LOOKING GOOD

DELICIOUSLY DARING

When an established lawyer with a pedigree of professional excellence decides to go into business, you know everything will be perfect, down to the last little detail T he formula for a high-fashion boutique that offers a great selection of beauty therapies alongside those must-have dresses is complex. A fine eye, a highly-tuned awareness of trends, an understanding of customer needs and wants, and a real sense of business (and well as a sense of humour!) are essential to the equation. All too often, hopefuls hop on the retail bandwagon without really understanding the possible pitfalls that can come along – often out of the blue – and play havoc with the cash flow.

Being a lawyer, Lisbonite Paula Esteve recognised more than most of the need to keep a business tightly controlled and strategically managed, so when she decided to start a new chapter in her life, she was already equipped with the basics that pave the way to success.

“I have always loved fashion,” she says, “especially when its personality is that intriguing combination of elegance and sensuality. I also adored anything beauty-related, so it made sense, when I decided to change my life’s work, that I brought together those two passions.” Paula first came to the Algarve to help her father who owned two hotels in Albufeira. Later, having turned his company round, instead of returning to the capital, she looked for premises within the golden triangle, drew up her business plan, and got started.

Dare U in Almancil is the result of her research into the local market, her knowledge of business, and her find of the ideal location. It is a charming building, originally a restaurant, with individual spaces and a wonderful sense of privacy. There are gardens that are almost secret, ceilings that slope, and windows that let in the light to show off rails of gorgeous clothes..

Not for the timid are Paula’s handpicked – and often hand-made – dresses and accessories that fall very much into the ‘going out’ category. Forget comfy trousers and cool kaftans; her style is glamorous and sexy, red carpet rather than golden beach, designed to emphasize curves. Skirts are short and sleek, tops sculpted close to the body. Colours go from the brights – yellows, pinks and green, to inky blacks and brilliant reds. This is what special-occasion

dressing is all about – statement-making, contemporary and confident. And there is poolwear, but not as you know it. Dare U’s choice is pure wow-factor, strictly for the very adventurous.

Beauty and the feast But key to the Dare U success story is what Paula and her team can do to get clients looking and feeling gorgeous and with a healthy glow before they even start thinking about additions to their wardrobe. And bridesto-be, here in the sunshine to celebrate their big day, are catered for with special hair and beauty packages that are often also a gift to bridesmaids.

So what is on the menu? You name the most modern and proven-successful treatments, and Dare U will provide them. There are the essential manicures and pedicures that a girl cannot go without, full hairdressing services, including extensions and wigs, and every conceivable treatment for the face and body, including Botox and fillers. There is laser waxing, jet bronzing, eyelash extensions and microblading and Thai massages that will leave you feeling amazing. You could, in fact, spend every day in Dare U and enjoy every minute. And while you are luxuriating in the beauty rooms, or trying on a decadent little party dress, the man in your life can have the best hair cut ever in the barbershop room.

Dare U, Avenida 5 de Outubro 229, Almancil Call 911 572 265, email info@dareu.pt or visit Paula’s website dareu.pt

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