Meet the 2024 Beauty Squad - Shikya Clark

With a passion for enhancing both skin health and self-assurance, Shikya Clark has swiftly emerged as a luminary in the Australian beauty industry. Inspired by her mother, a beauty therapist, and her own experiences with skin challenges during high school, Shikya pursued a Diploma of Beauty Therapy at TAFE in Brisbane.

After graduation, she joined Bobbie Charles salon, where her dedication and talent led to rapid promotions, including roles as assistant manager and manager. Collaborating closely with industry leader Danielle Renee, Shikya gained invaluable insights into business ownership and entrepreneurship. Recognising the importance of personal well-being, she made a deliberate choice to focus on selfcare and explore new opportunities within the beauty sector.

Now, as a distinguished member of the ABIA 2024 Beauty Squad, Shikya is eager to connect with fellow professionals and elevate her expertise. Her commitment to continuous learning and her genuine desire to uplift others underscore her philosophy that self-care is a powerful avenue to boost confidence. In this feature, Shikya shares her inspiring journey, aspirations, and the experiences that have shaped her into the compassionate beauty therapist she is today.

In this chat with Beauty Biz Editor Louise May, Shikya shares her journey, aspirations, and the lessons that have shaped her into the inspiring beauty professional she is today.

What made you want to be a Beauty Therapist?

My Mother has been a beauty therapist for over 30 years. Growing up I would watch her make people feel beautiful by doing their brows, lashes and so on, which definitely inspired me to want to do the same. I used to tweeze my sister and cousins brows at sleepovers to be just like Mum. I grew a huge interest in skin when I started struggling with my own skin during high school. After learning more I became hooked! I would help my friends by giving them tips and recommendations for their skin, and always the go to friend for doing their makeup before parties. Making people feel confident is what made me want to be a beauty therapist!

I have always been obsessed with eyebrows, mostly because I was blessed with non-existent ones- thanks Mum! Filling them in everyday with makeup and forcing mum to regularly tint them made me feel so much more confident, so being able to do that for others was awesome.

What kind of treatment is your favourite and why?

I love everything for different reasons, for myself I can’t look past a good facial focusing on resurfacing for my breakout prone skin, my new go to being the iS Clinical Prodigy Peels. But I also can’t look past skin needling!

But to perform I really enjoy brows and lashes, as well as result driven facials. I love the art of creating beautiful brows and lashes, and totally transforming someone’s face! While performing facials allows me to be in my body, and slow down.

How do you manage life and work balance?

This is something I have been working on this year, as I found my stress levels were starting to impact my personal life.

The way I manage it is trying to create a barrier between the two. When I’m at work, I try and only focus on work, and when I’m outside of work I try and limit work responsibilities. Giving myself discipline here is what helps me live fully in both these areas of my life. On the weekends I always spend time in nature, time with family and friends, but also time alone as we meet so many new people each day at work. Doing this makes me to show up 100% at work, allowing me to switch off outside of work.

Who inspires you in the beauty industry and why?

Honestly every person I talk to in the beauty industry inspires me, each and every person has their reasons for starting and have their own unique ‘sparkle’. Although If I had to choose one it would be Danielle Renee. Knowing her story of where she was to where she is now is nothing but inspiring! She’s managed to build an empire while staying true to herself. And isn’t scared of sharing her knowledge and successes.

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

I’d love to spend a day with Maria from Inskin to ask her all about how she’s created her businesses and gain tips on creating cosmeceuticals.

How important is training and education for you?

Absolutely huge! Things in our industry are ever evolving so staying up with new innovations and education is imperative. I always try to have a learning cap on wherever I go, and any spare time I have, I love re reading product and skin knowledge to refresh myself!

Giving our clients our all, by giving them the best knowledge we can, will assist in achieving their dream result, so education is key in our role.

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

I’m looking forward to making lasting connections with likeminded individuals in our industry. Our industry is so big and luckily so supportive, so I’m excited to make new friends to be their cheerleader. I love me some personal growth, so I am so excited to learn and upskill from all the pro’s and soak up all the knowledge I can to help carve my future, as well as pass on to anyone else who will benefit!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

If I were to dream big, I would own my own skincare label, and live in the countryside, getting ready for my next overseas adventure. Hopefully living fully and abundantly!

Fun Snapshot

Worst fashion moment: anything from my childhood, thanks mum for letting me dress myself

Fave Place to Holiday: somewhere either in the mountains or by the beach

Fave Drink: coffee or tea!

Favourite type of Music/song: I’m a sucker for indie music

@shikyaclark