Making your Spa experience amazing!

Going to the spa is my love language! I check out Spa's with the same passion as someone who wants to visit every Major League Baseball Park, or the guy that plans vacations around new golf courses. Visiting the Spa forces me to put the phone away, be in the moment, breathe, reflect and do some great thinking.

I love trying new treatments, and I love to talk to people about Spa preferences - so if you have questions, ask away! I also have found that like trying sushi for the first time some people don't know what to expect so they may shy away from the experience, and I think EVERYONE should enjoy this - at least once. So below are some tips for how to make your time the most enjoyable.

1. Ask Around - If you don't currently have a Spa of choice or you are visiting a new city, or taking a trip. Do your research. It's like finding a hair dresser - you don't just go to the first thing that pops up on Google. Since I brought up Google. ANYONE can make a picture look good but you don't want to roll into a strip mall and find your appointment is in the back of Tommy's TV store. You will be glad you did your research when you are alone in a dark room with a stranger, with nothing but a blanket on. (I'll get to that in a minute)

2. Get There Early - I don't always follow my own advice here, and every time I don't, I regret it. The purpose of a spa service, is to relax. So when you show up right on time, sweating from finding a parking spot and frazzled from whatever thing had your attention before you walked in the door, you are only hurting your own experience. So give yourself a buffer. Get there 45 minutes early and just start calming the hell down. Turn your phone on airplane mode, lock up your stuff, eskimo yourself in the bath robe and CHILL!

3. Speaking of Bath Robes- I'm sure as hard as they try to make your experience enjoyable, things get missed. One of those things is making sure the robes and slippers fit. If you get to the locker and they give you a robe that you don't feel comfortable in, don't just wear it for fear of speaking up. Find someone and tell them - I need a bigger/smaller size. They want you to be happy and the last thing you want to be is self conscious and wasting time thinking about that, or how to methodically cross your legs in your chair.

4. Skip the Booze - ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT - yes, it's still me, no one has highjacked this post, but hear me out. You are going to get services done to make yourself feel better, ideally, you walk out feeling like the best version of your new shiny oiled self. The mimosa can wait. Hydrate, eat the granola, sip the hot tea. **Unless you are there for a girls day or a bachelorette party, then BOTTOMS UP!

5. Don't pass on the scalp massage - I hate washing my hair just like every other millennial lady, but the scalp massage is worth it! They may ask to give you one during a massage or a facial. Plan your hair washing schedule around it if you must. Yes, you will look like something out of the exorcist when you get done, but besides your mom brushing your hair as you fell asleep as a kid, NOTHING feels better.

6. Strip it down - I'm about as modest as they come around people, unless we lived together in college - they've seen it all anyways. For the Spa newbies, your first time in a spa locker room will feel very much like your first day of gym in junior high. A stranger will walk you to your locker, tell you to undress to "whatever level you feel comfortable" and show you your robe. Other strangers will be walking around at varying levels of nudity. You will stare at your locker so as to not be labeled a gawker, and consider what kind of test you've been given with that comfortable question. Let's get down to it. Take it all off, and put the robe on. If you followed my instructions on tip #1 you shouldn't feel uncomfortable because you picked a professional establishment! and here's the deal - I equate being at a Spa with a stranger performing services on me like a trip to Wal-Mart. I won't be the best thing they see all day and I won't be the worst. To be honest, I've actually felt more uncomfortable when I've left clothes on. Seriously, don't waste your relaxation time worrying about this.

7. Ask Questions - They are going to use products on you that you may love or you may hate. Ask them what they are using. Facials are great for asking skincare question about products to use, how to work on an issue you want to correct at home or for advice on a routine that will work for you. They have an hour up close and personal with your skin and this is their profession, they actually love that you want to know more. The more questions you ask when you book your appointment will also help you prepare for your day. Ask about day services the spa provides - pools, saunas, steam. That way you can pack accordingly and schedule your day if you want to partake in all they have to offer. If you are pregnant - that's a whole other list of questions.

8. Be Upfront - Tell them straight away if there is some where you want them to stay away from, a technique you don't want used on your face, that you hate the smell of mint, whatever it is. They actually want to know. If you get a chatty person that wants to talk through your service and you aren't in the mood, kindly tell them, they will understand.

9. TIP THEM- These amazing people just rubbed your NASTY feet, and ran their elbow down your spine and made it enjoyable, thank them accordingly. These are hard jobs and almost everyone I've ever met is so professional. I've been prayed over, hugged, and listened to.

That's all I have! I'd love for others to add in. The most important thing to remember is to RELAX, give yourself a break. I obviously love this topic so I'm happy to chat about any questions you have, message me! I also have a couple funny spa stories as well - like the time they made Jill and I share the couples room for our massages in the Bahamas.