Are you ready to boost your Signature Facial at milk + honey?

To top off the rejuvenating and deep cleansing benefits of the Signature Facial, take your skin care to the next level with the Pomegranate Brightening Treatment.

We upgrade the Signature Facial with 2 different antioxidant peel treatments, the first being the Blueberry Smoothie that gently refreshes and exfoliates without irritation. This antioxidant peel combines a gentle acid with blueberry extracts that smooths away surface impurities and invigorates for a clear youthful glow. It’s also an exceptional blemish treatment.

The second treatment, the Pomegranate Peel, works to even out the top layer of skin, smoothing away superficial sun damage and brightening the skin. Powerful antioxidant ingredients provide a therapeutic leveling treatment that targets free radicals while gently stimulating collagen for a youthful finish. If you receive facials routinely this is a great way to kick it up a notch and if you’re just beginning your skincare journey this is a great way to deep clean, renew and start with a clean, fresh slate.

The Pomegranate Brightening Treatment is an add-on for the Signature Facial only. Our peels are $95 as a stand alone, but the Pomegranate Brightening Treatment is $50 when added to our Signature Facial.

Call 512.236.1115 and schedule your treatment today.

The response to our makeover contest was absolutely overwhelming. We want to thank everyone for taking the time to write us and tell us why their mom should win.

Each winner will receive the following: m + h Manicure/Pedicure, Cut + Color, Makeup Application, and a goodie bag filled with our favorite milk + honey products.

Our Three Winners
2nd Street District Winner
Robin (Entered by her daughter Tara)
“My mother has been a single mom to me and my sisters since I was 10. She was always able to scrape together enough money for our dance classes, braces, and track uniforms. She always did without. She started going to college at night and persevered through nine years of it because she was only able to take one or two classes a semester. After receiving her teaching degree she opened a Pre-K and turned part of our home into a classroom. She has refused to raise prices over the past five years because she believes the community needs a low-priced, quality Pre-K. She is patient, loving, and considerate. She deserves to be pampered and shown affection just as she has for her children, her community, and her church for decades.”

Hill Country Galleria Winner
Mary Lisa (Entered by her daughter Ashley)
“My mom is graduating college on May 11, 2012. She has been a single mom with two kids working two, sometimes even three jobs to put us through college and pay for my wedding! She has done so much and deserves pampering after working and being a full-time student (at 47 years old, it’s really amazing). I am so proud of her and would love to be able to treat her to this. She is truly the best mom, and would never ask for this on her own, but would soak this up! She never has the time to do this for herself, but she deserves this.”

Arboretum Market Winner
Rebecca (Entered by her sister Noemi)
“My sister is the strongest woman I know. She left a difficult relationship to raise her beautiful two-year-old daughter, in a safe and happy environment. She is a single, working mother who struggles every day to provide the best she can for her sweet baby girl. Because she works so hard to take care of everybody else, I think she deserves to be pampered with a milk + honey makeover to remind her of how beautiful she is, inside and out.”

Next month we’ll highlight the makeovers so you can see the transformation from these deserving moms. Again, thank you to everyone who entered.

Do you have a graduate in your life? First off, congratulations to you and them. This is a special time. Before they get to the next step in their life, let’s make sure they enjoy the moment by looking and feeling their best.

A great gift would be to make sure your graduate has a Lux Manicure so her nails are looking their best when she’s holding that diploma. Do you have the Ultimate Graduate? Well then, an Ultimate Massage sounds like the perfect fit. Here are three Graduation Retreats sure to please, or you can let them choose with gift certificates to mail, and instant gift certificates.

Walk the Walk – Graduation Retreat
Get “Diploma Ready” with your hair professionally styled and a makeup application for the day of graduation.
Salon Blowout
Makeup Application
$85 Buy Gift Certificate

Nail the Interview – Graduation Retreat
You’ve graduated. Now it’s time to show’em what you got. You’ll be “Interview Ready” and perfectly polished, waxed and coiffed.
Salon Blowout
m + h Manicure
Eyebrow Wax
$95 Buy Gift Certificate

Relax the Grad – Graduation Retreat
Graduation weekend can be a stressful time for a grad with family and events. Plus, they now have the rest of their life to think about. Help them unwind and get centered.
75-min Lux Massage
Signature Plus Facial
$225 Buy Gift Certificate

Welcome our newest stylist Ashley. You will find Ashley at our 2nd Street District salon. You can meet all of our milk + honey stylists right here — Our Team.

Ashley has always had a passion for art, colors and shapes, which led her to enroll in cosmetology school in 2007. She graduated from the Aveda Institute of San Antonio in 2008 and began working for the salon KCharles, in San Antonio. After working as a full-time stylist for a few years, she decided to take her career further and became a certified Aveda color educator. She began teaching all that she learned to fellow salon professionals throughout Texas and at that time became the in-house color educator for her salon in San Antonio. Although she enjoyed her thriving career in San Antonio, her desire to settle down in Austin soon became apparent. SALON by milk + honey is the perfect fit for her. When Ashley’s not working, she will be enjoying the beautiful Austin weather or playing with her animals at her home.

Stop by SALON by milk + honey 2nd Street District for a quick consultation or call us to set up an appointment, 512.236.1115.

UPDATE: We want to thank all of our wonderful clients who got a little blue in April for Autism Speaks and its Light It Up Blue campaign. milk + honey is proud to announce 57 individuals had a blue manicure or pedicure in the month of April, and we’re donating $5 for each of those to the foundation Autism Speaks.

Thank you again to every one who participated. It is always wonderful to see the community come together and help out, even if it means turning a little blue.

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milk + honey spa 2nd Street District is proud to join forces with other area businesses for the campaign Autism Speaks, the world’s largest Autism science and advocacy organization, in its Light It Up Blue campaign.

During the month of April, milk + honey will donate $5 to Autism Speaks for each blue manicure or pedicure our clients receive. Our m + h Manicure or Pedicure, Lux Manicure or Pedicure, and our Seasonal Orange Blossom Manicure or Pedicure are all eligible for this offer. Ladies, don’t worry, we have plenty of wonderful shades of blue for you to look your best.

The Light It Up Blue campaign is to raise awareness for Autism and to help Austinites identify, support, and include those with Autism in our community.

milk + honey is partnering with other 2nd Street District businesses. Please check out other local businesses who are also helping raise awareness for Autism.

There are now more ways to schedule an appointment at milk + honey spa.

You may now schedule an appointment online, any time of the day!

Click which location you would like to schedule an appointment.

2nd Street District (available for appointments on Monday through Thursday)
Hill Country Galleria (available for appointments on Monday through Thursday)
Arboretum Market (available for all appointments)

For appointments on Friday, Saturday or Sunday at 2nd Street District and Hill Country Galleria, click here and fill on our request appointment form.

There are many benefits for clients to using milk + honey’s online system.

• • Schedule appointments online
• • View your milk + honey VIP points
• • See upcoming and past appointments online
• • View past purchase and in some cases reorder online
• • View series and membership information

Mother’s Day is less than two weeks away. We’re getting into the spirit a little early on Wednesday, May 9th. Join milk + honey, Eliza Page, Girl Next Door, and Teddies for Bettys with a little shopping fun to make sure you’re prepared for Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day Shop Hop
When: Wednesday, May 9, 5 to 8pm
Where: 2nd Street District
Who: milk + honey, Eliza Page, Girl Next Door, and Teddies for Bettys
Why: Stroll the 2nd Street District for the perfect Mother’s Day gift with complimentary cocktails, bites, mini-spa treatments from milk + honey and special discounts at each store.

Check out the Facebook Event page and join!

Welcome our newest stylist Sissy. You will find Sissy at our 2nd Street District salon. You can meet all of our milk + honey stylists right here — Our Team.

Sissy knew at the age of 13 that being a hairstylist was her true calling. Although she was a young teenager, she would always find a way to style her friends’ hair. Originally from a small town in Arkansas, her move to Austin was based on wanting to further her career while expressing her creativity. Sissy’s goal for her clients is to achieve their ideal look while making sure their hair stays healthy at the same time. She always says, “Healthy hair is beautiful hair.” Sissy loves color, specialized cutting and has a knack for beautiful blowouts. Sissy is a very family oriented person. Her family in Texas for now includes her 3 lb. Yorkie named Newt. The rest of her wonderful family remains in Arkansas. When she’s not styling, Sissy will be playing softball, enjoying anything outdoors, listening to music, and attending concerts and music festivals. You will find Sissy at our 2nd Street District salon.

Stop by SALON by milk + honey 2nd Street District for a quick consultation or call us to set up an appointment, 512.236.1115.

Welcome our newest stylist Stasia. You will find Stasia at our 2nd Street District salon. You can meet all of our milk + honey stylists right here — Our Team.

Stasia’s passion for the beauty industry is infectious. She’s truly happiest when she’s working with her clients. Stasia’s professional journey began in 2003 when she completed cosmetology school in Nevada. After assisting at a salon on the East Coast for one year, she moved to Reno where she began her career as a stylist. Her mission from the beginning of her career has always been to surround herself with creative, artistic, inspired people so that she can be a part of something great. When working with her clients, Stasia loves to do creative cuts and colors. Her extensive training in these on-trend techniques has made her a perfect addition to the SALON by milk + honey team. You will find Stasia at our 2nd Street District salon.

Stop by SALON by milk + honey 2nd Street District for a quick consultation or call us to set up an appointment, 512.236.1115.

Welcome our newest stylist Jordan. You will find Jordan at our 2nd Street District salon. You can meet all of our milk + honey stylists right here — Our Team.

Jordan started her career as a stylist in New Orleans in 2009. She has done everything from being the stylist for NBA Hornets cheerleaders, to NOLA fashion week, to working in salons. She says she became a stylist because, “It must be in my genetic makeup.” Her mother is an esthetician and her sister is also a stylist in her hometown of Hattieburg, MS. Stop by SALON by milk + honey 2nd Street District for a quick consultation or call us to set up an appointment, 512.236.1115.

Alissa Bayer is the founder of milk + honey, and she was recently featured as one of the 52 locals who’ll change your life in Austin. The website focuses on small business owners and community leaders who keep Austin, TX weird. Here is an excerpt from the interview. Click here to read the entire article.

The woman: Alissa Bayer, founder of milk + honey, Austin’s premier urban day spa.

The mission: From locker room to lounge, create a nurturing, hospitable, and restorative experience.

The commitment: “The biggest compliment is seeing people leave with ‘massage face.’ They’re so relaxed, they’re almost tipsy.”

Top 3 ways she’ll change your life:

1. Slip into a robe and consider yourself a VIP.
2. Take one step back from the daily grind, one step forward into a soothing spa, and for goodness sake, spoil yourself a little.
3. Feel good. Look good. Exfoliate, repeat.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

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 June 30, 2012.

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

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

The warm weather is back and that means beach season is near. Kevin Murphy’s Hair.Resort.Spray has honey, citrus and tangerine to help you create that perfect, tousled look for spring or summer. Stop by any of our salons to see what we mean.

Key Features + Benefits

• Weightless
• Texture enhancer
• Surfer look spray
• Non-aerosol beach hair spray
• Soft natural texture

Kevin Murphy Hair.Resort.Spray is regularly priced at $25. For the month of April it is 20% off and only $20.

You may purchase Kevin Murphy Hair.Resort.Spray at any of our three salon locations.

Show off those arms and legs in the warm Austin sun! Exfoliate your body with a blend of finely-ground walnut shells, kelp, aloe, lavender and herbal extracts. Gently polish away dead surface cells and skin-dulling debris to reveal smoother, softer skin beneath. Aveda Smoothing Body Polish will quickly become a staple in your shower.

Key Features + Benefits

• Refreshing aroma
• Cleanses, exfoliates and refines skin’s surface
• Leaves skin feeling silky-smooth

Aveda Smoothing Body Polish is regularly $25. During the month of April it is 20% off making it just $20.

You can purchase Aveda Smoothing Body Polish at milk + honey spa 2nd Street District, or milk + honey spa Hill Country Galleria.

We are thrilled to announce Becky is our March Employee of the Month!

Becky has been with milk + honey since 2008, and we have been so lucky to have her as a part of our team. She is all things milk + honey, from being the lead nail technician at SALON by milk + honey Arboretum Market, to our fantastic operations assistant, she can do it all. She is always helping clients and coworkers alike. If you would like to get to know Becky stop by the Arboretum Market salon or call 512.236.1115 for an appointment.

Congratulations to Becky and all of her hard work being a part of our milk + honey family!

Want to thank your mother for everything that she’s done for you?

milk + honey is proud to announce their Mother’s Day Makeover Contest. Your mom (or mother figure) deserves to be treated like a queen, and that is exactly what milk + honey will do. This year, three winners will be chosen to receive a head-to-toe makeover.

We had such a great time with our Mother’s Day Makeover last year (check out winners Nanette and Laurie), we can’t wait to do it again.

milk + honey’s Mother’s Day Makeover winners will receive the following: m + h Manicure/Pedicure, Cut + Color, Makeup Application, and a goodie bag filled with our favorite milk + honey products. We want to know why your mom should be selected. Fill out of form below.

THE CONTEST IS CLOSED. WE WILL CHOOSE THE WINNERS SHORTLY. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ENTERING.

milk + honey spa 2nd Street District is proud to join forces with other area businesses for the campaign Autism Speaks, the world’s largest Autism science and advocacy organization, in its Light It Up Blue campaign.

During the month of April, milk + honey will donate $5 to Autism Speaks for each blue manicure or pedicure our clients receive. Our m + h Manicure or Pedicure, Lux Manicure or Pedicure, and our Seasonal Orange Blossom Manicure or Pedicure are all eligible for this offer. Ladies, don’t worry, we have plenty of wonderful shades of blue for you to look your best.

The Light It Up Blue campaign is to raise awareness for Autism and to help Austinites identify, support, and include those with Autism in our community.

milk + honey is partnering with other 2nd Street District businesses. Please check out other local businesses who are also helping raise awareness for Autism.

Mia is a stylist at SALON by milk + honey. Here are just a few reasons why she loves working with clients using Great Lengths hair extensions. She loves extensions because they give the client an opportunity to drastically change their look instantly (after about 8 hours of work). It’s a way to help a client achieve a different style with volume and length. Extensions take an incredible amount of patience and attention to detail. For Mia, that means it’s another chance to try and achieve the perfect look for her client.

For those clients who can’t commit to the expense of a full extension application, she also does customized clip-ins which allow clients to temporarily lengthen their hair. Below are three wonderful examples that can be achieved with Great Lengths.

For more information about Great Lengths hair extensions, how milk + honey can give you the look you desire, and to schedule a consultation, click here, or call 512.236.1112.

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 see 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.

SXSW is over. We know this because we can all get to where we are going without planning ahead for six hours. An article in Vogue by Evvie Crowley and Molly Creeden prepared non-Austinites for the festival. milk + honey is proud to be their Friday afternoon plan, and we couldn’t agree more with their thinking. Although, the SXSW Detox Retreat is pretty spectacular too.

2. For hair, skin, or muscles that are feeling a little festival-weary, go to Milk + Honey Day Spa and revitalize with excellent pedicures, facials, and massage. Or enter 100 minutes of bliss with the spa’s signature “Spa Partisan” in which a body polishing treatment with an in-house organic scrub is followed by a steam under a canopy, and a 60-minute body butter massage.
204 Colorado Street; milkandhoneyspa.com

To read the complete article, click here.