Aziz Salon, Spa and Skin Care Wellness Center

Story by Darline Turner-Lee

Artistic ability, business acumen and collective commitment all contribute to the success of one of Austin’s first “day spas.”

Nestled behind lovely native foliage at the corner of West and West 7th Streets is the entrance to Aziz Salon, Spa and Skin Care Wellness Center. After navigating through traffic and detours all along 5th Street, I was relieved to finally arrive. But what was more exciting was that there was parking ample FREE parking in an off-street lot! A downtown business that is able to offer its clientele such an amenity How did they pull off such a coup?

Making my way around the foliage, I passed under the awning into the business proper. The exterior façade, while neat and pleasant, is in no way an indicator of the interior décor. To begin with, Aziz’s entry and reception area is one of the most welcoming I’ve seen to date. It’s not overly decorated; it has the customary displays of products, a reception desk and seating. I think it’s the choice of colors and textures that really create the effect. The walls are a warm gold and there is a faux finish that gives it a European café or bistro sort of air. It feels as if you’re to come in, sit with a friend and have an espresso. A plush, red-patterned area rug covers most of the floor and the exposed areas display decorative tiles. The windows, even those that open into other areas of the salon, are outlined with soft sheer draping fabric. Espresso-colored, leather easy chairs and lots of plants complete the “lounge” atmosphere. (The décor certainly seemed to live up to its intent.

When I arrived, a gentleman was seated in one of the leather chairs patiently waiting for his companion. He was still there when I left some two hours later and still seemed quite comfortable.) Shortly after I arrived and checked in at the front desk, Eileen Andrews, the owner of Aziz, greeted me and showed me around the salon.

Andrews’ pride in her salon is clearly evident, but is in no way haughty. She’s worked hard to maintain a top-of- the-line salon and spa services for her patrons. As a result of her leadership, the spa draws some of the most seasoned stylists and aestheticians. “The hairstylists here are some of the best in town. Many of them have 10-or-more years of experience in the industry,” says Andrews. “And when they come here, they stay.”

Aziz, while known as a skin wellness spa, is a well-run, full-service salon and spa offering everything from hair styling, nail services, massage therapy and MediSpa services such as Botox injections, Laser Hair Removal, Laser Rejuvenation and SmartLipo. Andrews herself is a medical aesthetician as well as a certified laser specialist. Along with owning and running the business, Andrews also has her own clientele for whom she provides services and treatments.

“Aziz is one of the oldest day spas in Austin,” says Andrews. “It was around before there was any such thing as a “day spa” and serves individuals as well as groups. Their most popular service is the Full Day of Beauty, a six-hour series of treatments which includes lunch.”

Andrews bought Aziz from its original owner, Beverly Cox, 10 years ago. “I originally bought it as an investment, but as I learned more about the industry, I fell in love with it and went on to become an aesthetician. I took about another two years to earn the medical licensure and after that I added laser licensure and certification.” Andrews’ passion for skin care bubbles to the surface as she speaks about her training. But Andrews brings a unique perspective to skincare and appearance. Andrews is a portrait artist. Her undergraduate degree was in art. “When I evaluate a client, I not only look at their skin and hair, but I also look at their features and bone structure to better determine which services will give the client the best look in the end.”

The entire Andrews family is committed to Aziz. Andrews’ daughter is also a licensed laser specialist and works in the salon. Her son manages the online store, BeautyDepot.com as well as the company’s web presence and data. Her daughter-in- law is the general manager. The family commitment now extends to the new south location on Brodie Lane in the Bed, Bath and Beyond shopping center. Andrews, her daughter and daughter-in- law all divide their time between the two sites while Andrews’ husband remains in-house in the south location while also running the family’s computer storage company.

The Andrews family business acumen is evident at Aziz. The 10,000+ square feet that make up the downtown location is divided up into distinct zones hair salon, nail services, spa treatments and medi treatments. Each section is uniquely decorated and impeccably run by a station manager while still providing the clientele with a relaxing and pampering environment. Everything from unique artwork (some done by Andrews herself) and water fountains, to the myriad of services are geared towards customer comfort and satisfaction. Given that the schedules at Aziz are regularly booked, I’d say that Andrews and her staff succeed and excel at customer satisfaction.

So what’s next for Aziz? “We’ll continue doing what we do here (downtown) and we’re planning to expand the south location. We ramped up so fast that some days we have to turn clients away and that’s never acceptable,” says Andrews. I have no doubt that Eileen Andrews and the Aziz staff of family and dedicated professionals will prosper in their endeavors. With Andrews’ unique blend or artistic ability, business acumen and pure passion for skin care at the helm, Aziz is poised for another 35 years of success.