It wouldn’t be a celebration without you. Our doors have been open at our newest location for almost two months and now it’s time to party. milk + honey invites you to our grand opening party Thursday, February 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at SALON by milk + honey Arboretum Market.

SALON by milk + honey Arboretum Market offers fantastic hair, makeup, and nail treatments located at the Arboretum Market shopping center, near Saks Fifth Avenue, next to Williams-Sonoma. Free parking is available immediately in front of the salon.

Guests of the grand opening will enjoy local food, signature cocktails, a chance to meet our milk + honey team, and a prize drawing for one of our amazing treatments.

milk + honey is proud to support local businesses and Emily’s Catering and Delish are providing food for the event. Emily’s Catering is a woman-owned HUB that has been providing the highest quality of cuisine to Central Texans for more than 25 years. Delish Bakery focuses on gourmet cupcakes, pies, cakes, cookies, tarts and all things delish, and will be providing desserts.

We look forward to seeing you Thursday night, February 23 for a night of celebration as we officially kick off our newest salon location, SALON by milk + honey Arboretum Market.

Click here to RSVP to the grand opening.

Contact Chase Alexander at 512.949.3652 with any additional questions about the event.

Matt is one of our fantastic massage therapists at milk + honey spa 2nd Street District.

Valentine’s Day is upon us. Whether you prefer to ignore the holiday or embrace your romantic side, love is all around us, especially in the touch.

Standard descriptions of our holiday describe a cloudy syncretism of historical figures (all martyrs for love), Catholicism, and pagan rituals Click here for History.com’s take on Valentine’s Day. Historians often reach back to 270-300 A.D. to initiate this romantic drama. Mother nature on the other hand seems to have reached back beyond man, beyond monkey, maybe all the way to the vole.

Have you ever heard of oxytocin? I first heard about this hormone when I was in massage school, but it has since emerged into popular discourse as well. It seems to be present in every mammal on the planet. Human physiology text books echo the initial clinical scrutiny of this nine amino acid chain as a hormone produced by the sex organs for the purpose of letting down milk and contracting the uterus, but subsequent research has revealed a more utilitarian and ubiquitous character to this powerful protein.

First let me kill the suspense, yes oxytocin floods your system before, during, and after all of your sexual experiences. Likewise, laboring mothers experience a massive download of the stuff during and following labor and delivery. The experience of maternal love at first sight, and the amnesia of child bearing pain that sets in when a mother first holds her child, are both moments undoubtedly framed in the pink hazy frill of oxytocin.

I reckon it satisfies some pretty obvious reward systems that perpetuate any species with fur on their bodies, but what is it? A cursory web search describes oxytocin as a wonder molecule that increases feelings of trust and intimacy but it goes deeper than that. Dr Ray Sahelian dryly details a more clinical side to oxytocin on his own forum. He describes a powerful neurohormone and modulator that the hypothatlamic and supraoptic nuclei of the brain, as well as peripheral tissues of the heart and sex organs, produce. The hormone acts on those tissues, as well as the kidney, thymus, and pancreas, resulting in a body-wide response.

As it turns out oxytocin reduces the effects associated with stress and anxiety. It helps reduce blood pressure and cortisol levels, increases our pain threshold and directly affects the amgdyla in tempering our anxiety level. In short, everything you need for your loved ones to announce that “both mother and child are well” can be provided by this brilliant bio-character.

Oxytocin has a more humanitarian and platonic side to it as well. In addition to combating stress, pain and fear, oxytocin stimulates positive social interaction and promotes growth and healing as well. Furthermore, it just makes you feel good, content, dreamy. Put one way, it’s what makes little kids like puppies and makes puppies like little kids. It’s why cats purr. It probably plays a role in pack identity. In his brilliant collection of essays “The Scientification of Love,” French obstetrician Michel Odent extends these implications and explores the role of oxytocin in promoting healthier civilizations in general.

In this light, oxytocin is quite simply the peptide that binds. Since it feels good and is good for you, you may want to up your dose. Given its immense utility, it comes as no surprise that other stimuli outside the range of coupling and mating also trigger its release. Though supported by less rigorous literature visual and olfactory sensations will trigger it. Eating with friends and family trigger it as well.

Call it dinner and a movie … plus a spa day. Increasingly it seems that basic well-intentioned touch and warmth trigger oxytocin as well. Massage in all its forms release oxytocin, though the lighter kinds associated with true Swedish massage and facials probably release more. A few years ago journalist Roni Caryn Rabin reported for the New York Times on the subject, click here to read. Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles who found that massage increased levels of oxytocin (and decreased stress hormones such as cortisol), and that a single session produced biological changes. That post-massage, wet noodle feeling of contentment where all you need is a nap is in part due to oxytocin.

So basically anytime you get that warm fuzzy feeling inside, oxytocin is probably lurking in the background, marshaling biological changes that promote your health. As our understanding about it increases, it seems to do nothing other than confirm our biological bias for falling in love, for starting families, to look after each other, to live with pets, and to build community. You are built to experience love, connection, and bonding, and that is good for you.

milk + honey does not approve of the Brazilian Blowout and we do not (nor have we ever) sold the product. You can help salon workers by taking action and asking the FDA to recall the Brazilian Blowout. Here is additional information from Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

Big news this week on Brazilian Blowout — you know, those formaldehyde-releasing hair straighteners that have been marketed as “formaldehyde-free.” The manufacturers must stop deceiving salons about the danger of their products, thanks to a settlement with the California Attorney. The lawsuit was filed under the authority of the law we helped pass in 2005, the California Safe Cosmetics Act – so this is a true victory for safe cosmetics advocacy!

Now, Brazilian Blowout products will carry warning stickers, and salons will finally get accurate information about the health risks of using them. But, these dangerous products are still on the shelves, and salon workers and their customers are still being exposed every day to a known human carcinogen.

We need your help today to protect salon workers and women who get their hair straightened from these harmful toxic exposures!

Please join us in asking the FDA to follow through on its August 2011 warning to Brazilian Blowout, which stated that the products are “adulterated” and “misbranded” and therefore subject to seizure. Current law doesn’t give the FDA much power, but it does give them the authority to seize cosmetic products that are unsafe or injurious to users.

Brazilian Blowout products have been banned in many countries, and now it’s time for FDA to get these dangerous products off American shelves, too. Just personalize our letter and we’ll deliver it to Michael W. Roosevelt, Acting Director for the FDA’s Office of Compliance.

The FDA also needs to hear from stylists who’ve experienced health problems as a result of working with Brazilian Blowout – please share this link with your stylist so he or she can tell his or her story to the FDA!

There is no better way to spend Valentine’s Day than relaxing at milk + honey. Purchase a gift certificate for yourself, someone special, or better yet enjoy a couple’s spa treatment with someone you love. Skip the flowers and chocolates. Our Valentine’s Day Retreats are calorie free and never go out of style. On Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12 both of our spas will be open from 8am to 10pm, making sure those early risers and night owls get their spa time too. We recommend scheduling your appointments now before all of the prime spots are taken!

Spa Gifts for All Types
Here are some of our most popular Retreats. For a full list of our Valentine’s specials, click here.

For the Spa Newbie
If he or she has never been to the spa, they may enjoy our Valentine’s Mini Retreat which includes a Signature Facial or a 60-minute Lux Massage and a m + h Manicure. $129. Buy Gift Certificate

For the Spa Junkie
The experienced spa goer might enjoy something a bit more dramatic such as our Valentine’s Dreamy Retreat, which includes a 120-minute Lux Massage, our Signature Facial, and a m + h Manicure. $269. Buy Gift Certificate

The Couple that Does Everything Together
milk + honey is even better when shared. With the Couple’s Retreat you’ll each enjoy a 60-minute Lux Massage in our couples’ room, our Signature Facial, and a m + h Manicure. $425 for two. Buy Gift Certificate

For the Educated Couple
Bring your partner to milk + honey and you’ll both learn how to give a great back and neck massage with our Backrub 101. With just a few techniques, you can be a massage master to your loved one. After you get a 30-minute lesson, you will each receive a 60-minute Lux Massage in our couples’ room, provided by the experts. $290 for two. Buy Gift Certificate

For the Manly Man
Don’t be fooled, boys enjoy their time at the spa too. We recommend the Manly Retreat, which includes a 60-minute Sports Massage, Men’s Deep Clean Facial, and Manly Manicure. $245. Buy Gift Certificate

Gift Certificates Any Way You Like
Our gift certificates are available for any service or increment and are accepted at all locations. Click here to mail a gift certificate to that special someone, or if you can’t wait, you may purchase an instant gift certificate by clicking here, to print or email it right from your computer. You may always place your order by calling us at 512.236.1115, or by visiting any spa or salon location.

Hey Cupid, Give Him a Hint!
Does your honey need a nudge to make sure that milk + honey is part of your Valentine’s Day festivities? Email cupid@milkandhoneyspa.com with your honey’s name and your request. Cupid will send him or her a gentle reminder.

milk + honey is pleased to announce we’re now carrying a fantastic new line of sandals called OKA b.

OKA b. sandals are antimicrobial, machine washable, recyclable, therapeutic, and made right here in the USA! We haven’t even mentioned the price, they’re only $20. Plus, when you are tired of your old pair, you can send it in to OKA b. and exchange them for a new one.

Style: Chloe sandals from OKA b.
Sizes: S (5.5-6.5), M (7-8), ML (8.5-9.5), L (10-11)
Colors: Salt (white), Pearl (champagne), Licorice (black), and Twilight (grey/slate)

2nd Street District and Arboretum Market locations have the sandals right now, with Hill Country Galleria getting their selection by the end of this week.

Here are additional details about OKA b. sandals:

Reflexology-Inspired Design
The therapeutic principles of reflexology guide the design of OKA b. products. All of our shoes feature an ergonomic footbed enhanced with massage beads to pamper feet with every step.

Antimicrobial & Odor Resistant
OKA b.’s non–absorbent material resists the growth of mildew, fungus and bacteria. A great feature for spas and resorts!

Non-Slip & Non-Marking
OKA b. shoes are slip-resistant, providing stability on wet or dry terrain. Our colorful shoes won’t leave marks on the floor.

Microplast® Technology
Proprietary Microplast® technology provides a lightweight, flexible shoe that remains comfortable and durable. Microplast’s chemical make up is Poly Vinyl Chloride which is actually made from salt and fossil fuel.

Machine Washable & Colorfast
OKA b.’s non-absorbent material makes our shoes machine washable and easy to sanitize. Keep your feet clean and healthy – your OKA b.s will resist fading even through repeated washings.

One-Piece Construction
All OKA b. shoes, including thongs, feature one–piece construction for superior durability and comfort.

Endless Color Combinations
OKA b. offers a diverse color palette and style selection that allows you to create the perfect fit for your retail environment.

Made in the U.S.A.
The OKA b. design team and factory are located north of metro Atlanta in Buford, Georgia. On–site manufacturing allows for unmatched quality control and attention to detail.

Environmentally Conscious
OKA b. shoes are recyclable according to International Universal Recycling Code Number 3. Customers can now send their well–loved shoes to our corporate headquarters, where they will be ground and mixed with virgin material to create new product.

Welcome our newest stylist Megan. You will find Megan at our Hill Country Galleria salon. You can meet all of our milk + honey stylists right here — Our Team.

Megan has known since a young age that hair and makeup was her calling. It all started when she kept getting compliments on the updo’s she would do on her own hair. It was no surprise that she started her career doing bridal and event hair and makeup. She soon became an expert in airbrush makeup and modern up-styling. This spurred her to enroll in the Avenue Five Institute. She credits her time there for the love of her industry. This is where she learned the renowned Vidal Sassoon cutting technique, Wella Hair color, and Kevin Murphy styling. She is also well versed in Organic Color Systems, which is a nice alternative to traditional hair color. In her free time she enjoys hitting local restaurants with her friends, spending time outdoors and watching movies.

Welcome Megan, we are thrilled to have you on the milk + honey team.

Life can be pretty stressful. milk + honey is here to help. With milk + honey Memberships, you can save money on your favorite treatment(s), earn bonus VIP points, and look forward to your next visit in a month! Take a look below and see if a milk + honey Membership or a Series Treatment is right for you. We can make any treatment into a series or membership just right for you.

Purchase a Treatment Series by clicking here, or by calling milk + honey.

Additional Information on Memberships

Memberships are for Spa Partisans who enjoy our spas and salons on a monthly basis. Any milk + honey treatment can be turned into a membership. You will be entitled to one (or more) treatment(s) per month, billed automatically (you choose the billing date). milk + honey Memberships may be put on hold after 6 months. We can even add gratuity to your plan so you can breeze in and float out without ever having to reach for your pocketbook.

• create milk + honey Membership at 2nd Street District
• create milk + honey Membership at Hill Country Galleria
• create milk + honey Membership at Arboretum Market

Please do not hesitate to call 512.236.1115 or email us at info@milkandhoneyspa.com with any additional questions on our Treatments, Treatment Series and milk + honey Memberships.

milk + honey spa is pleased to announce our Product of the Month for February is PINO Natural Spa Therapy.

Why we love it: No synthetics or sulfates, not tested on animals, plant derived, high quality ingredients, plus it feels and smells fantastic. Available in Coconut Mint, Lavender Rosewood, Orange Lemongrass and Honey Ginger.

Products:
Bath oil – $23.80
Body lotion – $19.80
Body wash – $19.80

For the month of February, all PINO products are 20% off at our 2nd Street District and Hill Country Galleria spas. It’s a great chance to find out why you should be using PINO Natural Spa Therapy.

Every week at milk + honey we offer an exclusive deal available only on our iPhone/iPad app.

Last week, we offered clients 25% off Kevin Murphy products at SALON by milk + honey Arboretum Market. Find out what this week’s offer is by clicking here and downloading our milk + honey app.

With the milk + honey iPhone app you can also browse our treatment menu and hear our latest news while you’re on the go.

SALON by milk + honey Arboretum Market is all moved in, open for business offering hair, makeup, and nail services, and now it’s time to meet the family. These fantastic stylists are ready to work with you. Call SALON by milk + honey Arboretum Market at 512.949.3652, email us at arboretum@milkandhoneysalon.com, or schedule your appointment online.

Adrienne
Adrienne loves making people look and feel beautiful! Her passion for creating precise, manageable hair began more than a decade ago in San Francisco where she enrolled in Cosmetology School. After completing her training, she realized Austin was where she needed to be. After breaking away from the West Coast and landing in Texas, she apprenticed for 18 months to ensure she was at her best. Being a curly-haired girl herself, she developed a need early on in her career for helping people embrace their natural texture. With the proper knowledge and guidance of how to work with one’s curls, clients consistently leave her chair excited to try the special techniques at home and find much success in doing so. While she is a fantastic go-to girl for curly hair, she’s also an expert in cut + color. Spend time with Adrienne and you’ll not only leave with fabulous hair but you’ll quickly learn the secrets of having beautiful, healthy locks!

Jacob
Jacob Esparza has been a stylist since 2008. A creative spirit, he channels his lifelong love of the arts through his work as a stylist. Working toward the aesthetic ideal, whether in the salon or painting and creating at home, Jacob is motivated by modernity and high fashion. Given the blank canvas of a new client he is driven by the challenge that precision cuts and innovative color offer. Though not a native Austinite, Jacob is at home in this lively and eclectic city, and is invigorated by its many artistic elements. Whether it be a concert, gallery opening, or film, Jacob enjoys spending time immersing himself in other mediums. With his eye always on the future, Jacob is a visionary stylist with big aspirations grounded in true talent.

Lu
Lu is from the central Texas area and has lived in Lorena, Waco, Dallas. She’s been in Austin since 2010. Lu is a social butterfly and loves to be around people. She’s always had an affinity for making people look and feel better, and is extremely passionate about her work. She’s been in the hair industry since 2009. She attended the Toni&Guy Hair Academy in Dallas and worked for Toni&Guy in Austin until she recently joined the SALON by milk + honey team. She specializes in cut, color, eyebrow waxing and shaping. In her spare time you can find her hiking, enjoying the outdoors or spending quality time with friends and family.

Rebekah
Originally from Lubbock, Texas, Rebekah has been styling since 2003. The highlight of her career was the time she spent training under Frederic Fekkai in New York City. Following New York, she moved to Lexington, Kentucky where she took the position as Creative Director and Director of Education at Seasons Salon and Spa. Rebekah has also worked as a Kadus color educator and trained extensively in Volumetrics haircutting under Philip Pelusi. Rebekah specializes in color and loves working with clients who consider their hair challenging. When Rebekah isn’t styling, you will find her running the trails or reading her favorite book.

milk + honey spa just added another fantastic massage therapist! She’ll be at our 2nd Street District and Hill Country Galleria locations.

Susan relocated to Austin in 2008 from the rainforest in Chiapas, Mexico, where she made her home for 14 years. She holds a BA in East Asian Studies from Middlebury College in Vermont, as well as an MFA in Theater Arts from the University of Arizona. Susan’s massage practice is enhanced by her in-depth education and her experience as a performing artist and teacher of dance, experiential anatomy, and movement. Her clients describe her massage as flowing, focused, mindful, caring, and tuned in to their individual needs. Her favorite recent reading is “Touching Enlightenment: Finding Realization in the Body,” by Reginald Ray.

Welcome Susan, and we are thrilled to have you as a new Spa Partisan.

Massage is about knowing when to let go and when to hold on. Photo by TechSavi

Matt is one of our fantastic massage therapists at milk + honey spa 2nd Street District.

Have you ever been on the massage table, and your therapist scoops up one of your limbs, cradling it in the palms of her hands, and suddenly she says, “OK, just let it go”? This seems incongruent. You thought you already were relaxed. Let go of what?

Well, let go of your arm, your leg, or your head, of course. To be fair, “let go” is one of those countless phrases that often assumes more than it communicates. Its utterance assumes awareness and understanding, at the precise moment of its opposite’s presentation. The opposite of letting go is, of course, holding on.

In my opinion, due to its vagueness, telling someone to “let it go” or “let go” is about as useful as telling them, “NASA found water on Mars,” and yet I myself am tempted to use this phrase. Usually the therapist attempts to take a limb through a range of motion and/or to reposition the client to gain access to a work area. The client unconsciously halts the action. They either directly resist it or try to help the therapist, which is unnecessary. From the therapist’s point of view, the client really is fighting the movement. From the client’s point of view, they’re probably thinking, “Dinner could be any number of things, the kids need picking up, and that feels pretty good … Oh, wait? Let go of what?”

Once we figure out what “letting go” means, we may see its worth. I advocate it as a worthy enterprise of practice and development. Holding takes place in the muscles and mind. If we could let go of our holding, we would gain an enormous measure of peace, and also get more out of our massages. We want to develop the skill of letting go, because letting go is indicated when holding on inhibits therapeutic or otherwise positive development. As therapists, we want to avoid triggering the “hold on” response.

I argue that both the fault and the solution lies within both the practitioner’s and client’s realm of control. In studying this phenomenon after a while, I discovered at least a few theories, and a few ideas for dealing with it. From my observations I believe the clashing of movement at the massage table results from specific client and therapist modes.

The client doesn’t have the awareness or skills to let go. It may also be that they don’t trust their therapist, have let their attention go elsewhere, or are under too much stress. In short, they haven’t done their homework. The therapist on the other hand has triggered unconscious alarms in the client’s body. Basically the client is either too “switched off” or too sensitive, and/or the therapist is too abrupt, checked out, or is using an ineffective posture.

First, let’s take a look at our physiology. Proprioception is one of our hidden senses. It refers to awareness of our body in space. It’s kind of like a cross between touch and equilibrium, and is what allows you to know where your arm is when you raise it over your head, even though you can’t see it. Specialized cells called proprioceptors, mostly located around the joints, provide this service for you, but you can develop this sense if you want to. Other specialized cells like stretch and pressure receptors, tell us the relative tension of the tendons and ligaments. Finally our nervous system interprets and scales any change of sensory input, such as touch, change of position, sound, or lighting.

The inclination to resist movement must partially relate to our deeply ingrained fear of falling. Usually you stop yourself from even beginning to fall, and the experience almost always resides below consciousness. We also have another unconscious desire to inhibit any movement that overly challenges our joints. I don’t think it provides the same level of fear, but it factors in. Relegating the management of a change in environment, as communicated by a change in senses, to an unconscious level makes sense from a survival perspective as well. If those changes challenge the individual’s survival needs, a reaction is appropriate.

I suspect these biological conditions provide our venue for client/therapist failure. Both of us must work to inhibit these responses.

If I might overstep my scope, I think therapists must know how to create a space of safety. For a massage therapist this means we communicate. We don’t engage the fear of falling or the resistance to joint torque. We must provide the base that supports any manipulation we do. Deep horse stances and T-stances that support our physical center are necessary when we stand beneath the client’s limb. In this manner, we lend our clients a center of balance for movement to occur in their body, and no sense of falling. Secondly, we can expand our attention to encompass the full joint and limbs in our movement. If we approach transitions gently, and manage to minimize our own physical stress and efforts, we could probably defuse most resistance at the table.

Now for the client. It isn’t your fault that you unconsciously don’t want to be controlled by another individual. In fact, the pervasiveness of this habit suggests it’s a universal survival utility. Getting a massage shouldn’t be one of those times when survival instincts are firing though. In my experience, massage is a “co-creative” process. In other words, to the extent that a client is prepared to receive the massage, is the extent to which he or she will derive benefit from massage. Client and therapist should always be on the same side of a goal and the approach to that goal.

Client preparation may include physical, behavioral, and mental preparation. This may mean showing up to session early, taking a shower, stretching, reading, or agreeing to rest your worries on the floor as you receive. If I had to guess, being prepared to let go of your personal narratives would help the most. Write down your to-do lists if you must, but don’t bring them to the table. It may require a deeper practice and mind set.

You can physically learn how to let go by raising your arms and letting them drop of their own accord. You may need to convince yourself that it’s OK to take time off for your own care and maintenance. Knowing what you want from your massage and being able to communicate that will defuse quite a bit of anxiety. Of course in the extreme, no massage therapist worth their salt will violate boundaries by working the breasts or genitalia (we don’t consider the glutes to be a no-touch zone), but you should set boundaries ahead of time for yourself anyway. I think it’s a lot easier to relax if you’ve already decided what constitutes a deal-breaking breech of comfort. It feels empowering to take responsibility for your own sense of safety.

At the heart of this exchange is the relative ability to relinquish control as a client, and provide a safe place as a therapist. It requires practice, communication, a benefit of the doubt, and a little risk, to step out of our habitual holding and controlling, but in my opinion it’s worth it.

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, we’ve made it easy for you to forget the chocolates. Check out the milk + honey Valentine’s Day Packages and Specials.

You’ll find once-a-year packages perfect for you or your special someone like:

Valentine’s Mini Retreat
This is the perfect Valentine’s treat
Signature Facial OR 60-minute Lux Massage
m + h Manicure
Buy Gift Certificate
$129

Venus’ Retreat
75-minute Lux Massage
Signature Facial
m + h Manicure and Pedicure
Buy Gift Certificate
$259

Valentine’s Ultimate Retreat
Ultimate Massage
Ultimate Facial
Buy Gift Certificate
$339

We also know milk + honey is one of those things that is even better when shared.

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 $425.
Buy Gift Certificate

Back Rub 101
Give the gift that keeps on giving! Bring your partner to milk + honey and you’ll both learn how to give a relaxing back and neck massage. With just a few massage techniques, you can be a massage master to your loved one. After you each receive a 30-minute massage lesson, practicing on your partner, you will both receive a one-hour Lux Massage in our couples’ room. 120 minutes for $290. You may upgrade to a Deep Tissue Massage for $10 per person.
Buy Gift Certificate

We’ve extended our hours February 11-12 (Saturday and Sunday) to 8am to 10pm at 2nd Street District and Hill Country Galleria, so that way you’ll have plenty of time to relax. milk + honey gift certificates are available for any service and any increment, accepted at all locations. Choose this option to mail a gift certificate to that special someone. Can’t wait? You can purchase an instant gift certificate and print or email it right from your computer.

These are only some of the specials milk + honey has available. Check out all of our Valentine’s Day Packages and Specials.

milk + honey is proud to be a part of Wellness Getaway: Austin Texas Lets You Recharge From The Outside In, featured on the website be (beforliving.com).

The article gives plenty of good tips on how to enjoy a healthy Austin with links to bike shops, trails, and of course, milk + honey spa! You’ll find us in the section titled, “Personal Peace and Harmony” and we think that’s a perfect good fit.

Want to save money on the great products you’ve come to love at milk + honey this weekend? Just so you know, the correct answer is nodding your head “yes.”

milk + honey will be on hand at the Le Garage Sale at the Austin Convention Center this Saturday and Sunday (January 28-29).

You’ll be able to score savings on Aveda, Clarisonic and other popular items with some clearance items at a 50% (or higher) discount.

We can’t wait to see you there. Since you’ll be right next to milk + honey spa 2nd Street District, schedule a massage or nail treatment and make a day of it. For additional information on Le Garage Sale, visit legaragesale.net.

Join us for a day of knowledge and great skin on January 31st from noon to 6pm as we host a peel party at our Hill Country Galleria spa.

You’ll spend 30 minutes with one of our expert estheticians receiving a skin analysis and our Pomegranate Peel (see description below). This peel is great for first timers, and just as effective for peel veterans! It’s also the perfect way to transition your skin to the winter weather. It supports the life span of your healthy cells, prevents free radical damage, and stimulates healthy cell turnover with an antioxidant rich peel.

Reserve your spot now by calling 512.263.1115.

The total fee is $50. That includes the Pomegranate Peel (regularly $95), and a $25 credit toward CosMedix products. Plus, we’ll have a CosMedix expert available to assist you further in finding the best products for your skin. There will also be light refreshments and Champagne. Great skin? Expert advice? It’s a win win.

Pomegranate Facial Peel
This is an antioxidant epidermal leveling peel that works to even out the top layers of the skin to smooth away superficial sun damage and discoloration. Containing some of nature’s most potent antioxidants—including pomegranate seed oil, green algae astaxanthin, and red wine resveratrol—this therapeutic leveling peel targets skin-damaging free radicals while gently stimulating collagen for a healthy, youthful finish. 30 minutes for $95

We are so excited to have our newest stylist, Jaimie, join our Hill Country Galleria team! Jaimie loves being a stylist, she can not imagine doing anything else. She wants to make people feel good, “and what better way to do that than through someone’s best accessory, their hair.” Her favorite hair tip … those with colored hair should wash it with water as cool as possible, this will keep your color vibrant and shiny. You will find Jaimie at out Galleria SALON.

Welcome Jaimie!

Our resident makeup artist, Courtney, is excited to share her knowledge with all of you at her makeup class on Thursday, January 12th. Her first makeup class in November was all about the eyes and a huge success.

This class will focus on complexion – what you need to achieve that perfect summer glow (even in the dead of winter). The class is free to attend and will be held from 6pm to 7pm at our 2nd Street District SALON. Please RSVP by January 10th to chase@milkandhoneyspa.com. He’ll get you on the list and share important tidbits with you!

If you’re new to SALON by milk + honey, we’re offering a complimentary haircut (a $65 value) with purchase of any color service.

Simply fill out the form below to receive a coupon that you can redeem at SALON by milk + honey 2nd Street District, Hill Country Galleria or Arboretum Market. This offer expires March 31, 2012.

Please call to schedule your appointment at one of our three salons.

2nd Street District SALON: 512.236.1112
Arboretum Market SALON: 512.949.3652
Hill Country Galleria SALON: 512.263.1115

If you’ve forgotten someone on your Christmas list, or just like to take care of things at the last minute, milk + honey is here to help.

There is still time to mail milk + honey Gift Certificates. Plus, we have Instant Gift Certificates. Give us a call at 512.236.1115 and we’ll get this taken care of for you quickly and easily.

For everyone who lives in Austin, we think you’ll be safe for Christmas morning if you place your orders by Thursday at noon. If you live outside of Austin, mailing a physical gift certificate may be too late, so we recommend one of our beautifully designed Instant Gift Certificates.

For anyone using overnight shipping through FedEx, orders need to be in Thursday by 5pm to make sure the gift certificates will arrive on Christmas Eve.

Once the calendar hits Thursday, December 22, we highly recommend using our Instant Gift Certificates.

We hope this helps your last minute Christmas needs. Have a happy holiday!