Alex Wyse has always been allured by beauty.
As a child growing up in Ecuador, she fondly remembers experimenting by making facemasks with her grandmother, who would help her mix avocados, olive oil and other natural elements to put on her face and skin.
“Since I’ve been a little girl, I’ve always loved the beauty industry, and beauty in general,” Wyse said in an interview last week.
It’s no surprise she turned that passion into a career. Last month, she realized her dream of starting her own business, opening the doors to Neytiv Natural Spa Boutique in Cutchogue last month.
Wyse brings a lifelong love of the beauty industry and years of experience in the field, combining that with a strong commitment to organically sourced products, while also paying homage to her South American roots.
The spa is located on Main Road in Cutchogue, just west of Touch of Venice. Wyse said she had a specific vision in mind when designing the interior.
“I wanted to create a chic, beach vibe,” she said. “I want people to come in here and feel the energy, and get comfortable. Everything is super clean and sterile, but it still gives you that warmth that I have in my heart to offer.”
Wyse said her husband, personal chef Allan Wyse, helped her come up with the name, which she described as a nod to her Ecuadorian heritage.
“Every little thing I have here is very ethnic, very South American,” she said, pointing out that she sells several items sourced from South American countries, including jewelry and clothing. “I wanted to show that, and it ties into the name.”
Also important to Wyse was being able to sell products she feels good about.
“I wanted to offer all-natural, organic and clean products with no harsh odors you associate with a nail salon,” she said. “We do offer chemical peels and facials, but we have options for people who want a natural approach.”
Wyse, a resident of Shinnecock Hills, built her idea of what she wanted over years working for other spas, including John Dillon Salon and Day Spa in Southampton, and also working as a mobile aesthetician. She chose the North Fork as the home for her spa because she said she “loved the vibe” of the people here.
Wyse and her husband had been searching for the perfect location, and noticed — during a trip to the Greenport Brewery one day — that the space that ultimately became her shop was for rent. They stopped, called the number on the phone, and within a few minutes were meeting with the owner and checking out the interior. It was a dream come true.
“I’ve been in the beauty industry for years, in Southampton and with clients in New York City too, and I wanted to create something of my own, with my essence, and have it for everyone too,” she said.
Wyse’s path to owning and operating her own spa wasn’t linear. When she first came to the states, she had her sights set on the fashion industry, enrolling at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. She said she quickly realized it wasn’t where she wanted to be.
“I found out that the fashion industry was too harsh for me,” she said. “I’m very sensitive. I’m more about touch and feel.”
After questioning her own future, she decided to embark on a career as an aesthetician, going to school in Islip and visiting other countries to earn additional certifications in advanced aesthetics.
She sells several organic, plant-based beauty products in her store, in addition to clothing and accessories.
Neytiv is currently open for business six days a week, staying closed on Tuesdays, and is typically open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., depending on how many clients are scheduled for the day. Neytiv also hosts spa parties and has paired with local wineries for those events. The spa menu is extensive, offering the basics like manicures, pedicures and facials, as well as laser hair removal, eyelash extensions and both laser and high-frequency facials, among other services. Neytiv also has other extras, like an infrared sauna tent, used exclusively for spa parties.
“We do everything that a spa does, but with organic, healthy, and cruelty-free products,” Wyse said.
Neytiv Spa is located at 28320 Main Road, Cutchogue, 631-655-1562, neytivspa.com
