As a master cosmetologist, Brooklyn Rollins has been in the business of beautification for a while. But a need to recuperate from her own grief deepened a curiosity with self-care, which itself led to a new enterprise.
“Beauty has just always been what I’ve done,” said Rollins. “I’ve never had experience in the spa industry, but it’s always been something I was interested in.”
A Healing Oasis Luxury Spa had its grand opening Saturday at the former location of Michael’s School of Beauty at Center Augusta West Parkway. The day spa is about a year in the making, as Rollins traces the seed of the business back to the passing of her mother in 2021.
While she had always been intrigued by the prospect of going into personal care, the struggle of keeping things together for her family amid bereavement drove her further in that direction as she sought a way to address her emotional health.
“I realized how impactful just caring for yourself is,” Rollins said. “Mentally and physically I kind of let myself go, so I had to snap into it and get back to myself.”
The name Healing Oasis calls back to this, she says, as the facility is intended to be not only a place of escape and relaxation, but of convalescence. The space is designed to aid relaxation, with the earthy tones of the walls, the comforting décor and the aroma of essential oils.
The spa offers services such as deep tissue and hot stone massages from licensed massage therapists, waxes, facial treatments and aromatherapy. There’s a couples’ massage room with a hot tub, a spacious lounge room for waiting clients and even a wine bar.
“Normally, when you go to a massage place, you get your massage, and you go,” said Rollins. “But I want them to come in here and feel like they can relax. You don’t have to leave; you can drink some wine, drink some water, have some tea, snacks or whatever.”
Rollins is responsible for the building’s layout and decoration. Plenty of labor led up to its opening, including radically altering its open floor plan and setting up entire new rooms. She used to drive past the building regularly when it was vacant. She initially scoffed at the idea of starting Healing Oasis there, thinking she wouldn’t be able to afford it. But once she examined it, even with the work ahead, she decided to take a leap of faith.
“I got much more than what I expected,” she said. “It’s been a long journey.”
The first day proved busy, with several appointments already booked, and the lobby peopled with clients waiting to be pampered well into the evening.
“It’s a learning day for me,” said Rollins.
A Healing Oasis Luxury Spa is located at 1325 C Augusta West Parkway. For more information visit its website at https://www.ahealingoasisspa.com/.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering education in Columbia County and business-related topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
