Alissa Bayer Reveals How Cleopatra Shaped the Beauty Philosophy Behind milk + honey

Cleopatra knew a thing or two about pampering, and milk + honey founder Alissa Bayer took note.

The spa founder, who has been opening locations across the U.S. since 2006, looked to the Egyptian queen when shaping the wellness destination’s concept and its expansive menu.

“I was inspired by the legends of Cleopatra bathing in milk and honey, ingredients long associated with beauty, from the lactic acid in milk to the humectant qualities of honey,” she tells ET.

The royal treatment carries through to every visit, too. The spaces offer everything from massages and facials to hair, nails, and medSPA services, making it easy to squeeze in a little self-care or settle in for a full spa day.

“It’s less about creating a one-stop shop and more about seeing an opportunity to create the kind of elevated, deeply caring experience I could not find anywhere else,” Bayer says.

“Our approach is rooted in helping people feel more grounded, confident, and connected to themselves. … Caring for your skin or getting your hair done may appear physical, but the way it makes you feel can reach much further,” she adds.

For a head-to-toe experience fit for a queen, the order matters.

“Begin with a manicure or pedicure because there is nothing quite like a hand or foot massage. From there, have a massage with body gua sha, followed by a lymphatic sculpting facial. I always recommend having the massage before the facial, so you are not lying face down afterward with freshly treated skin. Finish with a blowout so you leave feeling cared for from head to toe, and completely ready to reenter the world.”

The crowning touch? A body wrap for an extra dose of indulgence.

“There is something almost cocoon-like about having the body exfoliated, treated, and wrapped in warmth, especially when it is combined with massage. It engages all of the senses and allows you to surrender in a way that is difficult to describe until you experience it.”

But Bayer’s reigning philosophy isn’t about turning back the clock. Instead, she’s embracing an approach that celebrates every chapter.

“I am loving the shift from anti-aging to pro-aging. For me, that has meant embracing my gray hair rather than feeling like I need to cover it. I still want to care for myself and feel good, but I am less interested in trying to erase every sign of age. There is something beautiful about allowing yourself to evolve and feeling confident in the person you are becoming,” she explains.

“I think we will see much more beauty and wellness care designed around specific stages of a woman’s life. … I see treatments becoming more thoughtful and personalized around changes in the skin, hair, hormones, sleep, and nervous system. … There is beauty in every season of life, and our treatments should support that rather than erase it.”

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