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[title]Mani-pedi at Spa Soak
This Wicker Park spa’s mani-pedi was the first that didn’t make me feel mortified by my nasty cuticles, thanks to a mellow staff and down-to-earth atmosphere. Rachel, my nail tech, soaked my feet in a bath containing milk, which softens skin and removes dead cells, and rubbed them with a honey-and-sea-salt scrub. After expertly trimming and polishing my nails, she prevented smudges by helping me don my socks and shoes. The manicure lasted almost a week, and nearly two weeks later, the pedicure’s still perfect. $60.—Lauren Weinberg
TOC DISCOUNT Book this mani-pedi together and get 20 percent off; get 10 percent off when booked individually, through February 28.
Mega-Massage Lavender pedi and Soy Candle Aromatherapy mani at Spa Space
The aesthetician told me that the last time she’d given this pedicure, her client fell asleep. That’s nice, I thought, but there’s no way a foot rub would make me go to sl—zzzzz. Lavender-scented powder and lotion, sugar scrub and hot-towel wrap all bolstered a transporting, soporific massage of my feet and lower legs. For my hands, the manicurist lit a soy-wax candle, its clean scent wafting around me while she filed and buffed. She then massaged the liquefied wax into my winter-weary mitts: one of the most effective moisturizers I’ve used (and I took the candle home with me). While neither treatment resulted in the best-looking nails I’ve had, at the moment I was too soothed to care. Pedicure 70 minutes, $75; manicure 40 minutes, $45.—Novid Parsi
TOC DISCOUNT Get the pedicure for $60 and the manicure for $32 through February 28.
Seasonal spa mani-pedi at Urban Spa Chic
Don’t let the industrial River West location fool you: This spa offers one of the best mani-pedis in the city. Faced with mask “flavor” options like peppermint patty, Thai coconut lemongrass, pumpkin and fruit smoothie, I couldn’t miss, but after smelling like a chocolate-covered strawberry for a full day, I’m pretty sure I nailed it. Sladjana, my technician, sloughed off the scaly signs of winter, and used heat, organic mask ingredients and polish to turn my hands and feet into silky, soft showpieces. 105 minutes, $76.—Amy Carr
TOC DISCOUNT Pay just $62 through February 28, Tuesday–Friday only.
Milk and Cookies mani-pedi at the Four Seasons
I managed to keep my teacup of rich hot chocolate steady while my technician rubbed a soy-milk exfoliation lotion on my calves and feet, but the mint cookies were another story: Crumbs rained down on my plush white robe as I unabashedly devoured them. No matter—my technician had too much of a Jedi-like focus on filing, buffing and painting my feet to perfection to notice my mess. Her meticulousness didn’t quite carry over to the manicure (I prefer the polish to edge closer to my cuticles), but overall, my hands and feet looked—and felt—better than ever. Manicure 40 minutes, $55; pedicure 50 minutes, $70.—Laura Baginski
TOC DISCOUNT Take 30 percent off Thursday 4, Friday 5 and Monday 8–Wednesday 10.
Milk and Honey mani-pedi at Tiffani Kim Institute
Sliding into one of three cushy leather pedicure stations, I dipped my feet in the inviting hot water. After a careful cleaning and buffing, the aesthetician spent at least 20 minutes massaging my lower legs and feet with a thick, honey-scented sugar scrub, followed by a moisturizing body butter (a non-oily alternative that prevents my tight jeans from sticking to my skin when I roll them back down). A few light coats of sassy red polish later, she’d turned my crackly dry paws into smooth, painted beauties. Best of all: My nails remained in near-perfect condition for a week. Manicure $30; pedicure $65.—Jessica Herman
TOC DISCOUNT Get 20 percent off this or any other spa service Thursday 4–Wednesday 10.