Pamper yourself with super spa treatments

It’s summertime, and the livin’ is easy … not!

But factor in a few long weekends, some summer Fridays and accrued vacation time, and you just might find yourself with extra time for some posh pampering.

To make the most of your precious hours, we’ve rounded up the latest “beauty boosters” in the form of spa services and at-home healing treatments — everything from anti-aging potions to green-tea lotions.

What are you waiting for? The clock is ticking — and come September you won’t have a moment to spend on yourself!

Spa beauty is all right here in the latest edition of our weekly fashion and beauty roundup.

Courtesy Lucky Chick Have an at-home pampering party with these goodies from Lucky Chick.

Girls’ night out
Jump feet-first — pedicured, of course — into a hot new trend: the spa party! It’s a growing favorite for brides and bridesmaids, who prep for the big day together at a local spa. But why wait for a special occasion? The “girls’ night out” spa session gives you a chance to catch up, gossip and bond while enjoying the latest pampering services. The most popular treatments include mini-massages, luxe manicures and pedicures, makeup sessions, body and image consulting, eyebrow shaping and healing spot-treatments. It pays to check around — many day spas have special packages and some spas give a group rate discount if you reserve ahead.

Trend Tip:
Want to save a buck? (Who doesn’t!) Bring the spa to you in the form of an at-home pampering party. We love the sassy, fun-to-share kits for hands and feet that you’ll find from Lucky Chick. Or try mini-versions of their best-sellers in their new Pampering Sampler kit. You’ll also find great home spa kits from Jaqua, Philosophy and Bliss. P.S.: Don’t forget an aromatic candle and soothing music.

Courtesy The Well At Miramonte The Well at Miramonte's Tuscan-inspired spa is sure to relax.

Destination: Outta here!
For the ultimate healing experience, consider a spa visit. Where to go? The Maya Tulum Resort south of Cancun in Mexico is a wellness spa with a “mind, body, spirit” focus. You’ll find some of the latest holistic healing techniques as well as ancient Mayan treatments imported directly into the 21st century. Our favorite? The Watsu, which involves stretching and massage while suspended in a lagoon of water heated to body temperature. Trendy water treatments are in the U.S. as well. Miramonte Resort’s The Well in Indian Wells, Cal., offers a Tuscan-inspired regime, including healing mud baths, river benches (relaxation spots in a shallow outdoor stream) and wine baths.

Trend Tip:
Longing for a lifestyle like the rich and famous? Dr. Phil aficionados may recognize The Well as the setting for wellness programs chronicled during the “Weight Loss Challenge.” Or do like the celebs and escape from it all. The most exclusive, tony, isolated resort is the private island of Parrot Cay, in the Turks and Caicos islands, where body and spirit are revived through meditation, massage and movement (including yoga and Pilates).

Courtesy Kenneth Cole It's groovy to be well-groomed.

Man about town
Want the latest on luxe spa treatments? Just ask the hunky guy down the hall — or your husband! Maybe it’s the “metrosexual” trend or perhaps it’s just a growing awareness that most women like their guys to groom at least a little better than a caveman, but one thing is clear: Men are jumping on the beauty and spa bandwagon. For the uninitiated, a visit to a posh, old-school barber shop for a “shave and a haircut” is a great first step. There, he’ll be treated to applications of steaming towels (to open the pores), bracing aftershaves and restorative moisturizers. He can continue at-home with treatments such as the King of Shaves XCD  — repped by basketball star Jason Kidd — or the manly formulations from Jack Black.

Trend Tip:
Want to introduce your man to skin-care? Help him get into the routine with man-friendly formulations from some of the world’s most trusted (and scientifically advanced) skincare brands. Two to try: Clinique’s 3-Step cleansing, toning and moisturizing formulas, or the anti-oxidant, soothing protection found in La Prairie’s Cellular Soothing Lotion and Cellular Intensive Moisturizer.

Courtesy La Prairie A massage is a great stress-reliever.

Tea time
Some of the most invigorating at-home treatments incorporate the best that Mother Nature has to offer. The trend to catch right now involves skincare products that tap into the healing properties of green tea. There are plenty of choices — Dr. Brandt’s Lineless Soothing Mask, a super soothing herbal mask formulated with chamomile, aloe and green tea; the intensive Green Tea + Primrose Night Cream from Paula Dorf; Moisture Defense Soothing Eye Gels from MD Formulations; Phyto Sculptural Anti-Cellulite treatments, and the complete Elizabeth Arden Green Tea collection, which includes body lotions, creams, scrubs and butters, plus shampoos and conditioners.

Trend Tip:
The green-tea trend is also spreading to the ever-popular aromatherapy. Fabulous fragrances based on this scent include: Bulgari's Eau Parfumee, Guerlain’s Aqua Allegoria Herbal Fresca, Silver Mountain Water from Creed, Elizabeth Arden’s Green Tea Intense Eau de Parfum Natural Spray and L’Occitane’s Green Tea candle.

Courtesy La Prairie A facial can be fabulous!

Age away
The perfect “beauty booster,” of course, would effortlessly restore us to gorgeous youthfulness. We’re not there yet, but new treatments are constantly being developed that offer non-invasive ways to combat the effects of time and the environment. From Osmotics comes Kinetin, a natural alternative to Retin-A, which its makers claim targets and slows age-related changes without irritation or sun sensitivity. Fashionistas will welcome Reviving Bio-Firm Concentrate from Prada Beauty, which contains collagen, collagen boosters and firmers to tone and plump skin. And from Nature Bissa by Christian Dior, the Inhibit Deep Expression Line Inhibitor promises to minimize lines and wrinkles without the loss of natural expression (a common side effect of Botox) by gradually reducing the neurotransmitters that initiate muscle contraction. Haute high tech!

Trend Tip:
Even the most restful of vacations can leave skin looking dull and tired from “travel fatigue.” We love the new Jet Set Skin Set from MD Formulations, which contains hydrating, anti-oxidant ingredients you can apply through an invigorating skin spray, a puff-reducing eye cream, a rich moisturizing serum and a sleeping mask.

Only on TODAY.MSNBc.com! Style editor Judy Gordon brings you the latest news and advice about apparel and beauty. LAST WEEK: Love is in the air — and in your closet GO TO ALL FASHION FRIDAY COLUMNS

Judy Gordon is a New York-based style consultant and the “Today” show’s style editor. She has been covering the fashion and beauty beat for the past decade. To learn more, you can visit her Web site, TheTrendReport.com, which highlights style trends in America.

firstVIEW is the primary supplier of photos to Fashion Friday. Go to www.firstVIEW.com for the latest pictures from top fashion shows around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Milan, Brazil, New Zealand, South Korea and more.

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