One thing we transplanted New Yorker’s are always complaining about in Southern Cali is the dearth of real ‘neighborhoods’ and real neighborhood folk, so it’s nice to discover a friendly, authentic neighborhood spa with great service, great tunes and great aestheticians. Nitespa pros in Venice, California are “beautifying nails and skin ‘til midnight.â€
The spa has been here (and thriving) in a charming, old school California bungalow off Abbot Kinney and Santa Clara for seven years, which I’m shocked to learn, but then again, it is off the beaten path.
While I’m waiting, people meander in, bring their food and eat on the porch outside before services, drop by to pick up some product or just catch up on local news. The kick back, chill vibe is just what I need after a long day—and I’m grateful to know
that should my day have been any longer, I’d still be able to swing by and get services done since they make it a point to stay open late; hence the name “Nitespa.â€
Nitespa offers a wealth of services; pedicures, facials, waxings, nail care, tarot readings (yes, that’s right! Get your fortune told while you get your nails done!), and massage. My introduction to the spa and its menu kicks off with a massage from resident masseur, Evan Leith. Leith starts out by asking me if I’ve any injuries (the standard) but then goes above and beyond and thankfully so, asking if there are any areas that I don’t want massaged. Since I normally don’t like anyone touching my face, I tell Leith and he works around the area. He even adds Tiger Balm at my request to help ease my tension, incorporates a technique called petrissage (which 
I keep calling “petrogylphs†) and soon I am falling asleep on the table.
The salon is the creation of Julia Martin who wanted to bring a 70s chic ambiance to local clientele. There are white shag pillows, retro Cosmopolitans (read an article on Shirley McLaine before she went “Out on a Limb†) and purple Lucite tubs for those pretty pedicures, but best of all there’s a great, modern soundtrack playing in the background with the dial tuned to Sirius XM Chill; I even hear a new Bassnectar track; just heavenly.
“I started Nitespa because I saw a big gap in the service model of the spa business,†says Martin. “My friends and I wanted a spa experience that was less formal and more fun. And, we wanted to be able to go at night when we could actually relax. So, voila, Nitespa was born and in many ways we are the opposite of the traditional spa experience. We offer a relaxed not stuffy or clinical atmosphere, fun treatments and lighthearted therapists. Isn’t that what most people want at the end of a day?â€
Nitespa also offers an all-organic skin care line. The Hippie Scrub is a gentle green tea scrub with very fine granules so as to never be too abrasive. It’s good for imperfections and fine lines. $38. The O.C. is a sweet, lightweight orange foaming gel cleanser for all types of skin. It sells for $28. And if you’re worried about those fine lines developing, worry no more. Secret Beauty Agent is a moisturizer that can be used in the day or evening. It has olive and sunflower and avocado and cucumber extract and retails at a modest $38. But my personal favorite is Luna de Miel; a honey pear “Honeymoon Sugar Polish.†Count on the sugar to slough off dead skin leaving skin ultra-smooth and petal soft. $32.
And for those of you ladies in a hurry (and aren’t we all, always?), Nitespa Society is a membership to the Nitespa salon that offers discounts on all their services and provides clients with a standing appointment each month.
I haven’t felt this at home and pampered in a long time. If you haven’t yet, do yourself a favor and check out Nitespa. Open noon ‘til midnight by appointment, Tuesday through Sunday. For more info or to book an appointment call (310) 396-5122.
www.nitespa.com
