By DJ Dave Hoffenberg
There’s a new business in Rutland that has a lot to offer for all. Glow Esthetics at 46 Center St. opened last September and is owned by Alexandra Childs. You may have seen her at The Pickle Barrel or got some private treatments from her when she worked at The Woods but this is her main gig now. They offer massage, waxing, skincare, eyelash extensions, manicures, bridal hair/makeup and more. Men and women are welcome because they have something for everyone. They also offer facials, which is what I received for the first time ever. More on that later.
When the Governor shut down businesses like hers in March, it was hard on her. In June, when it was allowed again, she had so many people calling her and was slammed. She said, “If there was ever a time to expand, I thought it could work.” She figured why not try it since not much was making sense in the world. She added, “I’m surprised it’s been as busy as it has with what is going on.” I felt comfortable taking my mask off for my facial because Childs and her staff had their masks on the entire time I was there.
Not that I’ve been in a lot of salons but her shop is nicely decorated and pleasing to chill at. They just placed second in the Christmas Window display contest for downtown Rutland. There are four private treatment rooms and one manicure station in the front window where one can watch the world go by. We did this interview up there and it was cool to look out on Center Street.
They have a whole wall of products for women and men. There also are gifts to buy like masks, key chains, jewelry and mittens. For every pair of mittens they sell, they’ll donate a pair to the Rutland Women’s Shelter. They have enough staff to be able to fill all the rooms at once. Childs said, “I wanted to focus on that. Other spots might only have room for one thing at a time.” They can accommodate small groups who might want a treatment day.
Glow Esthetics is owned exclusively by Childs but she is joined by her sister Jillian and friend Deana Rocco. Her sister helps her manage the shop and Rocco specializes in skincare. She does dermaplaning, microblading, permanent makeup and regular makeup application too. They’re open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m./Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s best to call ahead to make an appointment. They do accept walk-ins but you’re not guaranteed a time slot.
Every Tuesday and Wednesday they offer apprentice massages at a discounted rate. The first Thursday of every month, they’re offering tattoos from Jeff Adams, a professional artist. They will soon offer foot treatments, body scrubs and extensions. Anyone that has a Killington Resort season pass or shows a lift ticket from the day of their service, will receive 10% off. You can find them on Facebook at Glow Esthetics, online at 802glow.com or follow them on Instagram @802_glow for the best deals.
Childs got her massage certification at Pyramid Wellness Center and added her esthetics license from Stafford Technical Center, both in Rutland. She then completed her nail technician apprenticeship to get that license. I put her esthetics to the test with my facial and she and the shop passed with flying colors. Upon arrival, I gave my info for contact tracing and was given slippers to walk around in. We went to one of the private rooms where soothing music was playing and mood lighting was lit. It was a perfect atmosphere for me to relax in. They use Dr. Dennis Gross, a high end line of clinical facial products, nothing but the best for me. After some products were applied, I was given some eye pads to protect me from the brightness of my red and blue light therapy mask. It looks like the mask from “The Purge” movie but helps in a lot of ways like with redness, inflammation, scarring and can reduce wrinkles. Not that I have any of those so for me it helped purify my skin, giving me a more vibrant complexion. This was the most calming part of my facial. I may have dozed off for a few minutes while relaxing in my mask. My skin was positively glowing as soon as I slipped out from behind the mask. It was a great experience and my face felt revived and I was told it looked shiny.
Glow Esthetics is a great name for the place because people really do glow after receiving treatments there. Childs said her goal was to make the place more like an experience as opposed to a quick treatment visit.
She said, “Everyone who comes in has a really good time. I try and make it more personable. We don’t want you to come in and be ashamed of what something looks like. We are people too.” Rocco said, “We work with you on what you want to achieve,” and Jillian added, “You just have to come here.”
I agree with everything they said. It’s time for you to glow.
