Clients Take a Coffee Break

It’s true that coffee has antioxidant properties and the grounds make a gentle exfoliant, but it’s the ritualistic aspect of everyone’s favorite pickme- up that draws people to the coffee-based treatments at Delphi Salon and Day Spa in Los Gatos, Calif. “They’re yummy and popular,” says owner Diana Francis, who offers clients their choice of coffee, frapuccino, or hot chocolate with the soothing services. Created by spa director Liz Harless and Francis’s husband — a “coffee junkie” — the spa’s Café Latte manicure, pedicure, and body wrap have gained a great number of fans since their introduction last July.

The pedicure treatment, which incorporates products from the BodyCoffee line, begins by shaping the toenails before immersing the feet in a soak of coffee beans and warm milk. Next, the cuticles are pushed back and calluses are smoothed. The feet and legs are then exfoliated. Finally, the client receives a relaxing foot and leg massage with lotion and the nails are polished.

The salon charges $60 for a 60- to 70-minute pedicure or $35 for a similar 45- to 50-minute manicure treatment. Plus, says Francis, “About 80% of the clients who get the service wind up purchasing at least one retail product from the line.”