METROPOLIS MAGIC: “We are always elevating our services for the benefit of our customers. They know they can count on us to offer quality services in a special environment,” says Theresa Carr, owner of Metropolis Salon Spa, who is looking forward to the Metropolis “Sip & Shop” holiday open house on Monday, December 5. Shown is the front area of the salon, and in the background the newly expanded retail section.

By Jean Stratton

Metropolis Spa Salon is a success story!

When so many businesses come and go these days, seemingly in a flash, Metropolis has a special story to tell. Opened in the Princeton Shopping Center in 1993, it has evolved from a small, fledging operation into a flourishing spa and salon, where clients can choose one service or have a total hair and body experience.

Fifty-two employees — including hairstylists, estheticians, massage therapists, and makeup artists — are on hand to ensure each client’s best look and complete satisfaction.

Owner Theresa Carr provides a thorough training program for all the staff as well as a continuing education program with workshops and seminars on the latest techniques and treatments.

“We have continuing training for our staff in all areas,” she points out.

Special Brand

Certainly, the staff is up-to-date on all the latest advances and services for hair, skin and body care. Moreover, they continue to provide customers with their special brand of service in a relaxing and rejuvenating atmosphere.

The relaxing sensation begins upon arrival, with the soothing sight of a flowing waterfall in the large front window. Entering the attractive sophisticated, yet comfortable, spacious setting offers one a preview of the experience ahead.

“We wanted service to be more of a focus, and have people know that besides getting quality attention, they would also feel relaxed while they are here, and rejuvenated when they leave,” emphasizes Carr. “It should be a very positive experience. “We have designed a truly luxurious setting, where your every need is pampered in the most natural and relaxing atmosphere. Forget the hectic routine of daily life while you relax and enjoy our extensive services. You need mental and physical relaxation in this stressful world. Our spa offers this opportunity. This isn’t a luxury anymore, it’s a basic necessity.”

New Look

To enhance the experience, Metropolis has undergone an extensive renovation, which began on the main floor, reports Operations Director Elisa Migliacci.

“Our renovation is refreshing our look,” she says. “And, now the spa, which is downstairs, is undergoing its renovation. In addition, we have greatly expanded our retail section with a variety of high quality hair and skin care items, and wellness lifestyle brands and personal products. These are all very popular, and many are organic products.”

If the renovation is refreshing the Metropolis look, its many services can certainly refresh the customers’ look. Whether it’s a new hair cut or color, a rejuvenating massage or body treatment, soothing pedicure for tired toes, a manicure with the latest in nail art, or a glamorous makeup application, any or all of these are guaranteed to provide a new look and even a new outlook!

So often when one looks good, one feels good, and that is the goal of the Metropolis staff.

“Customer service is key,” points out Carr. “We want to be a place when if people have had a hard day, they’ll think to call Metropolis and know it’s a place where they will indeed feel and look good. This is our biggest priority and pleasure.”

Where to begin? Metropolis offers such an array of “balm for the body” that any choice is bound to be beneficial. Massage, facials, and body treatments can all complement a great new haircut (whether classic or cutting edge) and color.

Facials and massages are known stress relievers, and customers have the choice of many different facial treatments, whether for teenage skin problems or aging skin issues for mature clients.

Customized Treatment

Both women and men enjoy the benefits of facials, and Carr explains that the estheticians provide an assessment of each individual’s skin condition in an initial consultation. “There is a customized facial treatment for every skin condition, and the esthetician will determine what is most suitable for each individual.”

“AquaDerm is a special facial treatment, and provides exceptional results,” she continues. “It is a fluid-based infusion with vitamins that exfoliates, hydrates, and brightens the skin. It is a new version of microdermabrasion.”

Massage and body treatments offer many opportunities to relieve aches and pains, enhance skin tone, and relax and rejuvenate. There are many choices for many conditions.

Other services include face and body waxing and spray tanning, as well as tanning products.

Fashion Statement

The Metropolis hairstylists can create the perfect look for each client as they take into account facial structure and hair texture. A new cut and color may be just the thing for the holidays and the new year.

Color is a major part of hair maintenance today, and as Carr points out, it is a fashion statement now, often changing with the seasons. And, while it is still used to cover gray, color variations attract more and more younger people to try out a new color and a new look.

“Our color technicians are very knowledgeable and understand the chemistry in color,” she says. “We use the high quality L’Oreal Elite hair products, and also, there have been such advances in technology with safer, improved color formulations.

“Among the techniques, Bayalage is very popular. It is a hair painting technique, basically another way of highlighting. In addition, we offer color correction for people who may have made a mistake trying it on their own, and we also have treatments for thinning hair and other conditions.”

Makeup applications are favorites for brides and for those attending special events and parties, and in addition, eyelash extensions and eyelash tinting are often in demand.

Safety for customers has always been a priority at Metropolis, and this is evidenced with manicures and pedicures, reports Carr. “Everything is sterilized with special solutions, and it is medical grade.”

Purification System

“During COVID, when we were closed for several months, we installed a state-of-the-art air purification system, which actually scrubs the air four times a day,” says Carr. “This is the latest, most advanced technology. We want to have the safest environment for our customers and staff.”

She is very happy that customers have been returning since Metropolis reopened. They are from the Princeton area and beyond, and many have been coming since Metropolis opened.

“We have many loyal customers who have actually become friends,” notes Carr. “Even second generation clients are coming now — grown children of our original clients. This is a special kind of loyalty that we have acquired. It is personal relationships.

“In addition, we have many new clients all the time. We actually get 100 new customers every week. Some find us online, but there is also a lot of word-of-mouth and lots of referrals from clients.”

As they continue to return, customers are delighted with the expanded retail section, where they can find an extensive selection of products for all their hair and body needs.

“It is really a one-stop shopping opportunity, when you include our services and our retail products,” says Migliacci. “We offer an array of skin and hair supplies, including such brands as SkinCeuticals and Cinq Mondes, a French product exclusive to us in the area.

“In addition, we have hair supplies of all kinds, such as handcrafted hair jewelry, other designer jewelry, high-end candles, and wonderful bath products. Bath bombs, which are actually bath balms, are both soothing and exfoliating. These are available in special containers, and can be a delightful teacher’s gift for $10.”

“Sip & Shop”

“We want to be sure to invite everyone to our special ‘Sip & Shop’ holiday reception on Monday, December 5 from 5 to 8 p.m,” says Migliacci. “We will have a wonderful selection of products at discounts, a representative from SkinCeuticals will be doing complimentary skin scope sessions, and refreshments include wine and cheese. It is a great way to see our new lines and holiday kits.

“I also want to let everyone know about our new app. This provides all the latest up-to-date information regarding services, products, as well as a way to make an appointment. it is the easiest and fastest way to find out what is happening at Metropolis.”

The spa salon offers gift certificates for any amount, and they can also be combined for several services. This will be an especially welcome holiday gift, and is a wonderful way to introduce someone who has not enjoyed the benefits of a facial or massage, or to treat them to a new haircut or color.

Carr is proud of seeing Metropolis evolve during its 29 years into a special place, known for high-end services and exceptional quality.

“I have been fortunate to cultivate my own business, and I am grateful to all our clients for helping this to happen,” says Carr. “The knowledge and experience of our staff, the continuing education, the excellence of our services, and the high quality of our product lines all set us apart. I believe there is no other spa salon like ours in the area.”

Metropolis is open Monday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call (609) 683-8388 for further information or visit metropolisspa.com.