date published:
January 1, 2007

After a gluttonous holiday season, the first
month of the year has a way of kicking your
resolve into overdrive. But before you
condemn yourself to boot camp-style workouts
and carrot-only diets, enhance your stay in
Boston with these painless tips to a
healthier, prettier you.
Defrost
After spending all those long hours indoors,
you’re probably feeling a bit under the
weather. Rather than reaching for the NyQuil,
allay your mid-winter ailments at
The Sports Club LA’s Splash
Spa (4 Avery St., 617-375-8200)
with the aromatherapy aloe wrap. By
relieving aches and stimulating the immune
system through the restorative powers of
spruce, thyme, tea tree oil and eucalyptus,
this soothing Aloe Vera body wrap is sure to
get you back on your feet.
Speaking of your tootsies, we wager that
several months have passed since they’ve
seen the light of day—let alone a
pedicurist. If snow boots and ski socks have
left your soles in need of some extra
attention, opt for “The Machine” pedicure
add-on at G Spa
(35 Newbury St., 617-267-4772). Mere seconds
of treatment by this spinning, sloughing
device from South America promises to rid
your feet of even the most stubborn
calluses.
Detoxify
Between the eggnog and the champagne toasts,
December is a trying time for the liver. To
rid yourself of post-binge negatives, head
to Boston Dtox
(83 Newbury St., 617-867-0007), where a
non-invasive 23-minute treatment purifies
you on a cellular level through a high-tech
ionized footbath.
If all that partying is more evident in
your face, treat yourself to an organic
detoxifying facial at
Violet Skin Boutique (257 Newbury
St., 617-262-7546). Designed by salon owner
Violet Mkhytarian, this back-to-basics
facial consists of a deep cleansing using
herbal extracts, an exfoliation using a
cranberry peel with volcanic ash and a green
tea mask followed by an invigorating hand,
foot and neck massage.
Treat your tresses
Your mane has been cowering under a hat
since November. To beautify your neglected
follicles, entrust them to the pros at
Vidal Sassoon (14
Newbury St., 617-536-5496) and invest in the
treatment cut. Before being cut into shape,
your strands are sprayed with one of three
deep conditioning treatments from the
Parisian hair product line Kérastase, saving
you time by coifing and fortifying all at
once.
For the gentlemen, we recommend paying a
visit to the Men’s Club at
Emerge (275
Newbury St., 617-437-0006) and upgrading
your haircut with a 30-minute scalp massage,
sure to restore balance both inside and on
top of your head.
Pamper
those peepers
Illustrious as they usually are, chances are
all that post-holiday pandemonium has
saddled your eyes with some excess baggage.
Put the sparkle back in your gaze with an
eye ritual at Michaud
Cosmedix (69 Newbury St.,
617-262-1607). Using sophisticated eye care
products from the French line Talika, this
45-minute treatment revitalizes your eyes
with a gel mask and a lymphatic
fluid-draining massage.
After de-puffing, give your eyes some
dramatic, natural-looking flair with a full
set of semi-permanent eyelash extensions at
LuxLash (232
Newbury St., 617-587-5274). By bonding
lightweight synthetic eyelashes with your
real lashes, this treatment leaves you with
a set of flirty peepers that lasts for up to
two months.
Get some face time
Constant exposure to sub-zero temperatures
is enough to do a number on anyone’s skin.
If your pores are in need of some TLC, seek
solace at La Residencia
(336 Elliot St., Newton, 617-244-1338).
Nestled in a quaint Victorian house, this
cozy spa offers customized skincare
including owner Jane Aranky’s signature
facial, a relaxing 90-minute treatment that
caters to your skin’s specific needs.
If your pores require some extra thawing,
opt for esthetician Rachel Zaltman-Murphy’s
American facial at The
Loft Salon & Day Spa (207 Newbury
St., 617-536-5638). Instead of the usual
steam bath, this facial prepares your pores
for extraction by warming them with an
electric plastic heat mask that strengthens
the capillary walls.
Trust technology
The fountain of youth is yet to be
discovered, but thanks to modern technology,
you have the ability to rid your visage of
telltale aging signs. One path to a more
youthful-looking complexion is the Visia
skin analysis at the
Essentially Bare Cosmetic and Laser Clinic
(777 Concord Ave., Cambridge, 617-876-5258).
By testing your face for evenness,
photodamage and bacteria, a machine provides
you with a detailed map of your skin,
allowing you to build a skincare regimen
that pinpoints your problem areas.
Therapeutic as they may be, skincare
products can only go so far to defy gravity.
If you’re considering cosmetic surgery, look
no further than the Massachusetts Eye & Ear
Infirmary’s Facial and Cosmetic Surgery
Center (273 Charles St., 617-573-5520).
Teamed with one of the best healthcare
providers in the nation, the center offers
procedures like the mini facelift, a
minimally invasive surgery that targets your
neck and lower face.
Nurture your
relationships
Sometimes, self-betterment is more enjoyable
when you bring a sidekick. For the ultimate
treatment for two, take your significant
other to G2O Spa
(338 Newbury St., 617-262-2220) and try the
Rasul signature ceremony. Nothing says
bonding like getting doused with mineral mud
from head to toe and relaxing in an
elaborately decorated steam chamber.
If mud does not constitute your idea of a
good time, stay clean with the signature
Hydrostorm treatment at
Emerge. Inspired by European
hydrotherapy, this single or two-person
treatment combines shower, steam, color and
aromatherapy to relieve stress and promote
overall physical wellness. Too intense? Opt
for the La Stone Therapy massage for two and
let the weight of several smooth, heated
stones warm up your senses.
Eat right
As we’ve often heard our mothers say, good
health starts with good food. If you’re
struck by a craving for a greasy burger,
stay clear of the usual fast food chains and
head to b.good
(131 Dartmouth St., 617-424-5252). A step up
from McDonald’s, this health-conscious
eatery satisfies your appetite while curbing
your fat cal intake by eliminating the deep
fryer and cooking with all-natural
ingredients.
For some, proper nutrition involves more
than just mere carb counting. The new DO IT
program at the Joslin
Diabetes Center (One Joslin Pl.,
617-732-2400) guides diabetes patients
towards an active, healthy lifestyle through
an intensive four-day program focused on
exercise, medication and personalized
nutrition.
Say
ommmm
Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned
practitioner, the mental and physical
benefits of yoga make it an essential
component of any workout regimen. While in
Boston, perfect your Cobra pose at
Baptiste Yoga (139
Columbus Ave., 617-423-9642), a dynamic new
practice that marries the concepts of
Vinyasa flow and power yoga.
If you’re looking for a challenge, try
out a class at Bikram Yoga
(108 Lincoln St., 617-556-9926). Originated
in Calcutta, India, this internationally
renowned approach to yoga oxygenates the
body through a systematic series of
twenty-six intense postures.
Hit the ground
running
Home to one of the world’s oldest and most
prestigious marathons, Boston is a Mecca for
recreational runners. Whether your goal is
to power walk in the park or sprint to the
finish line, get your kicks at
Marathon Sports
(671 Boylston St., 617-267-4774). With
personalized shoe fitting and video gait
analysis, this famous shop has been catering
to walkers and marathoners since 1975.
As the record-breaking winner of four
Boston Marathons, Bill Rodgers is the Hub’s
running guru. For one-on-one shoe fitting
and tips from the pro, visit Rodgers’ shop,
Bill Rodgers Running
Center (Faneuil Hall Marketplace,
617-723-5612), and stock up on everything
from shoe inserts to official marathon gear.
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