Self-confidence and how you feel about your appearance, especially your skin, can be a crippling challenge for many people. If you are someone who has had skin issues, such as acne, you likely understand.
That’s why local, new business owner Joy Mahoney was excited about creating a comfortable, relaxing experience that was also affordable with a lot of options so people could feel good about themselves.
“I wake up and feel pretty,” she passionately says about her eyelashes. Lashes is the original service of Mahoney’s business model before she opened her new salon Sacred Order Beauty, located in Key Largo at MM 100.
Mahoney was a bartender for six years at Hog Heaven in Islamorada. She was working nights and weekends, which allowed her to do something else during the day.
“I’ve got to figure it out. I was getting my lashes done, so then I learned how to lash, and then I got my start,” she said. “I knew how they make me feel and wanted to bring that to other women.”
Mahoney explains about her focus and determination. “This was my vision to own my own business, so I went into school making the most of it. I found my niche in a couple of things like full body waxing and acne treatment.”
Finding her space in Key Largo was total alignment. “I had heard about the space, but it was upstairs, and I had no expectations. I was just going to get an idea of what was available.” The space had just opened up and was perfect, with sectioned-off areas to create private spaces for lashes/brows and another space for the treatments.
“When I got the keys, I was really excited, but it took a couple of days to sink in because I had so much to do. Once I got the walls painted and the treatment tables, I stopped and looked around, and that’s when it hit me: I had tears of joy; that moment made it real,” she said. “I moved in everything by myself and opened on Dec. 2. It was a labor of love, so it feels even more special.”
The perfectly decorated space is also ideal for small “treatment parties” such as bachelorette parties or girls’ night out.
Sacred Order Beauty offers waxing and a wide variety of skin treatments, but first, let’s talk lashes. “I have the most fun with lashes. I can create different styles and lengths,” Mahoney said.
“For every client, I look at their eye shape and the space between their brows, and then I create a shape that I think will work the best for them, taking into account arches, down-turned, or upturned eyes. There is a whole technique to it.”
Sue Wright, owner of Boo Kee Sue Botanics in Islamorada, is a regular lash client and says, “Joy makes you feel so comfortable. … Getting lashes done is one of the best things I’ve done for myself. I work outside every day and it’s great not having to think about smudged mascara.”
Mahoney has extreme patience. “For a volume set of lashes, it takes about three hours, but it also can vary depending on the number of lashes people have and need. I also offer lash tints and lifts as other options.”
Another client, Natalie Shea, owner of Shen Health Acupuncture in Tavernier, gets the lash lift and tint. “This is an ideal treatment for me as it’s low maintenance for work, yet my lashes look fresh daily for weeks without mascara — you are in the right hands.”
Mahoney wanted to offer a full assortment for skin treatments as she remembers, “I would look at salon menus and didn’t know what to get, so it would deter me.”
“I really like working with acne and peels. Being able to see the progression and their skin heal. It can be embarrassing to have skin issues, so to give people that confidence feels so good.” She also does back and butt waxing and treatments for both men and women.
A few of the most popular treatments are micro derm abrasions, chemical peels, dermaplaning, jelly masks and resurfacing. “The microneedle is also getting big, AKA The Vampire Facial. I draw their blood, spin the plasma, and then micro-needle in the plasma. I do use numbing cream, which brings the pain down a bit, but the needle doesn’t go far.”
“Dermaplaning exfoliates your skin, and it looks great,” Mahoney continued. “Then, when you apply makeup, it is smoother. And for people who choose a chemical peel, when you see that fresh skin underneath — it’s amazing.”
Sun damage down here can be tough, so Mahoney also works with some UV treatments. She is highly knowledgeable, and her passion shows through.
“If I put my mind to it, I will figure it out at all costs. The biggest challenge was figuring it out with the county, especially the tattoo license (which she uses for the brows currently and makeup in the future). Luckily my friend Jesse, who does hair at Cirque Salon, was very helpful. And talking with the lady at the health department, so I created a list — it was a learning curve.”
Connect on Instagram at @sacredorderbeauty, call 305-930-9218, or to look at services and schedule, go to https://sacredorderbeauty.glossgenius.com/
