Taking ten with... Hannah Stewart

Monday 16th December 2019

By Michelle Hammond

Q1 - What shaped your decision to become a Therapist?

Caring for others has always been something that's natural to me and from a young age I have always been interested in skincare and the body, it fascinates me. I am lucky to say that Beauty Therapy is the only career I have been drawn to, making my decision very easy.

Q2 - What is the best thing about being a Therapist?

I love being able to transform my clients from stressed, exhausted and deflated to feeling warm, light and level headed. 

Q3 - What do you believe are the most critical character traits of a successful Therapist?

Being empathetic, having amazing attention to detail and a passion for making others feel good and wanting each treatment you perform to be your clients best yet. 

Q4 - Who has influenced you most throughout your career?

I am not easily influenced as I tend to take my own route instead of following the crowd, having said this my spa director and my team members inspire me daily. 

Q5 - What is your favourite treatment to give and why?

I love giving a facial treatment and having my client tell me they feel just as relaxed and refreshed as they would after a massage, it always surprises them how relaxing the right facial can be. 

Q6 - Do you have any pre or post treatment rituals for protection and self care?

Yes, I always make sure I have a clear mind to start my day, stretch every morning and shake off energy between treatments.

Q7 - What is your top beauty tip?

For skin that's feeling dull, tight and lifeless go to an spf moisturiser and bb cream for a fresh and bright look. 

Q8 - How do you invest in your own wellbeing. What do you do to look after yourself?

I love to keep active and enjoy running, I also workout with kettlebells to keep my core and posture strong to protect myself from injury. 

Q9 - If you could change one thing about the spa and wellness industry what would it be and why?

I would love for this career not be so overlooked by people that assume we just paint nails and chat over treatments. So much energy, patience, time and effort goes into every part of our day. 

Q10 - What is the best quote / best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Don't over think the small things, let your life guide you not control you. 

FLASH FACTS - FOR FUN SECTION

1. What’s your favourite book

It has to be my childhood favourite Winnie the pooh! Just looking at the cover and being reminded of the smell of the pages can change my mindset entirely. 

2. What’s your favourite film of all time

I would say this changes with how I'm feeling, but there would definitely be a Disney movie or two in the mix. 

3. If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, who would it be and why?

Ricky Gervais or Alan Partridge, I love their true to life and sometimes over the mark comedy. 

4. You get taken to your favourite place to be, where are you taken?

The beach, particularly Brighton or Cornwall are where I feel most at ease. 

5. Your perfect dinner is?

Always a roast.

6. Your go to drink is?

Green tea.... it fixes everything. 

7. Your favourite sweet treat is?

Chocolate, it has to be Cadburys or Galaxy. 

8. What’s your favourite essential oil / scent?

Citrus scents, Bergamot, orange, mandarin or lemons.  

9. You go for a treatment - what do you have and why?

It will nearly always be a massage and facial. I love to feel the tension and stress being worked from my body and my skin to feel fresh and new.

10. What’s your favourite flower?

White Roses and lillies. 

11. You want to sleep deeply, what do you do?

I would have a long hot bath with a splash of aromatherapy, carry out a deep cleansing facial routine and mask. Wrap myself in my favourite warm, thick towel and meditate before closing my eyes for the night. 

12. You want to energise fast, what do you do?

Have a green tea, cold shower, do some stretches and have a glass of water. 

13. The theme tune to your life is?

Daft punk- Harder, better, faster. 

14. What makes you laugh to your belly?

Just being with close friends and having a girlie chat or around my family... it's never long before one of us has the tears of laughter rolling down our face. 

15. What’s your favourite season?

Autumn... I love the fresh frosty mornings and bright low sun. 

16. What’s your favourite colour?

Purple- particularly deep darker shades. 

17. Your favourite time of day is?

Early morning in the winter, it's always so calm and peaceful and late evening in the summer, the smell of fresh flowers and plants in the air and clear skies before bed... Aaahhh.

18. If you could have been anyone or anything else, what / who would you be?

I would be a professional dancer or teacher. 

19. What’s your current TV guilty secret?

I don't follow too much tv but my biggest guilty pleasure has to be Hollyoaks! I've watched it for as long as I can remember and it even leaves me cringing or shouting at the tv!

20. Magic dust - you can learn one new skill instantly, what is it?

I would love to have the skills of a rally driver, I love the speed and adrenaline rush. 

Hannah Stewart - Spa Therapist at Weavers' Spa, The Swan at Lavenham

Hannah has worked at Weavers' Spa for four years and is popular with the clients, over the years she has had over 450 requests. Hannah takes great pleasure in developing other therapists and assists the Spa Director with their endorsement at West Suffolk College of Beauty Therapy.  Hannah assists in delivering training to the level 2 students and also carries out assessing at the college. Hannah also volunteers and performs complimentary treatments for Suffolk Family Carers.

Learn more about Weavers' Spa