Beauty, Charm and Joy Following in the Genre of its Namesakes, 3 Graces Skin Care and Med Spa Extends Joy and Goodwill Towards its Clients

Story by Darline Turner-Lee

In Greek mythology, the Three Graces, the goddesses of beauty, joy, and charm are attendants to the divinities of love Aphrodite and Eros. They preside over banquets, dances and all other pleasurable social events bringing joy and goodwill to both gods and mortals.

Like the Three Graces, Samia Briesch, owner and operator of the 3 Graces Spa, is devoted to bringing beauty, joy and charm to every client who enters her spa. “I offer my clients what I want and often need,” says Briesch. “When I created the spa, I knew that I wasn’t the only one needing my services. So often people only do things like this on vacation. We try to give people mini-vacations right here in town. I want them to leave feeling refreshed.” You really are transported to another place when you enter 3 Graces. Briesch has created an atmosphere of plush luxury. The stone and marble tile of the floors and countertops, along with the columns and ornate moldings along the walls, invoke a Grecian style one would attribute to the mythological Graces’ influence. But, there is another style present, one that is warm and at the same time, sensual. Rich chocolate brown and tan tones, together with a spicy scent, bring to the mind and senses nutmeg and ginger. Together the scent and colors are wonderfully soothing. The browns and tans swirl together on the soft chenille fabrics that cover the chair seats, comprise the wall tapestries and are the coverings on the treatment tables. There is culturally distinct music playing softly in the background.

Briesch, a very attractive, petite woman greets me and we settle down in an office to talk.

“I created 3 Graces so that busy, middle aged professionals could come in and be refreshed. Here they have the chance to feel younger and better about themselves.” An accent immediately catches my attention. After a few guesses I learn that Briesch is from Egypt. Then it all came together the scents, the colors, the music 3 Graces is named for the three mythological Greek goddesses and although homage is paid to the Greek in the décor; the overall style and feel of the spa is like a regal Arabic parlor. From the artwork on the massage room walls, to the drapes in the “wet room” used for steam treatments and wraps, to the various benches and stools there is a flair that is distinctly Egyptian, distinctly Briesch.

“Samia really sets the tone of the spa,” says Nanette, the client coordinator. “In every little detail, you can see Samia. She’s really hands-on and adds a personal touch to everything.”

Briesch isn’t just all about the beauty. She studied business in Egypt and has had several successful businesses during her career. She also studied cosmetology and aesthetics, learning how to perform permanent hair removal and photo facials. In 1997, Briesch was the first to bring the Epilight Pulse Light Therapy hair removal system to Austin and has been serving clients with permanent hair removal and aesthetic services ever since. “Being from Egypt, I have a lot of dark hair. I loved the IPL treatment results on myself and had to share it with others.”

Briesch opened 3 Graces in August 2007 and serves her clients seven days a week. She offers a wide range of services from Botox and other fillers, to microdermabrasion and chemical peels, permanent hair removal and permanent make-up and acupuncture facials to SmartLipo performed by the on-staff plastic surgeon. Thomas Jeneby, MD, is the plastic surgeon on staff at 3 Graces. Board certified in plastic surgery, Dr. Jeneby performs Smart- Lipo procedures in a well-equipped office suite in 3 Graces on Wednesdays and Saturdays. He is also able to perform a wide variety of minor surgery and cosmetic procedures within the 3 Graces suites.

“I used to own a large spa but at the time I had small children and they needed me more,” says Briesch. “So I sold that spa and focused on my children. Later I began working with plastic surgeons in their office doing photo facials and permanent hair removal. Now that my children are grown-up and out of the house, I can focus on working full time.” The smaller facility and staff allow Briesch to be more client- focused and to offer personal attention to her clients and staff.

“It’s nothing for Samia to cook up a whole bunch of food and bring it in for the staff,” says Nanette. “She really cares about our needs as much as she cares about the needs of her clients. I’ve worked for her on-and-off for years and she really cares about her staff.” At 3 Graces you can have a massage or manicure, but if you skip the permanent hair removal, photo facial or other medi-spa service, you’ve really missed the essence of 3 Graces. Stop in and let Samia Briesch and her staff share their brand of charm and goodwill towards you. And like their namesakes, the 3 Graces, you’ll leave their presence full of beauty, charm and joy.

MORE INFO 3 Graces Skincare + Med Spa www.3gracesspa.com 6101 Balcones Dr., Ste. 100 (Just off of 2222 and Mopac) 512.453.7000 info@3GracesSpa.com Sunday: Noon - 6 p.m. Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.