I had my very first facial here, and the experience was even better than I'd imagined! Stara was wonderful to chat with and helped me address my skincare concerns, I left feeling clean and glowing! I wanted to wait to write a review to see how my skin felt a couple weeks out. It's been a few weeks since my facial and I've been using a couple of the products Stara recommended for my skin type, I've never felt so glowy and hydrated. I would definitely recommend Stara's services, especially if you're a skincare rookie like me or just want to understand your skin better. read more

I've been going here for years and Stara is absolutely amazing in every way. She's kind, intuitive, makes my skin and my brows look great, she really understands her customers and always recommends the right thing. She's very knowledgeable about skin care and technical about the health of the skin. I trust her 100% with procedures like microneedling. I can't recommend illume day spa enough! read more

10/10 would recommend booking a facial with Kate Wheetman at Illume Day Spa. She was able to work with my skin and understand my acne, ultimately helping to heal and improve my complexion. I appreciated that she took the time to explain each step of the process, tailored the treatment to my specific needs, and made me feel completely comfortable throughout. If you're looking for someone who truly cares about the health of your skin, Kate is the one to see! read more

I received a gift certificate for this spa at the end of 2019. Due to COVID starting, I wasn't able to use the gift certificate right away. I had no problem redeeming the certificate today. I booked a Swedish massage with Brandi. I arrived right on time and within a minute or two of my arrival, Brandi opened the door and let me in. I filled out a form with basic information and it included questions such as places I didn't want to be touched and any problem areas. Brandi was very professional and attentive. She listened, asked questions, and I remained comfortable throughout the entire massage. She talked to me about areas of my body that had a lot of tension and even suggested what I could do at home to help with the problem areas. Brandi offered me water both before the massage and after. After the massage, she gave me a discount good on my next massage with her. Illume is clean, peaceful, and affordable. I will definitely go back! read more

Loved my Botox experience with Dr. Shena at Illume. She is so sweet and thoughtful, really taking the time to really assess my Botox needs while making me feel comfortable. I've had Botox in the past but these results are by far the best..... I'll definitely be going to her from now on for my beauty treatments. Couldn't recommend her enough. read more

I had the best oxygen facial with Stara today. She was so welcoming and great to talk with during the treatment. The space is clean and beautifully decorated and her products smell great and made my skin glow. I left feeling radiant and so relaxed! read more

Feeling AMAZING and so relaxed after my facial! Shout out to my girl, Cate, who took this pasty, anemic-looking skin and made it damn luminous. You're literally in good hands with her. The advanced deluxe facial is a testament to her skills and, I suspect, some voodoo. Whatever - I don't ask questions, and Illume doesn't disappoint! read more

I have only ever been to Illume Day Spa for one thing...a massage from Pattie Lo. I honestly don't even know what else they do there. I'm sure facials and other spa stuff. But I only have eyes for Pattie. She is only there on Sundays. I drive all the way out from Beaverton. She is the real deal. For years I have sought a massage therapist who could give me a good deep tissue massage. I would always say to other therapists, "you can use more pressure, it's not gonna hurt me." Alas, they never did. Until I met Pattie. She has magic hands. Magic, STRONG hands. It's like my muscles start to melt just thinking about her deep tissue massages. Now I'm worried with this review she's gonna get all booked up on Sundays and it's gonna be harder to see her. F&%$. I better go book my next several appointments now. read more

I am so lucky I decided to try this spa out. I have gotten a facial, microdermabrasion and a massage here and everything has been top notch. The employees here are super knowledgeable about their area of expertise. And I always leave feeling like a million bucks and with more knowledge! They really listen to your goals and work with you. Have been recommending this place to everyone. 5 stars! read more

Illume day spa is great. They are very friendly and offer lots of great advice. We definitely recommend Cate. Parking can be limited but there is always some down by the freeway. Bonus-It also has felt safe to go during Covid. It's so calming there, I wish I could go more often! read more

My facial with Stara Laborde was wonderful as always! She has a warm and welcoming presence, is super knowledgeable and and creates the perfect relaxing atmosphere. I've based my entire skin care routine off of her advice and can see the results. Would highly recommend for anyone wanting to get some extra glow into their skin! read more

Cate is knowledgeable, professional and her facials are the best. I work in the industry (but don't do facials) and know a million estheticians and I always refer people to her when they ask. She's amazing. read more

Exactly what Stratford needed. I moved here over 2 years ago from Oakville, ON and I hadn't found any spas that had the same luxury big city vibe that I enjoy. Illume Day Spa has it in spades. I had a facial and it was one of the best I have ever received. And during the time that product had to be left on the face for a little while ("to activate"), when most spa estheticians would leave the room, I received the most relaxing scalp massage. I will definitely be a repeat customer. read more

I've been going to see Stara for years now and don't know why I'm just now writing a review. She is the ABSOLUTE BEST! I consistently get compliments on my eyebrows and all credit goes to Stara cause I have no idea what I'm doing/barely touch them. The facial treatments she offers have made such a difference with my skin health and she is incredibly knowledgeable. A number of other reviews have also said this but I would follow her if she ever left Portland because she is the absolute best!! read more

My first visit here is just 5 days before my wedding, but, my best friend swore by Stara. She told me it was a must to go... She was so right. I didn't realize how much I needed my eyebrows shaped until after I left. Stara also recommended eyebrow and eyelash coloring - The color is perfect and I looked instantly refreshed and more sophisticated, even without makeup. Stara is so personable, honest, and firm about her vision. I am So thankful for her and this amazing experience. read more

Both Stara and Cate are fantastic. Whether you're looking for a gentle waxing or a fabulous facial, you begin to relax the moment you set foot into Illume Day Spa. These ladies really make you feel special and give you their uninterrupted attention. Great attention to detail, and really pure products used. I've given several friends a gift of a facial at Illume and have had nothing but the best feedback! Illume Day Spa rocks! Adrienne read more

Love this place! Had a Lash Lift w/ Cate a few days ago and loving the results so far! Had a deluxe facial w/ Stara last night and my skin is glowing today! Both are super kind and personable. I never felt my lash lift or facial was "standard" - they treated my skin and lashes lovely and modified for my needs. I'm already scheduling to go back! Thank you ladies! read more

I am so happy with my brows for the first time ever! Stara did an amazing job evening out my brows. I honestly never thought I could have such great brows and I am soooooooo happy with the results. I will definitely be back! read more

Cate is amazing! I've been seeing her for well over 10 years(!) and she is absolutely worth the loyalty. She caters to sensitive skin well, waxes my brows to perfection every time, knows how to pamper for things like facials, and is not the pushy sales type. I highly recommend Cate! read more

Great spot! Stara and cate are amazing! Top notch!! I've had services from both cate and stara. This spot is it! Go here! Friendly, knowledgeable and on point! Thanks so much for making me more beautiful ! read more

This is such a special place. I cannot recommend it highly enough. The girls are so professional, so comforting, so healing. Cate is helping me clear up years of mistreating my skin. I am so happy it's become my main Place for self care. Ladies out there, I recommend a lash lift. Holy moly! It last for months! I threw away my eyelash curler! :) The products they sell are exceptional as well. Organic non toxic skin care at its finest. Thanks, ladies of Illume! You have a fantastic business. read more

I am so impressed with this amazing facial! The TLC was much needed and very appreciated. I can't wait to come back, and I know what I will be giving for gifts from now on! read more

Just got back from my eyebrow wax and tint. Cate is fantastic. She is incredibly knowledgeable and keeps my look sharp and sophisticated. Plus, the atmosphere is calming and I had a lovely cup of tea to warm my soul. Illume Day Spa is an impressive, woman-owned business and I believe you will appreciate your treatment there as much as I do. Enjoy! read more

This is THE place to go for all your skin care needs! Stara is amazing at everything she does. The waxing is painless and professional. She is magic at facials. And the spa itself is just a really beautiful and comfortable space that is decorated so well! I would never go anywhere else for my beauty needs. read more

I love coming to see Cate! I usually get a brow wax and brow tint and she is amazing! She somehow manages to make my crazy eyebrows look fuller and so much better than when I came in. Go see Cate, you won't be disappointed! read more

I've been getting my brows done by Stara for about two years and I can honestly say that if she ever moved out of Portland I would have to move with her, she is that good! The space is very relaxing. In the waiting area, there's a nice comfy chairs with a good selection of magazines and a nice airy feel to it that puts you right at home. The room itself was also very calming. The bed/table was extremely comfortable and there was a nice fluffy duvet that kept me nice and warm while some light background music plays. I just started getting adult acne and decided to get a facial to help with the redness and inflammation. Stara helped guide me through the process: First, she prepped my skin, looked at my skin under her microscope and then decided that I could use a light peel and extractions. The peel was tingly, but Stara was very good about checking in to see what my irritation level was. After wiping off the peel and soothing my face with a gel of some sort and also with a warm towel, she prepped my face for the extractions with a humidifier. While my face was warming up, she gave me a shoulder massage which relaxed me even more. The extractions were next and I was expecting the worse (after all, how comfortable can it be to be squeezing blackheads out of tiny pores on your face!) but Stara made the process as quick and painless as possible. Final bit of cleaning, and moisturizing and I was good to go. I've always had a really good experience with Stara, I love her demeanor, appreciated her knowledge and experience and how that translated into the feeling that she really cared for my skin. For days after my facial, my skin still feels very smooth and clean! Thank you Stara! read more

After experiencing facials from around the world, I can say for certain that Cate's are THE best. Cate is beyond knowledgeable in her work and she goes beyond the shallow layers of skin to purify the face. She works from the inside out & has worked wonders on my once irritated and difficult to work with skin. My skin has transformed and is now under control thanks to Cate. I haven't seen it this clear since high school! In addition to facials, I have also been getting great underarm waxing that is quick & pain-free. The ambiance of the salon makes it very easy to get comfy & feel at ease. I look forward to each appointment & will never go anywhere else! read more

Stara has been my esthetician for many years. And I look forward to many more! She is hands down the best esthetician I have experienced. She is knowledgeable and thorough. Plus the arm massage!! Her space is lovely and the bed is the best, I highly recommend her. read more

I've been following Cate since 2008 and am so happy she has opened up her very own spa at Illume. Cate is a skin genius and has the attention to detail most other estheticians only wish to have. The space is lovely, relaxing and charming. I visit Cate for waxing & facials and I couldn't imagine going to anyone else. I've referred a few friends over the years and they've become loyalists. This is not a big day spa but if you're looking to have things done the right way, visit here. read more

I loved my first facial with Stara! She is very knowledgeable and it is obvious she has been doing this a while. I felt at ease the moment I walked into the spa and was taken care of the entire time I was there. I much prefer small spas such as Illume, when you're there it is all about you. At larger places I can't help but feel like just another number, where the esthetician or massage therapist goes through the same routine over and over. My skin is so much softer and brighter after the Signature Facial! It is worth every penny, and I will be coming back for sure! Street parking was not an issue at all and it was very easy to make an appointment online. read more

When you need a good brow wax, Perfectionism is the #1 quality you want from an aesthetician. As a person of impossibly high standards, I'm super picky about service providers. I've been going to Stara for waxing every month for years and am consistently delighted. My eyebrows are ALWAYS perfect. Her spa is welcoming, clean and relaxing. Stara is friendly, warm and professional. Most importantly, she is a knowledgeable and skilled beauty practitioner who uses excellent products and tools. I recommend her to everyone I know and I wouldn't go anywhere else. read more

A visit to Illume is a fabulous way to treat yourself or a friend. The ambiance is beautiful and calming. Cate is an absolute skin care wizard. I have seen her for on a number of occasions. She handles my brows like a champ. They are not quite as full as I'd like them to be. She tints and shapes them and I always feel like it makes my whole face look so much better. I have also enjoyed her signature, magical facial stylings. She's very intuitive with skin, it's like she's reading your story in your face and chooses which products to use in response. It makes it all feel very personal and leaves you glowy. So many lovely scents and mixed with steam and facial massage. I couldn't recommend it more. She really is a magician! But really, I go to Cate for Brazilians and I am sad I didn't start going sooner. Not the most comfortable of treatments. Nope! But somehow, Cate is able to make even this most vulnerable of processes into something that feels relaxing and therapeutic. She is a calm and comforting force that sets me perfectly at ease. It seems she always knows the right thing to say. I always leave feeling better about myself and that's not exactly what I expect of a brazilian wax. But it's what you get with Cate, no matter what you go in for. You will leave her feeling better about yourself than when you arrived. What more can you ask for? Go see Cate. You're so very worth it! read more

I admire anyone who wants to pick my zits. But I adore someone who endures such a task then gives me a massage. When you opt for the deluxe facial with Cate, you get these services and much more. This newly opened space is tucked on a side street not far from Sandy Blvd. The quiet location is really ideal for relaxing, and the spa itself is simple and lovely. Cate is a master with my very sensitive skin. Whenever my outer shell has decided to go to war with me and erupt in unspeakable landmines of red blochiness, I make my appointment and anticipate its arrival. Cate's just awesome at what she does. And she's a goddamn ninja with my ginger-hued brows. I'm super hard on my skin, but Cate is patient, gives me helpful suggestions and samples of concoctions she think can tame the beast, and she's just nice to be around. Which is a big plus when someone is looking at your face under a giant magnifying glass. With tweezers in her hand. Aimed near your eyelid. read more

Alright, at the risk of some teasing and a blow to my machismo, I'll admit I got my first spa service due to my wife prodding me to go see Kate with a gift certificate she gave me. For my fellow men out there, there's nothing feminine about someone squeezing out every last black head on your face, but if you would rather not have god-knows-what crud residing in the pits of your face, you might consider putting your ego aside and biting the bullet as I did and get a facial. If you do, I'm certain no one will make it as pleasurable as Cate will. Her manner is very relaxing with a great sense of humor and you will feel much more like you just had a soothing massage, when in actuality you had all your zits popped and blackheads excavated. It's a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it and Cate is pretty much a ninja at it. So bring on the jokes, but know my face is cleaner than yours which may or may not mean yours has the fecal matter of dust mites crammed into every pore. Food for thought. #illumedayspa read more

I JUST returned from my first appointment with Stara and couldn't wait to write a review. She was very friendly.. Even when I was late (oops!). The room was wonderful and she did a fantastic job explaining everything and really paid attention to my concerns and what I wanted out of the experience (in this case tons of extractions). I can't wait to go back! read more

I've followed Stara to many places over the years and I have to say that I love this place the most! The reception area is welcoming and makes you want to see the rest. The rooms are just as cool, I love the beds:-) Stara is by far the only person who will do my waxing. She always gives me a little extra, be it taking care of a zit for me or running the little wand over problem areas. I'll follow her anywhere! read more

I love Stara's products, skin care techniques and the atmosphere of Illume. I'm hooked! The best facial experience I've had in Portland.

Cate has been my saving grace while helping me with my skin. While not knowing what the root to my adult acne is, she has been so generous and patient in helping me with this struggle! From easy scheduling, to working flexibly around my budget, she has gained a lifelong customer. Her warm demeanor makes me look forward to every visit, and I cannot thank her enough for her help. read more

I have been having my eyelashes tinted by Stara for a few years now, but I just decided to splurge on a facial (my first!) and I was amazed at the experience. How luxurious! The process had so many steps, and Stara paid so much attention to detail that I got lost in the relaxation of it all. Makes me wonder what I've been missing all this time, thinking that since I wasn't dealing with a skin problem, I didn't need facials. Oh yes I did need them - everyone needs them. They're sumptuous! And Stara mesmerized me with all the massages, oils and her special little touches. I highly recommend this as a little bit of relaxation or luxury time, even if you're not working on a skin issue. read more

As the previous writer, I've been following Stara around to what appears to be her final resting place as an aesthetician. She's amazing. No upsell, no chatter, just professional service with MY skin in mind. Love the way she considers the whole picture: i went in recently before a trip and she changed her planned course of treatment because of my destination climate. I never hesitate: i lie down and et her determine what my skin needs, and i always look fabulous for days after. The spa itself is lovely: simple and elegant, quiet -- with excellent colors! I can't recommend Stara or Illume highly enough. I've been a spa junkie my entire life, and I would go nowhere else in Portland. read more