Winter damage?

Start making repairs with some of these treatments

If it's not freezing it's snowing. If it's not snowing the air's dry enough to suck every ounce of moisture from your skin.

This is winter and Maine and don't we just love it?

Days, months and weeks of the weather we're faced with can put even the most jovial person in a funk. But a trip to the salon, spa or massage therapist can change your outlook. And, with any luck, the new, improved and revived you will soar happily through the remainder of this season's snow storms and right into spring.

Hair: At Envy Hair Salon on Congress Street (775-4959), Tasha Judson often sees people coming in with limp, lifeless winter hair and going out looking like a billion bucks. That's because Envy is now offering treatments from Kevin Murphy, a product line that's all about natural and organic materials. The treatments include volumizing, shine, repair and moisture, that Judson says "can perk up your dull hair without actually changing the color or style." The treatments come with a clarifying wash to get rid of the buildup and fall in the $25 price range. According to Judson they'll last four to six weeks - hopefully longer than the snow continues.

Feet: Portland's Soakology (879-7625) is the place to go when you're tootsies are feeling the wear and tear of all those clunky snow boots. Try a Honey Glow treatment ($55) to put that spring back into your step. You'll get a nourishing warm honey foot and lower leg exfoliation and a warm water foot-soak. After that navigating those icy sidewalks will be a breeze.

Face: You've probably used plenty of lotion on your face this winter, but if you haven't stripped away the dead skin that lotion may not be doing its job. At Fabu Salon and Day Spa on Commercial Street (775-2773), Cosmotologist Allison Pocock recommends the mango enzyme peel ($95). "Just the smell itself reminds us of summer so we can kind of be in denial about (winter)," she says. The treatment includes a cleanser, the peel, a mango butter cream massage while masking, sunscreen and a moisturizing finish. And if you really want to treat yourself and have four hours to kill, get the mango spa treatment (peel, body wrap, pedicure, manicure) for $275.

Spa treatment: Wanna get away? To an island? For a few hours? Check out the Caribbean Getaway at Lucinda's Day Spa in Cumberland and Scarborough (829-3100). You get a body treatment, manicure and pedicure and spend three hours at your island paradise despite being just miles from home. The price is $158, which sounds well worth it while the snow's still falling.

Massage: According to Laura Owens of Head Games and The Landing in Portland (773-8393), the type of massage you choose isn't nearly as important as the fact that you chose one in the first place. "Any kind of body work that's touch related produces endorphins in the body," she says. That will give you an immediate boost, and the use of either heat or cold with the massage will increase your circulation and help keep you warm during your day. Massage also helps weed out metabolic waste from the body and can keep you feeling good for days. And if you've hurt your back from all the shoveling, Owens and her staff can help there too with therapeutic massage priced at $45 for 30 minutes.

- Karen Beaudoin