Find Your Career in Beauty Therapy
with Belinda Hughes
A career in beauty therapy can take you places you may not have considered before. From a career in the traditional spa to a career educating future beauty therapists, there are incredible opportunities available in the beauty industry.
This week on the “A Career in Beauty Therapy” series, we catch up with Belinda Hughes – Clinic Owner and Natural Beauty Expert, and Skin Therapist. Belinda has had such an exceptional career in beauty and we can’t wait to share her story.
Tell us about your career in the beauty industry
I started my beauty career in Canberra. I worked at Schick Natural Body Therapies in Kingston while I studied Beauty Therapy and that really shaped the direction that I took in the beauty industry. I wanted to know everything. I was an avid researcher of products and ingredients and that really set me up to build the business I have.
After almost 15 years in the industry, I opened my own clinic in the back on a pharmacy. Within months of opening, I had to move as they were closing down. I then found a room with a podiatrist to rent and then my business took off. Within 12 months I had to move again as I had outgrown the one room space with all the products I stocked.
About 16 months ago I moved four doors down to a two-room space. My husband has joined the business full time and we have over 20 brands in-clinic, a strong website with online booking and e-commerce, as well as the busy clinic.
I have a strong focus on getting people onto the correct products for their skin to heal and correct skin conditions in conjunction with their facial treatments, hence the ‘Skin Clinic’ rather than Day Spa. I strongly believe homecare is 80% of skincare results so clients should be using the correct products rather than the latest product over the counter.
Your clinic has a natural approach to skin care. Tell us about this and why it is important to you.
I had such a strong start in beauty therapy. I started work in a high-end natural beauty focused salon that really shaped me and how I work. During my studies I learned about the impact of free radicals and anti-oxidants on the skin. It made no sense to me why to put free radical causing petro-chemical ingredients in an anti-aging product. It just seemed counterproductive. I strictly work for the health of the skin so it can function at its best.
In my experience skin is always healthier in the long run when using professional antioxidant rich skincare. The skin just comes alive. My customers are very happy when they get these results.
What has been the best part of your career so far?
My career really took off when I started as a Sales Representative with Eminence Organic Skincare. I always thought it was such an amazing brand; I was thrilled to work with them. I still stock them in my clinic today.
The other stand out moment was when I started publishing an online magazine, Natural Beauty Expert, in 2014. That’s when I really started to shape what my current company looks like. Natural beauty is a lifelong passion for me and I love spreading the word far and wide to help as many people as possible with their skin. Natural Beauty Expert has lead to many opportunities such as speaking at expos, promoting brands I believe in, interviewing amazing people and even launching the first 100% natural Bellabox in 2015. I also really enjoy doing education for other therapists in the industry who are interested in how natural beauty works for the skin.
What do you love most about the beauty industry?
I love helping people, so for me, it’s helping people with their skin. Appearance can really matter to people, especially when they have a skin condition that alters their natural appearance like severe acne or rosacea.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in beauty?
Be passionate about what you do, because then everything else falls into place. You’re then motivated to seek out more information, work hard and achieve.
What change would you like to see in the beauty industry in the next few years?
I would like more regulations for the beauty industry. I’ve felt like this for years because under trained therapists are being let loose with advanced modalities like laser and skin needling. There should be more of a push for beauty therapists to complete advanced courses specialising in a specific area.
To find out more about Belinda and her amazing clinic you can:
Shop and book online: https://belindahughes.com.au
Get social on Facebook: www.facebook.com/belindahughesskinclinic
Check out our Instagram: www.instagram.com/belindahughesskin
We are so incredibly grateful to Belinda for sharing her experience in the beauty industry.
For more guidance about your future career in beauty therapy, chat to the expert team at ACTI at 02 6176 3411.
