Photo courtesy of Currie Hair, Skin and Nails
Currie Hair, Skin and Nails opens its fifth salon and spa in downtown Wilmington with a sleek modern design for a fully immersive experience.
Treat yourself to the mother of all spas: Currie Hair, Skin and Nails’ fifth and latest salon and spa, which opened earlier this year in the historic Hotel DuPont, merges the luxury experience Delawareans have come to expect from Randy Currie’s eponymous salon with elevated design by Italian architect Guido Matta.
Partnering with L’Oreal Paris, the 10th Street Currie flagship is the first of its kind in the U.S. Built on the Salon Emotions philosophy, it aims to offer a “fully immersive” experience from the time guests step inside, explains Corrie Rios, director of operations.
And that it does.
Housed inside the old Wilmington Trust bank, the space boasts clean, modern design—sculptural pendant lighting; plush, oversized leather chairs; a living plant wall—all juxtaposed with early 20th-industrial bones. Remnants of its storied past, including a heavy, vintage vault door, have been preserved for aesthetics. Arriving early? Relax in the TV lounge or belly up to the coffee and snack bar equipped with personal smart tablets.
Throughout the space are a dozen stylist stations, plus eight more for nails, two for cosmetics, and three spa treatment rooms with showers. But le vrai régal? The infrared sauna. Still fresh with the scent of crisp cedar, the room accommodates up to three guests and is said to reduce stress, purify and cleanse the skin, and improve immune response, among other benefits.
But even if you’re not here for a light bath, therapeutic massage or the signature Hydrafacial (which I’m told leaves skin feeling like butter, whatever your age and sunbathing history), you’re still in for a rich experience.
Having your hair styled? Let Currie’s highly skilled technicians work their magic (next-level training is part of the Salon Emotions program), then let those Italian chairs and steam-infusion shampoo bowls work out the stress.
“Steam shampoo—what’s that?” you ask.
Let me tell you. It’s 15 glorious minutes that will make you forget we’re in month 14 of a pandemic. Or that you haven’t had a moment’s peace in 437 days. Or the chaos of home schooling your three kids today. Or that you have to do it all again tomorrow.
Post-wash, a plastic dome is placed over the shampoo bowl as fragrant oils mingle with hot steam to create an aromatherapy treatment that tickles all the senses. (It’s also believed to be really good for your scalp and hair.) Sound like a pain in the neck? Not with these chairs. Fully reclined—yep, all the way—these beauties take the pressure off while simultaneously roller-massaging out any discomfort you carried in.
Also sit back in a plush throne while you have a pedicure or enjoy an elite manicure from a team of skillful artists. Whether you want a basic polish or custom-painted nail designs, your wish is their Curr-mand. (Currently, all stations separate clients and technicians with plexiglass screens, plus the space is professionally cleaned with a special antimicrobial system to enhance safety measures amid the coronavirus, Rios notes.)
Talented makeup artists are also on standby, eagerly awaiting the return of prom-goers and bridal parties. In the meantime, you can shop for high-performance skin care products; cosmetics from Kevyn Aucoin and Jane Iredale; and luxurious hair products, including those from L’Oréal, Redken, Kérestase and Pureology, as well as owner Randy Currie’s own Carrello collection. There’s also an array of hot tools; gift items like candles and diffusers; and jewelry from Glen Mills artist Carol Ann McGurk.
And because this is 2021: On the way out, you’ll find a “selfie banner” where you can snap a shot of your new look—be it a fresh ’do or just a less-stressed, happier you.
