Étant
Dry skin. Aging skin. Sun-damaged skin. When your visage—and your spirit—need a boost, there’s no place better than this cozy spa, situated on the ground floor of a Tremont Street townhouse. Offering not one but 11 unique, glow-inducing facials, Étant’s detail-oriented aestheticians make sure no clogged pore, blemish, or wrinkle is overlooked (bonus points for the incredibly soothing upper-body massage). Purchase a pack of six or 12 and make this a habit, not an occasional indulgence. 524 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02116, etant.com.
Bliss
Let’s face it: Bikini waxes aren’t fun. At best, you’re scraped and chiseled as quickly and painlessly as possible. Enter Bliss, at the W hotel. The experienced (and understanding) technicians start with a soothing rose-and-chamomile cleanser before applying a layer of oil to protect the skin. Then, a signature stripless wax “shrink-wraps” the hair follicles to make removal gentler for more, ahem, sensitive areas. It’s almost blissful. 100 Stuart St., Boston, MA 02116, wboston.com/bliss-spa-boston.
Noel McKinnon, Makeup 2 Die 4
Brides call Noel McKinnon the "wedding whisperer," a nod to her cucumber-cool poise. Armed with a silky southern accent, individual lashes, and airbrush foundation, she creates flawless looks in a soothing atmosphere—which makes sense considering she's worked with everyone from Miss Universe Olivia Culpo to comedian Amy Poehler. makeup2die4.com.
Harvard Gardens
A bit loungey, a tad yuppie, Harvard Gardens is an ideal place to meet your dress-casual mate. The bar is crowded from Wednesday to Saturday, but the low lighting and comfy booths make the setting conducive to storing digits in your cell or just having a light getting-to-know-you conversation. Mostly for the 20s-to-30s set, this spot is especially popular on Thursdays, when you'll have ample opportunity to pitch the perfect pickup line. 316 Cambridge St., Boston, MA harvardgardens.com.
Johnny's Luncheonette
On weekends, Johnny's teems with families. But step in for any pre-workday fuel-up and you'll encounter an entirely different feel. The retro red vinyl booths and bright checkerboard floor are still there, of course, but the chaos is gone. Patrons linger over porridge with apples and cranberries, and plates heaped with feather-light buttermilk pancakes. Splurge on the oversized servings of cheese blintzes or catch one of the breakfast specials for $4 or less. It's all so good, you may just find yourself craving French toast come dinnertime. 1105 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA johnnysluncheonette.com.
David Costa,
Gone are the days of having to endure deep-tissue torture in order to feel terrific, thanks to the skills of master massage therapist David Costa. His touch is strong enough to relieve stress and aches, but soothing enough to remind you that you're at a spa. Costa's ACE treatment—a full-body exfoliation followed by a massage—is 80 minutes of pure bliss. 38 Newbury St., Boston, MA bellasante.com.
Bella Sante
This Newbury Street destination is everything a spa should be: luxurious, tranquil, soothing, and relaxing. Yes, you can get the usual spa fare like facials, massages, and various body treatments; but Bella Sante also offers a number of signature treatments like oxygen, champagne yeast, and acupuncture facials, plus hot-rock Reiki massages. Men are not forgotten: Macho Mondays are a veritable testosterone fest, with snack food, ESPN on television, old-fashioned hot shaves, and deep tissue massages. 38 Newbury Street, Boston, MA bellasante.com.
Shreve, Crump & Low
So a pearl may be nothing more than a grain of sand that managed to irritate an oyster. The finished product is way more likely to soothe than aggravate. Shreve, Crump & Low has one of the largest selections of Mikimoto pearls in New England, including the South Sea collection of creamy white and black pearls studded with diamonds and precious gems. 330 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Casa Romero
With so many tacky taquerias representing what in reality is an extremely graceful cuisine, it's little wonder Americans rarely give Mexican food the credit it deserves. Which is where Casa Romero rushes in, with its menu full of smooth textures (the grilled shrimp with tomatillos and cilantro are at once piquant and soothing) and its energy, a balance between dramatic and intimate. The brightly tiled and brick-walled interior is a cozy delight, and the friendly, knowledgeable service only nudges the experience even closer toward elegance. 30 Gloucester St., Boston, MA casaromero.com.
Gaslight
On a lazy weekend, there's no better spot to linger with a mimosa than this South End brasserie. Sleek booths and communal tables, plus a rugged bar and sun-lit patio thick with umbrellas, provide a trés chic setting for tucking into Parisian classics like poached eggs with red wine sauce, and a croque-monsieur loaded with tasso ham and topped with bubbling Gruyére. 560 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 2118, gaslight560.com.
Jennifer Harvey, The Wellesley Center
With years of teaching under her belt, and a style that's at once soothing and energizing, it's no wonder Harvey has such a huge following. Her phenomenally popular neuromuscular integrative action class feels like MTV-meets-dance-therapy; it's a great workout regardless of your fitness level. Harvey is also great at modification, offering a class as challenging for advanced students as beginners. 140 Great Plain Ave., Wellesley, MA .
The Helmand
This Afghan restaurant packs a tapestry of spice into every dish, from the marinated meat on the seekh kabab to the delicate baby pumpkin. The broad dining room's flaming bread oven, extensive wine list, and exotic decor transport you from everyday Cambridge to distant Kabul. Soothe your surging palate afterward with full-bodied Turkish coffee. 143 First St., East Cambridge, MA .
Brian Hemming, Regeneration Tattoo
Whether you’re looking for a nonjudgmental consult for your very first tat or finishing off a sleeve with a portrait of a beloved pet, Brian Hemming’s attention to detail and years of experience soothe. He’s justifiably popular, so book early and be prepared to wait for your permanent work of art. 155 Harvard Ave., Allston, 02134, regenerationtattoo.com.
Lord & Taylor
If the idea of swimwear shopping conjures feelings usually reserved for the dentist's office, fret not: Lord & Taylor's selection should soothe even the most reluctant buyer. Make a beeline for the first floor, where you'll find Trina Turk bikinis and anything-but-boring Diesel men's board shorts. Prudential Center, Boston, MA 02199, lordandtaylor.com.
Guerda Massage & Skin Care
After many years spent working at some of the area's top spas, Guerda Paul struck out on her own in 2010. Her warm demeanor and ability to find, target, and soothe problem areas make her deep-tissue and Swedish massages ($90 for an hour) well worth a trip to Wellesley. 47 River St., Wellesley, MA 02481, guerdamassagetherapy.com.