Chelsea Holmes

Meet Chelsea Holmes, the vibrant winner of the Australian Beauty Industry Awards 2023 Beauty Squad category. Chelsea’s journey into beauty therapy began serendipitously after high school, leading her to a decade-long exploration of skin science.

Currently pursuing a Dermal Clinician Diploma, she seamlessly balances her professional role with motherhood at Skin Love. Chelsea’s passion for educating clients and expertise in advanced treatments make her a dynamic force.

Join us as we chat with Chelsea and explore insights and the exciting journey ahead in the beauty industry.

What made you want to be a Beauty Therapist?

To be honest, I fell into it – like many I suppose. I had just completed my year 10 high school certificate and was working away saving money when my parents affirmed how important a trade was.

I went for multiple roles as an Apprentice Beauty Therapist and was offered 3/3 in one week. It was then my mum was told about a 12-month course at a private college that I should look into.

My first day was all about skin anatomy and skin science, I almost died! Science was never my strong suit but a decade on I live for it and love to learn more and more. I’m currently doing my Dermal Clinician Diploma a AACDS Australasian Academy of Dermal Science alongside my important role as mum and my work at Skin Love.

I love to educate clients about how complicated skin is but make it exciting and empowering for them. Their skin results are the cherry on top to all the education and understanding of skin and connections to the body.

I want to be a skin therapist every single day. I love it. I’m so lucky to have a genuine connection with my clients and the power to help them build confidence. Changing lives, by growing the confidence, and the added bonus of giving them relaxation time as well as a safe space to talk about their lives.

What kind of treatment is your favourite and why?

I love performing hybrid treatments, and the flexibility these protocols give you for each client. I feel like a scientist in ways, mixing products/ingredients to customise treatments from start to finish.

To have the luxury of receiving a treatment I would say ANYTHING. However, if I had to pick one, I would say layered Lira Clinical smart peels or skin needling.

Advanced treatments are always my go to for my skin. In the time available or the therapist treatments it’s kind of like “why not” do the most.

How do you manage life and work balance?

I do my best as anyone does. I work 32 hours, with Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays off. It’s hard to switch off admittedly going from working full time and being a part of Skin Love in such a way as a skin therapist working aside Brooke, to having a bub and stepping back personally and professionally.

I suppose the fear of missing out kicks in, without dismissing the fact becoming a first time mum soaking up my little lady of course. I think work/life balance is something everyone has to be so mindful of and check in on within themselves regularly.

To be passionate is fabulous but also creating healthy boundaries is another.

This being said, Brooke the owner of Skin Love is a huge advocate for this and checks in super frequently on each of the team, to ensure we all have this balance or are implementing ways to ensure. This I am forever grateful for.

Who inspires you in the beauty industry and why?

Soo many!

From Rebecca Miller for personal and professional growth and understanding –Someone I had always admired and had on my radar but was given the opportunity by Brooke Luke/Skin Love to work closely with. To those of the likes of Lia Trebilcock for creating opportunities and education, creating platforms for therapists to continue to learn and continue to revise. It’s so necessary.

Tamara Reid – During covid she was a core person for me, I learned so much from her via all her social media platforms and connections, but particularly podcasts, online seminars I was able to attend via Zoom. She is a champion, and I will forever be inspired by her as she continues to grow and move and share with so many.

Therapists just getting started – Their passion and their drive. Where any of us can go from our beginnings to where we each of us now is inspiring and exciting. Fresh knowledge and a fresh understanding often going right back to basics which many can lose site off.

Linda Woodhead and Jarred Stedman for everything they do, they champion our industry and allow for so many incredible opportunities. I can’t say enough of how grateful I am, thank you to Linda, Jarred and the entire Mocha team.

My first ABIAs put a fire inside me, beyond anything I had experienced, and there’s so many more who are yet to experience this.

The team at Skin Love – Brooke, Jade (one to closely watch) Adriana and Daniela our clinic coordinators. These ladies are outstanding. The team, the passion, the community, and conversations we have to continue to work together, for Skin Love with our clients always at the forefront of our minds. I am forever grateful for the work environment we have.

If you could spend a day with anyone from a business or lifestyle mentorship perspective, who would it be and why?

Any of the above that I have listed, I would be so grateful to be a little sponge with any, if given the opportunity. I was raised with “there is a lesson in everyday the good and the bad.

It’s how your mindset, attitude and energy take the opportunity and run with it”. This would be an opportunity for someone within our industry, personal growth mentoring or even following a chef for a day… I personally don’t love cooking but hey, spending the day with a chef for an odd example, how fabulous could that be? I would not turn it down.

How important is training and education for you?

Education is incredibly Important. Education keeps my fire and passion ignited. It’s the gift I get to pass on also. The more I know, the more I can do for my clients, great results and empowering them. Also, amongst our team and the way we each learn and collaborate. If I don’t know something I love to learn all about it.

My memory isn’t the best at times I will shamelessly admit so revising my training and education is a must. Not a complaint. I love it, each time I read over my notes I learn something new, I may not have picked up the first time. (Ask the team at Skin Love, my note-taking is hectic, but fantastic all in one)

Can you tell us a little about what you are most looking forward to being a member of the Beauty Squad team?

I get the chance to share this fabulous milestone with Elise, Laura, and Morgan. The education, growth, opportunities, and support systems beyond.

During and beyond my time with the beauty squad I cannot wait to take back my learnings to my Skin Love Family and clients.

I hold this award above all others and foresee nothing but the opportunities provided through such an extraordinary experience. Watch this space.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

Good question, I’ve just been going a month at a time at the moment and the year at a stretch, having one daughter Lily who is 2, teaches you to slow down and I’ve been loving it because as everyone says, it sure does go quickly.

I mean who thinks where I am going to be in 10 years’ time and instantly thinks of how old they will be with their husband and their child. Scary stuff.

But exciting. I can’t wait explore this question further, and manifest this.

This is something I will continue to work on and think about and encourage my husband to also. Living beyond limiting beliefs is something Rebecca Miller teaches and its magic.

Fun Snapshot

Worst Fashion Moment:

Leaving the ABIAs in 2023… this will make you laugh or cringe… the night truly was something else BUT it was leaving I also ended up starkers (classy I know) as my long black dress was ALMOST completely ripped off me and it quickly was eaten up by the escalators. EEEKKK.

Fave Place to Holiday:

Currently, our little family will be camping along the beachside or countryside. But wouldn’t say no to frequent visits to Tassie or the Whitsundays.

Fave Drink: Coffee, A Cappuccino, Iced Latte, Or Espresso Martini.

Yes, I’m one of those people whose day can be made just from a sip of a decent espresso hit. Something I’ve been told we can look forward to in the Beauty Squad is a great cup of coffee.

Fave type of Music/song

Nothing in particular – I was raised listening to Fleetwood Mac, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Duran Duran, obsessed over Eminem with my older brother, but now just listen to any Spotify playlist I click onto first.

You would laugh if you could see my Spotify 2023 wrap-up… It included the likes of the wiggles and sounds of sleep (2-year-old who doesn’t sleep)

If you weren’t a Beauty Therapist, you would be a…. Let’s be honest I would still be working towards being a Dermal Clinician.

BUT if I had to answer, working on resorts, doing anything and every role from Hamilton Island QLD to Cradle Mountain TAS or potentially a farmer (got you by surprise I bet) like my grandparents.

My husband and I often talked about going to Tamworth from kids then 14 and 16, to now 28 and 30. The beauty is it we both surprised ourselves with our trades and both fell in love with them. We are so fortunate to love our jobs and are both very passionate with the drive to continue to learn in our areas and beyond.

@skinlove.clinic