It’s January, and the holidays have left you exhausted, crabby and in dire need of exfoliation. You’re dying for a little spa pampering–but all that gift shopping also has left you broke.
The way we see it, you have a couple of options: Either return the George Foreman grill (thanks, but no thanks, grandma) and indulge in a deluxe treatment; or, if the guilt is too much, keep the grill and follow the austerity plan by trying one of the equally great (though cheaper) services we recommend. Either way, you’ll be in a spa and away from everything else, which is what really counts.
Urban Oasis
12 W. Maple St. 312-587-3500; 939 W. North Ave. 312-640-0001
Deluxe: No one does the 70-minute hot-stone massage ($110) like the experts at Urban Oasis, who use well-placed basalt stones to transmit relaxing heat to your tense spots. Perfect after waiting three hours in line at Ikea.
Bargain: The 25-minute salt glow treatment ($50), during which sea salt and oils are gently rubbed into your skin, includes a quickie massage and leaves you with softer skin.
Kurr Chicago
2150 N. Seminary Ave.
773-935-7470
Deluxe: The cozy, tranquil Kurr’s Moment of Peace package ($170) includes a manicure, Swedish massage and customized facial. Go ahead, you gave up your bedroom to your in-laws for two weeks–you deserve it.
Bargain: The best way to ease wrapping-paper cuts is with a classic manicure, of course. But instead of hitting a quickie storefront salon, stop by Kurr–which has an affordable spa manicure ($20) that’s not rushed or sloppy, and you’ll get to soak up the spa environment. Breathe in, breathe out.
Ruby Room
1743 W. Division St., Floor No. 2,
773-635-5000
Deluxe: Those seeking something a little more transcendent will love Ruby Room’s half-day experience ($400). Your consultation starts with a reading of your “akashic record” (described by Ruby Room as “your soul’s journey”) followed by a one-hour energy healing, 30 minutes of numerology therapy (how your name and birth date create a number) and 30 minutes of guided meditation. Yes, inner beauty is stressed, but the session does wind up with a free makeover.
Bargain: For serenity-seekers on a budget, there’s the one-hour Intuitive Blend ($90 for first-time clients, $110 for return customers), in which guests receive intuitive therapy (discussing your life issues), followed by 30 minutes of “light touch” treatment, during which negative energies are supposedly removed from your seven main chakras. It’s also followed by a complimentary makeover.
Channings Day Spa
54 E. Oak St. 312-280-1994
Deluxe: Sure, it might be a gimmick, but we’re still all over the Caviar Facial ($165). Freeze-dried caviar (allegedly rich in amino acids and protein) is smeared on your face, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. Don’t forget the crackers.
Bargain: The perfect way to spend your lunch break, the express pedicure–a soak, nail cleanup and polish application for $35–is a good, quick fix.
Honey Child
735 N. LaSalle St. 312-573-1300
Deluxe: When you get the Brown Sugar Duo treatment ($160), not one, but two masseuses (yes, four hands) rub brown sugar scrub all over your bod, then smear you with cocoa butter and wrap you in warm blankets. You leave smelling and feeling as delicious as a Christmas cookie (sans calories).
Bargain: Perfect for the winter, the Rough Patches treatment ($45) blasts away the rough spots on your elbows that you earned jabbing fellow shoppers at all those after-Christmas sales, then coats them in paraffin for softness. Heels and knees included too.
Spa Mondial at Holmes Place Health Club
355 E. Grand Ave. 312-467-1111
Deluxe: Mondial’s signature facial, the Sundari Facial ($130), uses exfoliation and deep-hydrating oils, including vitamin E, to leave winterized skin feeling like butter.
Bargain: When you’re finally ready to be social again, the Night on the Town facial ($70) is just the thing. Instead of using the usual metal tools, estheticians simply scrub and moisturize, which makes for a low-irritation facial that gives a glow without the unsightly red marks most leave behind. (Bonus: A brow tweeze is just $10 more.)
