The rough economy means that spa-goers are spending less money on their pampering routines. So if you do decide to splurge on a facial, you might as well get your money's worth. That's quite easy to do if you get the hookup at Fresh, where you can sign up for a spa treatment and receive the cost of the service in store credit. So if you spend $125 on a 60-minute facial, you can scoop up $125 in whichever products you like — which makes your dollars go farther than they might at a traditional spa. That program is in place in two New York and London stores with dedicated spa areas offering face, body, and makeup treatments.

But wait, there's more — and it's free. Fresh shops in other cities (locations here) offer the ReFresh Spa Express, which offers complimentary minitreatments; they also occasionally have special days that feature free half-hour facials. And don't miss the Fresh spa days going on at Neiman Marcus this month — this events page has details on complimentary 30-minute facials happening at stores around the country. I've signed up for a facial at the San Francisco Fresh store's next event on Aug. 27, so follow my Twitter to find out how it goes.