Spa Week Savings: How to Pamper Yourself for Less…
April 13 kicks off Spa Week, during which hundreds of spas and salons from across the country offer skin and body treatments for just $50, often a fraction of regular prices. This campaign not only delivers savings on a spa and wellness experience but also reminds consumers about the importance of mind and body health through rejuvenating practices.
While Spa Week offers an opportunity to get pampered for less, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a speciality spa service without blowing your budget throughout the rest of the year. Follow these tips for saving on your next spa experience.
Loyalty counts.
Find out if the spa or salon you frequent offers a loyalty program, or consider switching to one that does, so you can earn valuable rewards toward future discounts. Aveda’s Pure Privilege program offers members 10 points for every $1 spent on beauty purchases which can be redeemed toward savings on products, spa or salon services or a luxury weekend escape. Sephora Beauty Insiders will earn points on every purchase for free products.
Go to beauty school.
While you may not be looking to change careers, going to a beauty school can offer you serious rewards for all your pampering services. Students at massage, cosmetology and esthetician schools need “models” to practice on and this often means you can get free or deeply discounted treatments. Search for an accredited school at the websites for the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Science (NACCAS) or National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).
Look for private practitioners.
Some massage therapists, hair stylists and estheticians run at-home businesses. Whether it’s because they’re working part time while raising children or simply enjoy the benefits of working for themselves, such private providers offer cheaper rates than a full-service spa or salon. Plus, they’re often willing to negotiate on package deals or cash payments.
Decode spa savings.
Whether shopping for pampering products or booking a professional service, consider coupons to help you save on your spa experience. Search sites like CouponSherpa.com for printable and online coupon codes for savings at beauty stores, spas and salons. For example, you can save 10% off at a local spa through SpaFinder, get 5% off at Bliss spa or score free products at Aveda. You can also use discount gift cards to stretch your spa savings; GiftCardGranny.com offers Spa Week gift cards for up to 28% off, or Massage Envy gift cards for up to 25% off.
Track daily deals.
The most popular daily deals are for spa and salon services. You can save anywhere from 50 to 70% on endless beauty treatments like facials, massages, spray tans, manicures and pedicures, laser hair removal and much more. The trick is to limit yourself to deals you’ll actually use, lest you end up with a bunch of expired vouchers and wasted money! Also, read reviews on sites like Yelp or Google Plus if you’re buying a deal for a place you’ve never visited before.
Inquire about promos.
Salons and spas offer lots of promotions, from discounts for booking your next appointment in advance to referral deals. For example, Massage Envy offers a free one-hour massage to clients who refer a friend to their monthly club. Chat with your service provider or ask the associate at the check-out desk about current promotions so you can take full advantage of future savings. Following your favorite salon or spa on Facebook or Twitter may keep you in the loop about upcoming promotions, too, or sign up for their email newsletter. And don’t forget to inquire about new-client specials before your first visit!
Become a member.
Those who receive regular treatments like monthly facials or massages benefit from a salon or spa membership which offers such services plus added benefits for a flat fee. For instance, Bliss spa members can choose between one facial or one 60-minute massage each month, plus receive guest passes, discounts on other services and more, all for $99 per month. Chains like Massage Envy offer monthly massage plans for $59.99, including your choice of a facial or massage.
Book an off-season spa-getaway.
If you’re considering booking a spa getaway, keep in mind that rates drop dramatically at resorts during the off-season. For instance, spring and fall in popular ski destinations like Vail are considered shoulder seasons and offer rock-bottom prices for spa packages while summers in Florida and Arizona promise offseason spa rates at a discount.
Set up a home spa.
You can still reap the benefits of rest and relaxation by setting up at at-home spa. Pick a space that’s free of distractions and clutter and meets your specific needs, whether it’s the bathroom for a relaxing soak or the bedroom for some meditation time. Recipes for exfoliators, foot soaks, face and hair masks abound on the Internet, typically using common pantry products. Make the product or products you need, then light candles, diffuse essential oils and stream relaxing music to complete your space!
About Andrea Woroch
Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc. From smart spending tips to personal finance advice, Andrea transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers. As a sought-after media source, she has been featured among such top news outlets as Good Morning America, Today, CNN, Dr. OZ, New York Times, MONEY Magazine, Huffington Post, Forbes and many more. For more information, visit AndreaWoroch.com or follow her on Twitter for daily savings advice and tips.