Massage – Take Care of Your Body

This is a picture of a massage therapist rubbing a client's upper shoulders. The photo shows only the hands and the client's upper shoulders.

Stress. We all have it and we all need to get rid of it. At Oliver’s Salon & Spa, we understand how important it is to relax and Treat Yourself Well. The best way to do that is with one of our many massage services. Oliver's Salon & Spa offers services ranging from full body massage to prenatal massage. Our massage therapists are experienced and trained to provide the best relaxation service for you.

Massage Therapy Benefits

Physically, we all get aches and pains. Mentally, we sometimes just need to relax. Massage therapy helps relieve stress and tension by relaxing the muscles while improving your circulation. Plus, it feels amazing! 

Massage Services @ Oliver's

We offer a little bit of everything here at Oliver’s Salon & Spa. We have full body massages and upper body massages, which are some of our more popular services. Oliver's also offers prenatal massage and couple’s massage. Most of our services are customizable. For example, if you are looking to get a massage but want to focus on your shoulder area more, just let us know at the time of booking. If you're looking for a foot massage, check out one of our luxurious pedicures!

Give yourself a little more relaxation time. We also have extended massages available and hot stone massages.

This is a picture of our massage therapist Janet. She is setting up a massage bed in the massage room.

Energy Work

Here at Oliver's Salon & Spa, we offer various energy work services such as Chakra Balancing, Rain Drop Therapy and Reiki Massage Therapy. Chakra Balancing involves deep tissue massage, chakra energy work and foot reflexology. Rain Drop Therapy is the clearing and cleansing powers of seven different essential oils. Reiki uses hands on energy to bring balance to an individual. Janet, one of our massage therapists, is a trained Reiki master and is passionate about helping others find peace and balance in their lives.

After Your Massage

After your massage, your massage therapist will explain what to do following your appointment, but here are a few tips to keep in mind:

It's important to hydrate and nourish your body after a massage. Drinking lots of water helps restore your muscles. Exercising after a few days of your massage can also be beneficial for keeping your muscles active. Make sure to schedule your next appointment as well!

Accommodations

Oliver’s does a great job at accomodating each client’s request. Our massage therapists can focus on certain areas if addressed at time of booking. We have many clients with aches and pains that come regularly to help relieve and manage their pain.

If you would have a pre-existing health condition, or an injury, we would definitely need a doctor's note before your service. Also, if you're under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must be present during the service.

When booking, it's important to provide any information a massage therapist should know before your appointment. 

Oliver's Massage Therapists

Oliver's massage therapists have more than 10 years experience. They are kind, attentive and make sure to put your needs above all. If you have any difficulties during your appointment, our massage therapists are more than happy to work with you! You can learn more our wonderful massage therapists here

Experience Matters

There’s a bit of a difference from a chain location and a spa such as Oliver's. Usually, massage therapists that are just begining their career start out in chain massage businesses, as it is the best way to build a client base. In no way are we discrediting those businesses or massage therapists that are starting out. We support those who are furthering their careers in massage therapy.

Being part spa, we want to ensure you have the best quality service we can provide. Making sure you’re aware of what to expect during your visit is important to us! Our massage therapists are more than experienced with over ten years in the business. With more experience comes more practice, so our therapists are prepared for any questions you may have!

Keep in mind...

All massages are performed with essential oils and massage oil. Each massage service time includes the changing time. For more descriptions and information on any of our massage services, check out our website or give us a call at 610-366-8808.

We also think that massages make a great gift for anyone for any occasion! 

What to look for in a salon

Looking to find your new home for all of your beauty needs? When it comes to salons and spas, there are always so many to choose from. How do you know the right one? In this blog, I will highlight some points of research you should consider when looking for a new salon such as presentation, staff, credibility and social media presence. I will also highlight how Oliver's operates on a daily basis. Remember, it’s okay to be picky!Hair tools

PRESENTATION - LOOKS MATTER!

First impressions matter. From the moment you walk into the salon, you should feel as though you want to instantly come back. Impressions of the people, the staff, the decor, the displays- everything. Is it neat and organized? Is it light and open? No one wants to sit in a cave while relaxing. Does the salon offer beverages and magazines? These all may sound silly, but these small things have a huge impact on your experience.

Is the establishment clean? There should be no hair, nail clippings or remnants of products everywhere. The salon should be neat and tidy with no lurking odors of anything non-salon related. Are they keeping up with the right sanitation processes? Are they using expired products? You’re coming here for appearance after all, so it’s okay to judge. Don’t ever feel afraid to ask these questions either. It’s better to know upfront, rather than find out and risk your health (or be disgusted).

OLIVER'S:

From the moment you walk in, you’re instantly greeted. The front desk associates are super friendly and helpful. The lighting is beautiful, there are tons of products and retail items to look at and a well decorated waiting room. They have a really cool coffee machine and reading material is available. Everything is neat, clean, dusted and swept. There is a relaxing, yet productive vibe to the salon. It smells fresh and clean. This is a big deal because most salons can smell like chemical products. The natural light is beautiful upstairs in the salon and nail areas and in the nail area downstairs.

Their sanitation process is up to date. For all nail tools, the salon uses an autoclave, which is a full proof sanitation process. See our blog on autoclaves here.

STAFF

Customer service can make or break a place. Personally, I’ve avoided businesses because of the people working in them. You should be greeted, treated and never feel fleeted. When calling in, does the customer service person greet you with a happy voice? Are they helpful? Do they go the extra mile? Some places can have attitude as far as who their clients should be. For example, I have been to a salon where they said, “well, if she can’t get her schedule down, we can’t take her.” That leads to my next point. Is the staff talking negatively about clients or other staff? We all understand how frustrating people can be, but it's never okay to express that in front of clients.

I also have witnessed some salons take a heavy deposit if you cancel appointments. Although each salon does have a cancellation policy, some are outlandish. Keep in mind, calling is a good preliminary way to judge an experience of actually being in the salon. You get a “vibe” of the place and how they treat customers.

OLIVERS:

At Oliver's, the front desk greets you, checks you in and directs you to the waiting room. They make sure to offer you a beverage as well. They also deal with a lot of incoming calls, requests and appointments while checking guests in and out, but manages to keep the experience their top priority. All of the service providers are super professional too. No client is turned down if there is an issue with scheduling. If nothing pops up in the system, the front desk reaches out to the service provider and asks if there is anything available that they are missing.

Oliver’s has a cancellation policy of 48 hours, however, a decision is made on a case by case review. For example, if you constantly book three appointments at a time, and no call no show them, they require you to put down a deposit for your next service. If you become sick the day before, but have the courtesy to call in and cancel as soon as possible, no deposit is forfeited. Oliver's understands that sometimes life just happens.

Besides the technical parts of the salon, the service providers are very knowledgeable and will be upfront and honest with you. For example, there have been many cases where a client has jet black hair, but wants to be blonde right away. The staff explains in detail how they can achieve the color they want without damaging your hair. While Oliver's like to give their clients everything they ask for and more, they have to keep the health of the clients' hair in mind.

CREDIBILITY

How long has the salon been around? Do they have a good track record? Are there cars outside, ever? Check reviews for happy customers. Is there an updated website with services? Do they have a social media presence for creeping? Have they won any awards? Are they a chain salon or a self-owned? Are they using high end products? It's important to take these questions into consideration when looking for a trustworthy place.

Experience matters. There’s nothing wrong with asking a salon how long they have been open, how experienced the stylists are or even reaching out to current clients for information. We have all seen salons that have been standing for years, salons just starting, and salons that move locations frequently. Which one is better than the other? That’s for you to decide. Make sure you do your research and find what salon fits your specific needs!

OLIVERS:

Oliver’s has been standing for 22 years. Some of the service providers have had experience longer than that. They have lasted through coming and going trends, other competition and economical changes and continue to improve and adjust. We also have more recent service providers that bring all the trend with the professionalism. They use high end products such as Aveda, Moroccan Oil, Jan Marini, etc. On top of all of that, they have won multiple awards for their outstanding service!

SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE

These days, everyone has the ability to market themselves. Social media is a useful tool to create a narrative for your business, spread the word and showcase what your business has to offer. If used effectively, you can build an empire. Although it definitely takes time and effort to manage, it is one of the biggest footprints in the path to the future. Potential clients will look at your page to see what you have to offer.

It’s a way for someone to silently judge your business in the privacy of their own home. That’s why it’s important to keep it neat, clean, professional and consistent, but the business should be represented well. Also, happy clients should be able to tag their photos so the salon can build some new clients!

OLIVERS:

Oliver’s has a social media presence on all platforms; Google, Facebook, Instagram and even a blog. All of their pages are clean and professional. They have an attractive website that lists all services. Their website is easy to navigate and they have consistency in their posts. All of their contact information is available as well. They respond to every review, good and bad. They keep up with trends, post stories and are very responsive on social media.

CONCLUSION

So, when it comes to finding a salon to call your home, make sure you do your research. It can be difficult to know all of the information right away, so give yourself time to ask the necessary questions.

As far as Oliver's, we answer any question you have. Give us a call at 610-366-8808 or shoot us a message on one of our social media platforms!

Oliver’s Looks at Current Beauty Trends

The beauty world is creative, competitive and inspiring. There are trends constantly emerging. With the help of Instagram and other social media platforms, we are able to see these trends on a daily basis. In this blog, I will dig a little deeper on some current trends that are considered influential and tell you exactly what we think here at Oliver's!

Don't you feel more alive with longer lashes?

DIP POWDER MANICURES - YES OR NO?

One trend I’ve been seeing in particular is the dip powder nails. They are supposed to be stronger and longer lasting than gel nails. They are being compared to acrylic nails. I researched all that is the dip powder manicure to learn more about this trendy nail. Essentially, it is what it sounds like; you dip your nail in powder. Instead of using UV rays to seal your polish, the pigmented powder does the job. They are rumored to not ruin your nails the way that other manicures do.

However, if you’re getting a dip powder manicure at a salon, chances are you will be dipping your nails in a pot of pigmented powder that other people have dipped into. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to double dip with a stranger. Although they turn out beautiful, it doesn’t make sense for a salon to be unsanitary for beauty reasons. This is exactly why Oliver’s does not partake in the dip powder manicure. In other words this trend is considered a NO for us.

SKINCARE - YES OR NO?

Less makeup, more sunscreen. With new skincare companies emerging, they are shedding some light on the importance of the health of our skin. They are pushing products that improve the look and texture of your skin, fight aging and repel the harmful UV rays. More than ever before, people are getting more facials, dermaplaning, peels, etc. Instagram models and influencers have perfect, soft skin with no makeup thus making it trendy. YES, this is a trend we can totally get behind.

Here at Oliver’s we offer a range of services for skincare. From facials to products, we have a lot to choose from. For example, we have more than five different facials as well as add-ons to customize what is most beneficial for your skin. We have a product for every issue you have as well as educated aestheticians who can provide you with tips and information to better your skincare routine.

LASHES - YES OR NO?

People are lashing out and ditching the mascara. Lash extensions, lash lifts and lash tints are everywhere. This trend has become so in demand that we are starting to need more aestheticians trained in lash services to keep up with the clientele. Can you blame everyone? Long lashes gives a sort of confidence that is unexplainable and cuts down makeup application time. This would be perfect for busy bodies, moms on the go and well, pretty much anyone. We say YES to this trend. Here at Oliver’s, we offer lash extensions, lash lifts and lash tints.

If you have any questions on the current trendy services we offer, call us at (610)-366-8808. Remember, we offer online booking as well!

Here Comes the Bride

Looking for a place to provide you with the perfect look on your big day? Well, Oliver’s has all the brides-to-be and their bridesmaids covered. As an all service salon, we have a number of services to choose from. Whether it’s for the big day or for your bachelorette party, we would love to serve you!

Beautiful Wedding or Prom Style Updo

BRIDAL HAIR

On your wedding day, you want to look picture perfect. Here at Oliver’s, our stylists can do all sorts of up-dos and wedding hair. As long as you have a picture for reference, we can make it happen. Here are some examples of wedding do’s that will inspire you.

Boho Braid Updo
Boho braid for a bridesmaid. Elegant yet detailed.
Photo of Wedding Style Updo
A little twist on a classic bun. Perfect updo for the anti-updo person!
BRIDAL MAKEUP

Putting your best face forward is important on your wedding day. While there are makeup tutorials all over the internet, having a professional do your makeup limits your risk. Our mua’s  are aestheticians who have had extensive training and practice in the makeup field. They know how to properly apply and make your look last the whole day! We use mostly Aveda products, but we also carry several others. If you’re like me, you have your favorite shade of lipstick. Bring it in. We don’t mind teaching you how to properly apply it!

Wedding Makeup Application
Makeup application in progress. This bride-to-be also had her hair done as well for a trial run.
BRIDAL NAILS

Most brides also get their nails done at Oliver's. We have a wide range of different nail styles. We have regular polish, gel polish, LCN and poly gel. You can keep it classic or add designs. Either way, our nail techs are skilled in the wedding nails area. If you're a Pinterest wedding planner, bring a picture. Our nail techs are always up for a challenge!

Beautifully Manicured Nails
A little twist on a classic french mani! These wedding nails were for an employee of ours who got married!
ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Besides makeup and hair services, we offer a number of services that a bride or bridesmaid would enjoy. We have had many brides get their nails done, a facial and a massage. We do offer several packages containing a number of services, but you can always choose your own. The important thing to remember is to book ahead, especially if there are a lot of people in your party. We want to make sure we have enough time to make the day all about you!

If you have any questions about scheduling services for your special day, give us a call at (610)-366-8808 or book online.

Put Your Best Face Forward

No matter the age, routines are important. Especially when it comes to skincare, we need to be in a habit of caring for our skin. Life gets crazy, and is ever-changing, but my skincare routine is something that remains a constant. My products may change but the essentials of it do not and that is the type of regularities a girl needs!

Your routine should be a step-by-step process that is repeated twice a day. Some steps may vary on the time of day but it should essentially be the same. To me, my time in my bathroom when I start cleansing and pampering my skin is very relaxing. It is my time of day where I get to just worry about me and my well-being.

This is a picture of two Aveda products on a shelf in the salon. Next to the products is a basket with a light green plant in it.

Oliver's carries a wide selection of Aveda products.

Why Aveda might be your best bet:

Aveda products are perfect staples for your skincare collection, being naturally derived and plant based they’re effective yet gentle enough to use everyday. No matter your skin type, Aveda has products to fit you.

Step by step skincare with Aveda:

The first step in your routine should be to remove any makeup and cleansing. If you do not wear makeup then you get to skip this step. Removing your makeup is probably the most important thing you can do for your skin. It is crucial that before you continue with any other steps, your makeup is off. It is even more crucial that you do not ever, ever sleep with your cosmetics on! Your skin will thank you, trust me.

Remove your eye makeup with the Aveda Pure Comfort Eye Makeup Remover. This oil-free formula is gentle on the eyes but effectively dissolves washable eye makeup.

Let the cleansing begin:

Start the cleansing process using the Aveda Botanical Kinetics Purifying Gel Cleanser to remove makeup, dirt, and surface debris. I recommend using the double-cleansing method to ensure your skin is nice and clean!

Double-cleansing is so important during your evening routine. Cleansing the first time removes surface debris, makeup and leaves your skin looking clean. When you cleanse the second time the cleanser is able to get deeper into your pores and pull out bacteria and pollution that is more likely to build up deeper into the skin and cause a break-out. This method is not necessary in the morning but is highly recommended by skin professionals before bed!

Tone down your problems:

After cleansing, a good toner is an essential. A toner has many benefits for the skin and the type of toner should be matched to your skin type- just like a good cleanser would be!  The Aveda Botanical Kinetics Toning Mist will help balance the oils in your skin and refresh your pores. For more blemish-prone skin the Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant liquid is a great way to tone while getting rid of excess dead skin cells, which allows your serum and moisturizer to absorb more effectively.

A good serum can fix just about anything:

Your skin is clean and balanced and it is now ready for my personal favorite, serums and oils. Serums and oils are packed with vitamins and nutrients essential for the health of your skin. If your skin is more on the oily side I would recommend opting for a serum or concentration over the beauty oil. The Aveda Tulasara collection has an Oleation Oil made of 100% naturally derived and perfectly balanced oils. Because the oils are balanced, it will add a perfect blend of moisture to your skin without clogging your pores. This collection also has a range of concentrates for anything your skin needs an extra boost in, such as Aveda Tulasara Firm, Aveda Tulasara Calm, and Aveda Tulasara Bright.

Serums and oils are not as mandatory as the other 3 steps. These are just an add on for anyone who would like to see improvement in specific areas!

The most important part...

Next we moisturize! First the eye area needs some love, so eye cream goes first! The skin on the eye area is very thin and gentle so no matter your age, you should be using eye cream. The eye area is also usually the first area to show signs of aging. Something as simple as just keeping it moisturized will be preventive care.

During the day, opt for something light like the Aveda Botanical Kinetics Energizing Eye Creme. This will have your eyes bright and refreshed, ready for the day! At night let your eyes soak in the moisture with the Aveda Tulasara Wedding Masque Eye to brighten, moisturize, and give your eyes that “wedding day glow” as Aveda calls it!

After the eyes are taken care of, your skin needs to be given the moisture that was taken out of it during the cleansing process. At night time, your skin does a lot of it’s healing and replenishing so applying a thick moisturizer is ideal. Before bed is the best time to do the heavy moisturizing since you don’t have to worry about applying makeup on top.

A moisturizer like the Aveda Botanical Kinetics Hydrating Lotion is a perfect, lightweight moisturizer for oily skin or even for just during the day. For dry skin or night time moisture options, try the Aveda Hydrating Creme in Soft or Rich for instant 24-hour moisture.

Aside from your everyday products, you should fit in regular exfoliators to reveal a more lively complexion and once a month use a face mask to deep clean!

Routine add-ons:

Be sure to exfoliate 2-3 times a week with Aveda Botanical Kinetics Radiant Skin Refiner

Get a moisture surge with Aveda Tulasara Overnight Wedding Masque

Draw out impurities with Aveda Botanical Kinetics Deep Cleansing Clay Masque 

This may seem like a lot but once you get into your ritual you will enjoy the process and the results even more! Finding the perfect products for you may take some time but it’s all part of your skincare journey. Some final thoughts to reflect on is give your products some time to work. You don’t want to confuse your skin by switching products too frequently expecting immediate results. As one of our estheticians, Trudi, always has to to remind me when I start going product crazy- “Less is more”.

Stop by Olivers today to talk to one of our employees about finding the perfect Aveda products for you! Check out our website  or call us at (610) 366-8808.

This blog was guest written by our very own Adrianna Capecci Slack.

Oliver’s Gift Cards

What better way to say Happy Holidays than with a gift card? Whether it’s a lot or a little, gift cards make the best stocking stuffers and overall gifts. I’ve always preferred gift cards so I could  spend that money exactly how I want to. Oliver’s offers gift cards and gift certificates all packaged and ready to gift.

This is a picture of a Oliver's Salon & Spa gift card. Included in the picture is a red square envelope that the gift card is wrapped in. A white ribbon is tied on the gift card holder.

“Ugh, Gift Cards Are So Unthoughtful.”

We all know the gift card is the perfect gift for someone who has everything. If you’re at a loss and don’t know what to get a person, gift cards happen to work great too. Some people say it’s the lazy way of gifting, but I think it’s a little more thoughtful.  

Gift cards give the person the power to pick exactly what they want. When buying gift cards from Oliver’s, we don’t require a minimum or maximum. You could put any amount on a card or pick a service and put the amount of the service on the card.

Why are Oliver’s Gift Cards so special?

With our gift cards, we give you the works. We package the gift card in a square envelope with a ribbon tied around it, put it in a small gift bag with our logo on the side along with tissue paper and a menu. Basically, we give your gift card to you all ready to go.

When you purchase a gift card, there is no minimum set amount you need. You can load the card up with the value of your choice, or ask us how much a specific service is. For example, many people come in and want to gift a pedicure, so they buy the gift card for the cost of that service. The gift cards can go towards any of our products too!

Those of you who are purchasing a gift card from Oliver’s should know that there is information that we need to know. For example, who the gift card is going to. If that person has been here before, they are saved in our system and easier to locate. If they are not, we like to ask for a phone number to enter them as a client. We do this so if the gift card ever gets lost, we can easily search the client’s name and see the gift card saved in our system. This way, everybody wins.

What if I am unable to purchase a gift card in person but I REALLY want one?

Lucky for our out-of-towners, or loved ones from far away, we give you the option to purchase a gift card from miles, towns and even states away. All you have to do is give us a call. Oliver's sends gift certificates via email to you, or the person you want to surprise. We even send physical gift cards in the mail! (Which is something not a lot of other places do) We know how important it is to find the perfect gift. If that perfect gift is an Oliver’s Salon & Spa gift card, then we want to make sure everyone has that option.

Convinced? Give us a call at (610)-366-8808 or purchase one online!