The Glow Lab: Inside Raleigh's Cutest DIY Beauty Bar
What do we do after work in Raleigh when dinner feels too ordinary, shopping feels too rushed, and everyone wants something cute to do together?
Come make something.
Inside Youniverse Spa at 1500 Newbern Ave, Raleigh, NC, the Glow Lab turns a quick self-care stop into a hands-on beauty experience. For $10 per session, you make your own body lotion or sugar scrub at a dreamy DIY beauty bar surrounded by pink decor, flowers, skincare, crystals, books, and plenty of reasons to stay awhile.
The Glow Lab tagline says it perfectly: “Mix It. Make It. Glow Your Way.”
As the GIRLS LIKE ME campaign moves into Week 4, this is your invitation to stop scrolling, bring your favorite people, or come by yourself, and find the part of Youniverse that fits your mood.
What actually happens during a $10 Glow Lab session?
The Glow Lab is designed to be easy, creative, and approachable. You do not need to be a beauty expert, have a perfect DIY plan, or know the difference between every ingredient on a shelf. You simply choose what you want to make and enjoy the process.
Here is what to expect.
1. Choose your creation
Your $10 session includes one choice:
Body lotion
Sugar scrub
Want something soft and moisturizing? Choose the lotion. Prefer an exfoliating body-care moment for your shower routine? Choose the scrub.
This is the fun part because there is no “right” choice. Your Glow Lab creation can match your mood, your favorite colors, or the kind of self-care you want to take home.
2. Get settled at the station
Once you choose your format, you will head to the Glow Lab station and get ready to mix. The setup is made for a relaxed, hands-on experience, whether you are creating alongside friends or enjoying a quiet solo activity.
Think less “complicated science project” and more “pretty, personalized self-care moment.”
3. Mix it yourself
You will combine your materials and mix your creation at the station. The hands-on process is what makes the Glow Lab different from simply picking up a finished product from a shelf.
You get to slow down, be present, and make something connected to your visit. It is tactile, playful, and easy to fit into a Raleigh afternoon, evening, or weekend outing.
4. Add a little extra glow
Want to make your session feel even more special? Ask about the available add-ons:
Body shimmer
Lip scrub
A little body shimmer brings extra sparkle to your finished beauty moment, while a lip scrub is a cute way to extend the self-care theme beyond your body lotion or sugar scrub.
5. Leave with your finished creation
The Glow Lab gives you an experience to enjoy in the store and a personalized beauty product to continue using at home. It is a small take-home reminder that self-care does not have to be complicated, expensive, or saved for a special occasion.
Youniverse does not list a fixed session duration, so plan for a short, flexible activity rather than a full spa appointment. Your timing depends on whether you are coming solo, creating with a group, adding an extra, or pairing the experience with shopping and a sip.
Who is the Glow Lab for?
The better question may be: who is it not for?
The Glow Lab works especially well for:
A girls’ day out in Raleigh
If your group chat has been asking for a cute plan, this is your sign to make it happen. Create your own body-care product, take photos in the pink boutique, browse the shelves, and catch up without needing a full-day itinerary.
It is one of those things to do in Raleigh with friends that gives everyone something to participate in while leaving room for conversation.
A solo self-care date
You do not need to wait for everyone’s schedule to line up. Come by yourself, choose a sugar scrub or lotion, enjoy a tea, and browse at your own pace.
A solo Glow Lab visit can be a refreshing reset after work, between errands, or whenever you want to step out of your routine for a little while.
Date night with a creative twist
Skip the standard dinner-and-movie plan. A Glow Lab session gives you and your date something to do together, and something to talk about afterward.
Pair it with a cocktail, wine, beer, or tea, then browse the store for crystals, skincare, books, and unexpected finds. It is a relaxed Raleigh beauty experience that feels more personal than a typical night out.
Bridal, birthday, and bachelorette groups
Looking for a bachelorette activity in Raleigh that is cute, flexible, and easy to personalize? The Glow Lab can add a creative self-care element to a bridal or birthday gathering.
Groups can make their own creations, choose the body shimmer add-on, grab a drink, and continue the celebration with shopping. For larger groups, contact Youniverse ahead of time so the team can help you plan your visit.
Sip while you make, mix, and browse
The Glow Lab is part of Youniverse Spa’s larger Sip. Shop. Glow. experience. That means your visit does not have to end when your lotion or sugar scrub is finished.
Choose from:
Cocktails
Wine
Beer
Teas
Cute cold-food bites
For an after-work plan, visit during regular hours and make your way through the space at your own pace. Youniverse Spa is open:
Monday–Friday: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Happy Hour is available:
Thursday and Friday: 7–9 p.m.
Saturday: 5–7 p.m.
Because Happy Hour runs later than the standard weekday hours, check with Youniverse when planning your visit and confirm the current Glow Lab availability.
Prefer something cozy and alcohol-free? A tea fits the Glow Lab perfectly. Sip while your creation comes together, then settle into the soft, welcoming atmosphere before browsing the shop.
Shop your glow after the Glow Lab
The best part of visiting in person is discovering products that help you continue the experience at home.
For a simple skincare routine, explore:
Want to keep the lip-care energy going? Browse Youniverse Lips, including:
For a cooling addition to your routine, check out the XLWhite Cold Roller, a skincare tool designed to help reduce puffiness and redness while boosting circulation.
If your version of self-care includes a little spiritual grounding, browse Chill Crystals or Love Crystals. You can also explore the Spiritual Youniverse collection for additional ritual and wellness finds.
And if you want your visit to include a surprise, stop by Book Verse for the Books collection. The Blind Date With a Book experience lets you choose a wrapped book without seeing the exact title first. It is a sweet add-on for a quiet afternoon, a friend date, or anyone who loves leaving with something unexpected.
Your next Raleigh after-work plan is waiting
The Glow Lab is small enough to fit into a busy schedule but memorable enough to make an ordinary day feel different. Come in for a $10 DIY beauty activity, stay for a tea or cocktail, browse the retail collections, and leave with something made by you.
For Raleigh locals searching for a DIY beauty bar in Raleigh, a girls’ day out in Raleigh, or a creative answer to “what should we do after work?”, Youniverse Spa brings all three together under one roof.
Visit Youniverse Spa at 1500 Newbern Ave, Raleigh, NC, and book your $10 Glow Lab session, then Sip, Shop, and Glow your way through the afternoon or evening.
Comments