Our Hot Mom Spa Squad spills about their first time at the spa!
It’s confession time! We all go to the spa expecting an hour or so of bliss, but when nerves (or poor planning) get in the way it doesn’t always start out that way. Having a stranger touch you for the first time during a facial or stripping down to your skivvies for a massage can be awkward and nerve-wracking. So we asked our Hot Mom Squad to share their somewhat cringe-worthy, but oh so worth it memories of their first time.
Facials
Carrie Curry, Chockababy 
“The first time I had a facial, I was 18 and visiting my sister in New York City. She took me to Mario Badescu , which is amazing! I went in the room and the esthetician gestured for me to put on the white robe and shut the door. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do, so I completely undressed and put the robe on… for a facial! Whoops! She came back in and giggled a little so I knew immediately that I was wrong, but it was too late! I felt uncomfortable the whole time and I could barely relax. Oh well, at least I got a sweet facial!”
Colleen Lanin, Founder/Editor, Travel Mamas
“I went to a spa for the first time when I was 19. I just celebrated my 40th birthday so that was (ahem!) a long time ago! Going to the spa was not nearly as common back in the olden days and I felt pretty nervous about it. My family is not very touchy-feely and I don’t particularly like being touched by strangers. I confessed my secret desire for a facial to my sister and she purchased me a spa gift certificate for Christmas. I was fairly weirded out by the extractions portion of the facial, I must say! Ever since then, though, I have been hooked. It feels so nice to be pampered and have time to really relax. My husband always knows what to get me for any holiday: a spa treatment of some sort!”
Liza Coulter, Views From the ‘Ville
“I was visiting the spa for my second-ever massage and I decided that while I was there, I’d also add on a pedicure and my very first facial service. After my toes were pampered and I was relaxed from my massage, I moved to the next room for the facial. The process was wonderful: the room was dark with soothing music and the towels on my face between product applications were nice and warm. Everything was going great until the woman returned to the room and removed the last towel from my face. I heard her gasp! Though it was my first facial, I was pretty sure that wasn’t a good sign. Apparently my face was screaming red, and it took her an extra 10 minutes to calm my skin down. In the end, it turned out fine, but I left feeling slightly less than relaxed!”
Nail Services
Amanda Price, A Day in the Tangled Skeins of My Life
“Before I was 28, I had never had my nails done, other than by my children. I was working as a cashier at a gas station and my manager and assistant manager talked me into going with them to get our nails done. I thought, ‘Why not?’ It sounded like fun. But, it turned out to be the most awkward experience of my life. I have never been accustomed to touching strangers and even my family is not very touchy-feely. I didn’t think about that before agreeing to go with them. When I got there, sat down, and the man grabbed my hand I had to fight not to jerk it away from him. For the next however long (it felt like hours!) I sat there while a stranger held my hands and played with my fingers. I didn’t know where to look or what to do. He hardly spoke any English, so there was very little chit chat. The ladies I went with were all the way on the other side of the room. Luckily, I eventually got used to sitting there, holding hands with a stranger. It turned out to be strangely soothing towards the end. I relaxed and let him do twist my hands this way and that, work on my horrid cuticles, buff the nails and moisturize my hands. Altogether, after the awkwardness and tenseness had left me, I found that this could be very addictive. I started going in every two weeks to get my nails done. I am very glad that I let them talk me into it that first time!”
Amy Bizzarri, Travel Writers
“My mom took me for my very first mani/pedi when I was a young teen. I felt so awkward during those teen years, but that afternoon, I felt like a princess. I remember choosing my nail color—hot pink!—and feeling pampered, relaxed and connected to my mom. To this day, I still get weekly mani/pedis. They are now my treat to me! And I look forward to taking my daughter for her first mani/pedi one day soon!”
Chelle Wiley, Oh Just Stop Already
“My first time getting a full set of acrylics turned into a blood bath of the cuticles. No way to hide it, I was being cheap when I hunted out the least expensive place possible. After what seemed like an eternity of bleeding from the drill tool, constant yelping from me, and lots of disapproving looks, the lady finally stopped. I had bright red, cut up cuticles and my nails. Oh my poor, poor nails. No two were alike. Some were thick, some were thin. There were lumps and air bubbles galore. I asked questions during the appointment and was repeatedly reassured that they were okay and looking pretty. By the time she was done, my wallet was gouged and my heart was broken. It was my first time getting my nails done and they were horrible. At just 16 years old, I hung my head and sat in the car wishing I had never stepped foot into the place. Never again will I skimp!”
Massages
Keiunta Dixon, Social Media Manager/Blogger, Free and For Me
“My ‘virgin spa experience’ was when I went to the Pasadena Ritz Carlton for a spa day about 15 years ago. I started out with a massage which was great! Then it was suggested that I get into the hot tub. Many thoughts started running through my mind. As I walked down the hall, I wondered where the locker room was. I did not know how I was going to get in the tub without my bathing suit. Well, my questions were answered. When I arrived in the room with the hot tub, there were about four elderly women in the tub and a couple of them walking around—completely naked. I wanted to get out of there. I had not seen anything like this in my life! Now, new thoughts were running through my mind, like was this sanitary? Was I supposed to get in there naked as well? It felt like everyone was watching me. Not wanting to seem inexperienced I got in despite all of my reservations and concerns. I stayed in for a short while and then I left.”
Stephanie Glover, Writer, A Grande Life
“I actually got my first massage ever in August! Why I waited so long, I have no idea. I didn’t know what to do. What to take off, what to leave on. Do you talk or pretend to sleep? It was a great experience but I did feel a bit silly not knowing what I was supposed to do!”
Kim R., OhMyOmaha.com
“Everyone knows the drill when you get your hair done: color, rinse, lather, rinse again, cut, style, goodbye. I was fresh out of college with a new job and feeling all fancy pants, so I upgraded to a trendy salon. During my first visit, things were going as they should. We walked over to the sink, I sat and she began rinsing, then worked in some shampoo. All normal. I sat up and she starts to towel dry my hair, taking the time to really massage my head. Then she starts to massage my shoulders. Whoa whoa whoa, I wasn’t expecting that. Caught off guard, I couldn’t relax right away. She’s rubbing my shoulders! Whaaaat? And then I realize how good it feels and I tell myself to calm down already. And then it’s over. Once you get your first mini massage at a hair salon, it’s hard not to expect it every time. Pamper me, dear hair lady, pamper me.”
Shonda M. Brewer, Lifestyle & Fashion Blogger, A Chic Mom
“This was my first time having a massage and it just happened to be a week before my wedding. If you or anyone you know has planned a wedding, it can be extremely stressful (I. e. choosing the dress, finding the perfect location, etc.). I thought a spa day would be a perfect treat! Since none of my relatives could recommend a spa to visit, I purchased one of those bridal magazines, to see if they offered any suggestions. Once I found the spa I wanted to visit, I made my appointment and I was extremely eager to go. I arrived about ten minutes early and from the outside, the place was located in a nice loft-type building. Once the receptionist checked me in, I was taken to my room, told to put on a robe and wait for my massage therapist. After five minutes my masseuse knocked on the door. He was a nice middle-aged man named James (after 14 years I still remember his name). We conversed for a few minutes before I laid face-down on the table. Okay, let me be honest, I was extremely nervous, because a strange man was going to put his hands on my body, however, James could sense my nervousness and assured me that this was going to be the best and most relaxing massage I ever had (good thing because I had no comparison). James did not lie. He began to talk to me about where he was going to touch me. Between him talking and listening to the soothing music, my stress seemed to melt away. As James moved down my arms, I could feel heat actually exiting my body through my fingertips! This shocked me, and I told him I felt like I was going to start ‘glowing’ like Bruce Leroy in the Last Dragon movie. James chuckled, assured me it was normal and told me I would be glowing after my massage. James was so right on…he gave me the best massage EVER! As I was leaving the spa the receptionist remarked that I looked like I was positively glowing! I’ve had a number of massages since then, but it has a very special place in my spa history as one of the most memorable, relaxing, and ‘glowing’ experiences!”
Photo Credit
Laura Knipping is the Special Projects Editor at Spa Week Daily.