By Erica Jorgensen, special to the Blog
Babyface Spa is expanding its physical space and adding massage therapy and a traditional Scandinavian sauna to its services and treatments. Owner and esthetician Eva Robins says that a grand reopening celebration is planned for January after the expansion is complete. “We’re hoping to be open by the first week of January,” she said. “It’ll be a great place to come and recharge and relax and do some self-care.”
The addition of the sauna is a nod to Robins’ ancestry. “My heritage is Scandinavian—Finnish,” says Robins. Both her mother and grandmother grew up with a sauna, and Robins’ family had a sauna at a family cabin when she was growing up in Wisconsin. Relaxing in a sauna “was a tradition that was really important to my family,” she says.
The sauna will have a capacity of 2, and will be “completely private,” said Robins, with an adjacent shower. “It’s going to have the rocks that get hot and give off steam when you pour water over them,” with the option of adding aromatherapy. “And we’ll have a little gathering area where you hang out and relax and cool down.”
“Being really warm allows the body to relax on a deeper level, so you can release the muscles,” she adds. “And when you go from the hot to the cold, that really helps with circulation, and on a cardiovascular [level]. There are a lot of health benefits from that, from getting the lymph circulating.” New saunas have been popping up around the Seattle area in recent years and are a popular antidote to warm up during our dark and rainy winters, and for relaxation and stress relief any time of year.
The sauna will be available as a standalone spa menu item and also offered to clients before or after facials or massage therapy treatments.
Located at 7104 Greenwood Ave. N, Babyface has been a popular neighborhood business for 15 years. Robins moved the business to the current location 5 years ago, after nearly 10 years spent across the street in the Foxguild Building. Babyface can see from 15 to 20 clients on a busy day. “We have a huge community client base. I’ll just be walking down the street and see clients all the time!” Robins says.
In addition to the new sauna and massage room, Babyface offers facials and LED light therapy; sugaring and waxing; lash extensions and eyebrow tinting; makeup services including lessons and bridal makeup; hyaluronic acid fillers, Botox, and Dysport; and skincare products by Eminence, PCA Skincare, and Better Skin. They also offer gift certificates for any amount.
According to Robins, the most popular service is the Custom Signature Facial. She says, “It’s great, especially if you’re not familiar with facials or aren’t sure exactly what your skin is needing. We do a thorough consultation and build a facial that’s perfect for what you need.” Most facials include cleansing, toning, specialized treatments or add-ons (such scalp massage, retinol or enzyme peels, or eye treatments), and hydrating and moisturizing.
Including Robins, Babyface’s staff includes 5 estheticians, a nurse practitioner, and the new massage therapist. Their website is Babyfacespa.com. Appointments can be made directly through the website. They can also be reached at 206.380.6754 or [email protected].