A Day at the Spa

I’m a pretty simple person. I don’t require a lot of primping and pampering. I’m not a regular for facials, massages, or even manicures.  In fact, up until yesterday, the first and only time I ever had a facial was in the months leading up to my wedding 8 years ago.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to use a spa package gift certificate that was gifted to me by my in-laws for Mother’s Day last year (yes, 11 months after receiving it - because I'm a mom and who has time for this stuff??).  It was just my mother-in-law and me (my sister-in-law had to cancel last minute) and she’s not a frequent flier in the spa scene either.  While I was so excited for a morning of kid-free pampering, I was also a little anxious and uncomfortable because I just never know what to do in these situations.  Thankfully, my mother-in-law confided that she also gets a little uncomfortable for the same reasons, so I knew I was in good company. 

After checking in and receiving our itinerary for the morning (facial, manicure, and then lunch out on a terrace), we were lead to the women’s locker room where we were shown our assigned lockers and given robes to change into.  The actual thought going through my mind in that moment, “great, 5 minutes in and I’m already confused.”  I know that when you get a massage you change into a robe, although I always put way too much thought into how much clothing, if any, I need to keep on under there.  Why in the world do I need a robe if I’m getting a facial and a manicure?  And exactly what can I, or should I, keep on under that robe? I decided that it would be appropriate to keep on my unmentionables and a tank top since all I was getting was a facial, so that’s what I did.

Once we were robed up we went upstairs to enjoy the dim lighting, soothing music and spa refreshments while we waited for our facials.  Every single woman (and the one man) was wearing a robe, so I was immediately glad that I wasn’t up there in my leisurewear, although still confused as to why the robe was required. Perhaps it's supposed to make you feel more relaxed?  Clearly it was doing the opposite for me. 

Before long, service providers where coming through the waiting area softly calling peoples names and escorting them away. Again, I was super awkward.  I could not concentrate on the conversation I was having and was waiting to be called like I was being picked for a grade-school dodge ball team or something. Again I was thankful to my mother in law for voicing the same sentiments and reminding me I was not alone in this. Also, everyone was speaking in hushed tones and 90% had accents. This combination made it really difficult to understand what anyone was saying without putting some effort into it.

My esthetician came and scooped me up reaching her hand out to shake mine as I was trying to get my unruly hair into a bun in preparation for my facial.  Again, awkward.  I managed to make decent small talk as she lead me back to my room where she pointed out the towel she wanted me to change into and the table I would be lying on for my facial.  As soon as she closed the door I hung up my robe, wrapped the towel around me and sat on the table forgetting whether I was supposed to be laying down under the covers when she came in. I blanked out during her directions because I was suddenly regretting my decision to leave a tank top, or even a bra on, and then again confused as to why so little clothing was required for my facial. Should I take them off now?? I was also feeling rushed, because I wanted to be ready when she came in and while I knew logically that she would leave me plenty of time to get settled, I always have a fear in these situations that they will walk in before I’m quite ready for them.  I decided I would lie down under the covers and suddenly remembered that I was supposed to remove all of my jewelry.  Oh well, can’t get up now.  Definitely don’t have time for that. 

A minute or two later, I hear a light knock (am I supposed to answer??) as she came back into the room.  Her eye caught the straps of my tank top, and she asked me to pull them down because she would be massaging my shoulders.  Of course, all signs pointed to naked for facial and I just wasn’t picking up on them.  I’ll just mark that down as a lesson learned and now I’ll know better for next time.  The next five minutes were full of more awkwardness as I tried to fix the strap situation gracefully, fielded questions about what skincare products I use (like the brand, or just in general?), and had the dim-lighting interrupted by a giant magnifying glass surrounded by the brightest lights ever pulled over my face.  Let me just say, that can’t be flattering for anyone.

We decided on a specific facial that she recommended and I was finally able to relax as she started covering my skin with lotions and potions.  It all went smoothly with the exception of the peel she did that I was not expecting (did I mention the soft voices and accents)? Also, the tingling she warned me about was more of a burning and fizzing. I guess that means it was working? Once the hour was up, she handed me a mirror so that I could see the results (I was just relieved the burning and fizzing hadn’t left my face red), and told me she would get some water for me while I changed back into my robe.  Wait, do I come out or are you coming back to get me??  I got back into my robe, slipped on the slippers and gently pushed the door open relieved that she was standing there waiting with a glass of water and that I had read the situation correctly for the first time.

I forgot to mention that I had arrived at the spa with a coffee and had been toting it around with me this whole time.  Now finished with it, I was awkwardly carrying it around because there are no trashcans in this spa.  I guess it’s not part of the vibe they’re trying to put out.  I didn’t feel right consciously leaving it somewhere and expecting someone to magically whisk it away behind me, and I didn’t want to ask someone to throw it out for me, I just wanted to find a trashcan. I was finally awkwardly able to had it off the nice woman who did my manicure. 

Being a little more knowledgeable about getting a manicure and eating lunch (although this was my first time to do either in a robe), the rest of the morning went smoothly.  Overall it was relaxing and I really enjoyed it, but I have to laugh at myself for being so incredibly awkward when I’m being pampered. 

Can you relate?  Share your awkward spa moments below!