Ever wonder how they do it? The ones who, no matter where they are or what they’re doing, always look great. We asked four prominent area women to go against their better judgment and name names. Their answers may surprise you.
Michele Malin Seidman, Penn Valley
Host of CN8’s The Fretz Kitchen
Hair: Studio CL, Rittenhouse Square. “Alex Molchadskiy gives a fantastic cut every time. Megan Reilly does my color, and it looks so natural.”
Facial: Bluemercury, Ardmore’s Suburban Square. “Eileen Clay looks at my skin and customizes the treatment for what my needs are. My skin looks and feels great.”
Manicure/pedicure: Christie’s Nails & Tanning, Manayunk. “All the Main Line secretly goes to Christie’s. I’ve never been there when I haven’t run into someone I know. The manicures and pedicures last, and the prices are affordable.”
Massage: Maximum Performance International, Bryn Mawr. “Jaclyn Maruca gives an amazing deep-tissue massage. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.”
Corie Moskow, Penn Valley
President, Gloss Public Relations, Marketing and Events
Hair: Richard Nicholas Hair Studio, Philadelphia. “I’ve gone to owner Nick Berardi for six years, and he’s the best. I have naturally curly hair, and he does a straightening process to it twice a year. I love it.”
Blowout: OMG, Gladwyne. “I needed a great neighborhood salon to go to when it wasn’t convenient to get into the city for blowouts and makeup. OMG is where I go to get a sleek blowout so I don’t have to wear my hair in a ponytail. The makeup artists there—like Celene Aguilar—do a terrific job.”
Manicure/pedicure and eyebrows: Salon Boutique, Narberth. “I’m a busy working mom, so I like to go to one place to get these three treatments done. They get me in and out in no time.”
Stacey Seiden Graham, Bryn Mawr
Director of Public Relations, Bernie Robbins Fine Jewelry
Hair: Chuck Thayer Salon & Spa, Radnor. “Joseph Ferrer does my cut and color. He has a great eye for what’s stylish and the latest techniques. I’m always happy when I leave.”
Eyebrows: Adolf Biecker Spa and Salon, Strafford. “I never did my eyebrows before I was introduced to Melanie Engle. That was five years ago, and I’ve never been to anyone else. She does them perfectly.”
Massage: Toppers, Devon. “I love getting Swedish and deep-tissue massages. Hot stone massages are another one of my favorites.”
Alice Strine, Rose Valley
Attorney for area non-profits and performing arts organizations
Hair: Thomas Jordan Salon, Media. “I’m lucky to have my pick of two great stylists—Tom Innaurato and Michael McDevitt—to do my cut and color. They both do fabulous cuts that I’m able to style myself after I leave.”
Massage: Ame Day Spa & Salon, Wayne. “When I travel, I love to try new places. In this area, one of my favorite places to go for a massage is Ame. I love the serenity of the spa.”
Manicure/pedicure: China Nails, Media. “They always do a great job, and I’m able to get in and out without spending a lot of time there.”
Coming to a Salon Near You…
Three hot new treatments.
1. Luscious Lashes
If you see a woman this fall with eyelashes you lust for, don’t automatically assume she was born batting that perfect pair. She may have undergone the Main Line’s hottest new beauty treatment: eyelash extensions. “The lashes look so natural people can’t even tell you’re wearing them,” says Carissa Primus. “The results are gorgeous.” Primus, of Capriotti Salon Experience in Narberth, has recently been certified in eyelash extensions through Xtreme Lashes, a national organization committed to the safe and hygienic process of applying synthetic lashes. During the process—which takes anywhere from one to two hours—the synthetic versions are attached to each individual natural lash. The application has a more authentic look and feel, unlike the dated method of applying lash strips directly to the eyelid. Clients can choose the color (black or brown) as well as the length. The synthetic lashes shed with the natural lashes, so they usually last anywhere from two to three months. Price for initial application is $200-$300; refill lashes run $75-$100.
2. Chocolate Decadence
Last February, Max Zylberdrut, owner of Millennium Hair & Day Spa in Wynnewood, added chocolate-themed spa treatments to his menu to celebrate the month of love. His clients raved about the delicious-smelling treatments so much that Millennium is now offering them regularly. One such treatment is the Signature Chocolate Scrub, where the body is rubbed down with a chocolate-infused exfoliant followed by a moisturizing chocolate butter cream. Another treatment is the Chocolate Body Wrap, using a chocolate moisturizer that stimulates fat elimination and improves skin texture. Since products are made with pure chocolate, those with an allergy shouldn’t get the treatment. Chocolate fever has also made its way down the Main Line to Paoli where, at Antoinette Day Spa and Salon, they’ve added chocolate treatments to their list of services. Clients coming in for a haircut can opt for a chocolate truffle conditioning treatment, and chocolate mask facials and chocolate moisturizing treatments are offered during pedicures and manicures. So what is it about chocolate treatments that people love? “The smell is amazing,” says Jean Passo, spa director at Antoinette. “It’s like walking into a bakery, but not worrying about calories.”
3. Beauty Babes
Ame Salon and Spa in Wayne has partnered with Youth Movement Fitness Club in Bryn Mawr to provide pampering services for moms and those expecting. Youth Movement, a child gym focused on proper exercise and nutrition, was started last year by Lankenau Hospital pediatrician Dr. Maddy Weiser to promote healthier lifestyles for children. Moms can indulge in a assage from one of Ame’s licensed professionals while their children exercise—and plans are in the works for further treatments, including facials, skin care and makeup. “It’s our goal to offer dynamic programs designed to nurture mothers and mothers-to-be,” says Weiser. “By joining with Ame, we hope to provide a trusted network, making women better moms by providing top resources and relationships.”
Divas in Training
These days, teenage girls are indulging in a world of Brazilians, back-facials and massages.
Genevieve Rota got her first manicure when she was 8. The pedicures, facials, massages and glamor shots followed, and she sums it all up as—amazing. “I got a massage once, but I’m too busy for those now. I’m into my school work, family and my friends—who have a lot of drama,” she says.
Genevieve, now 14, is a regular at Calista Grand Salon & Spa in West Chester, where she completed their Lifeshops program. Designed as a mini finishing/modeling school for teenage girls, the revamped eight-week program starts again in January. On Sunday nights, they’re taught nail care, skin care, hair care, makeup, personal style, poise and etiquette—all of it culminating in a runway fashion show for friends and family under the direction of Philly modeling school alum Colleen McCafferty.
Calista also offers a bunch of teen-specific services. The bacial (back-facial, 45 minutes/$50), the teen facial (45 minutes/$65) and the yummy treatment next on Genevieve’s list—an orange crème sugar scrub (45 minutes/$90). Natalie Norman, owner of Salon A in Bryn Mawr, loves her teenage clients. “They come in their low-waisted Juicy sweatsuits, always buzzing, chirping and hugging each other,” says Norman, who is amazed at what they’re getting done—blowouts, European facials and manicures for bat mitzvahs, Sweet 16 parties and proms. “When I was in high school, we braided each other’s hair in the bathroom.”
So what’s changed? Some mothers want their daughters to have more than they did. “I was one of nine children, so I never got anything done. Now I can do more for them,” Patricia Rota says. Others might like their daughters interacting with a circle of concerned women. “They probably tell her the same things I do. But then it strengthens the advice,” Rota says.
Ashley Brennan, who, at 18, has been a Salon A client for five years, knows all about the salon circle of trust. “Every time I go in, they throw something new at me. ‘Try this today’ or, ‘We have a new stylist; she’s really great.’ My sister and I say, ‘Let’s just try it!’ I don’t really trust anyone else.”
Melissa Shertz, a manager at Ame Salon and Spa in Wayne, has seen it all when it comes to divas in training. “We have 13-year-olds coming in for Brazilians (the barest bikini wax) and the full-body purification wrap (a marine masque that purges toxic waste; one hour/$120) especially for back or chest breakouts.” Teen facials (45 minutes/$50) are typical, and Shertz says 75 percent of the girls come in with their mothers. “Basically, they’re preparing them to be as glamorous as they are.”
52 Top Salons and Spas
20/20 Fusion
2 W. Baltimore Pike, Media
(610) 566-9297, 20-20fusion.com
Services & Specialties: Hair care, massage, body treatments, facials, makeup, nail care, laser hair removal, skin care, teeth whitening, laser tattoo removal, skin regeneration.
3000 B.C. Wellness Spa
605 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne
(484) 367-1000, 3000bc.com
Services & Specialties: Massages, facials, skin care, body treatments, makeup, hair removal, nail care, 3000BC Ritual Facial.
Adolf Biecker
508 W. Lancaster Ave., Strafford
(610) 687-4750, adolfbiecker.com
Services & Specialties: Hair care, nail care, makeup, hair removal, skin care, body treatments, Swedish massage, Elemental Nature Facial, eyebrow waxing.
Allure MediSpa
250 Lancaster Ave., Paoli
(610) 648-0468, allure-medispa.com
Services & Specialties: Skin care, massage, body treatments, makeup, facials, hair removal, surgical services.
Ame Salon and Spa
111 Waynewood Ave., Wayne
(610) 995-2631, amesalonandspa.com
Services & Specialties: Hair care, nail care, hair removal, facials, massage, makeup, Japanese tub room, body soaks.
American Male
Locations: Berwyn, Bethlehem, Easton, Lancaster, and Philadelphia
(877) MEN-HAIR, americanmale.com
Services & Specialties: Hair care for men.
Antoinette Day Spa and Salon
85 Darby Road, Paoli
(610) 647-6618, antoinettespa.com
Services Specialties: Hair care, nail care, hair removal, skin care, Ultimate Hydration Milk Pedicure, Glyssentials Facial, 60-minute Swedish massage.
Avante Salon and Spa
700 Downingtown Pike, Unit 120, West Chester
(610) 429-1800, avantesalon.com
Services & Specialties: Creative cuts and hair-care treatments, hair color, skin care, body and facial treatments and waxing.
Bala Beautiful
2 Bala Plaza, Bala Cynwyd
(610) 667-1115, balabeautiful.com
Services & Specialties: Skin care, hair removal, medically planned and supervised aesthetic services for men and women.
Bean’s Beauty
201 E. Lancaster Ave., Wayne
(610) 989-9869, beansbeauty.com
Services & Specialties: Hair cuts, colors and treatments; skin care; body treatments; nail care; facials; skin care; hair removal; makeup.
Beauty Reflections
503 Lancaster Ave., Malvern
(610) 408-0258
Services & Specialties: Hair care, nail care, skin care, hair removal; family atmosphere.
Bella Bella Hair Salon
7 E. Gay St., West Chester
(610) 430-8554, bellabellasalon.net
Services & Specialties: Hair care, facials, nail care, hair removal, makeup, massages.
Blaze Salon
144 E. Market St., West Chester
(610) 431-2190
blazesalon.com
Services & Specialties: Hair care, manicures, pedicures, facials, waxing, custom design cuts, color correction.
Bluemercury
42 St. James Place, Ardmore
(610) 642-5400, bluemercury.com
Services & Specialties: Skin care, facials, hair removal, makeup, body treatments, massages, world-renowned spa treatments.
Calista Grand Salon & Spa
1211 Wilmington Pike, Suite 301, West Chester
(610) 399-6677, calistagrand.com
Services & Specialties: Hair care, skin care, facials, massages.
Cappy & Co. Salon and Spa
4 Walnut Ave., Berwyn
(610) 640-0900
Services & Specialties: Hair care, facials, makeup, highlights.
Capriotti Salon Experience
211 Haverford Ave., Narberth
(610) 660-9201
Services & Specialties: Makeup; hair removal; nail care; skin care; hair treatments, design and coloring.
Chuck Thayer Salon & Spa
595 E. Lancaster Ave., St. Davids
(610) 687-6004, chuckthayersalon.com
Services & Specialties: Hair care, nail care, body treatments, facials, massages, makeup, skin care, hair removal.
Contemporary Styles by Mena
203 E. Baltimore Pike, Media
(610) 565-5155
Services & Specialties: Hair care, color, facial waxing, makeup, certified master hair colorist.
Corinthian Hair Studio
3543 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square
(610) 356-6062
Services & Specialties: Hair care; makeup; highlights; up-dos for proms and weddings.
Currie Hair, Skin & Nail
Locations in Glen Mills and Kennett Square
curriedayspa.com
Services & Specialties: Hair care, massages, skin care, facials, nail care, hair removal, body treatments.
Déjà Vu
31 W State St, Media
(610) 566-2515, dejavusalon.com
Services & Specialties: Hair extensions and coloring; skin care; waxing.
Eterna Bella Spa
8 Cricket Ave., Ardmore
(610) 649-3260
Services & Specialties: Facials, skin care, nail care, massages, body treatments, hair removal.
Freedom Massage
14 Paoli Court, Paoli
(610) 644-9003, freedommassage.com
Services & Specialties: Massage, body
treatments, deep tissue massage, Swedish massage.
Gianna Skin & Laser
4667 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square
(610) 353-1930, giannaskin.com
Services & Specialties: Laser hair and vein removal, chemical peels, skin care treatments, men’s services, Botox, laser hair removal.
Jay Michael Salon and Spa
Suburban Square
28 E. Montgomery Ave., Ardmore
(610) 645-6500, jaymichael.com
Services & Specialties: Hair care, nail care, hair removal, makeup, facials, body treatments, color treatments, Jay Michael Collection hair-care line, glycolic peels.
John Andrews Salon
27 West Ave., Wayne
(610) 688-6811
Services & Specialties: Hair care, skin care, facials, nail care, hair removal, hair extensions.
Jude Plum
45 Booth Lane, Haverford
(610) 649-9996
Services & Specialties: Hair coloring;
haircuts for men and women; body waxing; full nail and skin care.
La Difference
830 Paoli Pike, West Chester
(610) 429-1808, ladifferencesalon.com
Services & Specialties: Hair care, nail care, skin care, hair removal, body treatments, massages, hair coloring, age-defying facials.
La Rouge Salon
115 Bloomingdale Ave., Wayne
(610) 687-0220
Services & Specialties: Nail care, skin care, hair removal.
Lauren Hair Style
348 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne
(610) 971-2104
Services & Specialties: Hair care, nail care, color treatments.
Ralph Manne Salon
300 E. Lancaster Ave., Wynnewood
(610) 642-8520
Services & Specialties: Hair care, nail care, skin care, hair removal, facials, massages.
Maryann Christopher Salon
3618 Chapel Road, Newtown Square
(610) 359-9080
Services & Specialties: Hair care, nail care, facials, body treatments, skin care, massages, wig fittings for cancer patients.
Massage Works
15 Morris Road, Bryn Mawr
(610) 525-0110
massageworks-mainline.com
Services & Specialties: Swedish and beautician massages, body treatments.
Millennium Hair & Day Spa
50 E. Wynnewood Road, Wynnewood
(610) 649-4977
millenniumhairanddayspa.com
Services & Specialties: Hair care, body treatments, skin care, nail care, aromatherapy, Swedish massage.
New Image Salon & Spa Inc.
72 W. Lancaster Ave., Paoli
(610) 725-8879
Services & Specialties: Hair care, facials, massages, nail care.
Nirvana Hair Gallery
779 W. Sproul Road, Springfield
(610) 328-1290, nirvanahairgallery.com
Services & Specialties: Hair care; nail care; makeup; skin care; massages; hair removal; hair extensions; cosmetic tattooing for lips and eyebrows; airbrush tanning; environmentally conscious beauty services.
OMG
351 Righters Mill Road, Gladwyne
(610) 896-0240
Services & Specialties: Hair care, facial, hair removal, makeup, skin care.
Onde Spalon
200 S. Newtown Street Road,
Newtown Square
(610) 356-4378
Services & Specialties: Spa, skin care,
hair care, nail care, spray tanning, Vibraderm
(reduces lines and pores and removes cellulite).
Jude Plum Co. Salon & Spa
821 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr
(610) 527-1770
Services & Specialties: Hair care, nail care, massages, hair removal, corrective coloring, highlights.
Red Door Salon
2 Bala Place, Bala Cynwyd
(610) 667-9166
Services & Specialties: Hair care, massages, nail care, facials, hair removal, Elizabeth Arden classic facial.
Salon 7
1385 E. Boot Road, West Chester
(610) 696-2211
Services & Specialties: Hair care, makeup, massages, body treatments, nail care, tanning, facials, hair removal, Lavendar Hot Stone Pedicure.
Salon 191
191 Presidential Blvd., Bala Cynwyd
(610) 667-1100
Services & Specialties: Hair care, nail care, facials, hair removal.
Salon A
912 E. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr
(610) 527-3315, thesalona.com
Services & Specialties: Hair care, nail care, massages, hair removal, facials.
Salon Bella Gente
7 E. State St., Media
(610) 566-9976
Services & Specialties: Hair care, nail care, hair removal, facials, massages, skin care, eyebrow and eyelash tinting, hair coloring.
Salon di Moda
846 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr
(610) 525-4123, wdz1050.com
Services & Specialties: Hair care, facials, skin care, body treatments, nail care, hair removal, makeup, eyebrow and eyelash tinting.
Nicholas Sebastian Hair Salon
3515 West Chester Pike,
Newtown Square
(610) 325-0122, nssalon.com
Services & Specialties: Hair care, facial waxing, makeup, haircuts, styling, coloring, Nicolas Sebastian cosmetic line.
Sona MedSpa
200 N. Warner Road, Suite 121,
King of Prussia
(610) 337-7662, sonamedspa.com
Services & Specialties: Laser hair removal; Botox; Restylane; light-based anti-aging treatments for acne, age spots, tattoo removal and spider veins.
Taglio Hair Design
7 Anderson Ave., Ardmore
(610) 649-4964
Services & Specialties: Hair care, hair removal.
The Spa at ACAC
1130 McDermott Drive, West Chester
(610) 431-7000
Services & Specialties: Facials, body treatments, massages, skin care, hair removal, nail care.
The Spa at Hotel Hershey
100 Hotel Road, Hershey
(717) 520-5888, chocolatespa.com
Services & Specialties: Massages, skin care, hair care, nail care, hair removal, makeup, fitness facility, day spa packages.
Toppers Spa
745 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne
(610) 989-9660, toppersspa.com
Services & Specialties: Massages; body treatments; skin care; hair removal; makeup; hair care; nail care; hot stone massages, facials, manicures and pedicures.