For Devon Tucker-Kirk, one type
of treatment doesn’t fit all.

Tucker-Kirk runs Devon
Esthetique, a therapeutic body works, beauty and wellness studio in Olde Ridge
Village. The studio offers cosmetic treatments, spray tanning, facials and
massage.

She’s been in business for four
years, but moved into Chadds Ford Township this past spring. Tucker-Kirk said
she’s been the busiest since moving to Olde Ridge.

She said she’s grateful to be
doing well in the current economic climate because her services are usually the
first to be cut when households have to cut back on discretionary spending.

“When that gets depleted, the
services that we provide are typically what’s eliminated first.”

Tucker-Kirk is adamant that her
studio is different than some of the franchises and salons and day spas that
offer similar services.

“We’re only similar in that we
offer the same types of services. What makes us different [from others] is that
we are clinical. We’re a clinical skin care, therapeutic body works beauty and
wellness studio. What we do is we look at you as a whole, from the inside out,
and help address the concerns that you have, whether it be for your skin or for
your body.”

For skin conditions such as
acne or rosacea or other pigmentation problems or damage, day spas offer a list
of facials the customer would choose from, she said. The problem with that,
according to Tucker-Kirk, is that what the customer wants may not be the most
appropriate treatment.

“In my opinion, how do you know
which one is going to be the best for you? You don’t know what those products
are and you don’t know what those ingredients are and what kind of impact
they’re going to have on your skin. If you look at my menu of services, there
aren’t any. All we do is talk about skin and how we customize it for each
person that comes in. So, it’s different every time you come in.”

She said she talks with her
customers about their issues and then puts together a skin care treatment
specifically for that person, one that meets both the issue and the budget.

“I’ll do is formulate a plan so
they get the most bang for their buck” without spending $200 or $300.

The studio also offers massage,
which is another thing that usually gets stripped from a household budget in a
poor economy. Tucker-Kirk said that’s a shame since bad economic times
increases the stress level making massages more important.

What she did was come up with a
flat rate $59 one-hour Swedish
massage, a price she said most clients find reasonable.

Getting more than one massage
in the same calendar month will bring a reduction in price. Prices can also
increase if a person wants to upgrade to deep-tissue, hot stone or incorporate
aromatherapy. The increase is $10 per upgrade.

Also does spray tanning, with
pigment made from sugar beets and the tan in airbrushed on.

“What’s nice about that is that
it’s even all over…and there’s no risk at all of it turning orange.”

Devon Esthetique is open seven
days per week, with Monday hours by special request only. For a list of times
or to get more information or make an appointment, call 610-388-4000 after 10
a.m.