Living within the Whitman bubble often leads to overlooking the simple pleasures that lie just beyond campus. Spas and salons are aplenty in our burgeoning city of wine and wheat. Three spas are even located within five blocks of campus and regularly cater to students.
Staffed by an ultra-fashionable, amiable, young and all-female team, Misbehaven Spa and Salon looks like something out of a busy metropolitan paradise. Trendy products line the walls, advertising everything from expensive shampoos to “down there” hair dye. Aromatherapy candles give the bustling spa and salon a peaceful and yet hip atmosphere. A large quote on the wall reads: “Know where you’re going and look good when you get there!”
Treatments and services range from full salon care (haircuts, coloring) and spa amenities (massages, waxing, facials). A few less commonly found treatments include henna, eyelash extensions and even permanent makeup (think grandmother from “Princess Diaries”).
“I think it’s a place where people can come and really feel comfortable, especially students who are stressed a lot,” said massage therapist Wendy Chaffee.
Voted “Best of the Best” for massages in Walla Walla, Misbehaven lives up to its title. Soft flannel sheets, mood lighting and the distant sounds of a creek overlaid with exotic flute music all add to the experience. The constant reminder to relax was paired with oils and cool lotions; everything from my ears to individual toes were massaged.
Thirty-minute massages are $35, 60 minutes is $65 and for the adventure-seeking 90 minute treatments run $80. Facials follow a fairly similar price scale: 30 minutes at $40, 60 minutes at $65 and 90 minutes at $85.
Aveda Salon and Spa, a.k.a. City Slickers, takes a more earthy approach to spa treatment. Dark wood, dark green and purple tones and high ceilings give the spa an elegant and upscale feel. Staffed by a slightly older team, the spa caters to a less teeny-bobber hipster and more to a busy client merely looking for good ole’ relaxation.
Treatments such as the Rosemary Mint Awakening Body Wrap and Damage Remedy Hair and Scalp Renewal litter City Slickers’ menu. The full works is offered on the salon side and with customized 75 minute facials to antioxidant power peels, City Slickers can provide for the facial seeking customer.
“Aveda really loves the Earth. All of our products are eco-friendly and are natural supplements,” said esthetician and makeup artist Sheila Hadley. “It’s a really great company to work for.”
Smooth jazz, steam, customized aromas and cooling lotions and masks refresh the face and body at this spa. I received not only a great and thorough facial, but also an upper body massage to boot.
Facials are $75 for 75 minutes, but can be cut in half for a mini-facial at $40. The very intricate sounding body wraps are $85.
Healthquest Therapeutic Massage is geared more towards medical massage for injured or accident related pain, as well as for the hurting athlete. This generally means the massage therapists have had more advanced training and can tailor massages to precisely the client’s needs.
Non-injury related massages are also offered, but are more focused on relieving the body then providing an enchanting spa atmosphere.
If you can obtain a medical massage, insurance should cover it, but if you are only looking for a little relaxation a half hour is $45, an hour is $60, an hour and a half is $80 and two hours is $100.
