Westchester Magazine :: Investigating The County’s Top Spas
We did some hard-core investigating in the field: visiting the county’s top spas to find their most effective, most pampering, most luxurious treatments.
By Nancy L. Claus, Philip Garrity, & Katie O’Donnell
Comfort for Body and Soul
The Divine You Facial at Branches of Beauty (90 minutes, $193) went on and on—yet we were still reluctant for it to end when the time was up. Wrapped snugly in warmed linens, heated hand mitts, a pleasingly weighted neck wrap, and an oatmeal-scented eye pillow (on top of a moisturizing hyaluronic mask), the mellow percussions of the North African desert were a welcome alternative to the typical “sounds of serenity” playlist.
Completely customizable, the “facial” is more like an aesthetic free-for-all, with peels, microdermabrasion, and anti-aging or eye treatments included as needed—at no added cost. (Ours peaked at the reflexology part.) The treatment space, meanwhile, reflects the personality that gives this beauty haven, open since May, its spark: The Moroccan Room mimics an exotic, lavish “tent” furnished with deep red silks, a plush armchair, and the diffused glow of hanging glass-mosaic lanterns.
But while the décor is foreign-inspired, co-owner and aesthetician Jennifer DiNoia, an Oasis Day Spa vet, makes the rest feel like home, starting with a beaming, arms-wide-open (literally) welcome. Out in the cheerful little boutique area, the vibe is casual, cozy, and fun. “We’re a little kooky,” DiNoia laughed over a Sinatra soundtrack. Under-$50 jewelry and accessories live among zebra-striped chairs and small makeup and brow stations, plus a hair station and sink (hair is an expanding area of the business).
Also on the menu: services with the “Rolls-Royce of lasers,” and, soon, treatments specially developed for oncology patients. “We want to help people,” says DeNoia, who is passionate about educating and working with clients suffering from issues like acne. Besides leading community skincare workshops, the founders offer “a few free services a month to people in need of some inspiration and uplifting,” says DiNoia. Plus, educators, civil servants, and healthcare providers always receive a 10-percent discount off any service.
Branches of Beauty, 193 Brook St, Scarsdale (914) 713-3542; www.branchesofbeauty.net