Body Essence

0.2 mi

This was by far the most lovely facial experience I have ever had. Tory was my esthetician and…read morecould not have been more magical. From the moment I walked in to the moment I left, I felt so lovingly cared for. The space is gorgeous, the product/potions are the results of Rachel Budde's witchy GENIUS & both staff members were pure gems. After the facial I was invited to hydrate in the cafe with a pot of brewed tea & a delightful raw/vegan treat - a great way to transition back to the default/everydayness. Overall, this was the perfect way to end a self-care day. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a little personal R&R, retreat idea or gift for a loved one. T H A N K - Y O U!

This place is amazing. Beautiful down to every last detail. Tory is a true gem. And all products…read moreluxurious. Go!

Custom facials with our house Kosmos Skincare and Fat and the Moon potions.

Come visit

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Live, vegan, gluten free Kosmic sweets and bites

Starling Skin Studio

4.9

(11 reviews)

0.8 mi

I loved my facial at Starling Skin Studio! Alison is amazing, her space is beautiful and my skin…read morehas never looked better. I was so very impressed with my entire experience. This was by far the best facial I have ever had, she customized everything to be perfectly what I needed for my skin concerns and goals. I was so comfortable and relaxed, I enjoyed learning about the products she uses. I was able to buy a few lira products that I fell in love with and am enjoying them at home till I can see Alison again. My skin is still glowing, the irritation I was battling for months before seeing her is finally clearing and my skin is looking smooth and dewy!

LOVE Starling Skin Studio!! A gorgeous space that's clean and relaxing! Alison is a wealth of…read moreknowledge and my skin looks and feels so much better after every treatment! Plus, she has an excellent tableside manner that makes me feel delicious in my self-care. Not to mention she is extremely easy to talk to and very funny! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

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Sandy B

(4 reviews)

0.2 mi

I couldn't believe I found my aesthetic in Nevada City. Sandy herself admitted her style jives more…read morewith the Bay Area tourists who come into town than the locals. Loved the aprons, jewelry and nooks and crannies filled with vintage treasures. Can't wait until her online store launches (check back at http://www.shopsandyb.com/). P.S. Her lovely house + retail shop is up for sale...(at least as of mid-May). If you're looking to escape the big city for the nicety of the small town and owning your own boutique, look no further.

If you are ever lucky enough to be in the picturesque antique town of Nevada City don't miss out on…read morea visit to Sandy B. You' find everything from Mrs. Myers cleaning supplies to vintage bird houses...not to mention the new kitchy vintage aprons, housewares and Classic Hardware jewelry. Its a fun shop to look around in and you'll find the one of a kind gifts for anybody. Sandy B herself is there to help you with your buying needs and her enthusiasm for the merchandise is refreshing!

California College of Ayurveda Day Spa

I was pressured by my practitioner to do a 10 day pancha karma while recovering from a serious…read morevirus, something which we later learned in class (I was also a student there) is contraindicated. I began having symptoms of low ojas (immunity) the first night, but those symptoms were ignored and treatment continued. I wasn't taken seriously, as the practitioners invested most of their time and energy in the other patient who was receiving treatment at that time. I felt very off by the end of pancha karma, and when doing our post-treatment intake, my practitioner would challenge, question me, and try to get me to change my answers whenever a symptom hadn't improved like she expected it to. I ended up developing severe fatigue, mood swings, exhaustion, weakened immune system, weight gain, chronic sore throats, etc. Some of these symptoms took over a year to subside, and I still have some of them to this day. When I contacted Dr. Halpern a little over a month after getting PK, at first he said these symptoms were not normal, but then after talking to my practitioner, denied that there was any problem and stood by her decision to pressure me into these treatments, and said that if I'm still having any issues that I can get more extremely expensive rejuvenation treatments at the college.

Way overpriced for a college spa experience unless you think $5k is reasonable for spending 8 days…read morealone. The practitioners were lovely but the food was terrible. This college is money hungry and not concerned with the experience of the client.

Sarvata Ayurveda

(3 reviews)

3.1 mi

Ashi is extraordinary!…read more On my first visit to Sarvata Ayurveda, I wasn't sure what I wanted or needed, but deep relaxation was my goal. Ashi took the time to truly connect with me, aligning her energy with mine. Through mindful listening, she recommended Abhyanga, Facial Rejuvenation, and Shirodhara, and it was absolutely perfect. The experience was grounding, cleansing, and exactly what I needed. I can't wait for my next visit to Grass Valley, CA! #Ayurveda #WellnessJourney #Relaxation #HealingTouch

I feel so taken care of with Ashi. Her presence is grounded and deep, as is her Abhyanga massage. I…read morehave received several different Ayurvedic treatments from her now, and all of them have been wonderful!

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Living Waters Colon Hydrotherapy

This is a great service in our community. Darlene is professional and deeply caring. She explains…read morethe process very well and is kind, gentle and encouraging. Her studio is quiet, calming and spotlessly clean. The equipment she uses is top of the line and the entire process is comfortable and soothing. Darlene is a true healer, she tunes in to what her clients needs are, both physically and emotionally. A doctor at the hospital sent me home with a completely impacted and blocked colon, advising me to take more laxatives. I was in acute distress for two more days, unable to eat, drink, or eliminate. Darlene truly saved my life and helped me more than I can say. I'm very grateful.

Darlene does an amazing job overseeing and holding the space for such a sensitive and intimate…read moretreatment. I have had over 20 colonics with her now over the course of 4 years, including a 10-day program that included an herbal cleansing kit and a suggested liver flush. All I can say is, WOW! And, thank god I did it! Not only did I see stuff I knew was not good to have inside of me, but her support, education and her wisdom really helped me tie whole-body health together. She really helped me be at ease with myself throughout the process, without any pushiness or overdoing. She held the space and really coached me along the way to better health. I recommend this to anyone who wants to really see and feel a difference in their health, regardless of whatever else is going on. I know that during my detoxing efforts, it was the colon hydrotherapy that took away the headaches, nausea, fatigue when my body needed it most. I WOULD NEVER do a cleanse without this kind of work. A 15-day fast couldn't of happened so smoothly without her help and guidance. I recommend this to anyone, since everyone has stuck stuff in the colon from years of dietary choices and/or stress that makes the colon hold on to crummy junk! When you start to clear out the junk, you really become aware of what is causing a lot of health problems and depleting your vitality. I really do believe Darlene is right about "the colon being the root cause or a main contributor to all health problems"... I keep verifying that for myself in my own body... so should anyone else :) THANK YOU, THANK YOU, DARLENE!

The gravity fed LIBBE device has many great features such as mimicking an enema in its flow.

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Please remember, my suite is 'F', as in 'Frank'.

Amanda's Aesthetics

4.9

(7 reviews)

3.3 mi

I've been getting my lashes done by Amanda for about 4 months now and I've had them done for many…read moreyears by others. She is the BEST! She's meticulous, and she takes her time and has much pride in her work. I had my first facial with her today too and it was AMAZING! If you want someone who is thorough so they last and always look beautiful...She's your girl!

Amanda did make-up for my bridesmaids/mom/me for my wedding this year and did an amazing job!! She…read morewas very professional, kept everything on time, extremely friendly, and we all felt beautiful. I would definitely recommend working with her!

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Kim Masseuse Extraordinaire

Simply outstanding. After reading several of the 5-star reviews for Kim, I expected…read moreperfection...and I got it. Nice quiet room with a very comfortable table and some nice quiet music. Kim knows what she's doing, my neck had been giving me heck for 5 weeks; I was so tight, Kim had to use her full body weight on a couple of upper back muscles. Kim answered all my questions, put up with me talking for 90 minutes and managed to loosen my neck-heck. She recommended a couple of exercises and some salve. The word for the day was "Stretching". Very nice, very knowledgeable and very good at massage. I highly recommend Kim.

Kim is a highly talented massage therapist and has a heart of an angel! I had the best massage…read moreI've ever had from her. I felt cradled in her skill and care for me. She is beyond exceptional!

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Bel Capelli Salon Spa

Disclaimer/ This is not a trash on Bel Capelli and their stylists kind of post- this is for…read moreeducational purposes so others don't make the same mistake I did. Not worth the $400 hair cut & color. I had a consultation with Ally and I showed her pictures of what I was going for and the color I wanted and that went fine, no problems, but when I got done with my official appointment my hair didn't turn out how I wanted it from the photo. It was a 5 hour appointment and I paid $220 plus 20% tip for her time. A couple days go by and I compared the photo of what I wanted and my result and decided to ask her to fix it. I didn't clarify beforehand if the fix would be free of charge because that's been my experience at salons but no, not this time. I spent another $140 to leave the salon with still not really what I was going for and now it's been a month and still not impressed and pretty mad honestly that I spent that much money and got a result far from what I wanted but maybe it's not all her fault, maybe she thinks she did a good job or that she just did what she wanted, the photos I brought in of what I wanted didn't matter, maybe she doesn't have much experience, heck, she was the first person I made an appointment with since moving to a new area but I figured this salon could do better but I should've done more research. The color is so subtle hardly anybody has noticed I changed my hair and to spend $400 I definitely would've wanted it to be noticeable and receive lots of compliments-it's pretty disappointing. I'm not sure what to do either at this point besides get my frustration out in this review. I already tried going in to have it fixed and was charged and I'm not spending more than I already have...I could call the salon and complain but to what benefit? The receptionist probably won't care and what would Ally think of me sitting in her chair for the 4th time still unhappy with my results? Ally if you're reading this I'm sorry, you're a nice gal but $400 to not be impressed is not a good feeling. I'll attach photos below in case anybody reads this far and is curious. Left photo is the one I brought in and right is my result. No No

Came in and they managed to fit me in to get ready for a big out of town event. I had been having a…read morebad hair day, and I was destined to go into a video shoot in a couple days looking like Raggedy Ann. Really phenomenal experience working with Sarah who did my make up, showed me what I would need for the event, and made my make up look natural, subtle. She was funny and also fixed my hair color to make it a natural red. I highly recommend!

Hair cut and color by Kellie

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Love my hair color, done by Kellie!

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17 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Carrie S.

240

9 years ago

I was in a lot of pain and was calling local therapist shops by looking on Yelp ( which I rarely do ) I called this business after reading all the positive reviews and was so happy someone answered the phone, and quickly helped me get into a In fared Sauna ( complementary ) and an hour massage with Darby, who helped me get some of the pain out of my left side and behind my shoulder blades. Her hands were like magic she is very skilled and has the right touch ! Her place of business is absolutely adorable. She then she took the time to show me some stretches to do with tennis balls, that also have helped me. The Bio Freeze is amazing it helped me be able to sleep some last night pain free. I have been to a lot of massage therapist's in the county and hands down this was one of the best experiences I have had. Thank you Darby I am grateful to have your magic touch yesterday. read more

Jo Anna D.

12 years ago

Darby has been doing my hair, waxing, and massages for 15 years. When I left Jackson Hole , WY I knew I would never find anyone like her! I was so happy when she moved to California! I drive HOURS because her services are worth it. Darby is exceptionally knowledgable in numerous modalities and can accommodate your personal massage preference. She's also skilled in Aveda treatments so you can expect that type of customer service (tea, head/shoulder/scalp massage, etc.). One time I made the mistake of going somewhere else. I walked into Darby's salon so she could help me fix my hair. Even though I was a walk in, she made time to fix my hair which took hours. When I left, my friends were shocked at how healthy my hair looked. I can't say enough positive things about Body Essence! read more

Jessica B.

12 years ago

I was a long time client of Body Essence in Jackson, WY. Darby provided all the beauty and healing services that a woman (or man for that matter) could ever want. Darby's intuitive and precise massage kept me limber for all the activity I do. My first bikini and Brazilian wax were at Body Essence, and I still haven't found a better esthetician than Darby for these services. And the list goes on... Hair cut and style, make-up, lash tints, facials. I cannot tell you how lucky those of you are who live in, or near Nevada City, to take advantage of Body Essence day Spa. I am jealous and wish it were still located in Jackson, WY. But believe me I will be sure to get an appointment for a full day's worth of beauty services the next time I am in Nevada City. read more

J D.

12 years ago

Body Essence owner, Darby, is the best Esthetician that I have had services from! I have visit many spas in large cities, and have never found someone who could compare to Darby. I call her my face angel! She has performed many services, such as hydrating facials and facials that I simply needed to help me de-stress. Her product knowledge and how she watches your skin respond during the facial is over and above what other estheticians that I have gone to were able to do. If you want the best; if you want your skin to improve; if you are tired of going to estheticians who do not make a difference, you need to call Body Essence and schedule a procedure with Darby! read more

Joelle C.

12 years ago

Darby is a very talented practitioner and a very caring soul! Be sure and get more than one treatment!! Her scalp massage before a hair cut is worth the price of the cut alone, her facials are heaven complete with some of her own "homemade w/ love" products... and as a 20 yr massage therapist, I can wholeheartedly recommend her amazing massages! We miss you in Jackson Hole Darby. Best wishes for grand success in the first mountain town I ever fell in love with, Nevada City! A visit to This great little mountain town would be incomplete with out stopping at Body Essence! Joelle Marie Cogliati Jackson Hole, WY JBirdMassage.com read more

Juliann C.

151

12 years ago

So happy that Darby has found herself a new location in Nevada City, but so bummed that I don't get to receive her amazing bodywork anymore! Her years of experience and raining have been such a gift to me. Being a massage therapist myself, I am super picky about who I let work on me. Darby was always my first choice whether I was dealing with a physical pain or a more deeply rooted emotional stressor that was stuck in my body. If you want to feel really great, body/mind and spirit, I highly recommend visiting Darby at her new location. read more

Jackie L.

12 years ago

Darby Palmer of Body Essence did a fantastic job for me! She not only massaged my aching body, but she put my mind in a very relaxed place as well. I was so achy and tired when she began to work on me, but by the end of the session I was refreshed and have felt wonderful ever since. I highly recommend Body Essence to anyone who wants a great massage and a great feeling of well-being to go along with it! They are a "10" out of a "10" in my book! I will definitely be making more visits as my schedule allows! read more

Terri M.

12 years ago

Darby at Body Essence was my go to gal for many years. Despite the fact that I haven't lived near her shop for many years now, she is still my all time favorite hairdresser, esthetician AND body worker! I truly have not been able to replace her in my life. She's passionate about what she does, super knowledgeable and dedicated to making you feel pampered. Plus she's got an awesome sense of style and is a super sweet person to boot. I wish I could give her more than 5 stars! read more

Sedna F.

12 years ago

I have just experienced what I can call the most pleasant Brazilian wax I have ever received. truly it was a pleasure and those are not my usual adjectives I use for such a treatment. highly highly recommend this establishment and more importantly the friendly service and attention to detail of its owner. This is the only place I will ever go for this service again! keep doing the good work! read more

Emily H.

12 years ago

Love, love, love Body Essence!! I've had the best massage I've ever head by Darby. This gal is knowledgeable, lovable and just brings a smile to your face. I am going to school in the Caribbean and tried to get her to move her business down here so I could have my own spa! She has done wonderful things to my hair and even added some feather flare! Body Essence is the real deal!! LOVE!! read more

Ksthleen B.

10 years ago

I sent my husband to Body Essence for his birthday. He came out relaxed, refreshed, glowing and raving about the services and the service professionals. He was impressed by the comfortable atmosphere and the wonderful healing vibe of the spa. Thank you Darby for treating my man like the precious person that he is!!!! You are the best!!!! read more

Jami K.

12 years ago

I am so excited that Body Essence has an actual new physical space in Nevada City! Darby and Body Essence are my go to place for Massage. She has quite a following for massage and for good reason. I know she is now offering other services like hair cut and style and waxing as well. Definitely check out Body Essence! read more

Maureen F.

589

12 years ago

Darby is fantastic! Love decompressing with one of her soothing massages. The essential line she uses rocks. I have worked with Darby for years, her knowledge, enthusiasm, character, and skill set is top notch. Rest at ease that you will be pampered and beautified; and guaranteed you will be back for more! :) read more

Shari E.

10 years ago

Darby is a miracle worker with knots and tight muscles! She puts her heart and soul into healing your body while you're there. Her salon is spotless, unique and charming, and her services are always delivered on time and with a smile. Her mani Pedi's are terrific too. read more

Kevin K.

10 years ago

Darby is truly a professional. The care and attention before and after a session is superb. Her massage is multi-dimensional. The other therapists are gifted and have their unique talents. I highly recommend this spa for massage. read more

Charlene S.

12 years ago

Darby is awesome therapist. I was so relaxed the massage service she gave me. Her techniques and flow of how she massage is excellent. I recommend to get a massage from Darby at body essence. read more

Jason A.

12 years ago

Darby the owner operator is the most nurturing massage therapist I've ever experienced. If your ready for a day of self care and love, this is the place to go. read more

Body Essence - spas - Updated August 2026

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Ronya started our session by really taking time to listen and understand the areas where I store…read moretension in my body. During the massage, she was very attentive to these areas and intuitive in addressing my entire body and nervous system. When I stood up from the table I left so relaxed and more at ease in my own body. She worked on my rib cage and I felt like I could breath better and hold better posture. Ronya is an amazing therapist and I would HIGHLY recommend 1.5hr massage with her! Thank you!!! Till next time...

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Vela Massage Retreat

4.5

(65 reviews)

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I love this cutie little sauna in the woods that is clothing optional. Simple and effective, this…read morelittle 4 personal sauna allows you to add water to the rocks to create steam. Cooling off options are a gorgeous outdoor shower or just resting on the seat outside. No frills, just good vibes. Vela provides a basket for your personal items, towel, and optional sandals. I didn't see lockers. I didn't have a massage but maybe one day. I would definitely come back for a little sauna-ing! Price: $30/1hr - they want you to complete showering and dressing within the hour time slot.

I visited Vela for a 90 minute massage and brow wax. I appreciated that I was able to book with…read moreminimal notice and the staff did their best to be accommodating. Vela offers numerous services, including two types of saunas, which can be used as a standalone or add-on feature. The vibe was light and comfortable, the staff were very friendly and attentive. Even the clients were friendly and eager to recommend the services while I waited. I was pleased with both services. The only thing that keeps me from awarding five stars is the need to go up and down stairs to the treatment rooms. As someone with osteoporosis stairs can be a challenge and took some of the relaxation out of my experience. Nonetheless, I would definitely recommend Vela.

Gwendolyn Barclay CMT, LE

4.9

(12 reviews)

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Gwendolyn is a true master masseuse. My husband and I have been seeing her for the last year and we…read moreare constantly impressed and grateful for her sensitivity and technical skills. Our bodies and health are getting old, but we count on great practitioners like Gwen to keep us feeling our best thank you Gwen

Gwendolyn is a highly skilled massage therapist with the ability to adjust to the client's need…read more She helped me through one of the most difficult times in my life. Her manner was gentle and nurturing with me. Not only did I get a fantastic massage, but I got a thoughtful and compassionate response to what I was going through. Being a massage therapist myself, with 12 plus years of experience, I can say with confidence that she is a massage therapist for a massage therapist and everybody else who is lucky enough to book an appointment with her.

Crystal Massage

4.6

(65 reviews)

Booked a 90 minute massage for 2 and it was everything and more! Our expectations were exceeded -…read moreour massuses checked in at the beginning to make sure the pressure was okay but otherwise just took over & gave us both so much care and relief from pain. The only thing that may be a downside for some is all the massage rooms are connected and they're separated by dividers (still very private) but you can hear others around you, but it didn't bother us. A great value for our money and can't wait to come back!

Clean, professional, always relaxing. Have yet to have a mediocre massage from any of the staff…read more Highly recommend.

Spring Massage & Spa

4.5

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If I could give this place 10 stars- I would! As a certified massage therapist myself, I know that…read moreAmerican massage education will never be even 1% close to a traditional Asian massage. Although these incredible people may not know enough English to communicate, their hands are able to identify an issue and work on it from a true holistic and healing perspective. This place reflects hundreds of years of knowledge about human body, this is something you will hardly find at a regular massage place. And that's very unfortunate. Therefore, visit this place, tip generously and enjoy their amazing massages.

They are really good. I have 25 years experience as a massage therapist. I am now federally…read moredisabled and only give 4 sessions a month. I do come to spring massage a couple of times a month because touch matters. There are a wide variety of techniques it does tend to be sensual and the women are quite skilled. Be sure to tip well

Sierra Massage Therapy Center

Masseuse Lillian gave me one of the best massages I've ever had. She was expert at finding problem…read moreareas and paid special attention to my specific needs. I will be seeing her regularly from now on.

WOW....Lillian is awesome. She uses hot stones and amazing oils to create the great experience. I…read morewould highly recommend using her for any massage in nevada county area. I've been to wolf mountain spa before. They are good there, but the stones and amazing hand work by lillian is one to write home about! Check her out!:)

Jennifer Spa Services

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I have been seeing Jennifer somewhat regularly for about three years now. She is a fantastic…read moremassage therapist and I would recommend her for many reasons. First and foremost is her knowledge of human physiology and focused attention on whatever is bothering me (which is usually a great deal of tension near the base of my skull/upper neck area). Jennifer has a strong/firm touch but is also very delicate when called for (such as sinus or temple areas). Jennifer's demeanor is always friendly and approachable, which I consider an important trait in a massage therapist as I am always able to relax during my appointments. She is communicative about how I'm feeling and what needs attention. The office space and massage room are very clean and welcoming. Parking and access are easy. I have recommended Jennifer to several people and they have all been happy with their experience.

Jennifer is fabulous! I've been seeing her for skin treatments for the last year and have seen…read moredramatic results. I have been to many other people for skin services and never felt like I was getting results. Jennifer is kind, knowledgeable, and amazing at what she does. I would highly recommend her.

Bodywork for Women's Health - Leslie Stager

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Leslie gave me a gorgeous Mayan Abdominal Massage that was truly healing and nourishing. Her hands…read moreare wise, and well-informed, and I felt nurtured and cared for throughout the process. Abdominal massage is very vulnerable, and I felt that Leslie's presence and approach made it easier for me to relax, soak up the touch, and learn some new things about the holding patterns in my core. I highly recommend her services to all, and I will be back!

Leslie gave me the best massage I have ever had in my life....and I was 34 weeks pregnant! She gave…read moreme two prenatal massages before the birth of my son and I can't wait to go back for a postpartum massage. I didn't know I could feel so relaxed and comfortable being 34 weeks pregnant. She uses a lot of pillows and makes sure you are really comfortable but more importantly she knows the female body. She has so much experience and even trains people on how to massage pregnant women. I cannot say enough good things about her and her studio space is really beautiful as well. If you are looking for a GREAT prenatal massage or any other massage for that matter you should see Leslie.

Damia Houston, CMT

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Damia is a great massage therapist! I have had major neck…read morepain with a few bulging discs and facet disease for the past few years that's been getting worse all the time. After my massages, my neck has been pain free for a longer period each time. I'm so happy to have been referred to Damia by a friend and I will refer her to my friends as well!

Well i was surprised.i went in with major shoulder pain from a injury and after a hour and half…read moremassage my pain was reduced by 70 percent. Damia was very carefull ,talked me through the entire process .i highly recommend damia as she is very carefull professional and made me feel much better. I already booked another appointment.thank you so much.

Ashleigh Hall Massage & Bodywork