Photo by Sam Moore
Fourteen years ago Julie Huot and her sister Isabelle Morley opened a tanning salon on Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs. Today the multi-service spa offers much more, and still has tanning, too.
So you first opened as a tanning salon? How did that happen?
Julie: Isabelle was living here and I was visiting. I was trying to go tanning, and I finally found a salon that offered it here, but I would have to wait two weeks for an appointment, it would cost $20. I couldn’t believe it. I told Isabelle, and she remembers me saying “I’m going to open a tanning salon.” I don’t remember that, but she does. When we first started talking about it, everyone said we were crazy, which we are. But we’re good crazy. Within six months we had it opened. Isabelle found the place on Circuit Avenue just by asking around — she knows everyone. When we first started we had only one bed, then people started asking for the standup booth.
How did it evolve into the spa it is today?
As our clients kept coming in for tanning they were asking us if we had other services. We realized the demand for additional offerings and we added them over the years. I went back to school to get the necessary licenses for nail tech and esthetician. I was living on the Island, working at the spa, and three nights a week I would commute to New Bedford after work to attend school, sleep at a friend’s house, and commute back in the morning to open the spa.
What was your background before that?
I had gone to school for business administration and interior design; I have degrees in both. I remember my first internship at my uncle’s company. I had to sit behind a desk all day, and I remember thinking, “Can I really do this? Can this be my future?” I couldn’t imagine having to do that every day. I like the craziness of the spa industry, especially here in the summer. I like to feel like I’m improving everyday.
How did you decide on the name Treat Yourself?
I feel better about myself when I get to treat people. There is a lot of stress of the everyday, and I love providing a place for people to come and relax, and to be able to leave feeling better about themselves. I know when I don’t feel good about myself it affects everything I do. It’s important for people to find the time to treat themselves, so that’s where the name came from. When we first opened, Isabelle’s friend came up with the name Treat Yourself, and it just seemed perfect. It’s also important to me to take care of people when they need it most. We’ve offered complimentary services to clients with cancer, to help them through their hard times and to offer them something to look forward to. And to give them the chance to feel better about themselves and feel beautiful. It just feels right to do the right thing.
What does Treat Yourself offer today?
The spa and beauty industry have evolved so much over the past several years; it’s really taken off. People are really realizing how important these services are. I couldn’t have imagined 14 years ago that a tanning salon would evolve into this. Today we offer manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, customized makeup products and application, lash extensions, waxing, airbrush tanning, and indoor tanning. We also just launched a partnership with SkinMD laser and cosmetic group. Friday, Oct. 30, from 9 to 3 pm, their team will be on hand to offer Botox and filler procedures. Give us a call to reserve a spot.
What are some of the services you’re most excited about right now?
We now offer Xtreme Lashes Eyelash Extensions. They’ve become very popular, and create longer, thicker, more beautiful-looking eyelashes, but also look really natural. They’re the best brand on the market. They mimic your natural eyelashes and are applied individually to a single eyelash. They’re fun for special occasions, but ideal for an enhanced everyday look. We also carry the Motive makeup line, which offers custom blend foundation. It’s virtually impossible to find the perfect foundation off the shelf, and with this we can match your skin perfectly. We’re also doing a hot stone pedicure which uses warm, smooth stones to help provide deeper muscle relaxation — it’s a great treat for the cooler months! This time of year it’s even more important to take care of yourself and keep your skin healthy and moisturized. We offer a basic facial and a signature facial which includes a specific enzyme for your skin type as well as a paraffin treatment. There’s also the mini facial, which is a quick and easy way to get the same benefits for someone on the go. This time of year I also highly recommend a peel, which speeds up your skin’s natural exfoliation process and helps keep your skin looking younger. We’re offering a lot of specials right now, so give us a call, or just walk in and treat yourself!
Treat Yourself Spa, 38 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs. Open Monday through Saturday. 508-696-3800, treatyourselfspa.com.
This article by Angela Prout originally appeared on mvtimes.com.