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Naturals Boutique Spa & Salon C Written & Photographed By Craig Lore indi Torres and Jaymie Logan- Geimer have a special relationship. “What Cindi and I have put together —we call it our marriage—we’re business partners, but we’re also best friends. We’re together more than we are with anyone else. We know everything about each other,” said Jaymie. Their commitment to each other started twenty-one years ago when they both worked at a shop called I Naturals in Morgan Hill. They discovered that they worked well together, had similar life goals and ambitions, and found in each other a kindred spirit. Their first partnership was a mobile spray-tanning business called Urban Glow Tanning. Nine years ago, they purchased the assets from I Naturals, moved to San Martin, and created Naturals Boutique Spa & Salon (Naturals). And their most recent venture is Lou Lou & James Cosmetics, a cosmetic line that they’ve developed and sell at Naturals and local retailers. “The name is an inside joke,” said Jaymie. “I always called her Cindi Lou, and she called me James.” Jaymie and Cindi are just as committed to their community as they are to their partnerships. Jaymie was born in Gilroy and raised in San Jose, but returned to Morgan Hill thirty years ago where she lives with her husband of twenty years—a native of Morgan Hill. Her twenty-seven-year-old daughter lives in L.A. Cindi was born in San Jose but raised in Gilroy from the age of five. She lives with her husband—also native to Morgan Hill—and their teenagers, 13 and 15, in Gilroy. Helping people look their very best is what they live for, which is why Cindi is current Co-chair and next year’s Chair of the Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen Pageant. Cindi, and Naturals, have donated their time, money, and effort to do the hair, makeup, and spray tanning for all the pageant contestants for the past eight years. “We do a lot of community events,” said Jaymie. “Everybody’s cause is important, and we like to do whatever we can to help the community.” Cindi has also donated her time to do hair and makeup for Shining Star High School Prom, for special needs high school students in South Santa Clara, San Benito, and Monterey counties. Naturals is a full-service salon that includes skincare, facials, hair, makeup, spray tanning, nails, and massage. Beauty, however, is more nuanced. As Jamie explained: “I think the superficial beauty part of it is huge, but for our clients it’s a lifestyle, relaxation, nurturing yourself, giving to yourself— making the time to take care of yourself, so that inner and outer beauty and a healthy lifestyle come together.” “We’re Naturals, so we’re more about developing a natural look,” Cindi said. “We strive to enhance your natural beauty instead of trying to change what you look like. Everything is customized —hair, skin, makeup. We consult with the client and help them choose what will look best for them. For special occasions like weddings,we will enhance a little bit more, but they still want to look like themselves.” NATURALS BOUTIQUE SPA & SALON 13295 Monterey Raod • San Martin 408.683.2200 GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN august/september 2019 “I’ve been going to Naturals for about fifteen years,” said Rebecca Shingai of Morgan Hill. “They take excellent care of me. They recommend the things that are beneficial to me and steer me away from things that wouldn’t benefit me. It’s intimate and personalized for each person. Also, if they can’t provide the service, they’ll recommend someone else who can.” “We have the best clients,” Cindi said. “And this is an environment where you want to be. The clients who come in, they want to be here. About twenty to twenty-five percent of our clients are men, and it’s growing. Men are getting facials, pedicures, haircuts, and massages, and they feel comfortable because it doesn’t feel like a place just for women. One time it happened to be all men in our place at the same time. It was funny.” “We’ve had some clients for years, so we know all about them. We’ve seen their children growing up, and their children are now our clients. Oh, I’m getting emotional,” Jaymie said. “Over the past twenty-one years we’ve all grown up together, or seen their kids grow up,” Cindi added. “So, they know us.” Jaymie smiled, saying “I just enjoy that we get to know our clients person- ally and that this business is very giving.” For Cindi and Jaymie, the beauty business goes well beyond skin deep: It’s about building closer relationships with each other, clients, and community. “Our clients are happy to be here, and they’re happy when they leave,” said Jaymie. “And that makes us feel good,” Cindi said . gmhtoday.com 47