©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Liz Witbeck
Make Me Fabulous hair salon and spa recently opened inside of the Pavilion Grand Hotel on Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs.
Make Me Fabulous is the second location for owner Alayne Curtiss. The first is at 32 Front St. in Ballston Spa, which has been in business since 2011.
The salon is not just for hotel patrons. It is open to the public.
The newest location at 30 Lake Ave. has both salon and spa services in a 1,500-square-foot space.
“The Ballston Spa location has more of a hometown vibe, while [the new venture] vibe is more Saratoga,” said Curtiss.
“Our business needed to be in Saratoga,” said Curtiss. “We were always inside of the hotel for events. When the space became available, we started talking. The owners couldn’t have been more helpful.”
“We are able to service guests better now that we are here in town.”
About $50,000 was spent in renovations, in order to update the spa and salon treatment facilities, she said.
Make Me Fabulous offers a full service hair salon, featuring haircuts for women and men, hair coloring and highlighting, blowouts, styling, hair extensions, and more. The professional makeup artists have everything necessary to create a beautiful makeup look for guests.
Additional spa and salon services are available at Make Me Fabulous. Waxing services include eyebrows, lips, legs, and bikini. Airbrush tanning is available. The salon offers a wide array of facials, such as anti-aging facials and acne treatments.
Curtiss said one thing that sets the new Saratoga Springs location apart from the Ballston Spa location is the introduction of massage services. Including hot stone massage, herbal poultice massage and reflexology.
Curtiss herself does many of the services at the salon. She is a Saratoga Springs native. Her family has owned several area businesses, including Mangino’s restaurant. She later went to college and then to cosmetology school. After a 14-year career working as a makeup artist with Clinique, she decided to open up her own business.
Product lines used at the salon include Bare Minerals, Image Skincare, and more.
While waiting for their services to begin, guests can experience a chair massage. They are also treated to mimosas, if desired, before their services.
Curtiss has been involved with the wedding industry for many years. Her team is devoted to making sure that each event is special. They offer a full array of wedding services, including wedding day hair styling and makeup applications.
“I love doing services. I love being part of these special days in their lives,” said Curtiss.
One of the factors that contributes to the success of Make Me Fabulous is her team. She said there is truly a “team-based culture” within the company. One of the aspects of this is that stylists are not paid commission; everybody works for the same pay. All new stylists are mentored for three months with each stylist. She also offers paid vacation, paid sick leave, and 401K plans for her employees.
Make Me Fabulous is open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For more information, visit makemefabulous.com or call (518) 583-2626.