Just Add Sparkles

By Lisa Arnett
Appears in the April 2023 issue.

Spa and salon services for kids

Do you have a kiddo who gravitates toward all things glam and glitter? A trio of local businesses are catering to the suburbs’ youngest clientele with seriously snazzy services, from mini-makeovers to spa-themed soirees.

For Naperville resident and hair stylist Jennifer Bearden, getting into the business of spa services for kids was a happy accident. “I’m a single mom and I’ve been doing hair for 28 years,” she says. “When COVID hit, I was working in a downtown Naperville salon, and everyone got laid off.” Looking for a way to support herself and keep busy in the meantime, she posted in the Brookdale Area Moms group on Facebook that she would offer alfresco haircuts on her front lawn. By the time salons were reopening and hiring again, she had met so many new clients that she decided to open her own business, Salon Suites by JB (2760 Aurora Ave., Suite 100, Naperville).

Formerly an office, the space had a huge conference room that Bearden didn’t know what to do with—until she had the idea to use it as a spa party room for kids. That’s how Victoria’s Spa, named for her 9-year-old daughter, came to be. “I thought: There’s nothing like this in Naperville.”

A two-hour party for eight guests starts at $399. “The thing that the moms like the most is we do absolutely everything,” Bearden says. “The kids get pink robes, a mini-facial, a pedicure, and then they go to the arts-and-crafts table and do a paint project they get to take home with them.” Partygoers enjoy cupcakes, freshly spun cotton candy, and a lemonade toast before wrapping up with photos and a dance contest with prizes.

Over in downtown Downers Grove, prepare to be pampered at Dazzling Divas Glam Mansion (5225 Main St.), a spa for children and tweens. Here, you can book a private spa session ($39.99 and up) or birthday party package ($175) for a petite guest of honor. Spa sessions start with a manicure and pedicure, which includes a relaxing soak and polish. “It’s just for fun—we don’t buff, file, or clip nails,” says owner Kimberly Marie. “What the kids really love is our sparkles. We do hair sparkles, eye shadow, cheek sparkles. We do fairy, mermaid, and unicorn makeovers.” Every private spa appointment or party ends with a runway walk and dance session on the spa’s stage, plus a round of Fairy Fizz mocktails (lemon-lime soda and cotton candy in a plastic Champagne glass).

Most days, makeup training school Make Up First (232 S. Washington St., Naperville) caters to professionals and aspiring makeup artists. However, it recently started offering monthly events for kids and tweens. “We do mini-makeovers with hair tinsel, glitter ponies, and braids,” says co-owner Jade Labriola. “We have an in-school photo studio downstairs so the kids can come and take pictures, and we set up some props—we just have fun with it.” April’s theme is Easter Sparkles ($10 to $30).

Photos courtesy of Victoria’s Spa, Make Up First, and Cody Scott Photography (Dazzling Divas)