THE BEAUTY SHED | A DIFFERENT SALON EXPERIENCE

There’s nothing I love more than hearing about a female bossing it and doing awesomely, triumphant things.

So when I heard about a local gal setting up her own beauty treatment business in her back garden, I was super intrigued. Even more so when I heard she does a killer mani.

Last week, I took a trip to The Beauty Shed in Rochford to get my nails done all sparkly & special for The Hairclubin Ball. I also decided to have a sneaky, last minute shoulder/neck/back massage because every lady needs a bit of pampering every once in a while eh?

The name, ‘The Beauty Shed’ is slightly deceiving. No, it’s not a wooden shack full of garden tools & spiders. It’s baaaasically the other end of the scale to that. It is, in actual fact, a luxury log cabin complete with all the trims and trappings of a plush beauty salon on an intimate scale. Think faux fur, white furniture, cosy cushions & candles. Oh and the fire in the corner roaring away (electric, but nevertheless adding to the tranquil & cosy atmosphere). 

 

 

One minute I was in an average looking back garden and the next minute I’d stumbled into an Austrian hideaway retreat. It was everything I needed after the stresses of the past two weeks, and Chelsea made me feel instantly at ease.
The massage was dreamy. It made me fall into a snooze with a teeny bit of dribble trying to escape from my mouth – always a sign of a really great massage. And then Chelsea transformed my nails into Insta-worthy chrome creations. What a babe.

There are three things that I find very important at any beauty salon or spa facility:

[Number One] The temperature. Okay so this may sound a bit peculiar but I’m super sensitive to the temperature. The warmer I am, the better. And if I’m getting my kit off then I want to be as snug as a bug in a rug y’know? That balmy kinda temperature where you feel relaxed and calm and comfortable. It was the first thing I noticed about The Beauty Shed when I stepped in (that and the seriously cute set up). 

[Number Two] The experience is everything. Going to get a massage/having my nails done/having a facial is a luxury experience for me, so I like things just so. I want it to feel special. I want the towels to be extra fluffy and white,  I want the candles to smell like vanilla and I want the staff to be uniformed (I know, I’m right particular aren’t I).

[Number Three] The long lasting effect. Looking back at your mani a week later is a true test of just how  good your experience was. So for example, I’m looking at my nails right now and going ‘Dam, they look good. In’t she done a good job. Must get myself booked in for Christmas because YES to the sparkly green I saw on FB yesterday‘

 

 

Chelsea Holland, founder of The Beauty Shed, was working at Selfridges in the big LDN when she decided that branching out on her own was the next big step in her career. With serious ‘Girl Boss’ vibes, Chelsea overhauled a log cabin in her back garden to transform it into her new business venture, bringing quality treatments, a different  and good value for her clientele.

That’s following dreams in a big way, right? I think if everyone were brave enough to take risks like that we’d all be waaaaaay happier. There would be less people sitting on twitter every morning moaning about how badly they need a coffee to stop them punching a colleague in the face that day.

When asked what piece of advice she would give for anyone looking to go out on their own, Chelsea replied:

‘Be confident and never stop having fun. It can be stressful at times but don’t let that get the better of you – you have to do what you love’

 

Big thanks to Chelsea for inviting me in to The Beauty Shed last Thursday. I wish you all the best of luck with your exciting new venture. Oh & can I book in for Christmas please? Kay, thanks.

If you’re local to the Rochford, Essex area and fancy a ‘treat yo self’ afternoon then check out the full range of treatments at The Beauty Shed here.