With the stress of work and everyday living settling in the body, the star of the Ultimate Beauty Spa says there is no better time to relax your mind, body and soul than now.
Recently consolidating her three locations into one facility at 2015 Murray Ave., spa owner Leslie Askerneese is prepared to pamper and ease the strains of her clientele through professional, personalized and private services. Unlike previous locations (in Duquesne, Oakland and Homewood), the Squirrel Hill location features a skin care and waxing room, a massage room with three tables, and a wet room with Vichy showers. Decorated in natural colors, fragrant aromatherapy and soft relaxing music adds to the overall soothing ambiance.
UBS services include massage therapy, body wraps and treatment, body waxing, manicures, pedicures, hand and foot treatments, facials, as well as lash and make-up applications. Treatments can be purchased individually, in customized spa packages or in conjunction with spa memberships.
Askerneese also offers a natural nail treatment combined with a home maintenance system that avoids application of acrylics and provides products that strengthen and maintain the health and growth of the natural nail.
Introduced to natural skin care, glamour and the importance of taking care of herself at a young age by her father, Askerneese has combined her knowledge and interest to create her own skin care products, the Ultimate Skin Cuizine. She describe as it as being made with natural organic ingredients-the body polisher, cream souffl� and body butter assist in rejuvenating dull, dry and lifeless skin, leaving it soft, smooth and silky.
'We have all types of skin. People always tell me how dry their skin is (even I have an assortment of allergies); over-the-counter skin care products are not for all people,' says Askerneese.
'The Ultimate Skin Cuizine is an excellent product for all skin types.'
Citing massage as one of the most popular services offered by UBS, massage therapist John McCaa describes the technique as manipulation of the muscles that increases blood flow and detoxifies. 'A massage forces out the old and lets in the new blood and does the same with the oxygen bringing in nutrients,' he explains. 'It releases tension, stress and pain.'
Along with regular massages, he emphasized that proper posture, stretching, exerasing and healthy eating is important to maintaining a healthy body.
Realizing her clients can't always come to the spa, Askerneese provides corporate massage programs and chair massages at tradeshows and events. Practitioners travel to the workplace and deliver a short 10- to 20-minute neck, shoulders, back and arms massage, done through the clothing, in an ergonomically designed chair.
The UBS at-work chair massage program offers businesses wellness and stress reduction services, on-site seated massages for wellness initiatives and business events, employee/staff appreciation and recognition and incentive programs, health, safety and fitness and wellness fair event programs, business 'lunch and learn' sessions on stress and nutrition topics and life skills.
Askerneese regularly attends workshops, seminars and trade shows to stay abreast with the newest techniques to add to her services. Her educational background includes Strayed Business College in Washington, D.C., the Pittsburgh Beauty Academy, School of Massage Therapy and Community College of Allegheny County.
Focusing on the needs of her clientele while maintaining a relaxing atmosphere, Askerneese says her goal is to offer a variety of health and wellness workshops to encourage people to utilize the Ultimate Beauty Spa.
'I want people to see and feel the experience and view the spa as a serene place to escape the hustle and bustle of their environment and relax their mind, body and soul.'
The spa's Web site, www. theultimatebeautyspa.com, details the entire range of services and treatments. Themed packages are also available throughout the year.
'January 8th through the 12th we are celebrating my birthday, so we are offering a treatment package,' says Askerneese. 'Pay $100 and receive six treatments. Saturdays we have Spa Happy Hours between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m. Stop in and unwind from the week. Come socialize with others, sip champagne punch and munch on snacks, while receiving express treatments.
'In February we will observe Valentine's Day; for the whole week we will offer full body massages-buy one get the other for half-price. We offer packages that include a couple's massage, limo service for two, champagne, breakfast, lunch or dinner will also be served and a violinist, too! We are also offering a package that includes chocolate body treats as well as a chocolate body massage; hotel reservations and photography is also available.'
(To learn more about the Ultimate Spa and its services, or to schedule an appointment, call 412-421-7100.)
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TAKING A BREAK-Ultimate Beauty Spa owner Leslie Askerneese and massage therapist John McCaa unwind in the massage room on one of three massage tables.
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A TOUCH OF RELAXATION-During a holiday event, Angelina Y. George receives a chair massage from UBS owner Leslie Askerneese.
[Author Affiliation]
by Diane I. Daniels
For New Pittsburgh Courier
