Byron Flitsch

It’s the holidays. You’ve got a list of people to buy for and of course there’s that one person who gets you every time: The guy or girl who has everything. Spa services are an increasingly more popular way to show someone you care (and give them some much needed R and R), but anyone can give a Swedish massage. Try one of these out-of-the-ordinary spa services to truly make an impression.

The Professional Shave
Sure, he could do it himself. But why not let him enjoy the luxury of someone else taking over the blade? The process includes luxuries such as layering the skin with different exfoliates, moisturizers, astringents and hot towels to open pores. And the result is a final product that can’t be bought: A shave so close it takes three days for hair to grow back. The Spa at Halo [For Men], 21 West Elm, (312)642-4256, $55

Heal with Liquor.
We love the drink, so, why not soak in it? The Mojito Sugar Cane foot soak combines crushed mint leaves, sugarcane, fresh lime juice and oils, creating a mixture that tames inflammation and soreness for dried out skin. Plus, the mild scent of mint will soothe the mind. Thankfully, there is no hangover involved. (Honey Child Salon and Spa, 735 North LaSalle, (312)573-1300, $65

The Gift of Gold
Plain old jewelry won’t cut it, but rolling around in it is a different story. Try the Egyptian Golden Body Wrap, where Dead Sea salt exfoliation leads to an application of a gold-infused serum. Yes, gold. The process continues by applying Dead Sea mud to the spine to pull out toxins. A rich moisturizer concludes the process. (Four Seasons Hotel Spa & Fitness Club, 120 East Delaware, (312)649-2340, $145 for a fifty-minute wrap, $195 for an eighty-minute wrap with additional massage

Room to Breathe
Chicago skin needs a breather as complete as the Triple Oxygen Treatment. It includes a deep cleaning exfoliation with fruit acid wash, pre-extraction oxygen wrap and a calming oxygen milk mask, finished off with a vitamized oxygen spray. It’s easily the healthiest air you’ll get in the city. (Bliss Chicago, 644 North Lake Shore, (312)201-9545, eighty-five minutes for $160

(2007-11-19)

Also by Byron Flitsch

Guyville
I walk into The Spa at Halo [for Men] and an up-tempo song instantly sets my mood to perfect. A friendly front-desk staff greets me with a beverage and a seat in a waiting room that mirrors a well-decorated pad. I settle into leather chairs, surrounded by candles, and face a giant plasma television (Reminder: this is just the waiting room). Ahead, the salon is bright with more televisions, books and masculine-colored walls. Adjacent to the salon is the spa, set in a low-lit, Buddha-inspired space
(2007-11-13)

The Synergistic Effect
Let's talk about synergy. You know, the idea that two people can partner up and create a uniquely powerful force as a result of their combined energies. It’s this synergistic effect that has propelled local line dIETERbENNET from an idea to one of the most recognizable up-and-comers on the Chicago fashion scene. Fresh off a successful showing at the Gen Art runway show during Fashion Focus Chicago, dIETERbENNET is poised to take its clean, classic women’s line to the next level
(2007-10-16)

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