My Account
Skin is the largest organ in the body so it sometimes surprises beauty therapist Karen Brooke that more people don’t take better care of it.
“The focus can sometimes be more on beautification rather than skin health,” she says. “When all the skin’s processes are working as they should, the skin becomes clearer and more luminous, texture and tone improves and lines are softened.”
“Whether you’re male or female, the same rules apply – skin needs to be nourished and products that damage skin should be avoided.”
Karen recently opened a home-based business Willow Bespoke Facial Lounge in Matakatia. Her treatment room offers customers a place to relax, where their individual skin needs can assessed and treated.
“Each treatment is customised to suit the client’s skin requirements. I take into account things like lifestyle, diet and stress levels to make a plan to reach healthier, softer, clearer and more youthful looking skin.”
Karen has been in the beauty business for 17 years, although when she was at school, she had her sights set on being a cabinetmaker. “I don’t think the industry was quite ready to take on women at that point so I went into secretarial and accounting work while I tried to figure out where my passion was.”
Her life took a different direction when she enrolled as the very first student at the Elite International School of Beauty Therapy, as it was known back then. She passed all subjects with honours and was awarded the Highest Standard of Excellence Diploma.
“After so many years in the industry, working with some really knowledgeable and experienced therapists, I’m really glad to be finally focusing on my passion for facials and skin correction treatments.”
Karen says a lot has been learned about skin care over the years and she is now part of a group of like-minded skin therapists called the Slow Beauty Movement, where the focus is more holistic and hands on.
“Instead of peeling, stripping and over-using astringent or foaming cleansers, it is once again about nourishment and hydration. Repair and protect the top layers and the skin can better take care of itself.”
Karen says she is building a sustainable business based on ethical principles and products.
