Giving the gift of a spa treatment is equal parts art and psychology. A soothing massage for a new mom? That’s a no-brainer. Twenty units of Botox for friend who just turned 30? Make sure her health insurance is up to date (and that the suggestion that age 30 is the right time to start Botox won’t offend her). Ultimately, the trick to choosing the perfect spa gift for someone is to find a balance between beautification and stress relief. Thankfully, we’ve created a beauty gift guide that features five Boston hot spots to get you started.

1. A Mani-Pedi (and Massage and Paraffin Treatment) at MiniLuxe

The right pampering experience isn’t always a day at the spa. Sometimes it can be an hour at a nail salon. Embracing a philosophy of “perfecting the craft of self-care,” MiniLuxe salon pulls out all the stops to create a soothing experience for the lady in your life. The salon builds massage right into each manicure and pedicure, and offers a slew of unexpected add-ons. Along with traditional paraffin treatments or french finishes, women can go pamper mad with everything from extended massages to under-eye treatments.

2. A Personalized Facial at Skoah

The aestheticians at Skoah like to think of their facials as workouts, but don’t worry—they’re the ones doing most of the heavy lifting. Personal skincare trainers will draw up a customized plan for your giftee that takes into consideration her specific complexion-based concerns along with the type of session she’d like to have.

If you’re looking for a gift to give someone with a bun in the oven, consider Skoah’s Tummy and Mummy facial for pregnant women. While a specialized mask deals with breakouts from dehydration and other common pregnancy issues, aestheticians apply a stretch-mark-busting belly mask and massage swollen ankles and feet. This makes for the perfect gift for a pregnant partner or your future mother.

3. A Salt-Therapy Session at Alantra Spa

Inside a room that mimics a Himalayan salt cave, zero-gravity chairs and soothing nature sounds wait to embrace folks in curious luxury. The room’s atmosphere—designed to mimic mountain air—is said to help clear out lungs and relieve skin problems such as psoriasis and acne. But at its core, the experience gives folks an excuse to get away and relax. Be sure to keep an eye out for Alantra’s monthly specials, which sometimes include a complimentary salt-cave session with any massage.

4. An At-Work Chair Massage (!) from Mass Mobile Massage

What Mass Mobile Massage lacks in razzle-dazzle elegance it makes up for in sheer convenience. The crew of licensed massage therapists pack up their tables and oils and bring massage to homes or hotel rooms. It puts the focus squarely on pampering and takes the legwork out of redeeming the gift. And thanks to chair massages, your gift recipient can even book a session at work.

5. Literally Anything and Everything at Mandarin Oriental Boston

The spa at Mandarin Oriental Boston is just nuts. The whole deal covers 16,000 square feet of impossibly reflective hardwood, soft lighting, and private suites that look more like luxury hotel rooms. And the treatments are pretty bananas as well. Four-hand massage? Check. An enigmatic session designed specifically for people who work in offices? You better believe it. The spa even offers Time Rituals that allow you to book two- or three-hour blocks for someone rather than guessing which specific treatments they might prefer.