Surrounded By Talent By Will Fennell

SURROUNDED BY TALENT

By Will Fennell

This year I will celebrate 27 years in the beauty industry. I know that some of you were not even born when I graduated in 1994, and to those “beauty babies”, I blow you (with affection of course) a huge raspberry, haha!

There are only a few things in my life I remember vividly. My first Kylie concert, the first time I kissed a boy and my year at beauty school. Perhaps they are my three best memories? After a somewhat traumatic high school experience, I cherished every moment at college. Sure, I could have done without having my eyebrows dyed black, three girls all waxing my bikini line at once and my nails a permanent “Jungle Red”, but like Dorothy following the yellow brick road, I felt like I’d finally found my Oz.

Our industry has evolved so much since then. Better education, superior skin care formulations and machinery that would not be out of place on the Starship Enterprise. But for me all the trimmings that go along with such changes, also to some degree spelt out the death of what truly made me love my job. The power of touch that goes along with the “simple” facials I learnt at college.

European styled treatments with warm oils, delicate fragrances stimulating the senses and out of this world facial massages are fast becoming obsolete as we move towards relying solely on equipment in our client’s continual quest to look younger.

I refuse to lose sight of my true passion, so I surround myself with therapists that feel similarly. The following three ladies are icons within our industry. They have successfully blended our past with our present. They are my teachers and my inspiration.

Daniela Boerma - Bliss Day Spa

How long have you been in the beauty industry?

I have been in the industry for 39 years

During this time how much has the industry changed?

I have certainly seen it all when it comes to new treatments and technology. I entered the world of advanced treatment devices 12 years ago when I returned to studies and completed a Diploma in light energy. The industry was buzzing with permanent hair reduction, pigmentation removal and Radio Frequency skin tightening, all of which have had a place when treating individual clients, but not all. What I have noticed in the industry is the shift back to more traditional treatments and the link between the gut and skin health. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a technology advocate but knowing when a client’s skin is a candidate for advanced treatment is crucial to a successful outcome. I still recommend traditional treatments along with the best skin care on the market. I feel the industry has come full circle concentrating on skincare and inner health supplements, thus optimising skin preparation before undertaking advanced laser or fractionated Radio Frequency.

Have you seen a change in training?

Training has become an integral part of the industry and without it therapists would fall behind not only in knowledge but motivation. We are so lucky today with online courses and support groups. Social media and international platforms have broadened our education reach, anything is achievable. This is so different from the days of Anatomy and Physiology textbooks with old school face to face classroom educators. We now have the option to learn at our own pace with our busy schedules. Recorded practical demonstrations are so useful allowing students to perfect the application of technology, in the past we relied on notes and memory which was often difficult for visual learners.

Marlo Garret-Johnston - Marlo Spa

How long have you been in the industry?

34 years, 24 years of owning Marlo Spa

During this time how much has the industry changed?

So much has changed. Years ago, we used to wax ALL DAY. Waxing was the majority of what took up most of the appointment book. There was no other option. IPL and laser had not been developed in the late 80’s. Demographically at that time, wealth was a minority, so our customers usually had a budget to stick to, so anything more than a wax was a luxury. Then the Epilady came on to the market, and along with the start of cheaper nail salons in the early 90’s, our clients budgets stretched further into facials and purchasing skin care, even throughout the recession. Seriously, we only had two quiet weeks, it proved that women will never forego their beauty regime. Massage and spa treatments became a priority after the recession. Money was booming and client demand along with it. Beauty Therapy training back then covered all aspects of spa and beauty, usually more holistic and European inspired, and although there were not many Spas in Australia, we pioneered the development of them. We slowly turned our salons into Spas if we had the space and diversified as much as possible to grab the ever-changing diverse demographic. From then it became the new normal, most people frequented a salon or spa regularly and salons could then specialise and open with almost a single purpose, for example, just nails or just Skin/laser or just lashes etc. and this has been made possible with the help of social media as well. Trends can easily be followed and researched now and made instantly accessible. The development of Technology has made specialising possible too, laser clinics and skin clinics are everywhere now. Products have changed as well, the quality and delivery of active ingredients have improved. The demand for organic and/or vegan products has driven a lot of new product lines to appear on the market and more recently all “Australian Made” has become important as well.

Have you seen a change in training?

I consider all of the salon owners that I know, to be my trainers. I love how our industry has changed in that way, we now share industry knowledge with each other and care enough to be supportive and help each other’s businesses grow. It definitely never used to be that way; salon owners sometimes wouldn’t even train their staff in fear of giving up all their skill ‘secrets’. I think it’s so important to help develop the skills and knowledge of your own team. I’ll train someone even if they meet with me for a job interview! If we share our knowledge, we have better therapists which enhances and helps the industry. I used to get offended as a young therapist when we were generally treated like “beauty school dropouts” when we had the knowledge of a 3rd year nurse and similar skin knowledge to a dermatologist! We are professionals, let’s share and teach and train!

Peta Friend - Will & Peta Skin Clinic

How long have you been in the industry?

38 years. I trained at About Face Academy with Shirley Strickland in 1983.

During this time how much has the industry changed?

There have been so many changes in the industry and all of them positive. Back in the day the focus really was on waxing, manicures and pedicures and facials were seen as a luxury, and most of the clients were female. For me the biggest change in the industry started to happen about 20 years ago when male clients started to come through the door. Mind you I was working on Sydney’s Oxford St which was the epicentre of gay culture back then, but flash forward to the present day and Will & Peta Skin Clinic, which is now located in Bondi Junction, has a strong male client base. At least 50% of our clients are male and they take a lot of pride in their appearance. Monthly skin treatments and cutting-edge home care products are now an essential part of their lives. I love the diversity of having both male and female clients. In fact, my youngest client is a 12-year-old boy who, accompanied by his mother, has mini facials with me.

Have you seen a change in training?

I remember when I came out into the workforce and I started my first job in a little salon in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, I was just so thirsty for knowledge and I really could have benefited from more advanced training, I had no choice but to just learn on the job. Looking back now I feel proud of the fact that I have stayed up to date with the latest techniques and knowledge, training really has sustained my passion for this industry and even though I am approaching 40 years in this industry I love it now more than ever. To have trainers like Gay Wardle, Chiza Westcarr, Andrew R Christie and Nancy Abdou, to name just a few, imparting their knowledge is really inspiring and I have learnt so much from them. In fact, I’m looking forward to another 20 years in the industry, which should take me up to roughly, 80 years of age.