Hilton Head Day Spas
Faces Day Spa
SeaGoddess Escape, Wine Wrap-ture, Bogey Buster, Viva La Diva. Let's face it, this list has probably left you scratching your chin. Just go and visit Hilton Head Island’s top rated day spa, aptly named “FACES” where they will explain the whole thing to you, including why it isn’t good to scratch your chin.
FACES Day Spa, located in the Village at Wexford on Hilton Head Island, is really the ultimate in day spa services, combining traditional pampering, attention to skin health and maintenance, well trained professional service providers and well tested high end retail products in a notoriously relaxed and friendly atmosphere. And while any business on Hilton Head Island can and does see business increase exponentially during peak tourist season, it’s that attention to approachability that keeps FACES busy all year long. Patricia Owen, FACES owner and “Chief of Great Ideas” explains this philosophy.
“We’re not serious. I mean our tag line is "a little more friendly a little more fun". Some big spas have that negative feeling, very formal. We do ask people to turn off their cell phones, but that is about as far as we go. We really try to be upbeat with people…and that creates the family atmosphere which our clients appreciate.”
In other words, you don’t have to put on your best outfit and go get your hair done before you head into FACES for a treatment. Beyond an ever changing and well researched list of services and products, FACES offers that intangible that so many other spas either ignore or haven’t figured out: friendly, relaxed service. Still, FACES is one of the largest day spas on the Carolina coast, with 3000 square feet containing six soundproof spa treatment rooms, a wet room with a hydrotherapy tub, steam room, locker room with sauna, stress proof relaxation lounge and a chemical free nail studio. Owen is happy with the steady growth of her mini island empire. She and her husband moved to Hilton Head in 1983 with plans of opening a women’s clothing store. Patricia had worked with Estee Lauder for years as a trainer and special events coordinator, and eventually acquired the rights to the only Estee Lauder department within her retail store.
She moved to the current location in 1988 and in the early 90’s, with the popularity of day spas on the rise, Owen added what was to turn her entire business in a new direction. Originally brought in to increase cosmetic sales, the spa services part of FACES became the signature element of the business, with retail taking on its new role as the perfect compliment.
According to FACES General Manager Jennifer Brewer, relaxation services like their massages and pamper packages are key during the tourist season, but facials are their mainstay year round.
Brewer really enjoys the health aspect of the spa industry. “We have people come in and you hear how they are recovering from cancer, and this a way for them to relax, and some people have come in with horrible skin conditions and now they feel more self confident”
Owen agrees that keeping on the cutting edge of what is new, exciting, yet reliable in the category of facials is crucial.
“Our facial now is just… extraordinary. I mean, I had one myself a few months ago and I designed it and I couldn’t believe it.”
She may come up with the great ideas, but Patricia lets her hand picked experts do their thing.
“We really invest a lot of time and money on our staff. With training, with benefits you don’t’ find in some major corporations. We have a very extensive benefits program that most small businesses can’t afford or don’t even think about providing, and we know how important that is.”
Hope Mims, the Spa Manager and educator stresses that passion for this field is key. The FACES staff is hand picked from all over the country - in fact they actually have a waiting list of people who want to work at here.
Mims says one of the main reasons their specialists are so good is because of the standardized training they all receive when they become a FACES employee. Everyone starts out at the front desk, no matter how experienced in their craft they are. This gives them a great understanding of the clientele and how the whole system operates. Then, Hope take over and makes sure each new employee is up to the level of expertise and service both Patricia and all the existing clients of FACES has come to expect.
Mims credits this style of management and training with her own professional growth. “It affords me the opportunity to do research…it’s important for me to go in a room with a client and make a difference there and make a difference in the lives of the people I work with, because we are a family…”
It becomes a family thing with their clients too- especially with anti aging services - they monitor and watch the results, taking photos so clients can see the progress for themselves.
Mims says that there are some good quick fixes, but if you want a real change in your life - we have to educate the client on patience and what to look for. The priority at Faces is long term results.
Whether you are looking for long term results or just an hour of “Me Time”, FACES has the treatment for you. One look at the “menu” of services, and you may find it a bit daunting to decide what to try. In fact, if I had one criticism of FACES, it would be the very lengthy list they provide. Being a “Day Spa Newbie“, I definitely needed guidance and explanation of all they have to offer. The nice thing is, they are more than happy to patiently explain to you whatever is needed. I ended up trying the “Pampler Sampler” - a nice little taste of several baseline services including a Quick Fix Backrub (18 minutes of pure heaven), a ProntoPedi (I told the manicurist that I should save all the dead skin she filed off my feet in case I needed a skin graft) and a SignatureSkin Facial. When I entered the room to prepare for my facial, I was told to put on the robe that was in there and just get comfortable. So as I started to disrobe, I realized I didn’t know if I was supposed to get completely undressed, or just take off my shirt. After pondering a bit, I decided it would be better to err on the side of caution rather than throwing caution to the wind, and only removed my shirt and shoes. To my relief, Jen, my facial specialist, refrained from snickering at my lack of “Spa Etiquette” and assured me I did just the right thing. Whether I did nor not, I will never know, however we did have a great conversation about the terrible things that happened to my skin after giving birth, and vacationing in the Bahamas.
According to Owen, keeping up with the trends in the industry is important, but equally as important is picking the correct trends with which to turn. One of those trends that is proving to be a smart choice is adding more indigenous services. For instance, FACES now offers a shell massage combining sea weed, kelp and salt water in a glorious mixture that does as much for stress relief as the ocean tides that bring in the shells themselves. Owen explained that people coming to Hilton Head want to experience services unique to an oceanfront area, not Ohio.
FACES has become internationally famous for its "Golf Widow's Revenge" which includes Their SignatureSkin Facial, Aro Massage, Patty’s Peppermint SugarScrub and a PeppermintPedi. It has been named one of the “best dayspa signature services” by Salon Today Magazine, along with accumulating many other mentions and recommendations by magazines and newspapers nationally and internationally.
Owen felt she needed to trademark their most famous service. “Everyone is trying to copy us. It’s a compliment I guess, it’s harder work for us because all of a sudden our original ideas get copied over and then we are on to the next thing.”
The choices of products FACES has to use on clients is huge, and depends largely on skin type and skin problems. Home care is taught, so people that can’t come in all the time can take care of themselves at home with the products. The philosophy is that you can do a lot without surgery.
Because of this, the FACES retail area has not suffered under the tremendous popularity of the spa services. On the contrary, it has strengthened as service providers recommend these products for home maintenance or to recreate some of the atmosphere of the “Spa Experience”.
“We really pride ourselves in offering the very best of what is available on the retail scene without buying into all the trends and without limiting - some spas just put one product line on the shelves. And that’s the line they partner with. We really believe in giving our customers choices - we will bring lines in and take lines out. For example, right now organic skin care is hot. We really stay with what works, what is effective.”
You will find professional cosmetic lines such as Strivectin, Murad, Freeze 24/7, Nickel for Men, Paula Dorf and OPI. FACES also has aromatherapy, bath and body items, Cosabella lingerie, plus their own exclusive private label line of makeup and skincare as well as a signature bath and body collection. Personally, I use the FACES Vitaplus Masque on a weekly basis, and absolutely love it.
There is also a tempting little offering of trendy home décor and great gift ideas for the hard-to-buy-for. Of course there is always a gift certificate, if you really want to show your appreciation or love.
Owen believes in giving back - to the community and to those in need. On a yearly basis, FACES donates approximately $50,000 in services to charities, silent auctions and as fundraiser prizes. She and the company are involved with the United Way, the Humane Society and their dog adoption month plus sponsor a “Think Pink” Breast Cancer Promotion. All employees are expected to be involved with our community by being a part of the fundraising efforts also. While Owen admits charity involvement is good for business, it is also good for the soul.
“We have a great business and a great life, we are always looking for ways to give back”, Owen stresses.
How about a “Doggy Pedicure”? That’s giving back, for sure.
Owen credits her experience with cosmetic mogul Estee Lauder for her ongoing success. Solid business techniques aren’t readily seen in this field because many owners are technicians and don’t’ have the business skills she acquired early in her career. Because of this, Owen models herself after the big boys in the industry, then surrounds herself with the very best technicians and management.
Owen and FACES are members of the International Spa Association (ISPA). Comprised mainly of big players in the spa industry like major resorts, she is able to bring back successful business techniques and apply them here. She believes that you should “dress for success, dress for who you aspire to be”, and it shows in the numerous awards and distinctions bestowed upon FACES over the years. The list, which rivals their services menu in length, most recently includes the 2007 Southeast Small Business of the Year, the 2006 South Carolina Business of the Year, Island Packet Reader’s Choice for Best Day Spa 2007, and for a third year in a row, a blue ribbon award winner for small businesses by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. FACES continues to be the only day spa in the country to receive this honor.
Owen and FACES is celebrating 25 years in business on Hilton Head by going green, being the first spa in the area to do so. A New Energy Star rated washer and dryer, bottle-less water system, plus using recycled and sustainable supply products are just a few of the ways FACES has gone green this year, making this haven even more healthy.
Says Owen, “We are always trying to get better, we are never happy with the status quo. There is always something that can make us better. You know it’s a little bit more effort, but it does keep us on our toes and I do think it’s the secret to us being so successful”
Or it could just be how great you feel when you walk out the FACES front door.
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