2023 ABIA Dermal Therapist of the Year Alana Giovenco

By Louise May

At the age of 15, Alana Giovenco harboured ambitious dreams of venturing into the Beauty Industry, inspired by her aunt, Daniela Boerma. Guided by this inspiration, she set out on a path to make others feel beautiful, elevating their self-confidence and inner well-being.

Her journey unfolded in 2013 when, while pursuing her Diploma of Beauty Therapy, she joined Bliss Day Spa as a full-time staff member. Fast forward to 2018, and Alana earned a promotion to the position of Manager, affording her the opportunity to showcase leadership skills and shoulder increased responsibilities within the salon.

However, Alana’s passion for the Beauty Industry transcends the confines of the spa. Despite her busy schedule, she consistently lends a helping hand to those in need.

In this chat with Beauty Editor Louise May, Alana discusses her love of helping others, reflects on her career milestones, shares insights into winning the prestigious 2023 ABIA Dermal Therapist of the Year award, and provides a glimpse into Reign of Beauty, her personally crafted beauty brand.

What inspired your transition from traditional to dermal therapy, and how has it shaped your client care approach?

Although I will always have a passion for traditional Beauty Therapy, my training as a Dermal Therapist has allowed me to expand my skills and utilise a range of modalities available within the salon to address specific skin concerns.

What inspired me the most to transition into a Dermal Therapist was wanting to stay relevant in today’s market, offering versatile advanced treatments such as non-surgical beauty enhancements. Over time, my client care approach has evolved as I expanded my skills.

I strive to create a comfortable environment allowing plenty of time where my clients don’t feel rushed at any point. I provide in-depth consultations and explain each treatment option in detail, including the benefits of both traditional and advanced methods. This helps clients make an informed decision about their treatment choice.

How do you ensure your clients benefit from the latest advancements in dermal therapies, and how do these impact your treatment offerings?

In order to excel in any field, it’s crucial to stay up to date with the latest trends and continuously educate oneself. As a professional, I make it a priority to conduct thorough research, attend online workshops, add a new skill or qualification yearly, and most importantly, listen to my clients.

Ongoing education and experience helps me stay ahead of the curve but also enables me to provide the best possible service to my clients of all age groups.

Reflecting on your recent achievement as Dermal Therapist of the Year, what specific moments or milestones in your career do you believe contributed most significantly to this recognition?

There were many moments with many clients, but one moment, in particular, would be seeing the results of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) on my ongoing Bell’s Palsy client who happened to be one of my case studies. Over 4 years,

I was able to reduce the side effects of Bell’s Palsy by 90%. Restoring my client’s self-confidence in more ways than one, changing her life for the better.

When I was writing my submission for the ABIA’s this year, I was overwhelmed with gratitude as multiple clients volunteered to write recommendations, reviews, and testimonials.

Reading the abundance of love and kind words brought tears to my eyes, and it still does. These moments have been imprinted in my heart.

I believe without the trust of my clients and the support of my employer believing in me, I would never have been able to achieve successful results and this amazing accolade.

With numerous accolades, how do your accomplishments motivate your continued excellence, and what do you envision for the future of dermal therapy in the beauty industry?

Being fortunate to become a finalist or a winner in an award platform has always inspired me to improve myself, learn from my mistakes, and find new ways to enhance the experience of my clients, giving me another goal to work towards.

At the age of 27, I have accomplished a lot in a short amount of time. I believe that the opportunities are endless, and I am excited to see what the future holds for me.

I envision in the future that Beauty Therapists will be intrigued to learn about Dermal Therapies and how technology is transforming the way we approach skin, there is still so much to learn.

By utilising the power of the internet and social media, we can educate ourselves more effectively and explore the potential benefits of new treatments, including their safety and effectiveness.

If you could give one piece of skincare advice to your teenage self, what would it be?

As a teenager, I was a bit spoilt. Aunty Danni always made sure that I had enough Biodroga skincare products, but I wish I had been more careful with them. I used to overuse them because they smelt nice, but that didn’t mean I had to finish the whole bottle in just one week.

I should have listened to my parents and applied sunscreen daily.

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have three skincare products with you, what would they be?

OOOOOOH! How do I pick? Okay, probably my Biodroga Calming Gel-To Oil cleanser, Biodroga Sun High UV50 Protection cream and Dewy + Dewy Lipid Love Drops. All three products are a MUST!

What leisure activity or hobby outside of work brings you the most joy or relaxation?

I strongly believe in the power of routine and lifestyle habits, and Reborn Fitness Club has completely transformed my life over the past 7 years. Thanks to Travis and Chloe Young, I have found a community where I feel safe, supported, and comfortable exercising without fear of judgment.

By dedicating 45 minutes of my day to focus on my physical and mental health, I can fill my cup before giving to others, which has made me both a better Therapist and a happier woman. Currently, my favourite class and hobby is boxing, so watch out!

Can you tell us about Reign of Beauty and what inspired you to create the brand?

My late grandfather, affectionately known as “Gong Gong” by his grandchildren, has always been a great source of inspiration for me. He was an entrepreneur and a professional businessman, and I have always admired him for his qualities.

These qualities have been passed down to my dad, Aunties, and now to me as well. My Mum has played a significant role in my love for Reign of Beauty by equipping me with the necessary tools to succeed, instilling in me a loving nature and an ambition to always strive for excellence.

After 12 years, my small home business has evolved into a highly sought-after brand. My love for tanning and makeup has never diminished, being able to be part of someone’s special day is memorable. In 2020, I launched my Tanning Kimonos.

Designed to be worn to and from tanning appointments, during home applications, or while getting ready for an event.

At the beginning of 2023, I started running makeup workshops, I recognised a gap in the industry which allowed me to create my Reign of Beauty Crown Makeup Brushes - a luxurious 15-piece brush numbered set of the highest quality with an easy-to-follow “how-to” guide, that helps consumers follow a step-by-step process on how to use each brush to apply makeup.

I never would have thought that this small idea of educating my clients correctly would turn into a brand being recognised in salons all over Australia.

What advice do you have for emerging professionals looking to excel in the field of dermal therapy, particularly in light of your recent recognition as Dermal Therapist of the Year?

Throughout my journey, I never lost hope and continued to write my ABIA submissions every year. Winning the Australian Dermal Therapist of The Year has been the greatest achievement in my career.

I am proud of my perseverance and the progress I have made each year to see how far I have come; I urge anyone wanting to push themselves in their careers to apply in 2024! If I could pass on any advice, it would be to never say no to more education, always think outside of the box and truly believe in yourself.

Tell us about your love of helping others, can you share a story or two?

I had the privilege of working with Dan Tafeuni for the Women of Sydney initiative in previous years. The initiative aimed to provide services, events, and mini-makeovers for underprivileged women.

This organisation sought to empower women without the judgment of financial circumstances. Many of these women had never experienced the luxury of visiting a salon before, let alone getting their hair, nails, or makeup done by a professional.

The events were held at Bixie Colour Caringbah and Natalie Anne Hair Croydon and have changed my perspective on working with clients immensely.

One of my most cherished activities is visiting Sydney Children’s Hospital to see my dear friend Jaya and her daughter Rydah during Rydah’s cancer treatment.

During my visits, I offer mini pamper sessions not only to Jaya and Rydah, but also to other patients and their parents or caregivers. It’s incredible how the power of touch can offer comfort in ways that are hard to describe.

These children and their loved ones have been through so much, and being able to bring joy into their lives is truly rewarding. Knowing the positive impact I can have on others, ensures me that I am in the right Industry.