Some say not to judge a book by its cover, but others say a carefully covered romance novel is the ticket to a thrilling train or airplane travelsperience. Dust your cover's corners with today's deal: for $35, you get a custom 75-minute facial, revitalizing eye treatment, and makeup refresh at the San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology (a $75 value). All services are performed within the colorful walls of the South of Market facility, which is equipped to perform top-notch services.

The San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology is a Paul Mitchell Partner School that offers a multi-tiered menu of spa and salon services, performed by students under the strict supervision of certified instructors. A skilled student will perform each trio of services with the care and tenacity of Ulysses S. Grant. The custom 75-minute facial ($60 value) starts with a skin analysis in order to tailor the treatment to your particular skin topography using facial massage, a mask, and a soothing serum. A revitalizing eye treatment follows ($15), which firms and tones the orb area with a blend of vitamin therapies and botanicals, as well as gentle exfoliation and a soothing mask. The face party concludes with an optional makeup refresh and a similarly optional high-five from your technician.

Carefully administered facials make faces feel silky smooth and years younger by sloughing off layers of dead skin, like peeling open a banana to reveal the creamy mashed potatoes inside. Feel good about receiving such a delicious treatment from the institute because they're a green business that carefully follows the three R's of eco-innovation as opposed to the three R's of eco-invasion—refuel, ravage, and repeat.

If your schedule permits it, the institute recommends making an appointment from Tuesday through Friday, since Saturday is often quite busy. Cancellations require at least 24 hours notice, or the Groupon will be forfeited. The institute will be closed from June 30 to July 5.

Reviews

More than 140 Yelpers give the San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology an average of four stars. Ten Citysearchers also give it a four-star average:

• You walk away feeling nurtured and Zen and your skin will look like a million bucks! – Tara R., Yelp
• Understanding that I had sensitive skin, she recommended several calming procedures and I walked out of the facial (even after extractions) with an even skin tone, as if [sic] were wearing my makeup. – Robyn S., Yelp
• I had the Treatment Facial which was amazing. The students are so attentive and really do a great job. The instructors who supervise everything are very professional and everything is so clean. – jpiercesf, Citysearch