SILOAM SPRINGS — In an economy that leaves little room for luxury, there is a business in Siloam Springs that offers a full family salon and spa services at an affordable rate.

For 20 years, V.I.P. Salon & Day Spa, in Spring Creek Center, at 1270 Hwy. 412, has been a place for pampering.

In addition to the standard hair cuts and styles, permanents and hair straightening that many other area salons offer, V.I.P.

also boasts services including eyebrow and lash dying and extensions, special occasion styles and ear piercing.

The salon also allows customers to indulge in full and partial body waxing, facials, microderm abrasion, chemical peels and professional make-up application.

Manicures and pedicures, including toe nail trimming, paraffin wax treatment and acrylic nails range in price from $10 to $45.

“People like to visit our salon and spa from out of town as an adventure,” said Roxy Anderson, an eight year employee of V.I.P. “We offer a lot of services here and do what we can to keep on top of what’s new in the industry.”

Customers with a bit of time on their hands may also schedule appointments with Renee Johnson, the salon’s massage therapist.

At a rate of $30 for 30minutes, $40 for 45 minutes or $50 for a full hour, visitors to Johnson’s therapy room are delivered intensive, personalized massage sessions.

“We’ve offered massage since 1995,” said Diana Griscom, V.I.P. owner. “We were one of the first places in Siloam to actually offer it.”

The newest addition to V.I.P’s long line of services, announced just last month, is closely linked with Johnson’s services and heavily padded massage table.

With several hours of specialized training added to her two year old White River School of Massage license, Johnson is now certified to administer a type of cold stone therapy used to ease migraine headaches.

“I wanted to add something new to the salon and be able to offer something different to the people that come in,” Griscom said.

“There are so many people in this town that suffer from migraine headaches.”

With the help of scented Migraine Miracle Oil, oval, half moon, round temple and large moon stones, Johnson is able to soothe the pain of migraines.

“There are four major causes of migraines - food, environment, stress and hormonal,” Johnson said. “I use cold marble stones along with pure oils with scents targeted to help specific types of headaches.”

The light marble stones are kept in a freezer until a customer arrives. They arethen transplanted into a bowl filled with ice and strategically placed in points on the head.

Customers can expect to pay $45 for a 45 minute migraine therapy session.

“For a normal person who doesn’t have migraines the cold is intense but for people with migraines, well, they can’t get them coldenough,” Johnson said.

“When you have a migraine, the blood vessels in your head enlarge - that’s why you get that horrible throbbing sensation.”

Johnson sees as an average of 15 scheduled massages clients a week. She has yet to schedule anyone for a migraine massage, she said.

“Most of my people come in for relaxation massages and they usually want deep-tissue treatment,” she added. “They usually want their back, neck and shoulders done.”

Johnson’s practiced hands paired with the massage room’s walls lined with sound proof boards, memory foam mattress pad, jersey knit sheets, heated table, warmed oil and towels and serene music complete the V.I.P relaxation experience.

“I’ve worked for V.I.P for over a year and I really like the environment here,” Johnson said. “Growing up everyone always told me that I gave good massages so I knew that this is what I wanted to do.”

As each client leaves, Johnson takes care to jot down notes about their visit and their likes and dislikes for future massages.

V.I.P’s massages and migraine treatments are available Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Walk ins are welcome but appointments are encouraged.

V.I.P, open for appointments and walk-ins, is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Special appointments may be made for the weekend by calling 524-9898.

Business, Pages 14 on 11/04/2009

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