Putting the aroma IN THERAPY

There are multiple ways to introduce aromatherapy into your business. Matt Taylor, brand and education manager at Eve Taylor London, explains

Many of us have had a client arrive for their treatment and immediately comment on the wonderful scent enveloping their senses with aromatic bliss from products being used. Smell has the first impact on our clients as they walk through the door, meaning the aromatic formulations we use play an integral role in our client’s overall perception of our salon or spa’s ambiance and can make a powerful first and lasting impression.

Whether running a general beauty salon, nail bar or skincare clinic, the aromatic ambiance portrayed is just as important as the décor, lighting and branding; getting this aspect right is key to the overall client experience.

There are several ways to enhance client’s perception by using aromatherapy within the business; the great news is that it doesn’t have to be a primary element of the business, it can implemented alongside existing brands and is easily incorporated without therapists being fully aromatherapy trained.

Diffusion

The simplest way to incorporate aromatherapy into any type of business is through the diffusion of essential oils. This method will suit any type of business without impacting on the message they are portraying.

Various units on the market allow essential oils to be added into a water chamber and vaporised into the air, bringing aromatic delight to the treatment room or reception. Individual essential oils may be selected for a specific aroma; for instance, in a spa environment with a thermal room, eucalyptus can assist with breathing and helping to clear the sinuses. Chamomile or lavender may be selected for their soothing benefits while clients enjoy their treatments.

Eve Taylor London offers a range of 11 diffuser blends, which are hand blended with the purest essential oils, offering an aromatic solution to enhance the mood and stimulate the senses, both in the business and for homecare alike.

The fresh minty aroma of Good Morning blend is ideally suited for reception areas to greet clients, while Relax blend, with its soothing aroma, may be chosen for treatment rooms dedicated to body massage and facials. Winter blend with its purifying scent is suited for the nail bar area where the therapist and client have close contact during the winter flu season.

Hydrolats and aromatic waters

For businesses wanting to go one step further and incorporate the power of aromatherapy into the business without replacing a current brand or bringing in a secondary line, hydrolats, also known as floral waters, are a great option.

Water based and created as the by-product of essential oil distillation using steam, these aromatic additions can be used liberally within your treatments and are great to be used with clients who are contraindicated to pure essential oils.

Hydrolats offer versatility and can be used in several different ways to enhance many types of treatment. They are perfect for using alongside cosmeceutical or high-performance ranges, which often lack aromatic or relaxing benefits to the clients who enjoy the results but crave the relaxation element of a treatment.

Hydrolats can be spritzed into the air like a natural air freshener, or onto towelling and bedding or steam towels. They can also be poured into rinse water for sponges or mitts for product removal.

Cleansers and moisturisers may also be complemented with hydrolats to treat specific concerns. A few drops of rose hydrolat, for example, can really help to increase hydration levels, while chamomile can soothe inflamed, reddened skin. Customising in this way works to enhance existing products without undermining their effects.

Manicures and pedicures can also benefit from the power of hydrolats. Peppermint hydrolat added to a foot bowl cools and refreshes hot, tired feet, while hands can benefit by being soaked in bowls customised with geranium hydrolat to nourish.

Face and body massage oils

Massage offers the ultimate hands-on skin experience to our clients and is another ideal opportunity to introduce aromatherapy to enhance their experience.

Eve Taylor London’s range of aromatherapy face and body massage oils are blended to use on specific skin types and conditions, as well as treating wellbeing concerns. These blends have a higher concentration of essential oils, so while an aromatherapy qualification isn’t needed by most insurance underwriters, due diligence during the consultation will highlight any considerations or contraindications to using specific blends with clients.

The range of aromatherapy face massage oils provides a luxury medium for slip and glide movements just as a plain carrier oil would but infuses senses with aromatic delight and therapeutic effects, soothing redness, regulating sebum or revitalising mature ageing skin.

The selection of body massage oils can be brought into the salon and used with a number of massage techniques including deep tissue, lymphatic, hot stone as well as the fundamental Swedish massage.

For those experiencing stress, tension or insomnia, the best-selling Anti-stress blend will aid relaxation of both body and mind. For clients looking for elimination actions, Cellulite blend will help to purge toxins. All round conditioning actions come from the Body Firming blend, while a sense of inner comfort, peace and positive energy to the mind and body is achieved with the much-loved Wellbeing blend.

Remember the retail

Stocking a range of retail aromatherapy products gives clients the opportunity to take a piece of the salon or spa home with them, so they can recreate the relaxing effects while lying in the bath or soaking their feet in a foot spa.

Having these products available in their retail options creates an additional revenue stream and offers an opportunity to generate sales from clients who may not usually buy products. That client who visits for gel nails may be enticed to buy a diffuser blend after commenting how much they liked how the reception smells; a facial client may book in for a body massage after smelling the oil used on the last client and wish to take a home version with them.

Aromatherapy can have a profound impact on our wellbeing, so incorporating it into the business can help both the client experience and bottom line with profit.