We catch up with four beauty therapists from Glow Spa & Salon to ask them about their favourite products and which beauty clinic treatments they love from laser therapy hair removal to hair styling serums.
Name: Sarahann
From: Scotland
Role at Glow: Senior Stylist
What do you like about working at Glow?
Glow has a fantastic and supportive team to work alongside; we are a mix of creativity from all around the world making it an interesting and fun place to spend time. I also love the array of stock we have to choose from – it’s every hairdresser’s dream!
What makes a good hair stylist?
I think it all begins in the consultation, listening to your client and giving advice that they maybe didn’t even know they were looking for. It’s up to the stylist to help the client understand their hair and learn its capabilities.
What are some hair trends you’re noticing in 2024?
As things continue towards the natural since COVID, hair health is a priority for most. This allows hair to be minimalist when it comes to styling. The classic bob will be huge this year, this time reflecting the 90’s midi. It can be worn at a length that suits almost every face shape with long soft bangs to frame or not. This look should be effortless so hair health is key here, especially in the humidity of Hong Kong.
What’s one hair tip you can give for readers who might be between salon visits?
Spend time on your wash day. Be aware of the condition and help to seal the hair as much as you can with your conditioner – use a leave-in if you can. This will help to protect your hair until you can get to the salon for some professional care.
What are your go-to hairstyling products that you love and use every day?
I’m a curly girl and I have a huge curly clientele so it has to be Davines Curl-Building Serum and Moisturizing Mousse. Both are great on wash and refresh days. Although these can vary a little by the season, I would never not have them at the ready.
Name: Joyce
From: Hong Kong
Role at Glow: Emerging Stylist
What do you like about working at Glow?
There’s a beautiful lounge for clients to relax in, I enjoy working with my international colleagues who work hard and play hard, and I love the diversity of having both expat and local clients because it gives me different textures of hair to work with.
What makes a good hair stylist?
Consultation with good communication skills is very important – plus understanding clients’ hair routines so you can give the right advice and hair and fashion tips. You should also keep updated with the latest fashion and hair trends and new products, technology, skills and techniques. Also, be creative and never be afraid of change!
What are some hair trends you’re noticing in 2024?
More concern about scalp and hair care, low maintenance hair colour such as balayage or strategic highlights, and, for styles, curly pixie, chin-length bobs, relaxed bobs with natural waves
and French Bangs.
What’s one hair tip you can give readers who might be between salon visits?
Don’t rub or tie your hair when the hair is wet. And don’t go to bed with wet hair because it will cause breakage – hair is most fragile when it’s wet.
What are your go-to hairstyling products that you love and use every day?
My go-to styling product is Davines Curl-Building Serum; it’s a leave-in serum for creating defined, bouncy curl, adding elasticity and shine to curls, and blocking frizz and humidity.
Name: Candy
From: Hong Kong
Role at Glow: Laser and Beauty Therapist
Tell us a bit about your background in skincare and aesthetics.
I joined Glow after completing my basic beauty therapy training. I started on the nail team, and Glow owner Sioban encouraged me to study further, so I continued to work while I furthered my education. I love skincare, but my passion is for laser therapy hair removal. I have a specialist qualification in Laser and Light Therapy. I love it and I have treated over 300 hair removal clients since qualifying six years ago.
What do you like about working at Glow?
The chance to develop my career, a good working culture and great clients!
What makes someone good at laser therapy hair removal?
Knowledge and skills, the patience to treat every customer wholeheartedly and listen to their needs attentively, and a positive attitude to let customers feel your sunshine and enthusiasm.
What beauty therapies, treatments and trends are proving popular in 2024?
This year, there’s more of a focus on natural products for healthy and radiant skin. People are choosing microneedling, light therapy and laser therapy hair removal rather than dermal fillers to combat ageing, wrinkles and inflammation. Also, as scientists do more research around cells and genes, I think we will see more biotechnology-based beauty treatments, such as cell regeneration and gene repair.
What’s one skincare tip you can give for readers who might be between beauty clinic visits?
First, cleanse every day to completely remove dirt from your face; second, exfoliate regularly every week to help with skin renewal; third, always apply sunscreen to protect your skin from ultraviolet damage; fourth, choose the right products to moisturise your skin.
What is your favourite beauty clinic treatment available at Glow?
Dermapen – the result is amazing! It can promote skin metabolism, improve skin texture, help with collagen regeneration to achieve skin tightening and anti-wrinkle effects, and make skincare products more effective by opening the pores.
Name: Tamara
From: Zambia
Role at Glow: Aesthetician
Tell us a bit about your background in skincare and aesthetics.
I’ve been working as a beauty professional since 1999, including in salons and hotel spas in the UK and the Mediterranean. In Hong Kong, I’ve worked at several different salons doing body work, skincare, laser, IPL and electrolysis; I’m now mainly focused on skincare.
What do you like about working at Glow?
How inclusive it is. We strive to have something for everyone and we have an international team of highly trained beauty therapists, hairdressers, lash artists and nail techs. It’s fun to be part of a place that focuses on the client experience as well as results.
What makes a good aesthetician?
Someone who works with you to create a personalised skincare and service regime for your skin goals and lifestyle.
What beauty therapies, treatments and trends are proving popular in 2024?
We’re increasingly seeing more rejuvenating treatments that work with the body’s healing response. People want minimal downtime with results, and it isn’t so much about looking 20 years younger, but more about having healthy skin that makes you look the best you can.
What’s one skincare tip you can give for readers who might be between beauty clinic visits?
There’s no magical skincare tip for in-between treatments; rather it’s about consistency of your homecare routine. I have clients who try new things from Instagram or because their friend with different skin recommended it. Get a good skincare routine at home and religiously use it – and always use sunblock!
What is your favourite beauty clinic treatment available at Glow?
Dermapen microneedling – it addresses different skin concerns like acne, ageing, pigmentation, scarring and stretch marks, with a short down time for the results it produces. If needles aren’t your thing, we can address your concerns with our other treatments.
Meet the Glow stylists
Glow gives us the inside scoop on a handful of the salon’s talented team.
Tracey Au-yeung, Senior Stylist
Tracey is a down-to earth, talented and experienced stylist with a wealth of knowledge and a great eye for colour. Originally from the UK, where she trained and honed her skills, she moved to Asia to live and travel in recent years, arriving finally in Hong Kong where she has quickly cultivated a large following of loyal clients. Tracey is an experienced senior stylist, adept at handling colour, highlights and balayage; she’s also committed to finding your perfect colour!
Sarahann Mcgill, Senior Stylist
Sarahann has worked in a number of the UK’s top salons. She initially apprenticed at Taylor Ferguson Salon, the goto place for Scotland’s celebrity clients. She then switched from salon floor to education, working as an instructor for private academies and as a lecturer in Glasgow. Sarahann made her mark styling backstage guests at various high-profile awards shows, before launching her own salon in 2007. She started her Asian adventure in 2016. Sarahann is a highly talented senior stylist, a Davines Colour Specialist and a specialist in Bridal Styles.
Ari Wong, Creative Stylist
Ari has been part of the Glow family since it opened. He started his career, like most hairdressers, as a salon junior in one of Hong Kong’s most highly respected salons. Training with Toni&Guy, he was fortunate to be spotted by a top hairdresser, and taken under his wing as an apprentice. With a quiet, determined passion and methodical approach, Ari has followed his interest in hair extensions, mastering the technique and developing a loyal client following. He’s also Glow’s Brazilian Blowout/ Bhave treatment master!
Rex Wong, Senior Stylist
Rex has had an exciting and progressive career in three of the most highly regarded salons in Hong Kong. After training with one of HK’s leading stylists, Phillip George, he joined Glow in 2016. His meticulous approach and enviable reputation for balayage make Rex one of Glow’s most sought-after stylists. He is also a regular behind-the-scenes stylist when Glow is engaged in photo shoots and at fashion shows.
Glow Spa & Salon is at 8/F, Silver Fortune Plaza, 1 Wellington Street, Central. For more information, call 2525 5198, WhatsApp 9680 2107 or go to glowspa.hk.
This article about Glow Salon beauty therapies and beauty clinic treatments first appeared in the Spring 2024 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.
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