Beauty Beat: A Glamorous ‘Galentine’s Day’

From left, Simone Ellin, Aliza Friedlander, Self.ish Beauty co-owner Keisha McClain, Ariel Lewis, Self.ish Beauty co-owner Janeen Simon, Kirsten Johnsen, Self.ish Beauty co-owner Kelley Dailey, Jenn George and Tracy Friedlander gather at the start of a "Galentine's Day" outing at Self.ish Beauty in Pikesville. (Photo by Steve Ruark)

What’s better than a spa day with the gals? We can’t think of anything!

This “Galentine’s Day” — the unofficial holiday of ladies celebrating ladies — Jmore beauty consultant Ariel Lewis, Jmore Associate Editor Simone Ellin, several girlfriends and I spent a few hours being pampered and chatting it up at Self.ish, a spa at 1777 Reisterstown Road in Pikesville’s Commerce Center.

From champagne and CBD pedicures to manicures with exquisite nail art, the glamorous bar and event space at Self.ish was the perfect place to unwind.

“There is so much attention to detail and you can see the beautiful bond between the owners,” says Ariel. “Self.ish is owned by three women who have a high sense of fashion and style. They want to bring a little bit of that to everyone who walks through the doors.”

From left, Self.ish Beauty co-owners Janeen Simon, Keisha McClain and Kelley Dailey stand with Ariel Lewis and Jenn George during a "Galentine's Day" outing at Self.ish Beauty in Pikesville. (Photo by Steve Ruark)
From left, Self.ish Beauty co-owners Janeen Simon, Keisha McClain and Kelley Dailey stand with Ariel Lewis and Jenn George during a “Galentine’s Day” outing at Self.ish Beauty in Pikesville. (Photo by Steve Ruark)

Superb Services

Ariel Lewis receives a champagne pedicure during a "Galentine's Day" outing at Self.ish Beauty in Pikesville. (Photo by Steve Ruark)
Ariel Lewis receives a champagne pedicure at Self.ish Beauty in Pikesville. (Photo by Steve Ruark)

Self.ish features a fully stocked champagne bar, but keep in mind that bubbly at Self.ish isn’t only for drinking. Ariel experienced a first by getting the Champagne Dreams Pedicure.

“I’ve never had champagne poured over my feet,” she says of the hour-long service that includes a sugar scrub, rose pedals, grape-seed oil and a cooling foot mask. “It’s the most indulgent and luxurious pedicure I’ve ever had.”

Champagne combined with warm water creates a natural exfoliant that made Ariel’s feet “feel like butter.” Indeed, I felt them and they were softer than a baby’s bottom.

Self.ish also hit it out of the ballpark with their CBD pedicure. Using a CBD scrub, CBD lotion and CBD bath bomb, the pedicure helps with anxiety and encourages deep relaxation.

More than a Manicure

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Aliza Friedlander, center, shows off her nails to Ariel Lewis, left, and Jenn George during a "Galentine's Day" outing at Self.ish Beauty in Pikesville. (Photo by Steve Ruark)
Aliza Friedlander, center, shows off her nails to Ariel Lewis, left, and Jenn George. (Photo by Steve Ruark)

Simply speaking, I got a gel manicure. But it was so much more. That’s because the nail technicians at Self.ish are artists, using the nail as a canvas for their work.

Each of my nails is different; the technician used confetti, foil and spider gel to create a masterpiece. My sister-in-law’s technician used a stone as her palette and nail polish as paint to create replicas of Picasso paintings on her nails.

Ariel received one of the spa’s signature nail services: Apres Soft Gel-X Nail Extensions. Unlike acrylics extensions, there is no filling needed, no odor, no dust and no damage to the natural nail beds.

“It didn’t feel like they were sanding down my nail beds,” says Ariel. “They are really comfortable and don’t feel fragile but are thinner and more natural looking than acrylics.”

OK to be Self·ish

In addition to high-end manicures and pedicures, Self.ish also offers facials, body treatments and waxing, Self·ish is a place where you can sit back, relax and enjoy yourself without any guilt. “This is about taking care of yourself in all ways,” says Ariel. “Anyone who steps into Self.ish will feel special.”

  • From left, Simone Ellin, Aliza Friedlander, Self.ish Beauty co-owner Keisha McClain, Ariel Lewis, Self.ish Beauty co-owner Janeen Simon, Kirsten Johnsen, Self.ish Beauty co-owner Kelley Dailey, Jenn George and Tracy Friedlander gather at the start of a "Galentine's Day" outing at Self.ish Beauty in Pikesville. (Photo by Steve Ruark)
  • From left, Kirsten Johnsen, Ariel Lewis, and Jenn George receive pedicures during a "Galentine's Day" outing at Self.ish Beauty in Pikesville. (Photo by Steve Ruark)
  • Aliza Friedlander receives nail service during a "Galentine's Day" outing at Self.ish Beauty in Pikesville. (Photo by Steve Ruark)
  • Ariel Lewis receives a champagne pedicure during a "Galentine's Day" outing at Self.ish Beauty in Pikesville. (Photo by Steve Ruark)
  • Aliza Friedlander shows off her nails during a "Galentine's Day" outing at Self.ish Beauty in Pikesville. (Photo by Steve Ruark)
  • Aliza Friedlander, center, shows off her nails to Ariel Lewis, left, and Jenn George during a "Galentine's Day" outing at Self.ish Beauty in Pikesville. (Photo by Steve Ruark)
  • From left, Self.ish Beauty co-owners Janeen Simon, Keisha McClain and Kelley Dailey chat with Ariel Lewis and Jenn George during a "Galentine's Day" outing at Self.ish Beauty in Pikesville. (Photo by Steve Ruark)
  • From left, Self.ish Beauty co-owners Janeen Simon, Keisha McClain and Kelley Dailey stand with Ariel Lewis and Jenn George during a "Galentine's Day" outing at Self.ish Beauty in Pikesville. (Photo by Steve Ruark)
  • Ariel Lewis holds a glass of champagne during a "Galentine's Day" outing at Self.ish Beauty in Pikesville. (Photo by Steve Ruark)
  • Simone Ellin receives wood therapy service during a "Galentine's Day" outing at Self.ish Beauty in Pikesville. (Photo by Steve Ruark)
  • Ariel Lewis receives nail service during a "Galentine's Day" outing at Self.ish Beauty in Pikesville. (Photo by Steve Ruark)
  • Ariel Lewis shows off her nail extensions during a "Galentine's Day" outing at Self.ish Beauty in Pikesville. (Photo by Steve Ruark)
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