on the SCENE

Behind the scenes at the parties, launches and events in the world of beauty, aesthetics, spa and nails

Galderma press trip

Paris, France

Deputy editor Kezia Parkins and content writer Ellen Cummings spent two days in Paris with Galderma. The aesthetics company had a packed schedule for the attending press; it was celebrating 25 years of its biostimulatory injectable, Sculptra, and the launch of professional skincare brand Alastin in the UK, as well as the debut of its aesthetics trend report. The first stop was the Imcas World Congress where Kezia and Ellen attended presentations from the Galderma team and their ambassadors, including Dr Ash Soni, Dr Luiz Avelar and senior vice president and head of global product strategy Gerry Muhle, who explained the science behind Sculptra and Alastin. After this, the team were whisked off to Elyseum where Galderma unveiled its six upcoming aesthetics trends, including Proactive Beauty, Mindful Aesthetics and Cancelling Age, and held a Q&A session hosted by journalist and author Alice Hart-Davis.

Beauty Directors Club Business Bootcamp

Cavalieri Art Hotel, Malta

The third edition of this annual bootcamp was held at the end of January, bringing together salon owners from across the UK for three days of business education and networking, organised by coach and salon owner Susan Routledge. This year, four owners from Malta-based salons joined the UK group to hear speakers including Andrew Priestley, business and leadership coach and author, Jo Simpson, a profit strategist and accountant, Arif Isikgun, a luxury brand sales educator, and PB’s MD Mark Moloney, who discussed emerging industry trends. Delegates also had access to private meetings with the speakers, conference workbooks, and morning yoga or meditation sessions.

Makeup x Art exhibition launch

Morley Gallery, London

Make-up artist and PB London speaker James Mac hosted an exhibition, Makeup X Art, sponsored by Mac Cosmetics, which saw him collaborate with photographers, fashion designers, models and more to create a collection of images demonstrating the unconventional ways we can connect with make-up. The 17 looks each tell a story and collectively create a “meta” story about the industry itself. PB’s content writer Lollie Hancock and marketing executive Molly Clifford attended the launch night at London’s Morley Gallery. To celebrate the launch of the exhibition, Mac also ran a two-hour masterclass.

BTL Exion launch

180 The Strand, London

To mark the launch of its Exion face and body rejuvenation device, BTL invited press, including Anna Dobbie, editor of PB’s sister magazine Aesthetic Medicine, to a panel discussion on The Future of Ageing and Wellness Optimisation. After a networking breakfast, the experts shared their insights. The panel comprised New York plastic surgeon Dr Yael Halaas, medical doctor and bioharmony expert Dr Tamsin Lewis and author Davinia Taylor. There was also a Devices 101 session to de-mystify the tech in modern aesthetics, and demonstrations of Exion, a machine that works on skin rejuvenation, intimate wellness and more.

The Waxing Specialist Business Retreat

Marrakesh, Morocco

A group of salon owners from the UK and Ireland joined Marta Zaczkowska, beauty business mentor and waxing salon owner, for a two-day retreat in Marrakesh. Designed to offer a blend of professional development and rejuvenation, the Waxing Specialist Business Retreat focused on business strategies but also provided a variety of activities, from camel rides to quad biking, and invigorating cold water dips. Zaczkowska, who is also founder of the Zakawax brand, said her vision for the retreat went beyond the professional realm to encourage networking and relaxation and support the mental wellbeing of salon owners and sole traders, helping them step away from the daily routine in January to focus on business goals. “The connections formed during the retreat were as enduring as they were impactful. The success of the inaugural retreat has paved the way for its return in January 2025, promising another opportunity for growth, connection, and rejuvenation,” she added.

Beauty and the Feast 

Bank House, Chislehurst

Husband-and-wife team Stuart and Cecilia Gillies, owners of the acclaimed Bank House, Chislehurst, and Number Eight, Sevenoaks, restaurants invited PB’s Kezia Parkins to experience an eight course, beauty-enhancing menu designed to help heal and protect the body inside and out following the indulgent festive season. Under each dish on the menu, all of the vitamins, minerals and health benefits are listed, which makes every bite more satisfying as you can imagine your immune system and collagen production being boosted. The stand out dish for Kezia was the Cornish mackerel fillet with soft boiled quail egg, watercress, green beans and sesame salad, which was loaded with vitamins A,B and C, plus zinc and selenium. The service and vibe were outstanding and Stuart and Cecilia were passionate and welcoming. The concept would work for beauty events and we can see this sort of innovative menu curation enhancing spa experiences and, importantly, treatment results.