By Maria Wyllie
EBS Associate Editor
BOZEMAN – At Nectar Organic Skin Care Studio, owner Lily Hawkins is offering her clients something special.
“My studio is completely private, and every client I have gets my undivided attention,” said Hawkins, 32, who is the studio’s sole esthetician and skincare therapist.
Nectar relocated this April to a bigger studio next to Bozeman Spirits and across the street from the Lark Hotel in downtown Bozeman. Hawkins says the new space is more comfortable and gives her room to grow as she adds more retail offerings and services.
While the beautiful new space undoubtedly enhances the Nectar experience, customers aren’t there because of the background music or the bright, pleasing atmosphere. They’re there because Hawkins is. More than just giving a clean wax or a relaxing facial, she gets to know the people who walk through her studio door.
And this doesn’t just mean friendly chitchat about weekend plans or what’s on TV. Hawkins aims to help customers achieve healthy, beautiful skin while also educating them with the tools that will make it last. She accomplishes this through a holistic approach in which she examines the condition of the skin, analyzes diet and lifestyle habits, and takes known medical conditions and allergies into account.
“Most people are surprised to learn that the skin, and the skin on the face in particular, acts as a touchstone to our inner health and well-being,” Hawkins said. “I not only want to help people look their best, but feel their best.”
She treats the skin with all organic, plant-based products from Eminence Handmade Organic Skin Care of Hungary.
“I believe you can heal your body and your skin with plants,” said Hawkins, who’s been practicing this style of esthetics for nearly a decade. “Plants have been healing our bodies for thousands of years, dating back to Ayurveda, so I think it’s a tried-and-true method of healing.”
Hawkins finds intrigue and satisfaction in learning how different plants react to an individual’s constitutional makeup, and how that knowledge can be used to help the client solve other imbalances in the body.
Having completed countless hours of research, Hawkins is also a resource for customers who might not understand why a night cream that says “all natural” might actually be bad for you. Products carrying this title can still be laden with chemicals and toxins, meaning a trip to the drug store could take 45 minutes instead of 10 if you try to sort through the good and bad.
“It’s scary to be putting synthetic chemicals on the skin,” Hawkins said. “Different studies have estimated that about 60 percent of what you put on the skin makes its way into the bloodstream. You don’t want to have that conversation about which 60 percent is making its way in.”
Apart from one-on-one consultations and facials, Hawkins also offers eyebrow and eyelash tinting and an extensive list of waxing services. While the quality of her treatments speaks for itself, Hawkin’s consistent, high level of customer service makes Nectar all the more worth visiting.
Walking into Nectar instills a feeling of comfort. You’re glad you don’t have to wait to be seen, and you’re glad you get to spend the next half hour or so with a fun, friendly professional who will help you look and feel your best. If you’re a repeat customer, you look forward to the quality of service Nectar provides. If you’re new, then you’re in for a treat. Lily Hawkins is raising the bar.
