Community Business: Lovesome Beauty Lounge | Williamsburg Yorktown Daily

WILLIAMSBURG — Lovesome Beauty Lounge may have just opened its doors in March, but owner Melinda Parker boasts over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry.

“I admire and respect those who have opened their own salons and spas and those who I have worked for over the years, but, with my long-term goals to help make the beauty industry a better industry for those working in it; it was time for me to start pursuing my goals. The future of these plans start with opening a small day spa and grow from there,” Parker says.

Lovesome Beauty Lounge, located at 215 Ingram Road in Williamsburg, offers facials, airbrush tanning, lash and brow tinting, dermaplaning, waxing, eyelash extensions, skin treatments and permanent makeup.

For Parker, using products and treatments that are proven is important.

“Our treatment options are tried and true, they work. We don’t subscribe to the newest fad. If we know a service works and produces high-quality results, we don’t bring in a new fad to replace it, even if everything on social media says to. I also offer mentorships and workshops for upcoming artists and consulting for spas and salons,” Parker says.

Parker ultimately wants to find a way to inspire change in the beauty industry.

“Providers from hair and lash artist to skin and permanent makeup are minimally trained, overworked and generally underpaid. Spa and Salon businesses struggle and over 80% of beauty businesses fail in the first five years. So congratulate the beauticians and estheticians you know who have made it successfully and longer. It’s a big deal,” Parker says. “This industry has high overhead and cost, is hard on your body and providers are only given training enough to pass a test and start working, really more so fumbling to grow. We generally are given no training or ability to make a stable long-term plan for ourselves and very few of us stay in the industry due to at least one of the listed factors.”

Parker adds that consumer relationships are an integral part of Lovesome’s success.

“My plan for Lovesome’s Day Spa is not just for its providers to grow but will also help our beauty consumers to start receiving higher quality, lasting experiences, better treatment outcomes and lasting client/provider relationships. My business is both about taking care of our beloved clients, offering educated services, and boosting confidence of women and men who come for our spa services. Also very much will be about creating growth and educating our future providers,”

In the future, Parker hopes to add a school for up-and-coming beauty professionals in the Williamsburg area, as well as offer mentorship opportunities.

The spa operates Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. On weekends, the spa is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Online booking is available by visiting lovesomebeautylounge.com.

Community Business is a feature series that showcases locally-owned business establishments in the Historic Triangle. If you would like to submit a business to be featured, please send an email to info@wydaily.com.