GLOWING UP

A true purveyor of all things self-care, Access columnist and southern influencer, Charlotte Kilborn Carey, was invited to indulge in some much-deserved med-spa treatments and services at Fireflies Salon in Spanish Fort. Just in time for her streak of Mardi Gras social activities, she shares the pampering details as well as what impressed her most about the owner, Audra Maxwell, her team, and new partner, Dr. Lauren Day. From a glorious Hydrafacial and an IV infusion that kept her going to a brilliant blowout and massage that had her standing tall, it was perhaps the female empowerment that touched her most.

By Charlotte Kilborn Carey Photos Layla Lambert, CoastalEventsAndDesign.com Makeup Magen Faircloth, Fireflies Salon, 251.626.0707

Looks can be deceiving, especially when your Audra Maxwell, the owner of Fireflies Salon. An impeccably dressed, perfectly coiffed ball of fire with a million-dollar smile, you may not look at her and think wow, ‘I’ll bet she’s a hard-working businesswoman, amazing wife, tireless mother, and an accomplished hair stylist as well as a kind, wicked smart, and super funny gal.’ I’m here to tell you she is all of that and more.

In fact, after spending a day with her, she reminds me a lot of Sarah Jessica Parker’s character in the movie “I Don’t Know How She Does It.” After meeting at a party at her salon, she invited me to take a deeper dive into all the services Fireflies now offers that go well beyond hair. Because the subject of self-care is a current headline, I thought I’d practice what I preach to friends and test them out. 

With appointments booked for a HydraFacial, massage, blowout and more, I sat down with Audra when I arrived. She shared that being a business owner has taught her so many lessons and that she clearly sees the importance of the relationship an owner has with the people they work with every day. Viewing her team as a family, she takes the responsibility of growing and nurturing that family very seriously. “I’ve learned so much about empathy and how you must meet people where they are. This can be very different from what you may think so I show up every day dressed and ready to work with the hopes I’m inspiring everyone else to do the same,” she reflects.

With all thing’s hair covered, Audra recently turned her focus to med spa services. Interestingly, in the state of Alabama, only an MD can administer injections like fillers and Botox. And, as luck would have it, she found the perfect partner in Dr. Lauren Day. “Dr. Day left her card at the salon for me, I gave her a call, and we connected right away. Both in the same season of life, we share a love for helping people look and feel their best and want to deliver quality experiences and products,” Audra shares.

The duo hit it off so well that they immediately developed a partnership that includes a full list of treatments and their own skin care line for the unique issues women in the South experience. “We began looking into medical grade products and that ultimately led us to develop our own line that is reasonably priced and range from preventative to corrective. Our concentrated Retinol Treatment Serum is my favorite! I love glowing skin and have achieved this with regular Hydrafacials and the use of our serum and moisturizer,” Audra explains.

With the addition of Dr. Day, several spa services, nurse practitioners, and a seasoned massage therapist, Audra shares, “Our clients have been very excited about the new services, especially being able to get medical grade services outside of normal working hours as we offer evening and weekend appointments. We’ve also had a big interest in our new skin care line, Dayglow, as people appreciate having someone develop a plan for their skin care goals.”

While they already offer wedding hair and makeup services, they are so excited to now offer customized bridal party packages. “From spray tans, massage, facials, Botox, and more, we adore creating special custom events for brides and their bridal party. We decorate, serve champagne, and help the ladies celebrate while getting pampered. It’s a super fun way to bond and beautify at the same time,” Audra beams.

Helping Audra turn her dreams into a reality, Dr. Lauren Day, is originally from New Orleans and completed most of her training at UAB in Birmingham. Working in Birmingham and married to Dustin, she was drawn to the Bay area when she had her first child, Dalton, and knew they would grow their family eventually to include Adalyn. 

Impressed by the fact Dr. Day started her journey in the tough field of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Day explains, “My mother worked for one of the first female dermatologists in New Orleans, and I was always interested in her work. While I strongly considered dermatology, I became drawn to the pace and variety of emergency medicine in medical school. After getting my feet under me as a new attending, I spent my free time getting certified in Botox and Dermal Fillers. It was my intent to treat family and friends, however, referrals started coming in quickly! It’s now my passion to help women and men feel comfortable in their own skin, and to empower them to maintain a youthful appearance for years to come,” she shares. 

It was at this time she met Audra. “I was getting my hair cut at Fireflies and something urged me to leave my card. A few days later, Audra called, and we immediately clicked. Now, as business partners, we share similar visions for growth and elevation. An inspiration, you will not find a more cohesive group of women! I was also drawn to the energy, positivity, and happiness of the space with its calming decor and natural light. It really is my happy place, Dr. Day tells us. 

Once Audra and Dr. Day realized they were the perfect fit, they got busy. “With the resources we both bring to the table; we knew we could provide more for our clients. In addition to injectables, we’ve added Hydrafacials, microneedling, chemical peels, IV hydration, and medical weight loss therapy. All these treatments play an important role in skin maintenance and rejuvenation. I start with a consultation where we discuss skin type, problematic areas, and goals. From there, I recommend a personalized regimen that may include medical grade products from our new line, Dayglow, or from ZO or Zein Obagi, MD,” Dr. Day says.

With the belief of targeting skin health at the cellular level, Dr. Day adds, “Exfoliating dead cells and promoting new collagen formation is crucial to maintaining a youthful appearance. It starts with an appropriately chosen daily routine. Creating our skin care line, Day Glow, allowed us to put our personal touch on products and provide another medical grade skin care option. We worked with a national pharmaceutical company and our line targets a variety of our patient’s issues like pigmentation, rosacea, acne, anti-aging formulations, and even a lip plumping serum. I’m particularly proud of the Concentrated Retinol + Bakuchiol Treatment Serum. It stacks up against a typical tretinoin, often without the irritation that comes with adjusting to a tretinoin,” Dr. Day explains.

Luckily for me, the timing of my appointments coincided with a very busy Mardi Gras schedule. I started with a vitamin rich IV infusion with all the things my body would surely be screaming for. Simultaneously my aesthetician, Anna, gave me a Hydrafacial to ensure that I’d be glowing from the inside out. Can I just point out what a time saver it is to combine treatments like this? Genius!

After the IV was started, Anna began with a facial lymphatic drainage before starting the HydraFacial that included a cleanse, extraction, and hydrating phase to nourish, rejuvenate and sculpt my face. After a relaxing hour, my face was glowing thanks the “J Lo Glow” treatment that was the crowning jewel of the miracle that had just occurred. I was handed a mirror and could see instant results! My cheekbones were so sharp that they could cut glass and all the dullness of winter’s chill, and a lot of air travel, was gone. My skin now shone bright like a new penny and I’m happy to report it continued well past Fat Tuesday. 

And as if it could get any better, I was then led into a very peaceful room for my massage. Tonya welcomed me in, showed me around, and asked if I had any areas of concern she could work on. During my treatment we talked about her work, and why she chose to make Fireflies her full-time work home. I didn’t have to go far to find another Audra fan amongst the staff. 

In a space entirely inhabited by women working together, the synergy and support they have found together is pleasantly surprising. Tonya takes her profession very seriously and proudly shared that she recently helped work out several client’s frozen shoulders enabling them to forgo surgery. Before I knew it, she found my own chronic back issue and patiently worked to release the stubborn muscles as I was carried off by the gentle sounds of spa music. She was incredibly knowledgeable and professional, and I plan to see her again soon. 

My next treatment was in the salon for a much-needed blowout. Makk greeted me with a big smile and showed me into a spacious and sleek area filled with mirrored stations. With lots of well-designed hidden storage for styling tools and modern chairs for clients to relax and be transformed, it is clear to see why this business was a Nappie award winner. After a great shampoo, we got down to business where she confided she had been looking for salon where she could see herself long term and was thrilled when she met Audra. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t say her blowout got me through the rainy weather and other rigors of Mardi Gras.

Basking in my glow, I realized Audra is like a best girlfriend who takes you by the hand and says, “come with me, I’m going to make you look and feel like a million bucks” and she absolutely delivers. The treatments and interaction with her and her staff was a five-star experience. I was blown away by all the services and treatments available. Saying that it’s one-stop-shopping perfection for today’s discerning woman is an understatement. I don’t know of another salon that has so much to offer in one place. From hair and skincare products, haircuts color, blowouts, spray tans, and lash extensions to spa bridal parties, massage, med spa treatments and waxing for women, they are growing their male clientele, too. Oh, and let’s not forget the well curated boutique with comfortable yet elegant clothing as well as gorgeous handbags and jewelry. And just like a firefly, you too can get your own “glow up” no matter your age at Fireflies.