V. TO TREAT WITH EXCESSIVE KINDNESS OR CARE; TO INDULGE
They're the spas, services, and indulgence that saved your sanity this year.
Rachel Timmerman Athena's Olive Tree
After years of dealing with pricey treatments for her problem skin, Rachel Timmerman took matters into her own hands with a line of natural lotions, bath cookies, and oils that look and smell fabulous. Read more
Olive It a Lot
Athena’s Olive Tree
Back when Athens had some other name, the gods vied for the job of patron deity. Competing to provide the city with a useful gift, Poseidon offered a salt water fountain; Athena bestowed the abundant olive tree.
Guess who won?
Need another hint? Check out Athena’s Olive Tree, a local line of natural, handcrafted skin care and body products.
The innovative offerings include lotion bars loaded with natural moisturizers like olive oil, cocoa butter, and sweet almond butter. Co-owner Rachel Timmerman spent years perfecting her formulas and will work with clients to customize products based on needs, preferences, and skin type. Plus, the adorable oatmeal and butterscotch bath cookies smell good enough to eat.
Everything will leave your skin feeling remarkably soft and moisturized.
Try that with salt water.
Available online at athenasolivetree.com.
Maria Combs The Natural Nail Studio
It's all hands on deck for Maria Combs. The nail specialist excels in the art of pampering with natural products that spruce up even the shabbiest feet and hands. Read more
Hit the Nail on the Head
The Natural Nail Studio at Urbanity Salon
Think back to the best nail you’ve ever had.
Now imagine it twenty times better and without the messy break-off.
It’s not a dream: You were just polished by mani/pedi guru Maria Combs.
The ebullient Combs, who’s been doing nails for nearly two decades, has just revamped her tiny studio tucked into Urbanity Salon.
New services include indulgent hot stone hand and foot massages, uber-attentive quickie polish changes, and intensive therapeutic treatments that will leave your hands and feet the smoothest they can be (all without using razors). Combs also caters to customers with special needs, including mothers-to-be.
Sanitation is vital to Combs, who keeps any instruments she uses on you filed for your next visit.
Because let’s face it: Foot and hand jobs this good will keep you coming back.
The Natural Nail Studio, 5026 Nicholson Lane, inside Urbanity Salon, Rockville (301-770-9890 or mariacombs.com).
Flaminia Garioni Eyebrow Specialist
The arch is your friend thanks to genius Flaminia Garioni. With her precision tweezing and eye for flattering your face, Garioni keeps things utterly highbrow. Read more
Brow Beating
Eyebrow Specialist Flaminia Garioni
Some people are strictly about the boobs, others appreciate a firm bum.
Flaminia Garioni, however, only has eyes for the brows.
The eyebrow specialist will meet you at your house or her home studio. Using her tweezers (wax isn’t precise enough), she contours eyebrows based on your face and eye shape as well as the slant of your brow bone.
Garioni, who worked for some of the best makeup lines (Nars, Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown) before striking out on her own, also offers tips on the right products and colors for your face. Since she works independently and earns no commission, she recommends only what she thinks will work for you.
And since you (or your hairs) don’t want to go astray, she’ll also talk you through proper grooming and future maintenance.
No need to go lowbrow.
Flaminia Garioni (202-907-6051 or fyubi.com).
