You’ve got your cleanser, toner, your favorite serums, but your skincare routine is missing something big… Well, actually, it’s quite small: FOREO’s Luna mini. With 8,000 sonic pulsations per minute, this facial brush is essential to achieving brighter, clearer, and healthier skin. To help you make the most of your LUNA mini, we asked our 2nd Street District assistant manager, Jen, to show us how she uses her LUNA mini.
{Guest post by one of milk + honey’s expert estheticians, Bella G.}
One of the most frequent questions I receive is “how often should I get a facial?”… The thing is — there’s no standard answer. Instead, here are the factors and questions I ask to frame a response and “plan of action” for the best type of skincare for you.
What type of skin do you have?
– Someone with active, chronic acne might need to initially come more often (sometimes as much as every week in the beginning), so the esthetician can perform extractions to help stop the breakout cycle and closely monitor how the skin is doing on the prescribed at-home skincare.
– Mature skin benefits from monthly facials to stimulate circulation and remove dead skin cells that dull the complexion.
– Normal and sensitive skin types can go for longer periods, but I think all skin types should come in at least quarterly.
What’s your budget?
– I’d rather see you once a year than not at all. This gives us a chance to talk about your skin. I can answer any questions you have and can set you up with an at-home skincare regimen that meets the needs of your face and wallet.
– Choosing to invest in your skin this year? Come every month. Then we can add peels, make sure that you are on some form of vitamin A as well as an epidermal growth factor, and regularly apply micro-currents to the skin to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin.
Is there an issue you want to focus on?
– Hyper-pigmentation can be radically reduced with a series of peels spaced two to three weeks apart.
– Acne can benefit from regular extractions and an occasional peel to help purge any deep congestion.
– Just want to relax? There is something about having another person’s hands on your face, head, neck and shoulders that creates a deep state of calm. Facials are actually a great stress reliever!
I will say that the ideal is that I get to see you every month. Your outermost layer of skin (the stratum corneum) renews itself approximately every 28 days. Getting a monthly facial means that you can enjoy having a refreshed appearance immediately and better penetration of any products you are using at home. Over time, you get the benefits of having your new cells replicated by the now healthier treated cells, and all your products will work faster and more effectively. There is definitely a cumulative effect to having regular facials.
– Increases blood circulation allowing for optimal skin health.
– Decreases puffiness, sallow complexion, and detoxifies by stimulating the lymphatic system.
– Facial massage smooths fine lines and promotes collagen production.
– Cleanses pores on a deeper level, preventing the stretching and widening of pores that can happen overtime with unchecked accumulation of oil and debris.
– Helps even tone and lighten dark spots.
– Slows down the aging process.
You can’t underestimate the value of taking a little time out for yourself every so often. Energy follows thought, and what we choose to focus on can — and does — bring about real change.
Massage, News, Specials, Treatments
Valentine’s Day Specials For That Special Someone (Just Sayin’)
February 11, 2014Don’t think about it as one day out of the year where your love is on blast. Instead, look at it as the perfect excuse to treat yourself — and the ones you love — to something unbelievably relaxing and well-deserved. We’ll make it easy on you. Limited-time only Valentine’s Day packages are just the thing to make this Friday anything but dreaded.
Valentine’s Mini Retreat
Signature Facial OR 60-minute Lux Massage
m + h Manicure
Buy Gift Certificate
$129
Cupid’s Retreat
60-minute Lux Massage
Signature Facial
Buy Gift Certificate
$179
Valentine’s Ultimate Retreat
Ultimate Massage
Ultimate Pedicure
Buy Gift Certificate
$259
Valentine’s Dreamy Retreat
90-minute Lux Massage with Exfoliating Back Scrub and Hydrating Hair Mask
Signature Facial
m + h Manicure and Pedicure
Buy Gift Certificate
$319
Date Night
60-minute Couples Massage
Side-by-Side m + h Pedicures
Buy Gift Certificate
$279
Enhance Your Retreat:
These services can be added to any treatment or package.
- Blowout, $45
- Blowout with Makeup Application, $75
- m + h Manicure, $30
- m + h Pedicure, $50
Couples Retreat
milk + honey is one of those things that is even better when shared. You’ll each enjoy a 60-minute Lux Massage in our couples room, a Signature Facial, and a m + h Manicure. About 3 hours for $449.
Buy Gift Certificate
Lux Massage
A customized, luxurious Swedish-style massage for relaxation that treats your problem areas and releases stress from your muscles. 60 minutes for $100, 75 minutes for $120, 90 minutes for $140, 120 minutes for $170.
Buy Gift Certificate
Lux Pedicure
Yum! Warm foot bath, exfoliation, a warm essential oil wrap, aromatherapy foot massage and hot towel compress. Finish it off with nail maintenance and polish. 60 minutes for $70.
Buy Gift Certificate
Manly Retreat
Your body works hard for you, so say “thank you.” The Manly Retreat includes a 60-minute Sports Massage, Men’s Deep Clean Facial, and Manly Manicure. About 2.5 hours for $259.
Buy Gift Certificate
The Spa Partisan
The signature milk + honey body treatment. Body brushing opens your pores before the skin is polished with a blend of brown sugar, coffee, crushed almonds, and dehydrated milk. Next, a steam treatment moisturizes, and a 60-minute Lux Massage with body butter completes the relaxing treatment. 100 minutes for $190.
Buy Gift Certificate
2nd Street District (spa + salon) | [email protected]
Hill Country Galleria (spa + salon) | [email protected]
Arboretum Market (salon) | [email protected]
Say goodbye to pomegranate and say hello to orange blossom. Starting March 22, it is time for our Spring Seasonal Treatment: Orange Blossom.
To purchase a gift certificate or schedule an appointment, go to our Specials page, or call 512.236.1115.
Orange Blossom Steam + Scrub + Massage 
This house-made sweet citrus treat uses raw organic sugar to exfoliate the skin, and fresh grated orange zest, neroli essential oil, and ground chamomile to calm inflammation. Followed by a 45-minute massage with warm oil, you’ll leave warm, soft, and glowing!
75 minutes for $140.
Orange Blossom Manicure + Pedicure
Put some spring into your step. With our refreshing Orange Blossom Manicure + Pedicure you’ll be sandal-ready and refreshed for the sunny months ahead, plus all the goodies included in our Lux Combo.
Manicure – 40 minutes for $45.
Pedicure – 60 minutes for $65.
Combo – 100 minutes for $95.
milk + honey loves to give you the variety of the seasons with our Seasonal Treatments. There are four to choose from throughout the year, each available for three months. If you purchase a Seasonal Scrub + Steam + Massage gift certificate and miss your opportunity to use it within that three-month time period, don’t worry. Another seasonal treatment is available and just as wonderful as the last.
Again, to purchase a gift certificate or schedule an appointment, go to our Specials page, or call 512.236.1115.
Treatments
New Lavish Lashes Treatments at milk + honey for the Perfect Eyelash Extensions
April 1, 2013
At milk + honey, our Lavish Lashes have received a makeover. Check out our new options and prices to make your lashes come alive.
For a complete description of Lavish Lashes and to best maintain this dynamic look, click here. Call 512.236.1115 to schedule your appointment today.
milk + honey offers three Lavish Lash looks and inexpensive touch-up options:
Natural: A practical, natural, every day look. The application will take about 2 hours. This includes your first 30-minute touch up to be scheduled within 2 weeks of initial application. $195
Lush: Want to look like your wearing mascara without applying any? This is the option for you, with an application time of 2 to 2.5 hours, which includes your first free touch up to be scheduled within 2 weeks of initial application! $250
Glama Rama: A dramatic, full, thick, run-way look. This application will take 2 to 2.5 hours, which includes your first 30-minute touch-up to be scheduled within 2 weeks of initial application. $315
Touch-ups: Touch-Ups are recommended in order to maintain your lashes. Touch-Ups are also available in a series of 4 for a 10% discount.
1-week touch-up $40
2-week touch-up $65
3-week touch-up $85
4-week touch-up $105
* If you are past the 4-week mark, add an additional $25 (if there are 10 lashes or less on each eye).
It’s a new year. Detox. That’s the advice from Kristin Finan at Statesman.com and we couldn’t agree more. She lists milk + honey as one of the great places in Austin for detoxification treatments. Here is an excerpt from the article:
… Austin is home to a number of spas that offer detoxification treatments that rid your body of toxins while improving your overall health. Here are some options to consider.
Steam it out
If you hope to get the toxins out while replenishing your dry, cracked skin, the 90-minute Detox Steam + Massage body treatment at Milk + Honey will give you a great deal of bang for your buck. Start with an invigorating body brushing, followed by a 60-minute Luxe Massage in which your massage therapist will use a special detox oil to refresh your skin. Top off the experience with a head massage in the steam canopy; steam is known to improve the immune system and help detoxify the lymphatic system by opening your pores.
Click here to read the rest of the article.
Call milk + honey at 512.236.1115 to schedule your Detox Steam + Massage.
I was reluctant. I was skeptical. I have seen the light. Yes, I received my first facial.
Why should a (35-year-old) man receive a facial? Great question. My first motivation comes from my wife. After all, it’s my wife who found the place where I get my haircut, and made sure very early in our relationship that I was done with pleated pants. So when she started commenting on my face wrinkles (that’s what they are technically called, right?), I wondered if I should do something about it. You see, she’s the type who actually applies some sort of lotion/sunscreen to her face every single day. If I may speak for all men, we find the idea of sunscreen on your face even on cloudy days, or work days very amusing. If I may speak for all women, they just rolled their eyes at my last comment.
I showed up to milk + honey spa and was ready for my scheduled Signature Facial. That’s right, I didn’t even go with the Men’s Facial for the main reason that it doesn’t include extractions. I’ll get to what that means shortly.
The first thing I was asked to do was change into a robe. I was confused and explained I was getting a facial and not a massage. Perhaps I should back up. Before this treatment, here is what I thought would happen:
1. Get gunk scrubbed into my face.
2. Get heavier gunk stuck on my face.
3. Get gunk peeled off of my face.
4. Eat the cucumbers that were placed over my eyes.
That’s it. That’s what I knew. Needless to say, I was wrong. Facials are from your shoulders and up. Once in my robe, and once in the treatment room I was ready for my facial.
Hayley was my esthetician and did a great job explaining everything to me. My favorite part was that in the beginning she asked if I wanted to know what she was doing, or wanted this to be quiet relaxation. I wanted to know. After examining my skin she commented there was light sun damage and my skin was dehydrated. She was correct, because I just finished nine days of SXSW. She cleansed. During this process she also gave attention to my shoulders, neck, scalp and face. I realize I might be technically wrong to call this a full out massage, but that’s exactly what it felt like. Insanely relaxing. It almost felt like whatever she was doing to my skin was secondary.
Next up were extractions. The polite way to say this is that she removed built up dirt, but we’re all adults here. She was popping zits people (in a very professional way). Hayley explained she doesn’t recommend doing this at home, and one of her key advantages is the angles she is able to take when removing the dirty little problems. I freely admit to having moments in front of the mirror, removing acne. I don’t like it one bit. Especially because I have the type of skin that will remain red with intense pinches. At the end, I fully expected a face dotted with red land mines.
The facial masque was next. In my head, this was going to finally be the boring part. I’d get the masque on, and then sit and wait. While some of you find this relaxing, I get antsy. Guys, don’t worry about being bored during a facial, because this is the best part. After the masque was applied, Hayley started working the arms. That’s right, you receive a full hand/arm massage. At this point I felt like I was discovering a secret world of enjoyment and at any moment a group of women would burst in the room with a cease and desist order. That never happened. Instead I was in a state of perfect relaxation.
After Hayley removed the masque, I received some intense moisture that my skin desperately needed (remember, SXSW). Then Hayley recapped what she did to my skin, and what I could do to my skin going forward. First off, she recommends quarterly facials, and at the most once a month. She also recommended some products. I picked up the Environmental Cleaner since I loved the scent during the treatment.
With everything finished, I looked in the mirror to see the damage. None. There was nothing. I wasn’t filled with red blotches. Hayley did her job quite well. That wasn’t the most amazing part. I felt my face, specifically my nose. Guys, remember the first time you shaved in high school? I could not believe how smooth my face was. This was the same thing. My face was ridiculously smooth.
Every single smell was amazing. Nothing was flowery, or reeked of perfume. Citrus, red wine, and ginger were the main aromas I remember. In fact, nothing seems feminine about the facial. Is getting acne taken care of girly? Is a neck or arm massage something you wouldn’t love right now?
I love to think in absolutes. So I posed this question to myself, “If I could only choose facials or massages for the rest of my life what would I do?” I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think facials. That hour with Hayley was insanely relaxing (OK, I admit extractions don’t feel great), plus I don’t want to spend time taking care of my face everyday. I know I’m not going to do it. If milk + honey spa is willing to take that job on, I’m happy to hand it off.
I was reluctant. I was skeptical. I have seen the light. Yes, I received my first facial, and I loved it.
Disclosure: Jeff Bayer does freelance work for milk + honey.
We’ve just added Aveda’s Botanical Hair and Scalp Therapy Treat to our SALON menu.
Like a facial for your hair—Aveda’s Botanical Hair and Scalp Therapy combines high performance botanical formulas with aromaology and a therapeutic scalp massage. The hair is then treated with one of two intense repair formulas: Moisture Immersion, for up to 71% softer, smoother strands; or Strength Infusion, for up to 71% more resistance to combing breakage.
The treatment will create softer, silkier, more manageable hair and includes a blowout + style to finish the look.
You can enjoy this treat as a standalone treatment for $65 or as an add-on to another salon service for $35.
Austin is a wonderful place to live but can be brutal for allergy sufferers. With Cedar Fever right around the corner we wanted to share some of our treatments that can help alleviate the symptoms of allergies:
- Head Massage – Our Lux Massage can be customized to include additional focus on the head and sinuses. This can be a great way to alleviate sinus pressure. And the endorphins that massage releases will make you feel better!
- Acupuncture – We offer acupuncture which can be focused on helping to ward off the symptoms of allergies.
- Detox Steam + Massage – This popular body treatment can work wonders.
- Extra Head Massage – can be added to any massage or body treatment.
Photo credit: outscribe.
We’ve made some great updates to our menu. We’ll be sending out a bunch of updates about our upgraded, lux treatment options this week. If you’re looking for a menu where you can see all of our treatments in one place, download a printable milk + honey menu here.
