Face time – the world of a beauty therapist

From high school makeup enthusiast to qualified beauty therapist and Team Manager at a prestigious salon, WITT graduate Katelin Perrett-Lawrence is exactly where she wants to be.

Talking about her mahi at Royale Beauty for the last four and half years, she reveals the work of a beauty therapist is more multi-layered than applying treatments to subtly enhance or considerably transform how a person looks. Chemistry, biology, psychology and an awareness of modern beauty trends and aesthetics are all woven into a beauty therapist’s skillset.

Science, art and skill underpin what treatments to recommend from an increasingly elaborate menu – including facials and peels, electrolysis, collagen induction therapy, plasma pen skin tightening to a standard massage, manicure or pedicure.

Katelin, 24, wanted to work with makeup since she was a kid growing up on a farm. Her interest was a little at odds with the farming lifestyle. Preferring mascara to muddy gumboots, her passion was ignited by the advent of YouTube makeup and hairstyling tutorials when she was about 10. She was hooked!

While at Stratford High School, Katelin joined WITT’s Trades Academy in the Secondary Tertiary Pathway programme to do Beauty and Makeup Artistry (one day a week) then the 3+2 scheme where students spend three days at school and two at WITT working towards a Level 3 qualification.

She completed Levels 4 and 5 to finish with WITT’s New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy and started at Royale Beauty during her last year of study.

The brows have it

She does the full gamut of treatments - nails to spray tan, teeth whitening, massage and facials, lash extensions - so no two days are alike. “I love brows – even a small change can make such a difference.”

Tweezer, wax, threading and lamination (chemical solution to soften and re-direct brow hairs) are all the techniques she uses to re-shape brows. She also loves doing facials “because of how people feel afterwards. It’s such a relaxing experience and your skin feels amazing afterwards, nice and hydrated.”

Katelin likes the continuous learning at work as new techniques and products come onto the market. “Japanese beauty is going off at the moment. The products are good, and there’s a relaxed, calm vibe that comes through.”

Apparently, the Japanese head spa, which focuses on the scalp, is growing in popularity worldwide.  It’s available in Auckland, but not in New Plymouth yet.

Katelin found the academic content of the course was significant.

“There’s a lot to cover - anatomy and physiology. You learn all the systems of the body,” she says. “There’s a surprising amount of science involved in what we do, which is helpful because we’re dealing with a lot of chemical products. We’re working with people’s bodies and educating them about what’s going to work best for them.”

“If a client comes to us with a skin concern, we need to encourage them to figure out what’s happening internally as well – it’s not all on the outside, on the skin. Everything works together. We’re like teachers in that way – we’re trying to help understand why they might need to take this or that vitamin.”

Beauty therapists also need to know about possible chemical reactions on different skin types, for example, or how different products interact with other products, or medications people are on.

The eye of the beholder

Beauty means different things to different people. “It might mean a Botox top-up every few weeks or just getting your brows done,” Katelin says.

Her professional stance is that: “We can’t judge people on what they choose to have done to themselves.”

And, interestingly, for her; “Beauty isn’t about how someone looks – it’s about how they feel.”

For an industry focused, one assumes, primarily on appearance and skin-deep beauty, the discussion can get philosophical when talking to a beauty therapist about what beauty is, who defines it and if or why it’s important? It is mere vanity, driven by insecurity or fear of ageing, and fueled by social media images of perfection?

Katelin brings a nuanced perspective. She’s observed that a beauty treatment is a luxury. A small tweak to a woman’s appearance can make them feel great.

“Sometimes people might look at the beauty industry and think it’s all about vanity and superficial. It’s not like that.”

Is looking younger the point of beauty therapy?

“That’s a tough question. I think everyone wants to look younger,” she says.

She’s aware that ‘anti-ageing’ and ‘ageless’ are integral to the beauty industry’s marketing lingo, as are promises to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles. Social media has a huge influence on promoting certain standards of beauty and youthfulness.

Katelin reckons ageing is beautiful. “I’m never going to insist someone should look younger. I like to make sure the client leaves feeling better – whether that’s just from the treatment or the conversation as well.”

That’s where the ‘therapy’ part comes in. Communication is key, she explains. Clients often share personal stuff, so that the beauty therapist becomes an empathetic and trusted listener.

Katelin says she wasn’t always good at talking to people. “What helped was that at WITT we had to bring in clients (to practice on) and that was so good. It helps to build your confidence and how to talk to people.”

As a newly appointed Team Leader at Royale Beauty, she feels ready for this next step in running the salon when manager is not there, making sure everything runs smoothly, and supporting staff.

Her confident, warm personality shines through, whether she’s wearing makeup or not. And some days she doesn’t, preferring a natural look.

Katelin does a lot of makeup sessions during the busy school ball and wedding season. “This year a lot of girls want to go more natural – they just want to enhance the features they already have. I love that. If you want to go all out [with a lot of make-up], you go for it. If you want to enhance the features you have, let’s do that!”