ask the EXPERTS

As a freelance waxing therapist, what measure should I take to avoid accidents or claims?

The first point is the therapist’s public liability insurance, covering you for freelance or home treatments. The insurance needs to specifically cover mobile or “from home” liability. Also, the home would preferably need to be owned and not rented. However, although it is not generally permitted to run a business from a rental property, it is possible. If the property is rented, there will be stipulations on what you are doing. For example, more than 40% of the property needs to remain residential (which a beauty room would come under) and there must be written permission from the landlord as there is potential additional wear and tear to consider.

As a mobile therapist, the most well-known damage caused to client’s homes is wax spillage on carpets, walls, flooring and furniture, so protection of clients’ homes is imperative. Take a large, wipe-clean plastic sheet to place under the couch that is adequately sized to catch falling wax, and set up in a space where flying wax cannot reach clients’ property.

Another common mishap is pre-warmed wax heaters falling in the vehicle in transit. If the vehicle brakes suddenly during the drive, the heater will fall. A square-bottomed heater tends to be more stable. Alternatively, you could place the heater into a box which will collect any spillage and keep the heater in an upright position.

Always carry equipment cleaner for any immediate spillages on hard floors, around the heater or on wipeable furniture. Invest in an in-car charger for your wax heater. It will be ready to use on arrival to your client, rather than you having to wait or speed-heat your wax for use.

A common problem with mobile therapists is back issues from lifting and carrying equipment and product to and from the vehicle.

Use a couch weighing no more than 10kg. Carry only stock that is required for the treatment you are doing and make more trips to and from the vehicle to carry instead of overloading and risking injury to your back.

Claire Prior has been a trainer in the beauty industry for 20 years. Starting as a mobile therapist, she’s also worked on cruise liner spas and now trains exclusively for Outback Organics.

Lower lash extensions are trending. How can I create a natural-looking finish for clients?

Lower lash extensions are a great addition to any lash service. They offer a wide-eyed effect and can be as natural or dramatic as desired. Historically, lower lashes were done with the client’s eyes open, using an odour-free adhesive, meaning no discomfort was experienced by the customer.

However, some clients struggled to keep their eyes open and still for up to 30 minutes. Also, these lower lashes would usually only last between five and seven days.

Recently, I’ve been experimenting with using an under-eye gel patch under the lower lashes instead of on top as usually used for lash extensions.

This reveals the lower lashes and enables clients to have their eyes closed for more comfort. A faster adhesive can also be used, such as Ultimate 2, which means the lashes will last as long as top lash extensions – sometimes up to two weeks.

It’s nearly impossible to isolate a lower lash, so these are applied in express style, but the results of this technique have proved excellent. I usually use lashes in 0.05, 0.07 or 0.10, and on occasions 0.15 for a more dramatic but more temporary look. It depends on the look required by the client, but usually a B or C Curl in a length between 6mm and 9mm will work best, and I’d apply between 10 and 30 lashes on the underside of the lower lashes. This should last 10–14 days, but can sometimes last longer. This process will take between 20–30 minutes and you can charge around £15-£30.

Natalie Piper is business development manager at Lash Perfect and has more than 14 years’ experience as a beauty technician.

What’s the best way to upsell during a natural nail treatment?

There are many ways to upsell. First and foremost, always suggest that your client takes care of their cuticles and nails with the use of cuticle oil.

This will ensure the manicure looks neater for longer. Applying a hand cream with a sensational aroma during your manicure treatment is also a great and easy way to retail. If the client can see it is non-greasy it is most likely going to be making its way into their bag and out of your door.

If your client is going on holiday it is always useful to offer the opportunity to purchase the matching polish colour to the gel or polish you have applied.

Explain to the client that if there are any breakages or chips they can be repaired with the matching polish.

Gel remover sachets are the best invention, and also make your next treatment with your client even quicker. Clients find them super easy to use, they are inexpensive and a really simple retail item.

Remember, retailing doesn’t have to be scary. You are simply making suggestions to your client so that they can prolong their treatment and ensure their nails are in tip-top condition. You should see it as part of your manicure treatment and it should be something that every client receives. You are the professional and everyone always appreciates an expert opinion.

Nail expert Stella Cox is Bio Sculpture head of education and has been with the company for more than 10 years.

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Send your question about absolutely anything to do with running a beauty business to editorial@professionalbeauty.co.uk

Is it worth investing in a high-tech skin-analysis tool for my salon?

A good skin analysis should be the first step to selecting the perfect facial for your client. Facial mapping, or skin analysis technology, ensures that you can get a real understanding of your client’s lifestyle and their skincare needs.

This means that you can then fulfil their individual requirements in a way that evolves with their life’s constantly changing demands. A tool that uses clinical imaging will give you a much deeper insight into where the client’s skin needs attention. If you are still narrowing down which facial is best for them, this will certainly help you come to a conclusion.

Discussing the client’s lifestyle is also key in taking a holistic approach towards their skincare and finding the perfect facial for them. Skin type can, and will, fluctuate throughout the months due to hormones, stress and other variable factors.

Although a client may receive regular facials, it will always be beneficial to perform a skin analysis on each visit to monitor the changes.

If you invest in a tool that allows for this level of personalisation, your clients will see better results as they will be booking the right facials and using the right products. Ultimately, this means they’ll be back for more.

Nicci Anstey is training and education director at Elemis, where she has worked for almost 20 years within areas including training, sales and retail.

As a therapist, should I have some understanding of early skin cancer detection?

A few years ago, I came across Skcin’s Melanoma And Skin Cancer Early Detection (MASCED) accreditation programme for hair, health and beauty professionals on national TV. I was really interested and decided to do the online accreditation myself.

During the accreditation, I viewed some slides of different skin lesions.

A few months later, I was treating a client, pre-wedding, and she mentioned a small patch of skin that was just under her nose, saying that it had been irritating her for a while. When I looked at the area, it appeared exactly the same as a photo I’d seen on one of the slides. I told my client that although I wasn’t too sure about what it was, I thought it best to ask a GP to take a look at it. I carried on with the treatment but avoided the area. A few weeks later, she informed me that it was melanoma and she had had it removed. As you can imagine, she was delighted that we had that conversation on that day.

At North West Vocational College all our students are now given the opportunity to complete this accreditation. Skcin UK is an amazing charity.

Last year, I became an ambassador for it, alongside one of my students Jennifer Mccrindle from Jenmacbeauty. We’ve held workshops throughout the North West to raise awareness and have also been into local primary schools delivering the “sun safe school accreditation programme”, which raises awareness for primary school children about the importance of wearing sunscreen.

Danielle Wilcock is a medical aesthetician, ambassador for Skcin UK and director of the North West Vocational College based on the Wirral, Merseyside.