Enter Dad in our first-ever Father's Day Contest! We're treating one lucky man to a day of relaxation… and some darn good food. We've partnered with La Condesa to offer the winner the following treats:
– 60-minute Signature Facial
– 60-minute Lux Massage
– Buff + Go Combo
– Hair Cut
– a $100 gift certificate to La Condesa
($450 value)
To enter, please apply here by Thursday, June 12, 2014. We'll contact the lucky winner on Friday, June 13.
We have good news for textured/curly-hair — especially those who continue to search for the fastest/”green”-est way to get straight locks: we’re now carrying Aveda’s Smooth Infusion Naturally Straight styling creme at all three of our locations.
Here’s what you need to know about this awesome new product:
1. It progressively straightens curls with every use.
2. As you blow-dry your hair, plant-derived fibers create a locking layer to help hold your hair straight.
3. Organic cassava root forms a barrier against intense humidity. Translation: goodbye frizz!
4. Over time, straight styling becomes faster and easier. In fact, after five consecutive applications of Naturally Straight creme, hair will stay straight for up to three washes.
Come in and snag some for yourself!
Lucy, shampoo assistant at SALON by milk + honey 2nd Street District
Lucy moved to Austin 11 months ago to attend Avenue Five Cosmetology school. Her favorite thing to do in Austin is to eat — and she loves to try new restaurants downtown. She also enjoys hiking and doing yoga. Book your next appointment downtown and see Lucy for your shampoo.
Jen, concierge for all milk + honey locations
Jen moved to Austin only one week ago from Newport Beach where she was a spa concierge and just finished esthetics school. We are so pleased to have her knowledge and experience on our team. Jen decided to work with m + h because she wants to share her knowledge and help people live happy, healthy lives.
Melinda, nail therapist at milk + honey spa 2nd Street District
Melinda became a nail therapist because as she was receiving a pedicure, she realized how much she enjoyed the atmosphere and wanted to be a part of it. She went to nails school shortly afterward and fell in love with her new career. Melinda has been in Austin for two years, and likes to explore the city. Help us welcome Melinda to the team and book you next mani/pedi with her at the downtown spa!
It’s almost that time of year where you can belt out from the proverbial rooftop, “School’s out forever!,” and really mean it… at least for a few months. And if the next step in end-of-school-year festivities involves a cap and gown for you, then let SALON by milk + honey help you out in the “hat hair” department. Opt for a style that’s both polished and youthful, and most importantly, looks good with a cumbersome cap/mortar board on top.
Below, a handful of ideas to get the hair-spiration going. We’re here to make your grad day even more stylish.
Emma Stone’s Side Braid – a hint of volume, texture, and who doesn’t love a side braid?
Miranda Kerr’s Blowout – polished waves are the perfect complement to a cap + gown.
Top Knot with a Sweet Headband – if you’re not wearing a cap (rebel!), this one’s for you.
Not Your Average Half-Up Look – Bobby pins have never been so fun to work with.
Cara Delevingne’s Dramatic Side Part – If you’ve got long hair, go bold.
Low Bun + Pretty Ribbon – For the girlie-girl with sophisticated taste.
A Reverse Crown Braid + Waves – A romantic hairstyle, but appropriate for the grad.
“I have a lot of great memories with my mom from as far back as my memory serves, but ultimately, I love being able to know her as an adult. I’ll always be her child, but now that we’re both adults, it’s nice to be able to enjoy a drink together and have mini adventures when she visits me in Austin! We’ve been able to paddle board, hike Pedernales Falls, swim in Hamilton Pool, and stroll through downtown. Plus, it’s always fun to see your mom let loose and enjoy a cocktail!” — Katie A., Arboretum Market manager (with her mom, at left)
“My mother has always been obsessed with creams! I remember her always have a tub of expensive cream on her night stand and a tub of high SPF sunscreen for the morning. Her skin is absolutely gorgeous, so I have learned to hydrate and protect! When I was about six or seven years old, she walked into her bedroom and saw me there by her night stand. I was so proud because I was using cream just like her — I used a whole jar of $100+ eye cream on my face!” — Alanah M., 2nd Street District assistant manager
“My mom is my BFF, and we have always been close. Growing up in Washington state, near the Puget Sound, was an incredible influence on me. My mom has always been active and loved nature, and tried to share that with me. We used to go on long hikes, see the waterfalls, and just talk. As a teenager, I thought I was humoring my mom — I was talking about my current crush, or what so-and-so did at school that week. The more I talked, the more we walked. We could spend half a day walking and hiking, and I wouldn’t even realize it. Looking back now, those are some of the most special moments I’ve shared with her. Now, I am a nature lover and will take a mountain, trail, or a waterfall over a mall any day. I didn’t realize then how special those walks would be, building trust and a solid relationship between us. She recently came to visit me here in Austin, and I was so excited to have someone to go hiking with! We drove out to Dripping Springs and visited Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve. I loved sharing some Texas nature and impressing her with the beauty of the pools. We hiked half the day, talked, and bonded just like we used to. I miss those times, and appreciate that she influenced me to love nature as much as I do. And I even taught her how to take a selfie. :)” — Teresa S., Hill Country Galleria manager
“My mom’s best beauty advice? Wear your sunscreen every day. She looks 15 years younger than her age, and to this day, I wear sunscreen every single day!” — Summer L., general manager (with her mom, above)
“Even at the height of my experimental makeup phase — we’re talking bright blue glitter eyeshadow and too-dark lip liner — my mom held her ground. She’d always advocate for ‘less is more,’ which didn’t appeal to me then, but now, I couldn’t agree with her more. And while she’s obviously biased, it’s nice to know that she has always loved me for who I am, and not how I look from the outside.” — Marisa T., marketing manager
Our third annual milk + honey Mother’s Day Makeover contest is back, and we’re treating three amazing women — one winner for each location — to a luxurious head-to-toe makeover.
The makeover includes:
– Signature Facial
– m + h Manicure and Pedicure
– Hair Cut and Color
– Makeup Application
– A goodie bag of m + h products and makeup
($600 value)
To enter, fill out this application form. The deadline to submit for consideration is Wednesday, April 30. Winners will be contacted and announced on Friday, May 2.
We can’t wait to read what’s sure to be an amazing range of inspiring entries. And know this — contest or no contest, we appreciate everything our moms and mother figures do for us!
P.S. Meet our 2013 winners here!
“My favorite service is our new Ultimate Pedicure. Getting a pedicure is usually about maintenance for me: soft feet, seasonal polish and a moment to relax. However, when I finally start to relax, my pedicure is usually ending and I’m left wanting more. The Ultimate Pedicure provides that extra massage and luxury that I am looking for. Almost a full hour and a half devoted to my tired calves and achy feet is the best!” — Teresa S., manager at milk + honey Hill Country Galleria
“I love Radiance from CosMedix for my daytime serum. It gives me a supple glow that I get compliments on all the time! I strive for healthy skin and Radiance helps me achieve just that. It feels great under my mineral makeup, too. A trick I like to use is to always make sure my face is damp (toner is great for this) before applying serum — this allows you to use less product (one pump is sufficient) and it spreads much easier.” — Brooke M., assistant manager at milk + honey 2nd Street District
“The Signature Plus Facial is a dream come true for mature, stressed, or damaged skin. You enjoy our signature facial with cleansing, toning, extractions, mask, massage and moisture, then are treated to particle-free microdermabrasion that leaves your skin so soft and glowing. This treatment has helped me get rid of hyper-pigmentation and feel more confident about my skin.” — Emilie S., milk + honey HR
“My favorite can’t-live-without product is Kevin.Murphy Young Again oil. It’s great for all hair types and not greasy. It has repaired my damaged ends and continues to keep my hair shiny and healthy. Pro tip: it’s great on dry skin, too!” — Katie A., manager at milk + honey Arboretum Market
“I love Reflect by CosMedix! It’s a spray-on sunscreen that is light and not greasy. With the sunnier summer months approaching, it is essential! It’s the best! The spray-on SPF by Coola is also the bomb. It’s great for chasing down my nephews at the pool and spraying them quickly and easily. My nephew Connor loves it too. He says it makes his skin feel silky.” — Kelley W., assistant manager at milk + honey Hill Country Galleria
“Designed to thicken and plump thinning hair and prevent hair loss, the Kevin Murphy Plumping.Line helps with hair growth while boosting the appearance of fullness. I can tell an immediate difference in the texture and density of my hair after I shower. It’s milk + honey’s newest miracle.” — Summer L., general manager at milk + honey
“‘A Solution’ in the ResultsRx line is my fave. I love it because it has both vitamin A and alphahydroxys. It helps to break up dead layers of skin and promote faster cell turnover.” — Maureen, esthetician at milk + honey Hill Country Galleria
“I’m loving the Citrus Blossom Dermabrasion by EcoInventive. This all-organic exfoliant smells great and leaves your skin feeling like you just got a facial. It has a jojoba oil base so it moisturizes while it exfoliates. Pro tip: cleanse using the Citrus Blossom Dermabrasion, then cleanse once more with normal routine for freshest effect.” — Shawn, esthetician at milk + Honey Hill Country Galleria
“Aveda’s Inner Light Mineral Tinted Moisturizer is the perfect sunscreen + hydration + skin tone secret weapon for you. Infused with finely-powdered tourmaline, it boosts skin’s energy and radiance and stays on for the entire day — even through exercise.” — Emilie S, milk + honey HR
“Let’s not forget about Fresh Hair from Kevin Murphy – it’s the BEST! I can go much longer in between blowouts because it keeps my hair oil-free and smelling great.” — Brooke M., assistant manager at milk + honey 2nd Street District
“The Ultrasonic Treatment is my favorite. It is a short, relaxing service that leaves my skin glowing afterwards. If my skin is feeling dull, it brightens me right up!” — Chris W., milk + honey HR assistant
“One of my very favorites for perfect natural curls is the Deva Curl Light Defining Gel. With your hair wet, apply a generous amount to your hands and scrunch it up into your hair. When your hair is dry, shake the curls loose – the gel won’t leave any hard or sticky residue! Just soft beautiful curls.” — Alanah M., assistant manager at milk + honey 2nd Street District
Alissa Bayer, milk + honey’s founder and owner, shares some of her favorite Austin places with the Elizabeth Street Mom blog. Among the highlights? Great shopping, a kid-friendly restaurant (that happens to serve up some seriously delicious Mediterranean fare), and a hidden gem, perfect for relaxing at without taking a proper vacation.
For the full profile — and more Austin recommendations — go here now.
We’re lucky to have such a talented, inspiring team of stylists, licensed massage therapists, estheticians, and concierges. And as we grow, so does our milk + honey family. Meet the newest faces, and make sure to come in to all three locations to say “hi!”
Meg, stylist at SALON by milk + honey at Arboretum Market
Meg is a beauty industry veteran. After 15 years as a makeup artist and esthetician, Meg sought a new challenge and became a hair stylist. She spent three years in New York, falling in love with her new field, and moved to Austin in 2013. Meg feels a connection to her clients and has a knack for understanding their needs, and creating cuts and colors that are wearable and easy to maintain. She loves creating luxurious blondes, eliminating frizz with keratin smoothing treatments, and cutting sassy pixie styles. When she’s not in the salon, Meg is probably at the movies, cooking extravagant dinners, or playing with her Chinese Crested puppies, Billie and Miles.
Mark, licensed massage therapist at 2nd Street District/Downtown spa
Mark has been in Austin for the past seven years and has been heavily involved in our local dance community. He has two cats whom he likes to spend his spare time with. And when he’s not dancing or chilling with his cats in his down time, he also enjoys yoga and bodywork.
Alyssa, shampoo assistant at Hill Country Galleria salon
Alyssa has been in Austin for the past six months, but she has already fallen in love with the city’s hike and bike trails, music scene, and busy outdoor life. She decided to become a cosmetologist because she loves hair, the salon life, and meeting new people. Her beauty tip is “as long as you own your style, you can pull it off!”
Kim, licensed massage therapist at 2nd Street District/Downtown spa
Kim moved to Austin seven years ago. She loves being outdoors, and her favorite place to be (outside of the spa) is the Greenbelt. Kim became a massage therapist because she really wanted to give something special to other people. Her favorite beauty tip is a DIY oil, mixing castor oil and grape seed oil — it’s great for your skin and hair.
Jordan R., nail tech at the SALON by milk + honey at Arboretum Market
Jordan moved to Austin three years ago from Seattle, Washington. She loves it here, and enjoys going to see any concert or live music. Jordan loves being a nail therapist and being able to make others feel beautiful inside and out.
What makes the Organic Color System different from the rest? Our Organic Master Colorist, Kelli, has the answers.
This ammonia-free, oil-based color line will exceed your expectations while keeping your hair healthy and shiny. Kelli has been using the line almost exclusively for four years. She began her career at the Sassoon Academy and has worked as an educator for several color lines.
So, what exactly made her stick with Organic Color after 15 years in the industry? Simply put: no ammonia. After becoming a color specialist, she felt fatigued and was having a hard time with the ammonia smell that’s found in many color lines. While doing some research, she came across the Organic Color System and was thrilled to see what great results they offer without the use of ammonia. Since this fateful discovery, Kelli has become a certified educator for the brand. Her favorite thing about the Organic System is that it works for everyone. The color is shiny, there’s less fading, and it works great on all hair types. Win-win.
Ready to make your color appointment with Kelli? Click here for her availability at the Arboretum Market location.
