Hi I would like to introduce myself.
My name is Natalie and I am the proprietor of The Powder Room beauty salon in Birstall. I wanted to share with you my journey of how I became so passionate about skin and where it all started.
So its 1994 and I’m cleansing my mums face on her bed with all her Avon and Ivés Rocher products. I’ve put a headband on her, got my cotton wool and cleansing sponges ready and laid all the cleanser, toner, exfoliator and moisturiser out to do a home facial.
My mum enjoyed it and felt revived after some relax time. She has always shown me a good example of skincare and cleansing and from a young age I was asking which potions and lotions did what. We did this regularly and I enjoyed being a facialist now and again. It felt good.
While I was still at school, I did a work experience placement for 2 weeks at a salon in Dewsbury and loved it. I got to try new products and learn how treatments were done in a professional salon setting. The smells were lovely all the essential oils and nail polishes mingled together. I learnt how to be receptionist and watched the ladies do their clients for certain treatments.
This spurred me on to have an interest in beauty therapy so I knuckled down on my GCSE Biology and Business Studies at school with a view to do a beauty course at college in the future.
1996 – I got a place at Huddersfield Technical College as it was then, to do a B.Tec National Diploma in Beauty therapy alongside a VIA Aromatherapy qualification.
I loved it from the moment I walked in to that classroom, the smell of fresh paint for the new term ahead, new stationary and the buzz of learning about a subject I had a vested interest in. Despite the crisp white uniform with white shoes – don’t ask , we all matched and felt daft, but its what we wore back then, it was the fashion apparently.
I soon made friends and we are still in touch today – you know who you all are !
I learned all about skin histology, the endocrine system, anatomy and physiology, microbiology and much more. Then there were all the practical skills that go with the job – how to perform treatments on real people and how important a good consultation is to determine any contraindications or underlying issues which may affect the treatment.
We did treatments on each other and the public, it was fun to learn and put it all into practice.
I was lucky that I knew from a young age where my path was headed. I knew I wanted to make people feel better about their skin and themselves by relaxing them and putting them at ease as well as sharing my knowledge.
– I still can’t help doing this now as it bubbles out of me with such enthusiasm.
Anyway you get the idea … So fast forward to my first beauty job in a local salon in 1998. I was there for 5 years and learned so much from my boss at the time and team of girls there. I was sent on training for Clarins, E’spa and Decléor , This was amazing as it was turning my college ways into real skills that have developed over the years. It gave me the luxury spa element they just don’t teach you at college.
After been employed for a while, I became self employed at the same salon and put all my business skills into action.
I then decided in 2002 to go it alone and start my own business and planned to open a salon.
While I was looking for premises, I did mobile for my regulars who still come to see me now – thanks for sticking with me all this time by the way.
I didn’t drive then, so I got the bus and walked for hours with my wheelie suitcase with all the kit in to keep my clients happy and in touch with me. I did this for quite a while.
I then found the shop we are in now in Birstall and work on the big build began shortly after. It took a long 15 months to complete so I carried on doing some mobile and some in the flat above until it was ready. There was a lot to do as it was an old greengrocers shop. Everything got ripped out and the treatment rooms were formed along with the reception area and shower for the mud wraps and spray tans. I didn’t have much stock then as I was just starting out so the window displays had tea sets and various ornaments, this didn’t really reflect what kind of shop it was going to be so it kept everyone on the village guessing what was gong to be opening soon.
The big day finally came when the Mayor came to cut the ribbon and declare us open for business on Saturday 29 November 2003. It was a joyous day and I was so proud. I worked alone for a while then got a receptionist and gradually built up my team. We have had so many therapists come and go over the years for work experience and for employment, also some people rented rooms from me . I’m happy to say I am still in touch with many of the team members from over the years and consider them friends.
I have learned so many new things and adapted the treatment offering accordingly to match beauty trends and peoples choices. We used to do minx toes, spray tans, make up and children’s parties back then. But I have since decided to streamline what the salon does and now specialise in spa days and advanced skin treatments. Even though we still have basic manicure, pedicure and waxing on the menu, I’m sure things may change again in time to come.
We have become a Day Spa now as we knocked through into the shop next door a few years ago to make the shop bigger and created a secret spa suite. This houses a Mud Rasul Steam Room and relax lounge, also we now have a dedicated space for spa parties so groups can enjoy some time together.
We have a pedicure bench so clients can enjoy luxurious rituals and an aromatic foot soak in the copper foot baths.
Also two manicure desks where we offer natural nail treatments and hand rituals as well as shellac nail paint.
We have two treatment rooms to perform our advanced Nimue technology facials. This is where the magic happens, as we can advise and treat the cause not just the symptom of certain skin concerns. The results speak for themselves.
We also perform or aromatic body massage and relaxing holistic rituals in these rooms.
All in all my journey in the industry has been fun and I have learned so much over the years from college and my experiences in other salons. I have a clear vision of where I want the salon to go in the future and feel privileged to have stayed in business despite the pandemic. We have had to adapt and pivot what we did and how we did it but that again was a learning curve and I’m grateful for the experience.
We have recently won awards for Beauty Salon of the year, and each therapist won an individual award for their skill set. I am super proud and this has reinforced that hard work is well worth putting in the effort.
I have a 15 year old son who has witnessed my work ethic first hand and I believe it has shaped him as an individual. He knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to aim high. I am proud of him and am glad he has an interest in business and being his own boss. Having the salon has given me the freedom to attend all his school assemblies and trips and bring him up with a strong positive work ethic to set him on his future path, wherever it may lead.
I am expanding my knowledge further to incorporate social media skills, marketing and how best to serve my clients on a deeper level. I now focus a lot of time on being the best skin specialist I can be. Doing more in depth training to target my clients needs more specifically. Our philosophy has always been to make the most of what we have and keep things as natural as possible. So with this in mind our facials in particular encourage skin cells to repair from the inside out and protect the natural barrier, this is the backbone of most procedures we offer.
Even our manicure treatments reflect this as we do natural nails and rejuvenating hand rituals to nourish the skin and slow down the ageing process gently. We are all about boosting self esteem and making our clients feel looked after and nurtured. Whilst sharing our knowledge of how they can continue this feeling at home between salon treatments.
I would highly recommend being you’re own boss and setting goals regularly to keep you aiming high and stay on track.
I would also advise not to be phased by other peoples opinions and to trust your gut feelings as they’re usually right.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story, I hope it has inspired you in some way.
Author – Natalie Tai Award Winning Skin Specialist
The Powder Room – Birstall