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[title]New spas
Spa Forever Seek and you shall find budget-friendly spa treatments at this spot. Treat yourself to a Swedish, Sports or Relaxation massage ($70 each), 30-minute Forever Facial ($50) or brow wax ($20) without breaking the bank. 1917 N Damen Ave (773-394-0000, spaforever.com). El: Blue to Damen. Bus: 50, 56, 73. Mon, Wed–Fri 9am–9pm; Tue 1–9pm; Sat 8am–7pm; Sun 9am–5pm.
Spa La La When you take the plunge and opt to pamper yourself with a spa treatment, it often comes down to those small but essential details that rank one spa above another. Enter this Bucktown newcomer, which offers sweet somethings such as freebie hot-stone add-ons with massages and paraffin foot treatments with signature facials. Services run the gamut, from spray tans ($35) to no-chip manis ($50) to a 60-minute Hawaiian hot-sand massage ($150). 2300 W Armitage Ave (773-772-5252, spalalachicago.com). Tue–Sat 10am–7pm; Sun noon–6pm.
Salons
Art + Science Wicker Park trendsetters are loath to give up the secrets to their hip haircuts, but this place is almost always the source. The glass-fronted location (with its bright-orange furniture) is something of a see-and-be-seen place. 1554 N Milwaukee Ave (773-227-4247, artandsciencesalon.com). El: Blue to Damen. Bus: 50, 56, 72. Tue–Thu 10am–9pm; Fri 10am–8pm; Sat, Sun 9am–6pm.
Asha Like the Gold Coast and Schaumburg locations, this place is decked out in natural materials, such as rock-walled treatment rooms and a bamboo-adorned waiting area. Take a mental vacation by choosing from an exotic menu of massages, facials and waxes. Think tropical body wraps, chakra-balancing mani/pedis and botanical skin resurfacing. 1808 N Damen Ave (773-292-1100, ashasalonspa.com). Mon–Fri 9am–9pm; Sat 8am–7pm; Sun 10am–6pm.
Circle Salon The significance of the name of this salon is twofold. It applies as much to its environmentally sensitive ethos—a corrugated cardboard and twine display case by local designers the Mighty Bearcats showcases the zero-impact product line Davines—as it does to the social-networking hub the salon intends to become. In addition to offering cuts ($40–$60 for men; $60–$80 for women), color ($65–$150), waxing, makeup application and services such as extensions, the salon features one-on-one lessons on everything from brow shaping to blow-drying. 2135 W Division St (773-715-1026, thecirclesalon.com). El: Blue to Damen. Bus: 50, 70, 72. Tue–Th noon-8pm; Fri 10am–8pm; Sat 9am–5pm.
Gro While the neighborhood has no shortage of trendy salons, the Vidal Sassoon–trained staff here works under the creative direction of Dennis Lafferty, who artfully trims the tresses of Chicago makers and shakers, including Blackbird and Avec staffers. 2119 N Damen Ave (773-772-1153, grosalon.com). Tue–Fri 10am–8pm; Sat 10am–5pm.
Fringe Allure magazine readers voted Fringe the best salon in Chicago in 2007, and it’s easy to see why. The Wicker Park spot is known for its cuts and color services on below-the-shoulder hair. Plus, walk-ins get a free 15-minute consultation. It’s not just about hair here, either. Other services include massages, waxing treatments and facials. 1437 N Milwaukee Ave (773-862-1000, fringechicago.com). El: Damen. Bus: 50, 56, 72. Mon 1–8pm; Tue, Thu 10am–9pm; Wed noon–8pm; Fri, Sat 9am–6pm; Sun noon–6pm.
Karen Marie Salon After 15 years of working at the top salons around town, master colorist Karen Marie Vanoni struck out on her own by opening Karen Marie Salon in November 2009. At the laid-back Bucktown shop, Vanoni works with like-minded artists who not only share her passion for great hair but the environment, too. The shop incorporates practices such as using ecofriendly hair products and furniture made from reclaimed and recycled materials, plus it donates all its hair clippings to Matter of Trust, which uses them to soak up oil spills around the world. 1859 N Milwaukee Ave (773-227-4003, karenmariesalon.com). El: Blue to Damen. Bus: 50, 56, 72. Tue, Sat 10am–6pm; Wed–Fri 11am–8pm.