Saturday, January 9, 2010

SPA REVIEW: The "Stress Relieving Treatment" at the Douglas J. Aveda Institute in Royal Oak


Yesterday, I totally took a "Mommy Break" to get my spa on at the Douglas J. Aveda Institute in Royal Oak. Thanks to FREEISMYLIFE reader and twitter pal @kayleehawkins, I had a pass to get a FREE spa service of my choice - yes, I said FREE!

I had never been to the Douglas J. Aveda Institute before so this was a real adventure. It is located on South Center street in Royal Oak. The building is beautiful! I have never seen a beauty school that looked so professional. The building actually looks like something that belongs in Beverly Hills, California!


At the reception desk, I filled out an information form and they took my coat and offered me coffee, tea, or water to drink - pampering already with minutes of entering! I was informed that only graduate students work on clients and that none of the students are allowed to take tips from the customers, so this pampering was going to be totally FREE. The spa service that I choose was the "Stress Relieving Treatment" which is 1 1/2 hours long.

I was led to the upstairs spa area by my assigned student to a private room. I was given a towel with velcro and a robe to change into. I was asked about my health and any expectations that I had from the treatment. I told her that I just wanted to be pampered and she said that was no problem. She brought out a warm basin of water and massaged and exfoliated my feet while I drank my water in my nice warm robe. I was in total heaven.

I was given a choice of three aromas for my massage oil and I choose the vanilla. I hopped up on the table on my back on top of a heating pad and I was covered in towels. It was like being in a fragrant, warm cocoon. The treatment started with a mini facial and then a neck and head massage with oil and it felt WONDERFUL! Next my feet and lower legs were massaged and by the time my second leg was finished, I had fallen asleep. Next, each hand and arm were massaged and covered in warm towels.

The treatment finishes with a back and neck massage and by then, the 1 1/2 hours are over. Unlike when I usually get a massage and I am rushed off the table for the next customer, this time I was allowed to get up and dress at my own pace. When I went back down to the reception desk, I gave them my free pass and they gave me my coat and told me I was all set. I was so relaxed that I hated to have to leave, but all good things must come to an end.

I loved my experience, but if you are the type of person that is extremely picky about how a spa treatment is performed, a beauty school might not be for you. My student did not get the lighting right the first time she tried and she forgot to bring in all her spa items when she first entered the room. Also, one of the school's instructors popped in and out of the room to make sure that my student was performing up to par, and from time to time I could hear some noise from the area where customers were getting their hair done. But none of these things bothered me and I am a very picky person.

I will definitely be back to the Douglas J. Aveda Institute for more spa services. The regular cost for the "Stress Relieving Treatment" is only $35 and that price fits into my frugal budget. They also give customers on their email list 1/2 price coupons from time to time. When you go, you should budget about 2 1/4 hours from start to finish in your schedule. I don't know of anywhere else that I can be pampered to this degree for such a low price. By the time I picked up my son from school, I was in a totally right frame of mind and wonderfully relaxed.

For more information on the Douglas J. Aveda Institute, click here for a list of all the spa and hair services and click here for their hours. The free pass that is available on FREEISMYLIFE is good until the end of the month. You should be picking up the phone and calling for your appointment NOW!

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COMING SOON!
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One of my FREEISMYLIFE readers will be writing a guest review on her FREE Facial Spa Service at the Douglas J. Aveda Institute. Watch for it!

14 comments:

  1. It appears that we had an identical experience. I even chose vanilla as my scent too! You're absolutely right about the building. It looks like something that would be on Rodeo Drive. Lol!

    It's a great cost with a super friendly staff. I will be back for sure, especially with the new coupon. Woohoo!!

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  2. @freeismylife @kayleehawkins I will for sure be heading to the Aveda Inst. in RO before the end of the month for that! THX for the hookup!

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  3. Jackie,
    I also enjoyed my spa experience. I was impressed by the experience of my student in ensuring that I was comfortable with the spa experience. She wanted to know my health history and my previous spa experience. You can also ask the front desk to insert money in the meter for you due to the time required for the spa experience. I will definitely return for a repeat spa visit. My spa experience was performed by F. Samuel. Thanks for the free spa experience.

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  4. Hi Marsha,

    Thanks for the comment on your spa experience. Just to let you know when you go back, there is a parking structure 2 blocks away from the school. I parked there yesterday. The quoted price is 50 cents an hour. When I came out at 4:45pm, I did not have to pay anything.

    I was so happy that the ENTIRE experience was free, including the parking.

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  5. I can't wait to Douglas J Aveda Institute. Message is the only thing I will take time out to do for self. The post sound so relaxing...I look forward to making my reservations...See you soon!

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  6. THANK YOU SOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!! The massage was wonderful! I appreciate you & all that you do!

    Be encouraged!

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  7. I had no idea such a cool place existed right there in my backyard! Thanks for the review. Glad you had a good experience and I look forward to checking it out for myself!

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  8. I am so glad that everyone is having great experiences with this Freebie! Be sure to check out another review that was written by FREEISMYLIFE reader Julia Wendzinski: http://bit.ly/5C2mH8 She also has a wonderful time getting her facial.

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  9. @mskalyn @freeismylife Thanks again for the Aveda coupon, I got a relaxer with it this week!

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  10. Kalyn, Experiences like yours makes blogging totally worth while

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  11. Just had fab facial for free at Douglas J! Thanks @kayleehawkins @freeismylife

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  12. thesalerack So glad you had a great time! If you hurry, now you can use the BOGO FREE COUPON in the Valentine Guide http://bit.ly/7cyHk6

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  13. Thanks for the review! I look forward to getting my facial from there using the coupon. I just have a quick question, when you call to book an appointment, do you have to mention the coupon? thanks!

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  14. Thank you for your comment. I always mention coupons when I make appointments, but it is not necessary. As long as you remember to bring the coupon with you, you are all set.

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