Milford Salon Offers Those Undergoing Cancer Treatment Free Services

MILFORD, CT — When Rachael Fernandez and Alleny Rafael decided to go out on their own and open their businesses, they decided to venture out together and open two businesses under one roof.

Fernandez owns Love Skin Studio, and Rafael owns Unwind Salon and Spa.

Unwind Salon and Spa, located at 100 Landsdale Ave, is the umbrella company, Rafael said.

“We were working together at a day spa for about 10 years, and we’ve been friends during that time,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez and Rafael officially opened their businesses on Aug. 8, 2022.

“We finally got it together to have a party and ribbon cutting,” Fernandez said. “At first, it was getting used to how everything works and getting comfortable as new business owners, and then we were ready to do the ribbon cutting.”

Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce held the ribbon cutting on Aug. 8, 2023, during the one-year anniversary of the business officially opening.

When Rafael was growing up, she asked her mom for a buck as a Christmas present one year, her mom was confused, but Rachel told her she wanted to start charging to do pedicures.

“I was like eight years old,” Rafael said. “I think it’s hard for people to believe you can succeed in this field. Since I was a kid, I’ve had my little purse and makeup kit, and I was hustling, making $5 pedicures to all my aunts.”

Fernandez said she’s been in the business for about 18 years and thought about starting a business throughout those years.

While she was in high school at Jonathan Law, Fernandez said she wanted to become a makeup artist.

“I won a gift certificate for a salon that was located in this plaza,” she said. “It was for a facial and manicure and hair and the works. I had never done anything like that. I got the facial, and I thought it was the most amazing thing ever, and I felt so good and cared for. From then on, I wanted to make people feel how I felt. I went to school for aesthetics and have been in love with it ever since.”

Fernandez said Rafael talked to her about starting businesses, and they were both looking for places.

“We decided just to go together because we work well together,” Fernandez said.

“This location is right off the highway, which is helpful, and there’s good signage in the plaza,” Fernandez added. “Also, having the landmark of Bin100 is helpful because when we tell people we are in the Bin100 Plaza, they know exactly where our business is.”

Rafael said they have many mutual clients, and sometimes a client will come in, do a nail service, then ask what Fernandez does or vice-versa.

“We work together in that way,” Rafael said. “We also learn so much from each other.”

Now that Love Skin Studio and Unwind Salon and Spa have been open for a year, Fernandez and Rafael said they have been busy.

“All of our clients can’t believe it has been a year,” Rafael said.

Rafael said they both strive to have a personal connection with their clients.

“We are not the type of place where a client is going to come in, and everything is quiet,” she said. “We like to know people and get to know people and have that connection.”

“When our clients are done, they can help themselves to some snacks, tea, or water before they leave,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez said she has a program for people undergoing cancer treatments to have free facials.

“I have a skincare line for sensitive or compromised skin,” she said. “They can come in once a month and get a little treatment to calm and hydrate the skin. They need to have positive touch during that time because everything is negative.”

Rafael said Fernandez’ program also inspired her to do a similar program.