Specialty salons cater to nails, skin, eyelashes
Sometimes, life calls for more than just a great haircut or style. Now there are even more places across Pittsburgh to take care of the rest.
Here’s a look at some of the latest places to go when your nails, skin and even eyelashes need a little love.
blushtan Pittsburgh, 5711 Friendship Ave., Unit No. 8, East Liberty
While Hannah Wojtowicz was living in San Diego, she fell in love — with an organic spraytan studio, that is.
But when she moved back home to Pittsburgh, she struggled to find a place that would help her maintain her sunkissed glow, without using sunless tanning formulas made from synthetic ingredients that she couldn’t even pronounce. So this summer, Ms. Wojtowicz and her sister, Emma, decided to open their own studio.
Their blushtan Pittsburgh in East Liberty offers catered-tothe-client spray tans done with organic, plant-based ingredients that are free of nuts, gluten, oils and fragrances. Some have anti-aging properties and may help combat cellulite, Ms. Wojtowicz says.
“I’m kind of a health freak and am into skincare that’s healthy, so I make sure the ingredient lists are very short. That’s how I knowit’s a wholesome product.”
For new clients, in particular, one-on-one appointments
begin with a consultation so the technician can understand what each person is looking for. Want a light glow? There’s an option for that. Want to look like you’ve baked on the beach for a week? There’s a formula for that, too. Technicians also take into consideration a person’s natural skin tone. Each tan is applied with an airbrush.
For those who want a fast fix, the super express tan develops in two to four hours. Meanwhile, the express option develops in four to six hours while the original tan will reach its full darkness over night. Tans typically last up to 10 days. Prices for a full-body spray tan start at $50, and group rates for bridal parties and other special events are available.
“We’ve been very busy, and we’re super excited about it,” Ms. Wojtowicz says. “I knew there was a need for it in Pittsburgh.”
Hours: Open daily by appointment. Learn more at www.blushtan.com/pittsburgh.
House of L’Ashley, 3427 Butler St., Lawrenceville
Ashley Albin is a cosmetologist by trade who was looking to do something beyond hair when she moved to Pittsburgh from Washington state about four years ago.
She learned about the demand for lash lifts and extensions and decided to capitalize on it by starting her own business. For about three years, she offered a variety of eyelash services out of her home, moving from the South Side to Lawrenceville and to Mount Washington. Wherever she went, the clients followed. She dubbed her budding business the Houseof L’Ashley.
She hired a team to accommodate the growth until the business outgrew her home. In July, Ms. Albin opened a brickand-mortar location in Lawrenceville.
“The business industry is just thriving over there, and I was super excited to be part of that,” she says.
A full set of lashes typically starts at between $125 and $150, depending upon the level of seniority of the technician, and goes up. There are discount incentives for new clients. Beyond lashes, House of L’Ashley is expanding its menu to include microblading, waxing, facials, makeup application and spray tans.
Although Ms. Albin has moved the business out of her house, she still wants clients to feel at home. Therefore, instead of tables, clients sit in oversized recliners with throw blankets while having lashes done.
“We want you to have that same kind of comfy feeling but upgraded,” Ms. Albin says. “We really enjoy what we do, and we love making people feel beautiful.”
Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Call 412-5539399 to book an appointment or send a direct message via Instagram @HouseOfLAshley. Walk-ins can be accommodatedbased on technician availability.
Grand opening ...
This weekend is the ribbon cutting for La La’s Salon and Spa at 5341 Penn Ave., Garfield. It specializes in nails, along with some other spa services. Check out some of its vibrant, blingy nail art on the salon’s Instagram page @lalassalonspa. Its website will be launching soon at www.lalassalonspa.com.