Transformative Self Care with Bre Morris of Alchemy Face Bar
WRITTEN BY ANNIE BLOJ // CULTURE & STYLE EDITOR
PHOTOGRAPHED BY ESTHER LEE LEACH
Full disclosure, I have been a faithful client of Alchemy Face Bar since their original location on Pearl Street in Boulder! Initially curious about the open-plan of this space- where women are being cared for and pampered communally- I instantly understood the concept that Bre Morris set out to create. At all locations of Alchemy Face Bar, there is an inherent feeling of connection that comes in the shared experience of self-care. All clients are welcome, cherished, honored, and given that touch of magic that is the very definition of Alchemy Face Bar.
Annie Bloj: Bre, you have created a signature experience within each of your Alchemy Face Bar locations for all things beauty, self-care, and transformation. How did you get started in the beauty business?
Bre Morris: I have been so thankful to have been immersed in the beauty industry at a very young age. My grandmother owned a nail salon, my mother owned a day spa, and my sister also currently owns a day spa. It has been a part of my life since I can remember. I have always loved being around the women coming in and sharing life stories. It has always felt like a support system and a beautiful place of community.
After struggling with my own skin issues in High School, I found a passion for what I wanted to dedicate my life to, helping others feel confident in their skin. I wanted to help others learn how to enhance their natural beauty, heal their skin, and learn how to do this with natural products that won't congest or irritate their skin.
AB: You opened your first location of Alchemy Bar in Boulder in 2013. What motivated you to open up your own space?
BM: I was grateful to have built a business where I could do makeup on hundreds of people, however, during these years, I saw a massive gap in the industry. Facials were such a necessary part of keeping your skin clear, youthful, and glowing, and I would preach that every day to my clients. I found that a lot of them could not afford to make facials a monthly routine. I couldn't blame them because as much as I preached it, I could not do it myself either. This is how the face bar concept came to be. I realized we can still have a beautiful and relaxing experience but in an airy, open room environment where we can bring the community together while experiencing self-care and self-love. Two things that we all need more of. The idea then quickly turned into my first face bar location in 2013. We now have three locations in the Boulder and Denver area and hope to keep spreading the love of self-care and education on how to heal your individual skin needs.
AB: Your open-plan spaces create a unique experience. What inspired you to design your locations in this way, and how do people react initially?
BM: The idea of an open room facial bar was a little scary at first for me. It wasn't around yet, and I didn't know how people would react to the new concept. At the very start of it, we were in a tiny one-room space with two beds. Immediately our clients loved the newfound way of experiencing beauty together. Some people talked while getting services, and some just relaxed and enjoyed their own thoughts. The feeling of community was very apparent and was such an uplifting experience for myself and others coming in.
I also wanted estheticians to feel like they could always learn and grow from one another instead of being in a closed-off space, and I felt the same way about our clients learning from witnessing others having treatments. This opens up the door for conversation around services that they were unaware of or even intimidated of.
I wanted the space to feel very safe, welcoming, and warm. I chose to do all soft colors of white, dusty pink, golds, wood, and mix in crystals all over the space for good energy. I wanted everyone that walked in to feel like they were "home." Thankfully this concept was a quick hit, and we were able to grow into a bigger location and then eventually onto a few more locations.
AB: This year has been a challenge for everyone, probably more so for the beauty industry due to your work's intimate nature. How have you made adjustments to your business?
BM: It truly has been a challenge. Emotionally draining as I have never felt before. I am someone that finds joy and pride in seeing my team succeed and grow. Having to furlough my team initially while we were shut down was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do as a business owner, especially because everything was so unknown. There was not one person who could advise on the situation because we were all trying to navigate it simultaneously. I kept on five people on my team to help with online orders, social media, HR, etc. These five people helped save my business and keep us afloat during this time. My sister is one of them, and I am forever grateful for her love, grit, and strength. Alchemy is my business, but it is also my passion.
AB: I just adore the concept that you came up with for the at-home facials. One of the quickest realizations of quarantine was that our regular beauty routines would suffer drastically. Can you tell us how you came up with this idea? My favorite is the Alchemy Glow to Go.
BM: My love for taking care of others and making them feel self-love is why I do what I do. Being shut down and not giving others the self-care they need during one of the most disconnected and lonely times in our history was devastating to me. I had to think of a way that Alchemy could still be a part of everyone's lives but in the comfort of their own home. This is where the Alchemy Anywhere- Facials To Go concept came into play. I had the idea in the shower (where else do you get good ideas?!) while trying to decide how to keep our community connected. I realized that if we cannot perform facials on our clients, why can't we give them a step by step guide on how to do it themselves from the comfort of their home? They can still have virtual gatherings and perform facials together or just indulge at home by themselves.
We then decided to give the option of a virtual Alchemist (one of our aestheticians) to join the girl's nights, baby shower, birthday, graduation, or whatever the occasion may be and guide everyone through a facial at home. The facials are based on our service menu, so you get to choose between nine different facials dependent on your skin type or what you would like to experience. My personal favorite is our Alchemy Ritual or Alchemy Glow. Since reopening our locations, the facials to go have been a great gift to pick up in-store or shop from our website. I am thankful that the shutdown gave us another chance to think outside the box and give light to how we can reach others across the US.
AB: Bre, I have given your facials to go as Christmas presents to all of my girlfriends this season, I think it is so clever. I look forward to seeing how your business grows and I will be booking my post-holiday facial as soon as possible!
Bre Morris: @alchemybre
Alchemy Face Bar: @alchemyfacebar
Writer: Annie Bloj: @theblojreport
Photographer: Esther Lee Leach: @estherleeleach