The Land of Milk and Honey

Bringing Spa Culture to the Lone Star Capital

Known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin frequently tops the list of America’s best places to live, work and play. Yet for all the city’s cosmopolitan offerings, spa enthusiast and Milk + Honey day spa founder Alissa Bayer felt something was terribly lacking in the Lone Star capital.

As a graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin, Bayer quickly fell in love with the city and decided to call it home. However, she soon discovered a dearth of the urban day spas she regularly visited while living in New York, Washington D.C. and San Francisco.

Drawing from years of professional experience, entrepreneurial insight and her chic, cosmopolitan sensibility, Bayer set out to create the city’s premier day spa and retreat. The result: Milk + Honey. “I knew Austinites would be excited by my vision, as there are not any day spas like it in town,” says Bayer.

Located two blocks from Town Lake’s north shore in the city’s vibrant Second Street District, Milk + Honey is an oasis of relaxation and rejuvenation, secluded from the bustle of urban life. Guests are greeted by a warm and talented staff sporting shirts that say “I Am A Spa Partisan”—a signature phrase of Bayer’s creation. Invited to relax in the loft-inspired lounge before treatments, guests enjoy a selection of organic teas, infused waters and Texas pecans.

While the contemporary façade and modular design would feel quite familiar in any of the big coastal cities, Milk + Honey’s attitude is uniquely Austin. Homegrown and independently owned, it echoes the eclectic, entrepreneurial spirit of a city that boasts the small business slogan, “Keep Austin Weird.”

“Milk + Honey is a bootstrapped, locally owned business,” says Bayer. “Though it reminds me of some of the great spas I frequented when living in New York and San Francisco, Milk + Honey is most definitely an Austin Spa.”

The unique approach seems to be working. Since opening in 2006, demand for Milk + Honey’s services—which run the gamut from Swedish-style massage to hot stone pedicures and CosMedix peels—has inspired a second location in nearby Bee Cave in addition to the opening of Salon by Milk + Honey which emphasizes natural hair care.

“Austin is a developing spa culture,” Bayer explains. “We count many seasoned spa veterans as core clients, but we often have first-time spa goers, which is very exciting to us.”

Many are drawn to Milk + Honey’s all-natural beauty ethos and largely “green” treatment menu, which features chirally correct CosMedix products alongside organic body, skin and nail treatments.

“I believe that nature provides what we need to be healthy and beautiful,” states Bayer. “So much of what a spa does is to ‘undo’ the damage of everyday life. I completely agree with the CosMedix philosophy that you don’t have to damage the skin in order to get great results; the results from the CosMedix peels are simply amazing.”

And Alissa Bayer would know. Not only does she proudly showcase the line, she is a regular CosMedix customer with glowing results.

“ After using CosMedix for several months, my skin has never looked better. ”

For anyone planning a trip to the vibrant Texas capital, consider a relaxing escape to the city’s premier day spa. Located in the heart of Austin, Milk + Honey provides the perfect starting or stopping point to a busy downtown day.