Alexandria’s Circe Day Salon expands its salon and reach into Washington.
By Kirsten Obadal
The spa has recently undergone a $2 million renovation. (Photo courtesy of Circe Day Salon and Spa)
Circe was the Greek goddess of magic, renowned for her eternally youthful beauty and for her knowledge of healing herbs. Her name is also the name of Circe Day Salon and Spa in Old Town Alexandria, known in the D.C. area among spa aficionados for its use of the naturally and organically based Aveda products and treatments for hair and skin.
The spa has recently undergone a $2 million renovation and expansion under the direction of president and co-owner Ellen Vlasak, who runs Circe with her husband Richard Vlasak, entrepreneurs and antiques dealers who both moved to Old Town from New York two years ago.
“I am a two-time breast cancer survivor,” Ellen Vlasak explains. “I went to Circe and was bald from chemotherapy, and they treated me in such a kind, healing way that my husband and I decided to purchase the spa.”
The Vlasaks took over the salon two years ago, and have a vision for its presence in the DC area.
“Our vision for the salon and spa is to create an environment in which a client is rejuvenated, relaxed, and is a place where the genuine care and comfort of our guests is our highest mission,” Ellen says. “We pledge to provide the finest personal service and facility for our guests who will always enjoy a warm, relaxed, yet refined ambiance.”
The unique attraction of Circe? “We are caregivers, not simply professionals who enhance your natural beauty and the way your present yourself to the world,” she said. “We are healers, we seek to relieve stress. We promote youth, no matter what a person’s chronological age.”
Indeed, it is the fountain of youth that many clients seem to want, from eyelash extensions to the ever-popular microdermabrasion process that renews facial skin. The salon/spa is a Lifestyle Aveda Salon and offers Circe brand makeup and signature products. Pedicure customers will appreciate the “zero gravity” chair. The renovation includes the addition of a second floor, where there is a private VIP room.
Aesthetician Sharlia explains that Circe offers personal beauty consultations, so when new clients book a treatment, they’re given a complimentary 15-minute consultation.
The spa has a new oxygen machine, which is used for facials and injects healing vitamins into the skin. It also has anti-acne services geared to teens or even adults who suffer acne.
Also available are Dolymed products, used for chemical peel — a more intensive facial requiring about 48 hours of downtime after the procedure. Sharlia notes that a product used by all of the Real Housewives, called “Xtreme Lashes” is used at Circe and is growing in popularity for those wishing to enhance their eyelashes.
An LED light facial is also offered to clients seeking to rejuvenate the appearance of their faces.
All aestheticians at Circe are required to undergo annual refreshment of their educations in their specialties, and are ranked according to their experience and training as new, junior, senior, and master level.
More info may be found at HERE. Circe of Alexandria is located in Old Town Alexandria at 123 North Washington Street.
“Our vision for the salon and spa is to create an environment in which a client is rejuvenated, relaxed, and is a place where the genuine care and comfort of our guests is our highest mission," Ellen Vlasak says. (Photo courtesy of Circe Day Salon and Spa)
Ellen and Richard Vlasak in their Alexandria salon. (Photo courtesy of Circe Day Salon and Spa)
