Get Vajazzled On The Cheap During Spa Week

by Nicole Kaldes | 3:12 pm, April 16th, 2010

Spa Week –- and its budget-crunching $50 treatments -– runs nationwide through April 18th, but before getting into the deets, here’s a tip straight from their press office: Many the spas are extending their Spa Week offerings for the next week or two, so definitely inquire when booking your appointment.

Spa Week began in 2004 with just 25 spas in NYC, but this year 29 markets nationwide (and Toronto) and almost 800 spas are participating this year.

So what’s hot? According to Spa Week spokesperson Kelly Verdi, new offerings range from the artificial to the holistic: More and more medi-spas and plastic surgery centers are listing expensive treatments like Botox, Lip Plumping, Cellulite/Slimming Treatments, Microdermabrasion and Chemical Peels (which can range to values of up to $650); others are serving up holistic and fitness services like Acupuncture and yoga/pilates.

The author of the Spa Week Blog embarking on a “Spa Crawl,” which involves a different treatment every day of the week that she is streaming live. For example, check out the Caviar Facial (which btw, contains vitamin A, D, B1, B2, amino acids…the list goes on…). OK, watching someone get a facial live isn’t particularly exciting, but love the idea — and it’s worth taking a twirl through the videos if contemplating a treatment. There’s nothing worse than a dissatisfying spa experience, and with these videos, you’ll know exactly what you’re in for.

The Spa Crawl caps off with a dazzling Vajazzle on Sunday –- so tune in at 5p.m. Sunday if you’re still on the fence — or simply Vajazzle-curious.

What is Vajazzling, you ask? According to the pioneers at NYC-based Completely Bare, which is offering the accessorizing service for $50 during Spa Week (along with three other spas in Winchester, MA, Scarsdale, NY and Waldorf, MD), it’s a way to go “completely bare, with a flair.” In short, you’re sticking “an assortment of real Swarovski crystal designs” to your…you-know-what. Jennifer Love Hewitt apparently started the buzz back in January, and according to this clip by TheLuxurySpot.com –- where someone gets Vajazzled -– Completely Bare is still getting phone calls about Love-Hewitt’s George Lopez appearance.

According to Completely Bare owner Cindy Barshop, quoted on StyleList, men absolutely love it. But from this guy’s first-person account, which involved “vajazzles everywhere,” we’re not 100% sure. Vajazzling has also drawn the ire, and praise, of writers from Gawker to The Frisky to New York Magazine, who (after first thinking it perhaps symbolized a turn in the economy) pronounced: “There is nothing good about this. Nothing at all.”

But wait! What about those who just aren’t into being completely bare? Have no fear –- you can have down-there flair, too. Look no further than Betty, pubic hair dye that comes in an array of colors ranging from the traditional to “Malibu Betty” (blue) and “Fun Betty” (pink). And now, there’s Betty for Men -– which brings a new twist to that Just for Men: Touch of Gray ad, where the hiring manager is choosing between the silver fox (“my hair says experience!”) and the guy with no grays (“my hair says energy!”).

But seriously, Spa Week –- and spa treatments in general –- are not a laughing matter. Stress brings serious health repercussions, and the benefits of relaxing in a spa environment are plentiful. So here’s your chance to try something new for beauty and for health. Lastly, we’ll leave you with some spa etiquette, courtesy of Spa Week:

-When booking, request a male or female therapist
-Know the spa’s cancellation policy
-Arrive 15 minutes early
-Wear casual attire and as little jewelry as possible
-Don’t be afraid to speak up! Therapists are in tune to your needs, but not mind-readers. It’s important that you -are comfortable
-Turn off your cell phone
-Tax and gratuity: Not included. Standard tips is 25-20% of original treatment cost