11:44am Thursday 21st January 2010
A frazzled Lucy Richardson finally finds a window in her busy home/work schedule and makes a date to be pampered.
I DIDN’T realise how much I was in need of some serious pampering until I stepped off life’s treadmill and through the doors of a beauty sanctuary.
Situated at the end of a bustling parade in Mowden, on the edge of Darlington, Beau Visage offers a full range of relaxing treatments destined to go straight to the top of my shopping list.
With facials using Dermalogica, hand and foot makeovers by OPI, CACI non-surgical facelifts and Crystal Clear micro-dermabrasion – a favourite with Victoria Beckham – the salon combines A-list products with first-class service.
I knew my spotty, parched skin was suffering from neglect but had it confirmed by Beau Visage manager and therapist Leanne Cook, after she performed Dermalogica’s exclusive Face Mapping analysis.
A constant struggle to manage my work/family balance had, in recent months, prompted me to reach for the baby wipes to rid my face of make-up. I was cutting corners on a 20-year cleanse, tone and moisturise routine and ignoring the premium brand products in my bursting bathroom cabinet.
Leanne recommended a Dermalogica facial using products targeted at my sensitive pores and my skin was swiftly transformed from red and angry to soft and calm.
To have someone layer your face in gorgeous lotions and potions before giving a heavenly head and shoulder massage was a truly uplifting experience and actually made me feel quite emotional for the rest of the day.
A desire to restore a client’s well-being is at the heart of Leanne’s philosophy. As the owner of a sister Beau Visage outlet in Hartburn, Stockton, she believes offering exceptional service is the key to customer satisfaction.
“Both salons are located out-of-town with easy parking.
This means that for women and girls coming here after work it is safe and convenient,” she explains. “We have tried to make the experience as special as possible.
It is not a spa, but is the next best thing. We want to go that extra mile.”
Leanne and her team have been hosting champagne evenings and other events to entice new customers to try their Universal contour inch-loss wrap, a spray tan or eyelash extensions as well as an extensive range of face and body treatments.
“There is a lot of stress in life. Women and men think ‘I deserve this time out’ and budget for a treatment that month which gives them a great sense of well-being,”
says Leanne. “With the recession, people are no longer able to afford big holidays or cars, but still need an uplifting experience.”
To complement the sumptuous decor of the Mowden salon, Leanne and business partner husband Mark are hoping to install a nail bar and planning to turn the area at the back of the property into an tranquil outdoor oasis where customers can enjoy a glass of wine or herbal tea. They are also looking at making their services more direct and turning tired offices workers into glamorous powerhouses from the comfort of their desks.
“We are always coming up with ideas,” says Leanne.
“We just want people to look and feel as good as they can – and we know we can make that happen.”
Beau Visage
82 Fulthorpe Avenue, Darlington, DL3 9XT Tel: 01325-365888, 6 Harper Parade, Hartburn, Stockton, TS18 5EQ.
Tel: 01642-585600
beauvisagebeauty.com
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.livingnortheast.co.uk