Facilities and Atmosphere Contours is a large, modern hair salon with a spa located on the second floor.  The spa has two separate areas; one for the manicures and pedicures and the other for the body treatments.  This helps maintain a peaceful atmosphere in the body treatment area by keeping out the noise of the pedicure tubs.  There is a waiting/relaxation area surrounded by four treatment rooms, all tastefully decorated in neutral crème colors and with luscious plants.

The soothing music heard throughout the spa and the clean, crisp décor provide for a soothing, comforting environment.

Service and Staff
All of the spa employees are very friendly.  My massage therapist Mary was waiting for me at the reception desk when I arrived and took me on a tour of the spa.  While I was waiting between services, the staff that walked by me all smiled and said hello.  They were also very conscious of running on time and made sure I knew it would not be a long wait until my next service.  The staff took care of all my needs.  They provided me with a robe, took care of storing my clothes and personal belongings, and brought me tea, water and magazines while I was waiting for my next service.  Contours specifically schedules 15 minutes between services so that clients are not rushed and can spend extra time relaxing.

Pricing/Range of Services
Contours offers 9 different facials that address several needs (wrinkle treatment, lifting effect, massaging, exfoliation of dead cells, problem skin).  There are 5 types of massages and a 15 minute foot, hand or scalp massage.  There are 5 unique body wraps (exfoliations, aroma therm, alpha hydroxy, paraffin, mud).  Contours also offers makeup, manicures and pedicures (3 stations each in the spa), waxing and hair care.

Treatments The facial I received at Contours ranks as one of my best.  I loved the spacious room that my facial was in.  As I was lying down on the heated, comfortable table, I opened my eyes to a soothing mural of blue sky and white clouds painted on the ceiling.  The aesthetician, Venise, is really what made this a great experience.  She is very likeable and you can trust her with your skin.  She was able to answer all my questions, seemed very knowledgeable and, unlike many CT aestheticians, is licensed to practice (licensing is not required in CT).  She did a thorough analysis of my skin and actually recommended a more effective facial treatment than what I was originally scheduled for.

I got a pumpkin peel, which smelled nice and was tingly, and my skin felt like new afterwards.  Here are a few more details that set this facial apart from most others:
(1)  Contour’s new technology – the Hi-Frequency device designed to kill bacteria;  Venise applied this small stethoscope like device to my face that released electronic currents to kill bacteria in the skin;  this is the first time I’ve had it, but according to Venise it should be a standard

(2)  Venise NEVER left the room, even during my steam and masks; many aestheticians leave the room during these times

(3)  Venise used a non-oil fruit acid massage cream; most places use an oil based cream that makes my skin feel yucky after having just been cleansed and exfoliated

(4)  Venise gave me sample products to use at home and did not push me to buy them; most spas do not give samples and many push their products on you 

I also had a deep tissue massage with Mary and it was excellent.  I have had a tough time getting a good deep tissue massage at local CT day spas and Mary changed all that.  She has strong hands and adjusted the pressure as I desired.  She has her own unique methods and focuses on the body parts that many therapists gloss over (scalp, face, hands, feet, back of neck).  This was the first face massage that I actually enjoyed.  She incorporated stretching techniques and gave me advice for stretching in my exercise routine.  

Jen said her massage was excellent too.  April, the therapist, uses a combination of Swedish, sports, and deep tissue massage techniques to create a massage that is her unique style.  April did a fantastic job identifying muscles that needed extra attention and spent the extra time on those areas.  Jen said she never had someone spend so long massaging her ankles, a place where April said Jen had a lot of tension.  One thing that sets April apart from others is her ability to convey to the client the causes of stress and the long-term implications of not relieving it.   

Jen also had a mud wrap.  It was her first wrap treatment.  The experience was very different from other body treatments Jen’s had and the results were unbelievable.  Jen said her skin has never felt so smooth after a treatment, and the smoothness actually lasted for a few days.  If you do opt for a mud treatment, request that it’s done in the spa on the second floor.  There is a treatment room downstairs in the salon and you may not want to walk through the salon with mud all over you to get to the shower upstairs. 

To top it off, Jen went for the Tanning Application with Venise.  The application looked great!  Jen’s new tan gave her a subtle, brown tint, and actually made her skin glow.  It lasted about a week. 

What Sets This Spa Apart?
The quality treatments.  The facial was superior and the massages are on par with the larger destination spas.

Would I go back?
Absolutely.  Venise is an aesthetician that I would want taking care of my skin over the long term and I could use a massage by Mary every week to relieve my overworked muscles!