Ladies & Gentleman Salon & Spa proves that quality, service and kindness go a long way. Their Mentor location has been open for 29 years. Founder/owner, Nancy Brown opened a second location in Legacy Village in Lyndhurst last November. An Aveda concept salon and day spa, Ladies & Gentlemen believes firmly in the connection of mind, body and spirit, as well as giving back to the environment. Even at the new location you can feel the grace and style that come from inherited experience.

   The award-winning interior architecture of Ladies & Gentlemen at Legacy Village invites clients through flowing corridors, rooms with bright, open areas offering salon services and cozy, dramatically lit day spa quarters. A frosty paneled door separates the lively reception area from the serene surroundings of the spa relaxation room. This inviting nook beckons clients to nestle into the cushion-laden couches in front of the massive slate hearth and crackling fireplace. The snug cinnamon-colored walls and soothing music contribute an even deeper state of tranquility to the space.

   Although it would have been difficult for me to imagine anything more relaxing than this room, I soon discovered that I was in for an entire afternoon of serenity with their Caribbean Therapy Body and Pedicure Treatments. Penny Conover, technical spa director, explained, “The Caribbean Therapy is a line of products and treatments inspired by Martine Saint-Zeby, an herbalist and therapist who lives on the island of Martinique.” This holistic service cleanses the mind, body and spirit infusing magnificent, powerful aromas from the Caribbean in their detoxifying mud bath, massage and pressure point release. Penny continued, “We ground and reconnect people with themselves and others through plant energy and human touch. The tropical ingredients set the mind to rest and put the heart at peace.”

   Heather Marie Englebright, the spa technician captaining the first leg of my journey, led me to the ladies' locker room for a ten-minute aromatherapy steam shower. Emerging wonderfully warm, I was led back into the relaxation room where she immersed my feet in a milky moisturizing Caribbean bath containing mango butter, cocoa butter, aloe vera oil, certified organic sunflower seed oil and jojoba oil, as well vitamin E from soy. Heather Marie then passed three delicious aromatherapy oils beneath my nose: vanilla, tangerine and rose. I selected rose as my aromatherapy oil of choice for the afternoon, and Heather Marie, also a licensed massage therapist and esthetician, prepared my treatment room with the lovely rose fragrance.

   As I entered the dimly lit treatment room, the delicate rose scent wafted to my nose. I settled onto the warmed massage table, where Heather Marie swaddled me in blankets. With a voice as caressing as the massage itself, Heather Marie explained each of the steps of the treatment. Following a gentle rub-down with exfoliating mitts, she pooled the heated Caribbean Therapy Rejuvenating Concentrate onto my back. This detoxifying seaweed masque, containing ginger root sourced from the Caribbean, has a warming effect.

   As the beneficial masque elements diffused into my back under hot towels, Heather Marie massaged my arms and legs with cocoa butter and massage oil. She alternated between her hands and heated stones, which provide further detoxifying effects. Completing this, Heather Marie removed the masque from my warmed and pliable back. With tender precision, she again alternated between kneading with her fingers and providing firm pressure with the hot, smooth stones. I then turned onto my back, and Heather Marie massaged my neck for an exquisite eternity. Her nimble fingers made their way into every nook of my neck and pressure point on my head. Her fingers wove through my hair, providing a sumptuous scalp massage with Caribbean flower water, which contains bitter orange, mandarin, certified organic neroli (from the bitter orange tree) and basil. Cloaked in a deliciously warm cocoon, I was truly transported in mind, body and spirit during this blissful treatment.

   I arose from my body therapy in a state of profound tranquility and nearly floated to my next Caribbean pampering treatment. Nail technician Christina Salvatore seated me in the massaging pedicure chair, and cheerfully explained the process and products of the pedicure treatment. In addition to the traditional toenail filing and cleaning, Christina exfoliated my feet and legs and applied a masque. Once the masque was removed, she sprayed each foot with flower water and gave them a delicious massage with Caribbean Body Crème. My toenails emerged pretty and polished, and my legs and feet were silky smooth.

   Ladies & Gentlemen offers a full array of nail and hair services, as well as facials, massages and body treatments, all with Aveda products. Penny noted, “Aveda products are one hundred percent plant-derived, organically grown and harvested, and are developed without any animal testing.” The day spa includes a couples' room where two can share the experience of facials, massages or body treatments. The salon also has a special room for young kids to play games or watch movies on a computer as they get their hair done. And, as a special treat, moms (or even husbands waiting for their wives) can be whisked off for a complimentary stress relief treatment.

   At the end of your treatment, whether it is for hair, skin, body or nails, the staff will remind you that this is a non-tipping establishment. That's because your recommendation is their best reward! My recommendation is that you give yourself the reward of a luxurious visit to Ladies & Gentlemen Salon & Spa.

Ladies & Gentlemen Salon & Spa is located in Legacy Village on Cedar Avenue in Lyndhurst and can be reached by calling (877) 888-9670. The Mentor location is at 8800 Mentor Avenue and can be reached by calling (440) 255-5572. More information can be found on their website: www.ladiesgentlemen.com.

Photos by Bob Perkoski,www.Perkoski.com.