By Camille Sperrazza
If you’ve been putting off a visit to the spa, wait no more. Come celebrate “Spa Week,” April 14-20, and take advantage of huge savings. My favorite spa, Bruno Salon & Spa (6911 Shore Road, 718-921-0736), is offering some special services at reduced prices. For example, during Spa Week, you can get a deep cleansing facial, Swedish massage, microdermabrasion, or laser hair removal treatment for $50 for each 50 minutes of services, says Bruno Grillo, the spa’s owner. It’s a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of the anti-aging procedures you may have always wanted to try. While there, you can have your hair cut, styled, and colored, too. You’ll certainly be pampered here, by a staff that knows its business. Dr. Louis Tranese, Olga Miller, and Anna Dash are skin care specialists who will help you look radiant. Heather Wolf will provide you with a massage that will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed. By the time you leave, you’ll look terrific and feel sensational. Ever wonder how celebrities manage to have such glowing skin? Bruno says that the “secret” is microdermabrasion, which leaves skin softer, smoother, and fresh-looking. How wonderful to be able to take advantage of this treatment at such a reduced cost during Spa Week. When Bruno lets you in on some celebrity “secrets,” he knows what’s he’s talking about. He is a hair color specialist who has personally worked on the hair of celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Bernadette Peters, Stockard Channing, Jennifer Lopez, Cindy Crawford, and Michael Douglas, just to drop a handful of big names. He’s a master of his craft who has worked at legendary hair salons in Manhattan such as Oribe and Oscar Blonde. He generously says that he was trained by “some of the best colorists in the business.” While employed at these exclusive Manhattan salons, his clients included models, actors, and actresses — people who had to look good every day as their livelihoods depended upon it. After a decade of rubbing elbows (and the heads) of these stars, Bruno decided to open his own shop, bringing the elegance and sophistication of a Manhattan-type salon to the borough. A visit here is a wonderful experience. The salon is spotless, and the entire staff makes you feel welcome. I know because long before I was given the assignment to write this article, I purchased a haircut at Bruno’s. Stylist Gregory Americo managed to turn my thick, wavy, short hair into a fabulous, easy-to-manage style. I was delighted with the look, and received lots of compliments. To show you the attention to detail they provide, my hair was washed before the cut, and after it. This last wash was at Greg’s insistence, and it ascertains the shop’s professionalism, as it meant I walked out of the salon, with a dazzling new hair style, void of any loose hairs that are typically left to fall, unflatteringly, on to your face or shoulders as you go about your day. Greg also provided lots of laughs while he cut, making the entire experience fun and relaxing. Hair cuts for women start at $55. Men’s haircuts are $40. Single process coloring for women starts at $60; combination of colors, with highlights, range from $130 and up. Additional spa services include Botox, to relax facial lines, and injectable fillers for wrinkles. Dr. Tranese will provide you with a free consultation during Spa Week. Bruno Salon & Spa also specializes in make-up for brides and their parties. The staff is very savvy when it comes to styling and up-do’s. Many bridal groups take advantage of this one-stop facility to be completely made over. Then, they treat themselves to massages “that really get into the nooks and crannies of those tight stress muscles,” Bruno says. What a terrific way to get rid of the stress caused by endless wedding preparations. You can also get a wonderful manicure at Bruno’s, and make purchases from the extensive line of J.F. Lazartigue hair products, from Paris. “They’re very popular in Europe,” says Bruno, and while they were once were “only available in Manhattan, they’re now available here.” If you’re ready to add some flair to your life, stop by Bruno Salon & Spa for Manhattan-style service, with Brooklyn prices. Take advantage of Spa Week for additional savings. Bruno Salon & Spa is open seven days a week. Further information may be found at the website, www.brunosalonandspa.com.
