Three Freebies for the best shopping weekend of the year!

We’re not open for services right now, but our gift shops (brick and mortar and online store) are open and we are ready to help you with the perfect gifts for wellness, peace, and relaxation this season.
For Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, take advantage of these three FREE offers!

We’re not open for services right now, but our gift shops (brick and mortar and online store) are open and we are ready to help you with the perfect gifts for wellness, peace, and relaxation this season.

For Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, take advantage of these three FREE offers!

Farmhouse Fresh free gift with purchase

Spend $75 on Farmhouse Fresh gifts and select a free limited edition Vanilla Cream or Butter Rum body wash. If you’re shopping online, just add the free gift to your cart and let us know which scent you want (or we can surprise you.) Offer good throughout the holiday season, as long as supplies last.

(Note, you can only use one promo code per online order, if using multiple codes and ordering $75 in Farmhouse Fresh items, just put in the online notes you want the free Farmhouse Fresh gift, but don’t add the item. We’ll get it sorted out for you!)

Rhonda Allison free gift with purchase

Spend $75 on Rhonda Allison products and choose a free Illumicolour lip gloss ($23 value). If shopping online, let us know in the notes if you prefer a nude shade, a pink shade, or a more red shade. Color selection is limited so first come, first dibs!

(Note, you can only use one promo code per online order, if using multiple codes and ordering $75 in Rhonda Allison items, just put in the online notes you want the free lip gloss, but don’t add the item. We’ll get it sorted out for you!)

Free gift Just for being awesome!

Stop in, order online, or just call us from the parking lot (no purchase necessary) and we’ll get you one of our little “A Week of Intention” card packs through Monday. Kelly and Cassie designed these cards with some of the intentions that have kept them getting up and showing up during some really challenging days. And don’t worry, this isn’t another set of “If you can dream it, you can do it!” cards, these are designed for a 2020 reality.

Gift card sale

Our gift card sale is BACK! For every $100 in gift cards purchased IN the spa (excludes e-mail gift cards) you’ll receive a free $20 service voucher good weekdays in 2021.

Our gift shop is still open, even though we’re temporarily pausing services. Stop in M, Tu, Th, F 9:30-6, Wednesday 10-8, Saturday 10-5, or Sunday 11-3.

This year, to make things safe and easy, we’re offering a pre-order option so you don’t have to come into the spa. Just click the button below, fill out the information, and we’ll have your gift card ready for parking lot pick-up or to pop in the mail!

We’re eager to assist you, however is safe and comfortable for you this holiday season! Call, stop in (masks and sanitizer required), shop online, or arrange for parking lot pick-up. We’ll even happily set up a time for you to enjoy private shopping in our spa or a face-time visit if you’d like a more close-up look at products.

Reach East Village Spa’s team at (515) 309-2904 (call or text) or [email protected]. East Village Spa is located at 601 East Locust Street, Suite 202, Des Moines, IA 50309. Our web store, www.ShopEastVillageSpa.com offers quick shipping throughout the United States.

“Maskne” Solutions

Masks are vital to return our communities to health and keep our business open, but the aren’t always skin-friendly, causing breakouts that have been referred to as “maskne.” Despite the fact that this term will probably get as irritating as the breakouts it refers to, at East Village Spa, we’re leaning into it with solutions.

Masks are vital to return our communities to health and keep our business open, but the aren’t always skin-friendly, causing breakouts that have been referred to as “maskne.” Despite the fact that this term will probably get as irritating as the breakouts it refers to, at East Village Spa, we’re leaning into it with solutions.

NEW! Maskne Facial

This 60 minute service offers an hour of relaxation and stress relief for your mind and therapeutic care for your skin. Our estheticians will select products to relieve clogged pores, breakouts and irritation. For a limited time, your Maskne facial includes $15 toward the Rhonda Allison products suggested by your esthetician, as home care is essential to prevent and manage future breakouts. Book yours online!

Manage maskne at home

In addition to the Maskne Facial, we can help with home care to help keep these annoying breakouts at bay. Our lead esthetician, Camille’s top picks:

Beta Green Tea Cleanser: anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, exfoliating with salicylic acid and green tea. Unlike many salicylic acid cleansers, this will NOT dry out skin!
Mandelic Au Lait Moisturizer: Even if you feel your skin is getting oily from wearing a mask, you still need a moisturizer. If you skip moisturizing, your skin will produce more oil to overcompensate. This product absorbs quickly with lightweight hydration and mandelic acid to heal and provide antibacterial support.
Blemish Serum: This spot treatment for breakouts can be used after cleansing and before moisturizing, morning and night.
Mandelic Arginine Serum: Exfoliating and supportive for breakout prone and inflamed skin, this multi-benefit serum should be used after cleansing morning and/or evening and before moisturizing.

Breakouts are annoying, but the benefit of wearing your mask far outweighs this minor convenience. The more we wear our masks, and wear them properly, the sooner we can get back to business as usual. We can help your skin get through this trying time, and reduce some of your stress in the process.

Products available in spa and online at www.shopeastvillagespa.com

Skin care for your body

Is the skin on your body feeling dull, dry, or experiencing breakouts? We have services that can help! If you’re just feeling stressed and wanting to indulge a bit, we can manage that too! Combine one of these body services with a manicure, pedicure, or even a foot massage for a really decadant alternative to a vacation.

Is the skin on your body feeling dull, dry, or experiencing breakouts? We have services that can help! If you’re just feeling stressed and wanting to indulge a bit, we can manage that too! Combine one of these body services with a manicure, pedicure, or even a foot massage for a really decadant alternative to a vacation.

Body Treatment at East Village Spa

Hawaiian Full Body Skin Rejuvenation

You read that right! This hour of bliss starts with a deep cleanse for the skin on your back, arms, leg, hands and feet with 5 different Hawaiian fruit acides and extracts that smell like a trip to the islands. This will prepare your skin for your esthetician to massage in an exfoliating cream peel, then provide light circulatory massage techniques that nourish your skin with hydrating oils. Ths service gently exfoliates surface dead skin cells. Your skin will also feel smooth, brightened, firmed and toned. You thought a skincare treatment for your face was relaxing? This is divine and just in time to bare skin for summer.

Aromatherapy Body Scrub

Start by working with your massage therapist or esthetician to blend a custom-scented aromatherapy massage oil to use with our milk and sugar scrub for a 45 minute full-body exfoliaition. This scrub will soften skin, boost circulation, and relieve stress. As our gift, you’ll receive the remainder of your aromatherapy massage oil and a whole jar of scrub in the same scent to enjoy at home!

We hope to see you at the spa soon, but we understand a spa visit isn’t safe for everyone right now. Whether you’re staying in due to an underlying health concern or you’re quarantining because you’ve been exposed or have recently traveled or attended a large event we have great options for you to enjoy a bit of the spa at home. Visit our online spa shop for DIY facial kits, yummy body scrub scents, bath salts, and more! We thank you for keeping yourself and those around you safe!

Top 5 things your massage therapist wants you to know about couple’s massages

The weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day always bring lots of questions about couple’s massages. These are a fun way for people to enjoy time together, but ridiculous and unrealistic “reality” TV show portrayals of couple’s massages can leave people baffled about what they can actually expect. Here’s are the top 5 things our therapists want you to know if you’re thinking of booking a couple’s massage.

1. Couples massages aren’t just for romantic couples.

At East Village Spa we see mother/daughter and BFF duos in the couples room frequently. Particularly heartwarming for our LMTs  are the times our licensed massage therapists get to treat family members together when one person is looking after a loved one with an intellectual or memory impairment and chooses to relax with their family member in the same room to help them feel comfortable. A couple’s service is appropriate as long as both parties are comfortable disrobing (to whatever level they choose) in front of each other and sharing health information with their massage therapist in front of the other party.

2. Let your partner relax without judgment

During a massage, people fall asleep and snore. Your massage therapist sees that as a compliment (and if the session is geared towards relaxation massage, this is the goal!) During a couples massage, let your loved one be themselves, even if they are sawing logs next to you. One of our therapists’ pet peeves during couples massages is when one guest scolds their significant other for snoring during a session. This startles not only your partner but both of the massage therapists too. Don’t wake your sweetie, let them snore! If snoring will interfere with your ability to relax, you might consider booking your services in separate rooms.

3. Don’t stare (or glare) at your partner’s massage therapist!

Licensed massage therapists are health care providers with extensive training and high ethical standards. Nothing is more awkward than one when a guest receiving a couple’s massage stares (or in some cases, glares) at the therapist providing a service to his or her significant other. This makes us incredibly uncomfortable and self conscious. When someone stares at a massage therapist, it is difficult for us to focus on the task at hand: attending to your loved one’s muscles and tissues, watching for subtle signs of discomfort or relaxation to help us provide the best therapeutic service we can.

4. Couples massages on reality TV are far from real!

We’re amazed by the number of couples who want to hold hands during their session. If your tables are close enough for you to hold hands, then they are too close for your massage therapists to work around. Nobody wants only half of their body massaged! Hold hands on your walk to and from the treatment room, but enjoy your own relaxation space on the treatment table. Rose petals on the table might look pretty on camera but in reality, they’ll stick to you and smash into the carpet and your therapist will end up having to pick them all off as he or she goes. Lastly, you won’t be staring longingly st each other, deep in conversation. You’ll be resting quietly face down in the face cradle or face up looking at the ceiling, much safer, more comfortable positions for your neck.

5. Do you! Couples massages don’t need to be the same.

Some people think a couples massage will be perfectly synchronized, but in reality, they are completely customized for your unique preferences in pressure, technique, and focus area. For example, one person can get a sports massage and another can get a prenatal side-lying massage in a couples service. As long as the massages are the same length of time and we know in advance which services you want so we can pair you with the appropriate specialists. Some services like hot stone massage or our barefoot bars aren’t available in the couples rooms due to space and equipment availability.

Robes at East VIllage Spa
Couples receiving multiple services like massages and facials will receive a robe to change into for easier transferring between rooms. Otherwise, you will just disrobe in your treatment room.

Ready to book a couple’s massage? Give us a call at (515) 309-2904. Online booking isn’t available for couple’s services, but we’re happy to help over the phone. We look forward to helping you relax together! Be aware that these services are so popular they are often booked several weeks out for evenings and Saturdays so please plan ahead! We do keep a waitlist for last minute cancellations, so don’t hesitate to add your names to the list for those who like to be more spontaneous. Learn more about our services online!

Blog by Cassie Sampson, LMT, Owner and Justin Behanish, LMT, Managing Massage Therapist at East Village Spa in Des Moines, IA.

Top 5 reasons to visit the spa during Promenade

The East Village’s annual holiday kick-off is THIS FRIDAY, November 17th. Thanksgiving is crazy early this year so we’ll get an additional week of holiday festivities before Christmas. As always we plan fun events for the Promenade and encourage you to stop up and say hello! Here are our top 5 reasons to stop up this year!

  1. TREATS! Our friend Anne at Shade Tree Bakery is creating gingerbread cake parfait cups for us. Be one of the first up to make sure you get one. She’s a genius with baked goods.
  2. DRINKS! I’ll be making my spiced cranberry hot toddies. Cranberry, cinnamon, cloves, orange, and a splash of Jameson to warm your body and spirit.
  3. BLENDS! Kelly and Molly will help you craft perfectly blended gifts at our aromatherapy blending bar so you can give a homemade gift that is customized for everyone on your list. Enjoy 20% off of all custom blended lotions, body scrubs, body mists, bath salts, and bubble baths.
  4. MENU UNVEILING: We’ll debut our December and January seasonal menu at the event…need a hint? The menu pairs perfectly with our treats for the evening.
  5. GIFT CARD SALE! As Always, we’ll be kicking off our annual gift card sale on Friday. For every $100 in gift cards purchased in the spa (excludes online) you’ll get a FREE $20 voucher good for regularly priced services in 2018. The sale goes through 12/23, but it is best to shop early to avoid the lines.

P.S. A secret 6th reason? We have restrooms our customers can use between all of the Promenade stops for holiday cheer and merriment. A perk of being part of the East Village Spa family!

Small Business Saturday

At East Village Spa, we LOVE the Small Business Saturday movement. We will be participating on Saturday, November 26th with free adorable tote bags for the first 10 people to purchase retail items in our shop in November 26th.

We have 10 FREE limited edition 2016 Shop Small tote bags to give away!
We have 10 FREE limited edition 2016 Shop Small tote bags to give away!

Not sure what to get? Our team members shared some ideas of their favorite spa retail gift ideas AND some small businesses you need to check out.

Cassandra: From East Village Spa I recommend anything Farmhouse Fresh! A lotion and body wash or shea butter soap are a great gift.  Two other stores I recommend are Wanderlust and Jett and Monkey’s Dog Shoppe.

Casey: In addition to gifts at our spa, our receptionist Casey suggests you visit Look @ You in the East Village because the owner, Amber, rocks and their jewelry assortment is amazing. It truly is a hidden gem!

Honey Heel Glaze is a perfect gift for men or women!
Honey Heel Glaze is a perfect gift for men or women!

Dawn: I’m love getting all of my sons’ teachers Farmhouse Fresh Shea Butter Hand Creams because everyone has such dry skin this time of year and they smell amazing! I also like grabbing a few items at Raygun and Hill Vintage and Knit. One of my favorite local fiber artists, Girl With a Sword, sells her yarn there!

Tisha and Camille: Farmhouse Fresh Honey Glaze!

Cori: I love the honey heel glaze; it smells like Christmas!  And anything lavender scented. It’s great for relaxation; something you’ll really need for the holidays.

Molly: The Farmhouse Fresh gift sets – I like the Whoopie Cream set because it comes with the lotion, body wash and candle. And for local Christmas shopping I also recommend visiting Domestica or Preservation!

image16Tiffany and Cyerra: Nail polishes make great gifts

Cammie: Kneipp bath salts. My favorites are Arnica Joint and Muscle and Sweet Dreams. Both are needed around the holidays.  I absolutely encourage anyone I can to go to the Market Day Black Friday sale at Capital Square. Tons of hand crafted small businesses with high quality items. You can buy coffee there while you shop, and usually a few other edible treats. Easy to find something unique and fitting for each person on your list.

Let us help you pick out a perfect gift!  In addition to our great retail items, we have our annual holiday gift card promotion. Now through Christmas Eve stop into the spa and receive a FREE voucher for $20 toward regularly priced weekday services in 2017 with every $100 in gift cards purchased. (Not available with online orders).

Learn more at www.EVDaySpa.com

evspa_newfont_color

Ideas for Dads

Did you know that 47% of spa goers are men?  According to the International Spa Association President, Lynne McNees “The number one reason both men and women visit a spa worldwide is to learn how to manage their stress. Men and women may deal with stress in different ways, but surprisingly, they both find spas as an outlet.”

Father’s day is a perfect opportunity to share the benefits of stress reduction and pain relief with the men in your life.  The following our are top suggestions for gifts for dads (or grandpas!)

Products for Pain Relief:

tiger balmTiger Balm patches and salves are great for guys who complain of soreness.  Our massage therapists incorporate tiger balm into many sports massages as well.  The patches are great self-care and really popular with men.

kneipp arnicaKneipp arnica products are another popular choice for guys. The joint and muscle active gel has an instant cooling effect, while the arnica cream is unscented and absorbs into skin quickly.  They are great for arthritis pain, bruising, inflammation or tenderness.

Stress Relieving Products

kneipp sweet dreams

Whether he tosses and turns all night or needs some general stress relief, Kneipp herbal baths have lots of solutions.  The Sweet Dreams bath includes Valerian and Hops and is a perfect prelude to a good night of sleep.

Gift Certificates

East Village Spa gift cards are a perfect gift for father’s day!  You can purchase them in a denomination or for a specific service.  Some of the most popular treatments for men are:

  • The EV Signature Massage which is great for stress relief
  • The Athletic Edge Sports Massage which addresses specific injuries are areas of tension
  • The Wellness Massages (30, 50, or 75 minutes “no frills” therapeutic massage)
  • The Men’s Hand and Foot Treatments (a relaxing nail grooming service)
  • The Wellness Facial is perfect for men with dry skin or shaving irritation.

Gift cards are available in the spa or through our website!

menspedicure
We aren’t joking, men LOVE pedicures!

Resource: ISPA Male Consumer Insights Study, 2014.

Our “Spa Moms” share their mother’s day picks

Not sure what to gevintagepedicuret mom from the spa for mother’s day?  The moms on our team shared what they’d most like to receive as a gift!

Teresa: An indulgent EV Signature Facial is not only relaxing, but will make any mother’s skin glow and give her some pampering!  This is a great way to show her you love and care.”

Tisha: “An EV Signature Massage is a great way to unwind, specifically I love the soothing aromas of honey glaze and sweet cream. It is a good way to release tension in muscles from all the daily running with children.”

Camdine: “Aches and pains are unavoidable being a mom, let a heavenly hot stone massage melt them away!”

Jamee: “A gong fu chai scrub has the relaxing effects of massage while exfoliating your cares away.”

Cammie: “The longest massage I can get! I just want my body to feel better and be taken care of and it isn’t too likely a mom like me would get an 80 minute treatment for herself”

Cassie: I’m not a mom, but I have a mom that LOVES spas!  She doesn’t live in the area so I can’t treat her to services, but she gets to try all of our products and she shared some of her favorites.  From “Mama Chris:” I love my sweet cream and fluffy bunny lotion from Farmhouse Fresh, and the new Citrine Beach sample you sent!  You know I love my bath salts too, the Kneipp Pure Bliss smells so good!”

There you have it!  Stop in to get mom a gift card from April 25th through May 8th to take advantage of our gift card sale, and pick up a little something fun to wrap up with it so she can get a taste of the spa at home. Can’t make it in?  Click here to buy a gift card online (gift card voucher sale does not apply to online gift cards)

 

Mother’s Day and “Mom”osa event at East Village Spa

We are thrilled to present plans for Mother’s Day 2016!

Momosa Day:

EastVillageSpaMomosaEventThe Spa will be hosting our 3rd annual “Momosa Day” event on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 8th.  Guests will enjoy a relaxing full body clementine massage and a mimosa facial (55 minutes each), plus pastries, a mimosa bar, tea, and a gift.

Cost is $215 and includes treatments, tax, gratuities, and goodies.Space is limited to 12 guests and openings are available at 11 am and 2 pm.

Call (515) 309-2904 to schedule mom’s most relaxing mother’s day ever!

 

Mother’s Day Gift Card Sale:

For the first time, we’re offering our popular holiday $20 treatment voucher program for Mother’s Day!  For every $100 gift card purchased in the spa (not valid with online gift cards)  from April 25-May 8th, 2016, you’ll get a $20 voucher good toward weekday spa services June-September, 2016.  These vouchers work similarly to the vouchers we offer each year in December.  Stop in for more information!

We’re having a fun party to kick-off our first Mother’s Day Gift Card Voucher sale on April 25th from 5-7!  Click here for more information!

Camille at last year's "Momosa" Day event.
Camille at last year’s “Momosa” Day event.

We hope to see you at the party or stopping into the spa to pick up a gift for mom!

 

 

 

Perfect Easter Basket Fillers

Whether you need a perfect hostess gift or some Easter basket fillers, we have lots of cute options…including some on sale!

For the Easter Brunch hosts: This Bunny Loves You Gift Set (15% off through April 30th, 2016)

This Bunny Loves You set includes a Fluffy Bunny (lavender mint) hand cream and a sweet cream salt scrub.  It is so pretty it doesn't need a basket!

 

This Bunny Loves You set includes a Fluffy Bunny (lavender mint) hand cream and a sweet cream salt scrub. It is so pretty it doesn’t need a basket!

For sisters and nieces: Nail polish minis (Zoya sets are 15% off through April 30th, 2016.

springeastvillagesparetailnails

The Zoya lips and tips quad includes 3 spring minis and a coordinating lipstick.  The Vinylux Flirtation gift set includes 4 polishes minis and fast dry topcoat mini.  These sets are perfect to give whole or split to fill Easter eggs!

For moms, co-workers and your BFF: Farmhouse Fresh spring scented shea butters.  These scents are 15% off through April 30th, 2016!

springeastvillagesparetailfhf

Farmhouse Fresh has tons of delightful scents, but our two favorites for sprin are their Fluffy Bunny (lavender mint) and Rainbow Road (pear).  They come in a beautiful jar and a purse size hand cream tube.

For YOU: A visit to the spa

East Village Spa Spring Specials

Whether you’re hosting a big Easter gathering or worn out from getting your garden beds ready for spring planting, you deserve a trip to the spa.  Check out our fun spring specials and book YOUR spa visit here!