Christine Clais, The French Facialist, speaks to Professional Beauty about what her work, as a facials expert, involves.
Briefly outline your career
I started working as a beauty therapist over twenty years ago. My first job was at a Melbourne suburban salon. After three years, I left to specialise in industry training and management and worked for companies such as Jurlique, as their international training coordinator, Hepburn Day Spa, as a project manager, and for Aurora Spa Retreat in management.
More recently, I was a lecturer at Victoria University before setting up "Le Petit Salon Beauty & Well-Being Studio" over six years ago. Eighteen months ago, with my commercial lease coming to an end, I decided to relocate, downsize and concentrate on my core business: I now work alone and specialise in facial treatments.
How did you get into the beauty industry?
From a very early age, I have always had a fascination for creams and potions. I take after my late paternal grandmother, "Bonne Maman", whom I spent a lot of time with as a young child. She used to visit her local beauty salon twice a month and had a large collection of French creams, all packaged in beautiful looking jars. I started to take a serious interest in facial products and treatments whilst working as a long haul flight attendant for Air France as I looked for solutions to treat my own very dehydrated and frequent-flying skin!
After a couple of years spent settling into my new Aussie life, I decided to enrol as a mature-aged student in a Diploma of Health Science at the then Flagstaff College in Melbourne. And I have never looked back: I truly have found my passion!
You have been in the industry for over twenty years, what has changed? What is different about today’s consumers and the beauty industry as opposed to 20 years ago?
Our industry has been through a drastic change over the last two decades. Twenty years ago, as a beauty student, you were strongly encouraged to train and excel in all aspects of beauty; the Australian spa industry was in its infancy stage; botox was not commonly used yet and dealing with the Internet was restricted to checking a few emails!
Nowadays, beauty salons/clinics and spas are facing fierce competition from all sides: doctors' practices, pharmacies, department stores, Internet-based skincare sites, direct selling companies, at-home treatment devices, etc. Today's consumers are also very savvy shoppers who are searching for the best value-for-money deals. It is a tough market out there!
I believe that the stage we are going through is forcing all of us to re-assess the way we are running our businesses and the quality of service we offer. I believe that we will see the closure of more businesses, but also the rise of smaller operators who can offer a high level of personalised customer care that can satisfy the needs of ever more exigent consumers.
Why are you called the “French Facialist?”
I have chosen to be called the French Facialist, as it is a term that people use to refer to me sometimes. I like it; it is simple and defines who I am: I am French and I specialise in facial treatments!
What is a point of difference with your treatments?
My treatments are unique, as they are personalised to each individual client. Although I follow specific treatment protocols, these might vary slightly depending of the needs of my clients at a particular time. Because I work with energy, each of my sessions is experienced as being unique. Whilst I am a very result-driven facialist, I am also very nurturing. Overall, I am a perfectionist!
Explain in detail your methodologies
The skin is an organ and like any other organ in your body, no amount of botox will make your skin glow, if it is not naturally performing at its optimum level.
I am driven by the desire to provide women with true skin healing and age management solutions. An advocate of integrative skincare, I believe strongly in a personalised approach to treatment delivery. I not only take into account my clients' skin types or conditions, but also their personality and lifestyle.
What is an average day like for you?
I arrive at work early to set up for the day's appointments and to review my clients’ files. My days are usually long days, where I see and treat up to six or seven clients.
I do allow a thirty-minute gap between appointments; I utilise this period as a turnaround time for prescribing skincare, rebooking my client and getting ready for the next appointment, as well as keeping sane and centred!
The beginning of my week is spent writing blogs and editorial content for a selection of national and international publications. I am also available for public speaking and corporate workshops (see my website: www.thefrenchfacialist.com).
What are some challenges faced by beauty therapists today?
In my opinion, today's beauty therapists are faced with the following challenges: finding their feet in an industry that is undergoing a huge shift, as well as currently offering little in the way of career development opportunities. I would like to see an industry that is more focused on providing quality services, one with a stronger emphasis on on-going training and professional development.
What is your philosophy on skincare?
I am ingredient focused rather than brand focused, which means that I see myself as a chef creating personalised skincare recipes based on the action of specific ingredients on the skin. I also believe that many women damage their skin by using too many products and over treating their skin. More is not always better in regards to skincare.
What is the main piece of advice you would give about what you have learnt over the years?
Trust your intuition, it is always right.
Visit www.thefrenchfacialist.com for further information.