Best of the West: Readers’ Choice Health & Beauty

Photo by Gray Box Studios

This year, we’re giving our Best of the West winners the red carpet treatment: The readers have spoken, the critics have made their picks and several local celebrities have added their two cents. Here are our picks for the best Boulder County has to offer.

The envelope please…

Day Spa

Sunflower Spa : East County

Luxury and Longmont may not be two words you immediately think of together, but when you step into Sunflower Spa, you might change your mind. Luxurious without being pretentious with experienced staff to guide you to your best self ever.

Essentiels : Boulder

Cozy and friendly, this spa is a Boulder favorite for their outstanding staff, signature facials and deluxe mani-pedis. Step into the oasis and let everything go for a total relaxation experience.

Facial

Sunflower Spa : East County

Sunflower Spa’s motto is “everyone blooms,” and their facials will help your skin feel as delicate and fresh as a flower. Get a complimentary consultation and create a plan of action that will leave you feeling younger and fresher than
ever before.

Tapestry Salon & Day Spa : Boulder

Feel like a princess with a Tapestry facial customized to your skin’s unique needs and an atmosphere in which you can’t help but relax. Ask for Sally and go for a purifying facial or the deluxe Classic Epicuren Facial to show your fresh face to the world.

Salon/Barber

Salon Cosabella : East County

Salon Cosabella has a recently remodeled and expanded Arista location, but its mission to inspire clients is the same. Let them help you find your inspiration.

Tapestry Salon & Day Spa : Boulder

Sometimes, we don’t actually know what we want when we sit down in that swivel chair. That’s why the stylists at Tapestry are experts in hair analysis, treatments and the latest styles. So relax. Let the professionals handle it.

Massage

Massage Envy : East County

It’s smart to take care of your body through regular massage, but it can be challenging to shell out $100 or more for every session. But when you can get a professional massage in a clean, inviting environment for less than half that price? Now that’s smart.

Tapestry Salon & Day Spa : Boulder

Tapestry’s massage menu ranges from customized therapeutic massage to aromatherapy, hot rock and raindrop therapy massage. They even offer prenatal massage for those tired, achy mamas-to-be.

Manicure/Pedicure

Sunflower Spa : East County

A bright, sunny room with unique, comfortable, Asian-esque benches and some of the finest nail technicians in the county pretty much ensure your little piggies will wiggle with joy after a visit to Sunflower Spa.

Ten20 : Boulder

Comfy armchairs, chocolate and Diet Coke on demand and a big screen TV showing the latest chick flick or reality TV sensation—what could make this more perfect? How about an expert mani-pedi while you de-stress?
Ahhh…Heaven.

Aesthetic Treatment

Aesthetic Solutions : East County

Dr. Steve Zakany takes his field extremely seriously, offering solutions for everyone from injectables to laser treatments, medically supervised spa services and age-management medicine, including bio-identical hormones and HCG diet and weight loss programs.

Marianna’s L’Esthetique Medi Spa : Boulder

In addition to traditional spa services, Marianna’s L’Esthetique Medi Spa offers minimally invasive treatments including injectables and intense pulse light therapy. Go in for any of their treatments and come out looking years younger.

Yoga Studio

Soul Tree Studio : East County

Soul Tree strives to help you achieve balance through movement, which could mean one of many different disciplines of yoga, Pilates, African dance, hip-hop, Nia and much more. The studio also offers an array of special events from meditation retreats to massage classes.

Core Power : Boulder

Get ready to sweat. This popular chain is best known for its hot yoga classes, meant to help detoxify the mind and the body. But they also offer classes including power yoga and yoga sculpt if sweating with a room full of strangers isn’t your idea of relaxing.

Pilates Studio

Flatirons Pilates : East County

Flatirons Pilates offers private Pilates instruction as well as group classes, including ribbons and hoops, belly dance and Zumba all with great energy, talented instructors and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

Boulder Bodyworks : Boulder

Boulder Bodyworks offers a complete approach to fitness, holistic healing and rehabilitation through its complimentary practices of Pilates, yoga, massage and physical therapy. Come here to find wellness for your whole body.

Chiropractor

Eric Graves : East County

Dr. Graves isn’t just a back cracker. His office specializes in integrative wellness through a variety of techniques including chiropractic work, soft tissue work and rehabilitative exercise.

The Joint : Boulder

The Joint specializes in affordable chiropractic care with no expensive x-rays, no appointments and no hidden fees. It’s kinda like the Starbucks of chiropractic…except you feel adjusted when you leave.

Trainer

Angie Schumacher, Fit Chick Express : East County

Personal training by chicks, for chicks, might take the initial hesitation and embarrassment out of starting and sticking with an exercise program. Angie offers a free consultation, a two-week free trial and a 100 percent money back guarantee—which should eliminate any excuses you still had hanging around.

David Clair : Boulder

David Clair’s Fitness for Living Boot Camps offer a positive boot camp experience without all the yelling and demeaning nicknames. Classes take place outside when the Colorado weather is fine, which could help motivate even the most dedicated couch potato.

Golf Course

Indian Peaks Golf Course

With freshly mowed, green fairways and a good water-to-bunker ratio that is sure to keep a scratch golfer on his or her toes, Indian Peaks Golf Course is one of the top public courses in Colorado. Enjoy a round of 18 for a good price, no matter how large you’re party is.

Gym

Lakeshore Athletic Club : East County

Rule No. 1 to working out at Lakeshore: Pace yourself. It’s a ginormous facility with a ton of activities, workout opportunities and fitness options. Classes, multiple pools, a water park, a climbing wall, basketball courts, every class you can think of, a spa and a café/bar. We’re exhausted just thinking about it…now, a nap!

Flatiron Athletic Club : Boulder

For years, Flatiron Athletic Club has been the go-to gym for Boulderites, which is saying something. The city and its athletes, er, residents are the fittest in the country, and that means Flatirons could be single-handedly responsible for Boulder’s healthy reputation. Or, maybe it’s just an awesome gym. Either way, keep up the good work!

Rec Center

Lafayette Recreation Center : East County

By taking your family to this energized pocket tucked away in Lafayette, you’ll get the full adventure that fits everyone’s needs. From sports teams for all ages to kid hangout spots, such as the newly opened skate park, this dynamic scene is sure to quench your active thirst.

East Boulder Recreation Center : Boulder

Whether you’re looking for intense cardio before that 2 o’clock business meeting or a creative outlet to celebrate you’re daughter’s single-digit birthday, there’s plenty of activities to kick around at this rec center. Dressed to impress, this center offers affordable prices and hours built around your convenience.

Ski

Copper Mountain

If you’re traveling with the family, or just want a getaway, there’s plenty of snow to carve and savory foods that cling to your taste buds at this resort. Year-round camps and events will be bolded in your calendar this year as fresh powder and thrilling escapades leave you breathless.

Martial Arts

International Martial Arts : East County

By training at an IMA facility, you can gain the strength to battle off the bullies, or even take the high road with your newfound self-worth. With Shotokan Karate under your black belt, you’ll never be afraid to take a bull by its horns.

Boulder Quest Center : Boulder

Got a stalker that you want gone or just want to brush up on your ninja skills? Then look no further: This martial arts center can help you adapt to the ways of To-Shin Do and get those awesome black belt skills you always wanted in high school.

Visit Gray Box Studios.