This head spa is hands down one of the best experiences you can treat yourself to--especially for the price. I've been to other head spas where they start with a scalp analysis to check for hair damage and related concerns, but if you're someone who already knows your hair and just wants to dive into the relaxation part, this is the place to be.
The spa is conveniently located in Chinatown, with plenty of parking nearby. Depending on the time of day, you might even score some shade for your car--which is a huge plus during the summer heat.
I had Kelly N. as my therapist, and she was absolutely wonderful. The front lobby is small but welcoming, and Kelly was quick to check me in. She walked me over to a shared treatment room, which had a hanging rack, small lockers with keys to secure your belongings, and a robe prepared for me. If you're like me and prefer using the restroom before your treatment, there are restrooms located at the back of the spa area.
Once you're changed, your therapist will guide you over to the head spa beds to begin your treatment. I chose the Em Ultimate Relaxation package, which included:
- A head steam
- Foot soak
- Head-to-shoulder massage
- Hand massage
- Cleanse and facial massage
- Hydro-jelly face mask and an herbal eye mask
- A scalp treatment with two shampoo sessions
- A warm herbal hair wash with a collagen hair mask
Finishing off with a relaxing scalp massage and blow dry
Heavenly is an understatement.
Before starting, Kelly asked if I had any allergies and what kind of pressure I preferred. I had emailed the spa earlier in the week after reading reviews that moisturizer wasn't always applied post-facial, and they advised me to mention it to my therapist. When I brought it up, Kelly confirmed she could include it--no problem.
The treatment began with a herbal foot soak as I lay back for the facial massage. Kelly had great technique and applied the perfect amount of pressure, setting a relaxing tone for the rest of the experience.
Now, I might not remember the exact order of the hair spa steps, but I'll describe what I can. They wet your hair and comb through it using a scalp massager. I asked for firm pressure during the massage, and Kelly delivered! From my feet to my legs, arms, and shoulders--every part of the massage was amazing.
I'm a big fan of getting my hair washed (honestly, it's one of my favorite parts of salon visits), and they didn't disappoint. Yes--they do that satisfying scalp massage and give your head a good, therapeutic scratch.
I saw some reviews mentioning concern about gloves during the scalp massage. For clarity: gloves were only worn during the shampooing, which makes total sense to protect the therapist's hands. The scalp massage and scrub were done without gloves, which many people, like myself, prefer.
As for the facial, it's more of a basic add-on--which is expected. It includes a gentle cleanse, a facial massage, and the jelly mask. Don't expect extractions or advanced facial treatments--it's meant to complement the relaxation, not replace a full facial service.
The herbal eye mask was a really soothing touch while the other treatments were prepared.
One of the surprises I really loved was the hot stone massage that was incorporated during the mask portion. As I lay there with my jelly and eye mask, Kelly used hot stones for a head-to-shoulder massage--it was unexpected and so appreciated. They also used these cool glove-like tools with massaging balls on the fingers for added pressure and effect. I wasn't expecting that either, but it elevated the entire experience.
At the end of the treatment, Kelly remembered my earlier request to apply moisturizer to my face, which I really appreciated. She then guided me back to the changing area where I could get dressed and collect my belongings.
One thoughtful touch I noticed was the availability of cotton swabs--perfect if any water got into your ears during the treatment. Once I was changed, Kelly walked me over to another room for the blow-dry. Before starting, she applied a heat protectant to my hair, which was a nice detail.
The blow-dry itself was pretty standard--Kelly gently brushed through my hair as it dried with the hairdryer.
Overall, the experience was excellent, and I'm definitely looking forward to booking again! read more