The scene: We’re reclined way back in one of the Ten Spot’s signature olive-green spa chairs. A warm towel clings to our bare shoulders; steamy mist shrouds us. Our face tingles with exfoliant while a nail tech scrubs our wiggling feet.

Cut to: One hour later, when we’re forced to emerge from this quickie beauty coma known as The Works. Inspired by a request from a regular, the Ten Spot’s newest offering is a speedy, summer-ized spin on the facial and mani/pedi combo. There’s no cocoon of blankets to sweat under or wait time between services—you pick your polish, get in the chair and close your eyes.

Thanks to the efforts of two aestheticians, you’re done in 60 minutes. Did we mention it includes an upper body massage?

The Works almost feels too indulgent, until you remember the price. At $155, it’s one of the most inexpensive ways to escape entirely and return radiant. —Paige Dzenis

At 10 Spot Queen West, 749 Queen St. W., Toronto and 10 Spot Leslieville, 1402 Queen St. E., Studio D1, Toronto, www.the10spot.com

We’ve been faithful to the same threader for almost a decade (she took our eyebrows from tadpoles to full, arched beauties), but time-pressed city girls always need a back-up plan.

Yvette at Jeanet Spa is equally accomplished and has years of eyebrow shaping experience behind her. She herself has thick, dramatic brows (à la Elizabeth Taylor) and encourages clients to opt for the fuller brow, or at least the shape that is most natural to them.

For now, we’ll flit between the two. Just don’t tell either one.

Jeanet Spa, 140 Yorkville Ave.,Toronto, 416-921-2996, www.jeanetspa.com

If it’s good enough for Jennifer Aniston, it’s good enough for us. Mexico’s pristine and serene San Jose Del Cabo on the Sea of Cortes (think Cabo’s sophisticated sister) had us at “Ola.”    

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At the Mexican-owned Marquis Los Cabos resort, they’re so serious about relaxation, they’ll bury your BlackBerry for you. While pondering the hotel’s impressive collection of art and sculpture, enjoying spacious private casitas and eavesdropping on the international clientele, you won’t miss it a bit.

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The resort’s pool is a good metaphor for the pleasures you’ll have: absolutely infinite. If the soft, sandy beaches, crashing surf and grey whale sightings don’t get you, how about baby sea turtles?

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Sunrise yoga on the breezy spa deck will get those limbs limber for beach walks. Follow with an all-organic Holistic Breakfast of egg white omelets and celery smoothies and you’ve now earned those margaritas.

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Take a trip onto the charming village of San Jose, where the boutique hotel Casa Natalia tucked off the main square offers sublime cocktails in a romantic courtyard, perfect for a marriage proposal. www.casanatalia.com

I Do
The stunning arch of the open-air lobby of Marquis Los Cabos mimics the shape of the Baja Peninsula. Could there be a more memorable setting for a sunset wedding?

To view rates and packages, visit www.marquisloscabos.com

We adore a foot rub after a long night of dancing in heels, but it never occurred to us to start the party with one. 

On Thursdays through Saturdays, between 7 p.m. and 11p.m., indulge in a divine, 45-minute foot and leg massage at Che Bella Spa’s new evening offering, The Red Door. Make it part of your getting ready ritual with the gals, pamper a bride-to-be or book one with your significant other.

She's got legs, and she knows how to…sorry about that.

$55 per person or book a group of four for $185. The Red Door at Che Bella Spa,
10 Castle Knock Rd., Toronto, 416-485-1225, 
www.red-door.info
www.chebellaonline.com


In summer, the frequency of our pedicures goes up almost threefold.

To give wallets a fighting chance, an arsenal of good, reasonably-priced spas is a necessity. Do yourself a favour and add Arona Nail and Spa to your rotation. The Standard Pedicure is just $28 and includes a thorough buff and relaxing massage in a pristine setting.

Arona welcomes walk-ins and has a wide selection of OPI, Essie and China Glaze polishes. But when we realized it was full of regulars (including super-cute moms and daughters on a spa day) we knew it was a keeper.


Arona Nail and Spa, 205 Davenport Rd., Toronto, 416-413-1100, www.aronanailspa.com

Trade winter’s chills for sunny thrills with our luxe (for less bucks) itinerary.

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With up to 1,900 square feet, a new private villa at The Hyatt Grand Champions may be bigger than your apartment—only it's got butler service, an outdoor Jaccuzzi, and mountain views. Two bedroom villa from $409, www.grandchampions.hyatt.com

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Explore the romantic grounds of La Quinta, a 1920s health ranch turned hotel (note the casita where Frank Capra wrote You Can’t Take It With You). Sit outside at the authentic Mexican Adobe Grill and sip one of their famous organic margaritas. It’s good for you, really. www.laquintaresort.com

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Plan to spend the whole day at the Spa at Desert Springs, with its own outdoor saltwater lap pool and loungers overlooking the golf course and mountains. Listen to classical music and order a light lunch from the spa restaurant between trips to the two steam rooms and spa treatments using local dates and cacti. www.spa.desertspringsresort.com

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Grab the girls and attend one of the daily $20 golf clinics at the soothing and scenic Westin Mission Hills. The strapping pros have the patience of Job as you hit dead air or divot their green, but it’s amazing how quickly you can improve with their simple pointers. www.westinmissionhillsgolf.com

Looking for more luxe for less bucks? Check out our recent Palm Springs itinerary.

If you think your man’s too macho for the spa, a ‘manctuary’ complete with leather armchairs, a 65-inch LCD TV and a Sony Playstation should do the trick.

At Mankind, the emphasis is on the traditional wet shave ($65) but lads could spend hours there, leaving with a new haircut (from $35), a manicure ($20), and polished toes ($30).

Each cutting station has its own TV and manicures are done at the bar while boy mags and a PlayStation 3 help pass the time between treatments.

Mankind provides head to toe services, including waxing if your gent so desires. A Mankini ($35) for the holidays, perhaps?

Mankind, Suite 103-477 Richmond St. W., Toronto, 416-551-1113, www.mankindgrooming.com

Doyenne of beauty Helena Rubinstein once said, “There are no ugly women, only lazy ones.”

If bushy brows and tired tresses are letting down your look it’s time to place yourself in the hands of experts.

For one week only, Beautylicious is offering cut-price treatments on everything from manis to pedis to massages and facials at salons and spas in the Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood.

Check into the Holts Salon and Spa for a mani ($25), wax ($25) and signature facial ($75) or tame those brows ($25) at the spa at the Windsor Arms Hotel.

Look gorgeous without lifting a finger. Sounds like our kind of beauty.

For a complete list of participating spas and salons visit www.bloor-yorkville.com/Beautylicious/

You spent a fortune on those Fendi sandals, but are your feet fit for public show?

Prep those paws with an hour-long pedicure ($50) at Jeanet Allinson’s freshly renovated spa.

Popular among local and visiting celebs (Kirsten Dunst, Nicole Kidman and Eva Longoria have all been pampered here), this Yorkville hideaway provides excellent service at a reasonable price.

Ask for either Veronika or Tanya. Both aestheticians will smooth, scrub and polish your feet to open toe perfection, and if you smile sweetly, you might even get an extra long massage.

Buckle up those Fendis, baby!

Jeanet Spa, 140 Yorkville Avenue, 2nd Floor, 
Toronto, 416-921-2996, www.jeanetspa.com

Regular tan-in-a-can users will tell you that a decent pre-spray scrub makes all the difference between a botched job and a smooth finish.

Avoid streaks and splodges with a full body exfoliation ($90) at Body Blitz Spa.

Their motto is “health by water” and with a sea-salt pool, cold plunging bath, green tea tub and more, it’s like stepping into the world headquarters of detox. 

Top tips: Avoid the mid-day rush, allow an hour before your treatment to take full advantage of the pools, and wear a swimsuit that has seen better days. The green tea water won’t mix well with your Anna Kosturova bikini.

Body Blitz, 471 Adelaide St. W., Toronto, 416-364-0400, www.bodyblitzspa.com