SPRINGFIELD — From homemade breast-milk soaps to unique jewelry and spa treatments for bellies and beards, Shandoll’s Beauty Lounge is giving the city a unique self-care experience.
Owned and operated by Shannan Swinton, the lounge started as a jewelry and candles boutique, until shortly after Swinton had her daughter in 2014.
“My daughter was born at 28 weeks and weighed 1.9 ounces; I began making soap for her stay in the neonatal intensive care unit,” she said.
She had learned from Facebook groups about breast-milk soap and took a shot at making it. Breast-milk soap is made by adding the mother’s fresh milk to a soap base, like milk, goat milk and honey, Swinton said.
The soap is highly beneficial for children with sensitive or eczema-prone skin, she said, as it provides moisturizing and healing properties.
“It helped my daughter’s skin so much. Then I’m like, ‘Let me try this on my son.’ It cleared up his skin, and I’m like, ‘Wait a minute, I have something,’” Swinton said.
Swinton then started selling the soap in groups on Facebook to other breastfeeding and NICU moms, and soon it became a thing, she said.
Some of the products at Shandoll’s Beauty Lounge. (Aprell May Munford / The Republican)Aprell May Munford / The Republican
Many services, products
In addition to the personalized soap making, Swinton’s lounge also hosts a variety of workshops, including paint-and-sip events, soap- and scrub-making classes, and spa services.
Her menu of services includes not just regular facials, but also back, bottom, scalp, beard and pregnancy belly facials. The back and bottom facials are for exfoliation and moisturization to the skin. People who suffer from acne, psoriasis or eczema benefit from these facials, Swinton said.
“Beard and scalp treatments provide extra moisture in nutrients to the scalp and beard. It’s good for growth, eczema and for thickening,” she said.
Pregnancy belly facials are special for moms, because they’re so relaxing. Swinton focuses on soft touches and lower back massage, but you can add scalp treatments, Swinton said.
“Moms love that,” she said.
The pregnant belly facials are for anyone after 25 weeks who is not deemed to have a high-risk pregnancy. The half-hour belly facial appointment starts off with soothing R&B music. The music eases both mom and baby, and sometimes moms get lots of surprise kicks, Swinton said.
With the service, expectant mothers get a belly cleanse, general exfoliation, warms towels, hand massage, belly mask, and special mommy oil or lotion for a belly rub.
Paintings, earrings, waist-beads, bracelets, whipped body butter and oils also are displayed within an arm’s reach.
Swinton did not get into the art and science of beauty until someone convinced her that what she does is both. It’s not just about beauty. It’s also all art, which made it hard to pick a name and define the business, she said.
Shannan Swinton is the owner of Shandoll’s Beauty Lounge. (Aprell May Munford / The Republican)Aprell May Munford / The Republican
From full-time job to business owner
Swinton said she loved her job working full-time at Square One. She worked there for about five years as a home visitor.
“They’re such a great company and really helped me grow, as well. I feel like they helped me get started with breastfeeding and healthy eating habits,” she said.
While there, Swinton said she was able to help other first-time moms with their children, lactation, healthy eating and healthy coparenting.
Her move toward being a full-time businesswoman came in January 2023, when she compared her new and past earnings.
“I sat down to do my taxes, and I saw that I made the same, or just like a thousand or two under, what I made at my full-time job,” Swinton said.
She was impressed with her effort, balancing her job, esthetician schooling and the boutique.
At first, she stuck to skin care, but since going full time, she has branched out.
“I do all things beauty because it is aligned with health and wellness in every way,” she said.
The lounge
The lounge is on the second floor of the Monkey Wrench building, 143 and 125 Main St. in Springfield, which has become a hub for businesses related to beauty, art, glamor and health.
Other offices, retail businesses, artist studios and beauty boutiques include Nails by Blossom, Screwface Customs, 444 Nail, Loc’d Crown, The Pink Sugar Shop and The Serenity Club.
Swinton said when shopping around for a location for the lounge, she knew she wanted to be downtown.
“This building caught my eye, because of the variety of businesses here. I love that everything is included, and that I have 24-hour access, which is helpful given my irregular schedule,” she said.
The space is also large enough to help other businesses.
Swinton allows the use of her space for other health- and wellness-related events, like yoga, candle-making classes and kids’ parties. She also hosts spa parties.
Her next goal is to get a bigger space, so she can offer more services for relaxation and healing.
She also wants to include more services like mud baths and full-body scrubs, which are not readily available here, she said.
“I want to create a space that caters to the community, where I can provide knowledge about skin, mental health benefits, relaxation, which all help you live longer, and I want to offer services that promote wellness but also creativity,” she said.
