Experience transformative skincare in Peoria

Our Peoria boutique medical spa offers innovative solutions, exceptional service, and results-driven treatments. Boost your confidence and feel comfortable in your own skin.

At Vanilla Sugar Face & Body, we're driven by a mission to enhance self-assurance and promote comfort in one's skin. Nestled discreetly in Peoria, our boutique spa exudes a delightful ambiance. Our devoted team of skincare therapists and nurse practitioner injectors prioritize education, offering top-notch services and products that deliver remarkable results. With unwavering dedication to exceptional customer care, our aim is to transform lives through outstanding treatments. We guarantee that every visitor departs our sanctuary feeling more at ease and confident within their own skin. Anticipate warm smiles and infectious laughter as you immerse yourself in the expertise of our skilled professionals, all within the serene seclusion of our Peoria oasis.

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Why We Do What We Do?

I have been asked for years why I created the business model we have at our spa. It’s actually a multi-step answer and I hope you enjoy the story.

XOXOXO

Elizabeth

 

The Finest Spa Experience in Peoria

I have always been driven by my competitive spirit in everything I undertake. Additionally, I embrace my quirks and idiosyncrasies wholeheartedly. After all, isn't everyone a little peculiar in their own way? It is this unique blend of qualities that led me into the field I am passionate about. From a young age, I developed a deep affection for skincare products. Why, you ask? Well, when my mom would fill my stocking with bath items, I found immense joy in exploring the textures, scents, and the way they made me feel. It was an instant pleasure response. Moreover, early experiences with skin sensitivities made me acutely aware of what I could and couldn't use on my own skin.

As I entered puberty, my skin issues continued to manifest in the form of acne and an unfavorable reaction to shaving. Around the age of 16, I became self-conscious about these problems and embarked on a quest to learn about the best options available to boost my confidence.

Striving for Excellence: Aiming to Be the Best Worldwide

Upon graduating from high school, I wasn't quite ready for college. To put it mildly, I was a free-spirited individual, but that's a story for another time. I cherished the freedom that work provided me, and so I joined the United States Navy and became a Naval Aircrewman. During water survival training, I had to shave while wearing a bathing suit, which was a cause of great embarrassment due to a severe rash in my bikini area. Even though I had been in the Navy for less than a year, thoughts about my future career path began to form. I aspired to become an esthetician, so that I could offer solutions to people who were facing the same challenges I had experienced. My time in the service, however, was filled with individuals who encouraged me and recognized potential within me that I had never seen in myself. I discovered that with hard work, even in a predominantly male-dominated field, I could stand out and compete to win awards and recognition.

Elizabeth receiving an award in her navy uniform with ta P3 Orion in the background

The Foundation Of Solid Work Ethics

The military instilled hard work ethics and the harder I worked, the more I learned. Here I am receiving my first Navy and Marine Corps (NAM) Achievement Medal presented by my Commanding officer while serving at VP-10 at Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine.

In everything I attempted, I always strived to be the best. I worked tirelessly, often surpassing the efforts of my colleagues. I would arrive early, leave late, and admired the exemplary leaders in my squadrons, who were often Senior Chiefs (E-8s) in the Navy. These individuals had attained high ranks and were usually aiming for the prestigious Master Chief rank, a feat that was exceedingly difficult to achieve. I observed and followed their footsteps closely. Their uniforms were always impeccable, they were the first to arrive and the last to leave, and they took the time to mentor those under their command, ensuring that tasks were performed to the highest standard. When I arrived at my first assignment, I was paired with a Senior Chief who mentored me on operating the equipment aboard the aircraft. He pushed me relentlessly and did not tolerate any slacking off. I vividly recall him kicking me once when I fell asleep during a mission at 3 am (times were different then, and I didn't mind it). He was determined to ensure that I didn't let him down, and I had to work even harder to prove my worth. And so, I did.

Thanks to individuals like him, I developed strong leadership skills. I not only asked questions about my own duties but also inquired about the responsibilities of others. I wanted to acquire comprehensive knowledge about my aircraft, so I could be a better crewmate to those I served with. I understood that meticulous attention to detail could mean the difference between life and death in critical situations, of which I had my fair share.

This foundation laid the groundwork for establishing one of the premier skincare spas in Peoria, and dare I say, one of the finest spas in the world. I won't proclaim that I am the absolute best spa globally, but every single day, I strive to offer our customers an experience that is unparalleled in our cozy and unassuming little hideaway. I run a tight ship and our dedicated team works diligently on countless small details to ensure that you receive an experience that will make you want to return to us. Some of these details may seem peculiar, but they are meticulously implemented to elevate your experience to the highest level.

We prioritize answering phone calls promptly.

Our treatment rooms have their floors hand scrubbed daily.

Our estheticians undergo weekly training to stay updated on services, procedures, and customer service skills.

We polish our bathroom sink every time it is used.

We greet you by name, because you matter to us.

We create new services based on valuable feedback from our clients.

We have a full-time manager solely dedicated to handling any client issues.

We allocate two hours every week for training and development.

Learning speed waxing in peoria

Empowering and Guiding Young Women

Running a business is no easy task. Teaching people the skills required to become exceptional estheticians is just one facet of our work. An ongoing and equally important effort revolves around imparting crucial life skills to young women—how to work harmoniously with others, communicate effectively with colleagues and clients, and meet the expectations placed upon them. This aspect of my career is genuinely fulfilling. I have the privilege of nurturing girls and witnessing their transformation into confident women. Our spa culture thrives on kindness and mutual respect, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued.

We Partner With Woodruff High School

Peoria’s Woodruff High School has a cosmetology trades program. Our manager Brandi works closely with the school, building a community relationship for placement of students with our company. We start with 1-2 interns per year and offering full-time positions when available with our spa. These young ladies are around 17-18 years old when they begin with our company.

When you step into Vanilla Sugar, my aim is to astonish you. I want you to be captivated by our warm and welcoming staff, our extensive knowledge, and the exceptional skills possessed by our estheticians. As you leave our unassuming spa, which may not be overly extravagant in terms of physical aesthetics, I hope you realize that within our small city of Peoria—my cherished home—you can have an extraordinary experience and know that you are doing business with a company that cares about people.

Welcome, my friend, to my sanctuary, where our staff greets you with quality services, meticulous attention to detail, and an unforgettable impression. Our sincere hope is that you will feel more comfortable and confident in your own skin.

About the author

Elizabeth Steffen has been a wellness professional for over 20 years. She is a Navy Veteran and holds a BS in Organizational Leadership from Greenville University and an Associates of Applied Sciences in Culinary Arts Management. She is a master esthetician with extensive knowledge in Acne, Eyelash Extensions, and Age Management Services. She’s the creator of Elizabeth Steffen Skincare, podcast host of Bombshell Beauty Rituals and author of Filter Free & Flawless, An Estheticians Journey to Clearing Acne. She is a sought out educator, keynote speaker and loves helping leading others to live healthy and productive lives.