Salon/Spa.  No matter the Massage you request, you are treated to an experience that concentrates on each muscle group with whatever technique is warranted.  Often at no additional cost.  It is not unusual to experience a massage that incorporates 4 - 5 different massage techniques.  Each part of your body is respected and treated as an individual part of the whole.

We do caution that the massage room can become quite noisy during the day, especially on a weekend but when we spoke to owner/operator Daniele Maloni, we were told that this is being considered and corrected.

The facialist, Maria is extremely knowledgeable in skin care and has a feather light touch and we have were extremely satisfied with her Signature facial. 

We returned to this salon/spa on numerous occassions and have been equally satisfied no matter the spa treatment as each technician takes into account your needs and gives you personalized attention.

Although they accept Walk-Ins, we recommend that you call and book in advance as they definitely get filled up, especially on weekends.

Because of their personally designed techniques, knowledge and professionalism Salon du Monde has received a rating of 3 Aromatherapy Candles.

MIDTOWN - NEW YORK, NY

SHIZUKA NEW YORK  -  

Shizuka NY was visited on several occassions for their Signature and Geisha Facials as well as their Nagomi Manicure and Pedicures. 

The look and feel of this Spa is infused with Japanese elegance.  The entire establishment is clean without being stark and imbibes a sense of calm from the moment you enter.  Before and/or after your treatment you are served tea and cookies in delicate blown glassware.  Although the management keeps you very close to schedule they avoid making you feel rushed. 

The staff is well versed in the treatments they offer and we found them to be quite helpful.  The sanitation practices were above average including our inspection of the shower and bathroom areas. 

The robes and slippers given for your use during treatments are rich and comfortable. 

As to the treatments themselves, the Nagomi manicures and pedicures were relaxing and pleasantly scented, but what sets Shizuka NY apart from other New York Spas - their Facials.  Their facials are exemplary and have earned them their Aromatherapy Candle Rating .

The Geisha Facial, which includes such unappetizing ingredients as sterilized nightengale droppings left the skin feeling surprisingly smooth and clear.  And their Signature Facial is clearly and by far the best in New York. 

We have had facials by the technicians as well as by Shizuka herself and they are both excellent. Shizuka's is worth the extra cost as the lightness and speed of her fingers makes for a truly unique facial massage.

They are very busy so we recomend that you book well in advance - 2-3 weeks for a mid-week appointment, a month in advance for a Fri - Sunday.

The costs are average for a spa in New York City, with treatment by Shizuka herself slightly higher.

All in all Shizuka New York provides a relaxing, unhurried, atmosphere all with a Japanese flair, but with Western conveniences.

For their unique use of unusual products and concentration on the relaxation of the arms, feet and neck during the facial Shizuka New York has received a rating of 3 Aromatherapy Candles.

NAIL SALON REVIEWS

UPPER EAST SIDE - NEW YORK

J&J Nail Salon -

This Nail Salon was visited on more than one occassion and we almost missed it the first time we went looking.  The only sign was a small sandwich board on the sidewalk that read:  J&J Nails - Special - 2nd Floor.  So up we went. The stairs leading to this nail salon are small and not terribly attractive.  Bare off-white walls and rubber stair mats did not impress us.

What did impress us was the value and the speed.  We were taken immediately without an appointment.  We received a full manicure, pedicure and an excellent neck massage while our nails dried (a very nice touch).

While we were having our pedicure, it was noted that when the person next to me left the nail salon, the pedicure foot bath was cleaned again, and not just a perfunctory spritz with some blue tinted sprayer, as we have seen much too often.  In this case, cleanser was put into the foot well, scrubbed clean, let to stand and then rinsed thoroughly.  This was done quickly and efficiently.  And was a nice change.

The manicure and pedicure were done very well with decent product. It lasted approximately 1 week.

What earned this Nail Salon 2 Aromatherapy Candles - It's Sanitation Practices and The Value.  The sanitation practices within the salon are exceptional and the owners weren't kidding when they hung a sign that read:  Value - 2nd Floor.  The manicure and pedicure combined came to a total of. . . $20.  And that was for everything - including the neck and shoulder massage.