by Chelsea Lin - 273 Reviews - 109 List
For pampered paupers who missed out on the annual Spa Week--when many urban oases around town offer basic services for $50--there are a few spots where pretty can still come cheap. Those of us who like to stay plucked, painted and prettied without dipping into the 401k can do so at these SF spas that offer affordable services year round.
Updated: April 03, 2009
A quickie 25-minute Swedish or shiatsu massage may sound steep at $65, but the price includes all-day access to the steam room, sauna and communal baths (normally $20 for a weekday), making this a great mid-week relaxation destination.
For just $40 per hour, you can get a professional-level holistic massage in the school's Student Massage Clinic; modalities range from Swedish and shiatsu to reflexology and lymphatic drainage.
If you qualify to become a member of the invitation-only Diamond Club, you lock in a massage rate of $35/hour and receive 10 percent off other purchases (not to mention some freebies for your friends).
A thorough cleansing facial (with optional extractions) goes for a mere 35 bucks, while Brazilian waxing can be as cheap as $20, at this unassuming but popular Sunset district salon.
The $35 Brazilian bikini wax is notorious at this affordable yet still cushy nail salon and spa.
A 30-minute "Bare Essentials" facial without extractions or Vitamin-C peel is offered for $60 at this Pac Heights studio; Brazilian waxes start at just $40.
Get a permanently hair-free, care-free bikini line for less than $100 at this Union Square clinic offering laser hair removal and skin services like Botox and chemical peels.
The ultra-luxurious, 30-minute manicure with warm mango lotion costs $18, while similar treatment for your toesies isn't much more.
With $22 spa pedicures and regular mani/pedi combos for under $20, you can afford to grab lunch in Noe Valley, too, after a morning at this no-frills but high-value salon.
This Inner Sunset spot offers long-lasting mani/pedis for only $25, plus hair removal services as well.
Full-service Lower Haight spa has a $65 90-minute hand and foot treatment that includes an eyebrow and lip wax.
A student cut at this beauty school is just $10--and an additional five bucks will usually get you a shampoo and blow-dry, as well; semi-permanent coloring starts at $25 and permanent color starts at $40.
Be a hair model for a C&A styling class and get a cut or coloring at a discount, usually 50 to 75 percent off normal rates. Hair model calls are Thursdays from 6pm to 7pm.
A cut and style costs just $15 (or $20 for "creative services") at this SoMa teaching facility; basic color starts at $45 and many other discounted styling services are offered, too.
If you're flexible with your look, stop by Mondays between 8:30am and 9am or 1pm and 1:30pm to become one of the salon's hair models: cuts only cost $15, and color is $20 to $30.
