40 mins
Ask the EXPERTS
How can I help clients change up their skincare regime for summer?
Summer can play havoc with clients’ skin. When exposed to the sun, skin heats up and this causes the pores to open, allowing any free radicals, dirt and grime to get in, as well as increasing sebum production.
The hot weather also means the return of cold air conditioning in office environments, which in contrast causes pores to close as the skin attempts to regulate its temperature. All this environmental activity can leave skin feeling tight and dehydrated.
Recommend clients use products packed with algae as it’s antiinflammatory and contains antioxidants that will protect against freeradical damage and enzymatic breakdown of skin proteins, as well as helping to repair and prevent ultraviolet (UV) damage.
Clients also need to switch out heavier winter creams for lighter layers of hydration; for example, by using a hydrating booster with moisture-attracting hyaluronic acid underneath a lightweight moisturiser. For drier, more mature skins, formulations with raspberry plant stem cells and Himalayan gentian will restore hydration and leave skin resilient.
The ageing effects of UV rays are a growing concern for clients, so recommend a daily sunscreen with enwrapping technology as it will allow for a more evenly distributed layer of protection while providing high SPF with lower concentrations of sunscreen actives.
Chlorine, salt water, heat, humidity and travel also lead to skin dehydration. Move your clients on to an oil-based cleanser to eliminate excess sunscreen, dirt and grime.
A gentle reminder to double up on the double cleanse won’t hurt either – twice in the morning and twice in the evening.
If you’re changing up your clients’ homecare routine, you should follow suit by offering seasonal-specific treatments too.
Ideally, those that will improve the skin’s condition in one session.
Nicci Anstey is global training and education director at British skincare brand Elemis and works with the company’s co-founder Noella Gabriel on treatment and product development.
Gel-polish manicures are popular in my salon but how can I market long-wear lacquer effectively too?
Gel-polish and long-wear lacquer manicures are both important to offer and you’re bound to have clients who prefer one over the other. However, if you’re struggling to increase your long-wear manicure appointments, there are a few things you can do to help boost interest.
Clients both old and new like to see real testimonials, so show off your work using long-wear polishes on social media, stating the products you used. The best way to do this is to ask clients if you can take before-andafter pictures of their finished look.
Education is also key. As a beauty therapist, you spend plenty of time with clients and have the opportunity and time to tell them about new and existing products, and why each of them is good.
For time-poor clients, explain that a long-wear manicure is perfect.
Not only is it long-lasting but when it eventually does start chipping or they fancy a change, removal doesn’t take as long – they can do it at home without risking damage to the nails. These are your key selling points so make clients aware of them.
Another great way to promote your long-wear manicures is to incorporate the price of the polish within the treatment cost so it’s an added benefit. These kinds of package deals could prove to be a great retail opportunity.
Karen Louise is a session stylist and nail expert for Salon System, distributor of Gellux, which launched a long-wear lacquer Pro-Polish collection this year. Louise has also worked on reality TV shows Britain’s Next Top Model and X Factor.
How can I entice bridal parties in for tanning?
Tanning has joined the ranks of hair, make-up and nails as a pre-wedding necessity and it’s an ideal treatment for the entire party, to achieve perfect photos.
Promote your services through channels brides use for planning, such as online communities or exhibitions. Becoming a preferred supplier of a certain venue can bring in great referrals.
Multi-booking packages are great for weddings, so include options for the bride, bridesmaids, mother-of-the-bride and groom, with tiered savings – the larger the party, the greater the savings.
Include trial appointments in the cost so all can try their chosen shade and depth of colour before the big day. A gift of homecare products for the bride is also a nice touch.
You’ll need to offer a range of shades to suit all skin tones.
A quick way to tell which category a client falls into is to look at the veins on their wrists – green veins indicate the client needs a shade with a golden undertone, blue veins indicate an olive undertone.
Take advantage of the situation to promote your services past the big day wuth loyalty cards and treatment incentives.
Shelley Henderson is a tanning expert for Kissed by Mii and has tanned contestants on the X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing.
What are the most important elements of a facial to include in an express version?
If you’re thinking about offering express versions of your most popular facials, there are a few key elements you need to include that all clients should experience.
It’s crucial not to overlook the importance of cleansing and exfoliation.
Proper cleansing removes damaging impurities that cause dullness, congestion and ageing, and rebalances the skin. Professional exfoliation is the vital step that smooths and provides radiance, while preparing the skin to better absorb the active products that follow.
At Caudalie, we’re known for our facial oils, which are intensive treatments with various effects including nourishment, detoxification and anti-ageing. This element, together with an accompanying facial massage, are included in express treatments to benefit the skin while relaxing the muscles.
A massage with oils is not usually provided in an express facial, although this gives the therapist an opportunity to upsell a full one-hour facial, so it’s worth finding out what exclusive aspects the brand you carry in your business offers in these types of treatments.
An eye product, essence, serum and moisturiser are the key steps for delivering visible results and protecting the skin. It’s best to use fine textures to allow for layering and optimal effectiveness, so the skin will be left soft, radiant, smooth and hydrated.
Your moisturiser should deliver instant results as well as protection from pollution, especially if your clients are city-goers having the treatment on their lunch break.
Tracy Brasenell is UK national sales manager for French skincare brand Caudalie and has more than 20 years’ experience in the spa and beauty industry.
How should I explain the importance of lash extension aftercare products to clients?
As a lash tech, I find that clients need constant educating to keep their extensions looking fabulous and clean. Over the years, I’ve found that most clients will use products such as extension mascaras or lash conditioners to make their lashes last a little longer.
These are often the more cost-effective options and are great for clients to use as a daily treatment or on a night out if they feel they need a little extra definition to the lashes.
However, it’s also worth promoting cleanser and brushaftercare products because clean lashes make infilling much easier and help prevent lash health conditions such as blepharitis.
Make clients aware that normal mascara cannot be used on extensions because the oils in it act as a Pac-Man and destroy the glue bond, meaning the lashes will fall out prematurely.
Therefore, make sure you have plenty of lash-extension mascara for clients to buy. The lash industry is constantly bringing out new products, so there really is no reason for clients not to keep their lashes looking and feeling amazing.
Joanne McGovern is an educator for professional lash brand The Eyelash Emporium, which is owned by Grafton International. She also runs home-based salon Face Beauty in Corby.