Tuesday 3rd September 2019
By Michelle Hammond
Q1 - What shaped your decision to become a Therapist?
I started working at a hair and beauty salon when I was 14 and really enjoyed interacting with the clients. Seeing the positive outcome of people having treatments made me want to be able to deliver this service personally. It was nice to see people looking and feeling better about themselves.
Q2 - What is the best thing about being a Therapist?
For me, making someone feel special and having a positive impact on their lives is the best part in being a beauty therapist. I also get great satisfaction from performing treatments that achieve visible results.
Q3 - What do you believe are the most critical character traits of a successful Therapist?
I believe being kind, caring and hard working are critical to being a successful therapist. Personally, I find being a perfectionist helps me deliver the highest standard of treatments. I am very passionate about my job and I think it’s very important to love what you do.
Q4 - Who has influenced you most throughout your career?
My father. As a successful racing driver in the ‘80s, I grew up watching my dads determination and passion drive him to be the best in what he did. I think if you work hard and practice, anyone is capable of anything they wish to have or do in life. He went on to teach motor vehicle studies at a college where all the students enjoyed attending his lessons. He also wanted them to succeed and do well in life which then made me want to teach what I was passionate about too.
Q5 - What is your favourite treatment to give and why?
I specialise in facial treatments and really enjoy delivering this treatment because you can give the client visible results as well as bringing a high level of relaxation. I tailor the facial treatment to the clients particular needs to achieve the greatest results.
Q6 - Do you have any pre or post treatment rituals for protection and self care?
I think it is important that I feel relaxed as well as my client when I carry out a relaxing treatment, so when I ask my client to perform a breathing exercise at the start of their treatment I do this at the same down to help me to feel calm and focused. To look after my muscles and joints I do wrist and back stretches In the morning and the evening to relieve any tension that has built up during those periods of time.
Q7 - What is your top beauty tip?
My top beauty tip, is to protect your skin from sun damage by using a high SPF when exposed in the sun as this is one if the top causes of ageing and this also helps to prevent skin cancer. Check moles regularly for any changes in colour, texture and size.
Q8 - How do you invest in your own wellbeing. What do you do to look after yourself?
I invest in my own wellbeing by using high quality natural skincare products. I prefer to use as little chemicals as possible on a daily basis, therefore clinically tested natural products that have been proven to deliver outstanding anti-ageing results is very important to me. I also like to use aromatherapy based body products such as body lotions and scrubs to help keep my skin smooth and hydrated.
Q9 - If you could change one thing about the spa and wellness industry what would it be and why?
I am personally happy with what I do in my career, however I feel that in the spa world I would like to see more niche brands on the shelves and used in the “big” spas. I’ve visited many spas over the years and it would be nice to experience something new and different within them. I think it’s a positive selling point to be able to offer a verity of choice to the customer so they can achieve what is most important to them.
Q10 - What is the best quote / best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Knowledge is power. The more you know about any subject gives you the best chance of success and making informed decisions on life.
FLASH FACTS - FOR FUN SECTION
1. What’s your favourite book
Gone girl by Gillian Flynn, kept me transfixed from start to finish. Great holiday read.
2. What’s your favourite film of all time
Finding Nemo, I like to watch a film to relax and which is light hearted. Due to my love for the oceans and marine life, this is great Disney classic which I can share with my little boy.
3. If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, who would it be and why?
If I could have dinner with someone it would be the travel presenter Simon Reeve. We both have the same passion for travel and conservation.
4. You get taken to your favourite place to be, where are you taken?
The Maldives. There is no place like it, it is true paradise.
5. Your perfect dinner is?
Classic Italian Margarita pizza.
6. Your go to drink is?
Still mineral Water. The best drink for you.
7. Your favourite sweet treat is?
Chocolate- Hotel chocolat, 70% dark chocolate.
8. What’s your favourite essential oil / scent?
Lemongrass. It reminds of having spa treatments on holidays.
9. You go for a treatment - what do you have and why?
An Indian head massage, it totally relaxes me.
10. What’s your favourite flower?
Pink hibiscus, it’s bright and makes me think of tropical places.
11. You want to sleep deeply, what do you do?
I like to have a bath at night with lavender oil in it to help me relax but it is impossible to sleep deeply with a 2 year old.
12. You want to energise fast, what do you do?
A spritz of HEAVEN from Gaylia Kristensen over my face gets me energised and makes me feel refreshed .
13. The theme tune to your life is?
Try again by Aaliyah, a song I loved growing up as a teenager that I still relate to.
14. What makes you laugh to your belly?
My friends and my husband
15. What’s your favourite season?
Spring, new beginnings and start of life. Also time of year when my son was born.
16. What’s your favourite colour?
Turquoise, reminds me of the colour the sea in the Indian Ocean.
17. Your favourite time of day is?
I don’t have one as I enjoy different parts of the day for different reasons- work life, family time and relaxing. Having a good balance is critical to happiness.
18. If you could have been anyone or anything else, what / who would you be?
A sea turtle because they amaze me. I would love to live in the ocean, it’s so peaceful and beautiful.
19. What’s your current TV guilty secret?
Friends, easy to watch and I never get bored of it.
20. Magic dust - you can learn one new skill instantly, what is it?
If I could learn one new skill instantly it would be photography so I could take perfect pictures of places I’ve been and the people I love.
Nicky Maddox-Dyke - Beauty Therapist and Head Trainer for Cozmetica
Nicky has 15 years of spa and salon experience including owning her own business, specialising in personalised facials and non-surgical face lifts for the last 6 years. She is passionate about delivering high standards of customer care to her clients and to provide them with the best results possible using state of the art natural products and treatments. She gained teaching qualifications in 2012 and taught beauty therapy at Halesowen college for 3 years, after which she took a break from teaching to have a family. She has a 2 year old son who brings joy to her life every day.
Her love for teaching has now lead her to become head trainer for Cozmetica UK for the past year. She provides and supervises training for Gaylia Kristensen products and facial treatments, this brings her great pleasure to continue to pass on her extensive knowledge to fellow professionals and help them succeed in delivering the highest standard of treatments and to aid them to grow their own businesses.
Whether you’re looking for self-care advice, need help to get you or your team trained, or seeking help to create dynamic white label or co-branded health and wellness content, we are here to help. Do reach out.