I had a complete stranger booked through an iphone app come into my home on a Friday night and give me a full-body massage.

Needless to say, I had a little anxiety beforehand.

Some of the thoughts that passed through my mind:

• How do I know this person isn’t a Craigs-List killer type?
• How do I know this person will be professional? Clean? Any good?
• Will the experience be too awkward to enjoy in my own living room?

I mean, I work in beauty and obviously I know tons of people who get at-home hair and makeup services and that these apps all vet the artists and stylists in advance, but with massage it’s a little different…

Mostly because you are fully or almost-fully naked.

And that can get weird.

So when I was first offered a Soothe massage, I declined. I had read somewhere that you could not choose the gender of the massage therapist and I personally was not down for a random dude in my apartment oiling me up. Nor did I think my husband walking into that after a long workweek would be a good time for him.

But the Soothe PR rep assured me that I could in fact select my preference for male or female.

So I downloaded the app and went through some simple steps to book the appointment.

Once I made my various selections and chose my date and time, I was confirmed with Stacy S. who had a 5 star rating. (Note: All users rate their Soothe massage therapist after their appointment.)

Then I was advised, in-app through a series of screens, on what to expect.

All good.

A week later, at 5:45pm, my lobby buzzed up that Stacy had arrived. She’d come a little early so she’d have time to set up.

I had moved the coffee table in my living room to the side so we had plenty of space.

In terms of set-up (and later breakdown), Stacy was quick, clean and tidy. She set up her table in no time and then put some coconut oil into a bowl. I asked her why she uses coconut oil versus traditional massage oil and she said she likes that it’s natural, but that she could also use cream or any of the other options she had with her. I love coconut oil so I was on board but just curious. PS – Stacy liquifies the semi-hardened coconut oil in her hands which also serves to warm it, which was an added benefit.

In terms of the massage itself, Stacy was super professional and very skilled.

She asked in advance if there were any areas to focus on or avoid during my 90 minute service. She gave me privacy while changing and getting under the sheet. She also offered to play music she had with her (a wide-ranging assortment to satisfy anyone’s taste) or I could choose to play my own, which I did.

And she made sure I was comfortable. Since you are in your own home when you get a Soothe massage, you control the temperature. This may not seem like a big thing, but if you’ve ever paid to get a massage at a fancy spa and it’s been too cold or too hot and you cannot relax or get comfortable during the service, you know how major that is.

Your home, your control over the environment. You can set it up just as you like it. The same went for lighting. Stacy was fine with any amount of light that I wanted so we went with one dim light in an adjoining room.

Then she worked her magic. And I felt like I could melt right into the table.

She was awesome.

Stacy worked out my knots as needed and balanced that more focused, deeper work with Swedish-style strokes.

It was pretty much bliss.

We chatted here and there a few times but she really followed my lead in terms of how much communication we had. At one point, when starting on the backs of my legs, she did ask, “So where do you spin?” IMPRESSIVE.

When Stacy was done, I loved that I could just hop in my own shower for a quick rinse or go to bed early or just chill. There was no having to get fully dressed, check out at a spa, travel home or elsewhere… It was totally seamless and simple and relaxing and zen.

Since everything is handled via the app (think Uber), there is no paying, tipping, or additional thinking involved.

VERDICT: I would 100% use Soothe again and absolutely recommend it. 

You can arrange for a Soothe massage in the comforts of your home or your hotel room if you are traveling. You can also use it with someone else or even with a group.

And it’s just such a nice luxury.

Go to the Soothe website to see which cities/areas offer Soothe massage and also get info on other FAQs. In NYC, the pricing is $129 for 60 minutes, $179 for 90 minutes and $219 for 120 minutes. Since you don’t have to go anywhere, you also save any out-of-pocket travel costs. Based on my experience, I think it’s worth every penny and I will be using the service again. You can also give Soothe as a gift which would make you a really really great friend.

 

xoLC

NOTE: This post is not sponsored. All thoughts are unbiased and my own. Service was provided for editorial consideration.

Lauren Cosenza is the creator and editor-in-chief of DIVAlicious, a trusted beauty/fashion expert, an on-camera personality and spokesperson, a leading NYC-based professional makeup artist, a published contributor and writer, a brand consultant, a product junkie and an insatiable style seeker — with a former life at Cosmopolitan and Shape magazines.

Serving up style with a side of attitude, her site DIVAlicious gives women (and men) the confidence and permission to be fabulous. The site, with a goal to SPREAD BEAUTY, is filled with must-have products, pro tips and tricks, how-to DIY tutorials, makeovers, style inspiration and insider access. Topics range from beauty, fashion, culture, career, fitness, wellbeing, men’s and unisex offerings.