As another dry Canterbury winter starts to desiccate our precious skin, Cityscape turns to Christchurch’s top facialists for their helping and healing hands.
Kirsten Yellowlees, Moss Spa
After seven years in the beauty industry, Kirsten is really excited about her latest challenge – being part of the launch of the first purpose-built hotel day spa in Christchurch since the earthquakes. Moss Spa, in the brand new Sudima Christchurch City, in Victoria Street, is where Kirsten works her magic on clients’ skin and soul. “I am a firm believer that having regular spa treatments is important in one’s life – that time to switch off from reality and let go of any stresses and tension is so valuable and often it is too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routines,” she says. Helping clients to achieve their skincare goals is Kirsten’s passion and she has had great success treating the pigmentation and lack of hydration that the Canterbury climate inflicts on us all. “There is nothing more rewarding than working with a client to achieve results, whether that is relaxation or a concern they may have with their skin,” she says. Kirsten stresses that you don’t have to have concerns with your skin to make the most from a facial. “Our highly talented therapists at Moss can recommend the correct facial for you if you are unsure,” she says. “We stock two beautiful skincare ranges to tailor your spa experience.” A change of diet can be one of the easiest – or hardest – ways to address a client’s skin concerns. “Unfortunately drinking more water isn’t going to help with hydration but adding in essential fatty acids such as salmon or almonds to your diet will,” Kirsten says. And how does she like to be pampered? “I love receiving a massage! Being a mum to my daughter means I am finding areas of my body holding tension and stress that I didn’t know could! It gives me that time to relax and switch off while my body can have the tension and stresses eased out.”
Sharnelle Mitchell, Renaissance Spa
For Sharnelle, being a facialist is about giving her clients “only the best the industry has to offer, with integrity and genuine love and care for my clients”. Sharnelle is also a trainer and enjoys sharing tips and tricks with other therapists. She specialises in Ultraceuticals advanced skin peels followed by a facial massage, “so my client gets the results along with the soothing benefits of the massage”. Her aim? Results-driven beauty.
Teresa Sime, Lovoir Skin Body & Beauty
Teresa got her start in the beauty industry at 16 with a receptionist role at a Marlborough day spa. Through study and commitment she now has her own salon, Lovoir Skin Body & Beauty, in Avonhead. Teresa specialises in multiple comb ination treatments, using peels, Dermapen and IPL to get the best results for her clients. This holistic approach underpins her practice – “I like to think of the whole picture. You cannot have beautiful skin when nutrition is lacking or lifestyle is detrimental to the client’s skin goals.”
Sarah Mathieson, Champs-Elysées Spa
After studying at the National School of Aesthetics, Sarah honed her skills in New York and Auckland before moving back to Christchurch last year and joining Champs-Elysées Spa. Her philosophy is simple – “getting clients using a few results-driven products and a protective sunscreen and not overcomplicating their home skincare regime”. A monthly facial paired with a homecare regime “will make the world
of difference to your skin”, she says. “It’s never too late to start.” While you are there, get Sarah to do your eyebrows, which is one of her specialties.
Brenna Cust, Nicola Quinn Beauty and Day Spa
Nothing makes Brenna’s day more than “empowering someone to feel confident and beautiful in their skin”. Her 10 years of experience has taught her how to analyse exactly what a client’s skin needs, and that “no two skins are identical, therefore everyone needs a bespoke treatment”. Top of the range technology at Nicola Quinn Beauty and Day Spa enables her to specialise in advanced skin treatments such as microneedling with the Dermapen4, IPL treatments and O Cosmedics Peels.
Rhianne Danielsen, Beauty By Rhianne
Being able to give 100 percent to every client without having to rush is why Rhianne loves her decision 11 months ago to open her own salon. “Taking my time and listening to every detail the client tells me” is what she enjoys the most. “I also include extra little details to make facials more relaxing, such as using hot towels for every step and making each step feel like a facial massage,” she says. Her specialty is osmosis infusion facials, and at home she loves to put on a face mask, put her feet up and read a book.