I am notoriously hard to please when it comes to spa services. My technician was very nice and agreeable. The thing about pedicures is that a lot of the stuff they're doing to you, clipping, filing, picking, trimming--isn't very relaxing. When I have an aromatherapy eye pillow on my eyes (very nice, by the way), all sensory input is concentrated on the picking, filing, etc. Oh, and on the spa muzak.
Gene Juarez is a fancy space, very well designed. My regular nail place is a third of the price and nothing fancy in the design department. Long story short, I prefer my ladies at Natural Nails with the massaging chairs and trashy magazines.
Next, on to the make up counter at Macy's to get our make up touched up. The first person to approach me was a lady from the Benefit Counter. Having never used Benefit before, my first impression was that it was a bit...kitschy...all pink, plastic-y, old school. Fortunately, my make up person had a light hand (can't say the same for Karen's woman--ha ha!) and I bought a GET BENT LASH Mascara and a Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in R.S.V.P. and have been loading it on all week. LOVE IT!
On to Ananya Spa for facials and massages. I 
found them on Citysearch and was a little nervous going sight unseen, but it was every bit as cute as its website, in a very cool location near downtown Seattle. They had a special on Citysearch, a 1 hour facial and 1 hour massage for $155, so Karen and I both got one. We had different massage therapists, but agree that we will be back for massage as both were excellent and unique. I cried after my massage, not only because Kelly hurt me (in a good way), but BOY I needed it!
I made my appointment talking to the owner, she was very cool and let us do the Citysearch special even though I didn't print out the coupon. Apparently, she is also an esthetician and massage therapist--if she's working next time I'm in Seattle, I want to book a facial with her.
I have used Pevonia products before and liked them, they're just so heavy on the fragrance! Even if it is natural essential oils--a constant stream of heavily scented products is too overwhelming for me, even though I like what they do to my skin.
Another interesting thing, the place is very warm. No heavy blankets necessary here, just covered by a sheet. Neither good nor bad, just different! Kinda like doing a treatment in the tropics...
All in all, one of the girliest spa days on record. Karen and I spa regularly together and no matter where we go, the best thing about going to the spa is going with someone you love.
