Meet the friendly face behind some of Lancashire's loveliest complexions...
If there's one thing I'm serious about, it's skin care!
I have been been working as a facialist in the beauty industry for over 40 years and can pride myself that I'm a skin care specialist to some of Lancashire's most lovely complexions.
I have trained in Manchester, London and Paris with 7 of the top skin care houses; including La Prairie, Clarins, Matis, Espa and Rene Guino and, more recently, Alumier MD - a sought after cosmecutical brand.
After starting my career on some of the world’s most exclusive cruise ships, I then founded and ran my own beauty salon - Sybaris Beauty Salon in Eccleston - for 18 years. Now I work very exclusively, treating clients in a private and luxurious treatment room at my home in Grimsargh.
This is a very specialist sector and I spend considerable time each year refreshing and growing the knowledge and experience I already have, so that I can offer my clients the very latest in advice and techniques.
I have trained in Manchester, London and Paris with 7 of the top skin care houses; including La Prairie, Clarins, Matis, Espa and Rene Guino and, more recently, Alumier MD - a sought after cosmecutical brand.
After starting my career on some of the world’s most exclusive cruise ships, I then founded and ran my own beauty salon - Sybaris Beauty Salon in Eccleston - for 18 years. Now I work very exclusively, treating clients in a private and luxurious treatment room at my home in Grimsargh.
This is a very specialist sector and I spend considerable time each year refreshing and growing the knowledge and experience I already have, so that I can offer my clients the very latest in advice and techniques.
Footage was recorded pre-Covid. Please see my Keeping you Safe page for details of changes I have made in my Treatment Room since this time.
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passion for skincare
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years of experience
Mum was my inspiration
From the very beginning I have been fascinated by skin care and the quest for the perfect complexion.My mother was a model in the 1960s and I can clearly remember sitting for hours in her bedroom, watching as she worked through her own daily beauty routine. To me she was perfection!
I'm certain these early experiences played a part in inspiring me to follow my own path in skin care. I've certainly not regretted and my interest in the science of skin care never wanes.
Skincare secrets that improve with age
In 2019, I celebrated 40 years of working in the beauty industry and I'm more than a little proud of what that means.I began my training back in 1978 at Abraham Moss College in Manchester, studying Beauty Therapy, Electrolysis, Make-up, Hairdressing, Mens Barbering and Wig Making. Graduating in 1982, I have worked full-time over the subsequent years, constantly extending my knowledge and experience, developing specialisms and adding to my repertoire.
Success in this industry means constantly updating your knowledge and skills; keeping up-to-date on scientific advances and applying all of my experience and know-how to recognising which new treatments are genuine game changes and which are just fads.
My Mum - my inspiration
A slightly younger me with my Mum, Uncle John and friend Diane - the good ship SS Norway is behind us!
Shortly after graduating from college, I made a career decision that I'll never regret. I spotted an advert for a company called 'Coiffeur Trans Ocean' - an agent for the major cruise operators. At the same time, I was offered a job working for a 5* hotel in Bermuda. I had a choice to make! My (beautifully manicured) feet were certainly itchy and I ended up opting for the job that would allow me to meet more people and experience as much of the world as possible.
In my time afloat, I worked on several ships. The SS Norway (then the largest and most elegant cruise liner in the world) and the SS Sun Viking both took me all over the Caribbean. Every time we docked at Port, I would volunteer to help out on the excursions, so that I could explore. Later on, I joined the crew of the Royal Viking Sky and travelled from Alaska to New York City, via the Panama Canal. Such an experience!
It goes without saying that I encountered and treated a few A-listers during my time aboard these ships and, for the most part, they were truly fascinating. Of course, they expected the very highest standards and latest treatments, so I learned a great deal about customer care and meticulous attention to detail.
In my time afloat, I worked on several ships. The SS Norway (then the largest and most elegant cruise liner in the world) and the SS Sun Viking both took me all over the Caribbean. Every time we docked at Port, I would volunteer to help out on the excursions, so that I could explore. Later on, I joined the crew of the Royal Viking Sky and travelled from Alaska to New York City, via the Panama Canal. Such an experience!
It goes without saying that I encountered and treated a few A-listers during my time aboard these ships and, for the most part, they were truly fascinating. Of course, they expected the very highest standards and latest treatments, so I learned a great deal about customer care and meticulous attention to detail.
in 1988, after deciding the time was right to leave the cruise liners, I bought an old butchers shop in Eccleston, near Chorley, and converted it into a salon. The transition from staff member to owner-manager taught me a lot about entrepreneurship, team and client management - and I learnt a great deal from my mistakes as well. I was also able to put to use all of my experience from working on the cruise ships, to maintain relationships with top brands, like Le Prarie, Clarins and Espa. The salon was very successful, employing between 6 and 10 staff members, and quickly established a solid base of loyal customers - some of whom are still with me today at Simply Skincare. In 1995, I was able to buy the building next door and expand.
After 17 years of hard work and dedication, I knew the time was right to sell up move on to new things. I am delighted to know that Sybaris is still operating as a successful business, built on firm foundations, but over the years I had come to realise that my personal passion was for skincare. I wanted to allow myself time and space to specialise in this area.
That decision brought me to where I am today. I moved first to Longridge, where I turned a run-down stable block into an exquisitely private and exclusive treatment room, called Eau Zone Day Spa. Then, in 2010, after 4 years building up a fabulous local customer base, I moved to my current home here at Sunny Bank in Grimsargh.
After 17 years of hard work and dedication, I knew the time was right to sell up move on to new things. I am delighted to know that Sybaris is still operating as a successful business, built on firm foundations, but over the years I had come to realise that my personal passion was for skincare. I wanted to allow myself time and space to specialise in this area.
That decision brought me to where I am today. I moved first to Longridge, where I turned a run-down stable block into an exquisitely private and exclusive treatment room, called Eau Zone Day Spa. Then, in 2010, after 4 years building up a fabulous local customer base, I moved to my current home here at Sunny Bank in Grimsargh.
I hope to welcome you soon at Simply Skincare UK
