Owner-aesthetician Jacqueline Kukay provides express luxury services and a place for customers to escape — even for 30 minutes — into a relaxing facial, pedicure or nail manicure at her W.
Front St. Front and nearby is The General Public, W. Front — both women-owned shops. My other sister is an aesthetician and Mom is a nail technician. We stay grounded and have branched out. Kindred held its grand opening on Aug. Kukay was hyped about the turnout.
We had live music and drinks and visited. We are not spa-like; we are more open air. That means clients looking for a much-needed break from daily stress can either walk in for a minute facial or book a session online. The service is lovely and feels longer than that. She had a lot of the same clients who watched me grow up and are now watching my kids grow up. The mother of two teens, Kukay invites a wide swath of clientele.
Many of her customers were Claws and Nails regulars. That was our goal. Kukay employs six nail technicians and four aestheticists, all Montana-state certified. Aestheticists specialize in skin pampering. Someone with a full cosmetology license can work on skin, nails and hair. Leaders in the local spa industry eschew ruthless competition in favor of camaraderie and filling specific niches.
In September, Skin Chic will open a second location in the former Missoula Mercantile location, now a Marriott Hotel with a variety of shops, after being in business at various locations in Missoula for 18 years. I would like to think that men in this town are doing the same thing for each other.
