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Beauty
As soon as you walk into the Mission district's Scarlet Sage Herb Co, you're met with a torrent of aromas, colors, and other curiosities that trigger the senses and provide a pleasant stopover for unsuspecting window shoppers. A veritable mecca of alternative healing, Scarlet Sage is crammed with books, aromatherapy tools, oils, talismans, trinkets, and herbs. More
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Beauty
Cleaning Out the Mind's Cobwebs
It's no surprise that San Francisco is a meditation cloud nine of sorts. Since the mid-sixties, when Buddhist meditation became popularized in the Bay Area, the practice of sitting with oneself and emptying the mind of all thoughts has mushroomed into hundreds of meditation centers -- more than a few, and most likely within walking distance of you. Whether you're interested in opening portals to spiritual awareness or just getting a few moments of peace and quiet, the following offerings will lead you into a personal nirvana away from the bustle of it all. More
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Beauty
Change, In the Span of a Day
Are you one of the millions of well-adjusted but occasionally self-conscious men or women who wouldn't mind a makeover but may not go so far as to humiliate yourself on 'The Swan' or 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy'? However, if you're willing to get a few tips on how to clean up nice from some no-nonsense experts, then Guerilla Makeovers just might be for you. More
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Beauty
Mani/Pedi Heaven at Reasonable Rates
You'd think that in the midst of all the hip boutiques, hair salons, record stores, and other city fixtures, there would be more options for harried customers looking for a pampering fix. However, Dolci Beauty Lounge (formerly Bliss Beauty Lounge) is the only one-stop oasis for mani-pedi addicts in the entire neighborhood. And after only a year of being in operation, it's already a favorite among both locals and people just passing through. More
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Beauty
The Perfect Urban Respite
A brownie, a city view, and a 75-minute massage. I'm beginning to think this is all a girl needs to help her recharge from the midday Monday slump. It's 2 pm and I've just been checked into my appointment at Bliss Spa, which has only been open for a week -- but from the looks of it, is already attracting harried executives and pampered debutantes alike. More
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Beauty
Refreshingly Unpretentious
Marilyn Jaeger Skincare Studio may well be the best-kept secret in Laurel Heights. A posh little neighborhood known for its mixture of residential and commercial development, it's the kind of place where ritzy boutiques share breathing room with 1950s-style five and dime stores. Given Marilyn Jaeger's imposing reputation as harboring one of the most loyal client bases among San Francisco day spas, it's the kind of place you'd perhaps expect to see at the center of Fillmore Street's spa mecca or among the hubs of rejuvenation strewn so habitually around the Marina. More
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Beauty
A Minimalist Haven With Maximum Treats
As soon as you set foot into Truspa's minimalist oasis, smack in the center of Chinatown chaos, it's clear that any mundane preoccupations must be left far behind -- no ifs, ands or buts about it. From the all-white color scheme to the polished bamboo floors to the heavy silver-beaded curtain that leads to lavishly appointed locker rooms, Truspa's classical-futuristic ambience well prepares one for an enticing entry into the lap of luxury. More
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Beauty
Down-Home Pampering
There are few San Franciscans I know who prefer the hustle and bustle of an upscale spa to the down-home elegance of the neighborhood pampering haunt. You know the place --it harbors the tasteful urbanity of your best friend's house rather than the false fronts of coolness most exclusive digs might offer. Despite occupying a chic corner of Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights, Spa Solé plies instant comfort to no-nonsense customers. More
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Beauty
On a Quest for the Perfect Facial
The perfect facial is one of the most elusive beauty treatments I can think of. Aside from negotiating a multitude of products, treatment techniques, and aestheticians giving you all sorts of conflicting skin tips (to SPF or not to SPF? Gel exfoliant or scrub exfoliant?) -- it's sometimes difficult to really gauge the effectiveness of a facial. Case in point: I can't count the number of times I've discovered a new skincare line that adds a certain glow to my visage, only to wake up to an unsightly allergic reaction the next morning. More
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Beauty
An Oasis for the Elite
For luxury epicures, Spa Radiance, a pampering stronghold on the Fillmore boutique side of town, is an oasis blending both old-world beauty treatments and some of the most bold and innovative spa therapies around. More
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