Outfitting your space

Outfitting

YOUR SPACE

n order to make the correct purchasing decision for your salon or spa, give yourself enough time to shop around in terms of quality, durability, functionality and price, and only ever purchase from reputable suppliers with a proven track record.

Natasha Delport of Logica Beauty Supplies advises that when purchasing furniture or equipment, to be aware of its assembly process.

She says: “One of the aspects to look at especially when ordering furniture is whether the furniture is delivered already set up, or whether you have to I Whether you are opening a new spa or salon, refurbishing an existing property, or merely replacing a piece of furniture or equipment, it’s important to find items that are tailor-made for your needs. put it together yourself. Often such items come from the manufacturer incomplete or with defaults. A reputable supplier will A reliable supplier should carefully select their salon furniture to keep up with the latest trends, while offering exceptional quality and comfort. assemble it and deliver it to the client already assembled, with no manufacturing defaults. “You need to pay close attention to the quality and durability of the equipment that you are purchasing. For instance, equipment such as facial steamers are used by a lot of different personnel in the salon and spa, and not everyone takes the same care when working with these devices. You do not necessarily want to buy the cheapest model, but rather a brand that is trustworthy and will last for many, many years.”

In terms of salon chairs,

Delport makes the point that they are used daily by many customers. She continues: “It is very hard to tell the difference with salon equipment that is sold online, so it’s important to know where the equipment is manufactured. Like a lot of other products, some salon equipment is made in the Far East and, at times, the quality can be inconsistent and may not last that long. I believe that American or European made furniture can have a longer life and is usually made with expert craftsmanship. And don’t forget about locally made furniture. Many times the best furniture to buy is that which is made by South African hands. “It’s important to get durability details from the customer service representative, or to look at the specifications and features of the item. What is it made of? Steel? Aluminum? Plastic? How will constant usage affect the item? How long will it last? Always remember the old adage – you get what you pay for.” Warranty Delport advises prospective buyers to find out if a warranty is offered and what it includes. Is the company going to be helpful if something should go wrong? How has the company handled your phone calls to this point? Have they been responsive to your needs? Make sure you understand the company’s return policy. Ask the customer service representative if you have any questions regarding the policy.

She notes that buying a single piece of equipment that has different uses all in one also saves space. “For instance, you can buy a 2-in-1 high frequency and galvanic machine in one, rather than buying two separate machines.”

Big investment Spa treatment beds will be one of the biggest investments when setting up a spa. Jacoline Wentzel, a spa consultant and owner of The Spa Warehouse, provides some useful pointers.

Says Wentzel: “Purchasing cheap to save money initially will

cost you dear in the long run. Often owners want to skimp by buying cheap, low quality beds or portable beds when setting up a spa with the mindset of upgrading later. This can be a very expensive way to go about it. Your spa treatment bed needs to be comfortable, hard wearing, long lasting and should be able to handle a large volume of clients. Rather invest a little more in the beginning and buy great quality that will last you 10 or more years, instead of having to replace within two years. “Always purchase with your client in mind. If your client is going to book a three-hour treatment, then comfort for your client is key. Look for a spa bed with a mattress that is at least 8-10cm thick, 75cm wide minimum and 185cm or longer. First decide what type of treatments you want to perform on the bed before deciding what bed to purchase. Most good quality spa treatment bed brands have a variety of beds available for various treatment options. Ask your supplier for advice on what bed will best suit your needs.”

Wentzel advises a minimum of a 1-year warranty on your purchase. Your supplier should indicate as much on the invoice, so that you have that back up from the beginning, in case of any inconsistencies.

“Make sure you purchase from a reputable company with a track record and back up service. Do your homework. If the company cannot give you references of who they have supplied, it might be time to carry on shopping. If they do have references, make sure you verify them,” concludes Wentzel.

Samantha Walker of Hands Down, a division of EMSA Distribution (Pty) Ltd, adds: “A reliable supplier should carefully select their salon furniture to keep up with the latest trends, while offering exceptional quality and comfort. Furniture should be made with the latest technology foam and fabric to ensure longevity in the salon. Brands should be tried and tested to ensure quality and client satisfaction 100% of the time.”

Furniture & Equipment

Gaslift Therapist Chair

This locally made Gaslift Therapist Chair is available either with or without a backrest. Salon and spa owners can choose to have the chair in black or white. Logica Beauty Suppliers 021 552 6999

Mudara Electrical Spa Massage Table both 400g and 800g warmers to melt hot wax or film wax. Depilève also offers a universal double and single cartridge warmer with a sturdy, skid-free base. Hands Down 021 944 8700

Morris Shampoo Station

This table is crafted from a solid hardwood structure and matching natural wood veneer. Various wood species/wood stain options are available. It is electrically operated with four motors for electric height, electric backrest and leg rest adjustments. Adjustable armrests provide extreme comfort to the client while being given a massage. There is plenty of storage space to accommodate a hot cabinet and spa accessories. The Spa Warehouse 021 863 0373

Depilève Warmers

The Depilève Warmers contain an electronic thermostat that controls the wax temperature and the indicator light will go on and off intermittently during operation. There is a choice of The Morris Shampoo Station is an elegant shampoo station that is ready and waiting for an upmarket salon. It is made of PVC leather, comes with a ceramic basin, a choice of mixer, a choice of shower and includes all standard pipes and fittings. This item is available in black. Rapple Salon Products 021 981 0032

Wall Mount Hood Drier

This Wall Mount Hood Drier has three fan speed settings, as well as an adjustable timer. An adjustable arm extension allows for multiple dryer angles, for the convenience of the stylist. Hands Down 021 944 8700

Anagh Pedicure Spa Chair The Anagh Pedicure Spa Chair is a luxury design pedicure foot spa that can also be used for

online @ probeauty.co.za foot reflexology treatments. It features electric seat and backrest adjustment, and a pipeless hydro-massage function in the basin. The moveable armrest makes it easy for the client to get on and off the pedicure chair, which also has an adjustable feet rest, as well as a seven colour changing LED light for colour therapy during a pedicure. A drain function inside the pedicure tub can be operated from outside, while foldable armrests allow for a manicure. The pedicure unit has a metal frame structure, natural wood/ wood-veneer, and quartz marble top and acrylic basin. The Spa Warehouse 021 863 0373

Wash Station

A deluxe item for any hair salon, this specialised leather vinyl material with Anti-Fray technology has a tiltable basin and high density foam cushion compound to ensure the client’s comfort. Hands Down 021 944 8700

Pedi Pool and product and polish application efficient. Milk Solutions 011 454 8119

3 in 1 Combination Machine

The Nixon barber chair is made of PVC leather and has a steel frame which guarantees longer lasting quality. This unit comes with a round chrome base, extendable footrest, removable headrest, and a hydraulic pump that has a 1-year guarantee. It is available in black. Rapple Salon Products 021 981 0032

Facial Steamer This Facial Steamer with Ozone is made in Taiwan. Its head rotates 270 degrees and the unit rests on a 5-Star heavy duty stand. Both the arm and head are made from stainless steel and not plastic, which is a very important aspect to look for when wanting a more durable facial steamer. Logica Beauty Supplies 021 552 6999 The Pedi Pool combines total salon sanitation with stateof-the-art styling. This unique pedicure bowl with customised hygiene liners has been ergonomically moulded to ensure total comfort for clients during pedicure treatments, whilst stabilising their feet and making access and application easier for the technicians. The lightweight Pedi Pool can easily be moved about the salon. Milk Solutions 011 454 8119

Mani SuperBowl

The new SuperBowl is a revolution in manicure treatments. Customised disposable liners ensure 100% hygiene. An ergonomically moulded hand rest provides total client comfort. The intelligent design streamlines the treatment process for technicians by positioning and securing the hands, so that access is easy As it name suggests, this 3 in 1 Combination Machine is a multi-functional device that incorporates three different technologies. These are: High Frequency, Galvanic and Vacuum Suction, all supplied within a silver case. Logica Beauty Suppliers 021 552 6999

Ayurveda Beds The Spa Warehouse is one of the few suppliers in South Africa of Ayurveda beds and equipment for spas in South Africa. Ayurveda is an ancient old treatment method that induces relaxation using various herbal and plant ingredients and oils. The Spa Warehouse 021 863 0373