Joel Christopher's Day Spa: Not Your Mother's Salon

What do you do if you have a background as a project engineer and cosmetologist? If you are Wendy Cook, you find a space that has been vacant for four years and transform it into Joel Christopher’s Day Spa.

“I always had the premise 16 years ago when I got licensed (in cosmetology) to open this day spa in honor of my brother, hence the name Joel Christopher’s.” 

Cook's brother died when she was 16.

“He was an artist,” she explained, “and this is my artistic outlet.” 

There is a sense of artistry to every aspect of the spa, including the color scheme, carefully planned layout and holistic approach of the services offered. Cook's permanent makeup artist draws clients from all over the Bay Area, and both her masseuses have therapeutic and medical backgrounds.

“The team that we have is absolutely amazing,” she said. “We complement each other. It absolutely makes it a solid foundation for the client.” 

That foundation comes from a team of seven stylists and an array of services: massage, manicure, pedicure, permanent makeup, makeup for bridal parties, ear piercing, hair extensions, eyelash extensions, eyelash and eye brow tinting and waxing. 

“It is very much a one-stop shop,” Cook said. “With us being able to provide such a diverse amount of services, it brings in people for one (service) and then they realize they can get another service as well.” 

Joel Christopher’s also offers exclusive salon products and boutique items.

“We are always evolving,” Cook said. Some of the salon's products are green conscious, made without ammonia or sulfates. Boutique items include jewelry and handbags chosen by Cook from designers in New York. 

One difference between a spa and a salon is that the clientele includes men. 

“We are getting a great response from men who get pedicures and manicures, and actually wax their eyebrows,” Cook said.

In fact, a “Men’s Night” is set for Aug. 25. 

“Males are used to going to a barber. They may not feel comfortable coming to a spa that says massage. This will be to let them know that they don’t have to come in for all-day services, they can come in for a simple haircut or come in for those additional services.” 

One of the biggest myths Cook faces about day spa services is that they are expensive.

“We’ve seen people cut back on travel and other expensive things, but we still see them coming in because they still want to get their hair done, they still want to get their manicure-pedicure, they still want to get their massage,” Cook said.

Even in a bad economy her business is growing.

“In fact, I think it’s a benefit when people are more stressed out," Cook said. "We are seeing more people really caring more about their personal health because it’s vital to feel good about yourself and feel good internally as well.”

Joel Christopher’s Day Spa is at 6684 Alhambra Ave. in Martinez.