Well and Good
It’s been a long, cold, COVID winter but with Spring (and a vaccine) in the air, it’s time to start looking ahead. As we all emerge from our collective cocoon, you might find that your nails, your skin, and most importantly, your nerves could use a little TLC. Lucky for you, a number of Cincinnati retailers are prepared to help you relax, refresh, and recharge.
Crystal Grace, owner of Grace and Grit Spa, 6712 Montgomery Road
“Self-care is health care,” says Crystal Grace, owner of Grace and Grit Spa (www.graceandgritskin.com). “We don’t view (our services) as a indulgence for a birthday or anniversary. We want people to take the time to slow down and destress to maintain their wellness.”
At Handzy Shop and Studio (handzyshopstudio.com) , with two locations in downtown and Covington, you’ll find a section devoted to self-care.
Opened in 2016 by best friends Suzy Hinnefeld and Brittney Braemer, Handzy carries women’s clothing, lifestyle accessories, paper goods, gifts, plus their own line of greeting cards they design in-house.
Maybe you want to create a tranquil home environment with a eucalyptus soy candle, which burns cleanly and slowly. Or give yourself a quick pick-me-up with a soothing orange blossom lip balm or indulge in a relaxing soak with coconut milk bath bomb.
Handzy Shop & Studio has locations in Covington, 17 W. Pike St. and inn downtown Cincinnati, 324 W. Fourth St.
“Handzy is your happy place!” the owners say. “Our shop is filled with upbeat products we hope will make you smile. Whether it's a new outfit that makes you feel bold and confident or a soothing candle scent, we work to fill our shop with products to inspire you and make you feel good.”
Ready to take off your shoes and feel the warm grass under your feet, but embarrassed about state of your toes? Spruce Nail Shop (sprucenailshop.com) to the rescue! Offering the safest polishes, products, and practices, Spruce creates a warm, welcoming, and creative environment for pedicures, manicures, and skin care.
Spruce Nail Salon, 1818 Race St., Suite 101
“I think so often people associate a manicure or pedicure with only polish and nail art,” says Molly Reckman Nagle, owner. “While we obviously love getting to create one-of-a-kind designs with our clients, it really is the icing on top of the cake for us. The real benefit is about nail care and foot care. Neglect, especially of your feet, can lead to some serious health issues, so we want to be sure to look out for the wellbeing of each client who comes through our doors.”
Founded by Nagle in 2015, Spruce moved to their new location by Findlay Market last year.
“When we first re-opened June, I was concerned that we wouldn’t get many people coming in because nobody was going anywhere. But what I found was we ended up doing more nail art than ever, and many of our clients who have never done nail art were starting to partake,” Nagle says.
One of Nagle’s clients said that even though she wasn’t really going anywhere, and was working from home, she was trying to find some joy. Looking down at her hands and seeing a bright and fun manicure made her smile.
Likewise at Grace and Grit, clients returned as soon as the spa, which first opened in 2018, reopened after a two-month pandemic shut-down.
“Our customers rushed back — we didn’t have any kind of slowdown,” Graces says. “We created a space where they felt safe and they saw our services as part of how they stay healthy.”
In a time when people were forced to isolate themselves and maintain their distance from others, feeling connection with others became even more important.
“People don’t understand the healing power of touch,” Grace says. “We don’t think of what we do as pampering. It’s not a luxury, it’s wellness.”
Aromatherapy is another way to create a calming space. If you want to create a more pleasant at-home environment, &Sundries (andsundries.com) has a full array of handcrafted soapworks and homegoods made with good-for-you ingredients.
&Sundries, 2807 Woodburn Ave.
John Meyer started the company in 2018, with a clear and simple handmade process, making all of the bath and body goodies in the shop, so the products compliment one another. When paired with &Sundries shower tabs, those scents ranging from traditional lavender and eucalyptus to the more exotic citrus and cypress, can help you create a spa-like retreat.
“A four-pack of large cubes packed with essential oils release a dose of aromatherapy in the shower,” says Meyer. “The wetter they get, the faster they fizz, to release awakening peppermint or soothing lemongrass and eucalyptus in the shower.”
As the old saying goes, you can’t fill from an empty cup. All of these local self-care gurus agree that it’s important to take care of yourself while you’re busy meeting all of your work, school, and home obligations.
“For many of our clients, Spruce was their only outing for a while, and still is,” says Nagle. “I think it’s about finding the small moments and breaks, and taking time for yourself to do something that makes you smile.”
The owners of Handzy offer that well-being looks different for everyone. “A new planner and pen could create well-being for someone working toward getting organized while a bath bomb, soap, and candle set might do the same for someone focusing on simple self-care rituals.”
Whether you take a few minutes a day to journal or add a massage to your regular health care routine are ways to not only ease your stress but maintain your mental and also physical health.
“We opened our store two months before the pandemic shut us down,” says Meyer. “It was crazy and living in the moment is hectic, but I try to at least once a week look back and focus on the accomplishments that I’ve made this year.”
“We need our vessels to be full,” Grace says. “We demonstrate to our children they should put themselves last, but we need to re-tell that story. Not only so we can be healthy and but so we can create a healthier society.”
So don’t feel guilty about picking up that candle or scheduling a little “me-time” for a facial or manicure.
“Self-care is preventive care for our mental health,” says Grace
–Tricia Suit