It’s important to know what to look for when choosing a beauty therapist. Image supplied.
Women investing in the quest for beauty is nothing new. It is estimated that on average a woman can spend $14,000 – $15,000 a year on beauty treatments. That sounds like a lot doesn’t it? But if you break it down and have a think about what beauty treatments you invest in and how often, you will see that the cost really does add up! Regular six to eight weekly hair cuts and colours can cost upwards of $200 each visit, eyelash extensions and refills, upwards on $50 each time, nails around $40, waxing, threading, laser hair removal, tanning… the list goes on and I’m sure you get the point here.
We spend a lot on beauty so obviously you’re going to want to get the most out of your money and of course, the best service possible so choosing the right beauty therapist and beauty salon is key. I’ve broken it down to five main points you should be looking for when choosing a good beauty therapist or salon because in beauty there is definitely no such thing as one size fits all.
Recommendations
This is top on my list because other people’s experiences are the best way to find out what a beauty place is like. There is nothing more valuable than knowledge, especially when it comes to expensive and intimate beauty treatments so a simple Google search is going to be your best bet for finding the information you need. That and asking your friends too. I once had a terrible waxing experience and I was determined to not make the same mistake twice so I jumped on Google and typed in “best waxing place in Auckland”, it didn’t take me long to find the same places popping up on different threads. I then used that information and booked myself in at one of those top-rated places and I’ll never turn back. Once again, knowledge is key!
Salon Hygiene
This is a no-brainer, but you’ll be surprised how dirty a seemingly quality beauty salon can be. A dirty beauty salon can cause serious health risks such as infection and cross-contamination so here are some things you’ll want to look out for when choosing a clean beauty salon.
– Is the salon well lit and does it have clean floors and surface areas?
– Are there clean towels and gowns available and do they provide wipes to customers?
– Do they use sterilizers such as clean manicure and pedicure sets, bowls and containers?
– Do the staff use wax strips or cloth strips? Cloth strips are said to be unhygienic and can breed bacteria.
– Are they using the same stick to dip into the wax pot or are they using a fresh one every time? This is called “double-dipping.”
Now just imagine how many other clients they have used that same wax pot on before you while double dipping their waxing sticks into after applying the wax onto skin. *gag*
Are the staff wearing clean uniforms, are they well-groomed and most importantly, are they wearing disposable gloves?
Qualifications
Unfortunately, like many things in the beauty industry, this is not regulated so it is not required for a beauty therapist to have a qualification, this could mean that though the beauty therapist has some prior experience, they more than likely have not been taught the appropriate hygiene practices and beauty methods, therefore they are putting you at risk.
The same salon I went to with the terrible waxing experience, I had a beauty therapist who quite clearly did not have the correct training for waxing. Brazilian waxes are painful, to say the least, but when you have someone waxing you who does not know what they are doing they can not only cause some serious pain but also some serious damage. Make sure that your beauty therapist has either a certificate or diploma in beauty therapy or has completed an apprenticeship. Obviously, the more experience the therapist has, the better the results and experience you are going to get.
Cost
It is important to understand the cost brackets for certain beauty treatments. This is another important thing to research for. Look around online and go onto a few reputable beauty salon websites to compare prices. Obviously, a salon with dirt-cheap prices is not going to be very good and you will find some beauty salons will charge exorbitant prices for poor services so make sure you are keeping the above factors in your decision making too. Hair services are a little different to beauty treatments, you can expect to pay a lot more for a great, reputable salon so this is where you might want to loosen the purse strings a little if you want a good result. However, services such as tanning, waxing and lashes you would expect to be more mid-range, I personally expect to pay between $40 – $100 for those services.
Test Visit
Finally, I would recommend a test visit before your first service. If you are booking in for something as intimate as a Brazilian wax or if you’re wanting to go from brunette to blonde, you’ll probably want to have a consultation first. This way you can check out the salon to make sure it meets the above requirements and get a feel for your beauty therapist. Are they qualified, do they understand what you want and are they asking the proper questions? Usually, a good therapist will ask you such things as if you have any allergies or if you are on any medication and if required might perform a test patch before your first treatment. This is also a good opportunity to ask any questions you may have before diving into your treatment.
Oh, and if you find a great beauty therapist keep them. There’s nothing like having an amazing expert to help you look and feel your best.