3 Spa Splurges That Give a Glow

Most people in the Pasadena area are familiar with Amadeus Spa, the official hair salon for the Los Angeles Emmy Awards, home of the “best skin care/facial” (LA Times) and stylists for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses for the last 26 years.

So, when they closed their doors in September, 2015, naturally hundreds of women panicked —  including the staff.

Fortunately, six of the ladies, all stockholders in Amadeus, put their money and ideas together and found a way to carry on as a team.  The result: The Spa Santé and Salon.

Located now only a few miles away, Spa Santé is perhaps in an even better situation than before. They’ve been able to keep most of their former clients (about 90 percent) as well as pick up many new ones from Glendora, Monrovia and Arcadia thanks to being a little closer to the east side, where there’s nearby shopping and the train.

The Tournament of Roses even followed them.

“We’re still Amadeus Spa in many ways,” says Denise Sparks, Manager and Master Colorist/Stylist at The Spa Santé and Salon on Foothill Boulevard.

The new location, previously law offices, seems to have actually been a trade-up with spa treats not formerly available at Amadeus.

We asked Sparks to pick three of her favorite treatments on the menu if she herself were indulging in a day of bliss.

30/30 Infrared Treatment

New to this location, this wellness treatment resembles a dry sauna but uses infrared light to “heat your body from inside out.”

According to Sparks and the manufacturer, the many health benefits include: body detoxification, arthritis relief, immune enhancement, weight loss, reduced stress and joint stiffness and acne/rash/scar removal, among other things.

Sparks has tried it herself a few times and finds that, right after, she doesn’t have the stiffness in her legs when getting out of the car like she usually does; she also feels she has more energy.

The box, which looks like a large wooden phone booth, is made by Golden Designs, and reaches a temperature of up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to encourage sweating, making it “easier to breathe” than in a regular sauna while promising similar results.

Go in there for 30 minutes naked, relax, soak in the light, and then jump in the spa’s showers. Make sure to drink lots of water afterward. Cost: $55.

GlamTastic Facial

While Santé offers many different facials, the most impactful one, according to Sparks, is the GlamTastic Facial ($79), part of the Glam Glow Mask Collection, which was voted #1 internationally.

This facial starts with a soothing cleansing and facial steam before the Mud Masque is applied and left to tighten and absorb “impurities” (blackheads, dirt, dead skin) before it is sloughed off bit by bit with water to help exfoliate “without removing natural oils.”

“The results show up almost immediately,” says Sparks.

Spa Santé has already sold a lot of Glam Glow products at their newly created little soirees in the evening where wine, champagne and cupcakes intermingle with customers indulging in facials, massages or deep-conditioning treatments for a small price that evens out with all the free products given.

The next social night will be around Mother’s Day and called GlamTastic Evening. Customers can get on an email list for details and updates.

Hair Brightening

Last on Spark’s pampering list is hair, of course, being that she’s a Master at it.

“Hair color has evolved into age groups really,” says Sparks. “Not everyone wants pink, blue and silver hair.”

That said, Sparks notes that some of her “little old ladies,” 80- and 90-year-olds, are coming in asking for a splash of fun color like green or blue.

“They love the attention they’re getting, especially from young men, and they’re beyond caring what people think.”

For the more conservative of us, Sparks says hair coloring today is all about disguising the “demarcation line” as regrowth happens.

The two most popular ways to do that are with semi-permanent colors ($85+), which fade out and don’t damage hair due to being low in ammonia, and baliage ($65+), the newest hot word in highlighting.

Baliage involves the painting of highlights onto hair, without using foil, for a more natural sun-kissed look. While most salons do this these days, it takes skilled artistry to place the highlights precisely, so you really want a Master.

At Spa Santé, all stylists are Sassoon certified/trained and receive annual advanced training from for the latest looks. As well, each Master Colorist holds multiple degrees in the Advanced Art of Coloring.

The Spa Santé and Salon is located at 3410 East Foothill Boulevard in Pasadena. For more information, go to www.thespasante.com or call (626) 586-3488.