SPEND SOME TIME ON YOURSELF THIS SEASON. While the holiday season and wintry months often remind us of those we are thankful for, don't forget to add yourself to the list of people worth spending time with, too. For some, a spa day could be just the thing – local places like Her Studio can help! (All photos by Emily Flaatten)

In March of 2025, Amy Her opened an independent spa — Her Studio (302 Water Street, Eau Claire). While other area spas carry some Korean lines alongside American products, Her Studio exclusively uses and sells Korean beauty products, making it the only spa in the Eau Claire area to do so.

Her’s space — slow down or you’ll miss it! – is nestled in the front rooms of a corner house on Water Street (with student rentals in the back).

The space is at once both clean and cozy, with ample sunlight and shelves stocked with Korean beauty products from three lines: KRX, Corthe and Dermathod. Her Studio works with a distributor to curate its product offerings, and Her tests everything on herself first.

“I like feeling trusted, and I enjoy tending to clients’ unique needs,” Her said.

An Eau Claire native, Her spent several years living in Great Falls, Mont. after graduating from high school. There she worked at a spa and was a certified nail tech, though she was always drawn to skin care. After receiving a free facial at the space, Her was forever hooked.

After moving back to Eau Claire, Her enrolled in the Chippewa Valley Technical College's esthetician program and envisioned opening her own business one day.

Her has worked in other area spas – where she used her certifications to provide spa treatments, lash extensions and nail care – before finding the space at 302 Water St.; taking the leap into a larger space all her own.

First introduced to Korean beauty product lines through family visits to Hmong villages and other cities, Her was drawn to K-beauty because of its holistic approach to skin care and great attention to skin barrier protection – demonstrated by way of intentional product layering.

“Layering goes from the thinnest to thickest product, for example starting with toner, then serum, then moisturizer,” Her explained. In this way, products are sealed into and more deeply penetrate the skin.

She never wants clients to feel pressured to purchase products, Her said, which informs part of her accessible approach as an esthetician – she writes down what is used during each treatment so customers can later decide if they'd like to purchase anything, instead of doing so on the spot.

Amy Her, pictured, returned to her hometown of Eau Claire after living out of state for several years. Equipped with certifications in a variety of esthetician services, Her is especially drawn to K-beauty methods and products.

Among Her's range of services, the most popular facial treatment is the Custom Hour Facial ($90) – it's the perfect mix of offering relaxation and achieving results, she said –  during which she completes an evaluation to determine what methods and treatments are necessary. “Our skin and what it might need changes daily,” Her explained.

During the harsh winter months, Her's top general skincare tip is one you may not expect: “Especially because the sun reflects off of snow, remember to wear SPF all year round,” she said.

Amy Her can be found on Instagram and Facebook (@HerStudioEC) and contacted via email at HerStudioEC@gmail.com. Give yourself the gift of skin care this holiday season and beyond — and let Amy Her's K-Beauty treatments and products help you find relaxation and results!

Learn more about Her Studio (302 Water St., Eau Claire) and its array of services online at www.mysite.vagaro.com/herstudio.