professionalbeauty.co.uk

71most inspiring salons 2014

Glow, Wrexham, Chester and MoldThe three-strong salon group is

consistently towards the top of our list,

with other salons inspired by the fantastic

customer care and attention to detail.

This year has seen a total

refurbishment of Glow’s

Chester salon. The group

has also invested in Ellipse

IPL hair removal, which

has boosted profits

across all three salons.

Glow also won Decléor’s

Retail Team of the Year

award for its high

skincare sales figures.

Investment in training

remains a priority, as does

owner Sara Shoemark’s

commitment to working

with students, colleges and

the community, “trying to give

a little back to the industry that gives so

much to us”.

The group recently began opening its

salons out of hours to offer exclusive

Glow Party Time packages and plans to

build on that this year.

Also on the cards is intensive

advanced training in facial

skincare with the intention of

marketing the experienced

therapists as facial

skincare specialists.

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Professional Beauty July 2014

“The Potting Shed’s visuals

and language are unique to the salon and make it stand out in a crowd”

“Sam continues to lead the way with her

innovative approach to the industry and the development of

her brand”

“Glow is a consistently high-achieving salon with longevity in customer care”

“I love the design; it’s much more interesting

than other beauty salons, and the ‘40

winks room’ is amazing”

T he Most Inspiring Salons hot list is nominated by Professional Beauty readers.

We then ask the 20 with the most nominations to vote for one another,

choosing their top three from the list of 20 and telling us what makes them

inspiring. Those votes form the final order you’ll see here.

The Potting Shed Spa, West YorkshireIt’s been a busy year for The

Potting Shed and its continuous

growth and innovation have

put it back at the top spot

for the second year

running. The launch of

Shed Head, its sister hair

salon, in October saw

the group branch out

into cuts and blow dries,

while recruitment for the

original site has led to a larger

team and subsequent investment in

further training for all therapists.

Famed for its gardening-themed décor

and playful treatment menu, which offers

intimate waxing treatments such as

“Privet parts” and “Lady garden –

borders only”, the salon is a hit

with loyal locals and new

clients looking for

something a bit different.

The big news at Potting

Shed for the coming year

is the planned roll-out of

more branded salons. “We

plan to expand our offering

by finding suitable sites across

the UK to franchise the business,” says

director Sam Pearce.

The top 20 inspirational UK salons, as voted by readers

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professionalbeauty.co.ukmost inspiring salons 2014

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Professional Beauty July 2014

Zen lifestyle, EdinburghZen got 2014 off to a great start,

scooping a Professional Beauty Award

for its Teviot Place salon, as well as the

Employer of the Year – 21 Employees or

More award. In the last 12 months, the

three-salon group has also achieved

Investors in People accreditation and

created a four-level training and

development programme for all

therapists. Directors Fiona and Kieran

Fowley also invested in an outdoor

advertising campaign and have just

appointed a marketing manager to raise

the business’s profile further.

Cowshed Carnaby, LondonA spin-off of the original spa at

Babington House, Somerset, the

Cowshed Carnaby salon was a

frontrunner in the express treatments

trend. It’s 30-minute therapies give busy

city folk a taster of what’s on offer at the

larger spas. Nail stations sit amongst the

bustling retail zone on the ground floor,

with more tranquil treatment rooms

downstairs. Private hire for hen parties or

baby showers is also popular,

with the small city space

serving canapés and

champagne.

The Barn, SomersetA win at this year’s Professional

Beauty Awards has boosted The Barn’s

profile among its peers and sees the

salon rise three places this year to be

voted number five in our rankings.

Owner Kelly Hooper has taken on new

product lines including Vita Liberata

tanning and Lycon wax this year, as well

as introducing online bookings. The

biggest plan for the future is the salon’s

relocation in August, to a

larger converted barn with

two acres of land.

Beauty Time, BristolNever out of the top 10 since we

started our Most Inspiring listings five

years ago, Beauty Time is a homely salon

with an eye on innovation. New

introductions this year include

supplements from iiaa’s Advanced

Nutrition Programme range,

Visia skin scanning days

and 3D brow treatments.

The salon has linked

with a BUPA hospital to

offer post-operative

skincare to its patients

and is also working with

large companies to host

“presenting your best”

workshops.

Owner Maria Mason is on the beauty

industry trailblazer panel and has been

working on the new government

apprenticeship standards.

Richard Ward Hair and Metrospa, London

The Sloane Square salon has

restructured its beauty department this

year, putting greater focus on its core

manicure, pedicure and facial services,

but selling them in price tiers,

based on therapist

experience. “This model

has been very successful

within the hairdressing

side but is only now

being applied to our

metrospa services,” says

salon manager Gavin

Hoare. The next few months

are set to be busy, with new

salon software arriving in July and a

refresh and paint of the whole salon by

the end of August.

Blow Ltd, Covent Garden, London

Opened in November 2013, Blow Ltd

has impressed other salon owners with

its approach to fast beauty for busy city

workers. With services focused on

quick-fix visual treatments such as blow

dries, make-up and nails, Blow is

becoming a popular pre-night-out pit

stop. The brand also has a strong online

presence, driving retail sales through its

editorially led website. Founders Fiona

McIntosh and Dharmash Mistry are now

recruiting more stylists and make-up

artists for expansion across London.

“Everything is amazing;

from the couple who run it to the branding, professionalism and treatment standards.

Zen, you are an inspiration”

“I love this

salon for so many reasons: Maria, her

team, her dedication and passion for our

industry. Beauty Time is a shining

star”

“Cowshed Carnaby takes

the high-end spa experience and turns

it into something affordable, without compromising on

quality”

“The salon just

oozes class and style and Hellen

Ward is a fantastic business role

model”

“Brilliant business

model with a great range of treatments including specialist

make-up and treatments for

teenagers”

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professionalbeauty.co.uk

73most inspiring salons 2014

Professional Beauty July 2014

Smooth You, LondonWith an existing salon in Islington,

Smooth You opened its second, bigger

site in Dalston in the autumn of 2013.

The 5,000sq ft space offers hair, beauty,

tanning and advanced laser services and

was praised by other salon owners for

its high-end design and strong choice of

brands.

Managing director Katie Shemesh is

now looking to double her team by

employing another seven therapists,

two nail technicians and eight hair

stylists. “We are also looking for our

next premises and we hope that

planning will begin by the end of the

year,” says Shemesh.

Aquavie Boutique Spa, Kent With a focus on both holistic

and advanced treatments, Aquavie is a

hit with customer and the industry

alike. This year, owner Elizbeth Dadson

has refurbished some of the rooms and

has also devised her own eastern-

inspired Elizabeth Caroline skincare

line, relaunching the entire treatment

menu to reflect the new brand. She has

also launched a healing jewellery line

called Mala. “We are looking at

possibly extending the new skincare

line and spa rituals to other salons and

spas,” says Dadson.

The Signature Spa, HertfordshireThe Signature Spa has

continued to grow this year, adding a

fourth treatment room and expanding

both the therapist and front-of-house

team. Investment in new machines has

seen the salon move down a more

aesthetic route with the introduction of

a Vega Nd:Yag laser for hair removal,

tattoo removal, stretchmark reduction,

and vein reduction.

It’s a busy year ahead for managing

director Rebecca Wilson, who has just

bought a local competitor salon and is

in the process of merging the two

businesses.

Chamomile Sanctuary, EdinburghShortlisted in the Professional

Beauty Awards earlier this year,

Chamomile continues to be a hit

with the industry, with other

salons praising the

homely but luxury offer

and quality service.

The past year has

seen owner Justine

Mitchell invest more

heavily in training, creating a director of

training position to boost staff

development. The salon offers therapies

with a strong wellness focus including

the Immune Recovery and Sleep Deeply

treatments. The visiting aesthetic

medical practitioner has also proved a

hit with clients.

MBeauty, Street, SomersetMBeauty sits on a busy high

street and offers holistic therapies on

top of the usual beauty fare. The salon

has introduced new products and

processes over the past 12 months such

as new eyelash extensions, foot peels

and nail art. Managing director Rosie

Bailey keeps a suggestion box in the

salon and gets regular input from the

team. As a result she is introducing

some new treatments this year,

including semi-permanent make-up,

and running evening client events.

Espiritu Salon and Spa, Batlers Green, Hertfordshire

Espiritu only opened at the end of 2013,

yet has already made a splash in the

industry. With its vintage décor and boho

vibe, the salon has a holistic speciality.

The team does a lot of community

charity work. One of our owners is an

author and has a huge social media

focus. The salon is still finding its feet

but spa and strategy director

Lisa Pearson says there

are already plans

to recruit more

therapists.

“Smooth You has a great contemporary

environment with a good range of specialist

facials”

“I like the whole ambiance Chamomile has created: simple country luxury combined with a city beauty

menu”

“Aquavie’s holistic

approach is inspiring”

“The interiors

are fab and I love the emphasis

on holistic treatments”

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professionalbeauty.co.ukmost inspiring salons 2014

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Professional Beauty July 2014

Skin & Tonic, St AlbansEstablisehed for 18 years,

Skin & Tonic is still growing,

with owner Laura Bateman now

recruiting an extra therapist. “We’ve

been exceptionally busy this year,

running at over 85% occupancy, even

in January and February when we

would normally experience a drop,”

she says. “I think winning Professional

Beauty Awards has really helped. It’s

made us stand out from the other

salons in St Albans.”

New treatments are also on the cards;

the team is set to train in lash lifting this

summer with Kerie Hoy.

The Beauty Rooms, Lewes

Known for its blend of results-driven

and relaxing treatments, The Beauty

Rooms is growing this year with two

new senior therapists and one junior

being recruited. “We want to give a

younger beauty therapist the

opportunity to train up throughout their

Level 3, giving them the confidence to

start when they have completed their

course,” says owner Victoria Gaved.

The salon has also invested

in technology, introducing

IPL hair removal and

skin rejuvenation over

the last year.

43 Face, West Kensington, London

With a focus on anti-ageing and acne,

43 Face grew from a one-room set-up

to its current Notting Hill salon in

February. The team, headed by owner

Gibran Registe-Charles, runs eight-week

“acne bootcamps” including products

and treatments, and hosts talks in

the salon. “We focus on

educating clients on what

is best for their skin. I

don’t like to be tied to

any one skincare

brand,” says Registe-

Charles. Future plans

include hiring a

nutritionist and running

“World Cup Widows”

pamper parties over summer.

Bespoke Beauty Clinic, Newcastle-under-LymeThe salon has driven business

hard this year to produce a 22.5%

increase on last year’s figures. “Our new

radiofrequency facials and updated IPL

treatments have been in such demand

that we have employed three extra staff

members,” says owner Karen Bowen.

The team is now working with colleges,

lecturing and providing apprenticeship

opportunities.

Future plans include a mobile-

optimised website, an enlarged retail

area and a hunt for new sites to expand

the business.

The Beauty Room, Nottingham

It’s been a big year for the Beauty Room,

which opened a second salon in

April, The Beauty Room

Express in nearby

Mansfield. The walk-in

salon specialises in HD

Brows, make-up,

lashes, waxing, spray

tans and Gelish nails.

The existing salon has

also grown to open seven

days a week and within the

next 12 months owner Lauren

Halley is planning to expand into bigger

premises.

Just the Retreat, Maidstone, Kent

The salon has undergone an extensive

refurbishment linking all rooms to a

theme. Owner Heather Lenehan has

also invested in new equipment and

brands to offer more specialist

treatments.

“We have also launched social media

networking via Facebook and Twitter

and specialise in holding successful

in-house events for clients,” says

Lenehan.

Future plans include the launch of

Murad skincare treatments in the salon

and new partnerships with

local businesses to

boost sales. “We

also plan to

open another

Retreat Spa in

Kent,” adds

Lenehan. PB

“Skin & Tonic has

an impressive business model

and a fab team”

“Victoria has created

a peaceful, spa-like space and her staff are

great”

“The Beauty Room

has pushed the boundaries for salons in the East Midlands and is always first

with the latest treatments”

“The

Retreat has created an indulgent

environment where staff make each experience

a personal journey”

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