I spy...a super salon!
We know fromyour comments and feedback thatmany of our readers enjoy ourmonthly feature Salon Spy, where we visit salons and Spas across the UK to discover whatmakes a successful beauty business.Would you be interested in having your salon profiled in a future issue?
If you are a salon owner /manager and would like amember of the Guild News editorial teamto visit your salon or Spa, interview you about your business, take photographs and review your signature treatment, then get in touch and let us know why you should be featured, including details of the brands and products you use and whatmakes your business unique.
We are especially keen to also hear fromdedicated nail bars and tanning salons, to be considered for features in The Nail File and TanningWorld too.
Contact the editorial
teamatMelissa@BeautyServe.net salon spy
salon spy
salon spy
treatment review:
Having always been a massive fan of Dermalogica I was especially excited about receiving a Dermalogica Prescriptive Facial at LiLi’s.
Sarah is an extremely skilled therapist, having won a Dermalogica Student of theYear award, so I know I’m in capable hands.
I was led into a beautiful candlelit room, minimally decorated with splashes of black and white damask. She made me feel instantly at ease, and directed me onto the heated couch.
One of the treatment rooms
Snuggled under the padded towels I was ready to drift off right away with the soothing background music and warm cosy bed.
Salon owner Lisa (left)with her staff One of LiLi’s nail desks The LiLi’s waiting area
name: LiLi’s Nail and Beauty Salon
where: 1, GatehouseMews, MaltMill Lane, Stafford, ST16 2JT
t: 01785 214 132 e:
lilistafford@hotmail.co.uk w:
lilisnailandbeauty.co.uk
owner and manager: Lisa Brock
brands/equipment
used: Dermalogica, Gelish,Minx, LCN, St Tropez, DermaCo, Airbase
signature treatments: Dermalogica Face and Body Treatments and Nail Treatments
2 GUILD NEWS A welcome reception from theTA-oR team TA-oR Beauty&Holistics Salon salon spy How did you start in the beauty business?
Opened inAugust last year, LiLi’s Nail and Beauty has already become a successful salon offering a wide range of treatments with the ambience of Spa luxury.
Conveniently located just off the main town high street, LiLi’s offers a solution to every client’s beauty needs right on their doorstep.
With a crisp and chic black and white colour scheme, the salon oozes sleek sophistication with a modern damask flower pattern theme accenting the minimalist décor.
Salon Spy visited LiLi’s to get to know owner Lisa, and to encounter the most elite of facials...
“I initially trained in both hair and beauty, but then chose to focus solely on beauty therapy. I had a small business in Lichfield renting two beauty rooms within a health club, but because there were already existing beauty therapists there I was restricted to doing nails and tanning. I always wanted to get back into beauty, and it’s taken five or six years of looking to eventually get somewhere.”
What marketing tools do you use?
“We always ask clients whether they prefer to be contacted by text or email, and we also use Facebook as well to list our offers. Our clients quite like a text, as not everyone gets the chance to check their emails regularly.”
What makes your salon unique?
“I think most of the salons in the area are little rooms within other buildings, whereas we are a full-sized salon. We’re in-between that little salon or rented room and a major Spa so you can still come in and have that Spa feel and experience within a salon setting. Our central location means clients can just nip in and don’t have to use a whole day to visit a Day Spa to have treatments.”
What is important to you when choosing a product range?
“We’ve tried a lot of different products, we wanted the best for out clients.We found trying a variety of the top brands helped to find which we thought performed the best.”
Do you think its important for salons to have a website?
“Definitely, it is something that we will be working on. Our website is very new at the moment and we will be adding a lot to it, updating it with our offers and events. Also using Facebook and inviting people to our page, and likewise with the text messages. I think a lot of people research on the internet before they come to a salon so it’s a very useful tool.”
What are your plans for the future?
“Possibly expanding...We’ve got three treatment rooms and space for three nail desks so we could potentially fit quite a lot of staff and a lot of clients in.Were just about to launch some packages including bridal, detox, pregnancy and party packages trying to get groups of people in. We’ve also just introduced theAirbase make-up as a new project we will be working on. Ladies have enquired about semi-permanent make-up and laser hair removal, and eventually we may go into doing hair up as well so we can do a complete bridal package.”
Who in the industry is your inspiration?
“I’ve been lucky that both of my parents have been self-employed in completely different businesses, and when you’re brought up by independent parents it gives you the confidence that you can do it too. It’s very frightening to do it on this scale from a rented room to a high street salon, but my parents have helped, encouraged and supported me.With the backing of my Mother and Father I feel like I could achieve anything.”
What is the best piece of advice you could give someone in a similar position to you, wanting to move from renting a room to becoming a salon owner?
“Definitely do a lot of research, and you always need a lot more money than you think! If you are going to expand and not be just on your own you need to make sure you have good staff and a good team around you. I’ve got some fantastic staff that have helped so much and they are committed to help building the salon. They like the fact it is brand new and they have enjoyed being part of starting the salon from scratch.”
The treatment room
“You’ve got to keep being positive and being driven and you cant just sit and wait for people to come to you, you’ve got to get out there and then it’s just waiting on word of mouth.Word of mouth will always be the best way of expanding your client base.”
Sarah started the facial with a double cleanse, then exfoliated using DailyMicrofoliant boosted with Revitalising BotanicalMix. My skin felt really fresh afterwards, free of dead skin cells.
She then performed a pressure point massage using Clearing Booster, and applied a Colloidal Masque Base to help hydrate my skin.While the masque worked its magic, Sarah gave me a fabulous head massage which not only relaxed me but also rejuvenated and cleared my mind, lifting the weight of my daily stress away.
To finish, Sarah used aMulti Active Toner and then moisturised, concluding with Multivitamin Power Firm on my eyes which were a little dehydrated.
Leaving the salon I felt fantastic, not only was my treatment carried out with immense skill and care but the amazing customer service demonstrated by all the staff made me feel especially valued as a client.
I can’t wait to visit LiLi’s again, and I am already planning to purchase vouchers for my friends and family too!
salon spy
salon spy
treatment review:
As I drove into Breedon Priory Nurseries, I couldn’t help but wonder how a garden centre could play host to a beauty salon as the two aren’t usual bed fellows, but as I wandered up through the tree lined avenues to find the salon, I was amazed by the peace and tranquillity I was met with - that you just don’t get on the High Street.
Once I arrived, Elena asked me to change into a quilted dressing gown and slippers before I was shown into the relaxation area and offered a drink, whilst Elena began my treatment with a welcoming foot
massage.As a naturally ticklish person I was worried that I might feel uncomfortable with the foot massage but Elena soon put me at ease.
client that walks through our doors feel like they are the most important person on the planet whilst they’re at TA-oR.”
What is the ethos of this salon?
name: TA-oR Beauty & Holistics
where: Breedon Priory Nurseries,Ashby Road, Breedon on the Hill, Leicestershire, DE73 8AZ
t: 01332 695 230 e:
relax@ta-or.co.uk w:
www.ta-or.co.uk
owners: Elena Kent-Brown
brands / equipment
used: Pinks Boutique, Fake Bake, Inika mineral cosmetics
signature treatments: Pinks Boutique Signature facial, Ayurvedic Head to Toe massage
2 GUILD NEWS
Quietly nestled at the back of a garden centre, a stunning wooden cabin plays host to TA-oR Beauty & Holistics.
Established in 2007, in response to the perceived poor quality and rushed treatments of the High Street, TA-oR’s tranquil rural retreat is the result of several years of persistence into providing only the highest quality treatments.
The cabin itself was built in 2009 and is surprisingly opulent with stunning chandeliers that wouldn’t look out of place in a stately home, and yet the natural wooden floors; walls and ceilings all evoke a feeling of warmth and cosiness that is often hard to recreate in a salon.
Salon Spy met up with owner Elena to find out more about the salon’s unusual location.
So why did you choose to be located in a garden centre?
“TA-oR’s premises were purpose built with our clients’ relaxation as paramount. This meant we were able to choose a stunning rural location and tranquil surroundings without the distractions of the High Street.”
Many salons benefit fromthe footfall of being on or near to the high street, how do you generate and maintain interest in your salon?
“With such a remote, rural location, social media and online advertising are now our most useful marketing tools in building TA-oR. Gone are the early days of delivering 2,500 leaflets by hand every month, although that was necessary to get TA-oR on the map.
“We now use Twitter, Facebook and review sites such as Free Index (where we are currently rated number 1 out of 1,321 salons in the UK) to spread the word.We also have loyalty schemes and incentives, includingVIP events for our most loyal clients. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say word of mouth is the most effective advertising method for TA-oR.”
Other than the obvious location difference, what makes you unique fromyour competitors?
“‘Clients first not profit first’ is not just a management mantra but the philosophy of each member of staff. Our impeccable attention to detail and customer service sets us well apart from the competition - we aim to make every
“To provide only the highest quality treatments using the finest products. Great care has been taken in sourcing ethical, organic and sustainable product ranges that support this ethos.”
What is important to you when choosing a product range?
“First and foremost, the ingredients - not at the expense of results though! Products must be as natural and organic as possible, but with exceptional performance. The ethos of the company producing the products has to be in keeping with our ethos too.”
Do you have any plans for the future?
“We have already begun to implement future plans to build TA-oR’s growing reputation as an exclusive rural retreat and Day Spa. The recent addition of a sauna will allow us to add an entire range of half and full day relaxation packages. Longer term, we plan to open further retreats using TA-oR’s business model.We are also aiming to introduce Pinks Boutique’s range of organic body treatments and products to TA-oR during 2011.”
What would you say were your key achievements as a salonmanager?
“Cutting short a secure and promising career in social work to leave my comfort zone and follow my dream. Having never worked in a salon/Spa before, I founded
TA-oR in 2007 as a mobile business and rapidly built TA-oR’s extensive client base from scratch. Opening our purpose built premises in 2009 was a step I had only dreamt of up until that point and the fact that TA-oR just keeps going from strength to strength is testament to our dedication and persistence into providing only the best service to our clients.”
GUILD NEWS 3 Who is your inspiration?
“Undoubtedly my mum. She believes that you shouldn’t put anything on your body that you wouldn’t put in your mouth!As a child I clearly remember her covering our hair with warm olive oil and wrapping it in a towel to condition it. I also remember numerous sessions in the kitchen with my sister, blending up face masks from raw oats and honey! If you asked my mum, she’d probably tell you some stories about having her hands soaked in milk by me too!”
What is the best piece of advice you have been given for running a successful salon, or being a successful therapist?
“My husband who has years of business experience (I had none when I founded TA-oR) kept repeating to me that ‘cash flow is king’. It took a little while to get my head around the fact that I wouldn’t just be carrying out therapies, the part of my job that I still love most to this day, but that in order to build and grow a successful business and one that would be there in the long run for my clients, I needed to ensure TA-oR’s financial security.”
After the foot massage had been completed, I moved into the treatment room and lay on the couch face down - which I thought was an unusual way to begin the signature facial. Elena explained that she would use a hot towel across my back combined with massage techniques to completely relax my body. Once this phase had been completed I then turned over to experience the facial using Pinks Boutique Japanese Ocha range.
Throughout the facial I felt completely relaxed and it was wonderful to hear the birds twittering in the trees outside.
During the mask phases of the facial Elena continued to massage my arms and hands allowing every part of my body to melt into the couch and drift away in the somewhat surreal surroundings.
Once the facial and massage had been completed, I was invited to make my way back into the relaxation area in my own time where I enjoyed a slice of delicious homemade carrot cake and a glass of water before I left feeling completely chilled out and relaxed.
GUILD NEWS
3
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Óse! Eyelash Extensions
The contact details for Óse! Eyelash Extensions were unfortunately printed incorrectly in the recent BeautyUK show guide.
You can contact Óse! on 07974 755416 or by email at
kristineliane@hotmail.co.uk
GUILD NEWS 11
salon spy
salon spy
treatment review:
In a salon where results are guaranteed, the customary skin analysis of course took place with more than the naked eye, and so under the Skinceuticals UV light machine I stared at my own reflection, whilst therapist Katie examined my skin.
salon spy
YourWash ‘n’Wear Spray Tan is a proud part of your treatmentmenu. Tell us about that...
Reception area The LiLi’s waiting area.
name: Skin Studio
where: 112 - 113 Glebe Street, Penarth, Cardiff CF64 1EB
t: 02921 250 221 w: skinstudiowales com
owners: Natalie &Marijanna Price
manager: Natalie Price
brands used: Skinceuticals, JetM, i-Lipo, He-Shi
2 GUILD NEWS
Located in the heart of Cardiff’s ‘garden by the sea’, Skin Studio opened its doors in August 2010 - a real feat in a time when many less fortunate salons were permanently shutting theirs.
The salon, owned by sisters Natalie and Marijanna Price, currently employs seven staff and offers a range of skin treatments which all focus on one main priority - getting results. Newly returned from running a salon in Australia, Natalie Price talks to Guild News about success, good old- fashioned hard work and becoming the Richard Branson of beauty...
Skin Studio is just sixmonths old, but already it seems to be well established here in Penarth.How has the salon taken off?
“We work really from the feedback that we receive from clients.We are very results-driven, but we also want to pamper and relax our clients.We go as far as to guarantee results. The salon offers a money-back guarantee on treatments, so if we say we can remove a client’s pigmentation, then that’s what we
do.And I haven’t had anyone take us up on the offer yet!”
Apart fromresults, what does Skin Studio aimto offer its clients?
“I’m really keen on technology and I like to become involved with it as and when it’s developed, and be the first to try it. So we don’t really have one signature treatment or a particular ethos, but all of our machines are on a par with each other, and all of them equally popular and effective.We have two or three therapists working in the salon every day, so we can have anything up to 40 clients a day through here; and we also offer waxing, spray tanning and nail treatments.”
And what about in the future? Are there anymore treatments you’d like to add?
“I’m always on the lookout for something new that we can introduce, perhaps say every six or 12 months, and currently have my eye on a few things from abroad. I’ve worked in the beauty industry in the States so I keep an eye out there, as well asAsia, as they’re so far ahead in technology.”
“Since I came back fromAustralia we’ve developed our own tanning product, which we’ve recently rebranded asWash ‘n’Wear, and this is exclusive to us. Instead of the usual eight-hour development period it develops in just two
hours.And it smells good too!”
What do you look for in the other product ranges you use in your salon?
“Skinceuticals are the main brand that we use in the salon, and it’s fantastic.We used the products in my salon inAustralia and I’ve always been really impressed with the brand. I like the idea behind how it was first formed, whilst looking for the cure for cancer, and the history and purpose behind it. It’s important that it’s not a brand like Chanel, for example, whose focus is fashion but who can just apply a brand name to a skin product. I think that passion for the products you offer is important, as well as getting good service.”
salon spy
Your career spans 10 years so far, what have been your highlights?
“I’ve developed a few Spas and clinics from scratch and worked as part of several department teams; plus setting up my own business inAustralia was a big achievement - at times it could be quite difficult, working with visa restraints etc. But I prefer not to focus on what I’ve done or where I’ve been, but where I’m
going.Managing
Skin Studio day-to-day is most important now; keeping the girls here happy and well trained, and the clients satisfied.”
Who has inspired you along the way?
“I’ve had some really good managers who have been very supportive. But I’ve also had some bad managers - and I’ve learnt how not to do things from them! Ideally I’d like Skin Studio to become a chain - I’d like to have five or six throughoutWales, but for us to never lose our values. So in that respect I look at businesses such as Toni & Guy, and also smaller companies like them who have done well and built themselves up.
“I also gather inspiration from other industries - my family are from an agricultural background and their work ethic and morals have always stayed with me. Plus people like Richard Branson, who offer good service at a good price. I’d like to become the Richard Branson of beauty! Having a good attitude is so important, ultimately people will buy more from you, whatever industry you’re in.”
Finally, what’s the best advice you’ve been given for running a successful salon?
“My friend sent me a message the other day which said: “The only place that success comes before work is in the dictionary.” I was feeling a bit sorry for myself and that really gave me a good kick. That sums it all up really - you only get what you put in! So when I work hard, I remember that it’s because I want to be successful.”
A fairly freaky experience (I’m told one woman screamed at the sight of her own face) but also an enlightening one, as I discovered skin problems I wasn’t previously aware of - and Katie was able to tailor the Gel Peel towards treating these.
The treatment then commenced with a cleanse and tone; then the peel was applied, left on the skin for between three to five minutes. Katie explained that some clients experience a tingling sensation whilst the peel sinks in, which became apparent after a minute or so. However, Katie eased any discomfort (and many first time clients don’t experience any as the wall of dead skin is so thick) by dabbing a slightly prickly brush against the skin.
Cold, wet gauze was then applied to my face in sections. This activated the peel to remove the dead skin cells, followed by a rubbing of the gauze on the skin to remove all traces of the peel. Soon after this my face experienced an interesting kind of warmth - almost like blushing - which was particularly welcome on a cold Winter’s day!
salon spy
One of LiLi’s treatment rooms
Next, a mask containing vitamin C was applied to tone down any redness and cool the skin.A relaxing neck and shoulder massage then put me at total ease, before the mask was removed, and the treatment concluded with Skinceuticals’ Prevent, Correct and Protect regime.
Owner Natalie explained that clients are recommended to have a course of facial peels to benefit most from the treatment, although after just one my face felt much smoother, brighter and with a healthy glow.
salon spy
GUILD NEWS 3
Pedicure area
Relaxation area
For more information circle enquiry card
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