Blush Face & Body in Hertford this year celebrates ten years of massaging, manicuring, tanning and generally pampering locals. East Herts Parenting Daily speaks to owner, Arlene Armstrong, about the most popular treatments she offers, why more men are visiting the salon, her tips for getting beach-body ready, and why St Andrew Street is such a hotbed of beauty parlours...
When did you open Blush?
I opened Blush on December 12th 2004, so coming up for ten years soon - can hardly believe it! Prior to this I had about 8/9 years’ experience in the beauty industry, spanning from High Street salons to golf club spa. This allowed me to become experienced using various product ranges which ultimately helped me to use the existing ranges and treatments which we provide at Blush.
What are the most popular treatments you offer at Blush?
Treatments vary greatly throughout the year. For example, in autumn and winter clients like to be especially pampered as they suffer more from coughs, colds, sickness, etc and are generally more stressed due to the lack of sunshine and vitamin D production - so they crave a nourishing facial or soothing hot stone body massage.
Then moving into spring/summer and more of our bodies on display so waxing, tanning and nail treatments are top of the list. Also clients’ social calendars are much busier with BBQs, weddings, races, etc.
What are your top tips for local mums who want to get 'beach-ready' for summer?
The most effective way to get that beach-ready body is definitely to firstly exfoliate - if not daily, then three times a week. This is great for eliminating cellulite, raising the melanin to the surface of the skin (which helps more effective tanning) and also, prior to waxing and self tanning, improves the results of these salon treatments.
Secondly is hair removal - most successfully done by waxing (this is more successful if done regularly).
For those of you who don't like to sunbathe, a spray tan from St tropez or a Decleor Sunrise treatment is a must! With these treatments you can lay on the beach bronzed and beautiful without any effort at all! Perfect for those quick little weekends to Marbella!!!
What are your top anti-ageing tips?
Anti-ageing these days is such a massive area, if not the biggest, these days. Clients as young as 21 are concerned with fine lines and that look of perfection.
We do offer aesthetic injectable treatments at the salon, all carried out by a qualified nurse. For a more natural treatment our range of Decleor and Crystal Clear facials enable clients to have superb results and, by having regular treatments, can maintain a younger healthier skin.
Salon treatments like these - combined with a healthy diet, sleep (yes, that's why it's called beauty sleep!), and of course lots of water -are key to the appearance of our skin in the ageing process.
Do you offer treatments for men too? What are popular?
In recent years we have seen a vast increase in the number of male clients. Men of all ages are now appreciating the benefits of skincare - the importance of it and from a well-being point also. Like women, in the recent recession the extra stresses in the workplace have made men realise they too need to invest their quality time in a facial or back massage.
Also for the younger generation of men they are increasingly aware of their appearance, so eyebrow shaping and back/ chest waxing are very popular. Men also now realise that their skin needs as much, if not more, TLC than their wives/girlfriends, so facials and skincare are on the increase also in this sector.
And finally, why are there so many beauty salons in Hertford - in particular, in St Andrew Street?
St Andrew Street is probably the prettiest street in Hertford, so is it any wonder there are so many of us?!
Personally, I think it's great as there is a good car park, some lovely shops and restaurants on the street and it is one of the quaintest streets left in Hertford which I think clients love.
All the salons offer different types of product and treatments and, like restaurants, clients will go to the salons which supply the specific product or treatment they are seeking.
Find out more about Blush Face & Body by clicking here.
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